Page 14 of Chase

“We don’t even know her and what, we’re just letting her hang out with us?” I had a feeling this might’ve been what Rhys’ problem was. I didn’t think it was Yasmin herself, but more so what she represents.

“At one stage, we didn’t know you,” I reply. Rhys only joined us in 8th grade when he and his family moved to Canary Bay from Acre Woods.

A beep from the car park distracts us and Arden heads over to pick up our food. The girls approach and Yasmin slides in beside me. Her leg touches mine when she sits down and I hold my breath, waiting to see what she does.

To my surprise she doesn’t move it. She just turns to Ally and continues her conversation.

At first look she seems a little more relaxed, but I don’t know if it’s because she’s calmed down or if she’s putting on a front.

Arden unloads the bags on the table and we all help open the containers. He’s gotten all the usual favourites. Dumplings, noodles, honey chicken and fried rice. We each take an empty container and dig in.

“Wow. This wasn’t what I was expecting at all.” Yasmin says as she places a little of everything in her container.

“What were you expecting?” Arden asks with a mouthful of food.

“When Chase said restaurant, I expected chicken feet and goats head soup. You know some of that fancy stuff that no one ever wants to eat.” Arden’s unable to contain his laughter.

“Fuck no. Mushu’s is the best hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant in town. It’s small, run down and the food is amazeballs,” Arden replies when he finally manages to control his laughter.

“Amazeballs?” Yasmin asks with a chuckle.

Oh god.

I’m screwed. Her laugh does things to me. Without thinking, I place my hand on my thigh and softly touch hers. She doesn’t jump this time. Just turns and smiles.

I may have only met her this morning, but I know for a fact I’d do anything I can to make her smile like that again.

“Trust me. Amazeballs,” Arden says while nodding at her container and shovelling a dumpling in his mouth.

I watch as Yasmin picks up a dumpling, closes her eyes and hesitantly takes a bite. She lets out an audible moan, and it takes everything in me to not react. She opens her eyes and looks at me, slowly licking the remaining dumpling juice from her lips.

“Amazeballs.” She says a little breathily.

Yep. Screwed.

Chapter Six

Chase

This week has been different. Having Yasmin here has shifted the group dynamic slightly. I try to get her alone, but while we’re at school Ally or Arden are always around.

But I found a way around them and their cock blocking ways.

On Tuesday I discovered she pretty much lives across the road from me and every morning at 5:00 a.m. she takes Daisy for a walk. I watched her come and go on Tuesday morning, but on Wednesday I decided to join her. The first day she barely acknowledged me. But the next day she waited at the end of the driveway for me.

We didn’t talk. Just walked. I desperately wanted her to talk to me, but I didn’t want to push her.

She’s sat next to me at lunch everyday. Each day she gets a little braver and touches me a little more. Just little touches here and there.

She barely talks to us but she listens and will occasionally ask questions. She’s still in her shell and has her wall up.

It’s Friday and we’re in shop class. I search for her without even realising what I’m doing. Arden is sitting with her again, keeping her company while she does paperwork.

He’s already told me it’s his time with her and he’s going to take it while he can.

I have no idea what the hell he is on about. But let him have this. He doesn’t know about our walks.

I watch them for a minute before I notice something’s not right.

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