Chase & Adrienne

5

CHASE

TUESDAY AFTERNOON

I sprint toward the big clock in the administration building, praying that Adrienne gets there soon. Practice starts in 10 minutes. Just as I'm reaching out to pull open the big glass door leading inside, Elizabeth Pitts stopped me. She's a really sweet girl from my Physics class, but she's pretty nerdy too. She also has an unfortunate spitting problem. 

"Hi, Chase!" she calls out excitedly a few feet away. My feet continue to move while my head freezes just long enough to give her an unconvincing smile. 

"Hey, Elizabeth, I'm kind of in the middle of something. Can I—" I start, but she stops me completely, placing a firm hand on my shoulder. The strength coming from her tiny arm surprises me. 

"I was"--spit--"just wondering if you were planning to ask anyone special"--spit--"to the dance that's coming up," she asks softly, revealing her think braces, rubber bands blue and green stretched across the silver wires and brackets. 

"Uh, funny you should ask, I'm kind of..."

Just then, Adrienne walks past us. She waves at me excitedly before disappearing inside the administration building.

"Because if you're not..." Elizabeth starts, giving me a shy smile.

"I'm really, really sorry," I interrupt, "but I'm already going with someone else. I'm sorry, Elizabeth." I brush past her, feeling just a stroke of guilt. 

I throw the doors open and search for Adrienne. My eyes find her immediately. She stands with her legs crossed at the ankles, something she does when she's nervous. Standing in front of her, much to my dismay, is none other than Luke. He holds a bouquet of red roses, flashing his teeth as he talks like he's in a toothpaste commercial. All of my notes are still in her hand. She giggles as he presents the roses to her. He pulls her into a loose hug, and from over her shoulder, he catches my eye. His lips form a smirk. I swallow hard, spinning on my heel and storming out of the building. 

How the hell could she pick him over me?

**********

By the time I walk into the gym, I'm fuming. I ignore Andre's greeting and make my way to an empty basket, trying to blink away the image of Adrienne and Luke that's been permanently branded onto the inside of my eyelids. Squeaky footsteps approach me, and I don't even bother to turn around. 

"Find another basket, Andre," I say.

"I'll be sure to pass on the message," Luke responds. I turn around, facing that stupid smirk plastered across his stupid face. 

"What do you want, Gates?" 

"I just have some business to attend to. There anything going on with you and Adrienne? Do you like her our something?"

I stare at him. "You don't know what the hell you're talking about, Luke."

"I'm not blind, Chase. Are you guys a thing?"

"No," I tell him, shorter than I meant to. 

"Good, 'cause I'm totally gonna tap that."

I snap, getting up in his face and jabbing my finger into his chest. 

"Listen up, Gates. If you hurt Adrienne, we're gonna have a problem."

He laughs, clutching at his sides. "Jealous much?"

"Shut up, man."

"I see what's happening here," he says, the smirk returning. "You're hurt because you're stuck in the friendzone. Well, guess what, McCarthy? I'm not, so suck it up." He takes a couple easy steps back. 

"Keep telling yourself that, Luke," I call after him, pointing my finger in his direction. "As if Adrienne would ever pick you over me." Once he's out of earshot, I bury my face in my jersey and let out something between  sigh and a growl. I'm glad Luke didn't hear it.