Playing With Fire

Chapter Thirty-Seven

                                         Recap 

            “What did she say now?” Travis knits his eyebrows together, three creases forming on his forehead in guarded apprehension.

                  “She asked me if we were a thing.”

                Suddenly, his face relaxes and his expression turns pensive yet suddenly interested. “And what did you say?”

                  I lean forward, a smile gracing my lips as he asks the question I had been hoping he would ask from the moment I started the conversation. My gaze flickers towards his lips, and he immediately catches on, raising an eyebrow at my sudden boldness.

                 He closes his eyes, and moments before my lips meet his, I alter my course and give him a soft peck on the cheek.

                     “That’s for my god awful hickey.” I whisper victoriously, “See you at lunch.”

                 With that, I push myself away, a smirk glued to my face, and head into a world of Shakespeare that I know I won’t be able to focus on today.

                  Chase lights up when he sees me, a devious grin plastering his features as I walk closer to him. He looks behind me momentarily when I throw my bag up on the desk and face him—crimson ears and all.

                 “I hope you know that Travis Emmons is giving you a death glare right now.” He states, his eyes holding suspenseful humor in them.

                    “Oh,” I chuckle and train my eyes on him, “I know.”

                                     Chapter Thirty Seven 

             By the time lunch arrives, I am back to wondering why I persisted on coming to school today. Not only did I receive disapproving glances from the majority of my teachers, but they also rewarded me with homework, which has become the least of my worries. 

            While stuffing my assignments in my bag, I walk with Chase by my side towards his locker. He too, hated the fact that this school had no mercy on tests and homework. By the time I met him outside of his class, he was nearly degrading the testing policies of his teachers.

             “This week is huge for the lacrosse team,” He rambles, angrily pulling at his lock. “Everyone knows that!”

               “That seriously sucks.” I agree, genuinely feeling sympathetic at his situation.

            As selfish as it sounds, it’s extremely refreshing to hear his rather ‘miniscule’ problems. It does the job of keeping my mind off of my own challenges. At least for a little while.

          Chase piles in his textbooks and replaces others with ones he will need. With additional force, he closes the door shut and turns to face me.

              Suddenly, hope flashes across his features, “Maybe Layla can talk to the staff?”

             I inwardly grimace, knowing that she probably couldn’t bring up something like that. Nonetheless, I flash him a small smile and nod. “Yeah, I’ll tell her.”

             “Sweet,” The corners of his mouth lift up into a trademark smirk. He reaches out to lightly hit my shoulder, “Thanks.”

              “So are you buying lunch?” I ask, moving towards the center of the hall.