The next morning had indeed been awkward. Not as much as one might think, but still pretty awkward.

"Morning." Chloe chirped, avoiding eye contact with Norman who was sitting at the table eating a waffle. Norma smiled warmly at the younger girl.

"Good morning, Chloe. Sleep well?" Chloe nodded as she poured herself a bowl of cereal.

"Fine, thanks. What's on the agenda for today?" Chloe asked curiously, spooning the cereal around in circles in her bowl. Norma looked at the floor before glancing at the teens.

"The police found Keith's truck." Norma knew she couldn't hide the fact from the kids for long, so she decided to just tell them right away. Chloe's stomach dropped and her blood went cold as ice. Norman dropped his fork in surprise, staring at his mother with wide eyes.

"What?" Chloe barely managed to get out, the urge to run to the bathroom and throw up growing with each passing moment.

"Now, don't worry yourselves. We'll clean the kitchen, three times over if needed, and they won't find an ounce of evidence, I promise you two. We will be alright." Norma declared as she opened the broom closet, pulling out two mops and several rags. Norman nodded in agreement and started to eat again, hurrying to finish.

Chloe wasn't hungry anymore, she just wanted to start cleaning, put this mess completely behind her. She shoved her untouched bowl into the fridge and went to the sink, pulling out a large container of bleach from underneath.

"Let's get started."


Three hours later, it was 10 minutes to eleven and Dylan had just entered the room. Both Norma and Norman stiffened as he greeted them with a taught. He nodded at Chloe flashing her a smile.

"Morning, sweets." If at all possible, Norma grew even stiffer. Both the Bates heads snapped in Dylan's direction. Norman's face held a stoic expression, hiding the jealousy that was brewing within. Norma's face held anger and contempt, not believing Dylan would so blatantly go against her demand. Chloe was red as a tomato, but she gave him a mindless smile nonetheless.

The Bates went back to cleaning shortly after Dylan had sat down with a cookie in hand. Chloe continued to scrub a chair that was opposite of him. Dylan watched the scene thoughtfully in silence, catching her glance after a moment. He struck a smile.

"I had a fun time yesterday, Chloe." Dylan was stomping on each one of Norma's figurative toes and he knew it. It wasn't just trying to get a reaction out of his mother though. He just wasn't going to walk on eggshells around Chloe just because Norma had tried and forbidden him from even speaking to her. Norman vision was starting to get hazy, not believing what he was hearing. Had Chloe done something with Dylan?

"Oh, yeah, me too. I'm happy I can say I've ridden on a motorcycle." Norman's haze started to retreat, but he still watched Chloe with a possessive gaze that only Dylan seemed to catch. Oh fuck no, little brother.

"So, want to hang out again today?" Dylan stared at her with hooded eyes and Chloe bit her lip, nodding.

"Sur-"

"She can't." Norman interrupted, watching Chloe with narrowed eyes. Her eye's widened in confusion.

"I can't?" Chloe stared him down, her brow rising as if challenging him.

"I mea-" He was incredibly thankful for the interruption that the doorbell created. Chloe's stomach dropped and Norma blanched, but still Norman was just happy he didn't have to stutter through an excuse to keep Chloe with him. The Bates and Chloe stared at each other wide eyed as Dylan watched with disinterest.

"Well, since the door is so frightening to you all, I'll be a hero and answer it for you." He left the room, his gaze filled with uncertainty.

Chloe held her breath, and Norman grabbed for her hand which she gladly accepted. He gaze her smooth hand a brief squeeze. Norma came to stand by the two, either not seeing, or not caring to point out how close the two were. At this point they were preparing for the worst.

"Hey Norman! There's a girl here for you!" Dylan's gruff voice could be heard from the front room. Chloe immediately dropped Normans hand and stared at him in confusion, feeling somewhat hurt. Why do I feel hurt? He can have girls over if he wants.

Norman frowned, looking sheepishly at both his mother and Chloe, knowing he caused a wild stir of emotions. When Emma walked into the room, he could feel the distress shift to annoyance. After moments of silence, Norman spoke up.

"Mom, this is Emma, we're working on a project together." Norma let out a breath, giving a small glare to her son, but smiled politely at the girl.

"Nice to meet you, Emma. Come on in." Norma walked forward and pulled out a chair. "Where do you live, Emma?" Chloe coughed a little to draw attention to herself.

"Well, looks like you're busy today, Norman, but I'm not." She glared at him, and he swallowed, his throat dry. "Dylan, let me clean myself up, and we can head out, alright?" She gave a sweet smile as she leaned the mop against the counter and sauntered out of the room, somewhat triumphant.

Dylan gave his mother and brother a lazy smirk as he followed behind Chloe. Norma stared after him with cold, disapproving eyes, and Norman's mouth was twisted in a displeased snarl. Emma watched the two in confusion.

"Am I interrupting something?"" She wheezed out, and Norma snapped back to reality.

"Of course not, would you like a cookie?"


Chloe was back on Dylan's bike, clinging to him for dear life as he took a sharp turn into town. He gave a loud chuckle when she squeezed him harder as he kicked the speed up a notch, if that was even possible.

"Dylan, I swear to god, if you get me killed, I'll never forgive you!" She bellowed, hopefully loud enough for him to hear. He did, but just ignored her with a small smile gracing his thin lips.

Minutes later, they pulled up to the park that was filled with screaming children. They ran around, chasing after each other, their only worry being that they'd be it next. Chloe longed to have that be her only worry again, the worry of getting caught for murder played far too much in her mind.

"Earth to Chloe?" Dylan was waving his hand in her face, trying to get her attention. Once he had it, Chloe shoved his hand away, her face holding a playful scowl.

"Next time you'll lose the hand." Chloe warned jokingly and Dylan just shook his head, pulling off his helmet. Chloe followed suit, and Dylan let out a full blown laugh as he looked at her. "What?"

"Yo...Your hair, oh god, Chloe." He wheezed, shaking his head. She checked her hair in her cellphones camera and gasped. It was sticking up in all different directions, and she cursed the helmet. She shoved it into Dylan chest as she attempted to tame the unkempt hair.

"You look fine, Chloe, great, even. I was joking." Dylan watched as she ran her hands through her hair for an eighth time. She glared at him, glanced one last time in the camera, and tucked her phone away.

"I hate that helmet." She declared as the started walking down the sidewalk.

"Mhmm, well, you'd hate the pavement if you weren't wearing it and we crashed." He pointed out, stopping to tie his shoe. Chloe hummed an agreement as she stared into a shop window. Dylan followed her gaze, getting distracted by a poster that hung in the window.

"What is a 'Wood Chuck'?" He asked, mildly confused. Chloe pulled her gaze away from the shoes that had held her attention and gave a soft laugh.

"One of the most ridiculous festivals known to man. It's basically to celebrate the logging that used to happen here, even though that's long gone." She shook her head. "I don't even know why we still have it." Maybe to escape reality? She thought to herself.

"Huh. So, do you go to it? The festival, I mean?"

"Nah, I stopped going when I turned 15. It's the same thing every year. Basically, it's for kids, couples, and old people." Chloe shrugged. "Do you have a smoke?"

She just wanted to change the subject, she never went anywhere without her own pack. Dylan raised an eyebrow as he pulled a pack out of his jacket pocket.

"You don't seem like the smoking type." He stated, watching as Chloe flashed him a dazzling smile as she put the stick to her lips and lit it.

She took a long drag and exhaled slowly, watching lazily as the smoke left her mouth. He nodded in approval as he took the cigarette from her fingers and mimicked her actions. She cast him a humorous look as she snatched it back.

"These things'll kill you, you know?" Dylan let out a loud chuckle and they continued on the path.


"Wait, wait, you've never saw The Shawshank Redemption? Dylan, you've got to be joking!" Chloe was in shock, this man was 21 years old, and had never saw her favorite movie?

"I don't know, I've never even really heard about it." He spoke lamely. He wanted to keep talking about it, loving the excitement that flared in her eyes as she talked about it.

"I have it back at the house. You up for a movie night? God, I can't wait to watch it again." Chloe spoke giddily. Dylan nodded.

"Movie night sounds alright. Norman might not be so enthused." He teased and Chloe shot him a startled glare. "What? He was all about you staying away from me this morning." Dylan held his hands up in surrender.

"I'm not even going to get into that, it was stupid." Chloe waved the thought away, and Dylan's mind could only think to make up some situation.

"You're not dating him, are you?" Dylan asked nonchalantly, though he was really dying to know.

"Of course not. He's too, well, you know, he's too, Norman?" Chloe paused. "That sounded really stupid." Dylan chuckled.

"Nah, I get it." They sat in silence for a minute or so. The wind wafting around the two left them comfortable on the picnic table where they sat. The silence was interrupted by Chloe's phone. She gave a low moan as she picked it up.

"What's up?" She mumbled. Dylan gave her a look and mouthed 'Who's that?'

"I was wondering where you were? Emma left, do you want to hang out?" Norman's voice sounded on the other end. Chloe gave a sigh of annoyance.

"Sorry Norman, Dylan and I were just about to grab some lunch. Maybe another time?" Dylan laughed whole heartedly, getting up from the table.

"Maybe I could join you? Or we could hang out tonight?" Norman sounded as desperate as he truly felt. Chloe hummed a bit before responding.

"Sorry, Norman, Dylan and I already have our food, and we are going to hang out tonight too. We could possibly hangout tomorrow, if Emma doesn't make another surprise appearance." Chloe said it with a bit too much venom, but she didn't care.

"S-she won't. When do you think you'll be back?" He stuttered, Chloe's mood was dampening each minute she stayed on the phone.

"Soon, Norman, I have to go, my food will get cold."

"A-alright. Have a good lunch, see you soon, then."

"Bye, Norman." She hung up with an exasperated sigh.

"He's definitely too Norman." Chloe spoke, shaking her head. Dylan laughed as he threw an arm around her shoulder. She leaned into his body, wrapping an arm around his waist, and started laughing too.


They had grabbed lunch at the same dinner as yesterday. The cashier gave them a cheeky look as they walked past. They took their seats and soon enough they had their food in front of them. The waitress gave a small glare and took the tabasco sauce without a word, causing both of them to erupt in loud laughter. They took to playing twenty questions, each question getting flirter than the last.

"What do you sleep in at night?" She asked with a wink.

"Boxers. You?" He countered back.

"That was your question, heads up. Yoga pants and a tank top, usually. What's my best feature?" She asked, batting her eyelashes. He thought about it for a while.

"Your face, or your eyes. I don't know." He scratched the back of his neck and Chloe gave a small laugh.

"So sweet, Dylan. That line alone could charm the pants off anyone." Chloe was cracking up and Dylan just shook his head in an embarrassed sort of way.

"Okay, okay. Your face. I like that I can basically read it like an open book." He finished, taking a swig of his pop. Chloe stopped laughing and blushed a bit, acting mock offended.

"I am not an open book!" She protested, knowing that was false.

"Whatever you say, Chlo."


Back at the house, it was rounding on 7 pm. Norman sat on the couch, waiting for Chloe to come back. His ears perked when he heard the door open, and soft giggling that followed.

"We can watch it in my room. Give me ten minutes to get into PJ's and make some popcorn." Chloe spoke while Dylan shut the door.

"Knock on my door whenever you're ready." Dylan started walking up the stairs as Chloe walked back to the kitchen. Norman followed right after.

"Did you have fun today?" Chloe jumped, clutching her chest.

"Christ, Norman. Don't sneak up on me like that!" She exclaimed.

"Well, did you?" He demanded the answer, and Chloe looked at him, a frown placed on her face. She stuck the popcorn in the microwave before answering.

"I did. Dylan and I had a great time, just like I'm sure you and Emma did." She shot back, moving around Norman to grab a bowl for the popcorn.

"Yeah, well there is a difference of hanging out for an hour, and hanging out the whole day. Different things happen." Norman growled.

"Norman, you have no claim over me whatsoever. You are not my guardian, or boyfriend, so stop." Chloe complained, completely over Norman's prissy attitude. "I'm sorry if it upsets you that Dylan and I hung out, but we're friends. Friends hang out, like we are tomorrow, remember?" Norman nodded, a guilty expression on his face.

"Right, sorry Chloe. It's just, Dylan isn't the greatest person to befrie-" Chloe cut him off.

"He seemed like a perfect friend, actually. Please don't stray into my business like this, Norman. Then we'll all be happy." The microwave buzzed and Chloe poured the popcorn into the bowl. "Goodnight, Norman."

"Night, Chloe." Norman mumbled as she walked past him.


It was 8'o clock by the time they started the movie. Dylan was sprawled out on Chloe's bed while she sat in the window smoking. An hour later, they were side by side in the bed, not even half way through the film, but the ringing doorbell had them pause it. Chloe got up quickly and quietly, and looked out the window where a police car sat.

"Fuck." She mumbled. "Stay here, Dylan." With that she took off out of the room and down the stairs. She opened the door, greeted by Romero and Shelby's faces.

"Can I help you?" She spoke with attitude, causing both the men to raise their eyebrows.

"Ms. Everett, what a fine surprise." Zack drawled. Romero rolled his eyes, and glared at Chloe.

"Where is Mrs. Bates, Chloe?" Chloe shot them a glare.

"Probably sleeping." She shrugged.

"No, no I am not. I'm right here. Chloe, dear, you should go back to bed. I'm sure you're tired." Norma hinted, and Chloe nodded, understanding her cue to leave.

"Bye Officers." She mumbled, walking back up the stairs. As she entered the room, Dylan sat there looking completely confused.

"Why are the police here?" He asked, running a hand through his hair.

"They wanted to join us for movie night. Had to tell them no." She joked, and Dylan gave her a disapproving look.

"Seriously, Chloe. I can tell you're upset." Chloe shook her head and grabbed his face in her hands.

"Don't worry about it, Dylan." She whispered, staring into his eyes. A door slammed beneath them, and they heard Norma's muttering pass by the room, but they continued to stare into each other's eyes.

"Chloe…" Dylan breathed, the breath was warm as it fanned over Chloe's face.

He stood suddenly, causing her to stumble back, but he caught her and pulled her against himself. He pressed his slightly chapped lips to her smooth ones, and like clockwork, they worked together. Dylan nipped at her lower lip, causing them to part. He swept his tongue over it slowly, and Chloe was eager to respond, their tongues playing a sort of tag, vying for dominance. Dylan's hands caressed Chloe's face, though she kept hers on his waist. Their faces broke apart for air, and Dylan smiled stupidly down at her. Chloe had a small sort of smile on her face, which was scarlet red by now.

"That was…" Dylan trailed off staring at her suggestively.

"That was amazing." Chloe finished, tucking her hair behind her ears. She felt sort of bad, kissing Norman the night before and all, but Dylan's kiss was completely different, it took her breath away, and she sure as hell didn't regret it.

They sat there in silence, mulling over what had just happened. Neither of the regretted it. Dylan was amazed at how good of a kisser Chloe was. Chloe wondered what this meant for their relationship, knowing she had a small crush on him.

"You never told me why the police were here." Dylan spoke after a while, watching her face, trying to get a read.

"Yeah? Couldn't talk with your tongue in my mouth, now could I?" She sassed, and Dylan gave a shrug. "We also never finished the movie, or the popcorn." Chloe spoke shoving into him a bit as she climbed to the other side of the bed, grabbing the remote along the way. Dylan watched her get situated before cozying up next to her.

"Press the button. I want to see what happens to Brooks." Dylan spoke, wrapping an arm around Chloe. She sighed dramatically, pressing play


Whoops, there it is. Sorry (not really), to have Chloe and Dylan kiss so soon. I feel like their chemistry was high enough at that point. I am VERY sorry for how late this chapter is, August was literally my busiest month this summer, it was unbelievable. 1. Was everybody in character? This is literally my main concern. 2. HOW BOUT THAT KISS THOUGH? 3. Chloe's outfit's link is still on my profile. 4. Love the follows, favorites, and reviews guys, keep em coming! (They tend to get me to write faster.) Until next time!:)