4. Passion

Chase.

✙ ☠ ✙

"Harder, harder!" Aron screams into my ear.

I pant and tense up my whole body.

"Come on. You're almost there!"

I let out a loud groan as I pull myself up on the metal pull up bar.

"Yes! That's it!" Aron cheers. I let go and land back on my feet.

I pant as the sweat drips down my forehead.

"Good job." Aron and I high five.

"It's all thanks to you."

"Hey, you're the one that did it." Aron pats my back.

We've been working out together this past summer and it's really fun, surprisingly. I actually quite like moving. I also feel more comfortable in my body as a result and of course I get to spend time with Aron.

The way we suddenly became friends last year is kind of unreal. I guess it all all started when I broke down crying at the school dance (I was drunk, FYI), and he's been really understanding and nice to me since. I kind of found myself wanting to be more like him. He's always so calm and cool. I wish I was like that. I'm an anxious mess most of the time. He's just so collected and warm and full of love. It's not hard to understand why Sky likes him. Sure, first I thought he was an arrogant asshole but as it turns out.. I was wrong.

Aron and I are like brothers now. Especially now that I've given up on the whole Sky thing. Sky and Aron are getting married. And I'm gonna be the best man. It has to be that way.

"I'm going on a date tonight." I say as Aron and I both sit down for a break.

"So I've heard." Aron nods before downing a bottle of water.

"Her name's Fawn."

"Fawn?" He asks confused.

"I know." I chuckle. "She seems really sweet."

"Are you nervous?"

"Not yet." I scratch my head. "I'm sure I will be later."

"Don't worry about it. I'm sure she'll love you."

"I'll find a way to screw up somehow." I mutter, more to myself than to him.

He grabs my shoulders and makes me look at him.

"Chase, you're a great guy. There's no way in hell she won't like you. This isn't a test, it's just a date. Just have fun." He looks deep into my eyes.

I take a deep breath and instantly feel calmer. That's the effect of Aron, I guess.

"Okay."

"Good." He gets up. "Ready for round two?"

I nod.

After a while of working out Sky comes in.

"With the way you guys were grunting it sounded like you were fucking." He leans against the door.

I can't help but blush. How does Sky manage to say things like that in such a nonchalant manner?

"Haha, very funny." Aron comes over to him they share a loving kiss.

It's kind of okay seeing them kiss now. It doesn't hurt as bad as in the beginning. It's more like.. I wish I had someone to do that with. I guess maybe after tonight I will.

"When are you finally gonna join us?" Aron asks with his arms wrapped around Sky.

"When I'm dead."

Aron sighs.

I'm kind of happy he doesn't do fitness. It's nice to have some alone time with Aron. Never thought I'd say that.

I smirk.

× × ×

"Wow." Sky and Aron say in unison when they look at me. They just finished helping me get ready for the date. I'm wearing a gray suit with a blue bow tie.

"Isn't it a bit much?" I ask as I fiddle with the sleeves.

"It's never a bit much," Aron slaps my hands away. "You look great."

"Really?" I look at Sky.

He raises his thumb "Perfect."

I sigh of relief while my heart beats intensely. I'm so not ready for this.

"Alright.. Alright. Alright, I'm going." I make my way to the door.

"Don't worry, just have fun." Aron reminds me.

Sky squeezes my arm. "You've got this."

I nod and head out the door.

In the car my hands are shaking insanely. Why the hell am I so nervous?! I barely know this girl! Who cares what she thinks!

Then again, if this goes wrong, she'll tell Melissa and Melissa will tell everyone at school and then this whole school year will be just another shit show for me to deal with!

It's okay, Chase. Just breathe. Have fun. Have fun.

What's fun?

I step out of the car and make my way inside. I take a seat somewhere at the front. Maybe I should sit at the back? Maybe that's more intimate.. But if I sit at the back she might not see me and she'll think I stood her up. But sitting at the front is too dorky.. it's like sitting at the front of the class. Oh God, I fucked up. Already.

"Hi."

My head shoots up and I lay eyes on a beautiful Fawn. Her hair is pulled up in a high ponytail. She also has yellow flowers in her hair and she's wearing a short ocher slip dress with a top layer of mesh covered in tiny little embroidered flowers.

I gulp. Then I get up.

"H-how do I look?" She asks shyly.

"You.. I.. Wow." Is all I manage to say. I can't believe she got all dressed up for me.. I never thought anyone would.

She chuckles. "You look really handsome." She blushes as she says this.

I can't help but blush too.

"Thank you." We just stand there and stare at each other for a while. Shit, I'm probably supposed to lead this.

"Uh.." I pull out a chair for her. Then proceed to gesture towards it like a freaking waiter.

"Oh.." She sits down. "Thanks."

I sit across from her. Soon enough an actual waiter joins us and we order our food.

"Have you been here before?" Fawn asks.

I get flashbacks to a bunch of horrible memories of dinners with my mom and her exes.

"Sure. I come here lots." I say.

She nods. The conversation falls quiet again.

Is this the titanic? CAUSE WE'RE SINKING.

"Um.. I'm happy you asked me out." I say. "Kinda surprised too. I never thought someone like you would want to hang out with me." I chuckle.

Damn, I shouldn't have said that. I'm such a dork.

"Someone like me? I never thought someone like you would say yes! I've had a crush on you for a while now—" She stops talking mid sentence and turns completely red.

It's actually really cute.

× × ×

The date went well! We got to know each other some more. As it turns out, she likes the same music, the same movies and we even found out we went to the same concert a few years ago! If there's any girl that is right for me, it's her.

I'm over the moon as I walk her home. She lives close by so she came on foot.

We're talking about some of our favorite albums when suddenly, Fawn grabs my hand.

I almost pull away, that's how shocked I am. I force myself to get over the shock and we continue talking and walking, hand in hand now. My heart is beating like a drum. What if I get nervous and my hands get sweaty? They always do, she'll be repulsed, she'll pull away..

"I live here." She stops in front of a small cozy looking house.

I let go of her hand.

Saved by the bell.

"Nice house." I nod.

We both laugh at how awkward I am.

"That was the best first date ever." She smiles happily.

It's like a weight is lifted off my shoulders.

"I'm happy you had a good time."

She nods and blushes. Then she looks down at her feet.

"What?" I ask.

Suddenly Fawn gets on her toes and kisses me.

It kind of reminds me of Sky when he's kissing Aron sometime—

WAIT, HOLY SHIT I'M BEING KISSED BY A GIRL!

Oh my God! What do I do? Where do I put my hands?! Shoulders? Back? Butt? No— definitely not the last one.

She pulls away reluctantly. She looks super insecure. "Did.. did you not want to..?"

She looks so hurt.

"Of course I did!" I say quickly. "You just surprised me.." I stare at her with big eyes.

I grab her back and pull her towards me again.

I don't know if you're supposed to french kiss on the first date but.. I mean it's what happened with me and Sky. Not that that was a date but..

Anyway. WE FRENCH. Like.. with tongue.

And it surprises me because.. it doesn't feel right. It feels flat. Boring.

I'm not doing it right. Something's wrong.

I slide my hands to the curve in her lower back and try to kiss her with passion.

And when I think of passion..

I think of Sky.