Chloe walked into school, linked arms with her friend, Ellis, chatting and laughing about…just anything. They'd know each other for 2 and a half years, ever since Vlad left. Chloe and Robin had remembered him, but they hadn't seen him, so they'd pretty much given up.
Chloe slipped her bag in her locker like Ellis, as they knew full well the teachers had a meeting and the kids would be allowed to talk or play for the younger kids until they were done. And then they'd have to have their coffee, so they had plenty of time.
"Hey, who's that with Robin?" Ellis asked, pointing.
Chloe followed her finger, and her arm dropped from Ellis'.
Vlad.
They hadn't spotted her, and lots of people were running up to greet him. Chloe was frozen. Ellis shook her a bit.
"But…no…no…no, not him!" Chloe said, and she turned and pushed her way away from Robin and Vlad, tears streaming down her face.
She could hear Ellis following her, but Chloe just ran. Ellis caught her arm a few meters away from the crowd.
"No, he can't be here! Not after he left us!" Chloe wept, and Ellis, without waiting for an explanation, hugged Chloe tightly.
When the crowd subsided, Vlad and Robin spotted the crying Chloe and Ellis comforting her. The boys went over.
"Chloe, what's wrong?" Robin said uncertainly.
Chloe's head shot up. She eyed Robin and Vlad. Her eyes locked with Vlad, and he sensed her anger.
"What are you doing here?" the five words escaped Chloe's mouth, in a very angry tone.
"Chloe, I'm sorry, it was the only way…" Vlad said.
"Only way to do what, exactly? Be alone?" Chloe said, venom starting to take over.
"No, to save my family!" Vlad argued.
Chloe fell silent. Then, she stepped forward and hugged Vlad, who hugged her back awkwardly.
Chloe pulled back, wiping her eyes. "You're right, I'm sorry I snapped." She whispered.
Erin came running over, slipping her hand through Vlad's.
"What's going on?" she asked, kissing Vlad on the cheek.
Smack. It was like this girl had hit Chloe round the face. Ellis noticed this.
"This is Erin. Erin, Chloe, Robin and uh…" Vlad looked at Ellis.
"Ellis." Ellis gave a wry smile.
After a while, Vlad, Erin and Robin went off to the office, and Chloe's hands balled into fists.
"Ellis." She turned to her best friend. "I can't…believe he has a girlfriend."
Ellis sighed and patted Chloe's shoulder.
At Woodwork, Chloe knew somehow that Erin was glaring at her. She obviously was jealous.
After Woodwork, Erin approached Chloe, while Ellis went to the door, stopping to wait for Chloe. Only Ellis knew Robin and Vlad were waiting for Chloe and Erin.
"Listen up, Chloe." Erin said, and her voice sounded angrier than Chloe was earlier. Chloe folded her arms, waiting.
"Stay away from Vlad. It's obvious you liked him at one point, but he's my boyfriend, so back off." Erin said coldly.
Chloe looked at her. Stay away from Vlad; the boy Chloe didn't only like, she loved him. She swallowed, and nodded at Erin, and at that point, both girls turned to see Vlad, Robin and Erin, arms folded, watching.
Chloe grabbed her back, pushed past Robin and didn't say a word as she walked out.
She kept her word, simple as that.