Finishing my first-morning shift at the diner, I make it to class just as the prof commences her lecture. Not wanting to disrupt anyone, I take a seat at the back, but as I do, I can see Chase bobbing up and down. I know for a fact he won’t be able to focus until he knows I’m at least in the room, so when the prof asks if there are any questions about the reading last night, I raise my hand. I don’t actually have one, it was pretty straight forward, but I ask anyway.
“Yes, I was kind of going back and forth on the second reading. I found it fairly unforgiving in terms of having to find its relevance to the others and really this whole assignment.”
She moves closer to the front, arching to get a better look my way. “Your name?”
I stand. “Sorry, yes, it’s Velyn Adler.”
“Well, Miss Adler, perhaps you were reading the wrong one. I don’t think it could’ve been any clearer as to its relevance.”
She’s right it couldn’t have been, but this is the sacrifice I make to save Chase from whiplash, which when I look his way, he offers a smile.
Looking back to the prof, I nod. “Yes, maybe that’s it.”
When class is done, I wait at the back as Chase makes his way over to me. “Vel, you should’ve called, or even video chatted me last night. I could’ve gone over the readings with you.” I shoot him a sardonic glare, and then the light goes on. “Oh, you didn’t really have trouble, did you?”
Stuffing the last of my books back into my bag, I stand beside him. “No. You looked like one of those little mole’s popping in and out of a hole, so I was trying to get your attention and let you know I was here.”
Chase shrugs and leads us out the door. “I was worried; you’re always on time.”
We make our way down the hall and through the quad. “I took an early morning shift at the diner for some extra hours.”
He stops, resting his hand on my arm. “Vel, you don’t need to buy a new recorder right away. There’s no rush. Dylan doesn’t even use it. He probably doesn’t even know it’s gone.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that, but it’s not just the recorder I need money for. Something came up and I need to pad my budget a little. It’s not permanent, just for a while until I have enough.”
Chase nods, continuing, “I won’t offer my help because I know you’ll just refuse it, but know that I’m here if you need anything.”
I can’t explain how much this kid surprises me every day with who he is. “Thanks, Chase.”
“No problem. Oh, and I’ll be sure to sit in the back from now on and save you a seat. That way, you don’t have to come up with ridiculous questions just to get my attention.”
I snort. “She must wonder how I even got into her class. If she hasn’t already gone to administration to check my record, she’s definitely flagging me in her little book.”
We continue through the quad laughing as Chase describes the faces of the people in the class, then as we round the path, we spot Dylan there with his entourage.
“Well, well, well. Whom do we have here? Is it my little brother and the old ball and chain?”
“Knock it off, Dylan.”
Dylan stands tall with his arms crossed firmly over his chest. “Just making an observation.”
“An unnecessary one,” Chase replies.
Almost like in a standoff, Dylan and I lock eyes—neither of us showing any sign of giving in before the other.
“Okay, Dyl, man, as interesting as this is, we have places to be and far more interesting people to be there with,” his little sidekick let out. Although I find douche number two just as deplorable as Dylan, I do welcome the interjection.
I turn to Chase and smile. “I’m going to head out—I’ll talk to you later?”
“Yep, I’ll video message you when I get home.”
I nod and walk off, not wanting to be around Dylan and his testosterone exuding minions any longer. However, my refuge is cut short when the space alongside me quickly fills.
“I don’t get it.”
Not stopping but actually speeding it up a little, I ask, “Get what, Dylan?”
“The two of you. You’re aware he’s only seventeen, right?”
I pause, only momentarily to glare at him then continue walking. “Fully aware, and I don’t see how that’s an issue; we’re friends—only friends.”
“Yeah, see, I have a hard time swallowing that. Guys and chicks can’t be friends.”
I come to a halt, shaking my head at his idiocy. “Yep, still baffles me how you two are brothers. Look, I don’t have the time, nor do I care to try and explain to you the intricacies of true friendship because, well, it’s obvious you’ve never had one. But know this; your brother and I are friends. I’m sorry you can’t wrap your thick head around it, but that there’s a you problem and not one I care to help you try and figure out. So as much as I appreciate your unsubstantiated and barely-there concern for the welfare of your brother, I really do have to get going.”
I continue to walk ahead as he remains behind—thank goodness. But then he speaks. “You know if you’re just using him to get with me, you really don’t have to go through all that trouble; I’ve been known to lower my standards a time or two.”
What. A. Jackass.
I can’t control it. The anger fires through me, and when I turn to see him standing there with a smug look, I refuse to hold back. I leap at him, my
