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Dedication: SpencerFG for the awesome cover! Thank you!

Recap:

"I wish I could see it. It would make me so happy."

"You're a cruel, cruel girl."

"I know," I grinned. "You can't tell me that it's not karma coming back to bite her in the ass."

Brooklyn looked at me, before bursting out laughing. She slapped her knee, before slapping my shoulder. I snorted with laughter, doubling over.

What goes around, comes around.

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Sweat beaded across my forehead as I jogged.

I could hear the steady thudding of the footsteps behind me as the group I run with every morning followed me. I wiped the back of my hand over my forehead, letting out a deep exhale. It was barely 7:15am and it was already warm outside.

I slowed to a stop at the front of the gym and placed my hands on my hips. The group behind me followed my lead. We were all red faced, sweat-drenched and breathless. Our jogs weren't just casual, half-hearted jogs. They were long and hard.

"Good job today guys," I called out, hooking my thumbs up. "Please make sure you keep hydrated today, I think it's going to be a hot one."

They all murmured in agreement, most too puffed to speak yet.

"Alright, let's do some stretches."

I began to complete a series of lunges and stretches to cool down our muscles. They followed suit, still out of breath from the run. After about ten minutes, I straightened up and nodded at them.

"Thank you for coming today. I'll see you tomorrow!"

Most of them said thank you, some just smiled as they began to walk back to their cars and whatnot. I re-did my hair into my bun and walked unhurriedly home. I loved this part of my day. I was just by myself. I got to think for a few moments and enjoy the silence. Well, it wasn't quite silence with the birds chirping and the constant sounds of cars rushing by, but close enough.

I always felt good after a run. The endorphins pulsed through me, making me feel energised and fit. It made me feel like I was going to conquer today. Conquer what, I'm not sure, but something. And that was a good feeling.

As I walked inside, dad was there, his back to me, as he cooked himself bacon and eggs. My stomach grumbled but I firmly looked away, knowing very well that I had fruit and muesli waiting for me after my shower. It wasn't fair that dad teased me with bacon and toast. I love toast.

"Good morning," I sang, sliding my runners off.

"Morning," he replied, looking over his shoulder. "How did we go today?"

"Very good. Better, if my father was there."

He snorted. "Good joke."

"You really should come. It's fun."

He turned and leaned on the kitchen bench. He wrinkled his nose. "Nah, not really my thing."

I rolled my eyes. "You're so lame."

He shrugged. "You had to get it from somewhere."

"Oh, good one," I retorted sarcastically.

As I walked past the bench, I snagged a small bunch of grapes and munched on them, as I mounted the stairs. I peeled the sweat laced clothes from me and threw them into the basket. I was just waiting for the water to heat up, when I heard the bathroom door open.

My eyes automatically closed when I felt his hands press on my shoulders. He ran his fingers down my back and I let out a small sigh. Thoughts of me being sweaty and gross vanished from my mind as his lips pressed against my neck.

"Good morning," he whispered, his lips against my skin.

I turned and wrapped my arms around him. "Hi."

"How are you?" He asked as I tilted my head back and stared up at him.

"Good, you?"

"Better now," he smirked, before shoving me playfully into the shower.

I let out a laugh as my back hit the glass pane. Xavier pressed his body to mine. Our lips met in a rush and I melted into him. He fingers sank into my damp hair. His tongue possessively taking over mine, dominating me. I let him. He nipped at my lip, before taking a step back, our foreheads pressing against each other.

"I love you." he stated.

"I love you," I whispered back.

This was how my day started. I couldn't ask for anything better.

***

Brooklyn: Did you find out what Xav's plans are on Friday night?

Faith: No... I haven't got around to asking. I don't want to make a big deal out of it.

Brooklyn: Fair enough. You sure it's okay that I go?

Faith: -rolling eye emoji- Yes! Stop being annoying and just go. I will come over beforehand and take a million photos of you and it will be just like I'm going, too.

Brooklyn: Okay, if you're sure!

Faith: Ask me if I'm sure one more time and I will hurt you.

Brooklyn: Okayyyyyy. I have to go, class is starting. Ttyl xxx

Faith: Have fun at school, sucker.

I hadn't brought up the formal to Xavier because I didn't know how I felt about it. The formal was something everyone should go to - it's a high school rite of passage. Of course I was bummed that I couldn't go, however, I shouldn't hold Xavier back. In saying that, I don't really want him to go without me. I was conflicted.

I glanced at myself in the mirror. I was about to head to work. My work uniform consisted of a pair of tights (very expensive tights, I might add), a sports bra and a shirt that said the name of our gym on the left breast. I had my runners on and my vibrant, red hair pulled into a high pony tail.

I looked like I was about to step into a sport ad. However, it was extremely comfortable so I shouldn't really complain.

Work was pretty fun. Better than my old job, at least. Here, I didn't have to shovel horse manure and deal with cranky animals that may or may not bite and kick you. Here, I got to overlook people's progress at the gym, having meeting with clients about fitness and exercise plans, make sure all the equipment is working efficiently, run through courses and exercises with people, and so on. There was always something to do, which made the day go much faster.

For a town not really that big, the gym was really busy. I was honestly surprised at the amount of people that go.

By the time it was 1pm, I got to go for my lunch break. My stomach rumbled with hunger as I grabbed my bag, swinging it onto my shoulder. I strode from the gym, planning to go around the corner to Piper's Cafe. They make me a salad roll every day for my lunch.

"Faith!" a voice called out from behind me.

I froze, my heart plummeting. I knew that voice from anywhere.

Slowly, I turned. Chase walked towards me.

"Chase," I said slowly.

After Chase was released from juvie, only a month or two ago, he hadn't really been heard from. He went off the grid. None of us really knew where he went or what he was doing.

"Do you have a minute?"

"Sure."

I gestured towards the park bench off to our right. We sat down and I shrugged my bag off. He looked different. There were bags underneath his eyes. He looked tired. There was a scar, that I've never seen before, running jaggardly across his eyebrow. I wonder if he acquired that during his time in juvie.

"I didn't know who else to go to."

"Okay. What's up?"

"I have..." he trailed off, before running a hand through his hair. "I have nowhere to go."

"Where have you been?" I questioned.

He did a half-hearted shrug. "Couch surfing with a few mates."

"That's no way to live, Chase."

"I know," he sighed, rubbing his face. "My whole life I did what Andrew said because I had to. He provided me with food and a roof over my head. I didn't say anything against him and I never got hurt. I wasn't as brave as Xavier, I couldn't stand up to him."

"You could have."

"You don't know what is was like to live there. With him."

He was right. I didn't.

"Everything got much worse when Xavier left. He took his anger out on me. When I found out Xavier had actually found somewhere to live and was going to school... I tried to do it myself. It didn't turn out very well."

I bit my lip. I had no idea.

"I was easier to get, than Xavier. I couldn't leave again. I was scared he was going to kill me. Then, he wanted Xavier back and I helped him, because life was much easier when he was around. I didn't have to do as much, I had company... I was selfish in wanting him to come back. So, I helped him. That's why I joined your school." He hung his head. "I just wanted everything to go back to normal."

"It doesn't excuse the things you did. You could have seriously hurt Xavier in the accident."

"I didn't really plan for that. I just wanted to stop him and talk to him, while you weren't there. No offence. I didn't expect him to run up the back of me."

I shook my head. "Why should I believe any of this?"

"Because it's true," he said simply.

"Because you say it's true, doesn't mean it actually is the truth."

He let out a deep exhale. "I know you don't trust me and that's understandable. But believe me, when I say I want to make things right."

"If you want to make things right, I will help you." I replied, my words surprising myself.

"What?" he asked, whipping his head up. He looked stunned as he stared at me.

"I will help you."

"Really?"

"Yes. I will help you get a job and with that job, you will be able to pay for rent. There are one bedroom apartments you can rent for pretty cheap."

"Wow," he said, his eyes wide. "You're a better person than I am."

"I know."

He let out a quiet laugh.

"I have Friday's off, let's go job hunting then. Does that suit you?" I folded my hands neatly in my lap as I stared at him. I was trying to remain quite professional. I didn't want to get emotionally involved with Chase. He needed help, so I was going to help him. It was the human thing to do and he is my boyfriend's brother, not that he has been a very good one.

What kind of person would I be, if I didn't help him?

"That would be fine," he said. "Yeah, perfect."

"Good."

I stood abruptly, glancing at my watch. "I need to go. Do you have somewhere to stay until Friday?"

He nodded.

"Okay, I will meet you here at 9am. Wear nice clothes. Do you have nice clothes?"

"Er-"

"Meet me at my house. You can wear something of Xavier's."

"Okay," he nodded. "Thank you."

I began to walk away, when he called out to me again. I looked back. His face was soft, his eyes moist as he stared at me. My heart clenched in my chest at his expression.

"I'm sorry for everything I've done to you and Xavier."

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What do you guys think of Chase's apology, explanation and attempt to move on with his life? Do you think he means it?

My completed stories (as of January 2017):

-The Best Thing For Me

-Downright Delinquents

-Childhood Sweethearts

My on-going stories (as of January 2017):

-Faithless

-Chasing Casey

-Coach's Number One