by L. P. Dillon
I took in what he said, and it made a lot more sense than what I’d been thinking. I thought that something happened, and he had some witches do a spell on me to forget it. Which was crazy.
"That makes more sense than what I had running through my head. I'm sorry Chase, that will teach me for eavesdropping, huh?"
He chuckled. "Well, having your nose nearly broken for eavesdropping is a little extreme. But I am starting to realize you don’t do anything halfway, do you?”
I laughed as I shook my head. Laughing hurt my nose, so I winced.
Chase touched my face, stroking my cheek with his thumb. "I'll get the first aid kit and clean your face. Do you want me to bring lunch back, instead of going out?"
"No, it's fine. I won't be able to eat much since my nose is blocked, but the bruising won't come out for a few hours, so I might as well go out while I still look normal. By tonight, I'll probably look like I've been hit by a truck," I replied with a giggle.
Chase laughed and nodded as he stood and left the room, leaving me in my own thoughts.
Being at Murston seemed to be bringing me a whole heap of bad luck.
Chase came back and knocked on the door. I expected him to just walk right in, but after a few seconds, he knocked again.
"Come in."
He opened the door with an enormous smile on his face, and I raised an eyebrow at him. He just widened his grin. "What? I learned my lesson too; I'm never walking into a room without being invited again. I should’ve learned a long time ago, like when I walked in on my sister having sex, but nope. Never learned then…" He stuck his tongue out in disgust and fake-shivered.
Laughter erupted out of me, and he joined in. When we settled, we sat and talked while he cleaned my face, but most of all, we laughed. His hands were so gentle on my face, and he took so much care with me. I really enjoyed spending time with him and could see myself falling for him. My first impression of him might have been wrong. Underneath it all, I thought Chase was a really good guy, and that meant I was in trouble.
We got into Chase's Lotus and drove to an incredible little bar/restaurant. We strolled in and Payton stood up from a table at the back and waved at me. I smiled and made my way over to them. Chase followed behind me and when we got to the table, he kindly pulled the chair out for me. I hugged Payton and then took a seat.
Connor stood and asked, "What can I get you to drink, Aubrey?"
I replied, "Um, I'll have a Pepsi please."
"Coming up."
Connor and Chase went to the bar, leaving me and Payton alone for a while.
"What happened to your nose? It looks swollen," Payton asked.
"Chase hit me with the door, and then I head butted the wall."
"Oh my God, only you," she said with a chuckle.
"Yeah, I know. It’s gonna bruise like a bitch later. So, enough about me, where the hell have you been?" I raised a curious eyebrow.
She blushed and bit her lip a little as she glanced at Connor. I turned in my chair just in time to see him wink at her. She let out a little giggle, and I knew right then that she was smitten.
Facing her, I gave her a knowing smile. "Already? On the first night? He must be special; you never sleep with guys on the first date."
Her cheeks reddened as she leaned in closer, her arms resting on the table. "I know. I don't know what it is about the guy. We just click, and, Brie…oh my God, every inch of him is perfect."
Laughter bubbled from both of us, and inside I couldn’t be more thrilled for her. I'd never seen her fall for someone like this before. Even though she dated quite a bit, she'd never had a steady boyfriend, and never had she been swept off her feet. Nobody deserved happiness more than Payton, and I was so excited she might have already found it.
Connor took the seat next to Payton, sitting as close as he could get. How adorable. Chase pushed the drink in front of me, pulling his chair closer too. "I got you a straw, so you don't accidentally touch your nose with the glass."
"Aww, that is so sweet," Payton cooed.
"Thank you," I said, trying to hide the glare I shot Payton from Chase.
She held her hands up in surrender, her eyes glinting with humor. After that, we ordered some food, and I tried my best to eat it, but my blocked nose made me sound like a pig at a trough. Eventually, the pure embarrassment made me give up, but we still had a wonderful conversation and a really good time.
"I'm just going to hit ladies’ room before we leave," I told Chase while he was sorting out the payment.
He nodded and Payton decided to tag along. After I had a much-needed pee, I washed my hands at the sink. Two girls walked in while I waited for Payton. They were around sixteen to eighteen years old, and both had dark hair, tanned skin, and bright blue eyes. They walked right past me and didn't even notice me standing there. They kept carrying on with their extremely loud and giggly conversation.
"I can't believe Connor is here. Isn't he usually at the gym or something? And why is he so dressed up? I think he was wearing cologne, too," one of the girls said from the stall, and even though I should have learned my lesson of eavesdropping earlier, I couldn't help myself.
"He is, and yeah, I could smell it too. The only time he wears that, is if he's..." the other girl replied.
Then they both squealed at the same time, "On a date!"
"Oh my God, he hardly ever dates. I wonder what she's like. I wonder if she’s anything like Bell?” one of the girls said in a sweet tone.
Payton came out of the bathroom grinning and then raised an eyebrow at me. She began to wash her hands as the other girl replied,
"Yeah, hopefully. She was great. I wonder if she's as pretty, too. You know Mom will give him a hard time if she's not really pretty, she loved Bell."
"Ugh, yeah. Since Bell, Mom has been so fussy when it comes to who he dates. I think it's because he's going to be second in command, so he needs a good, strong woman by his side," the other girl replied.
Payton looked at me with crinkled brows, and I just shrugged at her, I didn't have a clue who, or what they were talking about, but by the sounds of it, their mom was a hard woman to please. Payton had her work cut out for her, but I knew that Connor’s mom would love her because…well, how could she not? Payton was perfect.
As I headed for the door, Payton quickly grabbed my arm and yanked me back in front of the mirror where she opened her bag and handed me a lip-gloss. Eyeliner came out next, and I knew exactly what she was playing at. She waited for the girls to come out of their stalls and applied her eyeliner as they continued their conversation at the sinks.
"Well, it's Chase I feel sorry for. Being first in command, he can't date normal girls like us. Which really sucks because the dude is freaking hot as hell. Such a waste," the slightly taller girl said with a huff as she washed her hands.
"Oh, I know, there are so many girls that will hate whoever he chooses. But he hasn't found the one yet, so he can still keep having fun," the younger girl giggled to herself.
The older girl gave the younger a soft growl, and then quickly looked over to me and Payton and smiled while clearing her throat. I smiled back before glancing back at the mirror to apply my lip-gloss.
"Shut up Cordelia, you're only mad because he would never date you. You're his best friend’s little sister," the younger girl laughed and then dried her hands.
The older girl huffed and rolled her eyes, and both gave Payton and me grins before they disappeared from the restroom.
"Second in command huh? Interesting," Payton muttered under her breath and then smiled like a little schoolgirl into the mirror.
"What?" I asked with curiosity.
"Oh, nothing, just mumbling. So those were Connors sisters, huh?" She quickly changed the subject.
"Yeah, I guess so. But it's strange."
"What is?" Payton asked as she put her makeup back in her bag.
"Chase said that they helped change me out of my clothes last night. I wonder why they didn't say anything?
" I asked her as I turned around to walk out.
"I don't know, maybe they didn't remember you?" she replied as she followed behind me.
"Hmm, well that doesn't make sense. Why would you not remember undressing a complete stranger who is passed out drunk, with beer-soaked clothes on?"
"I don't know Brie, maybe they didn't recognize you now that you look human, or that swollen nose of yours might make you look different, or maybe they don't recognize you with your clothes on, or..." she rambled.
"Okay, okay, I get it," I said with a giggle.
"Don't worry about it. Help me figure out how I’m ever going to impress Connor’s Mom? She sounds like a complete dragon," she said, linking arms with me.
We both burst into loud laughter as we made it over towards the guys. They were talking to Connor’s sisters, so we just quietly stood behind them. The younger girl looked at us, and when she realized that we had just been in the toilets, a blush spread over her cheeks. Her eyes fell on her brother, and he turned to look our way. Smiling instantly at Payton, he held his hand out for her. Panic filled her eyes, so I squeezed her arm, letting her know that she'd be fine. She unlinked her arm with mine and took Conner's hand.
Chase turned around and smiled at me, making his dimples even deeper. I smiled back as he approached me. He then kissed me on the lips, and I heard a couple of gasps, but I couldn't see who they’d come from. I did manage to hear the barmaid though as she whispered to a customer.
"I wonder if she's the one?" she asked.
I furrowed my brow and glanced at Chase, who clearly hadn’t heard her.
"Is kissing me that bad?" He held his hand to his mouth and blew into it, and then sniffed the air.
I chuckled at him and slapped his arm, which hurt me way more than it did him. He didn't even flinch, but somehow my fingers stung…go figure. He put his arm around my waist and, as nice as it felt, I couldn't shake what one of Connors sisters had said. “He hasn't found the one yet, he can still keep having fun!”
Like how much fun has he been having? How many girls has he been with? And if I did date him, that would bring so many haters to my door. I don't want that. And what did first in command mean? And “the one” for that matter. Why is everyone so invested in his love life?
The thoughts raced around my mind while I watched Payton work her magic on Connor’s sisters. She was amazing and I was sure she wouldn't have any trouble winning his family over. The girls looked smitten with her already, touching her hair and clothes, giving her compliments beaming at her. Connor had such a prideful smile on his face that he looked like the cat that got the cream.
After their conversation ended, we went to leave the bar. Chase walked in front of me, so I followed him but stopped when I heard a low growl from behind me. Snapping my neck around, the older of Connor’s sisters glared at me as if I’d done something horrible to her. Grabbing my hand and pulling me to his side, Chase scowled at her, making her turn her head to show him her neck.
What the hell was that? I thought as Chase practically dragged me outside.
Once out of the bar, I snatched my hand out of Chase’s. "Why the hell are you pulling me so hard?"
He sighed and turned to face me. "Sorry, Brie, I just didn't want you getting into it with Cordie."
"Getting into what exactly?" I asked as I folded my arms across my chest.
"Look, can we just get in the car and talk about it back at the campus?" he asked, walking towards his car.
"No, I'd like you to explain now, please. What exactly would I get into with her? I don't know the girl, and after what she did for me last night, you'd think she'd know who I was, but she clearly doesn't!" I snapped.
"I tied a t-shirt around your head, alright!" he said, unlocking his car.
"I'm sorry? You did what now?" I asked in disbelief.
"I know you heard me. Now get in the car!" he bellowed.
"No! Explain to me why in the hell would you tie a t-shirt around my head?" I shouted.
He huffed and rolled his eyes, slammed his car door, and then stormed over to me. "You are so stubborn, you know that?" he told me, letting out a long sigh.
"Were you embarrassed by me? Didn't want your best friend’s little sisters to see what hot mess you were with?" I asked him with a scowl.
"No, of course not! I would never be embarrassed about being with you. You're way out of my league. I didn't want the girls to see your face because I knew how pissed off you were with your first day, and I didn't want them talking about you behind your back. I didn't want you to be embarrassed if you saw them around town or campus."
I unfolded my arms; the guy had an answer for everything.
Every time I jumped to the worst-case scenario; he always had a valid explanation. I wish I didn't have to keep figuring him out. Now if he was an unknown nice guy, I would have been fine, but he was popular, handsome, and definitely a bad boy. All the things that attracted me to Kyle. Why do I do it to myself? No, wait, why do I always attract them?
"Fine, can we just leave now? My face is hurting and I'm getting a headache."
"Yeah, sure. Look, please don't think badly of me. I just want us to get to know each other. I'm not all that bad, honestly," he replied with a toothy grin.
"I think I've got a good idea of who you are already," I muttered as I made my way towards his car.
He opened the door for me, then walked around to the driver's side and got in. Once he sat down, he clicked his seatbelt over him, sighing as he placed his hands onto the steering wheel.
"Look, Brie, I know you probably have an opinion of me being a no-good playboy, and to be honest, it's a fair judgment. I won't lie to you, I have been with a few girls, and I do have a reputation, but that doesn't make me a bad person, and I'm not a cheat. If you'd give me the chance to, I'd treat you like a queen, and that's a promise."
Starting the car, he drove me home in silence. His words were sweet, and I felt for the guy. But I couldn't help that I didn’t quite trust him. Something just wasn't right.
We pulled into the campus parking lot and he got out of the car, walked around it, and opened my door. Holding his hand out, I took it and stepped out of the car, thanking him as we walked toward the college. Girls glared at me as we made our way through the halls, and some even scowled. Usually, I could brush it off, but not today. Today, it annoyed the hell out of me. Especially since I wasn’t even dating the guy yet.
We got to his room, but he didn’t stop, only moved past it towards mine.
"What are you doing?" I asked him as I stopped walking.
"I'm walking you to your door."
"But you live right here, and my door is like three feet away. I think I'll be able to stay out of trouble long enough to get there," I said sarcastically.
"Well, only if you're sure?" he replied in a sad tone.
I turned to look at him and replied, "I'm sure. Thank you for a lovely lunch. I'll see you later Chase."
He went to lean in for a kiss, but I quickly held my hand out for him. He backed up a bit, looked at my hand, and shrugged, taking my hand in a firm shake. Turning to leave, I hurried, not wanting to be out there with him any longer than I had to, but as I walked faster my foot clipped my other one and I went flying into the air, landing on my knees with a thud.
Chase charged down the hallway. "Aubrey? Are you okay?" Gently grabbing my arm, he helped me to my feet.
I snatched my arm away from him. "I'm fine Chase, thank you." Speaking through gritted teeth wasn’t necessary, but I couldn’t stop myself.
Disappearing into my room, I slammed the door behind me, then ran to my bed and launched myself onto it where I buried my head in my pillow, wishing I could just forget everything that had happened since I arrived at Murston.
I woke up feeling like I'd been hit by a train. Luckily classes didn't start for another week, so I didn't have to worry about going anywhere like this. I'd already put a pretty good plan together, though. I wanted to be a criminal profiler.
I know, not what you'd expect from Barbie right? But for as long as I could remember, catching criminals was my dream job, and being a profiler fed into my curious nature. I just needed to get my classes sorted this week, plan everything out, get my student ID, and then sign up for track.
Payton and I were supposed to be signing up for classes together, but she didn’t sleep here again last night. She also wanted us to rush, so we needed to be together to pick the right Sorority. I picked up my phone and even though it was on the charger, I'd forgotten to turn the thing on.
Sitting up in bed, I turned it on. As soon as it powered up, it went crazy with notifications, messages, and missed calls. There were a bunch from my parents, and even one from Austin telling me that my mom was worried, and to call her. I had completely forgotten about phoning my mom the first two days of being here. Last night, I ended up reading a little, went through my college emails, and then had an early night. I looked at the time and it was seven a.m., so my mom should be up. I dialed her number.
"Hey Mom," I said as soon as she answered the phone.
"Oh, my God, Brie, where the hell have you been? I've been worried sick!"
"I'm so sorry Mom, I lost my phone, but someone handed it in today."
"Oh, Brie, I swear you'd lose your head if it wasn't screwed on. If you lose it again, make sure you call me from Payton's phone, okay?"
I sighed with relief as she bought my lie. I did lose things regularly, almost as much as I acquired new things, strangely. Usually, it was when I'd drank too much at a party. Many times, I ended up missing a shoe, and it was always my left shoe for some reason. I'd woken up in someone else's clothes a few times, and once I woke up one morning and had six sets of car keys. Payton ended up finding the owners of those keys for me, telling them she found them, something most always bought easily. But, to be honest, I think a bunch of people suspected it was me. Being popular at the time, no one ever dared accuse me, so it got me off the hook at least.