Something between Us

Chapter 12

After spending the first part my morning reeling over the night before with Chase I convince myself that the time I spent with Chase was purely old friend. God I feel like a broken record. I know deep down in that moment last night something felt so real and pure with him and I can't deny that to myself.
I'm with Tate now, Tate who has never treated me poorly, who's feelings for me I never have to question. He opens the door for me, he's polite and mindful of my feelings, we don't argue it's easy.
Chase and I can be friends, and I can be Tate's girlfriend and this can work. The more I say it the more I'll believe it...

I choose a white above the knee v-line t-shirt dress, black leather buckle biker boots and a stone colour jean jacket as my outfit for the day.
After a quick analysis of my appearance I leave my hair looking like I have slept out in the wilderness for the night, loose curls falling from my scalp and down my face, one side heavier with hair than the other.
"Do you want some breakfast honey?" My mom asks standing by the coffee machine with what I'm guessing is her second cup in hand.
"Sure," I smile reaching for my phone lighting up in my pockets,
You were on total ghost mode last night, what the hell happened.
Lola sees through me even when we aren't together, she knows something happened last night and I have to decide how much to divulge to her. I shut my phone away for now and enjoy a morning coffee, black with my mom these mornings are becoming more rarer so I need to make the most of it.

My heart stops when I walk out my front door at the precise moment Chase leave his house.
He looks effortlessly beautiful. His wavy hair blowing in the light breeze, black ripped jeans supported with a simple white t-shirt that's accompanied by plaid karki shirt.
He looks like he should be modelling for a prestige clothing range.
"Looking good Benson."
His mood is chipper today, I like that; I can't hide the excitement on my face at his compliment. My heart feels relief at this cheerier mood, "you need a ride?"
I ask naturally thinking nothing of the polite gesture. The colour drains from his face, as if I've killed a cat in front of him. I really shouldn't be surprised by his U-turn.
I should be used to it by now. Not knowing what mood to expect from him, being careful I don't push him too far.
My cheeks feel hot, "I'll just see you later then," I don't really know what else to say.
I'm embarrassed fumbling with my car keys I quickly flee awkward scene.
Chase still not having said a word. When I turn in the ignition there's a light tap on the passenger window, I'm greeted with an apologetic smile from Chase.
I roll my eyes, after last night I expected things to be different, I felt like we started to make a beak through.  know we have a lot of unresolved issues, but I thought yesterday was the start of resolving them.
I refuse to unlock the door to let him in, he puts on a fake moody pout before mouthing, 'I'm sorry. Again.''
As always with Chase, against my better judgement I unlock the door. When he slides into the passenger seat the car is filled with laughter, "you really are going to break my neck with all these mood swings," I frown as we pull out my drive onto the small street road. "I'm trying," he tells me and I believe him. 

When we pull up in my usual parking space outside the school gates, Tate is leaning against his matt grey Volvo, he's smiling waiting to me. His eyes dart to the passenger door opening with an unfamiliar sight and I watch as his mood changes.
I feel nervous as he looks at me confused as Lola climbs out the back seat, while Chase emerges from the front passenger side.
"Dick over here got me demoted to back seat," Lola jokingly complains and Chase just laughs along, "hey I was here first," Chase shrugs. "I guess Al just likes me more."
I know he's enjoying how uncomfortable this is making Tate.
I watch as Tate's face washes in horror when Chase brushes his hand over my shoulder.
I try not to react to his touch.
"Hey," I smile trying to remain neutral.
 "Hey man," Chase smiles sarcastically at Tate.
I can tell he's felling pretty smug right now.
"Thanks for the ride, I'll see you tonight," Chase turns his attention back to me brushing his hand over my arm. One this about Chase is, he's smug, cocky and overly confident and he hates Tate. 
 "See you later," I eye Chase, pleading with him to hold off on tormenting Tate.
Tate still hasn't said hi to me, he's just glaring at me, nostrils flared.
"Are you okay?" I ask him playing dumb.
"What's tonight?" He asks disregarding my question.
"We're working on our project," I tell him as a matter of fact "we're partners, remember."
I try not to convey my annoyance to him.
"You have months to complete it, why do you need to work on it so much?"
 I sigh, "I'm not getting into an argument over me doing school work Tate." I tell him flatly. I feel like a fraud brushing off the time spent with Chase like this. Tate knows how hurt I was when everything went down with Chase, he was one the people who offered me support. I never told him everything, but he knew the void of our absent friendship was heavy to carry. I shouldn't be surprised that my boyfriend doesn't like any of this.
"What's with giving him a ride too?"
Lola trails behind us awkwardly pretending not to listen whilst taking in every word of our disagreement.
"Damn it Tate, its a ride, he's my neighbour. I've got to get to class."
I yell and I know I have no right to yell but here I am. 
"He was my best friend Tate. You might not get that, but it's important to me."
I walk off not looking back to read his expression. Lola quickly catches up to me.
"You've got a lot to catch me up on," she tells me with a raised eyebrow.