Chapter Text
Perhaps it was the glitter, or the gossip, or the housewives that made him feel different. Well, whatever it was, it made him feel queasy. What was it, when did it all happen? Justin! Damn Justin. You heartbreaking bloke.
He had just finished an episode where Regina realized she was used by Justin, all for the sake of toying with her emotions. Talk about a cheap shot to someone already down. Chase thought it was that, because...because it was him. He was Justin. A heart-breaker too. As if that wasn't already obvious.
He pressed pause on the TV, and leaned back on the sofa. He began looking back at all the times he toyed with the emotions of innocent girls...and why.
It was freshman year, and Chase was "fresh meat" to all the seniors. A fruit ripe for the picking. Picking on, that is. He did eventually make some friends, a few sophomores, one junior, but mostly freshmen like him. They hung out quite frequently, before, after, or during class, but with all the fun they were having, Chase still couldn't keep his eyes off of one, ravishing kiwi. Jefferson Hoffman.
Every so often, Chase would always sneak little glances at the tanned, built body that belonged to Jefferson; but the moment Jefferson shifted either in his seat or when standing, he immediately turned away and blushed. He was somewhat of a stalker. Learning his class schedule, his favorite food, color, animal, and hobbies; but he would never tell anyone that.
His buddies always joked around, so he never talked about anything serious. He never told them about his crush, for he feared they would judge him harshly. He always went along with them hitting on women with pickup lines and shameless flirting, but it wasn’t him.
It was sophomore year when he confessed to Jefferson, but it wasn’t happily ever after. Jefferson was bisexual, but he was taken by a self-obsessed cheerleader, and he didn’t like Chase that way.
He was utterly heartbroken.
Since then, he only took an interest to other women; but throughout it all, he lived a life he wasn’t being who he was. He never cared about them. They were all a way of forgetting his past misery.
Chase left New Zealand as fast as he could, with everyone knowing everyone in his town, he couldn’t escape the constant looks he received from Jefferson. Ones that said, “I’m sorry that I hurt you, but I don’t love you”.
Then, he met Riley.
Fit, cute, sexy, and a real friend til the end. He was perfect...it it weren’t for Chase’s past still holding him back. He would never make a move on him, because it’s just like Jefferson. He would never like Chase the same way he feels for Riley.
He began to date Kaylee to distract him, to keep him from getting hurt again. Maybe there was a sliver of care he felt for her, but nothing rivaled what he felt for Riley.
He would never come out, to anyone.
Not as long as he lived.
Snapping back to reality, he saw the part of the show where Regina began to kiss Gavin, the one he was hoping she would end up with.
He thought, ‘if only reality were as simple as that’. He heard footsteps approach him. turning , he saw Kendall nearby.
- “Hey Kendall. What are you up to?”
- “I just wanted to check up on you, Chase. I can see you’re doing much better.”
- “Yeah, but my arse is now permanently glued to this spot. I’m not getting up anytime soon.”
- “You continue to sit on this couch and there will eventually be no more Glitz World to watch.”
Chase gasped. “You’re right, but what else is there to do?”
- “Gee, I don’t know. Maybe, socialize? Hang out with the gang? Help out around the museum-I mean zoo?” Kendall ranted.
Chase pondered for a bit before Kendall continued her rant as a whisper under her breath. “Plan your trip to New Zealand, or...ask Riley on a date.”
- “Hmm? What was that Kendall?”
- “Oh, nothing.”
Chase then began to ask Kendall a question, but he chickened out at the last minute.
- “What, Chase? You know you can tell me anything, right?”
- “Yeah...okay. Fine. I have a crush...on this one person…” Chase began.
- “Oh really?” Kendall sarcastically questioned. “Who is it.”
- “I’d rather not say their name. Not that I don’t trust you or anything, i-it’s just that...I don’t feel comfortable telling anyone else.”
- “That’s fine Chase. Just know, whoever they are, I’m sure they feel the same.”
- “Unlikely.”
- “Why do you say that?”
- “Because I know 100% that they aren’t interested in me.”
- “I think you’d be surprised…”
Chase merely scoffed at Kendall’s attempts to get him on the train of positivity. Kendall looked at him with some concern. She knew very well of Chase’s feelings for Riley, even though the others didn’t. Chase often bundled his feelings up, but Kendall had that sixth sense. With Riley, it was just obvious really. Everyone except Chase knew. Surprisingly.
- “Have faith, Chase. Things will look up. You should at least try to ask them out.”
Chase looked down at the floor solemnly, and remained silent. “Maybe one day, but now anytime soon.”
- “You work at your own pace. At least go out with the gang later today. They’re going to the park later today”
- “I will”
With that said, Kendall left Chase’s room. Chase thought about what he had just said, and how much torture he would have to endure knowing that Riley would be there. His cuteness, and the personality that made him blush.
Curse you Riley.