Chapter 9: Back To School

"Is this what it feels like to be you?" Chloe groaned from her bed on Monday morning.

Kira just rolled her eyes. "You haven't been in the spotlight more than two days. You somehow managed to keep the Sons at bay from attacking your Sunday schedule, and you're already whining?"

"I swear, I had tons of homework to do; it probably actually weighs a ton! Ugh… Remind me why I thought this was a good plan again?"

"Just get fucking dressed into your uniform. Still a damned goody two shoes sometimes..."

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"You seen her yet, Baby Boy?"

"Just like when you asked a minute ago Reid, the answer is still the same."

"You sure you didn't see her yet? I thought she said she was in this class."

Tyler closed his eyes and counted to ten. "No, I don't see Chl-"

"Jackpot. She just walked in. Time to shine Ty. Or would you rather I chatted her up?" Reid leered.

Tyler shot up out of his seat. "I'll bring her on over."

Reid just chuckled at him.

---

'Okay, time for the checklist,' thought Chloe while she dilly-dallied outside her Calculus class. 'Make-up: acceptable, check. Shirt: shrunk in the wash, damn, but check. Skirt: too long by Kira's standards, otherwise means perfect, check. Hair: mess. Uncheck.' She swept a brush through her hair. 'And people say shorter hair is less of a hassle. Lies.' After procrastinating as long as she could, it was time to walk in.

---

Tyler suddenly popped up in front of her. "Morning Chloe. Mind sitting by me today? Well, me and Reid, I mean. "

"Sure, glad to," Chloe smiled. 'An invite, I didn't even have try to get their attention or randomly wander over. Success!'

Tyler led her down to where Reid was sitting. "Now that I'm thinking about it, you're in a few other classes with us too, right?"

"Mhm, think so. Definitely English with you guys. I think I have Chemistry with Caleb and maybe History with Pogue. The classes are so big sometimes with the stadium seating, hard to remember everyone in the class."

Tyler nodded, "I know what you mean. But feel free to sit next to any of us if you want someone to sit next to."

Chloe refrained from rolling her eyes. 'Oh yes, the other half of the Sons would really appreciate a girl they've barely talked to sitting next to them acting like their long lost buddy, I'm sure.'

---

While in the middle of writing down notes, Tyler slipped a small piece of paper over to her. Curious, she flipped it over and quickly read it. A smile appeared.

'Join me at lunch? :)' it read.

She quickly scribbled a reply of yes and slid it back over.

---

After Calculus was over and Chloe had left for her other classes, Tyler and Reid still lingered in the classroom.

"What was all that about in the middle of Johnson's lecture? Passing love notes already Baby Boy? You were grinning like a fool when she passed that note back."

"I asked her if she'd sit with me during lunch. She said yes," he smiled.

"That's why you're dumbstruck? By asking her to sit with you at lunch through a note like a five year old?" Reid shook his head. "I swear I thought I taught you better. Ask her out to dinner; ask her for a date; but not lunch – never lunch – and that goes double for the school lunch period."

"What if I ask her for a date during lunch?"

"There may be hope for you yet Ty."

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"Okay," Mr. Gagliano clapped his hands together. "To kick you all into gear, you, my dear students, are going to be doing a project. And not just any old history project: it'll be all about Massachusetts history. Salem, Boston, even things from Ipswich will be fair game. I'll be putting you into pairs – and please stop your groaning. I do not love your agony, but I like it more than the unfinished projects that I'd get if I let you all pair yourselves up. So listen up. When I call your last names, find your partner and start coming up with potential projects."

Chloe sat bored in the class while the pairs were being called out. It was going to take the entire class period before he finished saying all the pairs. And with her name yet to be called, it was a waiting game.

"Okay… Next pair: Parry and…" half the girls in the room without partners crossed their fingers hopefully, "Wilson." They groaned, disappointed.

'Now this is unexpected,' thought Chloe while she gathered her things. 'Unexpected: but brilliant. Kate'll be so pissed that I have to work with Parry. Thank you Mister Gagliano and your surprise projects. You always were my favorite.'

AN: So… Not especially much happening this chapter. Next chapter will certainly make up for it. Plus, Kate will finally make her first appearance in the next chapter! Hope you enjoyed. ^^