Falling For The Suspect ✔️

Chapter 19 ~ Sage

Sage's POV 

I look up from my desk near the back of the classroom as I see Chase enter our biology room. My eyes swing to the clock perched on the wall and then gave Chase a double take as I realise the time. The boy was five minutes early.

He walks over to my desk, his dark hair a bit messier than usual and dark circles developing under his focused green eyes which are now staring into mine. His shirt is tucked out of his pants and his tie hanging loosely around his neck. The bruise running along his cheekbone is now almost faded.

"Here is the completed bibliography," he grunts, placing a sheet of papers on my desk before taking the seat next to me, dumping his books on the desk as if they were of no value.

"Nice to see you too," I say as I roll my eyes, placing the bibliography with the rest of our project.

"So did your dad crack it at you when he saw who your chauffeur was last night?" He asks with a hint of annoyance in his tone.

Deciding not to go in detail about my father's speech on the prospect of Chase being dangerous I just say, "He left soon after you. He got called into work or something," I sigh.

My dad hadn't returned until the early hours of the morning and had left before I even woke up this morning. Worrying about his health is becoming a daily habit of mine.

"Yeah he got called in to do something," he scoffs, leaning back into his chair, his hands forming fists.

"What?" I ask becoming confused. A few more people have entered the classroom but were luckily not paying us any attention.

"That something was searching my house. Head to toe. Top to bottom. Searching through all my belongings," he says, his face a clear mixture of fury and annoyance. "They didn't find anything as expected but that won't stop them from thinking that I play a fucking role in Brett's disappearance. Not just them but this whole fucking town."

Luckily, he was talking in a hushed tone or else we would be receiving a few odd glances from around the room.

"I don't think you have a role in it," I say honestly, trying to provide him with a bit of comfort.

I couldn't imagine being in his position. It's his word against everyone else's. It seems as if people have made up their opinions before being delivered all the facts. I know I don't know everything. In fact, I know quite little about the situation. But seeing Brett and the words he spoke to me make it clear that Chase is innocent.

"Wow, thanks a lot Sage! I can go back to being a normal teenager now that I know you believe I'm telling the truth," He snaps sarcastically.

Hurt immediately fills my veins. I watch him as he finally turns to glance at me. He notices my fallen expression and I don't miss the regret that fills his eyes, but he is quick to cover it. I look away from him towards the front of the classroom where our teacher is now standing. I watch as the rest of the class file in, completely aware that Chase is still staring at me as if he is unaware of what to say.

I'm on his side. I'm trying to help him. The realisation hits me then that I am working against my father in a way. I am keeping important information from him in the hopes of clearing Chase's name. Why did I care so much to help Chase though? I tell myself it's because I know he's innocent, that the police are looking in the wrong direction but deep down I know there's more to it.

Chase finally looks away from me as our teacher starts talking. I release a breath I didn't even realise I was holding.

She rambles on about our projects and how she will be collecting them. She goes over all the details she has already told us millions of times like how important this is in relation to our final grade.

Chase and I don't speak for the rest of the class. When the bell goes I quickly gather my books and race out of the room before he can say anything.

If he wants to be rude he can be rude. But that doesn't mean I am going to stick around with a first-row seat to his pity party. That sounds harsh I know but I am trying to help him and don't want to put up with him if he is going to be a dick.

The next three classes leave me bored out of mind by the time the lunch bell sounds. I walk to my locker slowly, most kids already making their way to the cafeteria. I open my locker and shove my folders into it, all hopes of remaining an organised student destroyed. I grab my lunch, some leftover lasagne from last night and go to close my locker when I feel someone's eyes on me.

I turn around. The green eyes of Chase flash with uncertainty as he approaches me. I raise an eyebrow at him, letting him know I haven't forgotten his snappy remark.

He clears his throat, "Um can we uh talk?" I can tell by his face that he is feeling bad about what he said in biology.

"Sure," I say. His green eyes brighten a little bit as he turns around and starts walking away.

What the hell is he doing? I thought he wanted to talk.

He turns around noticing I haven't moved from my spot, "Are you coming or not?" he asks. I close my locker and begin to follow him. We exit the school building and he leads us to a stretch of grass under a large tree.

He sits down and looks up at me expectantly, "Are you going to take a seat or just stand there forever sweetheart?" He asks, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. Well, his confidence has returned.

I roll my eyes and sit down next to him, "You wanted to talk?" I ask, noticing how close we are sitting.

"Yeah, I just wanted to um apologise I guess for um what I said earlier today," He says rubbing his hand along the back of his neck.

Now it is my time to smirk, "What is happening? The big, bad Chase Rivers is apologising to me? Wow, am I dreaming right now?" I ask, feigning disbelief.

"Did you just admit to dreaming about me Sage Hill? Oh, imagine if your dad found about that!" He says, his signature smirk present on his face.

"Ha! You wish I dream about you," I retort. My phone chimes preventing him from making another comment.

I look at the screen and the smile I didn't realise I was wearing disappears from my face.

Hey Sage, another long night for me tonight. Won't be home until midday tomorrow. Love you x

"What's wrong?" Chase asks, noticing my change in emotion.

"Oh it's just my dad," I say, "He won't be home until tomorrow. Another lonely night for me," I laugh bitterly.

I understand he is busy and I probably sound like a spoilt teenager but he is the only family member I have left. It has happened before where my dad gets so involved in a case he completely forgets he has a life he needs to live.

Chase gives me a sympathetic look, "You can come to my house and have dinner with my mum and I tonight if you want that is. Just so you don't have to be lonely."

I can't ignore the warm fuzzy feeling that fills my stomach as those words exit his mouth.

"Your mum wouldn't mind?" I ask.

"No, not at all. She would probably like some more company," he shrugs.

"Alright, thank you," I smile.

"Come around at 5 pm," he says and takes my phone, writing his address in.

"See you then," I smile.

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