Chapter 14: 'Date' Crasher
Bree's POV:
"Well you know, since Oliver reminds you of Chase, Chase must remind you of Oliver too. It's almost kinda like you're replacing Oliver, with a less clingy version of himself.", I tell Skylar. She starts laughing while making a dismissive gesture. "That's ridiculous, Bree. I'm not replacing Oliver with anyone. I'm trying to start something new with someone else.", Skylar laughs out. I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Yeah, trying would be the key word here. I walk over to my capsule. "Chase is just the Oliver of my former team, it's not really much of a change.", I reply. Skylar wipes a tear from her eye as she sobers up. She gives me a pointed look. "That's a bit of a stretch, don't you think?", Skylar asks me. Is she serious right now? I know she sees their similarities, she's the 1 who pointed it out when we 1st met. I ignore her question, and I step into my capsule, letting it close behind me. She's not going on that 'date' with Chase without me, I don't care how nicely she asks me to stay behind. I wasn't planning on dressing too fancy, but since Skylar decided to throw on a pink dress that's like, expensive restaurant level fancy, it looks like I'll have to throw on a fancy dress too. I don't wanna look outta place. I go with a cool toned purple dress that's longer in the back, that's covered in black lace with a black corset. I pick a pair of black open toed heels, and a black metallic geometric clutch purse. I decide to go with a low bun for my hair with a few strands of hair loose in the front. I pick a smokey purple makeup look to tie it all together.
After I input that into my capsule, I'm instantly dressed. I step out of my capsule, and Skylar looks surprised for some reason. "What?", I ask Skylar. She lets out a sigh. "Bree, you do know that people don't usually drag their friends or siblings on their dates right?", Skylar tells me while quirking her brow. Wow, she REALLY doesn't want me to go. Also, is she trying to imply I wouldn't know what a date usually consists of. I look down, and 'nervously' tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "I know, and I don't really wanna be anyone's 3rd wheel. It's just that things have been really crazy lately, from the attack to everything that happened with you and Oliver. I could really use a break from this, and I guess I didn't wanna hang around a sulking Oliver and sympathetic Kaz trying to make him feel better. It's kinda depressing to watch.", I 'admit'. I mean that's not a lie, but that's not the only reason I'm so desperate to come along. Skylar shoots me a sympathetic look before walking over to me. "You don't need us to leave the apartment, they're plenty of fun things you can do on your own.", Skylar tells me. I never said I needed you to leave, I'm not helpless you know. "Wouldn't it be a little dangerous to leave the apartment on my own? We're not exactly on good terms with Rodissius and his swarm of kids.", I point out to her. Let's see her try and argue about that! She lets out a sigh. "I suppose you do have a good point there.", Skylar admits. HA! Checkmate!
Chase's POV:
I had settled on watching a documentary about the Dodo, a now extinct species of flightless bird. It's quite entertaining actually, not that I have any knowledge to gain from this basic piece, but I prefer this to something like mindless cartoons. A moment later I pick up the sounds of footsteps descending the stairs. Ah, I'm assuming that's the girls. I'm impressed with how quickly they were able to dress themselves. I suppose them both having super speed might have something to do with it. I turn off the documentary before Bree has a chance to mock me about it, then I rise from my sitting position after placing the remote on the coffee table. My jaw metaphorically hits the ground when I see how beautiful Bree looks. I mean, she's always looked beautiful, but she looks rather elegant when she's dressed up. Skylar looks pretty as well, and it's clear she put more effort into her appearance than Bree, yet she pales and fades into the background in comparison. I try not to make it obvious I was staring at Bree when the girls make their way over to me. I wish I could compliment Bree to the degree I wish to, but that might hurt Skylar's feelings. Not to mention she'd probably find it quite odd. I smile at both of them. "Well don't you both look lovely.", I say to them both. Skylar blushes and smiles warmly at me as she tries to suppress a giggle. Bree glances over at Skylar and the look of annoyance is painted ever so clearly on her face. Perhaps i shouldn't have complimented them? That would've been rude of me though.
I use my bionics to access my cell phone once again. "I wish I could tell you just how stunning you look right now.", my message to Bree says. I send it, then here a faint vibration from Bree's hand bag. "Thank you, you don't look too bad yourself, even without changing into something fancier. You ready to go now?", Sklyar asks me. Bree extracts her phone from her bag, and smiles once she reads what I wrote to her. I quickly types out a reply before stuffing her phone back into her wallet. "Of course. Did either of you have any preferences to which movie we'll be seeing?", I ask them both. Skylar slightly frowns at the fact I'm including Bree in our decisions. I quickly open Bree's message to me after I receive the notification for it. "You just did, lol. You would not BELIEVE how hard Skylar tried to get me to stay home. You need to tell her it's never gonna happen, and be really clear about it, tonight. She'll be really hurt tomorrow if you don't.", Bree text message to me says. I didn't think Skylar had it in her to try and persuade Bree to remain home, instead of joining us on this nighttime outing. Bree is quite right about making my feelings towards Skylar completely clear. "I was thinking we could see a Romantic Comedy.", Skylar says. I don't personally enjoy too many, if any at all, Romantic Comedies. They seem more geared towards females and overly sensitive males. Besides, Romantic Comedies are a gateway for holding hands and making out, something I don't plan on doing with Skylar tonight.
Bree's POV:
"Chase doesn't really like those. What about a regular Comedy?", I suggest. "I'm all for seeing a Comedy.", Chase replies before Skylar has a chance reject the idea. Skylar's facial expression slightly falls before she plasters a happy grin on her face, that looks fake as Hell might I add. "If you're just agreeing with Bree so she wouldn't have to sit through a couples movie, she can just see watch a different movie than us. Then we can all meet up after our movies end.", Skylar suggests to Chase. I whip my head in her direction, and fight the urge to shoot her a glare. Don't think I don't know the reasoning for her wanting to see a Rom-Com so badly. So she can hold Chase's hand and try to suck face with him! Also I can't believe she just implied that I'm single as Hell right now. Starting tomorrow, Skylar will be the only 1 who's single. The more she keeps this up, the less sorry I'm feeling for her regarding this whole fucked up sorta triangle thing we've got going on here. "No, Bree was right, I really do dislike the Romantic Comedy genre. Not to mention that those movies tend to be boring because of their predictability, I'd much rather prefer to see a Comedy.", Chase tells Skylar. HA! I'd totally gloat at being right if that wouldn't make me seem like an ass. "Oh, okay then. Then that's what we'll see.", Skylar dejectedly says. I grin at them before grabbing Chase's and Skylar's wrist. "Well come on! Let's get this night started!", I cheerfully say before dragging them to the door.
Chase's POV:
I laugh at Bree's goofy antics as Skylar and I are pulled towards the door. Bree drops Skylar's wrist for a moment to open the door, before immediately reaching for it to once again drag us out of the apartment to the elevator. I'm assuming she's doing so as an excuse to be in physical contact with me. In her haste she forgets to shut the door to the apartment. I glance back, and use my molecular kinesis to close the door. Bree and Skylar don't notice this thankfully, that could've been a potentially embarrassing moment for Bree. We enter the elevator, causing Bree to unfortunately drop Skylar and I's wrists. Since there wouldn't really be a good reason for her to continue to stay in psychical contact with us in here. I push the button labeled 'L', and we begin our descent to the lobby. I catch Skylar glancing over in my direction multiple times throughout the silent ride. One could assume that she's slightly annoyed that Bree chose to stand between us. I'm quite thankful for it on the other hand. I'd rather not have Skylar make any more romantic advancements towards me. I don't know how I would've made it through the evening if Bree hadn't decided to act as 'date' crasher at the last minute. The elevator doors ping as they slide open once we reach the lobby. Bree steps out 1st and as I go to follow her, Skylar grabs my hand. She intertwines her fingers with mine as we trail behind Bree. I immediately tense up, and slightly start to panic. How am I supposed to pull my hand away without hurting her feelings?
Bree's POV:
When we reach the sidewalk outside, I turn around to see Skylar holding Chase's hand. DAMNIT. I knew I shouldn't have walked out of the elevator 1st. I sneak a glance at Chase, and it's pretty clear he's uncomfortable. Is it bad that I'm happy he's uncomfortable as Hell right now? I have to find a way to get her to let go somehow.. Wait a hot minute, this is just like when Skylar and I were fighting over Oliver when we 1st met lol. Except this time, Skylar doesn't know she has any competition, and she also doesn't even know she lost before even crossing the starting line. "Did you guys wanna super speed over there?", I ask them. I shoot Chase a quick look. You better catch on to what I'm trying to do you idot. A 1,000 watt smile lights up Skylar's face. Oh no, I know what she's thinking. "Yes! That sounds like a very productive and time saving idea.", Chase says. Skylar nods her head in agreement. I bet she thinks Chase is gonna hop on her back huh? Welp, she's gonna be disappointed. Chase pulls his hand away from Skylar's. "You can-", Skylar starts before I cut her ass off. "Hop on, Chase!", I cheerfully exclaim as I turn my back to Chase. "Oh that's okay Bree. I was gonna-", Skylar goes to say, but we both ignore her as Chase hops on my back. I super speed us to the movie theater, but Chase barely has a chance to hop off my back before Skylar shows up. This is 1 of the few times when Skylar having super speed as well is annoying as Hell.
Chase's POV:
I'm impressed with Bree's quick thinking. The idea of Bree using her super speed to get me out of holding Skylar's hand for the entire walk over here hadn't even crossed my mind. In my defense though, I was extremely anxious and my mind couldn't function to its full capacity at that moment. Skylar super speeds over to us as soon as I slide off of Bree's back. She looks like she's trying really hard not to get frustrated. "Let's go in and pick what movie we're gonna see!", Bree cheerfully exclaims. It almost seems like Bree's enjoying this. She skips inside, and I hurriedly follow her. Bree walks up to where the tickets are sold, and I go to stand beside her. Skylar shortly movies to stand next to me. She threads her arm through mine, and I have to fight the urge to pull away. As soon as the movie's over I have to end this. As much as I'd like to break the news to her right now, I did say I'd give her a chance. I can't go back on my word yet again. I imagine she'll be fairly upset tomorrow once she learns how I feel about her 'sister', hopefully she won't lash out at Bree because of all this. I deserve to face her wrath for leading her on in such a way, but Bree does not. "Let's watch that movie!", Bree brightly says while pointing at a comedy that looks fairly entertaining. "I'm not too sure about that 1.", Skylar says in a skeptical tone of voice. I feel as if she's trying to disagree with Bree on everything at this point. Bree looks over at Skylar, and notices her arm locked with mine. She quirks her brow just as Skylar looks over at her. They lock eyes and Skylar looks slightly confused at Bree's expression.
Bree's POV:
"I think it looks promising.", Chase comments. Ha, he agrees with me once again. Which isn't really surprising. I HAVE known Chase for my entire life, so I'd naturally know what he prefers. I smile as Skylar looks away with a sigh. "We'll take 3 tickets to that movie right there, please.", I tell the worker. "Great choice, that movie's hilarious. That'll be $21.99.", the worker guy says as he looks in Chase's direction. Bold of him to assume Chase's paying for everyone. I whip $8 out of my wallet as Chase takes his bank card out. "I'm perfectly capable of paying for my own ticket, but thanks anyway Chasey.", I say while looking at Chase. His face reddens a bit from the nickname. He nods though and lets me slide the guy the $8. This interaction unfortunately isn't missed by Skylar. Hopefully she just thinks he's embarrassed by the nickname. The guy takes my $8 off the bill, then swipes Chase's card. After the receipt prints out he hands us our tickets. "Enjoy the movie, and have a great night.", the guy says with a fake smile. He must have to say that to every customer, that must get old after a while. We reply with the standard 'thank you, you too' before looking for our theater number. Chase, being the gentleman that he is, holds the door open for the us once he finds the right room. Skylar rushes to walk through 1st, and she shoots him a smile before saying thank you. Ugh, her walking through 1st doesn't automatically mean he was holding the door open JUST for her.
Chase's POV:
I'd be lying if I didn't admit that my nerves are slightly on edge. Who knows what Skylar's planning on trying in that darkened room. Perhaps watching a movie wasn't the best idea, but going to dinner seems more like a date than seeing a movie does. I'm sure Oliver would've been much angrier if I had said I was taking Skylar out to dinner. Bree smiles at me and grabs my hand, dragging me behind her as she walks into the dark room. She immediately stops in her tracks once we reach Skylar, causing me to slightly bump into her. She drops my hand, and shifts her stance so that she's pressed up against me. I immediately tense up as my face begins to heat up. "I found some great seats for us, come on!", Skylar exclaims as soon as she notices our presence. Bree moves to follow her, but reaches back and brushes a hand against my thigh as she goes. I didn't think my face could become any redder, but Bree sure proved me wrong there. I look down and my eyes widen once I realize what's happened, my sister has yet again succeeded in giving me an erection. I will it to go away as I discreetly try and adjust myself while following the girls up the steps. I can imagine the smug look Bree would have on her face if she realized what she'd done to me. Why did she even do that anyway? It was clearly intentional, shifting her stance and reaching back. Ah, she must be worried that Skylar will 'steal' me from her. Ha! What a silly though, as if Skylar ever could. Skylar brings us to two open seats.
Bree's POV:
"I thought you said you'd found seats for us?", I ask Skylar. It clear what she's trying to do here. She plans to send me off somewhere else so she can put the moves on MY Chasey. Well, not if I can help it. "Oh I did! Except, I didn't see 3 available seats. I'm sure you can find somewhere close by to sit.", Skylar replies. What I wouldn't do to be able to give her the stink eye right about now. "Chase, scan the theater for 3 open seats please.", I tell Chase. "Oh um, I'm sure that's not really necessary.", Skylar says while taking a step forward in Chase's direction. Ugh, I'm getting so tired of this. I move to step in front of her, but Chase stops me by saying, "I found three vacant chairs on the left side of the theater! Let's go sit down before they become occupied." Chase starts pushing Skylar in that direction while I trail behind them. I let out a huff and cross my arms. He shouldn't be touching her any more than's absolutely necessary. We reach the seats and Chase immediately plops down in the middle. Probably so Skylar didn't have a chance to do that and block me off from Chase. I go to sit down in the seat to the right of Chase, but Skylar puts a hand out to stop me. "Hey Bree, would you mind if we talked, alone?", Skylar asks me. I'd really rather drink bleach, because I already know what she's going to say. She's wants me to back the fuck up so she can shoot her shot with Chase, to which my answer would be no fucking way. "Anything you wanna say to me, you can say in front of Chase.", I reply.
Chase's POV:
Ah, I'm assuming Bree said that as a way to get Skylar to back down. It's clear that whatever she wants to talk to Bree about, she wants to do it in private. Skylar lets out a long sigh before clearing her throat and straightening her posture. "Fine, just what exactly is your problem?", Skylar asks Bree. I almost choke on my own saliva from the sheer directness of Skylar's question. Bree doesn't seem fazed, but of course she could just be good at hiding it. "What're you even talking about? I don't have a problem with anything.", Bree replies. Ah, I see she's going the 'I don't even have the slightest clue to what you're referring to' route, even though her and I know exactly what Skylar's referring to. Skylar crosses her arms. "I told you how much I wanted tonight to go well, and I asked you before hand if you had any problems with me seeing your brother. You said you didn't have a problem with it, but ever since this date's started you've done everything you could to make this date a group hang out! You weren't even supposed to be here, but you insisted on tagging along! All I want to know is why.", Skylar rants. Oh dear, it's clear that Skylar's quite perceptive. Thankfully not perceptive enough to realize Bree's actions are due to jealousy. Bree takes a few deep breaths to steady herself. Perhaps I should intervene? I know this is clearly her matter to settle with Skylar, and she's more than capable of taking care of herself. I just don't want things to escalate any further than they already have.
Bree's POV:
"I remember our conversation from earlier really well, and I did say that it didn't bother me if you date my brother. Here's the thing is though, Chase told me ALL about tonight, and he told me that this ISN'T a date. You're just hanging out and seeing what happens. If he wanted this to be a date, he wouldn't have let me 'tag along'. I told YOU why I wanted to join so badly. I needed a break from all the drama that's been going on at the apartment. I just wanted to have a good time with my friends, but clearly you have to make an issue over everything!", I argue. I really wasn't planning on having this conversation so early in, but I guess we might as well get it out of the way. I kinda feel bad about partially lying about why I'm here. I can't tell her the MAIN reason, not yet, and definitely not here of all places. We're lucky there's not anyone in here besides us, or we'd probably get kicked out of causing a scene. "You SAY you don't have a problem with it but you clearly do! What, are you jealous because you can't get a boyfriend to save your life-", Skylar starts until Chase hops up out of his seat. "That's enough, stop, both of you! Arguing don't solve anything, and you're both just dividing the team even more than it already is! Skylar, I think it's time we had a conversation, in private. Come with me, please.", Chase says to Skylar. Skylar nods in response. Welp, at least I won't have to sit through this movie while trying not to super kick Skylar through a wall to stop all her flirting attempts.
Chase's POV:
Bree sinks into the seat she was going to sit in before Skylar asked to speak with her. Skylar follows me as I exit the dark room, and head towards the restrooms. I activate my super hearing to make sure no one's nearby to eavesdrop. I stop in front of the water fountain located in between the male and female sections of the restroom. Skylar looks at me expectantly. I let out a sigh as I run a hand through my hair. There's so much I have to say, but I'm not exactly sure how to tactfully say them. "You know you can tell me anything right?", Skylar says with a sympathetic look on her face. Oh if you knew even only a handful of the things I could say right now, I don't think you'd make that statement. "1st off, I would like to point out that what you said to Bree a moment ago was uncalled for and out of line. I think you should apologize to her once we return. If you knew her as well as I do, you'd know how hurtful your statement was.", I tell Skylar. She looks quite frazzled. "It's not like I was trying to hurt her, but you saw how she's been acting! I-", Skylar starts. I raise a hand to silence her. "You may have not been trying to hurt her, but I'm sure you have. Whether or not she actually was acting odd is all a matter of opinion. Setting that aside she is your friend, teammate, and sister. Apologizing would be the right thing to do, which I'm sure you know.", I reply. She sighs before slowly nodding her head.
"Yeah I know, but I'm not the only 1 who needs to apologize. She knew how much was riding on tonight going well..", Skylar trails off. I glance towards the darkened room we'd just come from as Skylar crosses her arms. "Even if she would've remained in the background, or had not joined us at all the results would've been the same.", I comment. Skylar quirks her brow at me in slight confusion. "What do you mean? We haven't even had a chance to spend some time together, that'd make a difference wouldn't it?", Skylar asks me. I shake my head, indicating no. I lightly place a hand on her shoulder. "We're not meant to be together, in that regard. Putting aside the facts that Oliver would hate me for it and the team would suffer even more than it already has, I just don't feel that way about you. It's not something I can force, or from lack of trying to do so. It has nothing to do with how you look or your personality either, because you are quite pretty and an amazing person. I've just always seen you as a friend and teammate, rather than a potential girlfriend.", I tell Skylar. She takes a step back from me, causing my hand to slide off her shoulder. "Did Bree know?", Skylar vaguely asks me while looking at the flooring. "I'm not completely sure I know what you're referring to.", I reply in a slightly confused tone of voice. Skylar's eyes snap up. "Did she know you really weren't interested in me at all?", she asks me.
Bree's relationship with Skylar could change for the worse, depending on my answer to this question. Bree had before stated that I told her the details of tonight and how it's not a date. That doesn't directly imply I told her I of my disinterest, one could only assume I did. I know! I once again use my bionics to send Bree a text message saying, "Skylar's asking me if you knew that I wasn't interested in her prior to this evening's events happening. What should I tell her?". I'm not certain for how long I could possibly stall until she responds though. "She knew this wasn't a date.", I tell Skylar. She immediately rolls her eyes at me and crosses her arms. "I already know that much. Did you tell her how you felt beforehand?", Skylar snaps. Oh dear, she's becoming agitated. I really hope Bree hurries with her reply. By some miracle, I receive the notification indicating her reply. "You can't tell her I knew, she'll be pissed at me if you do.", her reply said. "Don't worry, I'll tell her you knew nothing of it.", my message back to her reads. "All she knew was that this wasn't a date. She didn't pry when it came to asking what our current relationship is, and what it will be moving forward.", I tell Skylar. She visibly relaxes, but still looks upset and dejected. Which I can't really blame her for, she did throw away her relationship in attempts to 'follow her heart', only to be rejected in the end. "I, think I'm just gonna go home now.", Skylar says after a moment.
I can understand how awkward it'd be to sit through a movie with Bree and I after her disagreement with Bree, and my rejection. Going home for her wouldn't be much better though. She'd just sulk in her room as she was before. I was waiting to break the news to her as the evening was winding down and coming to an end, but I had no choice except to do it now. Her behavior was getting out of hand, and I couldn't tolerate how she was treating Bree. "Will you be fine walking home on your own?", I ask her. Being out alone isn't the best idea for obvious reasons. Rodissius and his children are surely waiting for the perfect moment to strike and disband the Elite Force permanently, especially since I was able to corrupt the list remotely before they were able to use it to locate the remaining super heroes. "Don't worry you won't have to rescue me again, I'll super speed straight home. If that's what you were worried about.", she dully replies. She speaks as if I find rescuing her to be an inconvenience. "I just didn't want you to get injured, I don't mind helping you whenever you need it.", I explain. She nods her head before taking a step back. "See you at home..", she mutters before super speeding out of the building. I let out a sigh before treading back towards the screening room. I hadn't intended for things to turn out this way, with Skylar or the rest of the team for that matter. It was unfortunately inevitable, with how I've handled things so far. I of course have no one to blame but myself. How do I somehow always manage to ruin things? All of the problems this team has experienced as of late, has mostly been due to my selfishness. I reach the screening room, and rest my hand on the handle of the door. I just, don't know what to do anymore..
Bree's POV:
I sit through the 1st 20 minutes of this movie, and those 2 aren't back yet. Obviously Skylar isn't taking the L so gracefully, and was looking for another reason to be pissed at me. I hope Chase's handling himself fine out there, and was able to bullshit her enough to where she doesn't think I came here just to watch her 'get dumped'. I see a square of light out of my peripheral vision, so I glance over. It's Chase! Well it's about time they're back, Jesus Christ. I quirk my brow in confusion when I realize he's alone. He walks over to me and takes a seat. "Where's Skylar, is she in the bathroom or something?", I ask Chase. He shakes his head. Even in this dark ass room, I can see the turmoil in his face. I place a hand over his, and he lets out a sigh. "Do you wanna talk about it?", I ask him. He blankly stares at the movie for a hot minute before saying what's on his mind. "I did it, I finally let her down completely and explained how we just wouldn't work out. I can tell that I've hurt her, just thankfully not enough to where she bursted into tears. If I hadn't been so selfish, and been honest about how I felt without adding on all this extra nonsense, we could've moved past this immediately. Yet I didn't do that, and now I've ruined everything again.", Chase admits. I stroke the top of his hand with my thumb. "What do you mean by again?", I ask. Chase looks down, so I give his hand a reassuring squeeze. "I just, somehow always manage to wreck things. With Skylar, the team, and everything else.", Chase mutters. He still feels response for Uncle Dougie and the list, doesn't he? "Oh Chasey..", I sigh as I bring him into a tight hug. "You know what happened to Douglas and the list wasn't your fault, you could've never known what Reese's intentions were. You're not a mind reader after all, and you did your absolute best to stop them. You were the 1 who destroyed the list, remember? You're the reason all those superheroes are safe, and you're gonna be the 1 to stop those shapeshifters once and for all.", I tell Chase as he buries his face in the crook of my neck.