Something between Us

Chapter 9

The school bell rings in my ears, like the sound of a screaming banshee disrupting the happy chatter of teens bragging about how drunk they were the previous weekend while the guys over play their latest conquests. I however resemble a zombie, sleeping next to Lola is always eventful; snoring, loud and constantly fidgeting in her sleep. "I'm sorry you look like shit because of me," Lola jokes, I groan leaning against the locker, "you're sleeping on the floor next week," I scowl pointing my bony fingered in Lola's face. "You say that every time, and shock, never happens," Lola laughs brushing off my empty threat, I can't argue, she's right. I hear my name called and part of me wants to ignore it, I've spent the weekend avoiding this, can't I for just a little longer. "Stop ignoring him," Lola whispers, I do as my told, turning to face a bright white smile, "hey there," he greets me, looking handsome with his short sandy blonde hair lightly gelled and his golden eyes excited. "I missed you this weekend," "I'm sorry, I was busy, Lola and I-" "hey it's okay, just make it up to me this weekend okay?" I've always appreciated Tate for his ability to be so understanding, but now it just makes my conscience feel even more dirty . You spent time with an old friend. That's all, the voice inside my head reminds me. "Of course," I smile at my sweet boyfriend, I lean up and plant a small kiss on the soft of his smooth cheek. "We better get to class, see you on the field," I wink playful, "god he's needy," Lola laughs when he's out of ear shot, "I can see why your eyes are wondering," her head motions to the lockers in the far corner, Chase is leaning against his, one hand in the pocket of his skinny black jeans that are little over worn, and his other hand has his phone glued to it; he's looking down, so his wavy dark hair caresses his whiskered cheeks. I wonder who he's texting. His plain white t-shirt hugging his muscular torso, "piss off," I nudge her, more annoyed at my curiosity regarding Chases texting habits. "Sorry too soon for jokes," Lola laughs walking further along the hall, my phone buzzes, I read the message on the home screen and smile,
Is it next time yet?;)
I turn around subtly, Chase is staring at me, smiling wide he was waiting for me to receive the text. I shrug playful shaking my head at the boy, he smiles back before he's absorbed by the crowd of teenagers.

First period is over pretty much before it even started, we leave the room with Lola rushing out before anyone else. When I leave the classroom Lola is waiting patiently for me, "let's go," she smiles excitedly, I love how we share the same excitement for cheer practice. "Al," I hear my name for the second time, only this time it sounds different, it's not Ally or babe, it's simply Al. I smile when I see Chase jog slowly over to me, "what do you want now," I tease, his eyes glaze with humour. "Play nice Ally Bear," he's playful today, I like that.
He's standing just a few feet away from me, his smile crocked, "hey," he says stretching his arm to gently rub my forearm my head spins from the contact. "Hey you," "I have an idea," Chase beams, proud of himself. I screw my eyes half shut, as if that will help read his mind and reveal his plans, "that is?" I press for details, "you have practice now," it's not a question, I can tell he already knows that I do. "Awesome, I have a free period. What do you say to me filming you, in action.." he points to the video camera in his hand, "how did you get hold of that?" "Music club let me borrow it," he shrugs off his good deed, "being cheer captain is pretty much your whole High School experience, so I thought why not start there," I squeal, excited at how involved Chase has become in our project" "Ally Benson in her natural habitat," he jokes leaning closer, "Amazing! I need to go to the locker rooms and get changed, meet me out on the field in ten minutes," I instruct, "yes boss." He finally moves his hand from my arm bringing this hand to his forehead saluting me. "Funny," I stick my tongue out at him, a childish gesture that reduces us both to laughter. When Chase parts I turn my attention back to Lola who's leaning against the locker laughing to herself, "hi chase, how are you chase. Oh good chase," Lola's immature way of suggesting Chase could have spoken to her, "hey Lola, how are you Lola," Chase turns back laughing hard, Lola laughs too  she holds her hands up, "someone's trying to impress you." My cheeks shine a bright crimson, I try to shake off her inappropriate and completely incorrect analogy, I drag her by the arm to the locker rooms, I've never felt nervous for practice before, until today.