A/N: HERE'S THE NEXT CHAPTERRR! :D :D

SHOUT-OUT TIMEE! :D

murry-2012: OOOH! It must have been something utterly DEVIOUS! :3 lol, what should YOUR nickname be? What about...Apocalypto? lol, jk, jk...it DOES have a cool ring to it, though...Apocalypto...you know..since 2012 is the year the world is gonna end...? Yeah, maybe I should think of a better one...Hmmm, I'll think of a new one, and then-OH! I know! Merry! Since murry sounds kinda like merry...yeah, I know I'm totally lame. So, until I think of a better one, choose between Apocalypto or Merry. Hehhehheh, both are pretty bad, but it is my personal goal to nickname every single one of my reviewers! :D Just let me know If I can do it, and if I can, THEN you can pick one of the above! :{D

AbandonAllShipsLover: Dayum, your names longgg! XD I shall, I shalll! XD Anyways, I think your nickname should be Overboard. 'Cause, ya know...abadon ship, overboard...? No...okkay...I'll try to think of a better one, but until then can I call you that? PLEASE? It would be so coooolll! :D Really, it would! XD Well, tell me if that's even OKAY, first. Then pick one of the above! :D

Jingles: HA! i have your nickname down PAT! XD did my explanation help? even a little bit? XD

bloodyXfangs: :D :D it wasss! :D I'm happehhh! XD So here's the next oneee! :D Hmmm, I think your nickname should be...The Ancient One. Lol, because vampires are all olllddd and stuff? Hmmm, maybe I should try again...What about...urg, I keep wanting to say, "Nummy Necks," but that makes almost no sense...even if i think it sounds cool...hmmm, well I'll try again at a later time. Tell me if it's okkay to call you by a nickname, and choose one of the above, until I think of better alternatives...XD

hawiiangrl: *waggles eyebrows* Doesn't he, though? XD Hmm, your nickname should totally be, like, Hula! Lol, I doubt that's even how you spell it, but oh well! XD Tell me if it;s okay to call you that! :3

Sweetie: HAH! I have your nickname, too! XD I SUCCEEDED THEN! XD lol, i updatedz! :D

Seddie: your nickanme is totally gonna be Ria. No shit, man. Wait...if anyone else calls you that, you gotta tell me so that I can get one that no one has used beforeee! :D :D Anyways, Thank you! :D :D Welllll, they KINDA are...but that'll change later on! :D :O XD REALLY? That's SO EFFING COOOOOL! XD Lol, that makes me supa happeh! :D :D :D hehhehheh, you'll seeee! XD

Chapter Three

The next day, she awoke groggy, and she felt like her body weighed twenty tons. Her alarm clock was screaming "Memories" by David Guetta. Somehow, she managed to raise her arm and turn it off. It was a herculean effort at worst, and her arm immediately fell to her side after she hit the button.

She struggled to get up, after all the numbers on her clock didn't lie, and she needed to get ready for school.

But before she could, her mind flashed to what happened last night. He had been there. In her room. He had been watching her, she knew it. However, she had no way to prove it, but her eyes didn't tell lies, just as clocks don't. He had been there, she was sure of it.

Chloe shuddered, and all the warmth seemed to seep out of her body through her feet. She clutched her arms to her chest and blew out a gusty sigh.

She wanted to throw the covers back onto her body, but she barely suppressed the urge, and got out of bed. It was even colder standing up, but the only way to get warm was to move.

Chloe shuffled around for a few minuets, just trying to get her blood pumping, before she actually started to get ready. She walked over to her closet, and picked out a pair of comfortable flared jeans, and a cute red tank top that made her brown hair look a dark auburn.

She added a little blush, slapped on her thongs, and headed downstairs. There, she saw her dad making some pancakes, and bacon.

She got up right next to him, and took a big whiff of the cooking food. It smelled really good, and her mouth started watering.

"Yum. What's cooking? It smells delicious."

"Use your eyes. I know you can see what I'm cooking. And it does smell good, doesn't it?" her dad turned around to grin at her.

Chloe made a face, then leaned in to get a better look. The bacon was sizzling and popping, and the pancakes were giving off a heavenly smell.

She sighed happily. "You always did make the best bacon around. Make sure mine are especially crispy. You know how I like 'em, dad.". She threw a smile over her shoulder, and headed over to where Jesse was sitting at the table.

She ruffled his hair affectionately, and he swatted her hand away, a frown marring his adorable little face. After she a had walked a few feet away, he turned back to look at his food. He picked up his fork and twirled it through his syrup.

She sat down next to him, and tried to look at his face, but she twisted it away.

"What's a matter, Jesse? Why are you so sullen today?"

He gave me a confused look, and Chloe smiled nicely. "Sullen, like down in the dumps, or sad."

"Oh," was all that he said. Chloe gave him a glance that said, "Tell me, or I'll annoy you until you tell me."

He pouted again, and turned back to playing with his food. He did that for a few more minuets, then Chloe heard his fork clatter to the plate. She looked up from the helping of bacon and pancakes that she had gotten, and looked at her little brother.

He looked sad, and then started to speak. "I just really don't want to go to school today. We have a big test today, and I don't wanna take it."

She gave him a reproachful look as she said, "Running away from something doesn't make it better. Just go today and do your best, okay?"

He looked a little better, but he was still pouting rather aggressively. "Fine, but I still don't wanna take it."

Chloe laughed. "No one does, sweetie. Just do your best, and when you get a great grade, you can come home bragging about it to everybody. And if you don't, I'll share something with you."

His eyes immediately lit up, and he looked happier. "Okay! I can do that!"

Then he jumped up from his chair, and grabbed his backpack, then ran over to their dad. "Hurry up and eat, daddy! I wanna go to school! I have to go take a test!" His eyes had dimmed a little after that last sentence, but they started to glow again, almost immediately.

Their dad laughed, as she hugged the little boy with a determined fire in his eyes.

Jesse bounced impatiently and incessantly until we were all ready to go to school. He ran to the car, and Chloe followed suit, hopping into the front seat. Their dad took a couple more seconds than the rest of them, and when he got into the car and revved the engine Jesse stopped bouncing, and shot their dad a happy glance. He relaxed into the cushy car seat, and some of the hyperness settled down.

Soon, they dropped him off at his school, and then their dad dropped Sierra off at hers. She waved goodbye as her dad drove off, and she walked up to the demure building that was her school. She strode through the double doors, and walked right into Mila.

"M-M-M-Mila! What's up?" Chloe sang.

"Hey! Not much what about you?" Mila was a long-time friend of Chloe's, and they were almost complete opposites. She friend was short, lean, and had blonde hair blue eyes. Mila, on the other hand had a sturdy, tall frame, with brown hair, which shined auburn in the sunlight. Mila was a boy-crazed preppy kind of girl, and Chloe was more of the bookish type.

Even still, they were the best of friends, they balanced each other out perfectly, and whenever someone inquired about their somewhat odd relationship, in unison they'd chime, "Opposites attract, dearie."

Arm-in-arm, they walked to their respective lockers, and gathered their things. Just then Mila leaned into Chloe.

"There he is! Derek, the sexy transfer student! Oh, what I wouldn't give for—"

"Okay, Mila! Nobody wants to hear you finish the rest of that sentence. Besides, I don't really get all the hype about him. Yeah, he's a transfer student, and yeah, he's kind of cute, but still!"

Mila gave her a long-suffering stare. "Your hormones just haven't kicked in yet, but when they do—"

"Jesus, Mila! What do you not understand about the word shut-up? I was trying to be nice about it and everything. Ugh. Spare me. Besides, he's kind of an arse."

Mila whirled around, quicker than lightening. "How do you know what he's like? Where did you meet him? Where, Chloe! This is important to the girly-girl that lives within me."

Chloe rolled her eyes exaggeratedly at her friend. "Tell you later. Besides, if you don't look now, he'll be gone from sight."

Mila whipped around again, just in time to watch him walk pass. Chloe didn't know what to expect, really. Maybe a courteous nod of the head, a little bit of eye contact. Hell, she'd even take a non-committal shrug in her direction. Just something to show that he'd acknowledged her presence. Even just enough to make Mila crazy jealous. She sighed.

I've more watched more than enough movies with that happening. Maybe I'm confusing reality with fantasy. She thought drearily.

She closed her eyes for a second to clear her head, and when she opened them again, Mila was right in her face. "Now. Tell me now, or I will be forced to take drastic measures."

"Mila!" she moaned. "Why now? Can't it wait for later? Homeroom is about to start!"

Mila glanced surreptitiously around. "Hm, saved by the bell. Just know my fragile patience is waning rather quickly. I will be back." she said, shoving a polished finger into her chest. Mila threw one last sharp glare at Chloe, and she waved goodbye, smiling.

Chloe huffed out a breath, when she bumped into a black-clad chest. She stood there for a surprised moment, then looked up.

Derek smiled childishly. Chloe scowled and pushed him back a couple of steps. "D-don't you know the meaning of p-personal space?" Chloe asked scathingly.

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Hm, can't say that I do. Would you mind teaching me?" He said stepping close to her again. She shot him a disgusted look, and stepped back.

"You know, you're going to be late for homeroom. And, unlike you, I like to be on-time for things."

He smirked, and as she walked away, he felt his gaze like it was a tangible thing. Then, a stroke found it's way in between her shoulder blades, and stopped right in the middle of her tattoo.

She froze, and the finger, pulled away. Then she felt warm breath on her neck. "Play nice. After all, I wouldn't want a sweet little thing like you to get hurt. If you don't want to get beat up, by my 'friends', then you'll do what I say.

"Don't believe me? I don't want to know what would happen if they got their hands on you. They are the scum of the town, and I wouldn't want you to get dirty." He whispered the words in her ears, and they were for her ears alone. He pulled back, and she still stood there, rooted to the floor.

"Is th-that a threat?" Chloe asked quietly.

"Unfortunate as this may be, I can guarantee you that it's a fact. When you meet me at the mall, I will explain what I can and want, and will tell you what will happen. Understood?"

Chloe was shaking, it was partly fear, but it was mostly from anger. Does he think he can just order me around like that? Well, I'll set a few terms or myself, as well.

She whirled around, and found the hallway empty. She felt a little scowl grow on her face. Then the bell rang. Chloe moaned, and ran through the hallways, trying her best to salvage the tattered remains of her happiness.

By lunch, Chloe had her good mood restored, and she was walking along with Amber, when an unseen force dragged her into the girls' restroom.

"You will tell me now! No more excuses! Oh, and by the way, I saw your little escapade with him, this morning."

"Um, first of all, I think the word escapade was used wrong, and secondly, I need to defend myself! Give me a chance to explain!" Chloe gave her friend a look that said, I know you're probably mad at me, but please let me give you my piece!

Her friend grinned evilly. "I never said I was mad at you. I just want some answers, and you've been avoiding me all day. Don't think I can't tell! Anyways, I need answers. I mean, you're my good buddy and all, and yet you won't tell me what's goin' on with you and the transfer student! C'mon! It can't really be that bad!" Mila said with a grin.

Oh, if only you knew, Chloe thought ruefully. "Well, I met him at an ice cream shop, when I was taking Jesse out for some ice cream as a reward. Anyways, so we get there, and he's hanging out with a bunch of gangster-wannabes. They're leering at me, and after we got our ice cream and sat down, he walked up to me, acting cocky as hell. He was acting . . . so grossly and rudely. So I tell him off, and as we're about to walk out, he grabs me and shoves a piece of paper into my hands.

"I left as quickly as I could, and didn't look at the paper until we got home. I unfolded it and it said to call him so that he could explain everything to me. So I texted him, oh, and I put him as Damien in my contacts list, and so he coerced me into meeting him at the mall after school today. Happy, now?"

"Yeah, he is kind of an arse. But hey, at least he aint' an eyesore." Mila said.

"Yeah, I guess...," Chloe grumbled.

When Chloe looked up, Mila was smirking, looking triumphant. "What? Did I do something?" Chloe asked self-consciously.

"Nope," Mila said as she walked away.

"Mila! You can't just walk away from me what a smug expression!" Mila only giggled, and walked through the cafeteria doors.

"Mila!" Chloe yelled. Mila either was ignoring her, or didn't hear her, because she didn't react in the slightest.

Chloe grudgingly gave up the chase, and walked for the lunch line. She craned her head, trying to find a friend to talk to. She found Amber, and skipped jauntily up to her.

"Sorry about Mila. You know how she is when she wants an answer to something." Chloe gave her friend a small smile.

"Nah, it's okay, I know how she can get sometimes. Once, she wanted me to tell her something, and I made her wait for a couple of hours, and when she next saw me, she practically cornered me. I look back at it now and laugh, but then it was more than a little bit scary."

Chloe ginned, and patted her friend reassuringly on the back. "Don't worry, we've all been on the wrong side of Mila's curiosity. I shudder to think of what might happen if someone waited longer than a day to tell her something."

Amber's eyes widened in horror as she pictured what might happen. "Oh my god! She would probably go on a stakeout, and the moment the unfortunate soul who withheld information came into sight, she would tackle them. After several moments of awkward silence, she would probably demand answers. I can see it now: Girl Attacks Friend for Unidentifiable Reasons, read more on page twelve."

They both laughed, and after a while walked out of the kitchen area, with food in hand. They chattered on about menial things, and when they found Mila again she was sitting and talking with Brent, her boyfriend. Really, he had been both of their friends for quite a while, and they had both liked each other, so it was natural for them to start dating. The best part was that it didn't muddle their friendship.

"Hey, Brent!" Chloe said. "Watch out, Mila's got her eyes on 'Derek, the sexy transfer student', which is a direct quote, might I add." Brent gazed over at Mila who held her nose in the air.

"Hmph. Well, you can't blame me for telling the truth, but just know, Brent, honey, that I have eyes only for you. I was trying to get Chloe Introvert to admit that he was cute, too. I mean seriously, Chloe, you have almost no interaction with the opposite sex. But, I can see the types of books you read, you know. You want it bad." Mila was smirking by the end of her impromptu speech, and Chloe was blushing furiously.

"So? There's nothing wrong with that," she said defensively.

"Now she's acting defensive. That's a sure sign."

"I am not acting defensive!"

"Sure," Mila drew the word out. "Maybe you're just in denial. There's that option, too."

Chloe blushed again, and hastily sat down.

"Jesus," breathed Brent. "When you guys go, you don't beat around the bush." He clapped at them, and they both shot him a tiny glare. Chloe and Mila locked glances, then looked up at the shocked Amber.

"Chloe," she said astonished. "The hell kind of books do you read?"

"Uh," Amber and Brent were both looking at her, expecting answers, and she blushed again. "Um, it's not that important. Hey, why don't you sit down Amber, it looks a little uncomfortable standing like that, when we're all sitting down," she said to quickly change the subject.

She sat down hesitantly, still staring at Mila with wide, surprised eyes.

"Well, I'll tell you one thing, they're all romances. Ranging from very adult, to regular teenage-ery things. Most of them are in the middle, though."

"Oh, shut-up, Mila. I can also see what you read. It's not like you try to hide it, either."

Brief embarrassment flashed over her face. "Psh, I'm not going to deny it, though. Besides, those books have amazing plots and ideas, even without romance-y things goin' on."

Chloe harrumphed, and went back to eating. After a few seconds of silence, they all burst out laughing hysterically. Only after a few tears were shed, and a couple stitches came to their sides, did they stop.

"Oh, my god, Amber! You should have seen your face! 'The hell kinds of books you read?'" Mila mocked badly.

"Oh, and it's not like you didn't have a face when I told them about your books!" Chloe managed through another fit of giggles. "No matter how brief it was, it was still there, and let me tell you, it was priceless."

"Oh, ho, ho!" Brady called out. "Says the queen of tomato faces."

Chloe mock scowled. "If you weren't Mila's boyfriend, and our long-time friend, you would be slapped right now."

He gave her a hurt face, and then they were both subject of their laughter again. They calmed back down a few seconds later, and soon they were joined by the rest of their lunch crowd. They retold most of the fight, leaving out most of the embarrassing parts, and imitating each other badly. It was fun to say the least.

That is until she looked across the cafeteria to gaze out of the windows.

Her gaze faltered about three quarters of the way to the window, and she locked gazes with Derek. She blinked, surprised for a moment, then she scowled, and shot him an extremely hostile glare. He laughed and looked away, and she felt her cheeks redden again.

Sourly, her good mood ruined by him, again, she turned back to her lunch. Mila saw the change in her friends face immediately. She reached out to touch Chloe's hand, tentatively, and squeezed. When Chloe looked up, Mila mouthed, What's wrong?

Chloe flicked a glance over behind Mila, and as inconspicuously as possible, she turned to see who had brought Chloe's mood down. When her eyes landed on Derek, she glanced sharply back at Chloe.

What did he do? She mouthed.

Chloe shrugged. He was staring at me funny.

Mila's gaze narrowed dangerously. When can I kick his ass?

Chloe shifted uncomfortably, and shrugged, again. After I figure something out.

Mila looked concerned for a moment, and was about to protest, but the look Chloe was giving her made her keep quiet. It was the look of someone who wanted something desperately, and Mila knew that is she did something, it might ruin it.

She sighed, and mouthed, fine.

Chloe smiled slightly, and then went back to eating her food. She looked fine, or, well, mostly fine, on the outside, but really, she was having a minor freak-out.

Oh, god! What is he going to do to me after school? Why the hell did I agree in the first place? What the hell is going on with me?

She was about to start pulling her hair out by the roots, and if someone didn't come up with a distraction, she was frightened that she actually would. Her breath flew out, and then janitors came in with the trash-cans, signaling the end of lunch. Chloe sat there for longer than necessary, just to make sure that he wasn't there, where she could accidentally run into him. She snuck a covert glance around, and when she was almost positive that he wasn't anywhere near, she got up to throw her lunch away.

Chloe felt a prickling sensation on the back of her neck, and she knew that he was behind her. She quickly turned, just to see a guy that she didn't know. Derek wasn't in sight. She took a deep breath, and tried to relax.

You're just being paranoid He's not here, and he won't magically appear behind me, either, she thought.

As she dumped her lunch into the trash, she saw a dark silhouette out of the corner of her eye. She blinked and it was gone, but that didn't stop her from double checking, just to make certain.

Chloe left the cafeteria in a paranoid fashion, and jumped at even the slightest noise. She speed-walked to her locker, and grabbed things for her next class. Where could he possibly catch her by surprise? She didn't share any classes with him, so she was safe on that front. That left only the hallways and lunch, where he could intercept her. And, if she was being honest with herself, she would admit that she was contemplating not showing up at the meeting after school.

However, the insatiable curiosity that was housed within her, insisted that she meet up with him. What had happened. What was on her back, and what was with him last night. If that really had been him in her room last night. She shivered involuntarily, and cast a furtive glance at the clogged hallway, full of buzzing students. When she was certain that his face wasn't hiding anywhere, she started the long trip to her biology classroom. She expertly maneuvered herself through the crowd of bustling students, and darted through the hallways, glancing over her shoulder repeatedly, just to make sure that he wasn't behind her.

Biology is safe, she reasoned. Mila was there, so she could talk to her, and ignore everyone else. Maybe she could even temporarily forget about her rendezvous with him after school.

As she passed through the threshold into the classroom, she instantly felt safer. She sidled down in her usual seat, and started to arrange her supplies. She got out her homework, and a pencil, and checked the board to see if there was anything to do.

They were studying the animal kingdom, and the warm-up was to name, from broadest to most specific, the classification chart. Chloe sighed, and got out a sheet of college-ruled paper.

Okay, Kingdom, Phylum, Genus...wait, no. Isn't there something in between those? What was it again...?

Then she heard the teacher make a startled noise. "What are you doing here," the teacher asked with a puzzled tone.

She heard an all-to-familiar deep rumble, and she froze. "Yeah, I had a schedule-change. We just needed to rearrange a few things," said Derek.

Chloe stiffened instantly, her pencil poised above her scratched out answer.

Don't look up, don't look up, she chanted, praying that Mila would walk in soon. And, if her white-knuckled grip on her pencil wasn't an indication, she was angry and scared. But, scared of what she wasn't quite sure of. The predatory grace with which he moved, and the disturbing glint in his eyes were a little intimidating, sure, but she wasn't afraid of it. Aesthetically, he was creepy and domineering, but not scary.

He oozes danger, her subconscious said, if flows off of him, you would have to be blind not to see it. And, it was true, danger dripped off of his skin, showed itself in his gait, and gleamed in his face. She watched him, cautiously, from under the cover of her eyelashes, and saw him sit in the seat directly in front of her.

She shifted uncomfortably, and refocused on the work in front of her. She wracked her brain for the thing that was eluding her, and after a couple of minuets, she gave up. Frustrated at herself, she sat up straight in her chair, and saw that Mila was walking in. She strutted into the room, with a self-satisfied expression on her face. She had a little skip in her step, and she smiled at Chloe, and she was about to wave at her when she saw Derek. The smile slid into a grimace, and her half-raised hand dropped limply to her side.

Derek sat up, and Chloe saw him wave jauntily at Mila. Mila watched him warily, and moved to sit next to Chloe. After she sat down, Chloe heard a quiet rumble, and looked up to see Dereks's chest shake. He was laughing at Mila! Oh, this guy had some nerves.

He shook his head while he laughed, making him look disappointed, for some reason. She saw the gleam of his white teeth, and she concluded that he was smiling, too. So it wasn't some kind of weird deprecating humor.

He stopped his head, which was still to the side, and one piercing green eye watched her. He was still smiling, and he looked like a lion about to devour his prey.

Chloe shot him a little glare, and then class started. She was relieved to be taking notes, and not having time to think, for maybe the first time. She didn't want to think, thinking was making her nervous. She didn't want to think about what was going to go down after school today. Not until it was time, anyways.

The rest of the class was spent taking mind numbing notes, something she welcomed with open arms. As soon as class was over, she and Mila bolted for the door.

"I have officially decided that he is a freaking nut job. A very sexy one, though," Mila said.

"How did you come to that conclusion, my dear?" Chloe asked innocently.

"He's a creeper. He was leering at you, in a very creepy manor, and he has creepy eyes, and a creepy smile, and he's just creepy. Did I mention that he's creepy?"

Chloe laughed. "Yup, at least five times, too. Maybe more."

"So. It's the end of school. I have pieced together, that you have plans today. Am I right?"

Chloe shuddered for effect. "Yeah, I do. I'll text you later, okay?"

Mila looked worried for a second, then she smiled. "'Kay! Just don't forget!" She skipped away, going for her locker, and leaving Chloe alone. She maneuvered her way through the halls, and when she got to her locker, she was kind of angry. She was angry at Derek, and angry at herself for getting into this mess.

I knew I shouldn't have opened that stupid note! Stupid curiosity. It's going to be the death of me, I know it. She was mechanically putting her stuff in her locker, and reaching for her backpack. She was still fuming as she got to her bus. A hand tapped her shoulder.

"I noticed you don't have a ride. Mind if I give you a lift?"

She stiffened instantly. "Derek, I don't trust you to drive me to where we agreed. Leave me alone."

"Aw, but you promised after school. It's after school now, and I felt like offering you some help. Why won't you take it?"

She spun around. "Because I don't trust you. Get it through your Neanderthal skull."

He leaned in close to her again. "Do what I say. They're watching us."

Chloe froze. "W-w-who is wa-watching us?

His breath tickled her ear. "The boys, of course. And I promised them something. Something that not only benefits me, but will probably save your innocence. Come with me, or you might risk something bad happening."

"Wh-wh-what did y-you t-t-t-tell them?" Chloe asked with alarm.

"I'll tell you when you're in the gaddamned car where it's safe."

He grabbed her arm, and she suddenly felt compelled to follow him. She wanted to, in fact. After all, it's not like he would hurt her.

He lightly pulled on her arm, and she followed him, without any resistance. He opened the door to his car, and she got in. After he got in and started the engine, she felt like someone had slapped her.

"What the hell did you just do to me?" she spat.

He smiled.

A/N: You know what would make me SUPER happy? It would be if you clicked that REALLY inviting, big review button! I am a review junkie, no joke. I thrive on that shizz, man! XD

~Sammi :D