27

MATTHEWS...

For if you ever feel like hitting me again, use this.

I run my finger over the sticky note and look up at Chase.

"Dracula?" I ask, slightly confused.

Chase smiles almost...shyly, and explains, "You don't know this, but I saw you first at the school library two years ago." My confusion must show on my face, because he continues.

"I had just come out of morning practice and remembered that we were supposed to be reading Dracula for my English class, so I went to the library and when I finally found a copy, I saw you at a table, sitting and whispering to yourself about a Chem problem. I know it's cheesy," he adds.

I smile, "It is incredibly cheesy. But I love it."

His ears tinge pink, but he opens his mouth to speak again, "I hated that book. But I would read it again, and this time I'll annotate it for you."

My brows drop, "Annotate it for me?"

He shrugs, "If you want me to, that is."

Yes, I want you to. I think I might die, though.

I nod, once. "Okay."

"Okay," he whispers.

We return to our quiet gazing for a little, before he breaks it and says, "We should do something."

I look at him, "What do you mean?"

Chase stands up, brushing his hands off and offering one to me, "The night is still young, I think we should do something."

I take his hand and hoist myself  up. "Like what?"

He shrugs, "Let's figure that out in a little."

I look at him skeptically but follow him to his car, carrying the paperback copy of Dracula in my hands.

Chase has a bottle of alcohol in his, and the cook-book I had gotten him, and places them in his car before opening the car door for me and rounding to the driver's seat.

"So then what's next on the to-do list?" I ask, running my fingers over the leather seat.

Chase looks at me and bunches his lips to the side, "What about some coffee?"

"Coffee? At eight pm?" I say, bunching my brows together.

"You're telling me you've never had coffee at night?" He mock gasps at me.

"Not if I'm not studying, no."

"We could be studying," he says.

"For what?"

"Well I did just fail that history test," he winces.

I roll my eyes, "What was up with that, you stupid idiot?"

He shrugs, "Maybe I just really like having you as my tutor."

I laugh lightly, "Maybe?"

"Okay, so I like having you as my tutor. A lot. But now I have a big, fat zero in my grade, so probably wasn't the best idea," Chase admits, smiling nervously.

"I bet you could bargain your way into a redo," I suggest. "You did get me to tutor you after all."

"Hey, you're the one that chased me afterward," he raises a challenging brow at him and I simply shake my head.

"I was in a moment of desperation, don't flatter yourself," I smile sweetly. "And besides, the only person Chasing was you, Chase."

He snorts, "Funny."

I grin, "Why, thank you."

He's about to respond when suddenly, his brows pull down and the car rolls to a stop.

"What the..." he trails off, looking at the ignition.

"What is it?" I ask, craning my neck up.

"Oh, fuck. How the hell did I run out of gas?" He says, squinting his eyes.

I blow out a breath, "We have been driving around town for many hours straight, Chase."

"Huh," he mumbles, trying to turn the car back on.

"What are you doing?"

"Reviving it," he responds.

"Chase," I begin. "It's a car, not a vampire."

He grins, and leans in to kiss my cheek, "Alright. Let's call a later pick-up truck."

My eyes bug out, "At eight pm? They won't get here till hours later. And besides, that's the beginning of like every horror film ever."

He chuckles slightly, "Alright, fine. But then we're going to have to walk. And the closest gas station is two miles from here."

I cringe, "Good thing I did track in my sophomore year."

He turns back to me, "You did track?"

I roll my eyes, "Why does everyone act like it's the most surprising thing in the world?"

"No, no. Most surprising would be when you actually laughed at one of my jokes, this is just...interesting. Were you good?"

"I was...participating? That's enough, I would say," I mutter.

"So you sucked?" He raises his hands at my glare. "Hey, there's no shame in that. I hate running."

"But...you play football," I say, confusedly.

He shrugs, "Still hate it. And don't worry, if you feel like you might pass out on the walk there, I'll just pick you up bridal style. I know how much you'd enjoy that," he winks at me.

"Yup," I reply dryly. "My favorite pastime."

Chase places a hand to his heart, "I always knew you were a romantic."

I ignore him, opening the door to his car, and stepping out, shivering when the cold breezes against my skin.

I'm wearing a sweater, as usual, but it's lighter than my normal ones, and goosebumps break out against my skin.

Chase looks at me, and shakes his head, a smile playing on his lips. "Here," he says, holding his jacket out for me. "Wouldn't want the breeze to blow you away. That's reserved for me only."

I roll my eyes but can't help the small smile on my face. "Why, thank you. And I did always know you were a romantic."

He raises a brow, "What gave it away?"

"We can start with the British accent," I give him a look and he laughs.

"I'm never going to live this down, am I?" He questions, tucking his hands into the pocket of his hoodie.

I shake my head, "Nope."

"What if I kiss you?" he raises a challenging brow.

I hum, "Tempting, but still, nope."

"Well, it was worth a shot," he sighs.

We walk for a while, playing another round of twenty questions along the way, until finally the gas station comes into view and I sigh, thankfully.

Chase turns to me, "We need a plan."

"A plan?"

"Yes," he nods, licking his lips. "I get the gas. You get the snacks, and we meet back at the cash register, yeah?"

My brows raise up in amusement, "Whatever you say."

He nods, "Alrighty, I'll be back."

He begins to turn away, but I catch onto his arm at the last second.

"Wait! What kind of snack do you want?"

He thinks for a moment, then, "Surprise me."

He turns on his heel and I huff out an annoyed breath.

Great.

I have no idea what the hell he even likes, but I guess I'm going to have to Sherlock Holmes this shit and figure it out.

I'm cradling a bunch on snacks in my hand when I make my way back to the cash register and find Chase eyeing my arms.

"Need some help?" He says, amusement laces in his voice.

I set the snacks onto the counter, the wrappers crinkling, "Nope."

"I think I forgot food is on your What Makes Lila Smile List," Chase says as we step back outside.

I gasp, "You shouldn't have. It's number one on there."

He snorts, "I'll do my best never to forget again."

I nod, "Good. Do you want a twizzler?"

I offer one to him and he takes it from me, eyeing it suspiciously and I nearly stumble over myself.

"Chase...." I start. "Have you never had a twizzler?"

He scoffs, but a faint blush tints his cheeks, "No," he mumbles.

"Oh my God. You uncultured idiot. How is that even possible?"

He shrugs, "Never really caught my attention."

I shake my head exasperatedly, "You have to try it. Now."

He laughs a little. "Alright. Settle down, Matthews," he whispers, the bites half of the Twizzler and begins chewing.

I raise a brow at him, "Well?"

"It's chewy," he comments.

I give him a flat look, "It's a twizzler."

He swallows, "That was the most mediocre piece of candy I've ever put in my mouth, Matthews."

I blink at him, "You did not just say that..."

He grins, "Does that make you mad?"

I glare, "A little."

"Good," he comments. "Ice Cream Hater," he mumbles.

I gasp offendedly, "They aren't even comparable!"

"You're right," he hums. "Ice cream is way too good to be put on a scale with that."

"You wish," I mutter.

We bicker back and forth all the way until we stumble back to where Chase's car is parked.

Thankfully, it's night so there isn't a ton of cars out on the road.

And when Chase is finally finished filling the tank with gas, I've finished the package of twizzlers and move onto my bar of caramel chocolate.

I offer a piece to Chase once he's back in the car, rubbing his hands together to heat them up, "Chocolate?"

Chase shakes his head, but he pauses for a second.

"Wait," he says, placing a hand to my shoulder. "You have chocolate on your lips."

I reach a finger up to wipe it off but he shakes his head and leans down, licking it off me.

He smiles against my lips, "There. All gone."

I sit frozen for a second or two before I swallow thickly and nibble on another piece of chocolate.

I wait for him to make another move, but he doesn't.

We stare at each other for a few seconds before I huff impatiently, and grab him by his hoodie, smashing my lips against his.

I can feel his grin against my lips, the taste of chocolate still on my tongue as he parts my lips with his own.

I cup the side of his neck, angling my head so that he can kiss me deeper, and I feel his finger playing with the chain of my necklace, causing me to shiver.

He kisses me harder, and my mind goes blank for a second, completely forgetting my name.

Until he pulls back for a second, only long enough to whisper, "You're wearing the necklace."

"Great observation," I mumble.

The kiss deepens and I'm practically laying over the console, my shirt rising up as Chase tugs on the end of my braid, his other hand moving against my skin.

I shiver in my seat, wondering how I feel so comfortable with Chase.

Months ago I would have run away at the thought of opening myself up to someone, let alone Chase Rhodes.

But he truly is the silver lining, because he made it possible.

And I desperately want to know what will happen next with him.

Chase's fingers glide against the chain of my necklace again, and I bite on his lower lip, causing a groan to burst out of him.

I almost pause at the sound, I don't think I'll ever be used to hearing it.

I break away for a second to catch my breath, long enough for him to whisper, "This wasn't how I thought the evening would end."

My breaths come out heavily, "No?"

He runs his thumb over my lower lip, "Hoped, maybe. But didn't think it."

I laugh breathlessly, "You know me, full of surprises."

His eyes track mine, and there's something so natural, so light, about them that makes my breath hitch. "Definitely full of surprises, Matthews."

He pushes a strand of hair behind my ear and I whisper, "Want to hear one more?"

He smiles, and I take it as a yes.

"You're definitely on my smile list, Chase Rhodes," I say, running my finger over his wrist.

He gasps, "No way. I made it?"

I smack his arm, "Don't make me take you off."

He pulls me closer, "Sorry. Sowing my mouth shut as we speak."

I go to tell him that the entire sentence was contradictory, but he kisses me again, and along with the fact that this is all supposed to be pretend, I forget.

A little more kissing happens, before Chase pulls away and opens his car door, "I want to remember this."

"It'll be a little hard to forget," I tell him.

He shakes his head, "Come out here."

Asking why is my first instinct, but I sigh heavily and oblige him.

"What are we doing?"

He takes my hand and suddenly spins me, despite the fact that we're on the side of the road. "Dancing."

I blink at him, "I can't dance."

He chews on his lip, "Put your feet on mine."

I roll my eyes but place them on his, looking back up at Chase for his next move.

He doesn't say anything, just starts to sway slightly, and it makes me laugh a little, how stupid we must look.

Me stepping on his toes as we sway to no music at all.

I place my head against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of it.

"You're a real romantic, Chase Rhodes," I say, closing my eyes.

"Only for you," he mutters.

And I smile.

— — —

hello lovely people

this is short as well as unedited and i apologize but i thought it was a fun conclusion to their little date night.

also, if you guys have any suggestions/ideas you wanna see in future chapters pls let me know here >