Zip It

The final bell rang as I gathered up my belongings and headed to my locker. On the way there I spotted my three favorite bionic teenagers…well they are the only bionic teenagers I know.

Bree was on her way to her locker when her brothers flagged her while bothering her, "Come on Bree. We're going home now," Chase bothered "Time to get your things out of your locker."

I hid behind my own locker door to eavesdrop on them. I didn't want to be directly involved with whatever pranks my boyfriend and his brother bestowed on my best friend. And knowing the Davenport brothers, when they taunt Bree like this, you know something is bound to happen to her.

"Yeah," Adam continued "It's not like we're waiting for you to open up your locker or anything."

Yep, Adam, that was a huge giveaway.

I silently chuckled as I took out my English textbook and my Math workbook and put them in my bag. I hate when my teachers think that they can pile on so much homework. It's like they know we have lives outside of school yet they do this to keep us from having one.

"I mean open it," Adam said trying to cover up his last mistake.

"Will you leave me alone," Bree cried "Can I have two minutes without you two hovering around me?"

"Bree, with an attitude like that it's a wonder y you don't get pranked more often," Adam said and from the corner of my eye I saw Chase hit his shoulder.

Oh, yeah. Like that's not going to keep Bree from finding out they're pranking against her.

Both boys backed away from her as I slipped one more binder into my bag. Then, soon after, I felt Chase stop behind me and wrap his arm around my waist.

"Hey there pretty lady," He kissed my cheek and I smiled "How was your day?"

"Fine except for all the homework I have to finish by the end of the week."

Before Chase could reply to my comment, he gave me a Cheshire cat-like grin and pulled me away from my locker towards Bree's. Adam joined in while holding up his cell phone to take pictures and videos. That's when I noticed Bree trying to free her hand from the locker handle.

"Oh you didn't," I told Chase and he just smiled back.

"But we did," Adam replied and then started laughing when Bree couldn't break free.

"Seriously, glue?" Bree told her brothers.

"That's quite the sticky situation you've got there," Chase quipped and I rolled my eyes at my boyfriend's horrible pun.

Bree looked back at Katelyn who I now just noticed was standing behind Bree, "You know what Katelyn, if it gets me away from my two brothers, I would take a job as a lifeguard at a sewage plant."

"So you're in?"

"Yeah," Bree replied, her hand still stuck on her locker handle.

"Great!" Katelyn perked up "See you at the store. Oh and Tech Town is a classy place so leave the sewer talk at school."

Oh yeah because school is where we talk about things that make us want to barf.

Bree's attention went back to her brothers, "Hey, dipwads, how do I get my hand loose?"

"Mhm, I'm not sure," Adam told her "But if you figure it out," he said pulling his hand from behind his back where a bunch of random items were glued to his hand, "let me know."

"You guys are useless," I commented before going over to Bree and take a hold of her hand, "I'm sure your hand will get free if we both pull hard enough. On the count of three we pull, okay?" Bree nodded, "Here we go. One, two, three, pull!"

I tugged on her wrist as hard as I could but her hand wouldn't budge. I turned to Dumb and Dumber, "You do know that this is vandalizing school property, right? It could go on your school record…" I trailed off as I watched Chase's eyes widen, "And it could also ruin a certain genius' chances of a Supreme Court nomination…"

Chase dug through his pockets and got out the antidote for removing Bree's hand, "You are an evil little thing," Chase muttered to me as he freed Bree.

"Yeah, I know," I smirked, "But you love me anyway."

LAB RATS

Chase and I went to the mall straight after school and walked around for a bit.

"I can believe after all this time dating, we've only been on two dates," I told him while leaning my head on his shoulder as we walked.

"Are you sure we've only been on two?"

"Yeah," I said as we past the mall's merry-go-round, "The time you took me to the arcade and then the time when we wiped Mr. Davenport's memory and went to the fair."

"Huh," Chase kissed the crown of my head, "Then I guess I'll have to take you out more often."

We passed by the video store and then by the appliance store before making our way to Tech Town to see how Bree was holding up at her new job. She texted me earlier that Scott, her new manager, gave her her own name badge even though the name on the badge said Ming.

When we got there, Bree was talking to Katelyn "Trust me, this is still better than being around my stupid brothers-"

"Hello ladies," Chase smirked.

"Chase," Bree asked him, "What are you doing here?"

"I just came to see what this Tech Town was all about," Chase replied.

I rolled my eyes "Sorry Bree, "I apologized, "I wanted to see how you were doing and we were already in the mall."

Bree smiled at me, "It's okay Katie. I'm happy to see you. It's just him," Bree motioned to Chase who was ogling the display cases, "Who I want to disappear."

"Nice set up," Chase commented, "You guys have all the latest models. Except for this one," He pointed to a monitor that stood out from the rest of the small tablets "This one's last years."

A greasy looking dude rushed over to us. I assume he was the manager of this place considering the awful green tie he was wearing that was tucked into the breast pocket of his shirt, "Uh I couldn't but overhear. I can assure you, we only have the most current models on display."

"Scott, this is my brother and I can assure you that he's leaving," Bree told him while pushing Chase towards the door, "Bye."

"Nope," Chase told Scott, "This model's old. I mean, I know the shell hasn't changed but look at that screen quality," I looked over Chase's shoulder but I couldn't tell the difference in screens, "There's no way that's glare resistant."

Bree was getting fed up with Chase and so was I. For a moment I had a sliver of hope that today I would have at least some time to be with him. Sure, we hang out a lot at his house and I get into trouble with his family but we're always with the others. So far in the last month, Chase and I have spent at least an hour TOTAL together alone.

"You're right," Scott said, "This is the old model. No one's ever noticed that KATELYN."

Katelyn put her head down in shame before walking away sadly. I only felt a little bit sad for her. I still had mixed feelings about her and ever since she started stalking Chase, I've been kind of edgy towards her. The stalking has stopped, thank god, but she still kind of has that mushy look in her eyes when she sees my boyfriend. Sometimes I want to punch her but I have enough self-control than that.

"Well Chase," Bree chuckled, "Thanks for coming on down but why don't you go lecture people the evils of sodium down at the Pretzel Hut."

"He's already done that," I muttered.

Chase scoffed over me, "Where do you think we just came from?"

Bree pulled Chase along by his arm but Scott stopped them, "It's probably a long shot but I'm looking for one more hire especially someone with your tech-spertize."

"Well I'm glad I've exceeded your tech-spectations," Chase quipped back and both guys tried to act cool but it went horribly wrong. Chase went for a high five and Scott did a fist bump. It was a mess.

"What the tech is going on?" Bree shouted.

"So?" Scott asked, "What do you say, any interest in working here?"

Chase looked over at me and I gave him a half smile. If working here made him happy, who was I to stand in his way?

"No," Bree panicked, "No, no, no, no! He has no interest in working here. Chase, tell him you have no interest."

"Zero-one-one-one-zero-one-zero-one," Chase smirked.

Scott laughed, "He just said yes to my offer in binary code."

"Oh," Bree scowled, "I wonder what binary code is for 'I hate my life'."

"Zero-one-one-zero-zero-zero-one…"

"I get it!" Bree shouted.

"Welcome to the team Chase," Scott ushered him over to the other table, "You are now Tech Town's newest employee."

Bree started to panic again, "This can't be happening!"

Katelyn rushed over, "Bree! I've got a very important job for you."

"Anything to get me away from this," Bree said.

"Grab your mop. Someone yacked by the monitors."

LAB RATS

When I saw how Chase looked in his uniform, I didn't mind it at all. Chase looked really good in solid green. He wears so much plaid already, I feel like I'm drowning it sometimes. Shortly after Chase started working at Tech Town, which was only the day after, he became employee of the month already. He was starting to adjust rather quickly to Bree's utter disappointment. She was miserable and I was bored out of my mind because both of them were working. Chase was helping a customer with his tech talk and Bree was mopping up the floors.

I stood idle by the speakers so it looked like I was browsing but secretly I was eavesdropping on Bree's conversation with Katelyn.

Bree paused from her mopping duty, "Katelyn, Chase it the newbie, why am I still doing all of the grunt work?"

"I have to stay on his good side," Was her reply, "He's clearly management material. It's always the creepy looking guys who make it in tech."

I internally scoffed at what she said. Chase's techie side wasn't creepy…well at least to me. I found it, somewhat, hot. But most of the time he comes off arrogant and that annoys me.

"Creepy girls seem to be doing pretty well here," Bree quipped and I couldn't help myself and let out a chuckle.

Katelyn glared at her before shrugging her shoulders, "I'm gonna ride his coattails to the top and then gather enough dirt on him to get him canned!"

When Katelyn moved to a different section of the store to help with customers and Chase was finished helping his latest customer, Bree moseyed her way over to the new salesmen. I wanted a better hearing spot so I moved a little closer too. Just enough so both Davenport siblings wouldn't catch me invading their privacy.

"You know you don't have to say that after every sale," Bree said referring to Tech Town's advertising get up

Chase scoffed at her, "You do if you want to be employee of the month which, by the way, I already am and it's already my second day. And would you look at that," Chase tugged on his name tag, "A name tag with my name on it."

I sighed when Chase spotted me and smiled. He decided I was his next customer target I guess.

Bree followed him and I gave her a small wave in return. I felt kind of awful for eavesdropping just then.

"Oh, yeah? Jokes on you. I got Ming's name tag, you got her pants!" Chase looked down and then back up before Bree marched her way over, "Look you have to quit."

"Why? I like it here. If you got a problem with it then maybe you should quit."

"I was here first," Bree argued and Scott, the manager, came over with boxes in his hands.

"Hey," He said hitting the two boxes together to get the sibling's attention, "No bickering between employees. Now I don't want to play favorites here but I like him and not you."

"Can he do that? Pick favorites?" I asked kindly.

"Maybe," Chase replied, "I don't know."

Bree turned to me curiously, "What are you doing here anyway Katie?"

"Oh you know," I said waving my hand, "I was bored and had nothing better going on."

Chase scoffed, "Well that makes me feel loved; my girlfriend coming to visit because she had nothing better to do."

I rolled my eyes before kissing his cheek, "Stop being such a drama queen."

Bree chuckled at that before she went back to work.

LAB RATS

Since neither Bree nor Chase or I had our license yet nor a car, did we decide to walk home together. Bree was just finishing up her shift by wiping up the table tops while the manager said goodbye to the last remaining customers for the day. I waited by the entrance so I wouldn't be in the way of them closing up shop.

"Great day today Tech Towner's," Scott said, "Chase, I think you've got a bright future here."

Katelyn ran up behind Scott, "Me too!" She sang.

Scott turned around annoyed, "Go home Katelyn!"

Katelyn gave fake laugh that sounded like a cow dying before scurrying for the door. I smirked as she passed me by.

Scott sighed before turning to Bree, "And Chase's sister, you left mop streaks in the ladies room."

"What were you doing in the ladies room?" Bree asked.

Scott rubbed his hands together like the pervert he was before squeaking out, "You're good."

I shuttered to think what he was doing in there which reminds me to never go back into that bathroom again.

"Oh and by the way my name is Bree," She said.

"Really," Scott asked, "Might want to stick with Ming."

Both Scott and Chase gave girlish giggles and tried to do the whole high five slash fist bump thing again. And for the second time it didn't work out.

"All right, you guys tidy up. I got to ride to Foot World. They're holding a pair of socks for me," He said lifting up his foot to show off his rainbow colored socks, "Chase you're in charge till I get back."

Once Scott passed me too, I walked further into the store until I was standing between siblings.

"You here that? Just like a mission, I'm in charge," Chase said trying to put his knee on the display table. He looked awkward doing it.

"And just like a mission, you're obnoxious about it," Bree threw her rag at him before wrapping her hand around my wrist to drag me out of the store, "Let's go Katie."

"Come on Bree. Help me clean this place up r I'll have to tell Scott and you're already not his favorite."

"Have you seen that guy? I don't want to be his favorite!"

"Just straighten up the display models and dust the screens and when you're done start vacuuming," Chase ordered and I rolled my eyes behind his back.

Bree smirked, "Sure thing boss,"

Using her super speed, Bree quickly messed up the display models. Some were in a heap on the table and some were now on the floor. I placed my hand over my mouth so I wouldn't start laughing at his expression.

"What are you doing?" Chase cried, "Scott's going to be back here any minute!"

"Oh yeah," Bree shrugged her shoulders, "Well too bad you're the one in charge so if the store's wrecked it's on you," Bree gave him a fake pout.

"Oh you think you're so clever don't you?" Chase told her, "Well you forgot one thing: I can do this." He looked towards the entrance to see if anyone was coming and when he didn't he used his bionics to tidy the models back up where they were before.

Bree smiled, "Oh please," She sighed, "You're gonna have to move faster than that." And in a flash she was trashing the store.

"You're only moving farther away from employee of the month!" Chase called over the noise as things kept getting thrown at him.

LAB RATS

I helped Chase pick up some of the boxes feeling slightly guilty for laughing at him earlier. Bree leaned casually on the table while we did so.

"You don't have to help him, you know." Bree told me but I ignored her and went to set aside the boxes I had in my hands, "Good luck talking your way out of this one Mr. Employee of the month."

"Great," Chase said, "I'm gonna get fired. Why would you do this?"

"Because I finally found one normal thing for myself away from you and Adam and you took it away from me."

"Well I wasn't trying to," Chase explained, "I just really like it here. You guys are always mocking my genius. But at least here it was appreciated…for eight ninety five an hour."

"You make eight ninety five?" Bree asked.

I guess she was getting paid less than what Chase was.

"Okay, fine. I get it. I guess we both needed this but if we're going to work together, no more bossing me around," Bree said, "When we're here, you're not my mission leader. We're equals."

Chase smiled before shaking hands with her, "Deal although our paychecks tell a different story." I playfully slapped his arm and smirked.

"Be nice."

"Like my socks? Got them at foot world…" Scott's voice echoed from down the hall and Chase panicked.

"Scott's coming back. Use your super speed to clean this place up," Bree just looked at him, "Well, I mean, if you want to. No big deal or anything," Chase scoffed, "Your call. But if you could make that call soon that would great."

As Bree was cleaning up, I quickly kissed Chase before Bree was back with us. I'm glad Bree could put some common sense into his big head.

"Whoa, nice job," Chase commented.

"Thanks."

"It's not as neat as I would like it-" Bree moved to destroy the place but Chase caught her, "But it's better. It's better. Thank you."

Scott entered with two cup in his hands and handed one to Chase, "Here you go Chase," He saw Bree and frowned, "Oh, ha, sorry, I only have two hands. Couldn't carry three and I forgot about you."

I honestly had not patience what's-so-ever with this guy. What kind of manager plays favorites? Seriously.

It's okay Scott. Bree really helped me clean up the place up so you can have mine," I mentally awed at the sibling moment as Chase handed her his cup.

Scott voiced my awe, "It's that kind of selfless attitude that's gonna make you a Tech Town star," My boyfriend shrugged his shoulders in response with a small smile on his face, "But I'm gonna eat both." He made to grab the cup from Bree's hand but I was quicker.

"I don't think you should," I said handing it back to Bree "You definitely don't need it. Did you gain some weight the last time I saw you?"

Scott frowned but the smiled at me, "She sassy. I like it! You got yourself a good one Chase."

Chase smiled in relief that I didn't cost him any chance at his job, "I know I do," he said kissing my temple.

Scott took that moment to leave and Bree went back to the locker room to change her shirt, "I'll meet you two up front."

"Okay," Chase replied still looking at me.

I smiled up at him, "Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?"

"Oh," Chase blushed, "Uh, no. I was just thinking that's all."

"About what," I asked.

Chase kissed my lips softly, "I'll tell you later."

AN: I meant to have this chapter posted yesterday but I had gotten into an argument with my parents (mostly my mom) and locked myself in my room to cool off. I fell asleep. Sorry for the wait.