He Loves Me Weightless

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I was more devastated by what went down at the party last night. I was possibly depressed at this point. What they did to me is undeserving.

"Kat, I'm sorry. If you had called me and told me, I would have sobered up and came to you," Collins laid next to me, on my bed, the next morning. She caressed my cheek gently. Anyone else who'd notice how physical she tends to get with me, they'd think we are lesbians. She's a physical person. It's her love language. She can't help herself. And anyway, I don't mind.

"Collins, don't blame yourself. You have every right to have a life outside of me. I can't expect you to wallow in my misery everytime," I sighed, facing up.

"But that's what friends do," she pouted.

"How about this, let's go out. To town," eyes wide, she turned to me.

"Y-you want to do that?" She asked softly. I rolled my eyes. Normally, I'd want to stay here and cry every after hour or so, until I feel better.

"Of course. I guess I need a change of scene. I'll feel better," I just wanted to forget everything. "Only if you come with me though," I said looking at her.

"Of course, I'll come with you," she squealed, getting up. She went ahead and raided my closet for an outfit. I blanched when I saw what she chose for me. Black ripped shorts, that went a little above my knees, and a yellow crop hoodie. "Uh-uh, before you say anything, I'm your stylist. I know what looks good on you," she said. I huffed out, but said nothing. She laid the outfit on my bed before grabbing my cosmetic bag and hers and proceeded to the bathroom.

I shook my head slowly, smiling. We showered quickly and got dressed. She forced me to wear light makeup. Didn't feel light to me, but I didn't say that out loud.

"Perfect," she cheered once she was done. "Let's go," she practically dragged me out the door. We walked down the stairs leading to the front gate.

"Ladies," someone greeted. I turned to see a guy smiling at us. I looked away quickly. Collins giggled softly.

"What?" I turned to her.

"Nothing," she said. I eyed her until she caved. "Okay, fine. I think that guy likes you,"

I burst out laughing at her words. "You're crazy," I shook my head at her, wiping the tears from my eyes.

"I'm being serious. Look back now and if he's not looking at you, then we can let this go," she said, stopping altogether. I sighed and looked back. The guy was looking this way, and he was looking at me. He smiled when he saw me looking at him. I smiled back and turned, trying to hide my blush.

"Told you," Collins said.

"That doesn't mean anything, okay? I'm sure he was looking at you," I said. No way that guy would be any way interested in me. For all I know, he could be DUFFing me. I've seen enough of Bianca being DUFFed by Wesley. Yes, the guy was cute and all, but I wouldn't dare get my hopes up for a heartbreak and more mean comments.

I drove to town, talking to Collins about everything and nothing in particular. We stopped at Spur for breakfast. Then we decided to walk around, looking for anything interesting.

"We should probably get in one of the stores," Collins said after a while.

"Definitely," I added and we both burst out laughing at our inside joke. This is what happens every time we come here. It takes us at least two to three hours to actually do something. We'd just walk around, procrastinating. "I saw this sneaker store that I want to check out," I said. I was in need of new shoes and sneakers were my first choice.

We rounded the corner, coming face to face with Chase. He was with someone. He stopped when he saw us.

"Holy s**t," Collins, being Collins, started freaking out when she finally saw him. "Kat, he's looking at you," she said.

"Oh my God, will you stop doing that? Not every guy is looking at me like that," I turned to her. She held her hands up, backing away. I eyed Chase, who hadn't moved. He looked away briefly to the guy with him.

I thought about how I left things with him. I kind of felt bad. I mean, he was trying to help. Well, I'd like to think he was. I should probably apologize. But how, with that guy with him. I didn't get to decide before I saw him move, leaving Chase on his own.

"Hurry the f**k up, Mike. I'm not going to wait for your ass," Chase yelled, looking towards the guy, Mike.

This is my chance.

"I'll be back, Collins," I said already making my way to him. He had sat down in one of the benches. He had dark washed skinny jeans with a royal blue tank top that showed more of his skin and tattoos.

Damn, there were so many tattoos. They covered his left arm. I gulped, stopping in front of him. When he noticed me, he looked up, taking his time. He eyed my outfit and I wished I didn't wear the jean shorts. I cleared my throat to earn his attention. His hazel eyes found mine and they were calm.

"I'm sorry," I blurted out. I was aware of Collins behind me, but I chose to ignore her.

"What are you sorry for?" He asked softly, a frown appearing on his forehead.

"For last night. I was mean to you," I said softly. His frown deepened for a second before he let out a chuckle, looking around. I eyed him, confused.

"You were mean to me," he repeated to himself. When his eyes found mine, he stood up, towered over me. I gulped. He can't possibly hit me in a crowded place. "What makes you think you were mean to me?" He asked. My brows furrowed at that.

"Wha...I thought that, well, I was a bit harsh," I can't believe I'm stuttering.

"A bit harsh?" He rose a brow, a sly smile gracing his lips. He stepped closer, closing what was left of the distance between us, and I made a mistake by not stepping back. His busted lip had a deep angry line and I tried not to wince. It must be painful. "How cute of you to think you could actually hurt me," he said against my ear.

"What?" I breathed out, more confused as ever. He looked down at me with an easy smile. He looked over my shoulder then and his face changed. It was only for a second though. He leaned in again and I recoiled a little.

"Later Katherine," he said before walking away. "Collins," he greeted as he walked past her. She stuttered a squeaky hello. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"Oh my God, he knows my name," Collins gushed. "What was that about, anyway?" She asked then.

"Long story," I mumbled out, carrying on walking to the sneaker store.

●

Monday came and I attended my usual Monday class. This time, I chose a different seat. One that I was sure the two ladies won't take and will most certainly not notice my presence.

"Is this seat taken?" I looked up to see none other than Chase. I fought the urge to roll my eyes at him, but instead, I chose to look away. He sat down anyway. "Are you mad at me or something?" He asked then.

I turned to him, confused by his question.

"Why would you think that?" I asked him. He just shrugged, facing front.

"You don't seem to like my presence," he said. My mouth opened and closed, not knowing what to say.

"It's not that big of a deal," I mumbled.

"You're doing it again," he said.

"What?"

"Pushing me away,"

"Why- Why does it matter to you? People like you can't hang out with people like me. I already have a...an enemy-"

"Because of me, right?" He finished for me, looking down at me. Even when he's sitting, he's taller than me.

"I don't know what else you want me to say. I've seen things like these happen. Your girlfriend might just kill me because you are sitting right next to me," I huffed out.

"Girlfriend?" He repeated.

"Yes," I said. "Beth," I looked to see her staring daggers at me. I looked away quickly, my throat tightening. "That look itself might just kill me," I whispered, sinking in my seat.

"Katherine, Beth's not my girlfriend. She never was; never will be," he said. Shocked, I looked up at him. He smirked, seeing my expression. "Didn't see that coming, didn't you?" I blinked, looking away.

"That doesn't make things any different," I mumbled out.

"Okay, what do you want me to do?" He asked. He totally ignored the Professor as she walked in, greeting everyone. "Tell me what to do. I'll do it," he said.

"How about pretend I don't exist," I said. His eyes narrowed in a scolding manner.

"Anything, but that," he pointed out.

"Why?"

"I want to be friends," he simply said. I gawked at him. "With you," he looked at me again. "Is that too hard to believe?"

"I'm sorry, but yeah, it is," I nodded, not bothering to hide my shock.

"Can you pay attention at the back," I jumped upon hearing Professor King's voice. Eyes wide, I looked to the front quickly. "Is Mr Norway bothering you?" She asked me. All eyes turned to Chase and I. Chase spotted a hard glare, his jaws twitching.

"N-no, ma'am," I shook my head, too quick. "I was just...helping him on a question about," I looked to the smart board to see 'Sonnet 130' written in big words. "The poem, Sonnet 130. Sorry, ma'am," I felt the need to add, even though the eyes on me made me want to pee myself. I didn't dare look up at Chase.

Professor King nodded with an understanding smile. "Thank you for assisting," she said and I let out a hot breath.

"Lying doesn't suit you, Princess," Chase whispered against my ear and a shiver went through my body. "I guess that makes us friends now. I mean, you did just lie for me. That's what friends do, right?" He said with a toothy smile. I couldn't help but let out a giggle.

"Stop doing that face. You look weird," I said.

"Ouch, you wound me, Katherine," he said. I was about to apologize but I noticed his smile.

Minutes into the lecture, Chase grabbed my phone from the table.

"What are you doing?" I asked him. He ignored me completely, typing away. Seconds later, his phone rang. I groaned when I realized what he was doing. "You could have just asked, you know,"

"Would you have given me your number?" He looked at me. I swallowed hard, realizing he might have a point. I wouldn't have given it to him that easily. "That's what I thought," he said. He went on scrolling through my phone. I watched him carefully, noting the small cuts on his face. They were healed and you'd have to look carefully to see them. I wondered why he had such bruises. I remember Collins telling me he tends to get into a lot of fights.

"Cute pic," he said showing me a photo of myself in a yellow sundress that had ridden up my thighs, exposing them. Collins had taken the pic while I was on the grass, laughing. I flushed, looking away.

"It's not that big of a deal," I mumbled out.

"You, my friend, need to stop saying that," he said placing my phone down. I didn't say anything to that. I tried to pay attention to class but his eyes bore into my skin, making it crawl with goosebumps.

"Okay class, I have a small assignment for you," Professor King said. The class groaned. "I want ya'll, in pairs, to finish analyzing Sonnets 130. I want a 3 pages analysis from everyone next Monday. You may choose your own partners or it could be the one next to you. Class is dismissed," she said.

I looked around. There was a boy on my right, who was already engaging with the girl sitting next to him. Slowly, I turned to Chase. The goofy smile was back and I giggled, shaking my head. He looked so weird when he does that face.

In a cute way though.

Wait. What the hell?

"I guess you're stuck with me, Katherine," he said.

●

Meet me at the E L Malherbe Library. I read the message from Chase and sighed.

"What?" Collins asked me softly.

"I have an assignment with Chase. I need to go to the library," I told her, gathering my books. I don't even know why I'm doing this in the first place. I already have all of my analysis notes.

"Whoa, whoa. Wait," she sat up with wide eyes. "Chase was the one texting you just now?" She asked.

"Yes?" She shrieked.

"So he has your number now, huh?" I rolled my eyes at that. I should have seen it coming. I packed my bag, getting ready to go. I texted Chase quickly.

On my way.

A second later, my phone beeped.

Don't go alone. It's almost dark outside.

I looked outside and realized it was getting dark. It was just after 6. The perks of living on Campus is that I have access to the library 24/7.

"Collins, will you-" my phone beeped.

Actually, I'm coming to you. Which res?

My eyebrows shot up in confusion.

"You wanted to say something?" Collins came over to me. She looked at my phone and read the messages. "Oh would you look at that? He cares," she cooed. "You guys would make a very cute couple," she sighed dreamily.

"What? Where did that come from?" I eyed her like she grew a second head.

"What? I'm just saying," she went back to her bed.

Ignoring her and her unrealistic comments, I told Chase my Res name. Soon, he told me to come out.

Like every other day, I met with the same guy who'd greet us when we walk past the gate. This time, I greeted him.

"Hello," he looked up, his head turning to me. A smile graced his face.

"H-hi Katherine," he said. I scrunched my face, wondering how he knew me. "Sorry, that sounds creepy. I kind of...uh, follow you on IG, that's how I knew your name," he explained with a sheepish smile, scratching his neck nervously.

"Oh, you follow me? Thanks," I smiled.

"I'm River," he introduced himself, holding out his hand. I shook it briefly before letting go. "Wow, your hands are so soft," he said. I flushed at that. "Oh God, that was weird," he said. "I'm sorry. I'm weird. Please, don't mind me. Are you going somewhere?"

"Yeah, actually I'm going to the library," he frowned looking around.

"At this hour? It's not exactly the safest time," he said his brows furrowed. "Can I...walk you?" He asked hesitantly.

"Uh, well-" I jumped slightly when I heard a honk from above the stairs. "That...was my ride," I said, noticing Chase in his black car. "Thank you though, River."

"Of course," he said.

"Have a good night, I guess," I said reversing slowly.

"You as well," he said. "I mean, have a good study session and...stuff," I giggled softly. He's kind of cute. I went up the steps as quick as I could and walked to Chase's car. He was already waiting outside for me.

"You couldn't talk with your boyfriend on your free time?" He frowned, a scolding expression on his face. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Hello to you too," I walked to the passenger side and he opened the door for me. "Thank you," I said softly. We drove in silence. It was more or less than 5 minutes to the library. I would have opted for a walk, but it's almost dark. And by the time I get there, I would be on my last breath.

Chase's car was neat. It smelt like him. A deep manly scent mixed with cologne that I was used to by now.

We went straight to the 4th Floor since it's mostly crowded in the lower Floors. This time, Chase had bothered to bring his books.

"Is he your boyfriend or something?" Chase asked me out of nowhere.

"What?"

"That dude you were talking to," he asked watching me closely.

"Oh, I just got to know his name. He's usually around the area. I don't know him," I said with a shrug, taking out my books. When he wasn't looking, I stole a look. He looked...bothered. His brows furrowed, his lips set into a thin line. "Oh my God, are you jealous Chase?" I taunted him. He looked up abruptly.

"Why would I be?" He asked me.

"Why are you so interested in my dating life?" I pressed. He looked away, back down at his books. I bit back a laugh and dropped it.

"How far are you with the poem?" I asked him.

"Haven't started," he mumbled.

"Chase, why haven't you? This is for marks," I said, a little disappointed. I thought he'd show a little bit of effort.

"I..." he trailed off, looking around at the other students filing in one by one. He stood up then, grabbing his books and bag.

"What-" I stopped when I saw him rounding the table to sit right next to me, invading my privacy. I watched him closely and noted that he was a little nervous. "What is it?" I asked softly.

"It's not that I don't want to," he started slowly. "I can't,"

"What do you mean you can't?" I wasn't getting it. He sighed, closing his eyes for a brief moment before he slid his writing book to me, opening to the first page. I looked down and my frown deepened.

The words were jumbled. By jumbled, I mean completely mixed. There were errors, wrong spellings. Luckily, I could make out a few words. I tried to think of what this means.

"Chase?" I called, realizing something. "Do you have a learning disability?" I looked up at him. He looked away.

"Yes," he said.

Oh. I still don't get it. "But you sent me a text and responded to mine," I said still confused. He took out his phone. I watched him as he tapped to our messages and tapped on one of them. An icon popped up and read my message out loud. He proceeded to bring his phone to his lips and talk. "Technology," not too long, my phone beeped. The word was clear on my screen.

"That's cheating," I pointed a finger at him. He looked at me like I grew a second head. "What?"

"I tell you this and that's all you can say?" He said.

"Yeah, you should familiarize yourself with typing the words." I went on.

"And risk the world knowing I can't f*****g write even a simple word? Yeah right," he grumbled under his breath.

"Then practice on me," I suggested. He turned to me. "You have my number now. And I guess I can say you trusted me with this, you can try it with me. It'll help you. I can't guarantee it will get better, but you'll get used to it and...eventually, it might not be a big thing," I said with a small smile.

"Well, that just happened," he said, letting out a nervous laugh.

"What?" My brows furrowed.

"I guess I wasn't expecting...that kind of reaction. I thought that...you'd laugh at me or something," he admitted.

"I'm not that evil," I rolled my eyes.

"That evil?" His brows shot up with a playful smile. "That's scarier than the actual truth." He said.

"Hey, everyone has their fair share of evilness. Don't judge me, okay?" I said in defense.

"Never," he said softly. I looked up to see him smiling at me. I looked away, hoping to hide the blush from my face.

"Thank you for trusting me," I said. It really means a lot that he opened up to me. We don't know each other that well, but he still trusted me.

●

It is our third day analyzing the poem. He's doing exceptionally well and I have to say, I'm impressed. Despite his disability, he knows his work.

I've been forcing him to type and not do a voice note. At times, he'd get mad and later on, my phone would beep non stop. He was making effort and it made me happy. I can tell from his resistance that he'd lost courage and I wish to restore it.

"Hey, we did it," I clapped cheerfully. He rolled his eyes but smiled nonetheless.

"I guess this is it, then," he said.

"What do you mean?" I frowned, looking at him.

"We're done, so..." I realized what he meant. This is what brought us together and now that we're finished, there's nothing else.

"Oh," was all I could manage.

"We can still hang out," he suggested quickly and I perked up. "If you want to," he added. I nodded, rather too eagerly. He smiled at that. "Were you sad?" He asked.

"What?" I squealed. "Don't be ridiculous. Why would I be sad?" I asked, trying to distract myself from the actual truth that I may or may not have gotten too comfortable around him.

"Alright," he said, smiling knowingly.

●

It pleased Chase to know that she'd grown fond of him. He was starting to lose hope that she might never be interested in hanging out with him.

Truthfully, he enjoyed her company. She was funny and intelligent. So intelligent, it was natural. And she's cute.

He'd have to make up tons of excuses so he can hang out with her more often.

That's what he planned to do.

●

UNEDITED