Free Recourse (The Arrangement) by Amy Silva Page A

Bond.

    “Oh hey, is that lemonade?” He brought me back from fantasy land where I already managed to make his pants disappear too.

    I slowly peeled my eyes from his six pack and looked down at the drinks in my hand. Where was I again?

    “Figured you were thirsty working so hard.” I handed a glass to him, averting my gaze in any general direction from his muscular chest.

    He took a sip and hungrily finished the lemonade, turning his torso to one side as he his attention focused on the glass in front of him. The sun shining on his back, creating an effect of a Greek statue posing in front of me. I sneaked a peek at his culmination of thousands of hours at the gym as my eyes grew wider. He was perfect. I mentally took a picture and filed it “For later viewing.”

    “Hey L, let me know when you want to watch the show again.” A small smile lit up his face. “We’ll get a bunch of ice cream and do a marathon.”

    “Sure.” I nodded, completely freaking out over how great that would be.

    Days went by, then a week followed by another. While I waited for the perfect moment to invite him over, I ended up waiting for too long. Stacy Clark, one the most popular girls in school had started dating him. When I heard I had to excuse myself from class. I walked red eyed making excuses about allergies the rest of the day. They couple an item and Chase didn’t come over after that. Five months passed and the school year was coming to an end with one last speech. Chase was once again in all his glory, bestowing advice to his peers who respected him so much. As I felt that sinking feeling in my stomach, I started eating him up again while trying to hold back the tears. He saw me in the crowd and smiled. This guy had always been a mystery to me. Like an onion, I felt there were layers and layers to uncover to get to his heart. I wanted so bad to get close, and I felt that somehow, someway, destiny would make it so. I just never could have guessed how long it would take and how intense that meeting would be.

    The excited graduates tossed their caps towards the sky. Everyone started to pour outside for the commemorative photos.

    “Hey Laura! To a new beginning! ” Chase caught up with me in the hall. He grinned his usual friendly smile and opened the door as the excited crowd started to gather outside for the final picture.

    “You can say that again,” I raised my eyebrows. “I couldn’t wait for school to end.” I hit his arm, “Great job on that speech by the way.

    He looked at me, the cutest dimples on his cheeks lighting up his face.

    “You really think so?” he lowered his voice and leaned in. “I thought I was laying it on a little thick.”

    “I thought it was perfect.” I drowned in his beautiful baby blues. “We’ve been hearing so much hot air lately about high school being the crucial time in our lives.” I added the air quotes, “It was refreshing to hear someone tell us to take it easy and just enjoy the ride.”

    “Thanks L.” His lips curled up. “So what are you up to now?”

    “Texas State.” I shrugged. “I got in on a full ride. As long as I keep my grades up it’s a no-brainer. Going for art and design. They aren’t really the top choice but who’s gonna turn down free tuition?” My mother had no money for college so I had to jump on whatever I could get.

    “I’d be all over it.” He nodded. “I’m excited for you, it sounds like you know what you want to do.” His voice was filled with just a dash of uncertainty. I looked up in his eyes as he looked away.

    Taken back, I gently squeezed his arm, “Shit, Chase, so you’re scared too?”

    He let out a quick laugh, “Damn, is it that obvious? Shit, I guess a leader sometimes can be the biggest coward.”

    I furrowed my brows and smirked, “Come on Chase, what in the world can you worry about? You are a smart, good looking white man. Don’t you guys run the world?”

    His lips stretched into a grin as looked at