Chapter 22 - Villains and Heroes

I pulled open the door to Chase’s blue Honda and plopped into the seat. He sat down in the driver’s seat and we just sat silently for a few minutes, listening to each other’s breathing. Eventually, he asked me what I was waiting for.

 

“Who was that guy?”

 

“A friend.”

 

Chase touched my arm, for the third time in twenty minutes, and leaned in close. “Is that all it is?”

 

I was a bit speechless. His closeness was throwing me off my game. Bad, bad sign. It never had before. D****t!

 

“Uh.” That was basically a dead give away that Nate was more than a friend. At least, he was in my mind.

 

Chase’s grip tightened on my arm. He actually curled his fingers around my arm. “Are you dating him?”

 

“No,” I choked out. I peeled myself away from Chase and scooted away.

 

He sighed. “Okay. Sorry.”

 

I didn’t accept his apology. “What did you need to talk to me about?”

 

I felt his gaze on me, but I wouldn’t look at him.

 

“Listen, Andrea . . .” his voice trailed off. “I can’t get back with Skye, okay? I know she thinks that’s why I invited her to coffee, but I just want us to stay friends.”

 

I relaxed a bit. Good. It wasn’t about me. “Okay.”

 

He touched my cheek and brushed away a loose strand of hair.

 

I already had an issue. “Chase, please don’t.”

 

“Why not?” he sounded hurt.

 

I moved farther away, making his fingers slide off of my cheeks and onto my shoulder. “I don’t want you like that.”

 

“Why not?” he repeated.

 

I took a deep breath. “I like someone else.”

 

“That guy you were talking with?”

 

I didn’t say yes, but I didn’t deny it.

 

“You do!”

 

I finally looked at Chase, who was pouting, but trying not to show it. The sadness in his green eyes stabbed a blade right into my heart.

 

“Andrea,” he murmured. “I think I love you.”

 

And that twisted the blade deeper. I was shocked into silence and could barely even breathe. I finally managed, “Since when?”

 

“At least a year or two. I’ve just been trying to drown it out since, well, we’ve always been best friends.” He paused and looked away. “But I couldn’t drown it out anymore.”

 

My jaw slumped open. “You liked me even when you and Skye were dating?” Love was too strong a word for me right now.

 

“Yes,” he answered.

 

I swallowed a scream of disbelief. I’d know if he was joking. He would always look into my eyes when telling me a lie, just to try and prove he wasn’t afraid of my glare. And he’d have some sort of smile, but now he was just frowning at his lap. He was telling the truth. Oh, God, he was telling the truth! Chase loved me!

 

“Uh . . . well, that’s, uh . . .” I couldn’t find any real words.

 

“Give me a chance, Andrea. And tell me this: if Skye and I hadn’t dated, would you have kissed me that other day? Would you kiss me now if it weren’t for Skye?”

 

A few days ago, I would’ve kissed him. Passionately, probably. But now, I mean, what about Nate? Hadn’t I just been obsessing over him today? Could I have gotten over him so fast that I could kiss Chase right here, right now? I didn’t know, which is why I didn’t answer.

 

Chase read all the signs wrong. He thought I was silent because I couldn’t answer, but I wanted to say yes, I would kiss him. So he touched my cheek again, then turned my head so we were face to face. His lips puckered, his eyes closed, and he started to lean in.

 

I watched helplessly as he got closer and closer, feeling trapped. Should I kiss him? Why shouldn’t I? This was my life, and I had to live it the way I wanted to and not care about what I wasn’t supposed to do. But Skye was my best friend and I couldn’t betray her. Again. So at the last second, I turned away and dodged his lips.

 

He opened his eyes, surprised.

 

“Sorry, Chase,” I said as a tear slipped out of my eye. Don’t ask me why. “I just can’t do it.”

 

He was silent for a moment, but when he did speak, he yelled. “Get out of my car.”

 

“What?” I asked, astonished.

 

“Get out of my car!” he yelled again.

 

I pulled open the door and stumbled out, tripping over my own two feet.

 

Chase said to me through the opened door, “Skye is going to hate hearing about our kiss, Andrea.”

 

I slammed the door shut and ran from the car, my sobs echoing over the nearly empty parking lot. Chase peeled away and I watched him go, feeling betrayed. I didn’t want to betray Skye, and then Chase betrayed me. Great. I collapsed onto the ground, trying not to cry. The cool pavement helped, like it always did. Lying on the ground seemed to calm me, no matter what.

 

I heard footsteps and listened as they approached. When a warm hand touched my arm, and someone yelled my name in my ear, I rolled over. I saw Nate standing over me, worry in his eyes. He was always there when I needed him. That possession the day I’d met Wilson, at my latest possession at school and now. He was like my guardian angel . . . kind of, anyways.

 

“Andrea, are you okay?” he asked.

 

I nodded. “Yes.” But I made no movements to get up and act normal. I preffered the ground.

 

“Can you get up?”

 

“Probably, but only if I feel like it.”

 

Nate sighed. “Will you get up?”

 

I stuck my hand out. “Help?”

 

He grabbed it, sending little tendrils of pleasure through me. He pulled me up and helped me get comfortable standing again before letting go of my hand. I wondered what he’d do if I collapsed again, but decided not to be difficult.

 

“Thanks,” I muttered and starting walking away. Better get home before dark.

 

“Do you need a ride?” Nate asked.

 

I paused. “If its not too much trouble.”

 

“Its not.”

 

I turned around and smiled. “Sure. Thanks, Nate.”

 

“No problem.” His warm smile melted my insides.

 

He led me over to a black truck and I hopped in. The seats were comfy, and I had a lot of legroom. I smiled and relaxed into the seats. I inhaled deeply, hoping that the smell of Nate and his truck would become a permanent smell trapped in my nose from now on. Nate got in on the driver’s side and started the vehicle. It roared to life, and warmth radiated out of the heaters.

 

“Nice truck,” I complemented.

 

“Thanks,” he said.

 

I didn’t see the need to say “no problem” so I said nothing. We made our way out of the parking lot and drove on the road in silence for a few minutes. I decided to talk about Wilson and Skye.

 

“So, Wilson likes Skye?”

 

“Yep. He tells me she’s become stuck in his mind.”

 

I smiled. If I really concentrated, I could see Skye and Wilson as a couple. I was going to have to tell her all about this. Unless she hated me because Chase told her he and I kissed.

 

“I think that’s cute,” I said.

 

“Really? I thought Wilson creeped you out.”  Nate was smiling.

 

“Where’d you get that conclusion?”

 

“I see the way you look at him, like you can never be too far away.”

 

Was I that obvious? “Well, I might not like Wilson, but Skye and him could be a possibility.”

 

“Really? I’ll tell him that.”

 

“Please don’t,” I said. “I need to talk to Skye first.”

 

“Oh. Okay.”

 

We broke back into silence. I wanted to talk with him about who he had his eye on, because if I really thought about it, what if it was that brunette chick? Or Clarissa Flory? The possibilities were endless. But I still couldn’t bring myself to ask. I didn’t want to shatter the illusion that he liked me back. Not yet, anyways.

 

When he pulled up in my driveway, I thanked him and hopped out.

 

“See you on Monday,” I said and closed the truck’s door.

 

“Bye,” he called back.

 

I opened the door to my house, and waved goodbye before stepping in and closing the door. If this were a romantic movie, I would start crying, and slide down the door, wishing I’d kissed him. Then he’d hop out of his truck and bang on the door, yelling my name. I’d open the door, and he’d greet me by scooping me up in his arms and kissing me. But none of that ever happened in reality.

 

So instead, I watched him drive away through the window, wishing this wasn’t reality. 

Author's Note

so this was a kind of mushy chapter, but oh well. there you go, all you people who wanted to know what Chase needed to say! you know now! enjoy;)

Reviews

[Caitlyn Murray]

WOAH. At first I was reading and I like went into shock. I can't believe Chase did that!! But then Nate came and I was all like awwww. I think that Nate and ANdrea should be together!!!!!!

[Sarah E. Pearson]

Chase is making me want to STRANGLE something. Nate's a cutie ;D

[Ness of Love]

How dare Chase?! That was just, gah! I can't believe him! GAH! I wonder how this in gonna go?!

[KT]

AWESOME!! Chase is being a bad person!! lol I hope Andrea kicks his arse. ;P Or maybe Nate could... Can't wait to read more!! :D Keep up the great work!!

[BrokenDreamer]

Oh-Em-GEE!!! I loooove Nate!! :) You are such an amazing writer..and I agree with Bitter! Chase is a d-bag :P

[BloodyMary]

Chase is a d-bag. 'Nuff said.

[Eversea]

-_- Chase can not take rejection. So many things to be running about in panicked circles right now! Ahhh!

[13ReasonsWhy]

oh............... well on Chases side... THAT WAS HARSH!!! but cant wait to read more.... :))

[No name]

DAMN Chase acted like a jerk but Nate was there to make her feel better, AWWWWW. I really liked this chapter and now i cant wait to see what happens with Skye or if Chase even says anything.