AN: I'm sorry I didn't get around to updating yesterday. But worry not—no more late updates!
(I hope)
Disclaimer: Still only own what you don't recognize.
Creds to: HHLOVER39 because their repetitive reviews not only make me laugh and cheer me up, but they ALSO provoked me into updating. ;) Hope you enjoy the chapter 'HHLOVER39' !
()()
I fell in love with you the way you fall asleep;
Slowly and then all at once
I love sleeping.
It's probably one of the most amazing things our extensive human capabilities lets us do; sleep. I love closing my eyes one moment, and then waking up befuddled before becoming acutely aware of my surroundings. I also enjoy the feeling you get when you fall asleep; if a guy could make me feel what falling asleep did, I'd be head over snores for him. Another mind blowing component about sleep is; that you can do it anywhere. Though I suppose there are limitations. (Rockets and sky diving).
But there was one thing about sleep—asides from waking up—that I absolutely detested.
You couldn't stop people from doing things to you in your sleep.
So when I was sleeping peacefully, Rae and her minions snuck in and threw all my clothes into my bath tub and soaked them in water, leaving me only my underwear and shoes. It was amusing to find that they left me that stuff because they assumed I was too much of a prude to even bother trying to pull off the look. I was also saddened to say they were right. With nothing to wear, and the clock almost ten minutes away from signaling the start of the class, I was in a sticky situation. Mila had been MIA on me recently, though I was pretty sure she shows up for classes. I would chase her down, but with all the pressure of cooking and dealing with my own baggage, I had no spare time. With my only friend missing, I had no one to turn to. I didn't want to ask the snobby girls for a change of clothes—mainly because they were snobby—and also because I had a feeling that Rae and her minions were ready to get a close up of me if I even dared to leave the apartment.
The end result was my dire need of a rescue and/or back up plan. Unfortunately I had neither, but I could quickly make the latter. I searched through my soaked belongings, until I found something not as soaked. I grabbed my hair dryer and went on it at full blast, wincing at the time. I eventually realised it was hopeless, so I tossed the now semi dry shirt into the bathtub. I walked over to my bed, and looked underneath it for the spare bag Aunt Lauren had given me. She said I might need some of the stuff in it. I opened the bag up and was relieved to find a fresh change of clothes. But I was disappointed to find that the change of clothes was straying from my regular style; a white crop top with a really deep v-neck, and black tights.
I was running out of time, so I did my hair and morning routine; deciding to skip breakfast. I put the top and tights on, but made sure to grab a really big jacket—but then I decided against it. Rae and her minions had tossed my stuff into the water as a warning, and if I went out there acting as if nothing had happened, they would I assume I hadn't gotten the warning. If I went out there, looking calm and collected in different attire—then they would know their warning didn't work. I left my apartment making sure to lock it, and grabbed a jacket. Just in case I needed it.
()()
Since my fight with Derek, he'd been really retained around me. Not that I minded, it was just weird to see him go at flirting with other girls like crazy—and then when he got to me, it was as if he just turned off his inner flirt. It was odd, and annoying but satisfying to know I was no longer going to be targeted by him. Only today, when I entered class, (perfectly on time), his eyes never seemed to leave me. Everyone seemed to have noticed the complete outfit change. When I went to go get the ingredients for today's recipe, it seemed as if everyone was in my way. First Peter, casually trying to get my number, then Brady and finally Mila came up to me and asked me what was up. I didn't want to explain that Rae and her minions had destroyed my stuff because I could tell that a lot of people were listening. So instead I came up with a lousy excuse about how I was late and grabbed the first thing I saw. She took it in stride.
"Wait, Mila, where have you been lately?" I asked.
She looked nervous, and scratched the back of her head. "Oh, my flat mates do a movie night every night"
I nodded and turned away, hurt that she hadn't invited me. She must have realised, and she quickly went to cover her tracks.
"Chloe, my group's really into stupid things, but if you want you can co—"
I shook my head. "No thanks Mila" I walked off, making sure to ignore any looks I received. I didn't want her pity—lack of emotion—whatever it was. I would be perfectly fine without her.
()()
After class was over, I snuck into Linda's room. Picking up some eggs and milk, I started to get to work on this recipe for a type of dressing for duck, that Linda wanted me to try out. It was a really simple recipe, but it supposedly built character in the arm. It was sort of like whipped cream—an easy recipe in itself, but tiresome effort wise. I didn't really want to do it, but I liked Linda, and she was usually right about cooking, so I figured I'd give it a shot. I finished up with the sauce, and placed in it in the freezer, hoping it would freeze in time for it to be tested out on a row of chicken. Then I grabbed some sugar, milk and eggs for some whipped cream—all these thoughts about whipped cream were making me hungry. After I placed the whipped cream in the fridge, I started to clean up. Linda never asked me to clean up, she usually did it herself, but I knew it put pressure on her back. So if I ever got to the kitchen before she did, and finished up—I cleaned up.
I tucked the flour back in, wiping it with a cloth. I grimaced when I noticed that my hair was covered in flour and bits of spices. After the flour was gone, and the dishes were cleaned, I picked up all the spices and took them back into the spice room. That's what I had dubbed the spice and ingredient filled room that I had visited when I first found the kitchen. The only problem with that room was that you could never just toss a spice back; you had to find the right section and place it amongst its carbon copies. So when I was holding a mix of Indonesian peppers with a small pinch of cranberry seeds—(Linda's own combination)—I was at an annoying issue. The shelf in which the combination usually rested was much higher than I could reach. I remembered noticing a ladder in the storage cupboard in one of the rooms across from the kitchen.
I placed the spice in my pocket and went to go and retrieve the ladder.
I returned with the ladder, and steadied myself. I had never many good memories of climbing a ladder, the last time I had climbed one was with Tori. It was Halloween of sophomore year, and we were at a party. We had just discovered that Tori's boyfriend of that time was cheating on her with the hostess of the party. Of course we had to get revenge on him, so we had followed them up the stairs and made sure to know which room they had locked themselves in. Then we snuck downstairs, grabbed the microwave and some tools and snuck outside. While Tori fiddled with the microwave, I went on a search to find some power cords and a camera. While I was on that search, I overheard the hostess's friends discussing how her parents were prudes and how they didn't even know about the party. After I gathered what we needed, I went back to Tori to inform her of my discoveries. She and I had then formulated a master plan to both get back at her boyfriend and the girl he was cheating with.
Tori used some wires from the microwave to connect my phone to the camera without a computer. We transferred three hours worth of recordings—she and I recorded ever party we went to from start to finish—from my phone to the camera. Then she connected the camera to the speakers using more microwave wires. I went to their garage and grabbed some Christmas lights and ran back. I ran into the middle of the room and screamed "Police!" and watched with satisfaction as everybody ran out screaming—making the entire house go quiet. Tori had already hooked up the speakers in front of the room her boyfriend and the hostess were in, so they wouldn't suspect anything. We turned up the volume and locked the door from the outside. After one last search of the house we ran to the front yard. Tori and I had taken one of their many 80 inched flat screens outside, and had hung it up using large coils. Tori programmed it to say: YOUR DAUGHTER IS BEING DEFLOWERED IN YOUR BEDROOM. (This was my suggestion) We used the Christmas lights to make an arrow that pointed to the back yard. Tori and I hauled out a ladder, and then we climbed the ladder to hang Christmas lights around the window of the room they were doing the cheating.
The last thing we did that night before driving home was anonymously call her parents. And then we drove to the nearest Starbucks and ordered what we called the break up package. Then we drove back to the house the party took place in and watched the whole scene unfold. We got some good pictures of Tori's ex-boyfriend hobbling into the night, wearing only his boxers.
I yanked myself back into the present and prepped to climb the ladder. Unfortunately I had to go pretty high. After I got too the top of the ladder, I placed the spice amongst its family, and began my dreaded descent. Everything was going well until I heard someone open up the kitchen door and in my rush to get down before the person did anything—I knew it wasn't Linda because she called out my name every time she entered after me—I knocked the balance of the ladder astray. Panic exploded in my stomach and I curled into a ball, ready for the pain. Only it didn't occur because a pair of lean and muscled arms wrapped around me, catching me before I fell.
"Whoa there—you don't want my grandmother to have to call your parents informing them of your accident" The person, who caught me, rumbled with a British accent. My eyes snapped open, and I pushed the person holding me and they let me go. I fell on my butt, hard. I scrambled to my feet and looked up at the stranger. If Tori were here, she would have yelled at me to thank them and get their number; which would mean that this person was really attractive. Tori could be super judgmental about people, and she rarely liked anybody. She only approved of me dating Nate because we had all known each other for quite a while. My savior was definitely attractive—very attractive; soft dirty blond hair, silver eyes framed by long lashes, rosy red lips, olive skin and a lean figure. He was wearing a long sleeved t-shirt—but I could tell that he was pretty well built. My eyes went to his which stared at me
"I-I-who are you?" I asked, cursing my stutter.
The person cocked his head confusedly. "I'm Robin, Linda's grandson. I'm assuming you're Chloe?"
I gawked at him and his accent. Linda never mentioned that she had hot, British grandson! To be fair on her part, it would have been really weird if she'd called her grandson hot. But she could have told me he was British.
"Yeah, I'm Chloe" I said, breathlessly. I could already feel my cheeks flushing. Great, not even five minutes with the guy and I had already fallen, and looked like a tomato. I turned my attention back to him and said, "Linda never mentioned that you were British"
Robin shrugged. "She usually skimps on the details that people usually want to be aware of"
I nodded again. I looked down at my feet and at the fallen ladder. "Thanks" I mumbled, looking up. Robin nodded, and shoved his hands into his pockets, looking around. I looked down again, and started at my feet. I was glad that no spices had been spilled—otherwise I'd be cleaning for the next several hours. Linda managed to pack an insurmountable amount of spices into one measly bottle. It was kind of cool.
Robin and I stood there for a few more seconds, and I cursed myself to the moon and back—why, oh why was I cursed with being unable to start an intriguing conversation? The poor guy must be so annoyed. He saves me and all I can muster out is a thank you, and that's after I questioned him. I looked up—only to find him not there. I furrowed my brows, and left the spice room. I went into the kitchen, only Robin wasn't there. I was starting to think he was a figment of my imagination, when I heard the kitchen door open again.
It was Linda.
"Chloe, are you alright?" She asked, walking over to me and checking me for injuries. I told her I was fine.
"Robin caught me in time" I said.
She beamed. "I'm sorry he rushed out without saying anything—he is much like Derek in that retrospect. The two of them never stick around for anything. Robin and Derek—now that I think about it are quite similar. Arrogant, cocky and intelligent" She shook her and gave me a warm smile.
I smiled back and refrained from adding "hot as hell" to the list of what Robin and Derek had in common.
Linda walked over to the fridge, and inspected the marinating sauce. "Good job—why'd you make whipped cream?"
I shrugged. "I was in the mood. I might make a cake and put the cream on it as icing"
Linda laughed. "Sure." She gave me head to toe and raised an eyebrow. "You usually dress differently"
I ran a hand through my floury hair, and explained to her about what someone did. I didn't mention the letter or who I thought had done it.
Linda frowned. "Have you told Derek? Or Simon?"
I shook my head. "No, but I don't want to. I honestly don't think I need to either. I've made sure to lock my room"
Linda didn't look satisfied, but she didn't comment. Together we marinated the chicken, and then placed it in the oven. Linda had me make more marinating sauce while she started cutting up mire chicken and adding spices to the already made ones. While we cooked, we also talked.
According to Linda her grandson Robin and her granddaughter Jules were staying at her house for the next three weeks. They had just come over to see her, and Robin had wanted to learn some cooking skills. He was in his first year of University—or Uni, as he called it—and he was tired of eating unhealthy. He was chemistry major at Cambridge but he was really keen on staying healthy and fit. (I didn't mention that he was very fit and smelled really good to Linda). Linda mentioned that she wanted him to learn some cooking from both her and Derek, but mostly she wanted him to know what spices went with what, so he could experiment on his own. She wasn't too worried about him accidentally poisoning himself with a bad combination of food because he was pretty good with chemicals. Robin was born in America but he grew up in England because his Mom and Dad moved there—London was where they had Jules. Linda told me about how she spent two years in England, but she knew her real home was in America, so she moved back. Linda visited them year, but she said that it didn't feel like enough; She felt as if she was missing out on their life. She wanted them to prolong their stay, but they told her that if they really enjoyed their stay they would. And this is where I came in.
Linda wanted me to tour Robin and Jules around, if I had free time. I was going to say 'yes' until she blurted out that she wanted me to help Robin get around to cooking with Derek.
"Linda—I really don't think that's a good idea. Derek and I don't get along" I said, holding up my hands.
She smiled warmly at me. "Oh it doesn't matter. I just want him to see a nice girl who can cook!"
I sighed and told Linda I would do it. I was in the middle of cutting some baked chicken slices when I realised Linda had just told me straight out that she was trying to set me up with her grandson.
I shot a look at her—nope, she still didn't look like mastermind matchmaker. Though, I didn't doubt that she could pull the look off.
()()
I folded the last bit of laundry and tucked it into the drawer. I had just spent the last three hours doing my laundry and folding it. All I wanted to do now was throw myself onto my bed and either sleep, watch a good movie, or text Tori. I decided to do all three. I made popcorn, and got out my Mac and made my bed. Then I changed my mind, and hooked my laptop up to the TV and made the sofa super comfortable. I even changed into comfortable clothing to induce sleep. I was so ready for some nice sleep that I almost didn't even turn the movie on. But I just had to watch The Vow after a weird day. I called Tori up and told her about my dilemmas and I also mentioned to her about the Derek and Robin issue. I also mentioned the letter.
"I think it was Rae's minions. She wouldn't care about you and Derek" Tori said.
I rubbed at my eyes, sleepily. "Good point. But they don't seem smart enough"
Tori laughed. "That's what you said about me—and look how that turned out"
I laughed. "Yes, but that's because you immediately placed me as a cheerleader and stupid" And it was true; the moment Tori and I met for the first time in kindergarten she called me stupid and said I was going to be a cheerleader. When my mom died, I had to stay at her house. She and I started talking and eventually it led to the beginning of our friendship.
"Well you are pretty shit at math" Tori stated.
I scowled. "Shut up. I passed didn't I?"
Tori laughed. "That's because you had a million tutors and after school session and retake tests"
I let out a large sigh. "You didn't exactly pass with flying colors"
Tori snorted. "I got a ninety-three. So I did a million times better than you"
I smirked, remembering an event that almost always made Tori squeamish. "Hey Tori, remember that time that Bethany called you Victoria and you told her to shut up? And then she dumped a bunch of frog entrails on you? That biology class was quiet memorable "
Tori squealed. "OHMYGOD shut up. Shut up! Shut up! I don't want to ever think about that again"
I laughed and fell flat on my back, holding the phone to my ear. "You know, on your wedding day, I know exactly what to say when I give my speech"
Tori laughed. "Hey Chloe, do you remember that time that Arthur asked you out and you didn't want to go out with him that you blurted out that you had a date? And then he suggested you guy's double date a couple weeks later? Remember how you had to come clean to him? Then his girlfriend pushed you into the garbage?"
I groaned. "I did deserve it though"
She chuckled. "Yeah, you did. Do you remember that time in freshman year that you and I almost got suspected for getting Jordan and Mickey in trouble? We ended up telling them that you lost your phone and someone must have made the call"
I grinned. "Yes, that was an accomplishment, wasn't it?"
"I don't regret it all" Tori said, nonchalantly.
I nodded earnestly and asked her about Aaron.
"He and I are actually having a lot of fun. We might even move in together when we start University."
I grinned cheekily. "I was expecting that. You are kind of clingy about him"
Tori snorted again. Then she started giggling. I pulled the phone away from my ear and gave it an incredulous look. In all my years of knowing Tori I had never heard her giggle after second grade.
I pulled the phone back to my ear. "Um Tori?" I asked.
"Sorry Chloe" She said breathlessly. "Aaron was just—"
"Don't lie to me child. Call me back when you aren't busy" I said.
"Hi Chloe!"Aaron shouted from the background.
"Hi Aaron" I shouted back. "I'll talk to you later Tori"
"Bye Chloe" Tori said before she hung up.
I tossed my phone back onto the floor and stretched. Then I pressed play on the remote and burrowed underneath the covers. Channing Tatum turned to face me (sort of) and I smiled contently.
()()
I awoke to banging on my door. I stumbled to my feet and opened the door, completely oblivious to my bedridden hair and sleepy face.
"Hi" Someone said, "Is this a bad time?"
I rubbed at my eyes and widened them in horror when I realised I was staring at Robin. "Umm no, I just-uh, didn't know you were coming. Do you want to come in while I get changed?"
Robin nodded and stepped in. I shut the door behind him, feeling my cheeks heat up.
"Sorry, I was just sleeping" I said.
Robin laughed. "And watching The Vow?"
I rolled my eyes. "Well you only live once"
He snorted. "I'm sure you've watched this movie more than once"
I laughed. "Twice actually"
Robin turned to look at me, and suddenly comfortable outfit of a loose big t-shirt and shorts turned uncomfortable. Oh the irony.
Robin blinked and looked away, his cheeks heating up just the slightest.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and said, "What am I getting dressed for?"
Robin looked back at me. "Touring my sister and I around"
I nodded and said, "Give me five minutes"
I grabbed my phone and walked quickly into my room, thankful I had done my laundry.
I texted Tori: robins here and he's waiting for me to tour him around. WHAT DO I WEAR?
Her response came quickly; fashion was her forte. Your cute blue t and black skinny jeans. Mascara, lip gloss and eyeliner silver.
I texted her back about my hair, and she responded by saying it should be left alone but brushed.
I flew around my room getting my outfit together. As soon as I was ready, I grabbed my wallet, phone, grey wool cardigan and purse and slipped on my converse, before running out. Robin was looking at his feet.
"I'm ready" I said, and he looked up.
"Um cool, sorry to spring this on you"
I shook my head. "It's all good"
...
It was awkward at best as we made our down the elevator. It was a big relief when his sister waved us over. Jules was quite pretty with tan skin and black hair. She reminded me of Tori, because they both had that attentive but apprehensive look about them.
"Hi I'm Chloe" I said, holding out my hand to Jules.
She gave me a smile and said, "I'm Jules. My brother mentioned how pretty you are"
I laughed, but secretly glanced at Robin; the tips of his ears and cheeks were slightly red.
"Well he probably was taking pity on my lack of grace"
She laughed. "Maybe. How long have you been in Chicago?"
"Not very long, but long enough to get a hang of this place" I explained, crossing my arms.
Jules nodded and we talked for a few minutes as we walked. She was standing in-between Robin and me. It was weird because he seemed a lot shyer than Derek.
"So how is high school treating you?" I asked.
"Oh it's boring. I think it would be much more interesting if someone let me go to the parties" She gave a pointed look at Robin, before continuing. "I'm not even allowed to go out on a date, because Robin over here won't let me talk to any of the guys that aren't in my year"
I laughed, "Trust me, you learn a lot of interesting things at those parties"
Robin scoffed. "Yeah—a lot of stupid things and you are much better off with the guys in your grade"
I found myself staring at Robin again. It was really cute that he was protective of his little sister.
Jules scowled. "Honestly Robin, it's ridiculous—thank god when you're away at Uni next year I'll be able to finally go out with someone; Mum isn't as strict as you are"
Robin chuckled darkly. "Good thing we've got Dad"
Jules scowled. "So Dad stayed quiet only because you said you wanted to handle it?"
Robin grinned. "Yeah..."
I laughed softly, bringing attention to myself.
"Was your Dad really protective of you, like my lot is?" Jules asked, glaring at Robin.
I shook my head. "He wasn't around long enough. My Aunt actually encourage my getting a boyfriend and going to parties and shopping with my friends; I much preferred staying at home watching movies"
Jules gave me a surprised look. "What did your Mum say?"
I shrugged. "I don't know. I don't think she would have minded either way. She died a long time ago, before second grade" I explained.
"Oh- I'm sorry" Jules said. I waved her off.
"Get a boyfriend you trust" I said, thinking back to Nate.
Robin scowled playfully at me. "Don't encourage her" He said, grinning. I laughed. Jules got a look on her face.
"So, Chloe are you single?" She asked.
Robin and I stopped in our tracks to give her a look. "Um" I swallowed. "Yeah, I am"
She nodded and gave a sly smile before asking me where we were going. I shot one last confused glance at Robin before we followed after her.
Interesting...
()()
We walked around, went to a park, ate at a restaurant and finally we caught a movie. It turned out that Jules and I were pretty alike, asides from the fact that she liked going to parties. She and I were both pretty clumsy and Robin had to warn us of puddles and slipper patches of grass. We also liked the same songs, and we spent a portion of the walk to the theatres singing 'We Are Young'. Robin had to move several feet away from us to avoid embarrassment. We sand even louder because of that.
I secretly think he enjoyed it.
We were walking back to my room when we decided to stop for ice cream. I offered to pay, but there was no way Robin was allowing that. My phone buzzed when he handed me the ice cream.
"Thanks" I said, taking the ice cream. "Can you, um, give me a minute?"
Robin nodded and made his way to Jules who was still deciding what to get.
I pulled out my phone and answered. "Hello?"
"Hi Chloe" the person replied, and instantly cringed; Nate.
"What do you want Nate?" I asked, sighing and licking at my ice cream.
"Chloe, I'm sorry that we didn't end things well" Nate said using a platonic voice.
I scowled. "Goodbye Nate" I hung up before walking back towards Jules and Robin.
"Who was that?" Jules said.
"A nuisance" I replied. "By the way, pick Strawberry Twist—it is pretty good"
Jules nodded and ordered.
...
We dropped Jules off in a taxi so she could go straight back to Linda's house after she and I had exchanged numbers and made plans to meet later on. Robin and I walked back to my room—this reminded me of a first date—a thought I quickly banished.
"You know you didn't have to walk me back, you could've gone with Jules" I said, amused.
Robin rolled his eyes. "She needs a few moments to herself—or she'll think I'm suffocating her. Besides, Grandmother would have murdered me if I said I didn't walk you back"
I laughed. "Linda is really nice. You're lucky to have her"
Robin nodded. "Yeah, it sucks that we're so far apart"
"I haven't met either of my grandparents" I said, hugging my cardigan closer.
"That sucks" Robin said, tucking his hands into his pockets.
I shrugged. "Maybe it does, but I've always had people to talk to, so I've never really known"
Robin and I didn't say anything until we got to my room. I opened the door and stepped in, but kept the door propped ajar against my foot.
"Thanks for touring us around" Robin said.
I gave him a smile. "It was fun"
Robin ran a hand through his hair casually. "I'll see you around then?" He asked.
I nodded, slightly disappointed with not getting his number. "Bye" I said, slowly closing the door.
"Wait" He said. "Can I have your number?"
I hid my smile before writing my number into his phone.
"Bye" Robin said, waving.
The moment he was gone, I closed the door and slid against it smiling like crazy.
Who needed red headed boys named Nate anyway?
()()
Blame the length of the chapter on my desperation to keep my mind off the fact that I found out my crush knows I like him. :'(
But I figured you guys would like this chapter. ;) I apologize in advance for any mess ups regarding accents and stuff. I'm basically relying on my British cousins for stuff regarding British accents and realistic terms. I might not get to update next week, because I'm going to be busy but I'll try to update by next Sunday.
Wish me luck with my crush and I hope you guys find this chapter intriguing!
~SurrealExistence
