Brooke and Chase by Amicia Bianchi (good book recommendations .txt) 📕

"It would be so quick, yeah... I think I know better by your facial expression. But it was a good cover up though," I turned around to continue leaving when I heard him getting up, trying to call out to me. "No, don't worry about it. I'm not offended. Had it been someone else, probably so, but I feel like you don't don't exactly know me yet. When I think about it, that fact alone would help anybody to let it go. You don't have to worry over it -but what am I saying- you probably wouldn't have worried too much anyway so..." I started leaving again when he caught up to me at the gate to the backyard.

"Look, I didn't-" he started, grabbing a hold of my arm and exciting my senses. No, stop it. Control yourself! What happened to being professional? This is not it! I needed to find a way out of this situation, fast.

"I got you, didn't I? I am a good actress," I laughed turning around so he could see I wasn't upset. I saw him visibly relax but he was searching my eyes, "oh clueless boyfriend of little faith. You're going to have to work with me for two weeks I can afford to take my time," I pinched his cheek then patted it, smiling brightly at him. "I told you not to worry about it, I'm fine," He smiled down at me, releasing my arm, as soon as he did I dropped the smile and quickly started walking away, "I'll see you tomorrow at school," I called over my shoulder at a very bewildered Chase.

"Bye Chase," was the last thing I told him and as I got in my car I thought I heard him say,

"Bye Brooke," but I shrugged it off as my imagination. I got in my car and drove away with Chase still standing in the gate to the backyard watching me leave.

That next week I was almost late to school, I'd still been getting things together for Chase's party and had nearly forgotten the time. Although narrowly achieved, I still made it on time. In the hallway to class I started talking to everyone I saw, inviting all of them, I struck up random conversations with random people never forgetting to invite everyone before walking away. During our class our teacher let us have a free day so I took the opportunity to socialize with the class, when I finished I was back to my seat.

"Here's some stuff I want you to look at and pick which one you want or just let me know if the one I've chose, maybe you want something different or something doesn't look right."

Suddenly the bell rang.

"Even if you need me to explain something to you, just let me know," I told him, handing him the portfolio and walking out of class.

I felt his eyes on me as I left the room but I wouldn't allow myself to give in to the happy feeling starting to bubble up in my stomach. If I allowed it the butterflies in my stomach would start to make me feel happiness that I can't afford to deal with right now. With it I would want and hope for more than I'm going to ever get from Chase in a lifetime. That was my reason for stressing the importance of having a professional relationship with him for the party planning.

The one question continued to plague my mind: what's going to happen afterwards, after I've been professional and everything is over, what next?

I didn't really have an answer for that right now. I could only assume that since everything is over and technically I have nothing to do with him anymore I'll leave him alone. Since he doesn't like me anyway I shouldn't keep up a false hope and stick around.

My actions as of late have been irrational, impulsive, uncalled for, and I should not have done them. I should keep my distance but as a reward to myself I might let myself bask in the little joys of the moments here and there.

I won't act on any feelings further then that or else I might end up getting hurt by the end of this. I just have to remember to be professional at all times. No exceptions.

With my mission clear in sight I set out to talk to people in the hallways, as I had started doing lately. I had to make a trip to my locker to get more of the flyers because I had ran out. It's a wonder I made it to class in time, where it seemed fate was on my side because again I got an opportunity to advertise the party some more. I also got to speak more with people I'd already invited and answer some questions they had. It kept me busy enough to keep my mind off of what I was to do about Chase and the embarrassing things I've done so far to get his attention.

What I saw of him he was looking over the portfolio I gave him which was a good thing. When the period was over I took my socializing out into the hall, checking off names from the sheet I had of all the people in the school.

As I was talking to people I started noticing some were mentioning not having transportation to get there I just assured them that it would be provided and had them write down their names. That way I could remember who all had asked so later I could figure out a route for whoever is going to pick them up. Also I needed to know how many may need a ride so I could see if just I could do it or if I needed to get someone else to help me out.

Before I knew it lunch came around and I was sitting at a different table filled with people I was trying to invite. We were laughing and having fun but I eventually left them and continued table hopping before getting back to my table. When I got back Chase was sitting there waiting for me with the portfolio.

"What's up, are you finished or do you have a question?" he looked up at me.

"I have a question," he stated as I sat down in my usual spot, crossing my legs and leaning back in my chair.

"Okay go ahead what is it?" I asked leaning in to see what he was looking at in the portfolio.

"It's these catering services..." he pointed at the page with all of the different catering services, what they offer, and their prices. I started going into an explanation for the difference in the prices. Since I'd first started organizing the party we have been struggling trying to figure out what he wanted food wise because he didn't know and any options I showed him he didn't like. I wasn't sure what to do but then as I looked at him I started to wonder if he was even listening to anything I had said. I got my answer shortly after I finished talking, "how are you today?" he asked me with a serious expression.

"Well, all of the things that I've had to accomplish today, I have, so…" I started.

"I didn't ask you that, I asked you if like you were happy?" he insisted.

"My answer is that I feel accomplished, I wouldn't necessarily describe it as happy," I explained. He gave me a puzzled look, "yes, I'm happy," I finally told him since he seemed to not get it. Don't go all weird on him I told myself as the bell rang, I got up from my chair to file out like the rest of the cafeteria. I held my serious, professional expression.

"So um... I think you should just take care of everything since you seem like you've got it under control," he flashed me a smile that would have worked on me but not anymore I told myself even as I felt butterflies in my stomach. My outward response was to hit him on the back of the head so hard that he stumbled. "I thought you were happy?" he asked walking slowly rubbing his head. I smiled at him to show him I was happy and I was sorry, I hadn't meant to hit him so hard.

"I am," I told him over my shoulder as I walked away to my class with him, again, staring after me. The rest of my day went by much like the first half, it was going the way I needed it to go.

Next thing I knew the last bell had rung and I was heading to my locker to meet Chase to get the portfolio. When I got there he was standing there waiting for me. Before he got a chance to say anything I gave him a polite smile then started rummaging in my locker putting my stuff up. All my homework was already done so I left my books and my backpack in there.

"Hey Chase," called out a female voice from behind me.

"Hi, Amanda what's up?" he answered back, I stayed silent and started arranging my locker the way I wanted it for the next day.

"I wanted you to meet my new boyfriend, Eric," I tuned them out as I continued organizing my belongings.

They chatted for a while until I'd finished with my locker and I would have left but I needed my portfolio from Chase. That's why he had waited for me, so I stood there waiting patiently feeling awkward. I wasn't in or a part of the conversation so I just had to stand there looking as if I were in a front row eavesdropping seat.

It was the same brunette girl that was at his table that first day he had confronted me when I decided to walk with him. I decided that I had all of the people on speed dial in my phone and I knew he hadn't changed the ones before the catering service so I'll just call all of them and start making those reservations. For the rest I'll just call him later and ask about those. As soon as I got that thought and started walking away he stopped me.

"So we came up with this idea and I think it would be cool if we switched you know. You and me. Your girlfriend, Brooke, and my boyfriend..." She explained to Chase, and I couldn't help wondering why he stopped me and if he would actually agreed.

I was still in love with him at this point so I was hoping that he didn't agree, even if I didn't make anymore moves on him. I didn't plan to pursue him anymore but I still didn't want him to give me away to someone else. That would hurt my feelings, especially when he knew that we were not together.

"Yeah, sure, I guess we could do it," he answered to my horror. I was devastated but I didn't say