•••

"Guys, I'm completely invisible at this school!"

"Chase, calm down." I suggested softly. Chase, Adam, Bree, Leo, Owen and I were sitting at school, looking at the Mission Creek yearbooks. And Chase was... less than pleased.

"If you're invisible, then how can I do this?" Adam said, punching Chase in the shoulder. I just rolled my eyes.

Adam was... special.

I frowned, "Okay. but how are you 'invisible' exactly? I mean, you're-"

He held up the yearbook in front of my face, mirroring my frown.

"Look, Chip Davenport! I'm a misnamed question mark!"

I cringed, opening my mouth to try & comfort him. Chase didn't deserve some of the crap he got. And while I was trying to find some kind words, the awkwardness was slowly but surely building.

Luckily (or unfortunately?), the atmosphere was broken by Principal Perry bursting out of the gym. I tensed up, along with most of the people around me.

"Listen up, snotbuckets! Don't forget to sign up for the Mission Creek Talent Show! Auditions are after school, and will be judged by moi. Chances are if I don't like you, you won't get through, and I don't like any of you, so good luck!" Principal Perry walked back into the gym, like a mouse retreating back into its hole. No, not mouse, rat.

Apparently, talent shows were a sore spot for Owen, because Principal Perry's words seemed to cause a burst of passion from him. He started ranting how nobody should be judging talent, there was no 'right or wrong in creative expression' and that sort of thing.

I could only stand back and listen while Bree looked completely starstruck. I guess this was her new crush of the... month? Or was it the week? I never knew anymore.

Those two walked off, along with Adam & Leo, which left, you guessed it, me and Chase. We couldn't stop nervously glancing at each other. The tension was like a bubble, and I wanted to pop it.

He glanced at me for what had to be the fifth time, rubbing the back of his neck subconsciously. Now I could tell he was working up the courage to do something. What I couldn't piece together, though, was what he was working up the courage to do.

"So, have you... um, finished your project?"

I shook my head, trying to find some sort of voice. Yikes, be bold, self! Be bold!

He nodded, and after a moment's pause, he spoke again.

"Would you be interested, and it's okay if you aren't. I get it, but would it be okay if you possibly came over to my house to study? Tomorrow?"

I sighed in relief. He wasn't telling me he hated me or anything like that. I gave him a broad smile, the gravity of the situation coming into play.

He'd asked me on a date.

Or... date? Was it date? Was it a 'get together'?

I had no idea what was even happening anymore but, hey, that's just my life. My eyes darted back over to Chase, who looked mortified. That's when I realized I hadn't given him any sort of response.

"Yes! I'd love to go over to, um, study." I smiled again, attempting to save the conversation. He gave me a shy smile back.

"Also when you, uh, there's... I have a surprise. At my house. For you."

I nodded, smiling wider.

"Looking forward to it, Chase."

He smiled, and went on his merry way. I pulled out my phone, shooting a quick text to my older sister, Audrey.

'Any chance you could pick me up tomorrow? '

The response came quicker than I expected, ' boy involved??!? '

Oh... she had no idea.

•••

I knocked softly, afraid of disturbing anyone. Was this even the right address? How could I be sure I wasn't knocking on some random stranger's door? Oh, I did not want to deal with that social interaction.

Was it possible to take back a knock?

Could I just... run?

Nope, it was too late, someone was already opening the door. And, hey! It was Bree. I didn't have to face Chase just yet.

"Hey, Y/N! What's up? What brings you here?"

"Um, Chase invited me yesterday." Bree nodded & led me inside. I finally got to see the wonders of the interior. I grinned.

"Holy crap, your house is huge." I mumbled, eyes darting around, eager to take everything in. Bree chuckled at my amusement, and everything seemed to click into place. Her name was Bree Davenport.

Davenport.

As in, the billion dollar company Davenport Industries, Davenport.

And I was just now realizing it.

"Bree, who was- Oh, Y/N! Hey, should we, um-" He cleared his throat, "Should we start studying?" He asked, coming down the stairs. Bree smiled at the two of us, slipping off to who knows where.

I nodded, "I brought... my bag..." I supplied lamely. Was this an actual study session? Had I misread the entire situation? Then, I remembered something that could temporarily distract me from the mixed signals.

"Wait, sorry. I'm- sorry, um, could you show me your surprise? You know, the one you told me about? At school?" I smiled sheepishly as I watched a look of recognition cross his face. He was rubbing the back of his neck again.

"Yeah! I'll go get it!"

He stood there for a moment, before actually moving, "Getting it right now!"

I giggled softly as he rolled out something covered by a white sheet. I began to slow clap.

"A white sheet. It's extremely impressive, I must say. Hardly any wrinkles! The cleanest sheet award goes to-"

He cut my sarcastic rambling off by snatching off the sheet. I shut my mouth once I saw what was underneath. It was... a robot. An amazing, fantastic robot. All I could do was just stare in awe.

"You... built this?" I muttered, carefully examining the mechanisms I could see. He nodded, but I was too transfixed to supply a response.

His brain was definitely one of the reasons I... may have had a... tiny... crush on him.

"This is awesome. No, no, wondrous. No- You know what, I'm going to stop trying to describe something that's beyond words. Oops, yup, I did it again. I can't stop! I mean, look at the craftsmanship on this thing!"

He laughed, thanking me, and asking a few questions about my love for robots. We geeked out over robots probably for longer than I'd like to admit, and actually finished a few pieces of homework.

Then, it was time for me to head home.

•••

"Is he cute?"

"...yes, obviously."

"So, what are your wedding colors going to be?"

"Audrey!"

•••

: Hey, lovely reader! Thanks so much for reading the first part of Together! Yikes, I don't think I've ever used the word reading/reader so much in two sentences before. Anyways, how are you liking the first chapter? Yay or Nay? Don't be afraid to express your thoughts in the comments below. Many thanks! xoxo