He rested his arm on the locker next to mine as he greeted me "Gym, huh? I bet you are excited for that."

I let out a nervous laugh "You know me. I just love exercising."

"Is that why you are not going to the dance?" He joked while chuckling "You are just too lazy."

"Actually...I am going."

All amusement drained from his face. He tensed and frowned.

"So, you are going with him then?" He spat.

"No." I answered truthfully "I am going with Lana."

He laughed but it was void of amusement and sounded more mocking "But you are with him now?"

"Yes."

It went quiet between us until one of his friends standing in the place he was before, called over "Shocker! We all knew it was going to happen!"

The holler reminded Chase that he had a small audience and that is why he sneered and spoke again in a bitter tone “He only wants you for one thing."

I questioned, "And what is that?"

"I am going to be honest with you because he will not be." Chase tutted "You are hot, and you have daddy issues. The only two things that matter to him."

"Daddy issues?" I repeated with the same amount of malice he had in his voice "Are you serious?"

"He is going to fuck you and then he is going to ditch you." He moved in closer while continuing his angry rant.

"Excuse me?"

"Then where does that leave you?" Chase asked before answering "Poor little Ella Miller, heartbroken."

I opened my mouth and then closed it again before I raised my tone "What the hell!"

"Whatever. I do not care." He shook his head while chuckling "You will probably end up just like your mom anyway."

As much as I wanted to slap that stupid grin off his face, I remained cool and emotionless because I knew that would annoy him.

It did. He had insulted me for the theatrics and the reaction, and I was not going to entertain him.

He continued "I can understand why your dad runs a mile every time he sees you."

At the mention of my father, my bottom lip felt as if it was trembling and all I could see was red. He had brought back thoughts that I had tried to press down.

I took a step closer subconsciously and I was up in his face while insulting him “My dad is a drunk. He is under the influence of alcohol. What is your excuse for your parents hating your existence?"

Chase said nothing.

I continued "Even in their right mind, your mommy and daddy will not come home to you."

A chorus of oh’s and ah's come from behind him, and I suddenly felt a small, twisted feeling of pride.