Page 71 of I Despise You
Chapter 27
OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, I keep seeing Chase here and there. For some reason, I find it comforting that he’s here and that he’s fine. I also heard that some girls tried to hook up with him, but he rejected all of them. Not that it’s any of my business what he does.
After a long day of studying, I get hungry and can’t fall asleep. It turns out I’m all out of snacks, so I get dressed and head to the vending machine. The first one doesn’t have any of the stuff I want, so I search for another one.
As I pass by a window, movement outside catches my gaze. I stop and take a look through the window. Outside, in the darkness, two figures stand in the parking lot. As one of them steps into the light, I recognize Chase. What is he doing out there? And who’s with him?
If I have any common sense, I’ll just leave it alone. I’m about to walk away, but I can’t. Curiosity gets the better of me, and I’m also worried Chase is doing something he isn’t supposed to do. Maybe he’s relapsed and is trying to buy more of those pills. It’s not my job to keep him clean, but I can’t help myself.
I rush to the door, and carefully and quietly sneak out. Keeping my head down, I pad over the grass and duck behind a bush. After making sure no one is around to see me, I dash to one of the cars and hide behind it.
“Keep your voice down!” I recognize that voice. It’s Chase’s father.
I’m an idiot. I should just go back. This really is none of my business, and Chase isn’t in any danger or anything.
“Why? I’m not doing anything wrong! I just want to know the truth,” Chase says.
I want to leave, but I’m afraid they’ll hear me, so I stay where I am.
“You know well what happened. You went out. You came back and fell asleep. When you woke up, she was dead,” his father says.
Is this about Kayla?
“Yeah, but when did she die? What if I did something to her and I don’t remember? Why did she have bruises on her neck?”
“Who cares?” his father snaps. “It’s in the past. The case is closed. We shouldn’t even be discussing it. There’s no need.”
“I care! Not everyone wants to be like you. I know I don’t.” Chase raises his voice.
“Watch your tone, boy!”
“Do you think I don’t know what you did to my mom? Do you think she didn’t tell me over and over again about it?”
“You ungrateful little shit! I saved you! I saved your life more than once now! What if you were charged for that girl’s murder, huh? What if you were in jail right now, no matter what you did or didn’t do? Wake up, boy! I gave you everything. I took you in when no one wanted you. You have everything you need. I gave you a car, and I pay for your school and whatever the fuck you want. Is that not enough? Would you rather be on the streets? Because it can be arranged. Upset me one more time or bring the past up again, and I’m going to disown you.”
“What’s everyone going to think about that?” Chase asks.
“They’ll understand that I’ve done everything I could for my addict son, but I just couldn’t enable him anymore. Now go back inside. I don’t want to hear a word from you about anything other than school. Is that clear?”
“Yeah, crystal,” Chase mutters.
I hear his footsteps coming closer, and my heart leaps into my throat. If I don’t get away from here, he’s going to see me, or his father will if I move to the other side. I break into a run, but I’m not fast enough since I have to keep my head down.
Just as I’m about to reach the door, I glance over my shoulder and see Chase looking straight at me. He catches up with me easily, and I expect him to be mad.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” he asks, his voice calm.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to overhear anything. I was worried that you were in some kind of trouble and I—”
Surprise flickers over his face. “It’s okay.”
A light coming from the end of the hallway startles us. A flashlight, which means the guard is close by.
“My room’s closer,” I whisper. “Come on!”
We hurry to my room, and when I close the door, I realize I’m alone in my room with Chase. I guess I should’ve thought about it before, but I’m not afraid of him. Not anymore.
“I’m not going to tell anyone anything about what I heard,” I say. “But if you want to talk about it...”
