Chase your fate

Chapter 21

Lenora stood at the door to the Daniels' home, knocking softly.  She still couldn't believe that she was doing this.  She knew, in her heart, that it was wrong.  This was more than just a harmless prank.  Alex had no intention of letting Chase get away for attacking him, just because she had a breakdown in front of him.  She didn't know why Chase had to go after him like that, it's not like I'm really that important to him.  He was just looking for an excuse because he hates Alex.  Still, why Alex wanted her to do this, didn't really make sense, she didn't even understand it.

Bella Rose Daniels opened the door with her usual good natured smile.  "Lenora, it's been a long time since you dropped by... Everything ok honey?".  She felt a stab of guilt, knowing that Mrs. Daniels was probably one of the nicest people she'd ever met, and she was only here to cause trouble.  "N...not really Mrs. Daniels... I.. I need to apologize to Chase for something.. Is.. is he here.".  "Yes dear... he's sitting on the back patio.  It's getting awful dark, I figured he'd be coming in soon anyway.. hold on.. CHASE.. YOUR FRIEND IS HERE TO SEE YOU." she yelled towards the back of the house.  Again, the stab of guilt at the word 'friend', she surely didn't feel like his friend right now.  "Come on in sweetheart.. just go on out there." "thank you." she said with her eyes lowered to the ground, walking out the back door, finding Chase in the chair with his notebook and pencil.  "Hey Chase..." she said softly as he looked up, surprised to see her.

He looked over at her, setting his feet on the ground, lowering his pad to the small table beside him.  "Hey Lenny..." she glared at him for a second "you know I hate when you call me that.".  He smiled a little, offering her a chair "sorry.. it just came out... So, you still mad at me?".  "Shouldn't I be?" he sat back, running his fingers through his hair.  "Well, I don't know.. I warned you.. I told you that you didn't want to hear what I had to say.".  She sat down with a huff "yeah.. well.. if it was just that.. I coulda got over it."  He looked over at her "What do you mean.. if it was just that?".  She leaned forward looking at him "I would have got over your smart mouth.. if you hadn't went and picked a fight with Alex over it..."  "HOLD UP.." he said feeling a little hurt and angry "Is that what you think happened?" "Oh stop it Chase" she said in disgust "we all know that's what happened.. you left pissed off, then found him in the hall and jumped him.. he told us all about it." 

Chase stood to his feet "Oh I bet he did... did he tell you why?  HUH?  Did he tell you what really happened?".  She stood, matching his anger "Yes. Chase, yes.. he said he was walking to his locker, when outta nowhere, you threw him against the wall.  He had no choice but to fight back."  He balled his fists, looking at her "I bet.... I bet that's what he said... he didn't want anyone to know the truth.".  She shook her head "what truth Chase?  Seriously.. we all know..." "WE DON'T KNOW ANYTHING." he said at almost a shout.  He began pacing back and forth along the patio, trying to calm himself.  He finally stopped, knowing what to say to get through to her, he spoke calmly.. almost in a whisper "Lenora... can I ask you something?  And I want you to think about the answer.. really hard.. before you answer me..".  She thought for a second "If you're going to ask me why I'm with Alex.. don't waste your breath." she spat back.  He looked at her with pleading eyes "No.. Lenora... I need to ask you something about you and me."  That shut her up.  She sat back down in her chair, looking up to him.  "Yeah, Chase, go ahead.".

He sat in the chair across from her, leaning his elbows on his knees, looking into her eyes.  "In all the time that you've known me.. Have I ever lied to you?".  That was not the question she had been expecting.  She leaned back in the chair, thinking back over the years, going over all the nights that he'd comforted her, told her that she was worth more than she thought, gave her advice.  She finally admitted to herself, and him "N...no Chase... I mean.. you've always been honest with me.. even if it made you look bad, or.. well.. or even if it made you seem like an asshole because it wasn't something that I wanted to hear.  I guess.. no Chase.. you've never lied to me.".  He sighed, looking at her.  "I've always told you the truth.  Sometimes, even when I knew it would hurt.  And sometimes, even if it hurt me to say.  But you, of all people, need to know, I didn't jump Alex while he was walking to his locker.".  "What?"  she said, a little surprised "what.. what happened then?".