From Invisible to Loved

For most of Chase’s life he has felt like he was missing something important. He had six older sisters with him being the only boy which made life dramatic to say the least. He always wanted a brother whether older or younger just so he would not be the only guy in the house besides his dad. Don’t get him wrong, he loved his sisters and they for sure had his back. However all of them were great at something. Angie the oldest, was a flexible gymnast and even had an pportunity to compete for the olympics. Bridgette, the second oldest, was a smart lawyer, Catherine, the third oldest, was miss kentucky and is in the running for miss America. Dianne, the fourth oldest, travels the world being a stewardess on American Airlines and sees a ton of cool places. Eliza, the fifth oldest, plays softball for the university of Kentucky andone of the top players in the country. Giselle, his closest sister in age and she is an NP for one of the top hospital in Florida, the mayo clinic. You see each sister was skilled and ready for life except for Chase. He has just graduated college and hoping to get into physical therapy with his alma mater, University of Kentucky. Of all the sports they had surely they will need a lot of therapists but the thing is they were looking for more experience than a college grad but they did suggest a great office that could be looking for a therapist. With a certified University of. Kentucky recommendation in hand he made his way downtown Lexington to Lexington Physicians. He smiled and brushed his hair back seeing the now hiring sign in the window. He pulled out his phone and took a picture of Lexington Physicians and the now hiring and sent it to the family group text *Prayer would be coveted right now.* he sent the text and put on his best smile before walking inside. The bell rang out as he walked through the door alerting the front desk clerk to the visitor who looked dressed up “Good Morning, Sir. How may I help you this morning?” He staggered a shallow breath to calm his nerves “I saw the now hiring sign in the window and wanted to inquire about it. I have my resume and recommondation from the university.” He handed the middle-aged lady the folder and she smiled at the young man ad gzeddown at his resume “Just one second, Mr. Chase and i will grab our Doctor to talk to you.” She slipped away and he sat down in a chair but as he did his ex girlfriend came hobbling into the office with a boot on her ankle. He pulled out his ipad and placed it over his face but she had already seen him “OHHHH CHASEEEEE!!” His name sang off her lips and he put on his cheasiest, fake grin “What not happy to see me?” She asked and he cocked his head sideways “Well after what you pulled before we ended things, not really.” The doctor was about to head outside but heard the commotion outside and stayed back until he was done “Awe, chaser!!” He shook his head “Do not call me that, Angelica!! You lost the privilege to call me that.” She grabbed his arm and when the doctor saw that she came with full force “Hey, baby,sorry to keep you waiting., we can go to lunch right after this appointment” She walked up to him and kissed his cheek seperating Angelica from him “Angelica, nurse jackie will see you now.” Angelica snarled at the doctor and then went to the back. Angelica was getting more bold and daring with him and it was not a good thing. The doctor then looked and saw it was her neighbor, Chase. She knew Angelica from work and seeing her constantly nagging him whenever she was at his house. He shut his eyes and she asked “Are you ok, Chase?” She asked legitamently concerned as he rubbed his arm where she grabbed him. Her long nails dug into him and it wasn’t pleasant. He finally looked up and saw that the doctor was his gorgeous neighbor, Kelly Brookes. It was then he finally realized that she kissed his cheek and got her to wlk away “I think so, Kelly. Thank you for doing that for me. Angelica is getting dangerous.” She nodded in agreement “She is, but thankfully this is her last session with us today since insurance stops paying for it.” She then looked at scratch she left on him and said “come on, let me fix that cut and we will talk more about what your job will be here at Lexington Physicians.” He heard what she said and his eyes litup in excitement and could almost kiss her but unsure if he could do that to his new boss.”I am fine, really, Kelly.” She smiled and guided him to the back where her ointment and bandages were at “I know, Chase I mainly just wanted to discuss your job briefly. My physical therpist is going to be leaving on maternity leave for two months and I will need to replace her but once she returns then I for sure will need a second therpist. Don’t worry yoou will not be by yourself since I will be by your side.” He was becoming so happy. Not only will his crush be his boss but will be working beside him. “Thank you, Kelly. I am just grateful for this opportunity in the field i have been wanting to get into since I graduted a year ago.” She smiled and fixed his cut “I am happy I could do that for you, hun.” He blushed hearing her call him hun. “So i just thought of this. Why dont we carpool to work? I can drive monday through wednesday and you thursday and friday?” He nodded and smiled “I love that idea, Kelly. I was just thinking maybe i could make lunch for everyone in the office when I start? It’s the least I can do.” She smiled and thought he was just the sweetest person “That would be a nice gesture, Chase. Here are the files of our patients that are in need of therapy so read up and come in with a gameplan on Monday.” He smiled and took the files from her wanting to ask her out but he refrains and says “I will, Kelly and thank you again for the job and for helping me with Angelica, but I do have a feeling she will not go down that easy.” She laughs and nods “I know she won’t being your neighbot I know what she is capable of. So if you ever need me I am right next door.” He blushed and she cooed “Awe, love it when you get shy on me.” she blew him a kiss and he could just about pass out from the attention. Kelly was confident and poised, two things he was not and he wonders why she would even give him the time of day.

He wanted to change that about himself but how can he get confidence when all his family got good at something before they went to colllege and he just now found his calling at college. He knew he shouldn’t be envious over his family, after all, they loved the fact that he found his calling and wasn’t wastign his time and money at college.An hoour had past and still no one responded to his text but soon he got a facetime from Catherine, Miss Kentucky herself. When he answered she saw the defeated look on his face “Hey Bubba, how did it go?” He looked down and rubbed his neck “I got the job but Kelly is now my boss and I BLEW IT AGAIN, Cat.” She smiled and stayed positive “okay, okay, calm down and did you speak to her and not ramble off something before running off?” he blushed at his past experiences with Kelly and said “Well, I thanked her for getting rid of Angelica for me. Kelly pretended to be my girlfriend briefly to stop Angelica from ripping my arm off.” That made him smile a tad and she commented “Awe!! That is adorable, Chaser. How did that feel?” He rubbed his neck nervously “I felt perfect, awesome and any other word you can come up with and all of that was before she kissed my cheek.” Catherine’s mouth dropped “Then she had to give you cpr, right?” he laughed “Surprisingly no but if she ever kisses my lips then that might be. different story, but we talked about work and how I want to make breakfast for everyone and then she suggested us carpoool through the week.” Catherine’s women intuition was going off the radar by Kelly’s desire “Bubba, Kelly like’s you. Like for real, all you are missing is her saying come over anytime you need anything.” He was not geting hopes up with that but when she said come over anytime his mouth dropped. “OH MYYYY!! She told you that didn’t she?” He put his hand up “Well she said it in the context of talking about Angelica. Let’s old off on the celebration just yet.” Cat smiled and wished she was in Lexington to see him. Tears filled her eyes and she put her phone down. He was still standing under the awning of his new workplace when he saw tears in her eyes. He sat down on the large stoop and in a soft tone said “Cat, it’s ok” she refused to pick up the phone “I miss home and you, Bubba. These have been the longest three months which I thought would fly by with me becoming Miss America and I just feel at odds with you. Something feels off with us, Chase.” he hated when she cried just because it makes him want to cry. He put the phone down himself and said “Because there is, Cat.” At that moment Kelly walked out quietly and saw him on the phone “For years I have been denying that I am envioous of all my sisters. Everyone of you were so talented growing up and knew exactly what you wanted to do with your life way befre college and i felt like the left behind brother until i found my calling in physical therapy. I felt. like i let the family down by not having a unique gift.” Kelly started to tear up hearing him being honest with his sister. “Bubba, that is not true, you were the one there for me first when i tripped down the steps in one of my performances and then checked on me every houronce you saw how badly my ankle swelled.” He couldn’t take it anymore and removed his glasses to wipe his eyes Kelly softly smiled seeing the sensitive side of Chase and continued to listen “I was just trying to be the supportive little brother and the fall scared me because I thought you hit your head and after your concussion I did not want to waste any time.” She smiled and picked up her phone “That is why you kept asking me aboout my head, huh?” He picked up the phone and smiiled. “I. am truly sorry and I know you can keep up the hard work while on the road. There will. be a huge celebration whenever you do get home. Win or Lose.” She smiled and took a deep breath from all the emotions. “Thank you for helping me, Chase and don’t worry, I forgive you. I have to get going since my flight is about to take off, love you.” Seeing that they were ending their conversation made Kelly run back inside real quick to grab her things. By the time he gathered his things Kelly walked out with a long white jacket on to help the freezing temps that Lexington was experiencing and then the unthinkable happens “Oh hey, didn’t know you were still here.” He stood up and wiped the remaining tears that were left on his eyelids. “Yes, my sister facetimed in and she would have given me grief if I drove while facetiming her.” She put her hand on his shoulder “Are you ok?” She asked seeing tears were in his eyes but she knows since she eavesdropped on them, but he doesn’t know that. Feeling her touch gave him chills up and down his spine that kept flowing over him on a constant basis. “I’ll be ok, eventually.” He put his hand on her hand surprising him that he even did it. “I get blamed for a lot of things but being sensitive is something I will not aplogize for, especially when it comes to my sisters.” she rubbed her neck “I think it was very sweet of you what you said to her. I am sorry but I sort of eaves dropped on you accidentally.” He smiled not caring “It’s okay, Kelly. I am sure you accidnetally eaves dropped on me and Angelica plenty of times.” She laughed and shook her head “I have heard many interesting conversations from the back yard.” He blushed bright red wondering what she could have possibly heard “Nothing bad, just what did you see in her?” He laughed and shrugged his shoulders “That is an excellent question. Maybe I thought she was the only one who could bring me out of my shell. I don’t know why I feel like I have to improve myself.” She was a rather tall girl and could meet his eyes just by looking straight and once she did she wrapped her arms around him “Because some people don’t get to know the real you and who you truly are.” His nerves skyrocketed and he closed his eyes feeling her warm embrace. With the coldness surrounding them their warm bodies made it pleasant. He cared for her but he is terrified to tell her just because it would be detrimental to him if she did not like him. “Nobody is interested in who I am truly am, Kelly.” She pulled away from him and made eye contact “What if I were to tell you I was?” He was caught off guard and his eyes widened “Then that would be a first.” She rubbed through her long golden locks wondering what she could do to help him “Come on, let’s hang out. Doesn’t have to be fancy we could just grill out and relax in the pool.”

He held back a laugh and looked around as flurries started to fall “Tell me you are kidding?” She bit her lower lip to stop her laugh until she could not hold it back anymre. She busted out a laugh and said “Yep, totally kidding.” He laughed “I was getting a tad concerned and wondered if you swam in the snow and grilled out when it is this cold.” She shook her head “Not at all, I am smarter than that.” He nodded and accidentally grazed across her hand “I know you are, Kelly. We can just go somewhere and eat, I am not picky.” Her hand was there for the taking and she looked down as their hands were so close until her palm faced towards his palm. He looked down and a shy smile went over his lips until their hands joined together. He doesn’t say anything and she just lets him hold her hand “Where do you want to go eat? I have leftover homemade pizza I made last night.” He smiled hearing pizza “That sounds good, I was going to make me homemade pizza tonight.” She perked up and said “Ooo bring it over to the house and we can tag team it. Fresh pizza sounds way better than leftovers.” He went into this day just hoping for a job but now he has that and a date? sort of? with the woman of his dreams. “Cool, I will head on and bring the ingredients over.” Kelly smiled and realized that she just asked him out without asking him out but he didn’t say no to her so that was good at least. She knows how much he cares for her and hearing him with his sister earlier has made her think that there might be something there for her as well. He didn’t want to seem so eager to get over to her house so he took his time and made sure he looked his best before he grabbed a bag and filled it with pizza dough, chicken fajitas, jalepenos, onion, pasta sauce, and pepperoni before headed to her house. He had a dreaded feeling coursing through his veins as he approached her door and as she opened the door he quickly got in and as he did a bright orange car went driving by and parked at his house. “I had a feeling it was Angelica. I am starting to grow that feeling every time she comes around. “ He looked out her living room window that was covered with blinds and right then he was glad he lived across the street and not beside Kelly. He watched as Angelica knocked on his door and soon Kelly got curious and placed her hands on his shoulders and rested her chin softly on his shoulder. She breathed softly on his neck making the hairs stand up on end. He smiled up at her and she smiled down at him “Do i need to call the police because that is becoming stalkerish?” He smirked and looked at his watch “No need, you know your new neighbor Ashley is an undercover cop for Lexington and I have been giving her hints about what Angelica was doing and she said to let her know and she can catch her in the act.” When he didn’t answer the door Angelica started getting braver and walked around his house while he texted Ashley *Angelica alert!! She is walking around my house.* Ashley was relaxing inside her house and saw the young girl walking around. She grabbed her badge and walked out of the house *I see her.* Staying calm and collected Ashley snuck around the opposite side of the home. Angelica was trying to look inside the home but the windows was too high for her to do so. At that time Ashley saw her and confronted her “Angelica Martin!!” She jumped up “Ashley Jacobson, Lexington P.D.” She flashed her badge to her and Angelica gulped hard “Ca..Can.. I help you?” she said nervously wondering if Chase finally had enough and called the law on her. “We have received anonymous calls about someone snooping around this address recently. You wouldn’t know anything about that would you?” Angelica nervously ran through her red hair “I can’t lie. Ever since he broke up with me it has been difficult to not see him and now he has a girlfriend so maybe I should move on.” Ashley nodded “That would be wise because it can end up in a restraining order where you won’t be able to see him. This is your only warning, Angelica. If I catch you exploring his home again I will take you in.” Angelica gulped again and said “Yes Ma’am.” Angelica has never been so scared before in her life having the police corner her and it was then it dawned on her that her obsession might land her in more trouble than she wanted to get in. She pulled out her phone and texted Chase *I know you called the police on me. It gave me the greatest scare of my life and for that I just want to thank you for being that hard on me and I give you my word I will never stalk you ever again. One day I hope we can be friends and that it will not be awkward between us anymore. I have also realized that I would rather have you in my life as a friend than not at all. By the way your girlfriend, Kelly is very pretty and just a beautiful human insde and you would be nuts to come back to me.* she sent the text and got in her car to drive away. Chase received the text and read her sincere apology. He knew it scared her since her knees were shaky going back to her car. “I knew that would get her attention. She might seem all big and bad but deep down she is a little kitten just looking for attention.” Kelly was still close to him and read the text “But she was right about me. You would be nuts to let me go.” He chuckled nervoously and didn’t make any eye contact as he slowly backed up “Or maybe I would be nuts to let you go.” She turned around and locked eyes with him until he was forced to look at her. His feet kept backing up until his back hit a corner. She slowly caught up with him and placed one hand on his side and one hand on his cheek and left her lips just centimeters from his before whispering “Like I have said before you are positively adorable when you get like this.” His eyes went down since he literally could not move anywhere “How can anyone like this when I don’t even like it myself?” She smiled and rubbed his cheek while maintaining eye contact.

“But you are my boss now and is there rules about that?” She shook her head “Not one bit.” He looked down at her lips and they were just so full and glossy begging to be kissed until she had to catch her breath and then kissed again. “Just be quiet and kiss me,darling. If you don’t want to date after you kiss me then we will forgt the whole thing.” She gave him an ultimatum and strangely it gave him confidence that he desperately needed. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath with her lips so close all he had was lean in just a smidge. He counted down in his mind 3.2.1 and then BOOM!! the rockets were lit and all systems were on go. His lips pressed up against hers with full force and didn’t hold anything back. Years of love and secrets for this woman has escalated into a kiss he would not long forget about. He grabbed her hips and he felt her gasp softly on his lips “Oh Chase!!” this made him smile from ear to ear knowing he ws enjoying it. “Really? You like it?” He softly whispered on her lips “No, I love it.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and closed her eyes getting lost in the moment. His lips were like a cool breeze on a hot summer day, and sweet like a ripe orange that just fell off an orange tree. Her lips was healing to his soul, and pure softness to his cracked and damaged parts. Slowly all his problems came to his mind and as they did she would press her lips against his making the problems go away “Don’t stop, Kelly.” he whisperd soflty and for once all his fears ran off of him like water washing away the filth. “You decide when we stop, darling.” She could tell he was getting help just by kissing her and she would be ashamed if she stopped the healing he was experiencing. He pulled away from her and grabbed her hand before leading her to the couch “Kelly, I love you. Ever since I moved into the house and saw you wave and smile at me with that beautiful smile that could light up a night sky I could not get you off of my mind. I dreaded to tell you because I knew you could do better than a college graduate trying to get his life on track and trying to mend relationships with my own family.” She took his hand and said “Chase, I fell in love with you hearing you talk to Catherine and seeing your heart and how much you regretted your decision is what drew me to you and I will never let you go.” He put his arms around her and said “Then could you do me a favor and go with me to Louisville to see Catherine? I just feel the need to go there and see her.” She smiled and put all his pizza items in the fridge before grabbing his hand “Come on, I will drive.” Just like that they were off on a whim headed to Louisville which was just a short hour drive. His head leaned back in the car and he drifted off to sleep before her hand reached over and grabbed his. His poor mind must have been on overload all day long from his sister and then finally admitting his true feelings to her. If she was in his shoes she would be exhausted also. He had given her the address Catherine was at and she might have had a lead foot and was searching for cops the entire time but it was worth it to get him before the show started to see her. “Hey, sleepy head we have made it.” She softly kissed his lips to wake him up but he held back a smile wanting her to kiss him again. “Hmm maybe a deeper and longer kiss will wake him up?” She played along with his game and kissed him harder with her hands going through his hair. “Mmm ok ok I am up.” He chuckled and she playfully hit his arm “Better be glad I can put up with a playful boyfriend.” He smiled and said “You will get use to me doing it, my dear girlfriend.” They got out of the car and went inside. With each event Catherine has left backstage passes and tickets for her family and plus one’s if they had any at will call. He grabbed the backstage passes for him and Kelly before making their way backstage. He grabbed Kelly’s hand and walked through the hosts of girls that looked his way but he had blinders on for his sister and at long last he reached her. She was carefully looking over herself as it was just thirty minutes before showtime when he came up behind her “Is this my big sister or the next miss America?” She heard his voice and she wasted no time to stand up and hug him tightly. No words were being spoken and then the remaining five sisters gathered around them. Kelly stood back and let them have their moment. He soon felt hands all around him and he saw all his sisters were there and he could not be happier. “I am sorry your little brother was such a cotton-headed-ninny-muggins. I promise I will make it up to all of you.” His sisters didn’t care and all of them were just happy to see him. All the girls finally stopped the group hug and turned around to see the beauty he was with “Everyone this is Kelly, my girlfriend, without her I would not be here.” He said with pride and with the biggest smile his sisters have ever seen him wear. Catherine smiled and winked at him as a told you so. He blushed and waved his hand as a stop it before she stopped embarrassing him. He approached Cat and whispered “You got this, Cat. After tonight you will be home for good.”He leaned up and kissed her forehead “Love you, Bubba. And I am truly so happy for you and Kelly. You two are beautiful together.” He smiled and left backstage to take their seats “I love your sisters, they are so sweet just like you.” He smiled and said “I had to get it from somewhere so might as well been from my sisters. I spent most of my time with them with both my parents working.” She smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder. Chase was a nervous wreck the entire show and he couldn’t even look up when announcing the winner. He closed his eyes but when the announcer said “And your Miss America is Catherine Smith from Lexington, Kentucky. His head lifted and his mouth dropped hearing her name. Catherine ran off the stage and went straight to her brother and hugged him “I could not have done it without you, Bubba.” She kissed his cheek and ran back up to the stage to receive her crown and flowers. In that moment a smile could not be erased from Chase’s face. His girlfriend by his side and his sister on stage smiling from ear to ear was all he needed to not feel invisible anymore.

The End