Freeing Katie

Ch. 7 How Friends Hug

CHASE POV

So, three days left in jail, huh? 

I huff as I flick through the blinds, looking at our neighbors’ house.  “yea.  Jail being the operative word.  At least he lets me go hang out with Katie.  Even if she doesn’t have much of a social life, it’s better than being holed up all day.”

My month-long grounding of partying and going out with friends officially ends on Friday.  I can’t f*****g wait.

Invite her to the party.  She must be a saint for putting up with your ass all the time.  I know she needs a shot or two.

“She adores me,” I laugh out.  “But I will.  She’s cool.  I think y’all would get along great.”

Sounds like a plan.  I gotta go- dad is about to swing by for dinner, and you know mom’s one wine glass away from either seducing or screaming at him when he gets here

“Eesh.  Good luck with that.  Later man.”  We end the call and I flop back down to my bed.  Homework is basically nonexistent with only a few weeks left of the school year, and playing games without entertainment is just not worth it anymore. 

I peek out the window and internally sigh as Katie’s car is still not there.  I mean, it’s a week night.  What could be more fun than entertaining me?

I decide to head on over and knock, just in case Jason is home.   During the first week of my house arrest, Jason came over to borrow some games.  Dad overheard him asking me to come over to help him out in a level on his other game, and when I told him I was grounded, dad said I could go next door whenever, as long as I kept myself in line.  I was shocked, but I know that he really likes Ms. Roberts, and even though they haven’t gone on their museum date yet, he still wanted to keep a good impression.

So, after that, I’ve spent most days at Katie’s house… doing homework, watching TV, or playing games with her brother.  I’ve even had dinner with the whole family while dad was out of town.  Katie has come over a couple of times, only to collect her brother when he stays out too late gaming over here.  I swear she was blushing when she came into my room, but that could have just been wishful thinking on my part.  I like making her blush.

We’ve gotten closer over the month, and I can say that she’s coming out her shell nicely around me, compared to the first time we interacted.  We’re becoming good friends and I really hope she’ll come to J.R.’s party with me- it’ll be fun to see her let her hair down for a change.

The door unlocks and opens as much as the chain lock will let it.  “Oh, hey Chase,” Jason drawls out, shutting the door and unlocking it just the same.  Once he opens it back up, he turns around back towards the living room, leaving me to follow.  “Katie isn’t home yet.  Want some?” he asks, holding out a carton of cookies.

I plop on the couch, seeing that he’s watching one of the Marvel spin off shows.  “Nah, I’m good.  Mind if I hang?”

“Sure,” he shrugs.  We engross ourselves into the show- making small talk about the characters and whatnot.  I never thought about what it would be like to have a sibling, but Jason is pretty cool.  Once that episode ends, I head to the kitchen to help myself to a soda. 

“Do you like Katie, Chase?”

I almost choke on my drink.  “Dude, pro tip? Don’t ask questions that shock the s**t out of people when they are mid drink,” I laugh out, cleaning the dribble on my chin. 

The little punk just laughs as he hops on the counter.  “Well, do you?  You’re always coming around.”

I smile out.  “Yea, I like her.  We’re friends.  That’s what friends do- hang out.”  I turn to throw away the paper towel.  “I’m sure I’m not the first friend she’s had over all the time.  What about where you moved from?”

I turn around and see that he’s looking up in thought.  “Not that I can remember.”  Then he looks at me with a smirk.  “She says you’re annoying.”

It’s my turn to smile.  She does say that a lot, but I know she likes having me around.  He hops down and I swing an arm around his head.  “She says you’re a pain in the neck.”

“That’s because I am.”

Just as we head back into the living room, the front door opens.  “Jason, I’m back,” Katie yells out, but then turns her head and sees me.

“Welcome home, sweetie.  You’re late,” I say with a smirk, opening my arms wide.  She looks at me skeptically.  “Come on, you know you want these arms around you.”

She chuckles, shaking her head and walks right past me, and messing the top of her brother’s hair.   “What did I say about letting strays into the house?”

I hold my hand to my chest and follow her up the stairs to her room, winking at her brother as we pass.  “I take offense to that.  What were you up to?”

“Taylor, Brenna, and I had a coffee date.”  She puts her purse on her desk chair and sits on her bed, staring at me while I lean on the doorframe.  The smile she holds brightens up her whole face, letting me know she had a good time.  I’ve only met her friends a few times, but they seem to be good people.

We just stare at each other, smiling until it becomes awkward.  I clear my throat and pounce around to shuffle through her bookcase.  “You could have told me you were going to be out.  I was lonely,” I whine as I try to sound as sad as possible.

“Not my fault that you have no friends outside of me.”

“Ouch, babe.  Straight to the heart.”

I hear her soft laughter.  “It’s only for a couple more days.  Once your ban is lifted, you’ll forget all about me as you venture off back into your world.”

I turn around and see her going through her backpack.  “Katie, you know that’s not true, right?”  She finally looks at me and gives me a smile, but for some reason, I don’t believe it.  I walk over to her and pull her into my arms.  I smother a laugh with her stunned body.  “You put your arms around my waist.  This is called a hug, Katie.  Friends do it all the time.”  I feel her hesitance, but eventually she does wrap her arms around me.  I don’t tighten the hold- not wanting to scare her, but I do dramatically sway us side to side, making her laugh.

“Eww!  Are you going to kiss her Chase?”

We break apart quickly.  I laugh as Katie throws the closest object at her brother, which is just a balled-up piece of paper.  “You’re such a brat!”

He sticks his tongue out and walks away without a care.  I can see from the corner of my eye that her face has turned beet red, and I just can’t help myself.  I stretch my arms out and stalk closer to her. “You want a kiss, Katie?”  I even add the full fish lip pucker to prove my point.  She rolls her eyes, trying not to laugh, as she backs up towards the door.  I don’t stop, and it quickly turns into a small chase around her house.  Jason even joins in, making kissy noises as Katie squeals and curses at us.

“Ugh, you’re so annoying, Chase!  Stop!”  I laugh as she’s cornered herself behind the dining table.  Just as I go to reach for her, the front door opens and I hear her mom yelling out that she’s home.  Katie gives me a smirk and I glare a look, mouthing ‘this isn’t over.’  She just shakes her head.

“Oh hey, Chase!  Katie, why are you behind the table?”  Ms. Roberts puts her purse on the counter, looking exhausted after her long shift. 

“She’s just weird, Ms. Roberts,” I smile out. 

Jason laughs and goes to hug his mom.  “Chase threatened to kiss her.  She’s playing hard to get.”

It’s my turn to turn a glare on the little brat, and I hear Katie giggling behind me.  Ms. Roberts doesn’t look too concerned, seeing how she’s smirking at me along with her son.  “Gee, look at the time,” I whistle out, looking at the imaginary watch on my wrist.

“Come on, Romeo.  We have school tomorrow,” Katie laughs out, pushing me towards the door.

“Thanks for letting me swing by Jason.  Ms. Roberts.” 

“Anytime Chase.  And call me Laura!”

I give her a grin as Katie pushes harder on my back.  Once we get to the door, she finally releases me.  “Have a good night, Chase.”

I take a step onto their porch, then snap my fingers, remembering why I came over in the first place.  “I forgot.  J.R. wants to meet you.  He’s having a party this Saturday.  You should come.”

She nibbles her bottom lip for a split second.  “I can’t.  We’re going up to my cousin’s house for the weekend- you remember Becca?  It’s her birthday, and I already promised.  Sorry.”

Well, that sucks.  “Maybe next time?”

She nods her head.  “I’ll let Taylor and Brenna know, though.  They can fill me in on all the debauchery that you do on your first official party after a month of hanging out with a ten year old.”

I smile, then step in to give her a quick hug.  “He is a cool kid.”  I step back and see her face still a little flustered.  “’Night, Katie.”