Please Take Note: I do not own any of these characters (other than Mark Jefferson and Jeff Richards) nor do I own any background story lines that may influence my story. Please R/R if you have constructive criticism. It's my first fanfic so be truthful and brutal. I want to further my writing ability. Thanks! Enjoy "So Little Time" Fans!
Chloe sat in the car, only partially listening to the Matchbox 20 tune that was playing on the radio. The salty wind tangled her hair and was warm from the early summer weather. "Gosh Riley, will you hurry up? Some people do have a life besides you." Chloe hollered out the window at her twin, who was slowly making her way from an afternoon hockey practice.
The back door of the girls' red Ford Explorer swung open as Larry threw his bookbag into the back of the car. "Riles said to go on without her, Chloe. She found another ride." Larry slid into the passenger seat across from Chloe and swept a strand of his sandy hair away from his eyes. "Looks like it's just you and me." Chloe pushed Larry back against the seat and leaned across him to look out the window. "Watch it." Larry moaned. Chloe was not at all surprised to see Riley leaning against Mark Jefferson's vintage convertible, the most popular player on the Varsity football team, giggling uncontrollably. "Lord…she's such a bimbo sometimes. What does she see in that dimwitted jock anyway?" Chloe fumed as she revved up the car's engine. Larry, who was somewhat partial to Riley, casually rushed to her defense. "Hey Senorita, chill out. She's only in love. It happens to the best of us, doesn't it?" Larry nudged her arm and his lazy grin was full of implication. It was true that Chloe was known for her long string of boyfriends, but today she was in no mood to joke about it. In fact, she hadn't been in a mood to joke about much of anything lately.
The stress was piling on for Chloe. Her cheerleading squad had been having late practices every night this week, severely interrupting Chloe's normal homework schedule. She also had an article due in, for the school newspaper, at the end of the week; not to mention the treasurer report to finish for tomorrow's student council meeting. Unfortunately, her busy schedule consumed all of her spare time and was temporarily impairing her previously thriving social life. Consequently, Jeff (the latest addition to her long list of beaus) had become impatient with her limited time for him. He made this clear by publicly humiliating her Wednesday morning in homeroom, adding a little variety to the usual morning announcements. "Chloe Carlson is like totally self – absorbed." Chloe was the first to admit she'd entered the relationship for, what some might say were, superficial reasons. Jeff was a very muscular, very good – looking, blond, football player who's popularity was at an ultimate peak. And with these qualities of perfection came inevitable heartbreak, Chloe knew that; but, Jeff had taken it to a degree that was way above and beyond Chloe's previous expectations.
The memory itself was enough to make Chloe sick and fresh tears were stinging her sea – green eyes. Chloe silently reprimanded herself. "Don't lose it now Chloe. You need to focus. This isn't the time for a pity party. Grow up!" She concluded that her average of three hours sleep per night was starting to take its toll and that she just needed a little pick me – up. Chloe turned to see Larry raising a questioning eyebrow to her silence. "I'm fine Larry. I just remembered that I forgot my… algebra book… in my locker. Wait here, ok? I'll be right back." Chloe opened her door, without waiting for Larry's reply, and rapidly made her way to the nearest girls' bathroom. She fiercely dug through her leather Gucci handbag (a birthday present from Jeff, who, among the former qualities, was also quite wealthy) until her fingers grasped the round, pill bottle she was in search of. She pulled out two of the white OTC caffeine pills and stopped. Lately they had been the only thing keeping her awake long enough to finish everything on her "TO DO" list. Today, given the severity of her fatigue, she decided it would be beneficial to double the recommended dosage. Chloe swallowed four of the energy pills with one gulp, assuring herself that she was fine, that the pills were totally safe and that they were a necessity for her survival at the moment. "I'm fine." Chloe reassured her reflection, as she applied a berry gloss to her droopy lips. And with that, she threw the silky hair over her shoulder and headed for the car.