I do not own any of Kelly Armstrong's characters or books. I have no rights to the Darkest Power Trilogy.

Ch 4

Ice Cream

'Why' was all Chloe could get out. She felt that somewhere deep down, she didn't want it to end. It was stressful to keep a lie up but it was also in most ways entertaining.

"Well, you see, Derek has been looking a bit run down and I think he's annoyed with the whole farce."

"What makes you think that?" she said now becoming concerned. If Derek was not okay with it, then this game became rotten really quick. If she was upsetting Derek, then she would have to give up on the lie.

"He said it." Simon lied.

He hadn't meant to lie. But Chloe had to know that her lie was hurting Derek. He may not have said it directly to Simon but he mine as well have. When Simon got home he would see Derek 'brooding' in his room. Thus, to protect Derek, Simon believed that this little white lie couldn't hurt.

"Really?" Chloe was astonished that that was what Derek thought. Why hadn't he said anything?

"I think." Simon added in a quiet voice not quite loud enough for Chloe to hear.

Chloe slumped onto her bed.

They sat in an uncomfortable silence. She appeared to be contemplating the suggestion Simon posed.

"How about I explain it over some ice cream?"

Chloe slowly nodded. She grabbed her sweater and followed Simon out of her room.

"Chloe's Aunt, we're going for ice cream. We'll be back before dinner." Simon said as the two left the house.

Chloe continued to trail behind Simon solemnly. She stared down at her feet as she walked. The thought to reassuring herself that one lie couldn't hurt kept resurfacing. How could she be wrong?

Chloe stumbled over a rough patch of pavement and nudged Simon forward.

"Oh, sorry Simon." she said softly.

He considered explaining that he didn't exactly hear Derek say he didn't like fake dating her. But then it would be hard to admit he lied. He was totally screwed if he told her that and wanted anything more from her after. He held his hand out instead.

Chloe looked at his hand curiously. He wiggled them to entice her to grab it. When she continued to stare he took her hand into his. She didn't resist though and allowed him to drag her to the ice cream parlor around the block.

As Simon treated her to ice cream, she sat quietly by the window waiting.

"Here." he said with a smile. He handed her the ice cream cone and she gave a faint smile. She was still deep in thought.

After a few seconds of nothingness, Chloe spoke up, "So, did he say why?"

Simon thought to himself. Derek seemed to be on edge and if there was any reason for it, then Simon assumed it would be because he either liked her or knew that Simon liked her. It was hard to tell what Derek actually thought. But Simon didn't want to think about the possibility that his brother may be in love with the same girl. He shook his head from the thought.

"Dunno." Simon replied.

"Is Derek m-mad?" she asked timidly.

"Probably." he mumbled.

Simon could tell Chloe was no longer in the mood to talk. The notion that Chloe actually liked Derek began swimming in his mind. He thought or rather hoped Chloe may have been interested in him. He felt his chest ache from the idea.

Simon told Chloe how he knew a great place where the flowers were in bloom and how beautiful they looked.

"Wanna go?"

Chloe didn't know what to say. She hesitated and before she could let a word out, Simon urged her up and brought her out.

She followed him and the two of them eventually situated themselves underneath a tree on a hill. A cliche seen that was ironically soothing to sit near.

Chloe sighed and placed her palm under her chin to support the weight of her head.

"Chloe?" he asked. When she turned to look at him he could feel the fluttering feeling in his stomach. He was growing increasingly nervous and he was going out of his mind. But he concluded that if not now than he would never say what he needed to. He reached for her hands and grasped them. He took a deep breath. "I like you Chloe."

She tilted her head as if she hadn't heard him. "Pardon?"

"I like you?"

Chloe gave him the same faint smile and responded with a "I like you too." Her gaze softened and Simon didn't know whether she was lying or not.

He moved in to kiss her.

Chloe closed her eyes but as she felt Simon's heat overly close she realized it wasn't what she wanted. She moved back and opened her eyes to examine Simon's reaction.

For Simon, he could feel a spark, it was wonderful but to Chloe she realized this wasn't what she wanted.

"Sorry." Chloe whispered.

Simon ran his fingers through his hair and leaned back onto the ground. He let out a loud sigh.

"There's someone else."

"What?"

"You're in love with someone else Chloe." He said flatly.

Chloe hadn't thought much about it but Simon was right. Although Chloe didn't see Simon as a love interest, there certainly was another person who would be. She was mentally fatigued just from thinking about him. Or rather, Derek. He was perfect in so many ways.

Chloe lay back, groaning. "Sorry Simon."

"It's okay, I kinda knew already."

"Sorry."

Maybe the day didn't go as great as planned, but if anything, Chloe learned something important.

Derek was NOT interested in her the way she was interested in him.

Thanks for reading :)