(A/N) So this is the last chapter before they actually start to go on their way trying to find Kit. This could be considered filler, but honestly, it's a pretty important chapter as far as character development goes.

I am going to be tweaking a few things (otherwise this chapter wouldn't really be necessary), but be warned that you'll probably already know most of the information from the books.

"Chloe!" Someone shouted. "Chloe!"

Go away, I thought back, rolling over and pulling my pillow over my head. The next scream was slightly more muffled, thank God, because the girl's shrieking was getting annoying. More yelling, but I hardly even noticed as I fell back asleep.

Then it hit me. Not, it literally hit me. Icy cold water seeped through my pillow and covers causing me to shoot out of my bed, shivering. Just when I was about to ask what was going on, more water slammed into me, this time going inside my parted mouth and trickling down my throat.

I stifled a swear word and squinted, trying to see who was subjecting me to such torture. And more water hit me, right in the eyes. "I-i-i-i-i-it's s-s-s-s-s-so c-c-c-c-c-cold!" I almost grimaced. The freezing water definitely wasn't helping my stutter.

Tori smirked at me. "That's kinda the point, idiot." She snapped her fingers and more water was about to hit me when I lifted my pillow, feeling the impact of the water pound into my shield.

"Wh-wh-wh-what was th-th-that f-f-for?"

She shrugged, inspecting a perfectly manicured nail. "Well, I shouted twice and you didn't get up."

I waited for her to say something about why we she felt the need to wake me up at - I glanced at a clock - six in the morning. Of course, she didn't, so I asked.

"We're going shopping today."

My eyes widened with horror. I could practically hear the insults she'd fling at me, making fun of me menacingly for my flat chest and non-existed hips. She glanced down at my body like she was thinking the exact same thing. "Wh-wh-why?"

She gave me a "duh" look. "You see, darling, when you go on a trip, you tend to need to get ready. And when you're getting ready to move God only knows how far, you tend to need to buy a lot of stuff. Shopping."

"Y-y-you and me?"

She rolled her eyes. "Would you stop stuttering, it's so annoying. If you can't even form a sentence, don't bother talking at all." Her words hit me hard. I felt my heart drop and I swallowed the lump in my throat. Satisfied, she said, "Anyway, Simon and Derek will be coming. They don't trust me alone with you, imagine that!"

"Yeah, im-m-magine that." I winced outwardly this time, curing my stupid speech disability. I could see dead people but couldn't even speak right.

"Get dressed, we're leaving in ten."

Which meant I couldn't do my make-up or hair. Probably just what she wanted, for me to embarrass myself by going out in public sopping wet. She left the room and I wasted no time sliding into a pair of double zero skinny jeans and an extra small green striped top.

Yanking a brush through my hair, I squeaked once as I combed the wet knots. I didn't even glance in the mirror, knowing I probably looked awful. I dashed down the stairs and grabbed my cell phone.

"The princess is finally ready," Tori commented lazily.

Derek frowned. "Coming from the one that took fifteen minutes deciding what to wear." For just a second my heart leaped at him defending me. Then I realized he was probably just taking any opportunity to lash out at Tori, not that I blamed him.

Tori flushed angrily and looked ready to fight back when Simon interrupted their silent war, "Okay, let's get going!"

"Where to?" I asked.

Simon looked at Derek who shrugged. "We can get the basics first. Energy bars, cash, a backpack for Chloe-"

"I have a backpack!" I protested at the last item he listed.

He glanced at me, like he'd forgotten I was there despite the fact that I'd literally just spoken. He was just so rude, he made my skin crawl...

Remember, Chloe, you were going to be nicer to him.

Right. Nicer. It wasn't easy though with what he said next. "I doubt you have anything that can actually hold up being on the run."

I snickered. "You make it sound like we'll be outlaws or something."

Dead silence. Derek looked at me, giving me that look, the one that said "she's so sheltered she has no idea what life is really like", the one I'd gotten used to receiving. "Chloe," He said, like he was losing his patience, "we're running away from psychotic supernaturals. It's not glamorous like in your stupid movies, and it's not some adventure." He glared for good measure. "It's not fun, and it's not easy-"

"Don't patronize me like I'm a child!" I snapped. "I knew what I was getting into."

Or did I? Could I have really understood just what I was diving into? I was pampered, and I knew it, so what could I understand about life outside of my bubble? Not much.

Derek turned to Simon, exasperation written on his face. "I can't deal with her right now. You take her."

Like I was a dog he got sick of training. "Fine with me," I muttered under my breath. His head spun to me for a split second like he'd heard what I said. But that couldn't have been right, not even Simon, who was standing right next to me could have understood my mumblings.

Simon shot his brother a pointed glance and said, "I think I should go with Tori. Wouldn't want you two to kill each other." Tori sniffed at that but didn't say anything snarky for once.

Derek didn't reply only started walking ahead. I stood, not sure where to go. Finally, he turned back and looked at me. "Does that mean I'm supposed to go with him?"

"Yeah," Simon replied coolly.

Trudging a bit, I walked forward. It wasn't that I didn't want to spend time with Derek. But he clearly didn't want to be around me, and it's not so nice feeling unwanted.

We walked. Or, more accurately, he power walked. He was much faster than me, it seemed like he thought if he went quick enough I'd just disappear. Well, I'd show him.

I had to practically skip to keep up with him my legs were that much shorter. Once I almost tripped, and he jutted a hand out to steady me before jerking back so quickly I really did fall. I landed on my butt before calmly picking myself up and dusting my rear end.

Part of me was always hoping he'd speak up. I kept waiting for him to say anything, even if it was a scathing comment because then maybe I could generate some respect toward me if I came up with a snappy reply. He never talked, and all my retorts were wasted.

Finally we got to a store, and I'd never admit it to him, but my legs were burning. We had to have walked at least five miles with no breaks, and I tried to regulate my breathing though he looked at me disdainfully like he could hear how quickly I was taking in oxygen.

"Wal-Mart?" I asked, trying not to sound too angry.

He eyed me scornfully. "Lots of normal people go here. Not all of us have rich politician dads."

"Is that what you think of me? That I'm some snobby girl that won't wear anything not designer?" Part of me was hurt but I wasn't really surprised. Tons of people assumed that about me so it wasn't anything new even if it wasn't true.

He didn't answer but that was enough of a reply. I stormed past him, ignoring the cheerful lady that said, "Hi, welcome to Wal-Mart!"

I couldn't hear Derek but suddenly he was right beside me. I couldn't help it as I jumped about a foot in the air. He took the lead, dragging me along to the sections we needed to go. He grabbed a bunch of stuff, not needing a basket because his arms were so massive.

In an attempt to bridge the awkwardness between us, I asked in my most cheerful voice, "Do you need me to carry anything?"

He shook his head after giving me a once over. Annoyed again, I didn't try to offer any help again. If he thought I couldn't handle carrying supplies then that was just fine.

After awhile, he swore. "Something wrong?"

"No, I'm just cussing for fun." A few people in the store glared at him, whispering amongst themselves. He scowled and a few of them actually put their hands on their purses and herded their children away. "Why not give people more reason to assume I'm a delinquent?" A shadow passed over his eyes when he said that, and for a second I felt sorry for him.

I tried again. "What's wrong?"

"Should've asked Simon if he wanted me to pick anything up."

Tugging my cellphone out of my pocket, I asked, "You want me to call him?"

He shook his head. "Don't have phones. Too easy to track." In other words, I should probably get rid of mine too. I repressed a groan.

"Well, he'll probably come here after us," I assured him. He shrugged. "Don't worry, he's a smart guy, I'm sure if he needs something he can make it out here on his own."

Derek shrugged again, green eyes glinting. "Sure, he's smart. Not very responsible though."

I remembered something he'd mentioned in passing. "Right. You're the planner."

"Someone has to be."

Tipping my head to the side, I questioned, "What do you mean?" Derek grunted noncommittally, so I prompted, "We have to get to know each other better sometime."

He frowned, like he couldn't stand the thought of me saying something logically. After a pause, he said, "Simon doesn't look after himself, so I watch out for both of us."

Honestly, I found that hard to believe. He was so prickly, for lack of a better word. I couldn't imagine him caring enough about anyone to try and protect them, yet it was something that seemed almost natural to him. Like the way he was the first one in my room last night, or the way he caught me instinctively when I stumbled.

"Guess that makes you a good brother."

He glanced at me. "Guess so."

The conversation was dying, but I didn't want it to. After all, I didn't want Derek to hate me, and he was actually treating me almost like an equal for a nice change. So, in desperation, I blurted, "If you and Simon are brothers, why are you with Tori? I mean, obviously you don't like her very much, and Simon doesn't really seem to either..."

"He and Tori are brother and sister."

For a second, I was even more shocked then when Simon said he and Derek were brothers. I could see the friendship between the two guys, but Simon and Tori? They just seemed to get on each others' nerves so much it was amazing that they could be in the same room and make it out alive.

I blinked once, then twice. "Oh," Was all I could think to say. "Oh," I said again.

"Yeah."

I could almost see it, why Rae would want to leave. It must've been so hard being in a group that had all of their personal relationships worked out, her just being an outcast. Would that be what it was like with me too?

"Time to checkout?" I asked, noticing that Derek was making his way to the front of the store. He nodded, and we got to the registers.

The items were being ringed up and I didn't really want to talk anymore. Part of me was feeling even more left out then before, and part of me was grateful to have everything all worked out. I grabbed the heaviest bag before Derek could protest and carried it before he could say anything. He lifted his eyebrows and I only stared at him challengingly.

He shook his head, muttering something and we began the long trek back to my home.

(A/N) Chapter name meaning: preparing Chloe by obviously getting supplies, but also by preparing her mentally so she'd know what she was really heading into. Reviews are loved almost as much as my little brother!

(By the way, sorry if my little explanations are making you feel dumb. I've been told that my mind is a very weird place, so I just want to make sure we're all on the same page :P)