Chase's POV “Doughnuts do not always fix stuff.”Kayla said after sinking her pretty white teeth into a fat chocolate glazed ball. “They help you feel better.” I replied to her. “I got them on my way back yesterday, felt bad I left you out there like that, figured it was the best thing to apologize with.” I rapped. I've ever really been too expressive with my emotions, being with Emma taught me that. Seeing Emma in every girl was holding me back from wanting to be with, or even talk to one. “You've gotta realize that not every girl is that way.” Kayla said, looking into the box of three untouched doughnuts, and about six that she'd bitten into, “There's no point to anything if you think me to be her.” “That's not it.” I denied, I didn't believe it, and I knew she didn't either, “I'm sorry.” I've had to apologize to many fucking times over the past few weeks,, I didn't even know if I could do any right. “You don't have to be.” Kayla said, really looking at me for the f
Emma's POV “That was a really dumb move you pulled yesterday.” I said to Casey, as she dropped into the seat next to me, late as usual. “I admit.” She concurred. “Kevin and I talked about it yesterday, and he said he was half scared you were gonna bring the wrong person.” I laughed at the memory of it. “I was extra careful.” Casey bragged, “plus your friend said she was gonna be bothering you with video calls. All I had to do was look for a new girl, holding her phone up in a certain way, I even got screenshots” She laughed. “Really?!” I asked, shocked. I haven't talked to Lily since then. She said she was gonna call me, but I guess the time difference and her schedule was messing her up. “I really be making the worst choices in picking friends.” I murmured to myself. “That means I'm staying?” She asked, excited. “Just don't pull stupid shit on me like that, ever, again.” I warned. “It's the last of the last.” Casey said solemnly, offering me her pinky. We cross
Chase's POV “What did you do that for?” I asked Kayla as she retreated from me. I hated that my dick was responding to her against its own better judgment. “Really, Chase, what's the worst that could happen?” She asked again. “I don't know, maybe that?” I asked sarcastically. “Yes, and it has happened already. So please stop letting everything seem weird for the both of us.” Kayla left me to face my erring dick and went on her way. I hoped she wasn't gonna tell the sleazy monkeys with her why I stayed back. The girl was a dare-devil, one who clearly didn't understand the concept of boundaries. “Booze helps.” Kayla heavily lashed eye reconnected with mine as I took a seat at their table. “Why's he cold?” A girl to her right asked her. I wondered if she wanted me to hear or she just didnt know how to go lower. Kayla looked away and snubbed her. She looked at me a couple more times and I saw that I had almost begun to make her feel uneasy and uncomfortable, cause
Emma's POV “I'm sorry I'm behind on time.” Kevin said as he let himself in. I totally forgot to bolt my door, hopefully I don't get a lesson in that someday. “It's fine.” I replied to him. He didn't look as stressed as he sounded over the phone. “How was your day?” I asked, and stood up to get him a glass of water. *Who'd have thought?” He said as I got the water. “Thought what?” I asked him, surprised. “That we would be here, just under a year.” He completed, flashing his pretty white teeth at me. “Kevin, you don't have to be nice about what he did to you.” I finally broached the topic. “ “I'm not being nice.” He explained, “it's just unnecessary.” “No it isn't.” I objected. “I've gotta know what happened. I mean, I don't really want to, but it happened because of me.” I stuttered. “The world doesn't revolve around you, Emma.” He smiled and put a hand on mine on the counter top. “And even if it does, let it. Don't meddle.” “Kevin, things could've gone
Chase's POV “Don't do it.” Kayla said in a singsong voice, coming up from behind me. “Can't remember giving you that power over me.” I replied to her. Her mission was achieved,, I'd been distracted at least, and the swing was safe. “It's what friends are for.” She said proudly. I didn't like the fact that each time I looked at her, I had to be initially arrested by her boobs. “We aren't that yet.” I clarified. “Do you have a problem with me?” Kayla asked. “Please don't even try to make this about yourself.” I dismissed “Forgive me,” she said, “I kinda have to, seeing that you are not interested in whatever this is.” “What is ‘this’?” I asked, looking at her. These girls were all the same thing… “Chase, it'd be inhumane to say you don't see me as anything more than you see every other person.” She explained. I admired her resilience, and her courage. I actually wanted to make her chicken out. I didn't want to hear it, but since she said it, I guess we were
Emma's POV Time out with Kevin was something I needed. The week had gradually come to an end and I no longer had the excuse of school. Casey was out of town for some reason, and Kevin didn't reach out after that night. I began to wonder if I said or did something wrong He really did sound committed and accepted the fact that I wasn't ready to hop from one relationship straight into another. “Let's do this.” I whispered to myself as I poured a glass of wine. Alcohol was gonna be my first bad habit proudly sponsored by Chase, that is asides reading of course. I just didn’t have the mental coherence to read a book at that point. I took a sip, and sat by my window. Everyone seemed so busy, so occupied, which was in stark contrast with me. I was a rich baby, made rich by my mom's marriage to some underground businessman “Hey mom.” I decided to call her since I was alone with my thoughts anyway. And nothing good ever came from it. “Hey baby.” She replied. “How are you tre
Emma's POV “Bold of you to drop by.” I said as I let him in. “I know you must be mad at me.” He apologized. Kevin had some anti blue ray glasses on that made him look the role of some tech wizard who hardly ever saw sun or the outside world, and had their face buried in their laptops and monitors and cellphones He had a coat on too, for fashion sake, cause it wasn't too practical as the weather was quite warm. He looked handsome as ever, and his pink lips looked a little too lickable. Just his skin was quite pale. It was our first interaction since the date. I'd over-thought the whole thing so badly, I already had about five hundred things in my head I must've done wrong to make him not wanna hit me back. It's been about three days since we went out, and we hadn't spoken since then. “Emma, I've been in a bit of a crunch, and I realize now that the least I could've done was text, but if my word is anything you go by, I've been counting down till this minute.” He looked tir
Chase's POV “What other bad ideas have you got?” I asked Kayla, and she gave me a playful lunch on the chest. “If that's what you see it as , I promise you they're quite a lot.” Kayla replied, laughing. She'd just suggested we joined a club or a team on campus. And I'm not gonna deny that it made perfect sense, seeing that I had so much spare time on my hands. “How was your weekend by the way?” She asked. I couldn't exactly tell what she was expecting to hear, but it wasn't fun, at all. I spent almost all of it considering reaching out to Emma. It'd been an awfully long period of time. “Just a text.” I said to myself repeatedly. Taking walks, cooking, and actively trying to get my moms off the thought only served to keep my mind on it. and hunting for a pet couldn't take my mind off Emma. I wondered how she'd be blending into one of the biggest schools in the USA. We were supposed to be navigating the intimidating world of college side by side. Side by side did not mean
Emma's POV “Welcome. I've got wine.” I said, and sprang up to my feet as soon as Kevin got close enough to me. I didn't enjoy the rush of blood to my nether regions at the sight of him and smell of his cologne, but really, my body had a lot to do in coming to terms with my mind and heart. “Not too happy to see me.” He said and smiled sadly, looking away. “Would you rather be alone? I'd just drop this and be on my way.” He held my keys up, before tossing them gently to my reading table. “You're breaking me, Kevin.” I managed to say. “I don't even know where we are, I don't even know where to start, you can't blame me for acting like this. Even though I genuinely think wine would help.” I said, looking down. I didn't have the mind to look Kevin in his face. I felt so shitty. This must've been how Chase felt every single time he fucked up. It hurt so bad being on that other half of a relationship drama. As horrible as it is to admit, I'd rather be the one cheated on. I just cou
Emma's POV “I think you know where your keys are.” Chase looked me in the eyes. His blue eyes were no more sexy, they were icy. “We can take it from here, Dave.” I turned to the uber guy, dismissing him. “To think that you're the one who was so concerned with how I'd handle Kayla!” Chase screamed. “I think you should know that I didn't think this was gonna happen!” I yelled back at him. I wasn't known to be the noisy neighbour, and I didn't want Chase to make me be seen as one, so I entered my apartment, which was stuffed full of flowers and hampers and gifts, a note on my reading desk which I snatched up immediately, and a wine on my bed. Gosh! It was so sexy. I didn't know how to feel. Kevin really went out of his way. What I didn't understand was why he'd do that, knowing when he left, he left me to Chase, and really, the outcome was inevitable. “I see y'all have a fun night planned, I wouldn't want to interrupt any plans you've made.” Chase said, with his hand
Emma's POV “Is it just me, or is this trip actually unnecessary?” I asked him, as we boarded a flight back to MA. “Come on!” Chase said as he took my hand. “You know it is. We're not planning to accumulate a lot of school work, are we?” He smiled. We didn't have to wait with the business and economy passengers, cause, well, we're first class. “Every single trip to reality sucks so much.” I whined. Chase held my hands tightly under his, maybe ensuring I wasn't gonna run away, and it's not like I wanted to either. “We have to keep taking it.” He said and sighed. “You really do not know much about being supportive.” I muttered and just let myself be led like a sheep to the slaughter. “Come on, Em.” He said, still not taking his eyes off the road, “You know everyone's just doing what they have to do.” Chase said. “Do I have a choice?” I whispered to myself. I wasn't mad at Chase, I was just angry that our little baecation was over and that we were gonna be separate
Emma's POV “Hey mom!” I was overfilled with excitement and anticipation. From what Chase briefed me, we had a whole lot of fun stuff to do. It was quite risky that we were taking such a break from school, but it's nothing Chase's dads connections couldn't fix. He said that we were gonna have fun, and he was gonna make sure of it. “How are you, sugar?” She asked. It'd been a minute since I saw my mom that happy. “Never been better.” I replied a little too enthusiastically, I was so happy to be away. Somewhere no one knew me. “You look it.” She smiled. “Why did you not call me? Forgot about your woman in all your boy dramas?” Unfortunately for me, the phone was on speaker, and Chase wasn't far. Which definitely meant he was paying more than the usual attention. “Come on, mom!” I chided. “It didn't exactly end the way we thought.” I was trying to be as cryptic as possible, if I had my way, I'd have avoided the whole topic all together. “Tell me.” She said, looking s
Emma's POV “Do you wanna come in with me?” Chase asked. The answer was gonna be hell yeah, but because of what happened in the past-less than twenty four hours ago, the question was necessary. “Yes.” I answered affirmatively. “Are you sure you're gonna be comfortable here?” He asked again, looking at me doubtfully. “I'll try.” I replied. “That's not such a good thing.” He remarked, heavy on his amateur British accent, taking a step back. “I can't help it. It's too many memories.” I apologized. “Don't do that.” He said, and appeared to think pensively. “Let's go somewhere. What do you say?” He looked at me. “What?!” I asked. Can't lie, I was shaken a bit. “Just like that?” I blinked so hard and fast. “Yeah. Somewhere different. Somewhere we could be ourselves. Somewhere we can start on a fresh slate and get back on our feet.”He couldn't have sold the idea to me any better. “Uhm, I,uhm. Is that possible?” I asked. The sun was so bright, I had to squint, and
Emma's POVDon't even ask why I walked out of Chase's house, cause I couldn't give myself a sensible reason. I just wanted to be away from there. It felt like something was haunting me. I had a troubled sleep, matter of fact, I had no sleep at all that night. I tossed and turned and cursed myself out for being so trashy. I kept wondering if I was cursed. Could I just not mess my own happiness up? I wanted to do something desperately. It was the day after and I was still the only one in Mark's house. It gets lonely real fast when no one is home. “You've gotta do something, Emma.” I said to myself as I sat alone in Mark's big ass living room. Confused and ashamed, but ready to make things right, I hopped into the easiest car to back out of the garage, and once again, was on my way to Chase's house. As I drove, I thought of a million things I could say. Really, just anything to explain my behavior the previous day, but nothing came to my mind. I could not even convince myself t
Chase's POV “Fuck!” I didn't understand why Emma was in such a rush to get away from me. We literally were just unloading our hearts content to each other. Was she bored? Tired of me? Did she see something that triggered her? She wasn't even with her phone. I'd have concluded that she got some type of news. Two days after my dads anniversary dinner, and I was still in Starry, against my own will. Having sworn to leave town, immediately after the dinner, with all traces of me gone if Emma didn't come into my life, I surprised myself. For every single thing I thought could never be, life kept sending it my way. Emma and I had sorted our issues, but she wasn't speaking to me. I woke up as early as 6:00am, checking my phone for texts from her constantly, and there were none. I wondered what I did to deserve the cold treatment again. It's one thing to be in someone's bad books, it's another thing not to know why. I thought long and hard of what to do. But no sensible ideas wer
Emma's POVThe person I was at Chase’s house wasn't the regular me. I was feeling a million things and I wanted anything, anything at all, that would make me feel even just a bit better. Being that close to him, saying everything I said was a new feeling. My heart was racing and my throat constantly ran dry. “Can I admit something I think of sometimes?” I asked Chase. “Yes.” He said, really enthusiastically. I thought to myself if he'd be that hyped up if he knew what was on my mind, but since I'd concluded that I'd stop keeping stuff I thought to just myself, I said it. “You might not be too enthusiastic if you knew the shit that's about to fly out of my mouth.” “Come on, Em.” He said. “I don't fancy when you refer to yourself that way.” “Okay, okay.” I said, putting my hands up in surrender. “What if Gray and Lily weren't there?” I asked him. Chase looked at me, for about ten seconds, his bright blue eyes were beginning to get their spark. Instead of being terrified
Chase’s POV “I was about to ask if I ever made you doubt that, but I remembered I have, over a thousand times.” I said, shooting myself in the foot. “People change, Chase. I believe you can too.” She said like she was holy or something. “Come on girl, don't treat me that way.” I played along. “Can we sit?” she asked, pointing at the chairs I'd already wrapped. “Sure we can,” I said, “tear them off.” “What were you gonna do, really?” She asked her. “I don't know, actually, and I'm not even lying. The plan was to be away from everywhere you were.” I replied, truthfully. “Do you still feel that way?” She asked me. “Come on!” I said. “You know that's not possible.” “Just checking in to make sure, really.” She remarked and looked away.. “Can I go now?” I asked her if I could ask my own questions. “How do you think life would have been if both of us ended up in MIT?” I asked her. “I know it'd be great, for sure. I also know it'd be straining, maybe a