''May the best barista win.''
Now they didn't have a case House kept thinking about these lame challenges to make them score points to keep their place. 23 days to go until the final decision and Chase was with two points already five points behind on Sullivan.
Chase jumped towards the coffee machine, ready to defend himself with his elbows in case Sullivan wanted to take his place. He needed to keep his position, even it was only to please his father and determined he started to make the coffee, looking back only once to see Sullivan walking out of the office. His hair fell in front his eyes and furious he wiped them behind his ears again. He hated these challenges and he hated Sullivan and he hated House even more for making them play these stupid games and Sullivan was one hell of a nasty player.
Chase's finger went over his lip, which was wounded after Sullivan had tripped him on the hallway. Chase was so done with this all he was even playing with the thought of giving Sullivan the place, just to be over with it. But then he would let Sullivan win and that was the last thing he would want. Chase turned around with a mug full of fresh coffee - exactly as House wanted it every morning and he even began thinking he might win this time. When he put the mug on the table Sullivan came walking with a large coffee from the cafeteria, knocking his mug from the table and shrugging; ''Oopsy.''
Gritting his teeth, Chase grabbed the mug from the floor, coffee dripping on his pants and he walked back to the coffee machine, looking at the carpet.
''Better clean that up.'' House said, looking at him.
As always, Chase cleaned it up and looked as another point was added under Sullivan's name. Was the position really worth this embarrassment and anger? House didn't even seem to mind that Sullivan played it mean.
After a few more hours of clinic duty Chase walked to his car, mad when he saw Sullivan leaning against it.
''Give it up already. You aren't going to win this.'' Sullivan said, with his arrogant laugh after it.
''I have been through worse things than your teasing. Chase mumbled, wanted to push him aside to get into the car.
''Daddy didn't give you all the money you wanted? That must have been rough times.'' Sullivan laughed again. Chase pushed him aside, slamming the car door shut and driving away. His arms were shaking in his rage and mad he drove. His breath became faster and faster and even when he tried to calm down because it was dangerous, it didn't help. He was so mad tears were filling his eyes. When he parked his car on his parking space he ran inside, slamming the door shut so loud he thought the whole building was shaking. How did Sullivan even dare to mention his family?
Every day was such a nightmare now. Chase curled up on his bed. Was this really what he left Australia for? Was this really the way to follow his dreams? Sometimes he even doubted if he was following his own dreams or if he was just pleasing his father - or trying to please him. He never would - instead of following his own dreams. But did he even had real dreams?
His thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell and he stood up, walking to the door.
''House, I really don't want to-''
''Don't care. What do you think you are doing, letting Sullivan win so easily. I thought you had some backbone?''
Chase wanted to close the door but House's foot was stopping it.
''Why are you even making it so hard on me if you want me to win?'' Chase sighed.
''Figure that one out yourself.'' House pulled his foot back and walked away.
Chase closed the door and walked back inside. His phone was in his bag and he grabbed it out, scrolling to his dads phone number. It was morning in Melbourne and his dad should be awake. For a few seconds, his finger hovered above the call button but he laid his phone aside again. His dad would just tell him he was standing alone in this. Chase laid down on the bed again, determined to solve House's thoughts.
...
''You want me to step up against Sullivan to show I can handle you.'' The glass door fell shut again and Chase walked to halfway the office, House looking up from behind his desk. After a whole night of thinking, this reasons seemed to be the most logical Chase could come up with.
''I wouldn't have hired you if you weren't smart - although your goldilocks were the main reason of course.''
Chase smiled and looked as Sullivan walked into the conference room.
''So he is going to leave?''
''Are you kidding me? By simply proving that you cán be right doesn't mean you always are. There are still 22 days left.'' House picked the ball on his desk up and threw it at Chase, just like his first day. This time Chase was fast enough and he caught it, throwing it back.
''Poor Ball, where did the convict touch you?''
Chase shook his head and walked out of the office, into the conference room.
''You finally gave up?'' Sullivan hung his jacket over Chase's chair and Chase looked up to him.
''No, I told him that he should wait for you to give it up.''
''Don't talk so much, the accent makes you look you have no idea what you are even talking about.''
Chase walked to the coffee machine; ''Must be painful if the only to make you feel better is by kicking other people into the ground - you know what, you should write a paper on that.'' Chase said, acting like he was serious with the last sentence.
''Must be painful, seeing your mother drink herself to death - you should write a paper on that, mate. Might give you more than a mention in the local newspaper. Although that newspaper also held the obituary of your mother.''
For a second, Chase was defeated, then he hit the mug on the space next to the coffee machine, the shards falling down as he walked to Sullivan.
''Don't ever say something about my family.''
''Like what - that your dad was an ass and your mom an alcoholic and your stepmother a gold-digger?- it is all on the world wide web.'' Sullivan laughed and Chase wanted to slam the arrogant smile of his face. Instead he grabbed him by his collar, pulled him down.
''If we are going to play it nasty I am going to play it nasty as well. Believe me, I can play it mean.''
He let Sullivan go and realized he was purely bluffing, but for a second it seemed to work.
''Whatever.'' Sullivan laughed it off. House walked from the office;
''It is great to see you gentleman getting along so well. We have something better thought; 56 year old female, lost ability to see while ..''
...
Walking back to his car again he was more than annoyed when he saw Sullivan leaning against his car again.
''What, here to mock me again? You must have a pathetic life if that is all you do.''
''Actually, I want to make it up.''
Chase looked at him in disbelief, expected him to burst out in his arrogant laughter which started to annoy Chase more and more with every time Sullivan did it.
''You got to be kidding me.'' Chase said then, throwing his bag in his car.
''I am serious. The childish games, it is enough. Let's just use both our talents to learn things from each other and in the end we will see what happens.
Chase wanted to believe him, to get all the mocking and games over with.
''Let's have a beer together, leave the past behind us.'' Sullivan spread his hands.
''Okay.'' Chase agreed. All he wanted was to leave this childish game behind and he stepped into his car after they had chosen a bar to meet up and he drove away. Again, he was too naive.
...
NOTE: What will happen to Chase? Was he wrong to trust Sullivan?
I know OC stories aren't very loved, but this is not a love OC, so I hope you like it anyway.
Thanks for reading and please leave a review!