Chasing Day Series: Chasing Day & Catching Day (3 page)

Growing Pains

Chapter 4

August 1995

“Why would you want to share your birthday party with an orchestra geek?” Daylen asked Chase. “Or even worse, an incoming metal-mouthed freshman orchestra geek?” Daylen corrected herself as she ran her tongue over her new braces. To be fair, she wasn’t a complete metal-mouth. She had chosen the clear braces with one metal wire going through the top and bottom. Even though they weren’t the obvious full metal braces, they still added another layer to her geekdom.

The very important discussion about their birthdays was currently being held in their treehouse/hiding spot. Where most of their important discussions were conducted, though they both knew that they were getting way too big to be up there. Daylen looked over at her best friend/secret crush, from her spot on the floor, her head lying on his calves.

“I mean, seriously?” She pushed further.

“Shut up, Day! You’re not a geek. You’re my best friend. We always celebrate our birthdays together.” Chase looked up from studying his high school football playbook.

“Yeah,
quietly
. My mom makes us a cake and we watch movies. And that’s only because you feel sorry for me. You could’ve had huge parties a long time ago, being the most popular boy in school and all. But
nooo
, you always decided to hang out with your reject best friend. You know they all hate me for it, right?” Daylen exclaimed dramatically.

“I
want
to hang out with you for our birthdays. And do you really think it would’ve
ever
been a good idea to have a birthday party at my house.” He gave her a doubtful look before continuing. “Besides, it’s not my fault that Miguel decided to throw us a party, so he can try to finally get laid. He knows I won’t celebrate without you, so the party is for both of us.” Chase shrugged.

“Don’t do me any favors.” Daylen rolled her eyes and sat up.

Since they had become best friends five years ago, they were almost inseparable. Except for when he left her to go to junior high and then high school. When they had realized that their birthdays were back to back, August fourth and fifth, they decided to celebrate them together. It was tradition and Chase had no plans of breaking it though Daylen would almost do anything to keep from going to a high school party. A place, she was sure, where she was most likely not wanted.

She slid back to the wall adjacent to him and leaned her back against it. They had reinforced all the walls a few summers ago. Not realizing they should’ve tried expanding instead. Chase was already getting
way
too tall to even sit in the treehouse anymore. His legs had gotten so long. The moment Daylen got comfortable, he immediately lifted, said long legs, and stretched them out on top of hers.

“Really? You’re such a brat!” Daylen scowled at him. Then she looked down at the offending limbs, weighing down her softer, shorter ones.

“You love me. Admit it.” Chase smirked at her.

“It’s debatable.” Daylen rolled her eyes, trying to mask her real feelings.

He said that kind of stuff all the time, and every time he did, her heart would flip flop in her chest. She did love him, but she knew his love for her was of the sisterly kind. She was the chubby tagalong friend.

Chase was going into his sophomore year of high school and he was already king of the campus. Last year, he’d started as second string JV quarterback. But after the first string quarterback got benched for bad behavior, Chase took over and rose to fame shortly after. This year, they were considering putting him on the varsity team. His natural talent on the field skyrocketed his popularity. His boyish good looks didn’t hurt either.

As each year passed, he became more and more gorgeous. He was sitting at about five foot ten now, and still had more room to grow. He worked out relentlessly and had developed a lean but defined body that was swoon-worthy. He said he was trying to bulk up for football though Daylen had a sneaking suspicion that it had more to do with his father. She knew that one day, he’d be bigger than his dad, and then there’d be hell to pay.

Chase still had ridiculously long eyelashes with blond tips. His beautiful brown eyes with flecks of green sparkled with mischief. His bottom lip truly looked biteable. That smile that he was directing at her now could even make a teacher falter. Recently, he’d let his sandy blond hair grow out long. The front hit around his cheekbones and the back was slightly longer. It laid against his neck and brushed the very tops of his shoulders. Daylen was always tempted to run her fingers through his beautiful locks.

Luckily, the only thing that saved him from being perfect was the fact that he was actually going through his awkward phase. Daylen thought that if that was awkward, she would gladly take his brand of awkward on a daily basis. The only real clue to his awkward phase was his voice cracked all the time. She tried her best not to giggle when it did or he’d pout. But it was the cutest thing ever.

“You’re gonna go, right? We can celebrate the end of summer with a bang.” Chase coaxed, his voice cracking slightly.

“Eh…” Daylen gave a noncommittal shrug.

“Come on, Pretty Day.” Chase prodded her, using the nickname he’d given her years ago, to butter her up. He always used it when she was feeling down about herself. “You know you wanna. Pretty, please? You know you wanna watch Miguel make a fool of himself.” Chase teased, getting up and crawling over to her.

He flopped down next to her, side by side. He nudged her with his shoulder. He looked down at her with a grin.
The
grin. It was this boyish, charming sideways smile that melted hearts.

“You suck! Fine, I’ll go!” Daylen finally conceded.

“YES!” Chase punched his fist into the air and then leaned over to give her a kiss on the temple, making butterflies flutter in her stomach. “You won’t regret it, I swear!”

Daylen seriously doubted that.

“I need to call Amy and see if my mom or hers will take us to the mall to shop for an outfit.” Daylen thought out loud.

“Yes, please. We’re best friends and all, but I draw the line at shopping with a girl.” Chase feigned revulsion.

“Oh, shut up!” Daylen scowled as she pushed herself up to leave the treehouse. “I gotta go to cello practice. I’ll see ya later.”

“Bye, Day. I’ll see ya tonight when I get back from football practice.” Chase wiggled his fingers at her in a goofy wave.

“Gross! Please, shower first! Funky armpits are soooo not sexy.” Daylen pulled a face before climbing down the tree.

She heard his laughter following her as she went inside. Chase enjoyed putting her in a headlock, right under his smelly armpit when he came home from practice. Even though she’d take him any way she could get him, she preferred freshly showered.
Yuck! Smelly boys,
she thought.

Daylen walked into the kitchen and pulled the phone receiver off the wall. She spent a few seconds detangling the long stretched out cord. Daylen had been trying to convince her mother to get a cordless phone but to no avail. She quickly dialed the number of her second closest friend.

Amy, the tiny redhead was bubbly and outgoing. The complete opposite of Daylen, though she too played an instrument, the flute. So they had bonded over their uncool band and orchestra geek status.

“Hey, Amy! You wanna go to a party…”

Daylen at least wanted to drag another friend her age down with her. She refused to be the only freshman there, so she easily convinced Amy to come along. And they made plans to go clothes shopping Saturday morning, before the party.

Daylen usually would do everything in her power to avoid embarrassing situations, which was really hard, considering who her best friend was. Chase liked to drag her to places with all the other cool kids though her wallflower tendencies didn’t always go over well. Daylen just prayed the party wasn’t a complete disaster.

Chapter 5

Saturday night, Chase sat at the kitchen table in Daylen’s house, waiting for her and Amy to finish getting ready. Pat fed him some milk and cookies like he was still ten-years-old. His leg bounced anxiously, he knew Miguel’s brother would be there any minute to pick them up and the girls were taking forever. He was also nervous that Day’s mom would start asking questions about their birthday celebration.

The story they had told her was that they were going to the movies and then the arcade to hang out with all their friends. Little did she know that they were going to an unsupervised party at Miguel’s house since his parents were out of town. The only “adults” that would be in attendance was Miguel’s twenty-one-year-old brother, Xavier and a few of his friends. Xavier had said that they’d get them some booze and then he and his buddies were gonna hang out in his room. Close enough so that he made sure no one trashed the house, but far enough away, so the younger kids could have fun.

“So what movie are you all going to see again?” Pat asked curiously.

“Um…
Clueless
, Mrs. Daniels.” Chase answered, trying to keep his voice level.

“Alright. Well, I want Daylen back in here by ten o’clock.” Pat gave him a stern face.

“But Mrs. D, we figured we’d go play at the arcade first and then go to the last movie at nine-thirty. It won’t be over till eleven or eleven-thirty so we wouldn’t get back till eleven-thirty, twelve.” Chase said, starting to panic.

Pat stayed quiet for a moment and stared him down. Chase squirmed in his chair. Not much got past Pat Daniels, which was why Daylen was still so sheltered and innocent. Well, aside from what he and Miguel taught her.

“Now Chase, don’t have me hurt you. You’re like a son to me, but I have no problem knocking your block off.” Pat warned, giving him her classic stink-eye.

“Yes, ma’am.” Chase swallowed.

“Now, I know it’s you all’s birthday celebration and I don’t wanna ruin that. But you look after my baby. And I want her back here by midnight. And not a minute after. If one hair on her head is touched, there’ll be the devil to pay. Do you hear me?” Pat asked, pointing a finger at him.

“Yes, ma’am. Understood.” Chase nodded quickly, looking like a bobblehead.

Chase knew that Daylen’s mom knew they were up to no good. She was basically saying that this was on a need to know basis. And that whatever they were up to, he better look after Daylen or he’d be dead. He did not take the threat lightly.

Chase heard a commotion in the upstairs hallway and practically flew out of this chair to head towards the bottom of the stairs. He couldn’t stay in the kitchen with Pat’s knowing eyes burning a hole through him a second longer. He looked up at the top of the stairs and his breath hitched.

Daylen and Amy talked animatedly as they made their way down the steps. They were completely oblivious to the sudden and shocking internal war that had just exploded inside of the boy waiting for them at the bottom.

When the
fuck
did Day grow up?!
Chase thought to himself, shell-shocked.

Her black hair was silky and straight. Cut into a neat bob with bangs that framed her large, coffee-brown eyes. Her skin was butterscotch with a hint of summer sun and a tinge of pink kissed her round cheeks. Her lips were pouty and dark red. Inviting. Chase had to shake his head, he was so disoriented.

The outfit she had chosen worked well for her. On her feet were cute, clunky black Mary Janes that were popular now. Her short, shapely legs were wrapped in black tights. Over those, she wore a black with red floral print babydoll dress that reached mid-thigh. The neckline was scoop-necked and showed off a bit of cleavage that Chase never knew she had. In fact, he just realized that she had a
huge
rack. Even in comparison to the girls in his sophomore class.

Her only accessories were giant black hoop earrings and a black lace choker. The choker drew his attention to her long, soft neck. Chase realized that he noticed body parts on her that he had no business noticing. She was still his plump, shy, and reserved-in-public best friend. And he’d just seen her earlier in the day though the soft curves that normally reminded him of his cuddly best gal pal were now evoking the dirtiest thoughts he’d ever thought when it came to girls.

No no no no no!
Chase had yet to learn how to control his body’s reaction to pretty girls. He quickly clasped his hands together in front of him to hide his sudden arousal at his best friend.
This can’t be happening!

“Hey, Chase! We’re ready!” Daylen hopped down from the last step, her boobs bouncing.

Chase closed his eyes for a brief moment and swallowed hard. “Sup, Day. Hey, Amy.”

“You alright?” Daylen asked Chase with a frown. “You look like you’re in pain.”

“I’m good,” Chase said after clearing his throat a few times. “So uh, here’s your gift. I had to cut a few lawns to get it, but…” Chase shrugged as he handed her a small box wrapped in newspaper.

“Oh yeah, here’s yours too.” Daylen held up a black pouch and handed it to him.

They both opened their gifts to each other at the same time, which was part of their tradition. Chase opened the drawstring on the pouch and turned it upside down to shake out the contents. Two necklaces fell into his hands. They were made of the popular black leather cord and had pendants hanging from them. One was a Tibetan coin and the other was a yin and yang symbol. He instantly loved them. They were just like the necklaces that Jared Leto wore on Day’s favorite and his secretly favorite show,
My So-Called Life
. They were still devastated over the teen-angsty drama being canceled.

Chase looked up as Daylen lifted the top of the small box. Nestled in the cotton lining was a silver ID bracelet he’d gotten from Things Remembered in the mall. He’d had
Pretty Day
engraved on the metal plate, not realizing that the nickname would eventually punch him in the gut. It had a whole new meaning now.

“Here, let me help you put it on,” Chase said, taking the bracelet out of her hands.

He wrapped the silver metal, around her wrist and clasped it. Daylen looked down at it lovingly. She then lifted her pretty dark brown eyes up to his. They were glassy with unshed tears.

“Thank you, Chase. It’s beautiful. This must have been a lot of lawns.” Daylen said in awe.

“It was nothing.” Chase brushed it off. “Thanks for the necklaces, Day. They’re awesome.”

“You’re welcome. I can help you put them on.” Daylen offered and held out her hands for the necklaces.

Chase handed them to her and squatted down low. She stood in front of him and reached around the back of his neck to clasp each necklace. He tried not to stare too hard at her face that was in such close proximity, but it was nearly impossible. Her long, curling eyelashes fluttered prettily with shyness.

When she was done, Chase stood back up and Daylen looked up at him appreciatively. “Now you definitely look like Jordan Catalano.” She grinned brightly, showing off her new braces.

“Definitely!” Amy piped up. “You’ve got that whole grungy thing going.”

Both girls looked him up and down. They took in his heavy black boots, baggy jeans, white tee and thin red and black flannel. Chase looked away bashfully. For the first time in a long time, he was completely unsure of himself. He turned towards the kitchen and saw Pat standing in the doorway, giving him a knowing look. The look said,
I know you finally
see
her, but make sure you keep your hands to yourself.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Daylen asked him again. “You’re acting strange. Do you have gas?”

“I’m
fine
!” Chase answered too forcefully.

Daylen continued to look at him, obviously not sure if she believed him. Luckily, a horn sounded from the driveway, saving him from his best friend’s scrutiny.

“That’s Xavier and Miguel. We better get going.” Chase said, changing the subject.

“Alrighty. Bye, mom.” Daylen walked over to her mother to give her a kiss on the cheek.

“You behave yourselves. And remember what I told you, Chase.” Pat gave him the ‘I’m watching you’ look.

“Yes, Mrs. D.” Chase bowed his head guiltily as he followed the girls out the door.

Miguel’s brother had pulled up in their parents’ Jeep Cherokee. Xavier and one of his friends were already in the front. A few more of his buddies took up the very back and Miguel was sitting in the middle row. There were only two spots left for the three of them. Amy hopped in the middle next to Miguel, who grinned down at the redhead lecherously. Chase and Daylen looked at each other awkwardly, not sure of how the seating arrangement should go.

“Damn, Daylen! Since when did you get so fine?!” Miguel said, never lacking for words or objectifying women.

All the guys laughed and looked at her admiringly. Earlier when she and Amy had gone shopping, she had learned, to her great embarrassment that she was now officially a C-cup. Amy had been envious of her larger cup size. Daylen would’ve gladly given them to her friend. She was nowhere near confident enough or bold enough to use them to her advantage. And to her horror, all male eyes were currently directed to her two new, larger ‘friends.’

“Don’t worry, Daylen. There’s plenty of room…on my lap!” Miguel said suggestively, patting his thighs.

“Shut up, Miguel! She can sit on my lap.” Chase offered gallantly though Daylen heard a hard edge to his voice that she didn’t understand.

“I’ll crush you,” Daylen whispered under her breath.

Chase gave her a look that said,
don’t even go there.
He always got mad at her when she downed herself about her weight. He slid into the seat and waited for her to get in. Daylen took a deep breath and then put her left foot inside, held onto the handle above the door, and pulled herself up. She sat down sideways on Chase’s lap, trying not to put all of her weight down on him. She leaned forward and closed the door, and then scooted back to make room for her legs. Chase groaned deep in his throat.

“I’m sorry.” Daylen cringed. “I’m not too heavy, am I?” Daylen looked at him.

Chase’s eyes were closed and his jaw flexed. “I’m fine,” he said in a strained voice.

“We ready to roll?” Xavier shouted back to them.

“Yeah.” They all shouted back.

~~~

Chase was in pure agony by the time they got to the Flores house. He didn’t think that he could take one more minute of Daylen’s butt moving around on his lap, during the bumpy ride. Chase remained silent while she and Amy talked about whatever girls talk about, and the guys all gave each other a hard time, as guys usually do. He thought about football plays, the coming school year, anything other than his best friend.

Once Xavier parked in the driveway of their house, they all poured out of the car and made their way inside. Chase noticed the way Xavier and his friends looked at Day. As well as all the boys from his class as they arrived at the party, including some juniors and seniors that had heard about the party. Her plumpness gave her womanly curves
way
sooner than some of the other girls in their class, so the older boys had zeroed in on her the moment they laid eyes on her. Chase made sure that she was never out of his sight as the party progressed.

“Dang, man! I really didn’t realize that Day had grown up so much.” Miguel whistled appreciatively through his lips as he wrapped an arm around Chase’s neck.

“Don’t even fucking think about it, dude,” Chase growled at his friend.

Chase looked down at the short Latino, giving him a look that spoke volumes. Miguel was a good looking kid, but all he could ever think about was getting in girls’ pants. Daylen would not be his next victim if Chase had anything to say about it.

Miguel held his hands up and backed off. “I was just saying, man. I wouldn’t mess with her or anything.”

“Yeah, make sure you don’t. If I don’t kill you first, her mom definitely will. She hasn’t even started her first day of high school yet. That’s just gross!” Chase wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince his friend or himself that it was wrong to even go near her.

“True. You’ve got a point. But she’s nice to look at.” Miguel shrugged.

“Yeah…” Chase said under his breath, before taking a drink of beer.