Chapter 8: Dramatic Irony

Leo's POV

Ever since Chase stood up to Perry to defend Bree at school a few days ago, Perry has been awfully quiet. I don't know if Chase has actually scared her (and if he has that is absolutely hilarious) but if he has, he needs to fix it fast because Trent has seen the opportunity to mess with me more because no one is stopping him.

"HEY DOOLEY!" Trent shouts, even though he was right behind me and next to my ear. What a jerk. Was it even necessary? I'm literally right here.

"What do you want Trent?" I angrily ask.

"Awww the little kid is angry," he mocks me with. "I'm gonna dunk you down the to—"

He just falls on me. What? A ball slaps against the floor and Adam is standing at the gym door. I think it was him who must've hit him with the ball. Probably was an accident giving him.

"Oops, sorry, Trent! I was aiming for Leo and you got in the way," Adam says. Wow, thanks a lot for that man.

*fast forward to the next morning*

Bree's POV

Chase fighting the Perry machine a few days ago in my name made me feel really special. I am so determined to help him get his memory back. And I hope even if we manage to get his memory back, he keeps some of the new traits he's got himself. His confidence and bravery are something he could do with keeping. I think even if he can't get his memory back and has to restart with everybody, I hope we can eventually get Mr. Davenport to entirely reactivate his bionic chip.

Our last 'date', that was sort of and not a date at the same time, was rudely interrupted by Krane, and with him locked up and being the only threat, maybe Chase and I can do something after school today? It's a Friday so we obviously aren't in school tomorrow, so there's no pressure to do homework or anything. Since he doesn't have his bionic intelligence, he doesn't really bother with doing extra homework. He does do more than you have to do, but not as much as he would regularly. That's a good sign that he wants to do more work like usual, maybe he's getting a few of his original personality traits back.

Back on track though, I think I'm going to ask Chase if he wants to go out on a proper, one on one alone time date tonight. We're not even a thing but I really want to spend more time with him. Him standing up for me made my feelings for him that little stronger and more intense. I love him I think, and if we can fix his memory which I think we will, we might finally be able to get a potential relationship off the ground.

There he is! This is my chance to ask him before school.

"Hey, Chase!" I jump in.

"Hey speedy, you alright?" he smiles back. I love that nickname he's got for me. He never even had nice nicknames for me before his memory loss. It's like his personality has completely changed. I like that he's thought of nice names for me, but I hope that's the only change to his personality that is noticeable.

"Yeah, I'm good, I was just wondering if you were free tonight?" I asked. I hope he isn't because I'm thinking about maybe asking him if he wanted to take our friendship/relationship further.

"Oh that's a coincidence, because I was actually going to ask you the same thing because I got tickets to go see the new Alien Gladiators movie and I know you like them and I think I would as well," he says. HE ALREADY PLANNED TO ASK ME OUT ON A DATE AND BOUGHT TICKETS? THIS IS AMAZING!

"Oh my god yes! I would love to!" I excitedly say. "Can I buy the snacks then? Like the popcorn and the drinks?". I'm not going to let him buy all of the stuff. He's bought the tickets and that's already expensive. He's got himself a job at the ice cream parlor Krane attacked as Mr. Davenport assisted the rebuild operation with his impressive building robots.

"Okay fine, but I'm glad I managed to beat you to it to ask you out on the date first because I've been meaning to ask you all week and I couldn't work up the courage," he nervously says. Awwww, he's STILL awkwardly cute.

"I was thinking about it recently too, you standing up for me the other day really meant a lot to me and I thought it was really cute and sort of heroic," I smile. Chase blushes at me and pulls me in for a hug. This is amazing, Chase and I really are going to end up together, aren't we? This is absolutely brilliant. He makes me feel so special that he's willing to break his awkwardness for me. "Who were you going to give the tickets to if you never asked me to go with you?".

"I was just gonna give them to Adam and Leo and they were expecting me not to, so I better go break the news to them," he says. He looks actually happy that he has to break the news to them.

"Actually Chase, don't mention anything. Let them turn up expecting you to have the tickets," I laugh, tugging his arm. "We should be getting to school."

"Yeah, you're right, let's go," he replies.

Leo's POV

Great… it's gym class. I hate gym class. NO, IT'S NOT BECAUSE I'M NOT GOOD AT IT. It's just, my talents are focused elsewhere and it would be a shame to waste them doing sports.

The teacher rounds up all the students and we sit in a circle ready to do some SPORT! I'm so happy Adam, Bree and Chase are in my gym class, so I at least have three people in the class that at least somewhat like me, and are willing to help the Dooley cause with Janelle. Bree is especially helpful. We always get the fastest times for sprints because we start a few seconds later and she super speeds us ahead but makes sure it seems like it's because we're fast. Adam is really good when it comes to weightlifting because whenever Janelle watches me, he does all the heavy weights for me. Chase can't really do much but at least he's good at every other subject and can help me with that! BUT HE'S STEALING MY PLACE ON THE TEAM! He can't even remember anyone in this room that isn't Bree, Adam or myself.

"Listen up guys," the teacher starts. "Today, we're going to be in pairs doing cardio and core exercises." Oh great. Well, that's just about my reaction to anything in gym class but it's even worse when Janelle isn't here today so I don't have anyone to show off to.

Looks like I'll pair with Adam then. I don't wanna get in the way of any muscles and fitness Chase is intending to impress Bree with. Who am I kidding? We just wanna watch how awkward those two are going to be trying to impress each other so we can mock them relentlessly for the whole hour. Ethan's going over to Bree though… don't worry, Adam and I will intervene to make sure it's Bree and Chase together. This is like the dramatic irony thing that we were doing in English class. We knew all about Ethan asking Bree to be his partner yet nobody else did. We wouldn't miss this inevitable awkwardness for the world!

Bree's POV

Yes! A pairs activity! It can be me and Chase then! I get to show off how flexible and athletic I am to him. Who knows, maybe he'll be impressed? He may not know either of these bits of information, but he is both the smartest guy in the world and also a teenager.

"Hey, Bree!" a voice behind me says. I turn around and it's… Ethan? Oh no no, I haven't talked to him in like a week. I don't actually think we've had a proper conversation since I had that dream about Chase that started all these feelings nearly two whole weeks ago. "Did you want to pair with me?"

Chase was walking over but clearly must've heard Ethan asking if he wants to partner with me because he stopped, nodded, and walked away… that was not the plan! I need help! I want to let Ethan down but also not seem weird being with Chase on the same team because people will think it's weird if I'm letting down Ethan for a guy who I thought was my brother until a few months ago. ADAM AND LEO! They'll help!

"Sure, but give me a second!" I say, trying to be as unenergetically energetic as I can. I run over to Adam and Leo and I think they already know what I'm going to ask.

"You have to help me! I don't wanna be in a pair with Ethan! I wanna be with Chase!" I whisper.

"Relax Bree, I got this," whispered Adam. That's exactly why I'm not relaxed! I can't trust Adam can I?

"Hey, Ethan, I've been meaning to tell you that I heard someone on the way to math class earlier say they smashed up your bike when they got to school," Adam informs him. I never thought I'd say this but wow Adam, you've made a smart excuse!

"Wait what? Thank you! I'm sorry Bree but I've got to go!" Ethan apologies, sprinting out of the room towards the bike shed. My eyes look around the room for Chase, who's over in the corner sat down facing the wall. I think he really wanted to be my partner too. I walk over to him, trying not to trip over any of the bigger kids who are trying something that does not look like sit-ups.

"Hey smartie," I say, sitting next to him. I was sitting so close next to him our legs touched. He didn't move, though.

"Oh, hey Bree," he said, clearly upset. Does he really want to be my partner for this as well? I thought he'd look for another guy that wouldn't say anything whilst he tries his best to get past the next hour.

"Ethan came over to me and asked to be my partner…" I started.

"I know, I heard it. Mr. Davenport is gradually re-enabling some of my bionic abilities as my memory starts to come back a bit more and my brain can cope with it. Still no bionic superintelligence but the hearing was a low-maintenance one. It's okay Bree, I don't mind, I'll partner with Finley or something," he sulkily says.

"Oh come on!" I shout, pulling him off the seat by his arm. "We got rid of him, so it's just you and me." He complies and quite clearly cheers up quickly after. That's nice that I have the power to control his emotions!

"Alrighty then. How did you manage that?" he asked.

"It wasn't me, it was Adam. He made up a thing saying someone smashed up his bike before school," I chuckled.

"That wasn't a lie, Bree. I did at lunch and it was so awesome," Adam interrupts.

"Also we already knew he was going to ask to be your partner because we overheard him at break. It's like the dramatic irony thing we were doing in English. Isn't that great?!" Leo says. "We wouldn't miss you two awkwardly flirting whilst doing crunches and sit-ups for anything!" He then high-fives Adam as I give him my typical 'piss off' look. It works with everyone.

The next 45 or so minutes fly by. To be totally honest, I thought Chase was going to struggle but wow… since his memory loss he must've been working out a lot more. He absolutely smashed it and was unlucky not to complete the most sit-ups in the whole class. Of course, he was beaten by Adam but it was only by about ten!

I noticed I was doing well as well. I did a lot of squats and I definitely caught him staring at my ass a couple of times too. I could hear Adam and Leo laughing every time I bent down for a squat. I was so tempted to stop just so I could hit them.

Just then, as I was unwinding with Chase after the most interesting gym class I think I've ever had at Mission Creek, Ethan walks in with a bike wheel in his hand. Chase immediately walked over to join Adam and Leo.

"Sorry I couldn't be your partner Bree, but Adam was right. SOMEBODY SMASHED UP MY BIKE!" he shouts.

"It's okay, I hope you can get it fixed or get a new one," I politely say.

"Maybe we could partner next time? Who did you go with when I left?" he questions. All that leaves my mouth was 'uhhhhh…' until Chase walks back over.

"Hey gym partner, how're you feeling?" he asks. Well, I think Ethan knows I was with Chase now then. He sees Ethan's face and knows instantly that maybe he shouldn't have said that.

"Chase? Really? Bet that was awful," he puffs.

"No actually, he nearly beat Adam to the top spot for doing the most sit-ups and was really helpful with me doing my squats," I cheekily quirk back. Ethan's eyes open.

"So you're picking your not sibling but sibling over me as your boyfriend?" he asks.

At the worst possible time they could pick, Adam and Leo walk over. There's a few seconds of dead silence until Adam says,

"Yes Ethan, that's exactly what she's doing."

Well, somebody had to say it.

Chase's POV

Well that was an interesting gym class. And a fun one. I was worried that Bree was going to stay with Ethan as her partner but I'm glad Adam and Leo found a way to get rid of him. I don't know if it was because they actually want us to get closer with each other, or they just wanted to mock our awkward flirting but either way it worked for me so I'll take it.

"I'm so glad those two managed to get rid of Ethan," Bree starts, as we walk out of the gym. "I didn't have any idea how I was so they stepped in and really helped out."

"So you actually wanted to be my partner?" I asked. She really wanted to be my partner! Well, it was great being her's! I just stood behind her and watched her bend over for squats and mindlessly adding one every time she completed one because I was definitely not focusing on something else!

"Yeah doofus, of course, I did! You were great today!" she cheers.

"You weren't so bad yourself. Keep this up and I'll have to make another nickname that isn't just speedy," I jest at her. Since we had gym last, that was the last lesson of the day, so we've got to make the decision to either go home and freshen up or maybe go out now and spend some more time together before the movie. Given we've just had gym class though, I think I know the answers for both of us. "Should we go home and freshen up first? That was one hell of a gym class." If only she knew.

"Yeah, that sounds good," she said. We walked the whole way home again holding hands. We're getting closer each day. I can see today being huge for us.

We take in turns in our capsules, just for privacy to be respected. I went first as I knew I'd be quick. I'll pick a nice normal checkered shirt with jeans and my best sneakers. Best cologne and everything. This isn't a formal date or anything, but I'll wear my nicest stuff anyway. Impressions on a date count, don't they?

I hope this all goes to plan, unlike the last date. I've been told that was when we were attacked by Krane and the whole situation with my memory started. I really like her. I want and need this date to go a lot better than the last one.

Bree's POV

It's my turn now. Chase is all finished. I better pick something nice. Hmmm, I'll have a think during my shower.

I know! He definitely hasn't gone overboard so I'll just wear something casual. A plain red shirt with a blue denim jacket, with skintight black jeans and some boots. It's casual on the border with formal. I think he'll like it. I've definitely got to have my best perfume. He doesn't want to sit next to a bad-smelling Bree for hours on end, does he?

We meet upstairs after I'm done. He's lying on the sofa flicking through the TV. Did I take long or something? I hope not.

"Hey, I'm ready!" I say.

"Wow," he starts. "You look really good." I just blush immediately. Five words and I'm already blushing? Knowing him he'll shower me with compliments so my cheeks are gonna be redder than pepperoni by the end of the night.

"Shall we?" I ask.

"Yes, we shall," he says. He links his fingers with mine and we walk out of the house. Tasha said she'll drive us as she's working and it saves us walking or getting the bus. I feel like tonight is going to be good. Hopefully, a lot lot better than the last time we went out together. That ended up in nearly having the whole family killed by Krane the crazy man. I like Chase a lot… I never thought he'd be the boy I feel the best around but here we are… it's amazing how much can change in just under two weeks. I think he likes me back, even if it's just a little, but I'm sure we didn't feel like this a few weeks ago. And now we do. Never say never, I guess?