Hey peeps. So, Chlerek? More than alittle right? I hope I stuck to the characters enough for all of you. lol Vero ur email made me laugh. You kind of sounded like you thought I was some creeper. I promise I'm not. I make a lot of effort to get back to each and every person who reviews, faves, and alerts my writing. Just wanted to say thanks, honestly that was my only intent.

Summer: again, couldn't reply to your review. Thanks again! so impatient lol maybe I'll type reeeaaallllyyyy slloooowwwwllllyyyy..... lol no I wont. XD

Wow, I'm almost up to 30 reviews! That makes me so happy, you have no idea. More thanks to!!!::: EmoTacoFilling, SarcasticBookLover23, Sydney The Great, TennisPriness09, xxWARxx, dimitriandrosehathaway, xXGhOstXx, Summer, BMX2, CrimsonFury73, and Leah Hunter for all the reviwes, all the faves, all the alerts, all the luv! u guys are awesome.

Well, this chapter may look ike another filler, but it's more character development. I want to tie up a few loose ends. and cause some more awkwardness. And once I get into some of this other stuff I have planned big Chlerek moments and character interaction like this won't be too great. I'll have my focus shifted. So just go with it for the time being. plus it's fun to write all these crazy things. Since i'm having so much fun writing it, I;m going to get right to it.

Knight in Shining Armor

Chapter 7

I managed to evade Tori and Xavier's questions for all of 5 minutes. Xavier had found us, like I expected he would, and had blabbed to Tori, which would have been a given. After stringing plenty of lies and still getting nowhere, I cracked and told them the simple and less exciting than they wanted to hear truth. I knew that it would would come back to shoot me in the foot, and from the evil looks on their faces they did too. Finally Xavier snapped, and hit Tori, and she asked for the both of them.

"So, do you... you know... like him yet?" she whispered excitedly.

"I don't know... and I'm still dealing with Simon I'm going to take one thing at a time." I replied.

What happened with Simon?! Xavier wrote. he tapped the board to gte out attention.

"He kissed her." Tori replied. "last night."

"On the cheek. But he keeps holding my hand and stuff... and I just don't want that." I said, trying to hold off more interrogation.

Why didn't I know about this???

"You had left to recharge."

You don't need to make it sound like I'm some battery...

"Hey guys. You up?" Simon asked, poking his head in the door with his eyes covered.

"We've been up for a while." Tori replied. "And decent."

"You can come in you know." I said, smiling. I went and sat next to Tori. Simon came and sat next to me, taking my hand.

"Do you know where Derek is? He wasn't there when I woke up." He asked.

"I was downstairs earlier. He went out for a run." I said, not missing a beat. Not stuttering in those two sentences was a good achievment.

"Ok. Anyone for breakfast? I wanna talk. All of us." Simon said, smiling at me.

"I'm not too hungry. And I'm comfy." Tori said, burrowing further into her blankets. My bed was still stripped.

"Ok. well, do you mind if we talk here?"

"Nope. What about Derek? He went out for a run, has he come back?" I asked before Simon got around to wondering where his brother was.

"I figurd he was downstairs. I guess he's still gone. We can catch him up later. Anyways, I was thinking of gettng out of this house for a day. Maybe go to a pool or something. Then go out for dinner?" Simon asked. Tori looked like she had just seen stars.

"Go out? Yes! That'd be great I'm so sick of being stuck here all day, every day! This is worse than Lyle house!" she said excitedly, dancing on the pillows.

Can I go too? People watching. At a pool. At least I'll have eye candy... hopefully.

"Xavier has to come. And Liz! You guys can hang out!" Tori said, ideas flowing through her head.

I have been waiting to be introduced to Liz. Unless you were never going to, Chloe.

"I planned on introducing you to Liz, Xavier. Of course. I like the idea. I have my swim suit. I wasn't sure where we'd be going. And we can just take some towels." I said, rolling my eyes at the ghost boy.

"I have mine." Tori said, calming down a little.

"Me too. I don't know about Derek, but I don't think he'll go swimming anyways. What about dinner?" Simon asked.

"What about dinner?"Derek asked, suddenly appearing in the doorway. I jumped, and started falling backwards off the bed. Xavier grabbed my arms and pulled me back up. "Will that ever stop?"

"I can't help it! Thank you Xavier."

No worries, delicious. He wrote. He smiled at me, and laughed. Don't call you that either, huh?

"You got it. Don't call me that."

"What were you talking about?" Derek asked, sitting on the bed on the other side of me. I ignored Tori's glance.

"A little day trip. Instead of staying here the whole time. Then maybe go out for dinner too." Simon said. "You went out early, though, maybe you want to stay here? We can go another day."

"No, I'm fine. Just had some energy to burn. Did I hear something about a pool?"

"Yeah. Theres one a few blocks away. We can walk. it opened yesterday. It's supposed to be a good sized pool, like 11 feet deep at the deep end. I looked it up online." Simon smiled at his brother. "Deep enough for you, even."

"yeah. I'll pass on swimming. we can still go, if you want to."

"Ok. What do we want to do for dinner?" Tori asked. "Do we have the money, Chloe?"

"Yeah. I know what I want, but what do you guys want?" I replied, looking at each of them. I 'accidentally' knocked a strand of hair into my eyes, and pulled my hand away from Simon's to fix it. I put my hands back in my lap, so he couldn't get back to them.

"You want Italian. I'm fine with that." Simon said, putting his arm on my waist now. I tensed, thinking of Derek's arm being there last. Why wouldn't he get the hint that I didn't want him touching me?

"Ooh, that does sound good. Pasta..." Tori said, thinking about it. "Yeah thats what I want."

"What about you?" I asked, looking at Derek. His eyes met mine, and I felt my face flush. "W-what do you want?"

"I'm fine with Italian."

I can't eat but Italian sounds good! Xavier wrote. I smiled at him.

"Ok then. Sounds good. I'll look up a place nearby. When do we want to go swimming?" Simon asked. he seemed to really enjoy planning this outting.

"I can be ready in an hour. Time to grab some food and get ready?" I asked.

"I can try to be ready by then." Tori said.

"I know derek and I won't take that long. But let's say around noon?"Simon checked.

"Sure." I replied, wishing he'd leave.

"I'm gonna go look that stuff up now, ok? I'll see you later. He kissed my cheek and left.

"Derek I think you're brother might be getting stupider." I muttered, wiping away the kiss.

Do you want me to talk to him?

"Could you? I don't know what to do. Maybe later. I don't want to deal with all the drama today." I said.

So you want to deal with him being like that all day? How are you supposed to flirt? We're going to a pool I'm going to help you flirt! Please, let me fix this? He begged.

"Fine... You have a point. Go. Tell me when it's safe to talk to him."

No prob. I have a feeling I won't see you until it's time to go. So, see you later sexy ladies. And gentleman. Dress sexy for me girls I need some good eye candy. He wrote. "So does Derek, Chloe." He knocked before I had the chance to protest his language about me.

"Well, I'd better go too. You guys can spend your time getting ready. see you." Derek said, getting off the bed. He left as quietly as he came in. I looked at the clock, and found that it was 10:30. That gave me an hour and a half to get ready and eat. It sounded good to me.

"I call the shower first." I said, getting up and rushing to it.

"Chloe!"

....

I tied my hair into a pony tail and slipped my feet into my shoes. I ran downstairs. My jacket was on the back of a chair, and I wanted to try and get past Simon and Derek before they saw my swimsuit. I knew I had a two piece swimsuit with me, but I never realized which one had been packed. My aunt had thrown in my red one that was basically a bikini top and little shorts. That my friends had bought me becuase they had decided it was time I got a boyfriend. I never even worn it before now. I never shared my size with anyone again. I yanked my jacket over the skimpy top and zipped it up.

"Why'd you run down here so fast?" Derek asked.

"N-n-no reason. Excited." I stutteres, not looking into his his eyes.

"Covering up your swimsuit?" he asked. "You ran right past me."

"I didn't buy it. My friends did. My aunt packed it, I didn't." I said, jumping to self defense.

"I didn't say anything."

"You were thinking it. So, how'd it go with Simon and Xavier?" he asked, sitting down.

"I don't know. Have you talked to Simon?"

"He seemed fine, if thats what you were wondering."

"Ok. good. Did he say anything to you?" I asked.

"Just that he feels stupid."

"Ok. Well he should."

"Hey. Chloe, let me see your swimsuit!" Tori said, jumping on me.

"You guys have been getting along really well lately." Derek said.

"Yeah. Being room mates kind of changed things. And Xavier kinda talked to me. And after Chloe helped me with... my new maternal issues, I decided I should probably be a litte nicer. Plus Xavier bugs me if i'm mean." She said. "So I just annoy her now."

"It's a step up." I smiled. "And no, I'm not. I didn't realize which one it was..." I said, my face turning red.

'It's a bikini." Derek said. I turned quickly to face him, angry.

"Oh, so you showed Wolfie? I see what's happening." She said, smiling and winking at me. "Good job Derek."

"No, Tori, that's not what happened!" I snapped.

"I know, Chloe. Jeez. You know I'm just making fun of you." she said.

I walked down the hall to the linen closet in the laundry room. I took down four towels, in case Derek changed his mind about swimming. I left with a pile of towels under my arm, and a new clean duffle bag to put them in. I set them down and began filling the bag, when Simon sat down next to me.

"So, Xavier talked to me..." he said.

"You get straight to the heart of things... Yeah... I'm sorry I couldn't do it... I don't want to be mean but I just don't want that from you and it's really awkward..." I said, not meetig his gaze.

"i know. I probably should have asked... before doing all that, I mean. Basically all I did was make myself look stupid." he said, smiling slightly.

"I'm sorry, but you kind of did." I smiled too.

"You want me to take that?"

"I got it. Oh, Tori found a mini speaker system so bring your mp3 if you want." I said, standing up. He took the bag from my hands and walked away, getting his music and Derek's from their room. "Are you ready to go?" he asked.

"yeah. Now that I have towels I am."

"Good. Lets go."

We head back together, and all of us left. I searched for Xavier's spirit, and gave hima good hard tug. He appeared next to me.

"We're leaving now?" he asked.

"Does it look like we've left?" I joked.

"Yeah. Call that Liz girl. I want someone I can actually talk to."

"Fine, give me a moment."

I searched for Liz, called out for her, and felt a small bit of energy come towards me. I grabbed her arm and pulled her over. I saw her standing in front of me, and she smiled.

"Hi Chloe! ...Who's he?" she asked, noticing Xavier staring at her.

"Liz, that's Xavier. He's.... he's a ghost too." I said, opting not to call him 'dead'. Something about it seemed wrong to me.

"Hey..." he said, holding out his hand. She took it and shook it happily.

"Hi! I'm Liz."

"Xavier..." he stared at his hand. "Oh.. sorry. I'm not used to..."

"It's ok." she said. "First for me too. Not many ghosts you know, since I'm staying here for Chloe and Tori." she smiled at him. He smiled back, kind of awe struck that he was meeting someone that could touch him instead of passing right through him.

"Well don't just stare at her like that. You'll scare her away." I laughed. "Jeez Xavier I thought you were giving me flirting advice. You guys go ahead you don't have to stay here."

"Thanks. You wanna go?" xavier asked. he offered his hand again. She took it, blushing.

"We'll stay close so if you want us you can call us easily." Liz said. Then they vanished. I told Tori Derek and Simon, and they all left.

"I told you they'd be cute." Tori said.

We talked together as we walked the rest of the way to the pool. When we were'nt on the run for our lives or being pestered constantly by scary corrupted nurses, we actually got along pretty well. We goofed off, an activity that is a lot of fun when you don't have a chance to do it a lot. Letting go was something all of us needed desperately. When we got to the ppol I went into the bathroom to take off my clothes. I still wasn't comfortable with my swimsuit. I went back out wrapped in my towel, and they just stared and smiled at me. Tori had a very evil smirk on her face.

"Chloe. Lose the towel. Now. Or I will tackle you and take it from you." she said.

"No... Tori come on." I whined, tightening it around me.

"I will go much farther than tackling you if you don't drop it now." she said.

"You wouldn't dare. Not here." I said, looking around at all the people.

"You have to the count of three... 1..." she started, fingers already crackling with energy.

"No, Tori, no!" I started.

"2..... Come on Chloe.... 2.5..."

"Fine! Fine! I will!" I said, stepping over the bench. I put the towel down over the bench beside me and dropped my head into my arms.

"Now stand up. We won't make fun of you, we promise." Simon said.

"Do I have to?" I asked.

"If you plan on getting in the pool at some point in time you will. Might as well do it now." Tori said, poking me in the sides. I jumped.

"Ok." I stood up, my body looking pale compared to my bright red swimsuit that was far too skimpy for me to feel comfortable in, which also was just a few shades darker than my hair. Strange how that worked out. Simon and Derek both stared, and Tori was smiling. The pen started writing on the paper we brought specifically for Xavier to use.

good job picking something sexy, Chloe. -Xavier

"Did he really have to write his name? And I look so... so..." I stammered, tryng to think of a word.

"You can't look slutty you don't have enough to look slutty with." Tori said, studying me.

I looked at her, a little taken back. "Wow, thanks for noticing!" I retorted.

"You're welcome. Let's get in the pool. Come on. You're in a swimsuit for two reasons. Go get in the pool and use the first reason!" She said, pushing me.

"I can do this on my own!" I yelled, and turned to push her in. She shrieked as she hit the water. I jumped in after her.

............DP.......

"You're not going to go in?" Derek asked.

"Are you sure? I can hang out here with you. I don't mind."

"No, go."

"If you decide you want to join us, I packed you a suit. Just come find us, ok?" Simon said, getting up. He went and jumped into the pool. Derek put his music into the speaker and lsitened, while watching Simon, Tori, and especially Chloe play in the water. Eventually his eyes drifted shut and he started to catch up on several hours of sleep he'd missed from the change and from being close to Chloe.

...........DP.......

I got out of the pool after a few hours of messing around, drowning each oher several times, getting jumped on, and yelled at by the life guard three times. Mostly for stuff Simon did. I sat next to Derek, who was asleep leaning against the wall. I dripped some water on his face, waking him up. He blinked and looked at me. He seemed a little startled since I was wet, and probably because in as little clothing as I would ever let anyone ever see me in again, and sat up.

"Hey. Taking a break?" he asked. He paused the music.

"Yeah. I need one." I replied, pulling over my towel. I squeezed my pnytail dry and began drying off my arms. I then sat on it.

"How long was I out?"

"We've been here for three hours."

"Oh. wow. Well I missed all of it. Having fun?"

"Yeah. Have a good nap?"

"yeah."

"You really should get in. Come on, it'll be fun." I said, pulling on his arm.

"No, I'm good here. Really."

"You look so lonely. I'm staying here until you get in the pool."

"That's not going to change my mind."

"Then I guess I'm done for the day."

Aw hey guys takin a lil break?

"Yep. Derek won't get in the pool. So I came to talk to him." I said, leaning towards him.

Well I had a song I wanted to play. It's on Tori's mp3. plug it in. I did, and he started pressing buttons. I looked at the song he'd chosen- stuttering, by the friday night boys.

"Very funny." I siad, rolling my eyes. I reached to change it. he slapped my hand.

No no no, Chloe. Just because you dressed sexy doesn't mean you get any leeway in this. Don't touch that nob. You think it's just about your stuttering? Listen.

And I did. The owrds turned my face so red I swear my temperature must have gone up five degrees. You walk into the room and I, I-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i, I wanna tell you, tell you, but I just can't speak. This shouldn't be so dificult, why-y-y, why-y-y-y-y-y? Tell me why, I see you and I just cant breathe.

My heartbeat almost stopped. Dammit, Xavier, why now? When I'm embarrassed enough? I scribbled down on the paper, causing a glance from Derek, What the hell? Why are you trying to embarrass me?

Xavier appeared, looking over my shoulder, reading. "You've got to be embarrassed for a reason, sweetie. Just tell me why, and I'll let you turn the song off."

Because...

I can never be myself, How can I when I'm stuck in hell? Stutterin, stutterin, stuttereh-ing, stutterin, stuttering, stuttereh-ing. Wanna tell you how I feel inside, but every time I go and try, mutterin, mutterin, muttereh-ing, stutterin, stutterin, stuttereh-ing. Don't leave I know I effed it up, Thats my luck, thats just my lu-uh-uhck. Here I go, here I go and do it again...

What do you want from me?

"You know what I want from you. You don't have to tell my anything, I'm just trying you to wake up and tell yourself the truth. You like him, and thats ok, sweetie."

I don't know if I do. Why can't you just leave me alone? I'll figure it out on my own.

"You won't get anywhere that way. but if you insist. But I really do like this song. Funny how you reacted the way you did?" Then he vanished, and I was embarrassed, cold, questioning, excited, nervous, and furious all at the same time. And it wasn't fun with derek sitting right behind me, probably with an answer I don't have myself yet in his super- genius head.

"I'm going to take a shower. Get rid of all this chlorine." I said, getting up fast.

"Ok."

I heard a few more lyrics as I stepped into the bathroom. The very thing that I need, look at how you get to me...

Dammit, Xavier. Look at what you're making Derek do to me.

-----

"Look Liam. It's the pup." Ramon said, loking over the wall surrounding the pool area.

"And the girl... In a nice little red bikini. I wonder if he's made her his mate yet." Liam said, staring.

"We can follow them back to wherever they're staying, right?" Ramon asked.

"Oh yes we will. Just know who we're going to get first if we want this to work at all."

The werewolves grinned at each other, then walked away to watch the exit for the werewolf and his mate.


wow, that thing was looooooong! Thats why I'm posting at like, 11. Sorry about any mistakes, I've still got some homework and no time to fix them. As you can see, things are getting serious. Liam and Ramon showed up, which means my main fun with pushing Chloe and Derek together is over. And everyone gets along, and Liz and Xavier have met, and this huge long checklist I had of things that must be in before I get to the really serious stuff is basically all in this chapter. sorry, I couldn't help embarrassing the crap out of Chloe with a bikini. I needed to. this thing is well over 4000 words, so I'm gonna wrap this up nice and short. I'll be posting again tomorrow, with one big prank for april fools day. so look for that one.

Sorry if this goes waaay off, even more than I think the last one did. I just had so much I had to stuff in there. Next chapter starts getting serious again.

Drop a review, let me have it cuz thing is waay longer than I thought it'd be. But everything will come back together, I promise. I know where I'm going from here, which is new to me, normally I plan the beginning and end of my stories. Kind of makes writing difficult. Anyways, thanks for reading, R&R pps! peace out ~Amanda