This is the new, updated version of the story Speechless. Please read this even if you have already read the story, I have added small scenes and lots of details. I hope you can tell that the story has improved. Chapter 2 will be available within the next 24 hours.

Chapter One

CHLOE

Telling Brian that I could never see him again was by far one of the most painful moments of my life. I was lying on my back with my legs dangling off the edge of my bed. My eyes no longer contained any tears, but I knew they were puffy and red. I slowly stood and walked towards my bathroom. I felt like I was in physical pain from the heartbreak I had just experienced with Brian.

I wish that Jasmine had been wrong when she told me "you can't be friends with someone you're in love with". I had hoped that Brian would be able to move on and we could remain friends, but apparently both of us were madly in love with each other. How could love be wrong? First, I killed Xavier, my first kiss. Now, I almost killed Brian, my first love. Will I ever find a Mai that can love me as much as Brian does?

I looked into the mirror and confirmed my thoughts: my eyes were red and puffy. I picked up a white wash cloth and ran cold water over it in the sink. The cool, fluffy cloth felt good on my tear-stained cheeks and puffy eyes. My eyes looked and felt slightly better after I took away the wet wash cloth. I placed my hands on the edge of the counter and leaned towards the mirror.

Because of the past few weeks, I hardly knew who I was. So many things had changed in such a small amount of time. Letting out a big sigh, I pushed off of the counter and shuffled back into my room.

I heard light footsteps on the roof of my bedroom. I had hoped it was Jasmine, coming to protect me, but I knew that Alek watched me almost every night. I patiently listened to the footsteps but I couldn't wait any longer to figure out who was on my rooftop. After walking to the window, I placed my right foot on the edge of it and then stepped on the largest branch I could reach on the oak tree outside my window. From there, I swung my arms towards the roof and jumped on top of it. A large, broad-shouldered male stood six feet away from me.

"Chloe, I didn't expect to see you here," the suddenly familiar male said.

"You didn't expect to see me here? This is my roof, what are you doing here? Also, how did you get up here?" I was extremely confused. Why would any human be walking on top of rooftops in the middle of the night?

"Hasn't anyone told you? Alek and Jasmine aren't the only Mai in our school, you know." The way he spoke implied that what he said was completely obvious.

I paused and thought about what he said. "Are you trying to tell me that you, Tanner Duncan, are Mai?"

"Of course I'm Mai. Quite frankly, I am surprised you didn't know before now." He smirked. I tried not to laugh at his failed attempt to imitate Alek's smirk. On Alek, the smirk was classic – cocky yet adorable. On Tanner, it was awkward – it almost looked as if he was in pain. "So, Chloe, I planned on asking you to dinner, but now that we're face to face…" He leaned towards my, glancing back and forth between my lips and my eyes.

I didn't know what was happening. I kissed him back. Why was I doing this? Stop it Chloe! You don't like this guy! I suddenly pulled away.

"I'm sorry. I- I just can't do this right now, Tanner. I have to go. You should probably leave. Someone will be here to watch me any minute now and I really don't want to have to explain this." I stumbled back down into my room through the window and closed it behind me. I heard him leave, clearly disappointed. What did I just do? Well, at least I stopped the kiss, right? I kissed him back, though. Tanner Duncan was my first real kiss that wouldn't result in a death.

ALEK

I was running across the rooftops, leaping over alley's and gaps between houses, thinking about Chloe as I made my way to her house. Most nights, Chloe sleeps peacefully and I listen to her heartbeat while she sleeps. Other nights, her heartbeat quickens while she sleeps and she wakes up gasping for air, panicked and terrified of whatever nightmare she just had. I hated the nights she woke up because of nightmares. Of course, they were always related to being Mai or being stalked and killed. Chloe has a very unique personality. She is never weak, but often scared. She is not insecure, like most girls, but she does not flaunt her best qualities. Just being around her is enough to make me fall in love with her.

I knew my love was one-sided. Chloe was hopelessly in love with her human. I was almost to her house when I heard her talking to someone. Was she talking to her mom? Then I heard the second voice. It definitely was not her mom. I got closer and realized that she was on her roof, talking to Tanner Duncan.

He leaned in and slowly touched his lips to hers. Suddenly, they were completely making out. I saw one of his hands tangle itself within her long, curly hair while the other rested on her waist, pulling her slightly closer to him.

It felt like my heart had shattered into millions of tiny pieces. I turned and ran so I didn't have to watch them any more. I didn't know where I was going, or what I was going to do now. Chloe obviously didn't need me tonight. She seemed perfectly content to have Tanner look after her. He would be able to protect her; maybe even a little more than that. By the end of the weekend, if not by the end of the night, they will be dating and I will have to see them together at school every day. I couldn't bear to think about Chloe right now. I would run away and come back whenever I am ready. She seemed perfectly fine on her own. So I ran, and kept running. I ran until the sun started to rise. I figured I wasn't even in the same state anymore. It would take me hours to get back. My legs were starting to get tired so I stopped at a city park for a break. I sat down on an old wooden bench. My eyes soon drifted closed and I tried not to fall asleep, but I failed in spite of all my efforts to stay awake.

CHLOE

After I got back inside my room, I could have sworn that I heard Alek's heartbeat slowly fading away. I tried to convince myself that there was no way he would leave me here alone, that he was just running late and would be here soon. Eventually, I became too tired to wait for him and fell asleep. But, as I fell asleep, I was wary because I knew that I was alone - completely unprotected - for the first time since the day I died. When I woke up the next morning, I heard my window being opened. Thinking it was Alek coming to wake me up, I sleepily mumbled "go away".

Then an unfamiliar voice spoke, saying, "Good morning, Chloe King." I immediately jumped up to see a man with a rag in his right hand. As soon as I looked at him, he pressed it to my face over my mouth. I struggled and tried to scream for help but I blacked out before anyone could hear me.