“OKAY, SO AS USUAL, it will be you, me, Abby, Seth Brandon and Jared who’s coming to watch Jennifer’s Body tomorrow night at Jared’s.” Precious said as she read off the names in her list. “Unless you want to invite Chase, Kels.”
We were sitting on the bleachers by the basketball court outside school, waiting for Seth, Jared and Brandon to finish their basketball game. We had agreed to watch Jennifer’s Body and go trick-or-treating with some friends tomorrow night. Jared had offered their movie room for our viewing pleasure.
It’s been almost a month since Jared and Amanda broke up. Time’s so fast I didn’t even notice Halloween is tomorrow already.
“I’m sure he’d love to.” Chase had hung out with us a few times—merely because I forced him to—and actually got along with Abby, Precious, Seth and Brandon. Not so much with Jared but at least they hated each other less now.
“Yeah, you should totally invite Chase,” Abby said, unsurprisingly.
“Talking ‘bout me?” A voice near my ear said. I turned around to see that Chase’s face was a few inches from me. His breath washed my cheek, warming it. I winced away from his closeness.
“Yeah, and we were wondering if you’d like to watch Jennifer’s Body with us tomorrow at Jared’s place.” Abby said.
“Is that a trick question?” Chase exclaimed, looking overexcited. “Hell, yeah! Bring on the gore!”
“You know what Chase? Sometimes I wonder if you’re really a human being.” I rolled my eyes.
“Is Chase coming?” Seth asked, all sweaty from the game.
“Yeah, he is. So, who won?” I asked as the other two guys huddled around us.
“I did, of course.” Jared snorted. Sweat was dripping from his blond hair to his sticky face. His muscles beamed at me from under his red shirt. I blushed slightly.
“Bran, I’m warning you, do not come near me.” Abby cautioned. “Not when you’re all sweaty like that. Take a shower will you, guys?”
Brandon rolled his eyes. “Yes, we will, Your Majesty.”
“So what’s the final listing?” Jared asked while he tucked the ball under his arm.
“Precious, Kelsie, Abby, Seth, Brandon, Jared, and Chase—we’re all seven.” Abby informed.
“You coming, Henman?” Jared said, trying to be friendly.
“Yeah, they invited me.” His voice held the same tone.
“Cool,”
Sigh. I really hope Chase and Jared would be friends now.
We hung out a bit until Abby announced that she was needed home before five. Everyone started walking to their cars.
“Uh, Kels, do you mind if I ride with you?” Chase asked.
As much as I want to, I had to ask. “I thought you had a car.”
“My tire’s busted. It’s being vulcanized. I just hitched a ride with my buddy Julian this morning.” He shrugged. “But if you don’t want, I could just ride with…Jared?” I had to smile. My two best friends are riding with their boyfriends and we all know what they do before dropping the girls to their houses.
“Sure you can, Chase.” I said warmly. “But I gotta warn you, my car’s no Mercedes.”
He grinned at me. “I know,”
“What’s the matter? How come you’re not joking or picking on me?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He said nervously. I could tell that he was about to do something—why else would he be nervous?
Once in the car, I turned the heater on and jammed the radio to a volume that still allowed for easy conversation.
We were silent for a couple of minutes. It makes me wonder what’s really going on inside Chase’s brain.
“Okay, Kelsie. You better forget what I’m about to say or else it’ll rot in your brain forever.” He warned, breaking the silence.
Before I could make sense of his words, he was suddenly revealing himself.
“I like you, Kelsie Lewis.” He said, embarrassment colored his voice. “I really, really do”
My heart beat furiously again. I had to keep in mind that I was driving and made no good to lose focus.
“Why are you telling me this?” I asked in a trembling voice.
I turned to Chase’s street and stopped at his house.
“Because it’s true.” He probably recovered from the humiliation of telling me because he was himself again. “You gotta be thankful. You’re the first girl I ever noticed. And that’s saying something considering that there are way hotter girls out there”
His words sent a thrill down my spine. “Then why me?” I snapped at him.
“Why not?” He joked.
“I have had enough of your jokes Chase Henman.”
“Fine, look, I know you’re gaga over Sullivan” He said, ignoring my glare as he mentioned Jared. “But that’s alright with me. I’m not expecting you to like me too. Okay, I do, but I kind of don’t either.” He looked confused by what he was saying. “You hate me now, don’t you?”
“Of course not, Chase.” Okay, now I am really confused about my feelings for Chase and Jared. “We’re friends, and I like you too. But…”
“But you like Jared. I know, I know.” Chase’s face reddened. “God, I’m an idiot.” he mumbled.
I wish I could tell him how his presence affects my mind, how his smile captivates my whole being when he’s here. But I told myself that it’s not the right time yet. Not when my feelings for him and Jared are all jumbled up in twists and loops in my head. “I’m sorry Chase.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m not mad at you though”
“Chase, this isn’t gonna be the reason for things to be weird between us right?”
“Of course not. Let’s just forget this thing happened.” Chase reluctantly offered. “Hi, I’m Chase Henman, and I have no idea what just happened.”
“Sure,” I agreed.
“Thanks for the ride, Lewis.”
“No problem, Henman.”
He got out of the car and half-ran to the front door.
I meditated by taking deep breaths. When I was calm, I drove silently to my house while trying to dodge out certain scenarios in my head.
YOU ARE READING
The Not So Girl Next Door
Teen FictionKelsie Lewis and Jared Sullivan have been best friends ever since they could remember. Until one day, five years ago, destiny greedily decided to keep them apart when Jared's family moved out of the small town of Apple Valley, California. Now, Jared...
