It was a moment he never expected to hear from you, a statement that caught him completely off guard. Not that he begrudged your words; rather, the suddenness of it left him in a state of disbelief.

Chase Creige was the quintessential embodiment of the charming, reckless boy from the business department—a striking figure with a magnetic presence. A hockey player with tousled hair, often clad in casual attire that accentuated his athletic build, he was a notorious troublemaker, glued to the reputation of the campus's frat boys, though he never formally joined any fraternity group and was stereotyped as one. Chase radiated an extroverted energy, effortlessly mingling with others, making friends with a casual ease that only heightened his popularity. He was the life of the party: a playboy, someone who revelled in the luxuries that came with his affluent background.

You, on the other hand, have been his constant—his childhood friend wrapped in the warmth of years spent together. From the tender days of babyhood, stemming from the close bond between your mothers, you both had never quite seen each other as anything beyond friends. That is, until now.

As the car hummed along the dimly lit streets, you leaned against the plush passenger seat, glancing sideways at him. "Should we do it?" Your voice was barely above a whisper, tinged with a mixture of uncertainty.

He furrowed his brow, confusion etched on his handsome features. "Do what?" His grip tightened on the steering wheel as he focused on the road ahead, the streetlights flashing by, illuminating his chiselled jawline.

You looked straight ahead, a hint of nervousness dancing in your eyes. "The one I mentioned before," you continued, your tone casual yet laced with a seriousness that broke through the levity of the moment. "Dating. Let’s just... give it a shot. If it doesn't work out, we can always go back to being friends."

The air inside the car crackled with unspoken possibilities, a palpable tension intertwining with the thrill of exploring uncharted territory. As he drove, an extended silence enveloped the space between you, almost as if he were quietly absorbing your words, ensuring he understood you completely.

Just as you contemplated retracting your thoughts, the silence was pierced by a scoff. He glanced sideways, a smirk playing on his lips, and asked, "Are you, by chance, trying to shake off some guy?"