Chapter 20

I turned around to face him and noticed that he was already making his way toward me. I went to put my shirt back on, but he quickly stopped me and grabbed my shoulders firmly. Before my mind was able to register what was happening, he turned me to the side and mumbled incoherent things under his breath. "Amelia, this looks bad."

"It's not that bad," I said with an eye roll. "It's just some cuts and bruises."

"They're not treated, which makes it worse." He huffed. "How did you get these? Was it Gregory or Bryce?"

"Bryce," I said with a sigh. "When I had my first encounter with him three days ago. Let's say it wasn't all hugs and chit-chat. I already sort of explained what happened." 

He hummed behind me, and I froze when I felt his fingers tracing the bruises on my side. He pressed on a certain spot, making me hiss, and he mumbled an apology. Soon, after his fingers retreated, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me away from the bob punching bag.

I let him drag me to the lockers and watched as he grabbed his stuff and looked at me. "We're going," he declared, making me raise my eyebrows.

"Training is not over yet, genius. It's barely been thirty minutes," I said as he grabbed a towel and started patting his forehead and neck dry of sweat.

"Well, training can wait. We're going to my house for me to treat those wounds," he demanded, and I couldn't be more surprised. It had been barely a week and he already grew the guts to order me around. Where had the shy, innocent Chase gone to?

"If you just want us to be alone in your house, you could've just said so," I mused with a smirk, putting my shirt back on, finally. "Where is Chase and what have you done to him?"

"W-What?" He blushed, seeming taken aback by my words. Oh well, looked like Chase hadn't gone anywhere. 

"Amelia, this is serious."

"You blush so easily. It makes you look so innocent and cute." I chuckled, making him blush even more. 

He decided to ignore my comment and went on to turn the speaker off. I simply crossed my arms over my chest as he walked back to me with my phone and keys. Grabbing my wrist once again, he dragged me out of the room and locked the door. 

We encountered Wesley on our way out, who gave us a questioning look. "Done so fast?" he asked when Chase tossed him the keys.

"Yeah, uh, I'm just going to treat some... wounds on Amelia," he explained, and Wesley's eyes found mine.

"The ones on her side, I'm guessing," he said, still looking at me. Chase stayed silent and I clenched my jaw at Wesley, knowing fully well that he was interrogating me with his gaze. "I'm still waiting for her to break the silence and finally reveal the culprit."

I rolled my eyes at this, and Chase looked between us awkwardly. I could tell that he was pondering whether he should rat me out or not. 

After a moment, I gave in. He was bound to find out sooner or later. "Fine. It was Bryce. Happy now?"

"Your older brother did that to you?" he asked, well aware of Chase standing there.

"He knows." I sighed. "I encountered Bryce three days ago. I believe that you can already tell how it went, so you don't even have to ask."

"What does he want?"

"What do you think?" I groaned and noticed how Chase looked around awkwardly. "He wants me back, of course. As you can see, my answer was no. There's no way in hell I'm going back."

"Well then." He turned to Chase, and Chase paid full attention to him. "Please take care of this idiot's wounds. No matter how many times she's told to not get in trouble, she returns with a new bruise."

"Oh, Wes, but life is boring without some spice in it," I said sheepishly, and he gave me a pointed look.

"Yeah, well, you poured in every single bottle of spice there is," he said with an eye roll. "Go with Chase to treat those wounds. I'm pretty sure you won't be going to the hospital anytime soon."

"Whatever floats your boat," I said and turned toward Chase who had been standing still this whole time. "Let's go, nerd. And take the helmet you left here."

As if on cue, Wesley tossed him the forgotten helmet, and Chase caught it before following me out. He hurriedly put it over his head and buckled the security belt under his chin. We hopped on the bike and I started the engine while he placed his arms around my waist. I smirked a bit at this and drove away from the gym, turning every now and then in the direction to Chase's house. 

Six minutes later, I pulled over in his driveway and killed the engine before hopping off. He handed me the helmet and I hung it on the handle, then I followed him carelessly toward the front door. Chase apologized for the slight mess in the living room, explaining that his stepsister had a sleepover the night before. I waved a hand in the air dismissively. I couldn't care less about a little mess; I didn't judge people by it. "Don't sweat it. All I really care about is if you have food."

"I certainly do." He chuckled and closed the door behind him once we stepped in. 

I took in the sight of the small foyer, noticing some family pictures beside some fake flowers. I narrowed my eyes at this and walked forward to take a look at the pictures, but Chase took hold of my shoulder. 

I turned to look at him and he chuckled nervously, pointing somewhere behind him. "The kitchen is over there, let's make something to eat," he offered. 

Before I could say anything, he started pulling me forward, dragging me to where I assumed the kitchen was. I shrugged it off and let him do so until we reached the kitchen. He opened the fridge and I looked around the cupboards, my eyes roaming around the contents. 

"What would you like to eat?"

"I'm fine with anything, really. Plus, cooking is not really my forte," I said. 

He rummaged through the fridge, then the cupboards. I couldn't help but notice that he was nervous, which made me smile a little. 

"Why are you so nervous? Is this the first time you're bringing a girl to your house?"

"No! I mean—yes! Uh—" he stuttered, his cheeks immediately flaming up and I smirked.

"It is, isn't it?" I asked, my eyes widening in amusement. 

He looked around nervously, his eyes never meeting mine, and it confirmed my question. "I've never been good around girls," he said after clearing his throat. "So yeah, this is basically the first time I've brought a girl here. Apart from Izzy, that is."

"I feel very honored," I mused, making him pout.

"Could you stop teasing me for at least five minutes?" he asked, hiding his face behind his hands. 

Could this boy be any more adorable even though he's seventeen?

"Of course, nerd," I smirked.

"Could you please stop calling me a nerd?" He groaned. "It's so old school and stereotypical."

"Alright, freckle face."

"My freckles are barely visible."

"They're still there, buttercup."

"Why buttercup?"

"Because why not, chunky?"

"What does that even mean?"

"What about Mickey?"

"Mickey?"

"Because you squeak like a mouse when something scares you."

"No!"

"Alright, alright. Brownie?"

"..."

"Brownie it is."

He stared at me as I grinned in victory and shook his head in defeat. I laughed as I noticed the typical faint blush on his cheeks, and he glared at me accusingly. I threw him a playful wink, which he replied with an eye roll, and I smirked. 

I proceeded to open the fridge and let my eyes roam around the various types of food until they landed on something.

"You and your nicknames," Chase muttered under his breath after a minute. I didn't answer him, and he looked at me, tilting his head. "Found something to eat?"

"Yep," I answered, popping the 'p'.

"Alright, let's get this over with then," he said. I grabbed some strawberries along with two slices of bread. Was bread even supposed to be in the fridge? Someone should make a debate about this.

Once I popped the two slices of bread in the toaster, I cut the strawberries in thin slices. I opened the cupboards again, hoping to find that one ingredient that—most—teenage girls absolutely loved. I did a quick victory dance once I found the jar of Nutella in a corner, and happily grabbed it then searched for a butter knife. I washed it in the sink, just in time for the bread to pop off the toaster. Grabbing a plate, I carefully placed the slices of bread on it. I felt Chase's eyes on me, eyeing every movement I made.

When his eyes zeroed on the Nutella jar, they widened as if something suddenly clicked inside his brain. "No! That's from Izzy. She'll kill me if she finds out there's Nutella missing," he exclaimed and went to grab the jar.

"Who cares? Just tell her I took some, and if she wants to confront me, I'm always up to the challenge," I said, swiftly moving the jar away from him. 

He looked a little alarmed, a hand running through his hair. "I can't do that. If she finds out that you were inside this house, I'll never hear the end of it," he complained.

"Fine, you don't have to tell her," I said, and he let out a sigh of relief. Of course, that relief didn't last for long. "I will." 

Before he could utter another word, I started spreading some of the chocolaty goodness on the slices of toast and placed the strawberries on top to finish the work of art. I grinned in satisfaction as I placed the jar back in its place and took a bite out of my snack. 

Chase sighed and shook his head, muttering a string of words under his breath. He took a deep breath and motioned for me to follow him. I smiled in satisfaction, loving the fact that I irritated him. "You're going to be the death of me," was the last thing I heard as he disappeared down the hallway.

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[Edited: August 29th, 2020 by michh_44]

Amelia and her nicknames. Though, Brownie does sounds better than nerd. What do you think about it? Does it fit Chase's personality? At least I think it does. Anywho, thanks for taking some of your time to read this and I hope you enjoyed!