Re-written 05/2022

****

So it's Saturday and I'm freaking out in a good way. I was going with a steak dish like he asked, not sure what side dishes I would like to go with it, but the steak needs to be done to perfection. I'm like the girl you read about in novels or watch in those cliché rom-com movies. Going complete bonkers over a guy that one guy. Everything needs to be done to perfection. I sense someone in the doorway; I look up to see Miguel standing in the doorway staring at me. Great just what I need, a pair of eyes watching my every move while I cook. I begin seasoning the steak trying to ignore him, but it's not working.

"Yes, Miguel?"

"Nothing, just watching how you are preparing the steak that's all," he shrugs his shoulder. I've never spent time with Miguel and I think this is the perfect time to do so. To get to know Chase's left or is it, right-hand man? Either way, maybe he can give me some insight on this new Chase.

"Do you want to help me? I can use some help actually."

"Sure," he walks into the kitchen heading towards the sink. "You know I was hoping you asked me to help." he washes his hand. I'm so thankful I didn't have to tell him to do so.

"Why is that?"

"I love steak and this is your first time making it for us."

"So you don't think I know how to season." I turn around looking at him.

"Uh—I didn't say it. You did." He chuckles.

"But that is what you were thinking. I have cooked for you on many occasions; my food is always seasoned to perfection." I turn back around and continue to season the steak; I feel his presence beside me. "You can go cut the potatoes."

He tells me he is fine watching me seasoning and I roll my eyes.

"Please Miguel go cut the potatoes or you can leave. I don't need you hovering over me. I am already under enough stress with this dinner tonight. So please don't start."

"Are you having a meltdown?" He raises his hands backing away from me. "Look, I think you are doing a great job on the steak, I was only teasing. Please don't cry."

Cry? The guys in this house always think I'm going to cry. I know I'm a female but every little thing they say—that they think is harsh, I'm going to cry. It's starting to get annoying real quick.

"Miguel you can leave now." I roll my eyes pointing toward the door. "I just need you to leave."

"Charles, I'm sorry."

"Nope, you can leave."

He shrugs his shoulder, walking out of the kitchen mumbling incoherent words under his breath.

****

Two hours later dinner is ready. I do what any girl in my position would do, invite her best friend over for moral support. Raven didn't miss a beat when I asked to come over. She came over so fast that I thought she was waiting outside the house all along. Everyone is seated at the table—correction, everyone but Chase. The guys text him multiple times and he hasn't responded. I didn't want to start eating without him, but it's been twenty minutes and no one has heard from him. After everyone complained about not wanting to wait and deep down inside I couldn't wait either, we started to eat dinner.

Giggling from the foyer caught everyone's attention then the glass broke. The guys tell Raven and me to stay in the kitchen and they will be right back. We stay in the kitchen for one minute and then we go see what the hell is going on. The vase of flowers is on the floor and Natalie is clinging to Chase. She is drunk and by the look of it, Chase seems to be intoxicated too. Natalie wraps her arms around Chase and nuzzles her face into his neck.

This isn't happening. He gives me a time and date, then decides to show up like this. Natalie leans back to look up at Chase and tips over, falling flat on her ass. Serves her right. I see this as a golden opportunity.

"You," I push through the guys, stepping over Natalie and zoning right in on Chase. He looks surprised to see me. "How dare you!?" I poke his chest.

I'm mad.

Livid.

Angry.

Hurt.

Pissed off, but overall disappointed in him.

"How dare you Chase!" I pushed him a little. He took a step back and a smile made its way to his face. He is laughing at me, taking me as some kind of freaking joke. Natalie isn't any better, she starts laughing too as she tried to stand up. All I can see is red and my hand has a mind of its own. I slap him and turn away—worst mistake of my life.

It feels like the air has been knocked out of me. Chase pulls me back with a little too much force, and I'm slammed into the wall. I wince at the head and back pain. Opening my eyes I come face to face with Chase. He is no longer smiling or laughing.

I can hear the guys yelling and pulling him away from me. He wrestles to get free from them and turns back to me. I wanted to run, but I was frozen in place. Oh God, he is about to hit me, I watch him raise his hand. Closing my eyes I cower, the next thing he does surprises me. He gently tips my chin upwards and his lips land on mine. Their soft, I can taste the Hennessy on his lips and tongue. Everything goes quiet and I open my eyes as he breaks the kiss.

"Sorry," he whispers against my lips.

"Chase!" Natalie screeches. I forgot she was still here. "Chaaaaaaaase." She's closer to us and he takes a step back looking at her. I look down at the floor, wishing it will just swallow me whole. I shut everything and everyone out. I need to get out of this damn house and quickly. What in the twilight zone is going on? I count down from ten, trying to control my breathing and nerves.

"Charles? Charles, are you ok?" Darren's voice is laced with concern. I look up Chase and Natalie are gone, it's just me, Rave, and the guys. The look of concern and anger plastered on all their faces.

"We've never seen Chase like that before." Austin walks toward me and I shake my head for him not to come closer. I need space.

"Are you in pain? He slammed you against the wall pretty hard. I thought your head was going to explode."

"Everett man, that's too soon for trying to make a joke." Vincent snaps at him. He turns his attention to me. "Do you want me to walk you to your room? Or do you need to go to the hospital? I think you need to go there."

"Yeah, I second that. You might have a concussion." Darren adds.

"No, I'm fine I'll just go up to my room." I finally speak up. If I go to the hospital they will call my parents for sure, and that's the last thing I want.

"I'll take you up there." Raven rushes to me, gently taking my arm. "Does anything hurt?" She asks as we make our way up the stairs. I shake my head no. That's a lie, my head is absolutely throbbing. I feel like I can pass out at any moment.

I glance over my shoulder at the guys. Their staring at the wall pissed. Before turning up the next flight of stairs I see what has them so angry. Touching the back of my head, it's wet. I remove my hand slowly not wanting Raven to see it.

Blood. Not a lot but, enough to know Chase used a lot of force behind that pull.

"Hey Rave, I'm ok really. Just go back to your dorm room. I'm going to get in the shower and call it a night anyway." Half-truth half-lie.

"I think I should stay. Chase might come back and do God's know what." She is angry and has every right to be. Everyone should be angry right now including me. I just can't seem to be that angry. "I'm not leaving you."

"Come on Rave, I've been through enough in the last ten minutes. I just need to be alone."

She huffs. "Fine but you better call me if anything happens. I will be over here in a nanosecond." She glares at me.

"I will. I promise."

"I'm going to take my plate to go." She hugs me heading back down the stairs. "Remember to call me if anything. Love you."

"Ok. Love you too."

I'm not in my room for twenty minutes when the door comes flying open. The guys walk in like they own the place. Thankfully I didn't get undressed yet. I didn't have to ask what they are doing here because Vincent already said it.

"We are kicking Chase out of the house."

"Wait, what?" My eyes widen.

"You're bleeding." Miguel deadpans. "Don't lie, Charles, we saw the blood on the fucking wall. Chase knows better than this. Shit like this is unacceptable. No man should put his hands on a woman."

"It was an accident." I look at them.

"You can't be serious." Vincent throws his hands up in the air. "He hurt yo—"

"What happened to the crazed feminist we met at the beginning of the month? Aren't you females against this kind of shit?" Everett looked utterly confused. "Shouldn't you be thanking us for this? Shouldn't you be thrilled that we are taking a stand for you? Come on Charles get it together!"

"I know you like Chase, we all do but this behavior isn't tolerated at the house." Tristan exhales heavily. "You shouldn't have to live in fear of what he might do next when he is drunk. In all my years knowing Chase this is the first time I've seen him like this, but that's no excuse for what he did."

"Guys seriously it's no big deal," I say nonchalantly. It was and is a big deal, but I don't want them to regret kicking Chase out because of me. After all, I won't be here for long. I should be the one to leave if anything.

"We are kicking him out and that's final Charles." Darren's voice left no room for argument, but I didn't care this was so unfair to everyone involved. He is their family...

"I'll leave so he can stay."

"He must've hit your head harder than we thought. I think we should take you to the hospital." Miguel chimes in. "I know your parents didn't raise you to be this much of an airhead."

I stare at Austin he is the only one who hasn't said anything and that must mean he doesn't like the guys' decision either.

"Austin, what do you think about this? Huh?" I asked. "Honestly?"

"Charlotte, this is a house rule. It's always been a house rule, since before our time. Whether you leave or not Chase still can't come back. Don't think he is banished from the house because he isn't. He just can't live here for the next two months." He explains and I know this is a fight I can't win. "Besides, violence in any form is something I frown upon. Chase was wrong and so were you—remember that."

"Fine." I cross my arms over my chest.

"Your safety is our number one concern." Vincent looks at me his facial features soften. "You might be mad at us now because everything is still fresh in your mind, but we are doing this for you. Just imagine if the school finds out or worst your parents--and we didn't take some kind of action."

I know what they are doing is the right thing, but this is Chase, their best friend, a brother who is family to them. I don't think I can stay here for two months knowing he has to stay God knows where. This wasn't fair to him. I slapped him first and the blame should be equal.

"You still want to leave," Austin says.

"I need to know what kind of kiss he put on you, for you to defend him the way you are." Tristan shakes his head. "This is fucking crazy. Having this conversation with you is mind-blowing. I dont know why we're trying to convince you to do the right thing. You're really a lost cause."

"Charles welcome to the SFC." Everett claps slowly. "I think you should be the president."

"Dude shut the fuck up." Darren snaps.

"What's that?" I ask.

"SFC stands for the Silly Female Club. You know the girls who take their man back after he has done something wrong and then—"

"Get out! All of you get out right now! I didn't want to be here in this stupid house in the first place. Just leave me the hell alone." I scream at the top of my lungs. They look reluctant at first but begin to leave one by one saying they're not sorry for their decision, but they are going to miss me if I leave. All I want to hear is the sound of the shower running and then the sweet melodies of Niall Horan to put me to sleep.