Something between Us

Chapter 11

I have managed to ignore Chase moderately well this week, I send him one text,
can't meet this week. Busy.
He didn't bother to reply to my message so I assume he was grateful to be off the hook this week. After our weird moment on the field I just haven't been prepared to be in his presence.
"Hey Penny," I call for my new friend as I pass he leaving the school doors at the end of the day, "we're going to the mall," I tell her pointing to myself and Lola,
"do you want to join us?"
"Don't let Ally's driving put you off," I roll my eyes at Lola,
"sure that would be awesome," Penny's excitement at the invitation is refreshing. "Where's Tate by the way," Lola asks me. 
"Gym. And I know better than anyone to leave him to it," I laugh off her being nosy.
"Have you worked with Chase much this week?" She's fishing for information, "not this week no." I keep my reply short, Lola should know better than anyone, if I don't want to talk, I won't. "So what are you buying from the Mall?" Penny's innocence is exactly what I need right now, "oh she doesn't need anything," Lola tells her, "she just needs a distraction from boys."
"Come on my cars cover here," I lead the way to my car putting distance between my instructive friend and I

We spend a couple of hours walking aimlessly around the mall going into the same shops multiple time. I finally settle on a pretty pink thick headband, black leather high waisted trousers and a cropped grey cape jumper. Lola buys a thin two strapped red satin mini dress only just about covering her body; she looks amazing in it. Penny warned Lola the pricy dress will be worn once and thrown into her wardrobe, a true evaluation of Lola. Lola laughs at Penny's expense knowing Penny is yet to learn Lola's obsession of blowing up money.
Lola wasn't wrong when she said I was using the Mall as a distraction but I'm glad I did, its fun getting to know Penny and her crazy accurate Arnold Schwarzenegger impression. 

When I get home I pull up my drive, I put my car into neutral an notice a porch light directly behind me. I know that the light is coming from Chases house. I sit in my car for a short while and repeat to myself my new mantra Tate, Lola, Squad, over and over again hoping it'll stick in my mind long enough to get into my house and lock the door behind me. Even now, I don't trust my mind when it comes to Chase, a habit of lifetime to break. All it would take is one glance back and I know I'd be marching over to his house demanding answers. But what would that achieve? More confusion. I finally muster the courage to get out my car, convinced I won't tempt myself searching for a glimpse of Chase; who I know will be sat reading on his porch, there's a little white bench just under the light. His night time reading spot, or was.
I'm pathetic, curiosity gets the better of me, I'm keen to know if Chase still uses his reading spot. I tell myself one look won't hurt, as I click my car keys to lock the door I break every rule I have just given myself. The porch looks empty, and I sigh, maybe everything has changed.

I look back just once more, this time I catch a glimpse of Chases silhouette, he's got a book in his hand, I'm too far away to work out which book it is and its too dark to see the picture on the front.
I don't think he's noticed my staring, I take in another look before I turn my back on him and head for my front door. As my hand reaches for the door handle my phone buzzes, I take my phone from my jean jacket pocket, I struggle with the shopping bags in my hand so I put them down.
Come over here.
I read the text message twice, blinking repeatedly just to be sure that my eyes aren't playing tricks on me. I scoff and as I'm about to out my phone back in my pocket and ignore him, Chase sends a second text.
Please...Al.
I'm haunted by him, all all it takes, is those two words. I turn my back to my own house and walk in the direction leading me to Chase. My feet and head aren't fully connected because my brain is screaming at my feet to stop, I know I should not be walking in this direction, but I can't seem to stop. My feet know where I want to be even if my brain doesn't want to admit it.

"Hey," Chase's voice is weak, I can barely hear him through his hushed tone mixed with the night breeze filing my ears. I don't say anything back, instead I fold my arms across my chest, standing motionless in front of him at the bottom of the deep oak wooden steps leading up to the matching wooden door. I wait for him to speak, I can't find my tongue yet, "please come up here," his voice is shaky if I didn't know Chase better I'd have almost believed he was nervous. I shake my head, "you asked me to come over here, I have." I point out bluntly, "what do you want?" I ask him my voice filled with irritation, "I don't have the patience for anymore games Chase," I'm exhausted from the up and downs, my attitude reflecting this. I mentally high five myself for my lack of emotions. Chase doesn't say anything else, which angers me further, I throw my hands in the air and the fall flat by my side, "I don't know why I even bothered," I sigh, "again." I turn around to walk away from the boy who always manages to wreck havoc with my mind. 
"It's their anniversary today," his voice breaks and with it my anger does too. He doesn't need to say another word before I'm turning back to him, almost running to him I walk up to the porch, now I'm standing close to him. His quiet sobs send a dagger through my chest, cutting through me deep. I take a seat next to Chase on the bench and without giving it a second thought I place my small hand on thigh, resting my forehead against his. "I'm so sorry Chase," I start to speak, but Chase interrupts me, he places his hand over my hand that lays peacefully on his thigh, he squeezes it tightly, his thumb rubbing my knuckles. "I'm so sorry Ally," my mouth forms an O, I'm left completely surprised by Chases unexpected apology. I want to say something, anything but I can't find the words. I don't think there's any words that could ever fit in this moment. Instead of words, I pull the broken boy closer to me, wrapping both my arms around him in a protective embrace. I expect him to push me away Or cringe at the contact, he doesn't. He lets himself fall deep into my arms, he wraps is arms around my waist, hugging me tight. His hold is so strong that even if I wanted to move from his embrace I wouldn't be able to. The silence is deafening and we are completely still, content in each other's arms, I've never felt more at home.