Playing Games

Milkshakes

After they had eaten their burgers and milkshakes Chase had driven her home, she had actually enjoyed his company. When he isn’t behaving like a stalker, he is fun, Maria had to admit to herself. They laughed and compared the cringe-worthy music they both liked, he seemed light, less serious now. He had leaned into kiss her and she had pulled away, she unlocked the car door, ‘Chase, I’ll be your friend but nothing more’ she had said to him before getting out of the car. 

As she started to walk back to the house having thanked him for dinner, forgetting her bag she turned around when halfway up the path and walked straight into Chase. Maria nearly fell over, half in shock, and half because he was solid.

He caught her gently but the wrist and steadied her. She didn't try and free herself, instead he released her. She sighed, too tired to fight. ‘I forgot my bag' she started, he leaned towards her, holding it away from her in his other hand. She looked at him and raised an eyebrow, ‘not today’ she said. She had had a nice time and didn’t want to end this on a bad note. 'Tomorrow?' he asked. His eyes were sparkling, and a smirk was resting on his face.

'Never?' Maria asked back, tilting her head, he smiled and stepped towards her, closing the gap, as she spoke she could feel his body moving with each breath.

'you say never, but I hear always'

'that's no surprise, you don’t strike me as a good listener' Maria was smiling to now, enjoying the flirtation.

'and how would you know?'

She just shook her head in response, 'ah' Chase said, 'you've been asking about me'

'don't flatter yourself,' she laughed. It sounded carefree and Chase thought that it suited her, her brown eyes coming alive.

'but if I don't flatter myself, who will?'

'not me' she replied.

'well then, can't go through life without someone praising me' he was enjoying this.

'you've made it so far. Besides your ego is already out of control'

'and is that what you want?' he asked her, his voice was jokey, but she heard a serious question underneath, 'what?' she faltered.

'to control me?' he asked,

She looked at him, 'no' and she meant it, 'I don't want to control you' she said,

He looked down at her, 'so what do you want Maria?' he asked, their flirtation had taken on a serious tone and she wasn't sure how to deal with that. Or what to answer. So she told the truth, 'I don't know'.

They both paused for a moment, he looked to her, she looked lost and unsure. He reached out and touched her cheek, she leaned into his touch. His head moved down to kiss her, his jaw was cut, strong and his lips soft. She was slim, but soft and melded around him. Lifting herself to meet him, his large hands moved, one holding her back and the other still touching her cheek.

She lifted her hand as they kissed, holding onto his cheek, her body responding to his touch, they were like cogs in a clock, fitting together perfectly.

As Maria pulled back from his kiss, she heard a yell, they both turned to see Andrew running down the street towards them. He looked insane; his face twisted in anger as he charged at Chase. Maria was frozen but Chase's reaction kicked in.

She screamed as Andrew lunged at Chase, who quickly pushed her out of the way and was slammed onto his back. He barely had time to cover his face as Andrew started throwing punches.

'Andrew stop, STOP!' Maria screamed, but it was no use. He was deaf to the world in his rage.

Chase flipped Andrew off of him and squared up, Andrew wasn't physically stronger, but he was strong and angry, Chase had another disadvantage. He, unlike Andrew, was concerned about Maria getting hurt.

The two men collided once again, this is what Chase had been waiting for, a chance to really get his hands-on Andrew. His face twisted into a sneer. 

Andrew needed to gain space, to have a few seconds to collect himself, but Chase wasn't going to give it to him. Instead Chase followed and Andrew hit him in the ribs. Chase was winded and Andrew seized the opportunity pummel him with blows. 

Chase covered his face against Andrew, before kicking at his legs. He stood of Andrew and stamped on his ribs, Maria screamed and tried to get in-between the two. Chase ignored her, and she pulled at his arms and shoulders, he picked Andrew up and threw him against his car. 

It was all happening so fast, people came from their houses to watch the show, Monas parents came running out.  

'Pull them apart now!' Mona screamed and after a couple of seconds everyone jumped into action.

Several of the male neighbours ran over to help Mona’s father as he separated the two fighting boys. He had never seen anything like this, Mona and her mum were pulling Maria into the house, ‘you need to leave them, Maria come’ her aunt commanded her. 

Mona’s father called Andrews parents, who came to collect him. He refused to let a bloody and bleeding Andrew in the house. Chase drove home, and her uncle went back inside. ‘What the hell was that all about?’ he asked his niece; her face was tear stained and she had a bruise on her cheek. 

Her aunt held a bag of frozen peas to her face and stroked her hair while she cried, ‘Chase fancies Maria, he’s Mrs Austin’s son’ Mona said, ‘I guess Andrew got jealous or something’ he looked down at Maria, ‘I understand teenage boys and their testosterone, although that lad looked like a bloody bodybuilder. But this is insane, tomorrow we’re going to the principal’s office and we are sorting this out’ he said.