11

CHASE: that's a bit harsh don't you think?

I snort at Chase's message, whatever helps you sleep at night.

CHASE: hmm tea helps me sleep at night, you?

I roll my eyes, wow you're so funny

CHASE: I know

I swing my legs over my comforter, you really have me slapping my knee right now

CHASE: I'm sure

My hands fly across my screen, tears spilling out of my eyes too

CHASE: yup

I smile tugs my lips upward, full on vomiting from laughing too hard

CHASE: okay that's enough, Matthews

I laugh, just thought you wanted to know how funny you are

CHASE: you don't need to tell me what I already know

The tears are back, Chase

CHASE: i'm glad

We text back and forth for a little while longer until finally, my eyes begin to flutter shut, the image of Chase's last message in my mind before I drift off to sleep, blessing your mind with dreams of me, matthews.

More like cursing.

But I feel a smile tug at my lips. I don't know how we've gotten here in such a short amount of time, but I don't mind it either.

It feels weird to have someone I can call a friend.

It's been such a long time.

______________

I spot Chase in the hallway the next day.

He's talking to one of his friends, and he's got a familiar lightness to him.

One I'm glad has been brought back.

Yesterday we texted back and forth for a while, asking random things, but secretly I hoped that even though I wasn't directly comforting him, it still made him feel a bit better.

I don't Chase all that well, but I can tell that he's carrying weight on his shoulders the size of bricks, and it's nice to see that even for a second I could ease the heaviness of it.

That's what friends are for, anyway.

I stuff my textbooks into my locker, only grabbing the ones I need for my next period, when a familiar voice says my name.

I turn my head, standing face to face with Chase who has a small smile on his face. "Hey."

I nod, "Hi."

He looks at my locker, then at my textbooks, "Which class next?"

"Physics," I reply, side stepping him so that we're side by side.

He makes a face, "Let me guess, you love it."

I narrow my eyes, "What? Physics?"

He nods.

I snort, "Never in a million years."

He raises a brow, "No?"

I shake my head, "If I could drop it, I would."

"That's a bit surprising," he whistles.

"How so?"

He shrugs, "You seem very..."

I glare at him, daring him to continue.

"Smart. Very smart," he grins.

I have no doubt that isn't the word he was planning to use, but I don't comment on it.

"Will you still allow me to walk you to this class?" Chase says, hiking his backpack over his shoulder.

I give him a curious look, "Why?"

He grins lazily, "You're very skeptical of everything."

"Wonderful observation," I reply dryly. "And besides, don't you have your own class to get to?"

He shakes his head, "Nah. English can wait a bit."

"Tell that to your grades," I mutter under my breath.

He puts a finger to his ear, "Are you trash talking my grades, Matthews?"

I mock gasp, "What? Of course not. As your tutor that would be awful of me."

He narrows his eyes, but there's a smile playing on his lips, "You're right. It would."

I hide a smile behind my textbook and turn down the hallway, "Shouldn't you be with your friends? I'm sure they're looking for you."

He shakes his head, "You're going to have to try harder than that if you wanna get rid of me."

"Who said I wanted to get rid of you?" I reply easily.

He gives me a knowing look, "You know, you're the one that said no one likes a smart-ass."

I nod, "Great memory."

"And yet here you are, being a smart-ass," he says pointedly.

I hum, "You're right. I'm sorry. Really, I am."

He gives me a dry look, "I would believe you if it weren't for the fact that there's an evil gleam in your eye."

I reach a hand up to my eye, "Which one?"

He whispers, "Both."

I gasp, real shocked. "You're kidding."

He shakes his head, "Nope."

I shake my head at his ridiculousness and finally manage to walk around him, "I'll see you later, Chase. And go to class, you don't need to fail more than one class."

He grins at me, "Worried?"

I give him a sharp look, "As your tutor, more like offended."

He gives me a mock salute before spinning on his heel and walking away. Its only when he's out of sight and I'm thumbing through my textbook do I realize the idiot managed to walk me to class anyway.

I grab my notebook and begin jotting down the lesson topic on the top my paper, trying to rid my mind of everything Chase Rhodes.

______________

By the time lunch rolls around, I haven't seen Chase at all since our encounter in the hallway.

I don't know why, but I search for him in the cafeteria, and a frown pulls at my lips when I cant seem to find him anywhere.

Even at his usual table, the only people I see are Blake and Lucas, surrounded by the other football players.

I debate asking them where he is, but decide against it.

There's no way I'm walking into the lion's den.

So instead I take my backpack and haul myself to the library, might as well get some reading done while I'm at it.

The library is empty, as usual. The only exception being our librarian, Ms Lindsay at her desk typing away.

I round the shelves to find the bay window I usually sit at, opening my bag to grab the book I've been reading out.

I don't even make it to the edge of the window when someone taps my shoulder.

I spin around, my books falling to the ground and I yelp, stepping back slightly to see a grinning Chase.

"What the hell?" I whisper-yell. "You couldn't have let me know you were here without scaring the shit out of me?"

He holds his hands up, "In my defense I didn't know you scared so easily."

I huff, "I don't."

Chase bends down, scooping my book off the floor and handing it to me.

I quickly shove back into my backpack, my cheeks heating up.

"Sure, Matthews," he replies.

I sigh, "What are you doing here anyway? I thought you only came in here every other month. It's too early for this isn't it?"

He walks over to the window and sits on the ledge, giving me a curious look. "I had no idea you'd memorized my schedule. I'm touched, Matthews."

I roll my eyes at him. "Seriously."

"Alright, I just wanted to ask if we could do a tutoring session soon. We have that big test coming up, you know..."

I situate myself next to him, nodding. "Sure. We could go to my place if you want."

His eyes light up. "That works for me."

I nod again, not really sure what to do.

Sometimes conversation can be so incredibly awkward.

You just stare at someone and open your mouth and say words. But your arms are limp by your side, and your legs are frozen in place and you look...wonky.

Or maybe that's just me.

So I blurt the first thing that comes to mind, "You know, my mom loves you for whatever reason."

He smirks at me, "Oh c'mon. I'm a pretty great fake boyfriend, you've gotta admit."

I shake my head, scrunching my nose up, "You're okay."

"Okay?" He scoffs. "I'm pretty fucking fantastic, thank you very much."

"Easy there," I warn. "You're head is starting to stretch."

He grins at me, but his eyes latch onto something and he suddenly stands up and kneels in front of me.

I clear my throat, "Uhm, shouldn't we at least get engaged first?"

He laughs, and the sound sends a jolt of goosebumps up my arm. "Relax, Matthews. You're shoe is untied."

He gestures to it and then begins tying it.

"Wouldn't want you falling for someone else," he says, and when I don't laugh he sighs. "That was funny."

I nod, "Yup. Slapping my knee as we speak. Tears falling from my—"

He places a hand over my mouth, "Okay that's enough."

I wrap my own hand around his and yank it away, "But I didn't get to the throwing up part," I frown.

"I think we're good," he says, standing up now. "I'll see you later, yeah?"

I grin victoriously, "See you later, Rhodes."

He takes a couple steps forward before I call his name out, "How'd you know I was here?" I ask, gaining his attention."

He grins, "You aren't the only one memorizing schedules."

I go to ask what that means but he spins around, and knocks a book of the shelf with his shoulder, cursing under his breath. A laugh tumbles out of me and he quickly turns to look at me.

"Laugh all you want, Matthews," he hollers, and I hear Ms Lindsay telling him to shut it.

I tilt my head against the window and sigh.

Despite myself, I'm actually looking forward to the study session.

I cant lie and say that it isn't nice to have a friend.

Even If I am fake dating him.