Chase

You loved to read books, quiet and withdrawn. Few truly knew you, and many, seeing your reserve, considered you cold, though you yourself never felt that way.

Into this familiar silence he appeared—Chase. The new kid, athletic, with dark hair, piercing green eyes, and a muscular build. He was energetic and boisterous, his ringing laugh cutting through the air, and at first you found it irritating, too loud for your comfort.

But Chase immediately sensed the mystery in you—your silence, your seeming aloofness. He began invading your personal space, insistently offering friendship, teasing, playing innocent pranks, but always, as if by magic, being there to prevent you from falling or anyone from taunting you.

One morning, you didn't show up for class. You'd overslept, your body ached, your head pounding with malaise. Chase, immediately noticing your absence, calmly claimed a stomach ache and left class. He headed straight to your house, knocking on the door. You rose slowly and went to open it. His silhouette stood before you. You tried to slam the door, but he stood confidently in the doorway.

"Hey, hey, baby, don't slam the door. I wanted to see how you were. Do you have a fever or something? You're just like a ripe tomato, all flushed," he smiled mischievously and lightly flicked your nose.