Something between Us

Chapter 7.

Denny's 430.

I re read the text from Chase, over and over again as if re reading his message will somehow ease every single crippling nerve in my body. Nothing will calm the butterflies building up in my stomach knowing I'll be spending a Saturday with Chase. It's just to study, I repeat to myself. Nothing more,  nothing less; just two old friends working together on a school project. Stop reading into to Ally. God. I'm shouting at myself now. Great, I've gone mad.
I walk over to my crystallised body length mirror and sigh looking at my reflection. I run my hands through my dark lions mane, attempting to tame it a little. When that doesn't work I let the loose dark brown curls fall down caressing my lightly blushed cheeks. I notice my freckles, only faintly, masked slightly by the small amount of powder I'm wearing.
I close my eyes and smile; reminiscing of the times Chase would count the dots on my face, gently pressing his fingertips on each freckle he counts. I add a touch of mascara to my already thick black lashes, finishing off with a clear lip gloss. I don't want to look like I'm trying too hard, but also want to how him I can look good.
What a dork. 
"Do you want dinner honey?" My mom shouts down the hall.
"I told you I can't, I'm meeting Chase to do school work."
I roll my eyes, she already knows this. It just weirdly excites her every time I mention it. My moms a sweetheart and she's always adored Chase.
It broke her heart when I told her he wouldn't be around anymore. I sigh, taking in one last look at myself in the mirror; assessing my appearance before grabbing my black denim jean jacket, car keys, phone and leather bag pack.
It's now or never.

When I walk into the diner I am shook by a gust of anxiety.
When I scan the room and find no sign of Chase my anxiety only grows more. If I hadn't already walked through the doors and had an employee approach me to take me to be seated, I sure as hell would have bolted to my car by now; I still can't work out why we agreed to meet here, we're neighbours I should have just offered to drive him.
Shaking the thought from my mind I being looking for the closest available table, when I spot a corner table not far from where I'm standing my ears prick up at the sound of contagious laughter. Chase.
 A loud echoing laugh you can't ignore my eyes dart to the direction of the beautiful sound, Chase is sitting in a booth towards the back of the diner.
Laughing with a middle aged man; who I can only assume works here, judging by his well worn apron and the pencil and paper book in his hand.
I can't seem to tell my feet to move, my brain and feet don't appear to be in a cooperating mood today. My nerves have me glued to the spot, looking like a crazy stalker burning holes into the back of Chases dark waves.
"Looks like your company finally decided to show up." The waiter laughs a low chuckle to Chase pointing his head in my direction.
I have no choice now but to move my feet, I plead with my legs to move, surprisingly they finally cave. As I approach the booth the waiter is looking at me, smiling.
Before he leaves he says something to Chase, too quiet for me to hear, although I catch the word 'girl' so I can only guess I was the hot topic of conversation.

Or maybe I'm reading into it. 
Like the gentlemen I always knew Chase to be; he stands up gesturing for me to take a seat before him. I offer him a brave smile and slide into the booth, taking the seat opposite him.

Once we're both sat down directly opposite we're silent. I can't stop my eyes from wondering; first they examine the plain beige t-shirt that hugs tightly to his muscular shoulders and biceps. I find myself once again questioning when Chase got so buff.
My eyes move to his beautifully chiselled face that looks practically hand crafted. I'm positive that it would only take one photo to a modelling agency and they would eat him up.
The sides of his full lips twitch into his ever famous half smile, a specific smile that was always reserved for me. I know he's noticed I'm staring, but for some reason, I am unfazed and can't seem to look away.
The stubble kissing his cheek bones that continues down to his defined jawline makes him look much older than he is; he could totally pass for a college student. I can't hide my smile when my eyes find the beauty spot nesting below his bottom lip.
"Hey," I'm finally snapped out of my trans by Chases deep husky voice.
"Hey," I smile shyly embarrassed by my lack of self control.
"Are you done staring?" Chase asks confidently, a confidence I've always found annoying, annoyingly attractive.
His tone is playful he's not trying to embarrass me, I can tell.
This is way at breaking the ice. I appreciate that.
"Well, excuse me for admiring the glow up." I tease and I am rewarded with a wide smile, obviously flattered by the compliment.
"I didn't realise how much you had changed." I try to play down my kind outburst, wishing I hadn't been so brazen.
"You have too," he sighs, "but, at the same time you haven't." He's smiling at me. 
If our relationship was different I'd be inclined to believe he was admiring me.
"Your hairs still as crazy as a caveman's" he laughs pretending touch my hair.
I give Chase a glare warning him not to push his luck too much, he laughs at me again and I find myself once again surprised by his different attitude, more pleasant than the day he was partnered with me.
"I ordered for you," he informs me, "I hope you don't mind."
He shrugs off the gesture as if it's nothing but my reaction of shock and excitement to this is anything but subtle.
My mouth gapes in shock, he would never remember my order, why would he.
"Thank you." I smile excitedly.
Way to play it cool Ally.
"It's no big deal, I was hungry and I expected you to be late, you know taming the beast."
He points to my hair.
"I just thought I'd-" he's not so cool and confident now.
I can see him crumbling becoming nervous; his mind questioning why he did that.
I'm sure he feels awkward now.
"Well you better not have picked out a salad for me," I crunch my nose up in disgust.
"Because I'm hungry and I will take food from your plate." I try to lighten the mood.
I can see the relief oozing from Chase and he soon relaxes back into the conversation.
"Don't you trust me," he pauses, "Ally bear," I roll my eyes, something I do a lot when I'm with Chase.
His mocking of my moms nick name for me is sweet and so typically Chase.
"Well to be frank Chase. No I do not."
I smile smugly, "so your redemption rests with your choice." I fold my arms across my chest.
"Are you feeling confident?" I ask boldly and Chase just laughs along.
Spending time with Chase feels natural even after all this time; I slowly feel the nervous flutters in my tummy disappear and I settle into this familiar setting.