Chapter 12: Using Him

Chase's POV:

Sitting on the cold, hard tiled, bathroom room floor for an extended period of time doesn't sound the most comfortable currently. I wonder what 'tea' Bree was referring to in her latest text message. I'm sure it's just more Oliver and Skylar drama. Yet, if it was, why couldn't I be there as well to hear about it directly? Surely my passing through to HQ wouldn't affect said conversation. I should've asked Bree if I could pass through. She can't possibly expect me to remain here the entire time? She of course didn't know I'd be relegated to the bathroom. Perhaps I should check to see if they're done conversing? I won't intrude naturally, I'll stop at the top of the staircase. If they're still talking, I'll retreat to the bathroom once again. If they're done, I'll quietly pad through the living room to the elevator. That's not TECHNICALLY spying or eavesdropping, as least, that's what I'll say to Bree if I somehow get caught. I rise from the floor, and try not to cringe at the soreness of my gluteus maximus. I crack the bathroom door open a centimeter, peaking into the hallway to ensure I won't run into any of my fellow team members. If only I had an invisibility app like Bree, that would definitely come in handy. After double checking to ensure that the coast's clear, I briskly walk out of the bathroom and down the hallway. I stop at the top of the staircase, and activate my super hearing. I don't hear any voices, but I should wait for a moment just to be sure. "I'M the person you were talking about?", Bree asks in a rather shocked tone of voice. It looks like I won't be going down to HQ after all.

Bree's POV:

Have these past couple days just been one giant acid trip or something? Kaz LIKES ME, Oliver LIKES ME, and even CHASE LIKES ME. What's next, Skylar's gonna confess her secret feelings for me as well? "Well yeah, I don't know who else I'd be talking about.", Oliver says while shrugging. I chuckle if I wasn't shook to my core. "I know we shortly liked each other when we 1st met, but I thought you were beyond over that. At least, that's how you've acted ever since we became a team.", I say. I mean, I guess I can see why he'd like me. Skylar and I are kinda similar, plus I am the only other girl he actually spends any time around. "I thought I'd have a better chance with Skylar, since I don't remind her of someone she's related to. So I kinda just shut you out, until now.", Oliver says. I sigh as Oliver takes my hand in his. I did have a crush on him before, and I kinda still do now. Ironically because he DOES remind me of Chase. "Oliver, I can't. Skylar's like a sister to me, and you to just broke up. It wouldn't be right.", I softly say. I look at Oliver, and he looks even more dejected than he did earlier. Great, now I've made him even MORE depressed. I can't string him along though, for the obvious reasons. "What about after things have calmed down?", Oliver asks. Damnit! I REALLY don't want to hurt him. How can I let him down as gently as possible? "Oliver, you're upset with Skylar for stringing you along and lying to you, right?", I uncomfortably ask. Oliver looks away, then nods.

Chase's POV:

OLIVER LIKES BREE TOO NOW?! DOES EVERYONE LIKE BREE, AND I JUST DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT?! Gadzooks. Did Skylar know of Oliver's still lingering feelings for Bree? Is that why he was told to keep his distance from her? I can't believe they're both ready to move on so quickly. Unless they aren't, not really. At least, maybe not for Oliver. Does he just want to use my sister as a rebound, or did he actually want to be in a long term relationship with her? At this point, dating amongst the team might not be the best idea. Except for Bree and I, that's different. "I know you wouldn't want me to do the same. The last thing I ever want to do is hurt you, I care about you deeply Oliver.-", Bree starts before Oliver injects with, "Just not in the way I want you too." I know Oliver's distraught right now, and Kaz surely will be too after Bree breaks things off with him. Can we just take a moment though, to acknowledge the fact that TWO girls have now picked me OVER Kaz and Oliver. :D "You deserve someone who has feelings for ONLY you, and right now that someone isn't me.", Bree says. Hold on for one minute here, ONLY? Did she really just indirectly imply that she DOES in fact have feelings for Oliver, but she also has feelings for someone else? The familiar pang of hurt fills my chest cavity. I thought I was the only one she had feelings for... "So you do like me?", Oliver asks this. God, I'm not sure if I want to hear her answer or not. I think I should go. "A little still, yeah. Which isn't surprising, you're a great guy, Oliver. I'm in love with somebody else though, so it wouldn't be fair to you if we became a thing. I can't hurt you like that.", Bree explains.

Bree's POV:

I wasn't originally gonna admit to Oliver that I still have a slight, ever so minor, crush on him. I wasn't planning on admitting that I'm in love with some guy, that 'guy' being Chase, either. I think that's what Oliver needed to hear though, and he deserves honesty right now. Oliver lets go of my hand. "I guess I'm a little too late then, huh?", he sadly jokes. I give him a sad smile, then a kiss on the cheek. "I'm so sorry, Oliver.", I say. He immediately shakes his head. "Don't worry about it, I'll be fine. I appreciate you being honest with me, I wish that was something Skylar had the guts to do earlier. Maybe then we could've had a chance.", Oliver responds. Would I have still fallen for Chase if I was already seeing Oliver? Would he have fallen for me if his world revolved around Skylar? I guess we'll never know. In a way I sorta feel sad, thinking about what could've been. Things would've been so much easier if that's how things had worked out. Everyone would've been happy, and there wouldn't have been all this unnecessary drama. "Maybe, but then you couldn't brag about how you got to date Skylar Storm. Most people who're mega fans of someone can't even say they've met them.", I point out. He lightheartedly chuckles. I don't think he actually took that too hard, thankfully. "Well, it's not like I can actually go around telling people that.", Oliver points out. Oh, right, the whole super hero code thing. Plus it probably wouldn't be the best idea to go around announcing that superheroes are actually real.

Chase's POV:

Bree's in love with me?? She couldn't possibly be, she had to have been over exaggerating to prove that her heart belongs to someone else. We haven't even started dating yet, it'd be too soon to be in love. Sure, we've known each other our whole lives, and we have a really strong connection. We do love each other in a familial way, and like each other in a romantic way. Does that equate to being in love though? I've had crushes, and a couple very short lived relationships. I'm not entirely sure what it would feel like to be in love. Bree's been boy crazy ever since her estrogen levels started skyrocketing due to puberty. She's had plenty of crushes and semi short lived relationships, and claimed every one of them to be true love. I doubt that she was ever actually in love with any of those guys though. "That's true, you can always brag about it to yourself then.", Bree suggests to Oliver. Though how could she be in love with me, and still have romantic feelings for Oliver. He hasn't even shown any interest in her until today! He's always favored Skylar, and has always treated Bree like less. I don't know if this is my protective/jealous side speaking, but I don't think he deserves Bree. At least, not currently. I calmly inhale. That all doesn't matter anyway. Bree likes ME, and SHE wants to be with ME. She'd never hurt me, that's for sure. "Things won't be awkward between us, right?", I hear Oliver ask. You'd like each other previously, and even though that didn't work out, you've still been friends and teammates up to this moment. I don't see why that would change.

Bree's POV:

"Of course not, we're friends and teammates. That'll never change, no matter what.", I say. Oliver smiles at me, and goes in for a hug. I help him close the distance, and rest my chin on his shoulder. Well, that didn't go so bad. Now I just have to talk to Kaz. Even just thinking about it is giving me major anxiety. We separate from our hug, and I slowly leave the room. I walk up the stairs and into the hallway. I hear a door slam as I slowly start walking towards the boys' room. Huh, that was probably Kaz or something. I really hope he didn't see Oliver kiss me back there. WHAT IF HE DID? He would've seen and overheard the whole conversation though, otherwise why would I hear a door slam just as I was walking into the hallway. At least if it was Kaz, he'd agree that us being together would only hurt Oliver. What if it wasn't Kaz though, there are 2 other people in this house who could've slammed that door. Unless that person was mad for some reason, they were in a hurry to get out of sight. Shutting whatever door they're behind as quickly as possible, unintentionally slamming the door. Fuck, what if it was Skylar? She wouldn't be too mad about all that, right? I DID turn Oliver down, and she does like Chase. No, I don't think I said anything that'd piss her off. I'd probably die if Chase overheard that whole thing. There's no way he wouldn't be able to figure out that I just said I'm in love with him, but I also kinda still like Oliver a little bit. I reach the boys' door, take a deep breath, then knock.

Chase's POV:

I hear Bree move away from Oliver, and towards the staircase. I quickly sprint in the opposite direction. I barely make it to the bathroom before she's entered the hallway. In my immediate haste, I slam the door yet again. She surely heard that, so I'll just have to hope that she won't be too suspicious. She wouldn't immediately assume if was me anyway. As far as she knows, Skylar and Kaz are still in their respected rooms. Either one of them could've slammed a door. I heard her walk over to my room, and briskly rap on the door. I press my highly trained ear to the door I'm currently standing behind. "Hey, beautiful. I thought you were getting ready for our big date tonight.", Kaz says. I cringe at his entire statement. I'm the only one allowed to call her beautiful! I try to swallow the fit of jealousy that's trying to claw its way up my throat. "I went downstairs to talk to Oliver 1st.", Bree responds. It'd be fairly interesting if Bree mentions how Oliver feels about her. It'd be even more interesting to hear Kaz's reaction to that. He wouldn't even think about dating Bree then, he'd immediately step to the side and let Oliver have her. If Bree wasn't already interested in me that is. It's unfortunate for Oliver that the next girl he showed an interest in didn't fully reciprocate. A new love interest would really do him some good. I wonder if he's considered Kaz. He seems to be on the market for a significant other as well. They already have this amazing bond, and they tend to bring out the best in each other, most of the time.

Bree's POV:

"Oh, yeah, how'd that go anyway?", Kaz asks me. Okay, so far so good. Remember, this is the right thing to do. It'd be a whole lot easier if he wasn't being so sweet though. Honestly though, Kaz and Oliver should just stop beating around the bush and go out already. They're literally closer than Chase and I are, which is really saying something. I wonder if it's cause they're afraid to wreck their friendship, or maybe they've never considered it. "Um, pretty good actually. We got a few things all sorted out, but that's not why I'm here.", I reply. How do I slip, 'Hey, have you ever thought of boning Oliver?', casually into the conversation without making things weird? "Why are you here then?", he asks me. Should I break the news to him out here in the hallway, or in his room? I don't really want anyone to overhear this conversation, mainly Oliver, who might randomly decide to come upstairs at the worst possible time. "I think that maybe we should put off our date for tonight.", I say while looking at the ground. He gently grabs my chin, tilting my head up so our eyes meet. My breath catches in my throat. Damnit! Why does he have to go and do things like that? "We can go do something different if you don't wanna go eat. Or we could just do something here.", he suggests. Ugh, how many people am I going to have to turn down today? You know, high school me probably would've LOVED all this male attention. I currently on the other hand, find this whole ordeal to low key be a pain in the ass.

Chase's POV:

The term 'put off' would imply moving the date to another time, she should've used the word cancel. I honestly don't know why she's dragging it out, wait, that'd be a lie. She doesn't want to hurt him, so she's being hesitate. "No, that's not it. I, can't do this, Kaz.", Bree says. She probably should've been a little more specific about what she exactly meant, this is Kaz we're talking about after all. "Can't do what?", Kaz asks in a confused tone of voice. He's proven me correct. "Go out with you. It wouldn't be fair to you or myself if I did. You're a great guy, Kaz. You're cute, funny, lighthearted, clever, and an amazing friend. The thing is though, I have feelings for someone else. I was in denial about it when you asked me out. I never should've said yes in the 1st place, and I'm so sorry. For leading you on, and making you think that this was going somewhere. I hope that you can forgive me 1 day, and that we can still be friends. I never want to lose our friendship, and I'd hate myself everyday if I was the reason we lost that.", Bree spouts. Wow, I'm surprised Kaz never interrupted once throughout Bree's entire speech. That's quite impressive since he usually likes to insert bits of commentary, unless it's something really serious. Which this does qualify as. "So what, were you just using me?", Kaz snaps. Uh oh, things aren't looking so well. "No! Well, not intentionally. I really did want us to work out.", Bree defends. She definitely was using him, but telling him so would most likely make the situation even worse than it already is.

Bree's POV:

SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT. Shit's hitting the fan right off the bat. I mean, I figured he'd be sad and kinda mad. I honestly didn't think that he'd come to the conclusion that I'm using him though. Which I totally was, but there's no way in Hell I'm ever telling him that. God, I can't believe how much of a mess I've made of things. "How can you even say that when you didn't even give us a chance?", he asks me. UUURRRRGGHHHH. Why does this have to be so difficult?! "I liked how you made me feel, and I like how it felt when we kissed. That's why I agreed so quickly, I WANTED to give us a chance. Except, I had this nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach that something was off, or missing when we were together. I pushed it aside as much as I could, but it wasn't enough. I couldn't stop myself from wishing you were someone else, and I HATED myself so much for that. You have every right to hate me right now, but-", I start rambling before Kaz cuts me off. "STOP! Just, stop.", Kaz exclaims. He sighs and rubs his face. "I get it, I really do, but you're my friend. I never thought you'd pull a Skylar on me.", he sighs. I clap my hand over my mouth to stop from laughing. He rolls his eyes at me. "You can laugh of you want, I know I'm hilarious.", Kaz deadpans. I let a snort escape from my mouth, and Kaz almost falls to the ground laughing. He's always found my snorting hysterical. I stand here for a hot minute with 1 of my hands on my hip while waiting for him to calm the fuck down.

Chase's POV:

She, likes Kaz as well, but her feelings for me are stronger? Is that what she was trying to convey? If I've heard both her conversation with Oliver and her conversation with Kaz correctly, she likes both of them. Yet she's choosing me. I'm not sure if I should feel hurt that she has feelings for other people, or overjoyed that I mean more to her than both of them. She could very well live an easy, as easy as being a bionic hero can be, life with either of them. Not a soul would question her decision. Our family would claim that it was bound to happen eventually, and society would claim it was meant to be. However, she's decided to go down a much harder path, we both have. Even if we aren't related, our family would no doubt be uncomfortable with the situation, and our teammates would surely be weirded out. They'd most likely feel offended as well, that we would choose someone that we used to view as a sibling over them. Society might still consider it taboo. Since we were raised together ever since we were created, and we share a same last name. She's risking everything that's important to her; family, friends, and her social standing, all for me. I'm of course more than willing to do the same for her, how could I not? She's the most amazing person I've ever had the privilege to know. I don't understand why'd she want ME of all people though. Besides of course all of my amazing qualities and good looks of course. Kaz's everything I'm not, and everything Bree likes. Oliver's very similar to me, but lacks some of my more 'boring' qualities. To top it all off, they have superpowers, like Bree. I just have bionics, remove my chip, and all I have is my good looks and charismatic qualities.

Bree's POV:

After Kaz stands up straight and wipes the nonexistent tears from his eyes, he sighs while looking at me. I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing. I'm REALLY hoping it's a good thing though. "So, you don't want to like whoever you like but you like them anyway and you like me sorta but not as much as you like them?", Kaz asks me. I blink a couple of times as I try and process that long winded question. "Pretty much, yeah.", I respond. Kaz shoots me a half smile. "Welp, I'd be lying if I said I didn't know what that's like.", Kaz casually remarks. Excuse me?? "Um, what?", I immediately ask. Did he mean he's felt like that before in the PAST, or CURRENTLY? Either way that makes him pretty fucking hypocritical then. "I SAID, I'd be lying if-", Kaz starts to repeat himself. "No yeah, I got THAT part. Are you talking about something that happened in the past or something that's happening right now?", I interrupt. If he's talking about right now, that means that mother fucker was using me too. That would also mean he likes someone else MORE than he likes me, which I'm definitely not salty about at all. It'd be petty and selfish of me if I was. Kaz shrugs his shoulders, so I narrow my eyes at him. "Refusing to answer the question is basically admitting that that's something happening right now. Meaning that YOU were using ME, yet you were flipping the fuck out about me using you.", I state.

Chase's POV:

I'm impressed that Bree came to that conclusion, she can sometimes tend to gloss over information. If Kaz currently does harbor feelings towards another individual besides Bree, who might that be? He compared his situation to Bree's, meaning that he has/had feelings towards someone he didn't want to pursue romantically. Assuming he was talking about currently, that would mean he likes someone on the team besides Bree. He only hangs around the apartment all day unless some of us decide to go out, and we of course go out on missions. So excluding Bree, that would leave Skylar, Oliver, and I. It would make sense for him to have romantic feelings towards Skylar, he's known her for as long as Oliver has. He obviously couldn't pursue things since Oliver liked her, and they've only just broken up. It'd be way too soon to metaphorically jump the gun. Kaz would never do anything to hurt Oliver, they're best friends. So it actually would make the most sense for him to like Oliver. They've known each other for almost as long as Bree and I have known each other, yet they're possibly even close than Bree and I are. They have so much in common, and they spend most of their time together. He probably doesn't want to risk ruining their amazing friendship, which is completely understandable. I can most likely cross myself off of this list, Kaz and I are pretty good friends, and that's all. If he felt something towards me, he could've said so a long time ago. Since I've been single with no clear interest in anyone ever since the Elite Force was formed.

Bree's POV:

"What? I don't even know what you're talking about, I didn't use you and I certainly don't like anyone else right now!", Kaz exclaims. Has he always been a really shitty liar? I quirk my brow at him. "It's okay if you do, I can't really be 1 to talk I suppose. You don't have to tell me about it if you don't want to, but if you ever want to talk about it, I'm here.", I say. Kaz looks away. "Thanks Bree, but even if I did like someone else, it wouldn't matter. It's not like I'd act on it or anything anyway.", Kaz admits. I frown. He had no problem acting on his feelings for me, so what's the issue? I didn't want to like Chase cause he's my brother, until proven otherwise. I highly doubt he's suffering from the same problem. "Why not?", I ask. Kaz crosses his arms. "Have you acted on your feelings for this other person?", he counters. I scoff before nodding my head, and he quirks a brow at me. "So, besides using me, you cheated on me as well.", Kaz says. WHAT?? "Hold up, we never even went out. We ended before we could even begin.", I correct. "Whatever, you still cheated.", Kaz argues. I groan as I face palm, which makes Kaz chuckle. "So why can't you ask out your other person?", I ask. A stoic look slaps itself across his face. "You wouldn't understand.", he assumes. I reach for his hands, and he surprisingly lets me take them. "Why, because of who that person happens to be?", I ask. Kaz looks away for a moment before nodding.

Chase's POV:

I could've sworn that Kaz was a much better liar than that. I didn't think that Bree would admit to acting on her feelings for me, and I certainly didn't think Kaz would call her out for cheating. I'm not exactly sure if that was even cheating though, although Bree certainly seems to think it wasn't. I agree that their relationship was extremely short lived. Would it be considered a relationship if they haven't even been on a date? Though I don't suppose you actually HAVE to go on a date to be considered taken. "Why didn't you want to like whoever you like?", Kaz asks her. Well that's a bit of a loaded question to say the least. "I felt like I shouldn't like them in that way, and it was wrong for me to. Mainly though, I was scared of what other people would think. So I almost let other people dictate how I live my life, even though it's really none of anyone's business. I was willing to feel empty and practically miserable because I knew being with that person wouldn't be easy, but then I realized how fucking dumb that is. Why should I sacrifice my happiness and well being? What would even be the point of that? So I'm not going to, I like that person and they like me back. We're happy together, and that's all that matters. You DESERVE to be happy, Kaz. I think you should at least consider telling your person how you feel. They'd honestly be insane not to like you back. Fuck anyone who tries to fuck with your happiness. No matter what, I've got your back.", Bree babbles.

Bree's POV:

Kaz quickly drops my hands and brings me into a bone crushing bear hug. "Thanks Bree, I've got your back too, just so you know.", Kaz murmurs into my shoulder. "You have no idea how much that means to me, I'll probably need all the help I can get once we go public.", I murmur back. He pulls away, and looks slightly shocked. "You're gonna do what now? When? Where? Who's your person anyway?", Kaz bombardes. I giggle, then look up and down both directions of the hallway. "I probably shouldn't say out loud. You'll find out really soon with everyone else anyway.", I respond. Actually, I wonder if he'll tell me who he likes if I tell him about Chase and I. Speaking of Chase, just wait till he hears about how much tea I've actually got. "OOOORRRR, you could just text it to me.", Kaz suggests. I playfully roll my eyes. "Are you gonna tell me who's your person if I do?", I ask. He immediately shakes his head, so I shrug my shoulders and dramatically act like I'm gonna walk away. Kaz grabs my arm, then dramatically sighs. Lol, I'm guessing that means he'll tell me. "Fine, I'll text you their name.", he whines. Now that's what I call a victory royale. Kaz pulls out his phone, but just as he's about to text me Skylar steps out of our room. I love Skylar, but JESUS CHRIST SHE HAS SOME SHITTY TIMING. She sees us, and walks over. Kaz slides his phone into his pocket. God damnit!. "Later.", I mouth to him. Which he THANKFULLY understands, he nods in response.

Chase's POV:

I guess they've made up then. I can't believe she's going to tell Kaz the news prematurely. I understand that she wants to know who Kaz's crushing on, but she needs to look at the bigger picture here. How will Skylar and Oliver feel once they find out that she told Kaz before them? How will our brothers react to that? Footsteps approach them from the direction of the girls' room, meaning it's Skylar. "Hey guys.", Skylar greets. "Heyyyyy Skylar, what're you doing here?", Kaz asks. I mentally facepalm. He sounds so suspicious, is he TRYING to get discovered? "Um, I live here.", Skylar deadpans. "He MEANS, what're you doing here in this hallway?", Bree asks in attempts to cover up Kaz's blunder. This reminds of old times, when Adam, Bree, Leo, and I would unintentionally mess something up so we'd have to sneak around and lie to try and secretly fix things. "I'm on my way to the bathroom.. Why're you guys both acting so weird?", Skylar questions. SHIT. I'M in the bathroom, if she tries to enter this one, she'll make it apparent to everyone that it's occupied. Bree'll KILL me if she finds out I've been eavesdropping this entire time. If I had a pair of earphones, I could play it off like I was just hanging out here watching some fascinating documentaries. WAIT A MOMENT! I have the ability to access our television provider through my chip! I can- "What're you talking about? We're not even acting weird!", Kaz defends. Gosh, they are surely screwed.

Bree's POV:

FUCK, we're totally screwed. Skylar's not an idiot, she won't buy our crappy excuses for long, if at all. "Whatever man.", Skylar sighs before strolling over to the bathroom. I look over at Kaz, and he looks just as nervous as I feel. I jab my thumb in the direction of his room, and he nods in understanding. He slowly opens his door back up, but freezes when we hear Skylar banging on the bathroom door. My eyes widen, and Kaz looks extremely nervous. Someone's been in the entire time?? What if they overheard us? WAIT, there's only 1 person who could possibly be in that bathroom right now.. I push Kaz inside his room, and quietly shut the door after we're inside. I whip out my phone and text Chase. "You're hiding out in the bathroom, aren't you?", I ask him. "Who're you texting?", Kaz asks. I look up from my phone. "Chase.", I reply. He slowly nods before asking, "Why?". Chase texts me back before I can explain to Kaz that I was asking him if he's the 1 in the bathroom right now. "Possibly..", Chase replies. I roll my eyes. That nerd was eavesdropping, wasn't he? "Chase's the 1 in the bathroom.", I say to Kaz. "He didn't eat the burritos that were in the fridge, did he?", Kaz asks me. I lightly chuckle. "I don't know, I'll ask, but I have a feeling he was eavesdropping.", I say. "Kaz wants to know if you ate the burritos that're in the fridge.", I text him. "He couldn't have been eavesdropping. How would he know where we'd be and where he'd need to be to be able to hear us?", Kaz asks. I guess that's a fair point. "Tell Kaz I didn't bother his burritos.", Chase responds. "Chase says he didn't eat your burritos.", I repeat. Kaz immediately wipes some invisible sweat from his forehead. "That's a relief, I put the last of my ghost peppers in those.", Kaz admits.