Chase your fate

chapter 5

It was a perfectly timed, gentle, playful, shove, but it was enough to catch Chase off guard.  A million things passed through his mind as he tried to regain his footing before colliding into Devyn.  She had been walking with her head down, avoiding eye contact with everyone, as is her way.  Her purse on her shoulder and books clutched to her chest, she didn't see it coming.  When his shoulder made contact, her books fell from her hands, her glasses slightly knocked off center and she began to lose her balance.  Without thinking, Chase wrapped his arms around her, trying to catch both of them, finally regaining his footing just in time to realize that he was holding his dreams in his arms.  Panic crossed his reddened face as he willed his arms to release her but not quite able to get them to cooperate.  He was frozen in an awkward embrace, looking at her trying to get any part of his body to work, or at least to find his voice.

She looked at him, a mixture of embarrassment, shock, and annoyance "W...what the hell?" she started, "Oh..oh my god... I .. I'm so s..sorry.. I .. I didn't .. I wasn't.. I . I mean.."  he tried apologizing, but couldn't form a complete thought or sentence.  Her face softened a little as she realized that he wasn't attacking her or trying to grope her.  She relaxed a little, still a bit uncomfortable, but, couldn't help but to giggle a little seeing the boy that was known as one to be afraid of, seeming about to panic.  She looked into his eyes, starting to feel an awkward heat come to her cheeks "Y...you can ...let me go now..".  He finally got some semblance of control, quickly releasing her from his arms, stepping back, bumping into Kiira, hearing her trying to stifle a giggle. 'I'm going to kill her later... if I don't die from this' he thought.  "I... I'm sorry D..Devyn.. I lost my balance.. here.. l...let me get your things."  he said as he knelt to gather the books he had knocked out of her hands.  She looked at him curiously. "I don't think... I've ever heard you speak before..."  oh god... there's a reason for that... he looked up as he stood, trying to stretch his vertebrae so that he could meet her height, cursing his genes for being the world's tallest midget.

"I..... I don't talk much." he said, wishing he could just disappear, but at the same time, wanting to let the floodgates of all the things he wished he could say to her come out.  "I've noticed.. you should though.. your voice is ... nice." she said, quickly blushing. "I.. I have to get to class..." she whispered as she turned to walk away.  He stood there stunned for a minute, not able to take his eyes from her back as she walked away, his heart stopping when she turned to look back, catching him, and smiled softly at him before going on her way.

He turned back to Kiira, torn between wanting to hug her, and wanting to strangle her.  She giggled seeing him like this "God Chase... I know you like her... but.. do you really have to try to tackle her in the hallway?".  She quickly hid behind Ethan, peeking around his shoulder at him.  "That's it Kiira...when i get home tonight.. I'm posting my blackmail picture of you on facebook." "Don't you dare!" she stepped out from behind Ethan. Ethan looked between them, then back at Kiira "I have to side with Chase on this one Kiira.... you kinda earned it.".  She looked at both of them with feigned innocence. "But... but ... all i did was ... get you past the hardest part..." she put out her bottom lip and flashed her eyelashes at them.  Chase grinned, grabbing his backpack, looking at her "i wonder... if it would get more likes and comments if i actually tagged you in it?".   She stood before him, looking up into his face. "Chase Lawrence Daniels.... if you post that picture... so help me... I... I don't know what ... but... you'll regret it."  he laughs a little, knowing that she could be more devious than he could.

Ethan looks between them, grinning at Kiira "oh... now i need to see this picture.. what is it?".  "It's proof that Chase is a jerk"  Kiira pouted.  Chase looked at her in fake innocence, the laughs a little looking at Ethan "well, at the end of sophmore year, we were working on a partner project, and it got late, so i crashed at her house.  We crashed in the living room.  Me in the floor, her on the couch.  well, when i woke up, she was sprawled out on the couch.  One leg and one arm hanging over the side of the couch, the other arm across half her face, her hair... oh my god, Ethan, her hair was awesomely wild, and, she fell asleep before taking off her make up, so it was all.... not still on point... and..." "CHASE!" "and.... she was drooling...."  Ethan busted out laughing "oh god, you gotta send me that." "I'm going to kill both of you" she said. 

Chase shook his head, starting to head away to class "you better get to class before you're late."  "you better delete that picture Chase"  she said.   He laughed, calling over his shoulder "no way Kiira..  that's why i keep it... just for moments like this".  She called out a few threats as he walked to his class.  He couldn't help but to remember the way Devyn felt in his arms.  The smell of her apple scented shampoo and lavender body lotion.  Maybe he should forgive Kiira.. after all.. she was right.. all she did was get him past the hardest part.. He had spoken to her.  Yes, like an idiot, but, they had spoken.  Who's to say they couldn't speak again?