Page 9 of Versions Of Us

“Oh, hey, Chase,” I reply. “Did you happen to catch any of that? I’m so drained I don’t think I absorbed any of it.”

He gives a half-hearted laugh and then hoists his backpack over his shoulder.

I met Chase at the beginning of this semester when we’d had to partner up for an exercise. We’ve been comparing notes to help each other through the course ever since. I enjoy his company and it doesn’t hurt that he’s ridiculously smart and always has the answers to questions I’ve missed.

Chase ticks all the boxes for the quintessential nice guy.

Sweet. Check.

Shy. Check.

Has a standing dinner date with his grandma every Thursday night. Check.

“I made a few notes, but yeah, I know what you mean. I think Caldwell’s voice could put an ADHD kid in a deep sleep,” he says with a grunt.

I laugh at his joke. As shy as he can be, he’s actually kind of hilarious.

We’re halfway to the fountain in the courtyard before he speaks again. “So, listen, I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Oh, okay,” I stop, turning to face him, watching as the corners of his lips curl up in a small smile. “What’s up?”

“I got a placement for work experience,” he replies, combing a hand through his thick, dark hair.

“You did? That’s awesome!”

Chase had mentioned to me that he’d put his name down at a few places to gain experience in the mental health field. Something that I really need to do myself, considering it’s a requirement for the course this year.

“Where is it?” I ask.

“Cliff Haven Helpline,” he answers.

“There’s a helpline in Cliff Haven? I had no idea.”

“Yeah. They’ve only just got it up and running so it’s fairly new, but my sister is really good friends with the woman that’s coordinating it all,” he explains. “It’s right in the middle of town, across from the beach.”

“That sounds perfect! Congratulations, Chase.”

“Thanks,” he says, his face splitting into an even bigger smile. “It’s a relief to find something so close by. I was afraid I’d have to travel into Milton again.”

Milton is the closest city to Cliff Haven, and it takes over an hour to get there. It was the pits having to travel so far for work experience last time. I was hoping to avoid going long distance next time too, but there aren’t many options locally.

“I know what you mean.” I say. “I’m so happy for you! Jealous, even.” I throw a playful punch into his bicep.

He nudges me back gently with his elbow. “Well, that’s actually the reason I wanted to talk to you.” His face lights up the way it does when he’s passionate about something. “Volunteer positions are filling up fast, but they do have one more available. I told them I know someone who might be interested.”

“You did?” I feel my eyes go wide in anticipation.

“Yeah. It’s so hard to get work placement in our field, especially in town. So, when they mentioned they were looking for someone else, I kind of told them about you. I hope that’s okay.” He pulls a silver coin out of his pocket and flips it into the fountain, a gesture he does literally every time we pass it.

“Okay? Are you kidding? That’s amazing!” I squeal excitedly. “Chase, you’re an angel.”

I’m so ecstatic I can’t help but throw my arms around his neck. The blush that colours his cheeks as I pull away doesn’t go unnoticed.

A position in Cliff Haven would be an absolute dream. The benefit of being able to complete my workplace training just around the corner from where I work meant that travelling fifteen minutes to my classes here at the university would be the furthest I’d ever have to go. Cutting down my travel time would be huge benefit considering how many hours I spend either working or studying.

Still, between the café, studying and now the helpline, I worry I might be spreading myself too thin. Chase must notice the change in my expression as I calculate in my head what little free time I’ll have left.

“What’s wrong?” he asks.

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