Story note:Half Chapter. I'm wrestling with the ordering of several near-term events and want this in the wild to clear my head.
"Miss Bourgeois. This is not the cafeteria."
Chloe froze, pulling her head back from her brainstorming session. The taste of blueberries in her mouth quickly let her know the situation. She chewed once more and swallowed, then surreptitiously pushed the fruit clamshell back into her bag,"Yes Mr. Damocles."
The library was lightly occupied today so a quick glance assured her no one else seemed to have noticed. Chloe squirmed in her seat, she was so hungry lately. She'd given up counting calories. Numbers probably didn't go that high. In front of her several fashion magazines were spread and covered in an array of sticky notes and colored tabs. She was close to conceding the fight.
She'd figured a fashion show was the easy goal for a Talent show. It was her element. Who could think of matching her for fashion sense? All she had to do was arrange some outfits and sell it during the presentation. Easy right? But with only herself and Sabrina there was no way to swap outfits. She couldn't even really model if she was announcing. Even being willfully generous Sabrina couldn't really carry a wide array of looks either; no training, no natural poise. It would be a disaster.
Chloe glanced over at Sabrina while thinking and was suddenly intensely jealous. Sabrina was apparently lost in a world of her own with earpods in while scrolling on her phone. It was oddly nice to see her happy though. She was wearing the Jagged Stone T-shirt from the other night and had the jacket draped over the back of her chair. Chloe had struggled with the need to tell her just how bad the look went with Sabrina's usual shorts. She had settled for resolving to drag Sabrina to a fashion emergency shopping trip ASAP.
Chloe pulled out her phone. It took two tries, the first time she'd actually gone for the blueberries again.
I need a staff. Planning is hard.
Chloe huffed and set her phone aside, not really expecting a reply. She looked down at the work in front of her and beat hasty mental retreat. Instead she reached over and plucked the earpod out of Sabrina's ear,"What are you listening to?"
Sabrina eeped,"Oh it's nothing Chloe, just kind of skimming." she bashfully covered her screen. Chloe wasn't going to let THAT stand. She slipped the phone out from under Sabrina's mild protestations and scrolled through the playlist,"These are all songs you like?"
"Some of them? I just kind of picked a bunch from videos to try listening to. It's nothing really." Sabrina was shrinking rapidly in her seat.
Chloe handed the phone back quickly, halting Sabrina's retreat,"Don't slouch." She returned the earpod too. The blueberries were out again. Chloe slipped them into her lap under the table. RIP these pants, but I'm starving. "I'm having lunch with Dev Saturday."
Chloe knew she could have elaborated. There was some peculiar pleasure in letting it hang there for a moment though.
It quickly turned horrible. Sabrina fiddled with the earpod in her hands and let out little more than a breath that barely formed the sound,"Oh."
How Did I ever actually enjoy this? Chloe reached out and laid a hand on Sabrina's forearm,"You're invited too you know. I wouldn't leave you out."
Once more Sabrina came to life. Exercising this level of control was mildly horrifying if Chloe thought about it too much,"Really? At the hotel? What should I wear?" This last bit was more to herself than to Chloe.
Oh Sabrina. "Actually. I don't know just yet." Chloe waggled her fingers accusingly at her phone,"Someone is being a little tight lipped."
Sabrina was hugging her phone, She mumbled the word,"Mysterious." under her breath. The scent of Lemon basil surged. Chloe thought she'd gotten a handle on this particular trick of the necklace but it was impossible to block out completely.
Chloe stood abruptly,"Well, someone has eaten all my blueberries and I've got this mess to sort out," She stashed the empty clamshell in her purse and flicked fingertips over her pants; thankfully no obvious stains, then gathered up her magazines. "No studying tonight Sabrina."
"Oh, okay Chloe. Don't forget the sketches for art history." Sabrina took that well, too well? Chloe mentally shook herself. Too much was going on lately, and all of it too new.
Better to own your own rickety mess than be stuck in someone else's glass castle.
Chloe paused with a hand on the doors. The simplicity of the thought struck her. Had she heard it somewhere? No. It was right though, but she had no plans on staying a mess for long. Chloe Bourgeois wasn't born for anything so pathetic.
Eleven thirty in the evening found Chloe still in her school clothes. Her bag lay abandoned on the floor and an empty plate that once contained not one but three filet mignon beside her on the couch. She sat cross legged on one of the couches with her laptop open and a blanket over her head in the darkness. She'd been at this since she got home. Tabbed out was a long list of videos with Xs and Os beside them. Chloe queued up another video and let the music play to the empty room.
It had been easy enough. She'd remembered a few of the video names from Sabrina's phone and used those to start searches; watch, list, critique, repeat. Most of them appeared to have full on dance videos associated with them. Did Sabrina dance at home to these? Chloe tried to imagine it and had to stifle a giggle,"Oh Sabrina." she said to the ether.
Buzz.
Chloe picked up her phone, wondering who was texting now of all times.
It is, I try to avoid it at just about all costs. Of course, Dev.
Took you long enough, been locked in a dungeon?
Nearly. Underground in Belfast. No reception
Ireland? What are you doing there? Bring me back something.
Chloe tabbed out and marked another O, she liked this group.
You'd have to ask my dad. He just doesn't like to be too far away, so I get dragged along. I'll try to find something suitable. Pot of Gold maybe?
That might do. Traveling must be nice. I rarely get to leave Paris.
I'd give a lot to settle down long enough to actually call a place home. If I ever get enough notice I'll see if we can bring you along with us sometime.
Chloe hadn't expected that offer. The song ticked over again, another O. She tapped her phone against her keyboard trying to figure where to push the conversation.
I invited Sabrina along on Saturday. Be careful. I think there may be a teensy crush in the air.
Chloe's stomach knotted as she sent that text, and it had nothing to do with her protein-rich dinner. "Oh Chloe don't you dare." she muttered. The next song got an X out of spite.
I'm flattered. I've also got more issues than National Geographic. I'm not a good crush for anyone. How can I fix this?
National Geographic? God you are so weird. You know I looked up what 80 grit was? Why can't you just say sandpaper? Just keep being yourself and I'm sure it'll pass.
Chloe sat back, letting the blanket fall to her shoulders. A new song rolled in, this one starting with a heavy beat, switched up to another, and then another on top. The deep thumps syncopated with her heart. She smelled ginger and opened her eyes,"Why can't you just be normal." She pulled the necklace off and the smell faded. Chloe slid the metal bangles between her fingers, catching the wires on her nails and rolling it from hand to hand. The music thrumed on with sweet bridges that had her swaying dropping back into deep beats once more. Chloe hit repeat and let it wash over her again. Repeat. Still no reply. Chloe fretted and picked up her phone.
I'm going to rope Sabrina into doing a dance number for the Talent show. I've been thinking about it all night and I think I found the one
Nice. She mentioned getting into music recently. Send me a link.
Why?
How often do you like something? It must be worth hearing.
I've seen Tennis matches with less backhand. Chloe sent the link anyway.
Going to dance like in the video?
No. It isn't really made for multiple people. I'll just have to make up the choreography.
I didn't know you could do that.
How hard can it be?
Depends on how good you want to be. Do you dance?
Ballet. Before you say something dumb I know it isn't the same. I'll figure it out.
I don't doubt it. I just hope you don't explode in the process. Let me know when you're going to work on it, I'll bring a broom and dustpan.
Such a charmer. I can't see what Sabrina sees in you.
Am I supposed to be charming you?
Chloe growled at her phone. She snapped her laptop shut and shot off the couch, stalking across to her bedroom and back. She put the necklace back on absentmindedly. Cinnamon and Ginger. She snatched it back off again. When she picked up her phone and stabbed out a reply she deleted it, retried, deleted it, and with her eyes shut finally sent it. Then she stuffed her phone under a cushion and dashed to bed, making plenty of noise as she got ready so she wouldn't hear it buzz.
It might be nice to know what it feels like for once