Page 12 of Chase
“Do you want to sit with us at lunch?” I ask. Hoping she’ll say yes.
I watch as she pulls her phone out of her pocket to check something before she responds.
“I don’t do well in crowds. I might just eat in my car.” Her voice is still soft and timid.
“We don’t sit inside. We have a table outside that we sat at away from everyone. It’ll just be Ally, Arden and Rhys.” I say trying to both calm and convince her. I want to spend time with her.
Preferably alone so she can let her guard down, but I’ll take just spending time with her as a group at this point.
“Uhm, I guess. I don’t want to intrude.” She kicks at a clump of grass, no longer making eye contact, the uncertainty is loud and clear.
“You aren’t intruding. I want you there.” This gets her attention; she slowly lifts her head but still avoids my gaze.
“You do?”
I take a chance. I gently place my finger under her chin, encouraging her to look at me. I want her to see that I mean what I say.
“I do.” I let her both see and hear my honesty. The sharp intake of her breath lets me know that she heard me.
“Okay.” She holds my gaze, but I know we’re short on time and I want to get her out of the main building before it’s flooded with kids. I get the feeling, that a large group of people is the last thing that she needs right now.
“Come on. Let’s go.” I lead her back into the building and send a message to our group chat while I wait for her.
Chase:Yasmin is sitting with us for lunch. She’s still a little spooked.
Ally:Spooked? Arden what the hell did you do???
Arden:Fuck off Ally. Wasn’t me that spooked her.
Ally:Arden!!! What did you?
Arden:It really wasn’t me. We were chatting, you know getting to know each other. Everything
was fine…
Ally:…
Arden:Until Chase touched her shoulder. She freaked out.
How did Arden not see that she’d been crying? She’d ducked her head to try to hide it, but I could see it clear as day from across the room.
Chase:It wasn’t intentional. At least I didn’t make her cry
Ally: ARDEN! YOU MADE HER CRY!!! SO HELP ME, IMMA KICK YOUR ASS
Arden:Calm your farm. I didn’t make her cry
Arden:Wait? Did I?
Chase:Sometimes I wonder about you. Yes she was crying. Which is why I came over.
Arden:Oh… I didn’t mean to make her cry
I believe him. I don’t think he’d intentionally make her cry and if he knew, he would’ve offered some sort of comfort.
Chase:What were you talking about?
Arden:Nothing
