by Ruby Madden
He wiped at his face, realizing it was wet with his tears. He blindly reached for the CD case that held the mix CD Day had made for him. He slid the disc into the player. The car was instantly filled with Day’s voice.
“Bach’s Cello Suite number one.” Her sweet voice said softly.
Then the soothing sounds of the cello swirled through the car. Even though Chase’s chest ached, he couldn’t help the smile that spread across his lips. She had snuck and added her own private performance, just for him.
Chapter 15
Daylen talked to Chase as much as she possibly could over the course of the next couple of months. Then the football team’s spring training started for their spring game. Often times, she’d be lucky if she could just hear him breathe on the other line. He was too exhausted to lift the phone most times. And then came finals for both of them as well as Day’s audition for the Chicago College of Performance Arts.
The day of her audition the phone rang just before she needed to head out the door. The familiar number on the caller ID brought a smile to her face.
“Hey!” Daylen exclaimed into the phone.
“Hey, Pretty Day! You ready to kill it?” Chase asked. She could hear the grin in his voice.
“I hope so,” Day said nervously.
“I know so,” Chase responded confidently.
“Daylen! Get your high-yellow butt down here! It’s time to go!” Her mom shouted up at her.
Day heard Chase chuckle across the line. “Wow! I heard that through the phone. As always, Mrs. D kicking ass and taking names.”
“Yeah, I better get going,” Daylen grumbled.
“Alright, I have to go too, but I wanted to make sure that I wished you luck. Or tell you to break a leg or something.” Chase said brightly.
“Thank you, Chase.”
“What are you gonna play?” Chase asked her.
“A contemporary piece. Plus, Bach’s Cello Suite number one, like on the CD I gave you. Only better, because I’ve been practicing like crazy.” Daylen told him.
“If it’s better, then I’m impressed because what you recorded was beautiful. I actually really like the mix CD. Those old dead dudes can really get me pumped before practice.” Chase said, sounding surprised.
“I told you they’re great.” Daylen grinned.
“Daylen Marie Daniels, let’s go!” Her mom shouted up again.
“Alright, that’s my queue. She used my middle name.” Daylen laughed.
“Okay. Bye, Pretty Day. I’d wish you luck, but you don’t need it.” Chase said sweetly.
“Thanks, Chase.” Daylen flushed with pleasure.
“I love you.”
“Love you.”
Daylen hung up the phone, grabbed her cello case, and ran down the stairs quickly. Well, as quickly as someone carrying a big cumbersome instrument can run. She ran out the front door and locked it, before jumping in the car that Pat had already started.
“Sorry, mom. Chase called to wish me luck.” Daylen panted breathlessly.
“Oh, good! You needed to hear that because you’ve been moping around here for weeks.” Pat teased as she backed out of the driveway.
“Haha… Funny, mom.” Daylen mumbled.
Pat reached over and squeezed Daylen’s damp hand. “You’ll do great, baby.”
~~~
Daylen walked out on the nearly empty stage with her cello and bow. A single chair in the middle was the only decoration. It was going to be the single most important seat of her life. At least for the next thirty minutes or so.
Day bowed to the three people sitting in the theater. She sat down and positioned her cello between her legs. Her left hand wrapped around the neck, her fingers caressed the strings lightly. Like a lover. The bow poised at the ready on the strings below.
As Day began to play Bach’s popular suite, her mind went to Chase and their idyllic couple of weeks together. The passion that he’d brought out of her radiated through her being. It extended to her arms and fingers as she played. With her eyes closed, Day let the strains of the music she had memorized inside and out, wrap around her. It was the best she’d ever played.
After she had finished her contemporary piece, Ten Preludes by Sofia Gubaidulina, Daylen stood and took another bow before walking off the stage. She breathed a huge sigh of relief that it was finally over. Now all she had to do was wait.
~~~
The months following the audition were pure torture. Other than school and finals, Daylen didn’t have any distractions to keep her mind off of whether she got in or not. At least Amy had also auditioned and was waiting right along with her. Their dream was to both get into the College of Performing Arts and room together in the dorms.
Luckily both Day and Amy received their acceptance packets within days of each other. They squealed like little schoolgirls and immediately started to plan their freshman year together. Day wanted to tell Chase, so he could celebrate in her joy though he was nowhere to be found. Buried in finals studies, mandatory tutor sessions for athletes, and light spring football requirements. Each day, she became more and more nervous about their future. If this was his life in the offseason, what would it be like during every fall semester? When the football season was in full swing and she was in Chicago at her own school?
Day tried to bury her doubts and fears about their relationship. Instead, she focused on graduation and loading up on all the stuff she’d need for college.
~~~
Chase floored it up the small rural highway towards home. He’d just finished up his last final and had a week before the summer session started. Today was Day’s graduation and he would risk jail time for excessive speeds, to get there in time to see her walk across the stage.
Once he got into town, he stopped at a store and ran in for a bouquet of flowers. He quickly paid for them and jogged back out to his car. He sped to the high school like a madman, grabbed the flowers, and got out of the car. Chase took a deep breath, smoothed down his jeans and black dress shirt and walked into his old familiar stomping grounds.
Pat had his ticket to get into the graduation, but he figured she’d already be inside. He quickly realized that he didn’t need it as he walked up to the building. Chase was immediately welcomed, to warm hugs and pats on the back. No one even asked him for a ticket. He had been king of the high school for four years and it had only been a year since he’d walked across the stage himself.
He hadn’t expected his appearance at the event to cause such a stir. As he found Daylen’s mom and made his way down the row of bleachers, the crowd murmured excitedly. All the students waiting impatiently for the ceremony to begin looked over to see what all the commotion was. As Chase sat down next to a relieved looking Pat, he spotted Daylen in the first set of seniors, being at the beginning of the alphabet. She saw him and waved happily, a huge grin spreading across her face.
Chase waved back. Her smile alone made his day of rushing around worth it. She looked adorable in her blue cap and gown with a blue and red tassel hanging on the side. Around her shoulders, she wore the white collar that represented National Honors Society. Chase smiled proudly at her.
“Sorry, I’m late.” Chase turned to apologize to Pat.
“You made it right on time.” She smiled at him broadly.
They watched the procession of graduates walk up to receive their diplomas. Chase and Pat cheered enthusiastically when Daylen’s name was called. Of course, she flushed with embarrassment when their shouts and Chase’s loud whistles reached her ears.
After the ceremony was over, all the graduates sedately moved their tassels from right to left on their hats. Instead of tossing them in the air like they all wanted to do. The tradition had been banned after the result of too many injuries. The pointed hats turning into weapons.
Chase clambered down the gym bleachers, only waving at those who tried to stop him for conversation. He hadn’t held Daylen in his arms for months and noth
ing was going to stop him from going to her now. Once he reached the gym floor, he watched as Daylen appeared through a sea of blue. The moment she saw him, she started running. Chase opened his arms and she flung herself into them. He wrapped her up so tight, he was sure she probably couldn’t breathe.
“God, I missed you!” Chase groaned into her ear.
“I missed you too.” Day’s voice trembled.
Chase pulled back to get a look at her breathtaking face. Her chocolate brown eyes sparkled with moisture and her smile lifted her rosy cheeks even higher. Day’s jet black hair fell in a sleek, straight curtain to her shoulders, curled slightly to frame her round face. Her side-swept bangs fell, covering one eye seductively though she had no idea, which made her even sexier.
“You’re so damn beautiful,” Chase said in awe, having briefly forgotten how one look from her could sucker-punch him in the gut.
Day flushed prettily, her naturally pink cheeks in her caramel face, deepened even more. “Thanks, Chase. You look gorgeous as always.”
Chase grasped her face and then leaned down to finally kiss her lips. Once their lips touched, they forgot about everyone milling about around them. His fingers slid through the hairs at the nape of her neck as he pulled Day in closer. Those who didn’t know that the two best friends were together romantically did now.
“Alright. Alright. Stop manhandling my daughter and let me congratulate her.” Pat said behind him.
The two young people pulled apart and Daylen was instantly wrapped up in a warm hug from her mother.
“I’m sorry your father couldn’t make it, baby.” Pat apologized needlessly.
“It’s okay mom. The only two people I need are here. And that’s all that matters.” Day gave her a watery grin.
“I’m so proud of you, sweetie.”
“Thanks, mom.
~~~
“Ahh…fuck Day!” Chase groaned as he exploded inside of her trembling walls.
After her graduation dinner at a nice restaurant in town, Chase and Day had decided to try to get in their childhood treehouse, for old time’s sake. They knew it would probably be the last time they ever got inside of it. Once they were inside the cramped quarters, one thing had led to another and now Day melted limply against Chase’s chest and lap.
Day laid her face in the crook of his neck. Her black dress for graduation, bunched around her hips. Her panties were a crumpled heap on the wood slats. Other than that, they were still fully clothed. The cloth stuck to their damp skin in the unseasonably warm spring night.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here to take you to prom,” Chase said as he stroked her hair back from her clammy face.
“It’s okay. Prom is a wallflower’s worst nightmare. I think I watched Carrie instead.” Day giggled against his neck.
“That’s terrible!” Chase laughed reluctantly.
“Yeah, but it was awesome. Every shy, awkward teenager’s dream.” She smiled as she nuzzled deeper into his neck.
“Has it really been that bad?” Chase asked seriously.
“Sometimes. But I guess it could’ve been worse. Being your best friend had its benefits. No one wanted to mess with me, for fear of your wrath.” Day answered honestly.
“Or your right hook. No one has forgotten how you brutalized Whitney.” Chase chuckled.
“True. True.” Daylen conceded, and then sighed happily. “I’m so glad I get to spend the summer with you before we both have to go to our schools.”
Chase stiffened under her. Day lifted her head when she felt him tense.
“What?” Daylen said warily.
“I’m sorry I haven’t told you yet, but…” Chase took a deep breath. “Most of the football team don’t take a full schedule of classes during the regular school year because of football obligations. So we have to make up those course credits during the summer session. I’m only getting a little over a week off.” Chase cringed slightly, waiting for Day’s reaction.
“Oh…” she replied quietly.
“I’m sorry, Day.” Chase apologized again.
“I-It’s okay.” Day breathed in deeply and then put on a brave face. “So then we’ll just try to pack in some summer fun in one week.”
“You could always come visit me during the summer or something.” Chase suggested and Day brightened slightly.
“Yeah, that would be awesome.” Day smiled, trying to remain positive. “So what do you wanna do for the next week?”
“I like what we’re doing right now. I’m definitely cool with more of this.” Chase smirked sexily as he felt himself harden once more.
Daylen moaned at the feel of him thickening inside of her. “Mmm…yeah, I can handle that.”
~~~
They spent the week at the river, going for long drives, hanging out with Amy and Miguel, and watching movies or talking well into the night. Pat let him stay at their house for the week since Chase was still estranged from his father. Stephanie McCoy came over once to see her son for the few minutes she could sneak away. While her husband napped off his first round of booze for the day.
Pat’s rules hadn’t changed since the last time, so Daylen and Chase made love wherever they could, which was everywhere. His car, the park, by the river, and the bleachers of a little league baseball field in the middle of the night. Day had gotten into the habit of wearing skirts or dresses, for easy-access purposes.
One day they’d gone to the movies to see Gladiator. The three-hour movie experience became memorable to Daylen, in more ways than how good Russell Crowe looked in a skirt. The theater was relatively empty. The movie had been in the theaters for a couple of weeks and it was a matinee. Day and Chase were the only people in the very back row.
After they’d eaten all their popcorn and the movie was thick into the plot, Chase lifted up the armrest that was in between them. He wrapped his left arm around Day’s shoulders and pulled her into him. He right hand stroked up her bare, thick and creamy thigh, as he kissed and nibbled on her ear.
Day tried to clench her thighs together. A bright blush stained her cheeks though Chase couldn’t see it in the dark theater.
“Chase!” She exclaimed in a whisper. “Not here!”
“There’s barely anyone in here. And the movie’s so loud, no one will hear.” Chase coaxed with his voice and the hand that slowly crept up her leg.
Daylen turned to give him a stern look and he captured her lips in an enticing kiss. His tongue stroked against her lips. At the same time she opened her lips to him, Day opened her legs as well. Chase’s tongue caressed hers hungrily. Once he moved her panties to the side, his fingers between her legs found her wet and inviting. He stroked into her drenched folds in time with his tongue.
Day’s eyes rolled, her head fell back, releasing his lips as her hips pumped reflexively towards his fingers. His thumb circled over her clit in sensuous swirls. Chase bit down on his lip as he watched her. Day’s long curling eyelashes fanned her the tops of cheeks. Her dainty little nose flared between pants. Her ridiculously full lips opened on silent gasps.
Daylen reached her hand over and unbuckled and unzipped Chase’s jeans. She reached her hand inside his boxers and pulled out his thick length. She stroked her hand gently over his cock and Chase almost lost focus on what he was doing.
He doubled his efforts and watched as Day came around his fingers. He loved watching her. Her body tensed. Her eyebrows scrunched together. Her mouth widened as her inner walls milked his fingers.
Not willing to waste another moment not inside of her. Chase grasped her hips and lifted her onto his lap, with her back to him as she faced the movie screen. He immediately slid inside of her still flexing sweet spot. Day held onto the seat in front of her for dear life as Chase fucked her hard. Luckily, it was during one of the noisy arena battle scenes, so no one heard their cries or the smack of their flesh. As Chase brought them both to a near coma-inducing climax.
Chase shuddered as jet after
jet of come coated the walls of her womb. Day quickly grabbed the napkins they had brought in with them and held them against their still joined bodies. The last thing she wanted to do was leave a mess like that for anyone to have to clean up. She worked there, so she knew how gross it was to clean a theater.
They finished out the rest of the movie as sated limp noodles. Chase holding Day closely, both knowing they only had a few more days together. A difficult road of separation lay ahead of them. Neither could have imagined just how difficult.
Beer Bongs & Keg Stands
Chapter 16
November 2000
Chicago
It was the night before everyone would leave for Thanksgiving break, and all Daylen wanted to do was let loose and have a good time. With classes, practices, homework, tests and performances; she didn’t have much time to relax. She hadn’t heard from Chase in over two weeks, and quite a few weeks before that. The fall semester was exactly what she had thought it would be. Hectic.
Champaign
It was the last night before everyone would leave for Thanksgiving break, and all Chase wanted to do was let loose and have a good time. Aside from the few classes he took and homework that he had, all Chase did was eat, sleep, and breathe football. He only had time to fall into bed at night, in a coma-like sleep. Only to do it all over again the next day. He hadn’t talked to Day in weeks. They continued to play phone tag. Chase wanted nothing more than to hear her voice, but she seemed to be just as busy as he was. The fall semester was exactly what he’d worried it would be. Hectic.
