Ch. 4
Chloe and I got out of my jeep and headed toward the football field. It seemed as though almost all the Salem high students came to the first game of the season to support the football team.
We pushed our way passed some underclassmen and headed up the bleaches towards Mimi and Jason Masters.
"Hey guys!" Chloe called. " Have you worked up some spirit?"
Mimi laughed. "Right. I can't wait for the cheering to start. I love watching the cheerleaders shake their pom-poms."
"What a coincidence. So do I," Jason said, wiggling his eyebrows.
"Why do we come to things anyway?" Chloe asked.
"Why else? In hope to find our one true love in the bleachers." Mimi answered.
I tuned out the rest of Chloe and Mimi's conversation and scanned the crowd. Even though I really didn't think that Veronica would come to the football game, a small part of me hoped to see her here.
Veronica and I talked almost everyday in homeroom. Smiled at me flirtatiously, flipped her hair in a provocative way, and given me looks that seemed like they were just for me.
When I saw Veronica on the other side of the bleachers, my heart jumped. In jeans and a tight black shirt, I could tell she looked great. Best of all, she was alone.
When I stood up, I felt Chloe pull on the back pocket of my jeans. "Where are you going?"
"Shawn's over there," I said pointing towards the snack bar. "I'm going to talk to him." I didn't feel like having anyone give me a hard time about going to sit with a potential love interest.
Before anyone could protest, I climbed down the bleachers. Just in case Chloe was looking I went to stand in line for the snack bar for a minute, then jogged over to Veronica.
When she saw me coming on her direction, she smiled and slid over on the bench. When I sat down, I could feel our knees touching and I thought I could almost feel a tingle going through my leg.
"I was going to stay home tonight, but I got lonely." I nodded, not believing my luck. She was probably just too shy and sensitive and that's why I didn't see her around much other than homeroom. " Well Veronica, fear no more! I will be your personal guide through a Salem High Friday night "
She giggled softly and moved closer to me. "I heard there's a party at Jeffrey Torres' House. Tonight after the game" Veronica said.
Inwardly I sighed. Jeffrey Torres was an obnoxious football player. But if that's where she wanted to go, I wasn't about to deny her. "Perfect." I said. "I'll round up some of my friends and get them to come along. You can meet a bunch of new people."
"Who are your friends?" she asked.
"Well, you know Shawn. He's in our homeroom."
"Right. He's a basketball player."
I nodded surprised that she knew what sport he played. He probably was just trying to put the moves on her. Typical.
"Who else?" She looked at me expectantly.
For a second I hesitated. I felt sort of reluctant to tell her about Chloe. A lot of people misinterpreted our relationship, and I didn't want Veronica to get the wrong idea. But if I didn't tell her now, she would find out somewhere else anyway. "Chloe lane is my best friend. She's sitting on the other side of the bleachers with some of our friends."
Veronica glanced across the stands. "She's not a cheerleader?"
I laughed. The thought of Chloe as a cheerleader was almost like the thought of me going out there doing the cheers. I shook my head. "No. But she's a singer." Veronica sort of wrinkled her nose. "How. neat," she said.
"Enough about Chloe. Tell me more about you."
She was quiet for a while, like she was trying to organize her thoughts. " Let's see. I told you I was from New York."
"Yeah." I was trying to focus on her words, but I was distracted by the piece of hair near her eye.
"Did I tell you how cute I think you are?" She bit her lip and looked at me. I was shocked for a second. "Nope, I didn't know that."
She shrugged. "Remind me at the party, and I'll tell you."
I grinned and started imagining Chloe with her short blond hair. I was well on to my way to victory.
When the game ended, I took Veronica's hand as we went through the crowds. I was pretty sure Chloe could get a ride with Mimi and Jason, but just in case she was waiting for me, I didn't want to leave her stranded.
She wasn't in the stands, and after walking around the football once, I didn't see her anywhere. I could tell Veronica wasn't enjoying this, so I decided to assume that Chloe found a ride.
"Can we swing by my house so I can change?" Veronica asked as we made our way to my jeep.
" You look great now." I said
" Thanks. But since I don't really know anyone, I'd feel better if I didn't look so scruffy." She said sliding into the passenger seat.
Twenty minutes later, I was sitting on the couch in her living room, waiting for her to finish getting ready.
"I'm ready." I heard Veronica's voice say, and I turned around to look at her. She was wearing a short, red dress with a low neckline. She looked pretty amazing.
"Good-bye Scruffy" I said
"I guess that was a compliment." She said talking my arm.
"Trust me, it was one."
By the time we got to Jeffrey Torres' house, it was already lined with cars. Before we even reached the front lawn, I could hear the music pounding through the speakers.
All of a sudden, Shawn came running out of the Torres' house. He was followed by a girl with a water gun. "I'm going to get you Shawn!" She yelled as she ran past us.
Shawn stopped behind me and used me as a shield. " This is neutral territory," He shouted.
The girl put down her gun." All right," she said. "But I'll be waiting for you inside."
Shawn came out from behind me and slapped my hand. "Is this a great party or what?"
I managed to nod. "This is definitely a party, I'll say that much."
"Hey, What happened to you at the game? Chloe said you went over to talk to me, and then you never came back. When I told her that I hadn't seen you all night, she got this crazy look in her eye and started mumbling something about a bet."
I instantly felt guilty about leaving Chloe behind. But I couldn't worry about that now. I'd just call her tomorrow and apologize. I turned to Veronica. "Shawn, You know Veronica."
"Oh, Hey Veronica"
He took her hand and kissed it.
"Anyway, Chloe's inside," Shawn said. "Her and Mimi are tearing up the dance floor."
"Really?" I didn't know why I was so surprised to hear that. I guess it was because usually I had to drag her to any major social event.
"Yeah, man. Check it out." Shawn then sprinted in the house.
I started giving Veronica the rundown on some of the people that were outside with us. She seemed to absorb everything I said, and stared intently at the person I was talking about.
When we went inside, Veronica headed straight to the dance floor. Just as we stepped onto the dance floor, the music changed into a slow song. I took this as my cue to pull her into my arms.
As I turned to move a little farther across the floor, my jaw suddenly dropped open. There was Chloe, dancing right next to us.
Her eyes were closed, and her head was pressed against Michael's chest. I wouldn't have been more shocked if I saw an elephant walk into the room. Chloe wasn't the type to bring attention to herself like that. They were basically just standing there hugging kind of swaying a little to the music, in the middle of the crowded party.
When Chloe opened her eyes, she caught me staring at her. I had expected her to get embarrassed and pull away a little from Michael, but she didn't. She just winked at me.
"Hi Brady," She said sounding incredible proud.
"Uh, hi" I answered.
"What's up Black?" Michael asked, with a little nod of his head. "Who's your friend?" For a split second I couldn't remember Veronica's name. But it didn't matter because Chloe spoke up. "Veronica, right? I'm Chloe and this is Michael."
I saw Chloe pull Michael a little closer, as if she didn't want Veronica to get any ideas.
"Hi, Michael," Veronica answered. She didn't say anything to Chloe.
There was a long pause. "Uh, well, maybe we'll run into each other later," I said, leading Veronica away.
"Yeah, Maybe," Chloe said. She wasn't even looking at me. She was staring at Michael, and I felt like something significant happened- like maybe Chloe was outgrowing me.
I brushed my chin against Veronica's soft hair, having a bad vision of myself with the word loser shaved in the back of my head.
It wasn't a pretty picture.
** I talked to Chloe Sunday night. " So, how's the lovely veronica?" she asked as soon as I picked up the phone.
"Lovely," I answered dryly. I was waiting for her to comment on what a fool she'd made of herself by being all over Michael the other night.
"Wasn't Friday incredible?" she asked.
"Incredible," I replied. She wasn't picking up any of my signals.
"Too bad Veronica isn't the kind of girl you could fall in love with. Guess I'm in the lead huh?"
"What?" I shouted. She was seriously bugging me. "Why shouldn't fall in love with her?"
"Didn't you see the way she was looking at Michael? I'm just saying I think she has a roving eye."
"Give me a break. She would never go out with him. He's totally inferior to me." He was, wasn't he?
Chloe laughed." Excuse me, I forgot who I was talking to. You are the greatest guy in the world, oops I meant universe."
"I don't need your sarcasm," I said feeling a little hurt.
Chloe was quiet for a moment. "I mean it, Brady. You are the best. I only need to look at you choice of best friends to know that."
As usual I couldn't stay mad at her. "Sweet dreams, Chlo."
"Sweet dreams, Black," she responded.
When I hung up the phone, I was smiling. Chloe Lane was one of a kind- thank goodness.
Ch. 5
It was Saturday night, and I was going on my first date with Michael. I was standing in front of my mirror checking how I looked. I heard a honk outside, grabbed my purse and ran out the door.
"Bye," I yelled to my parents who were watching TV.
"Brady always comes to the door," My mom yelled.
"Yea, well Brady's a dork," I yelled back
Michael was waiting in his car, and he looked so hot. He leaned over and pushed open the door for me, I thought I was going to faint on the spot, I couldn't believe I was actually going on a date with him.
We went to dotcom and took our seats. After ordering, Michael suddenly leaned forward.
"So, you and Brady Black don't have a thing going on?"
I froze. "What?"
"You and Black. Everyone knows you two are joined at the hip."
I couldn't help laughing. Brady had had about twenty girlfriends in the past two years alone. Did he think I was the kind of girl to let my boyfriend date on the side?
"Brady has had lots of girlfriends, but I was not one of them. We're just friends."
"I know one thing," Michael said taking my hand.
"What's that?'
"We could never be friends." His hazel eyes looking into mine.
"Why?" I whispered
"Because I'd always want to kiss you."
Just then the waitress, brought our orders, breaking the tension.
We started eating, and Michael seemed content to eat in silence, so I let myself tune into the other conversations around me.
I listened to what the people in the booth behind me were saying. I heard a voice the belonged to a preppy-looking girl.
"Daddy took away my credit card for the month. He freaked out when I bought a leather jacket. He's such a ogre."
I rolled my eyes. What a snob.
"How unfair," Her date said. "Doesn't he know that without a credit card, you are a nobody?"
"What is there to do? He doesn't understand what it's like. Maybe I should sue him for negligence."
I giggled. The couple behind us sounded like characters from movie Clueless. Were they for real?
"Are you listening to that couple? I whispered to Michael
He shook his head. " What did they say?"
I cleared my throat getting ready to do my rich-girl impersonation.
"It's sooo atrocious," I said, imitating the girl." Daddy took away my credit card He's going to make me drive the beamer. He is sooo unfair." I laughed again.
Michael's expression was blank.
He started looking at me like I was crazy. Obviously he didn't think it was funny. I sighed. If Brady had been with me, I would have been the girl, while he imitated the guy. We probably would've spent the time role- playing, and laughing the entire time.
Looking at Michael's serious face, I was embarrassed.
Michaels decided to change the subject. "So, My band might have a CD out by this year." I was impressed. "Oh, yea? Will you give me a private listening to you album?" I batted my eyelashes.
He reached under the table and patted my knee. "Anytime, Chloe, anytime"
**** It was almost eleven by the time Michael pulled up to my house. Nervous, I reached over to open the door. But Michael pulled me back,
"You're a funny girl, Chloe," he whispered. Funny? "I could get used to having you around."
The he leaned over and kissed me. At first, all I was thinking was, "OMG he's kissing me!" But then I relaxed a little.
When he pulled away, I felt shaky. "Sweet dreams, Chloe" he whispered.
As I walked up the path to my house, I realized that "sweet dreams" was what Brady always said to me. Somehow, it seemed a whole lot different hearing it from Michael.. ***
Sunday Morning, I went over to the Devereaux's (sp?) house. A few days a week I baby-sit their ten-year old daughter, Abby. When I got there, I saw her practicing her dance moves. That was her number-one priority. Her number two priority was talking about boys.
"Hey Abby" I said
"Hey Chloe! Wanna help me practice my new dance routine that I learned?" she asked
"Of course"
We were practicing her routine, when Brady pulled up to the house. He loved coming to visit me at Abby's because she worshiped the ground he walked on.
Abby stopped midstep, and ran to Brady. "Do you want to see my new dance?" she asked him.
He walked over and sat next to me." Of course I do. You don't think I came over here to see Chloe do you?"
Abby giggled, and went to rewind her tape.
"So how was your date?" Brady asked as he was watching Abby dance happily.
"Amazing" I said remembering my date.
"Are you sure your not just saying that, so you can win our bet?" He raised his eyebrows, looking at me.
" I'll have you know, that bet is the last thing on my mind." It was a lie, but he didn't have to know that.
"Encore!" Brady shouted as Abby finished her routine.
"Was he boring?"
"He's fascinating. More important, he finds me fascinating"
"I don't doubt that," Brady said." After his last girlfriend, you must seem like a rocket scientist."
"Gee, Thanks for the backhanded compliment." He was really starting to irritate me. He should be happy I found some romance. He always acted like my finding a boyfriend was the most important thing in the world to him.
"I'm sorry. Just tell me one thing."
"What?" I asked.
"How many times did he check his hair?"
I had to laugh. Michael was pretty vain.
I walked Brady over to his car, while Abby went to keep her music. I knew she was disappointed that he was leaving.
"So, really, how much do you like Michael?" He asked while opening his car door.
I thought about it for a minute. I never really thought that a guy like Michael would ever like me. I just had to go for it. "I like him a lot" I said finally.
Brady shook his head. "Don't get the razor out yet. A whole lot could happen between now and winter ball."
Brady backed out the driveway. As I watched his car disappear down the street, I had a feeling he was up to something. But, then again, when wasn't he?
Ch. 6
I can't get my mind off of Chloe and Michael. For the past two days, I've seen them flirting, and a couple of times, even holding hands. It was weird seeing Chloe like that. She seemed like a different person, and I'm not sure I liked it. When I told her she should fall in love, I didn't think she would do it so fast.
Sure, Michael's a good-looking guy, if you like the pretty- boy type.
And he's definitely popular. But his personality is a whole different story. I've never seen Chloe laugh when she'd with him. When she's with me, she can't stop laughing.
***
I was sick of being alone, dating random girls who meant nothing to me. I wanted something more.
I am more than ready to take things with Veronica to another level. I already thought she was a beautiful girl. And she was pretty smart. Not too mention sophisticated.
I didn't know why I was so nervous as I was pulling up to her driveway for our date. "Was it because I really wanted this relationship to go somewhere? Was I afraid of rejection? Or was I just getting rusty?"
Anyway, I packed a picnic basket, for our date, so we could go to the park. When I rung the doorbell, a little blond boy answered the door. He was in a power ranger's shirt and looked like he was playing in the dirt.
"Who are you?" He demanded.
"Brady Black, sir. Are you the man of the house?" I asked. He opened the door wider and let me in.
"Are you my sister's boyfriend?" He asked
"I don't know, maybe we should ask her."
"Are you being a brat again?" Veronica said, coming down the stairs glaring at her little brother.
"NO!" He shouted.
"Get out of here. Go back to your dirt."
He ran out the door.
"Cute kid," I said
She gave me a kiss on the check. "He's a little monster. Why can't kids just be born full grown?" Apparently she didn't like kids very much.
As we were getting in the car, I turned to look at her. "What do you think about a picnic?"
"Sure. As long as I don't eat ants." I laughed and looked at her. Apparently, she wasn't joking. " So where are we going?"
"The park" I said. I didn't usually take my dates there, I usually only went there with Chloe. And I wanted to share it with Veronica since she was special.
As we were driving I asked" So how do you like Salem High?"
"It's okay. I've been buttering up some of the cheerleaders, so I should get on the squad next season. And from what I've seen of the student government, I have a good shot at becoming president."
"Wow. You're pretty ambitious."
"I like to leave my mark"
We pulled up to the park, and walked to a secluded area.
"Wow, this spot is so beautiful." She said, as if she was expecting me to take her to a dump.
We started eating our picnic, I prepared.
"Maybe we should bring your brother out here sometime," I said. "Think of all the awesome mud pies he could make."
She looked at me as if I grew another head.
"Or, Maybe not" She said.
"How about we make a toast," I said trying to break the tension.
"To us, and my new life here in Salem" Veronica said. We clinked out soda cans, and she gazed at me.
I put down my soda and moved closer to Veronica. Our lips met, and I kissed her softly. As our kiss deepened, I wished that Chloe was there to see it.
****
"It was great. I asked her to homecoming" I said to Shawn. We had just finished a game of one-on-one at the basketball court.
"Did she say yes?" He said while spinning the basketball on his finger.
"Of course she said yes. Has a woman ever resisted my charms?"
" I can think one." Shawn shoved the ball in my stomach and I groaned.
"Who?" I asked while dribbling the ball.
"Who do you think? Chloe."
""Excuse me?" I grabbed the ball and stood motionless.
"Chloe Lane. The girl you've been mooning over forever. She's never fallen prey to your brand of manliness."
"Chloe and I are friends. Look it up"
"Why don't you look up denial? You've got a bad case."
"I thought we were talking about Veronica." We started walking to the parking lot.
"I don't know why you're so desperate to find a girlfriend. The dance is weeks away. You could probably find someone better."
I shook my head." See, Shawn, there's this really cool stuff in life. It's called Love, fulfillment, and happiness."
"And?" He said stopping and staring at me.
"And what?"
" You think you can find that with Veronica?"
Shawn took the basketball.
"Sure. Why not?"
Shawn threw up his hands in surrender. " I just don't see how you can say you love some girl you've known for just a couple of months."
"Look, I'm trying to find something real. I don't see anything wrong with that." I started walking again.
"Well, I like to play the field, girls just equal one big headache."
He threw the basketball to me." And take it from me, you're headed for trouble." I gave Shawn a not-so-soft punch in the arm.
What did he know anyway?
Ch.7
I still can't believe that Michael asked me to homecoming yesterday. I really can't wait to tell Brady.. It feels like I haven't talked to him in ages..
Unfortunately, Michael's band was playing at the dance, so I really wouldn't be able to spend much time with him. But I comforted myself, by knowing that every girl would be jealous because I was with the band's sexy lead singer.
*** It was Friday afternoon and Mimi and I were dress shopping. She had agreed to go with one of Michael's friends, although she wasn't looking forward to it too much. We were looking through different rack searching for the right dress. I pulled out a short black dress.. It looked absolutely perfect.
Mimi picked out a couple of dresses to try on also, and we headed for the dressing room.
"So I guess Brady and that Veronica girl are getting pretty serious huh?" Mimi's muffled voice asked, as she was pulling off her sweater.
I started taking off my boots. "They're going to homecoming, if that's what you mean."
Mimi came out so I could zip up her dress. "Yeah, I knew they were going to the dance. I mean, Brady asked her a while ago. But that bracelet he gave her looked really expensive. Shawn told me that Brady blew off a big chunk of money for it."
My hands stopped midzip." What are you talking about? What bracelet?"
In the mirror, I could see Mimi raise her eyebrows. " You mean, you don't know about it?"
I shook my head, trying to look nonchalant. "No, he probably just forgot to mention it. It's no big deal."
"Well, it's gold and it has an opal on it. Opal's her birthstone. I saw the bracelet when I was in the bathroom yesterday. The way she was holding her wrist up, I'd have to be blind not to notice it." I tried to look like I had no interest in what was being said. "I didn't know Brady was the kind of guy who'd do something as hokey as buying a girl her birthstone,"
"I'm sure he'll tell you all about the bracelet. He probably just hasn't had the chance." Mimi said while turning to her side seeing how the dress looked in the mirror.
"Oh yea, I'm sure it just slipped his mind."
Inside I was furious. How in the world had Brady neglected to tell me about something as important as this to his best friend? He'd obviously told Shawn about it, he probably even consulted Shawn about what to buy. Brady never bought presents for his girlfriends, especially expensive jewelry.
Maybe Brady really was in love with Veronica, If so, then the bet would be a draw, I mean I was in love with Michael wasn't I? But was Brady going to abandon me now that he's found something better? In the past, our friendship always came first. He'd tell me everything and anything about his life. Including his love life. Now it seemed like he didn't need me at all. Maybe I'd said good-bye to my best friend. It was a depressing thought.
"Well, I think Brady's going out with Veronica is a complete waste of a great guy. She's the absolute worst." Mimi said interrupting my thoughts.
"Why's that?" I had to admit; I didn't like Veronica very much. Every time I meet her it's like I just walked into a freezer. But I was used to get the cold shoulder from Brady's girlfriends. I actually got a kick out of it, I found it kind of amusing. But I was surprised to find that Mimi seemed to have a negative feeling towards her.
"That girl is such a social climber. I heard her bragging about Brady in the restroom. She was going on and on about how good he looked, but he didn't say a thing about his personality." She said putting her clothes back on.
"Really?" I was studying myself in the mirror. Somehow, the black dress had lost its appeal. I suddenly had a heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach, and all of a sudden shopping was the last thing I wanted to do.
"Then I heard her tell Jan Spears that Brady was her ticket to popularity. Since everyone knows who he is, they'll know who she is too. She said by the time she's a senior (veronica is a junior), she'd be captain of the cheerleading squad and going out with the quarterback. How shallow could you get?"
I hung the black dress back up. "You're not jealous of Veronica, are you? I mean Brady's a great guy, but not great boyfriend material."
Mimi frowned. "Chloe, I'm not jealous. Are you?" "Don't make me laugh," I said indignantly. "I'd never go out with Brady. I've told you that about a thousand times."
"I know that's what you say." Mimi said putting her shoes back on. "But you never tell me why you don't want to go out with him."
I sighed." For one thing, I'm into Michael. Even if I wasn't, Brady and I would never be right for each other."
"Expand." Mimi said, arching an eyebrow.
"First of all, he's like my best friend, he can't commit, he's arrogant, we have different taste in drinks, we get into stupid fights about who gets to handle the remote control, we."
I knew I was babbling, but Mimi's questions were really starting to get me. Talking about Brady in a personal way was making me uncomfortable.
Mimi laughed." Ok, I now see that you two are a match made in hell. I'll drop the subject. I know how much you hate talking about Brady."
"Thank you. Now let's go. I can't find a dress in here."
As we walked out of the store, I tried to ignore the gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach. I still couldn't believe that Brady hadn't told me about buying that bracelet for Veronica. As soon as I got home I was going to call him.
***
I twisted the strand of hair with my finger, as I waited for someone to pick up the phone. On the third ring, I heard Marlena's warm voice.
"Hi, Marlena. May I talk with Brady?" I kicked off my shoes and lay back on my bed.
"Chloe! It's so good to hear from you, I feel like I haven't seen you in so long."
"Well, I've been pretty busy." Marlena was one of my most favorite people. She was like my second mother.
"Chlo?" Brady said picking up the phone.
"Hey." For some reason my heart started racing. All of a sudden, Brady sounded like a stranger.
"What're you doin' tonight?" He asked
"I have a date with Michael." I walked over to my closet to pick out something to wear.
"Looks like our bet might be a draw." His voice sounded a little tired.
"So I hear," I responded, unable to keep the bitterness out of my voice.
"Whoa, what's that supposed to mean?" I could tell he was irritated, but I really could have cared less.
"You and Veronica are getting pretty close. Everyone's talking about that bracelet you found necessary to buy for her."
"It was her birthday, so what's the big deal?"
"Why didn't you tell me that you were so in love with her that you decided to blow your cash? Am I not important enough for you to fill me in about your life?" I was getting angrier and angrier. Brady could have at least let me know he was thinking about buying her something, I could have even helped him pick it out.
"Excuse me for having a life. I thought you were too busy kissing Michael Suckface in the halls to care what I was doing." Now Brady was mad too, and I could tell our conversation wasn't going to end pretty.
" Ha! Your lips are glued to Veronica's. I'm starting to think you two are Siamese twins."
"I think you're just worried that I'm going to win. You're worried about that sorry excuse of a boyfriend and you know it's not gonna last until Winter Ball."
I pulled out a jean skirt and a black turtleneck sweater. Then I slammed my closet door.
"I'll have you know that I am completely in love with Michael. You on the other hand wouldn't know love if it knocked you on the head. All you care about is a pretty face."
With the help of my free hand, I struggled out of my jeans. Time was ticking and I still hadn't changed.
"Chloe, you don't know a thing about me. Obviously you've spent all these years in a fog."
"Obviously," I responded sarcastically. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to finish getting ready for my date. Have a wonderful life."
"Same to you." His voice was barely audible.
"Good-bye" I set down the phone with a violent bang. I was on the verge of tears, and Michael was going to be outside honking in about ten minutes. As furious I was with Brady, I couldn't believe how our conversation ended. We have never been so mean and cold to each other, and I wasn't sure how I could get past it. I tried to act excited about seeing Michael, but the tears were working their way down my cheeks. My face looked pale, my eyes red. I might have been in love, but I looked like I just lost my best friend.
**** "Do you know how beautiful you look?" Michael said, pulling me close.
I leaned my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat." You're not so bad yourself."
We'd gone out to Tuscany, and know we were at my front door.
"Chloe, I'm so glad we found each other. I was really bummed out at the beginning of the year. When Kimberley left, I thought I would be alone for the rest of my life. But when I walked into Creative writing class, there you were."
"Sounds like fate to me." I said looking into his eyes, wanting to lose myself in them and forget about everything else.
"Me too." He moved his face close to mine and finally met his lips with mine. I felt little tingles, but a weird feeling of confusion washed over me. I had what I wanted, but there was this haunting sense of a major letdown. Why?
Ignoring my brain, I pressed myself closer, trying to lose myself in the kiss. As we pulled apart, we were both breathless.
Michael smiled, and smoothed me hair behind my ear. He leaned forward and gave me a peck on the forehead, then tilted to whisper in my ear. "I'll sing a song just for you at the dance."
I slipped inside my house. As I walked upstairs, a part of me felt really happy. I achieved my senior year goal. It wasn't even homecoming and I was falling in love for the first time. Who would have ever thought that cynical Chloe Lane was capable of doing that?
But then another part, a huge part, of me felt as if I'd just been run over by a car. Although I could call Mimi and tell her all the details of what happened on my date, Brady's door was closed to me. And if I couldn't share the events of my life with the person I cared most about in the world, It was almost as if they hadn't happened at all.
Chloe and I got out of my jeep and headed toward the football field. It seemed as though almost all the Salem high students came to the first game of the season to support the football team.
We pushed our way passed some underclassmen and headed up the bleaches towards Mimi and Jason Masters.
"Hey guys!" Chloe called. " Have you worked up some spirit?"
Mimi laughed. "Right. I can't wait for the cheering to start. I love watching the cheerleaders shake their pom-poms."
"What a coincidence. So do I," Jason said, wiggling his eyebrows.
"Why do we come to things anyway?" Chloe asked.
"Why else? In hope to find our one true love in the bleachers." Mimi answered.
I tuned out the rest of Chloe and Mimi's conversation and scanned the crowd. Even though I really didn't think that Veronica would come to the football game, a small part of me hoped to see her here.
Veronica and I talked almost everyday in homeroom. Smiled at me flirtatiously, flipped her hair in a provocative way, and given me looks that seemed like they were just for me.
When I saw Veronica on the other side of the bleachers, my heart jumped. In jeans and a tight black shirt, I could tell she looked great. Best of all, she was alone.
When I stood up, I felt Chloe pull on the back pocket of my jeans. "Where are you going?"
"Shawn's over there," I said pointing towards the snack bar. "I'm going to talk to him." I didn't feel like having anyone give me a hard time about going to sit with a potential love interest.
Before anyone could protest, I climbed down the bleachers. Just in case Chloe was looking I went to stand in line for the snack bar for a minute, then jogged over to Veronica.
When she saw me coming on her direction, she smiled and slid over on the bench. When I sat down, I could feel our knees touching and I thought I could almost feel a tingle going through my leg.
"I was going to stay home tonight, but I got lonely." I nodded, not believing my luck. She was probably just too shy and sensitive and that's why I didn't see her around much other than homeroom. " Well Veronica, fear no more! I will be your personal guide through a Salem High Friday night "
She giggled softly and moved closer to me. "I heard there's a party at Jeffrey Torres' House. Tonight after the game" Veronica said.
Inwardly I sighed. Jeffrey Torres was an obnoxious football player. But if that's where she wanted to go, I wasn't about to deny her. "Perfect." I said. "I'll round up some of my friends and get them to come along. You can meet a bunch of new people."
"Who are your friends?" she asked.
"Well, you know Shawn. He's in our homeroom."
"Right. He's a basketball player."
I nodded surprised that she knew what sport he played. He probably was just trying to put the moves on her. Typical.
"Who else?" She looked at me expectantly.
For a second I hesitated. I felt sort of reluctant to tell her about Chloe. A lot of people misinterpreted our relationship, and I didn't want Veronica to get the wrong idea. But if I didn't tell her now, she would find out somewhere else anyway. "Chloe lane is my best friend. She's sitting on the other side of the bleachers with some of our friends."
Veronica glanced across the stands. "She's not a cheerleader?"
I laughed. The thought of Chloe as a cheerleader was almost like the thought of me going out there doing the cheers. I shook my head. "No. But she's a singer." Veronica sort of wrinkled her nose. "How. neat," she said.
"Enough about Chloe. Tell me more about you."
She was quiet for a while, like she was trying to organize her thoughts. " Let's see. I told you I was from New York."
"Yeah." I was trying to focus on her words, but I was distracted by the piece of hair near her eye.
"Did I tell you how cute I think you are?" She bit her lip and looked at me. I was shocked for a second. "Nope, I didn't know that."
She shrugged. "Remind me at the party, and I'll tell you."
I grinned and started imagining Chloe with her short blond hair. I was well on to my way to victory.
When the game ended, I took Veronica's hand as we went through the crowds. I was pretty sure Chloe could get a ride with Mimi and Jason, but just in case she was waiting for me, I didn't want to leave her stranded.
She wasn't in the stands, and after walking around the football once, I didn't see her anywhere. I could tell Veronica wasn't enjoying this, so I decided to assume that Chloe found a ride.
"Can we swing by my house so I can change?" Veronica asked as we made our way to my jeep.
" You look great now." I said
" Thanks. But since I don't really know anyone, I'd feel better if I didn't look so scruffy." She said sliding into the passenger seat.
Twenty minutes later, I was sitting on the couch in her living room, waiting for her to finish getting ready.
"I'm ready." I heard Veronica's voice say, and I turned around to look at her. She was wearing a short, red dress with a low neckline. She looked pretty amazing.
"Good-bye Scruffy" I said
"I guess that was a compliment." She said talking my arm.
"Trust me, it was one."
By the time we got to Jeffrey Torres' house, it was already lined with cars. Before we even reached the front lawn, I could hear the music pounding through the speakers.
All of a sudden, Shawn came running out of the Torres' house. He was followed by a girl with a water gun. "I'm going to get you Shawn!" She yelled as she ran past us.
Shawn stopped behind me and used me as a shield. " This is neutral territory," He shouted.
The girl put down her gun." All right," she said. "But I'll be waiting for you inside."
Shawn came out from behind me and slapped my hand. "Is this a great party or what?"
I managed to nod. "This is definitely a party, I'll say that much."
"Hey, What happened to you at the game? Chloe said you went over to talk to me, and then you never came back. When I told her that I hadn't seen you all night, she got this crazy look in her eye and started mumbling something about a bet."
I instantly felt guilty about leaving Chloe behind. But I couldn't worry about that now. I'd just call her tomorrow and apologize. I turned to Veronica. "Shawn, You know Veronica."
"Oh, Hey Veronica"
He took her hand and kissed it.
"Anyway, Chloe's inside," Shawn said. "Her and Mimi are tearing up the dance floor."
"Really?" I didn't know why I was so surprised to hear that. I guess it was because usually I had to drag her to any major social event.
"Yeah, man. Check it out." Shawn then sprinted in the house.
I started giving Veronica the rundown on some of the people that were outside with us. She seemed to absorb everything I said, and stared intently at the person I was talking about.
When we went inside, Veronica headed straight to the dance floor. Just as we stepped onto the dance floor, the music changed into a slow song. I took this as my cue to pull her into my arms.
As I turned to move a little farther across the floor, my jaw suddenly dropped open. There was Chloe, dancing right next to us.
Her eyes were closed, and her head was pressed against Michael's chest. I wouldn't have been more shocked if I saw an elephant walk into the room. Chloe wasn't the type to bring attention to herself like that. They were basically just standing there hugging kind of swaying a little to the music, in the middle of the crowded party.
When Chloe opened her eyes, she caught me staring at her. I had expected her to get embarrassed and pull away a little from Michael, but she didn't. She just winked at me.
"Hi Brady," She said sounding incredible proud.
"Uh, hi" I answered.
"What's up Black?" Michael asked, with a little nod of his head. "Who's your friend?" For a split second I couldn't remember Veronica's name. But it didn't matter because Chloe spoke up. "Veronica, right? I'm Chloe and this is Michael."
I saw Chloe pull Michael a little closer, as if she didn't want Veronica to get any ideas.
"Hi, Michael," Veronica answered. She didn't say anything to Chloe.
There was a long pause. "Uh, well, maybe we'll run into each other later," I said, leading Veronica away.
"Yeah, Maybe," Chloe said. She wasn't even looking at me. She was staring at Michael, and I felt like something significant happened- like maybe Chloe was outgrowing me.
I brushed my chin against Veronica's soft hair, having a bad vision of myself with the word loser shaved in the back of my head.
It wasn't a pretty picture.
** I talked to Chloe Sunday night. " So, how's the lovely veronica?" she asked as soon as I picked up the phone.
"Lovely," I answered dryly. I was waiting for her to comment on what a fool she'd made of herself by being all over Michael the other night.
"Wasn't Friday incredible?" she asked.
"Incredible," I replied. She wasn't picking up any of my signals.
"Too bad Veronica isn't the kind of girl you could fall in love with. Guess I'm in the lead huh?"
"What?" I shouted. She was seriously bugging me. "Why shouldn't fall in love with her?"
"Didn't you see the way she was looking at Michael? I'm just saying I think she has a roving eye."
"Give me a break. She would never go out with him. He's totally inferior to me." He was, wasn't he?
Chloe laughed." Excuse me, I forgot who I was talking to. You are the greatest guy in the world, oops I meant universe."
"I don't need your sarcasm," I said feeling a little hurt.
Chloe was quiet for a moment. "I mean it, Brady. You are the best. I only need to look at you choice of best friends to know that."
As usual I couldn't stay mad at her. "Sweet dreams, Chlo."
"Sweet dreams, Black," she responded.
When I hung up the phone, I was smiling. Chloe Lane was one of a kind- thank goodness.
Ch. 5
It was Saturday night, and I was going on my first date with Michael. I was standing in front of my mirror checking how I looked. I heard a honk outside, grabbed my purse and ran out the door.
"Bye," I yelled to my parents who were watching TV.
"Brady always comes to the door," My mom yelled.
"Yea, well Brady's a dork," I yelled back
Michael was waiting in his car, and he looked so hot. He leaned over and pushed open the door for me, I thought I was going to faint on the spot, I couldn't believe I was actually going on a date with him.
We went to dotcom and took our seats. After ordering, Michael suddenly leaned forward.
"So, you and Brady Black don't have a thing going on?"
I froze. "What?"
"You and Black. Everyone knows you two are joined at the hip."
I couldn't help laughing. Brady had had about twenty girlfriends in the past two years alone. Did he think I was the kind of girl to let my boyfriend date on the side?
"Brady has had lots of girlfriends, but I was not one of them. We're just friends."
"I know one thing," Michael said taking my hand.
"What's that?'
"We could never be friends." His hazel eyes looking into mine.
"Why?" I whispered
"Because I'd always want to kiss you."
Just then the waitress, brought our orders, breaking the tension.
We started eating, and Michael seemed content to eat in silence, so I let myself tune into the other conversations around me.
I listened to what the people in the booth behind me were saying. I heard a voice the belonged to a preppy-looking girl.
"Daddy took away my credit card for the month. He freaked out when I bought a leather jacket. He's such a ogre."
I rolled my eyes. What a snob.
"How unfair," Her date said. "Doesn't he know that without a credit card, you are a nobody?"
"What is there to do? He doesn't understand what it's like. Maybe I should sue him for negligence."
I giggled. The couple behind us sounded like characters from movie Clueless. Were they for real?
"Are you listening to that couple? I whispered to Michael
He shook his head. " What did they say?"
I cleared my throat getting ready to do my rich-girl impersonation.
"It's sooo atrocious," I said, imitating the girl." Daddy took away my credit card He's going to make me drive the beamer. He is sooo unfair." I laughed again.
Michael's expression was blank.
He started looking at me like I was crazy. Obviously he didn't think it was funny. I sighed. If Brady had been with me, I would have been the girl, while he imitated the guy. We probably would've spent the time role- playing, and laughing the entire time.
Looking at Michael's serious face, I was embarrassed.
Michaels decided to change the subject. "So, My band might have a CD out by this year." I was impressed. "Oh, yea? Will you give me a private listening to you album?" I batted my eyelashes.
He reached under the table and patted my knee. "Anytime, Chloe, anytime"
**** It was almost eleven by the time Michael pulled up to my house. Nervous, I reached over to open the door. But Michael pulled me back,
"You're a funny girl, Chloe," he whispered. Funny? "I could get used to having you around."
The he leaned over and kissed me. At first, all I was thinking was, "OMG he's kissing me!" But then I relaxed a little.
When he pulled away, I felt shaky. "Sweet dreams, Chloe" he whispered.
As I walked up the path to my house, I realized that "sweet dreams" was what Brady always said to me. Somehow, it seemed a whole lot different hearing it from Michael.. ***
Sunday Morning, I went over to the Devereaux's (sp?) house. A few days a week I baby-sit their ten-year old daughter, Abby. When I got there, I saw her practicing her dance moves. That was her number-one priority. Her number two priority was talking about boys.
"Hey Abby" I said
"Hey Chloe! Wanna help me practice my new dance routine that I learned?" she asked
"Of course"
We were practicing her routine, when Brady pulled up to the house. He loved coming to visit me at Abby's because she worshiped the ground he walked on.
Abby stopped midstep, and ran to Brady. "Do you want to see my new dance?" she asked him.
He walked over and sat next to me." Of course I do. You don't think I came over here to see Chloe do you?"
Abby giggled, and went to rewind her tape.
"So how was your date?" Brady asked as he was watching Abby dance happily.
"Amazing" I said remembering my date.
"Are you sure your not just saying that, so you can win our bet?" He raised his eyebrows, looking at me.
" I'll have you know, that bet is the last thing on my mind." It was a lie, but he didn't have to know that.
"Encore!" Brady shouted as Abby finished her routine.
"Was he boring?"
"He's fascinating. More important, he finds me fascinating"
"I don't doubt that," Brady said." After his last girlfriend, you must seem like a rocket scientist."
"Gee, Thanks for the backhanded compliment." He was really starting to irritate me. He should be happy I found some romance. He always acted like my finding a boyfriend was the most important thing in the world to him.
"I'm sorry. Just tell me one thing."
"What?" I asked.
"How many times did he check his hair?"
I had to laugh. Michael was pretty vain.
I walked Brady over to his car, while Abby went to keep her music. I knew she was disappointed that he was leaving.
"So, really, how much do you like Michael?" He asked while opening his car door.
I thought about it for a minute. I never really thought that a guy like Michael would ever like me. I just had to go for it. "I like him a lot" I said finally.
Brady shook his head. "Don't get the razor out yet. A whole lot could happen between now and winter ball."
Brady backed out the driveway. As I watched his car disappear down the street, I had a feeling he was up to something. But, then again, when wasn't he?
Ch. 6
I can't get my mind off of Chloe and Michael. For the past two days, I've seen them flirting, and a couple of times, even holding hands. It was weird seeing Chloe like that. She seemed like a different person, and I'm not sure I liked it. When I told her she should fall in love, I didn't think she would do it so fast.
Sure, Michael's a good-looking guy, if you like the pretty- boy type.
And he's definitely popular. But his personality is a whole different story. I've never seen Chloe laugh when she'd with him. When she's with me, she can't stop laughing.
***
I was sick of being alone, dating random girls who meant nothing to me. I wanted something more.
I am more than ready to take things with Veronica to another level. I already thought she was a beautiful girl. And she was pretty smart. Not too mention sophisticated.
I didn't know why I was so nervous as I was pulling up to her driveway for our date. "Was it because I really wanted this relationship to go somewhere? Was I afraid of rejection? Or was I just getting rusty?"
Anyway, I packed a picnic basket, for our date, so we could go to the park. When I rung the doorbell, a little blond boy answered the door. He was in a power ranger's shirt and looked like he was playing in the dirt.
"Who are you?" He demanded.
"Brady Black, sir. Are you the man of the house?" I asked. He opened the door wider and let me in.
"Are you my sister's boyfriend?" He asked
"I don't know, maybe we should ask her."
"Are you being a brat again?" Veronica said, coming down the stairs glaring at her little brother.
"NO!" He shouted.
"Get out of here. Go back to your dirt."
He ran out the door.
"Cute kid," I said
She gave me a kiss on the check. "He's a little monster. Why can't kids just be born full grown?" Apparently she didn't like kids very much.
As we were getting in the car, I turned to look at her. "What do you think about a picnic?"
"Sure. As long as I don't eat ants." I laughed and looked at her. Apparently, she wasn't joking. " So where are we going?"
"The park" I said. I didn't usually take my dates there, I usually only went there with Chloe. And I wanted to share it with Veronica since she was special.
As we were driving I asked" So how do you like Salem High?"
"It's okay. I've been buttering up some of the cheerleaders, so I should get on the squad next season. And from what I've seen of the student government, I have a good shot at becoming president."
"Wow. You're pretty ambitious."
"I like to leave my mark"
We pulled up to the park, and walked to a secluded area.
"Wow, this spot is so beautiful." She said, as if she was expecting me to take her to a dump.
We started eating our picnic, I prepared.
"Maybe we should bring your brother out here sometime," I said. "Think of all the awesome mud pies he could make."
She looked at me as if I grew another head.
"Or, Maybe not" She said.
"How about we make a toast," I said trying to break the tension.
"To us, and my new life here in Salem" Veronica said. We clinked out soda cans, and she gazed at me.
I put down my soda and moved closer to Veronica. Our lips met, and I kissed her softly. As our kiss deepened, I wished that Chloe was there to see it.
****
"It was great. I asked her to homecoming" I said to Shawn. We had just finished a game of one-on-one at the basketball court.
"Did she say yes?" He said while spinning the basketball on his finger.
"Of course she said yes. Has a woman ever resisted my charms?"
" I can think one." Shawn shoved the ball in my stomach and I groaned.
"Who?" I asked while dribbling the ball.
"Who do you think? Chloe."
""Excuse me?" I grabbed the ball and stood motionless.
"Chloe Lane. The girl you've been mooning over forever. She's never fallen prey to your brand of manliness."
"Chloe and I are friends. Look it up"
"Why don't you look up denial? You've got a bad case."
"I thought we were talking about Veronica." We started walking to the parking lot.
"I don't know why you're so desperate to find a girlfriend. The dance is weeks away. You could probably find someone better."
I shook my head." See, Shawn, there's this really cool stuff in life. It's called Love, fulfillment, and happiness."
"And?" He said stopping and staring at me.
"And what?"
" You think you can find that with Veronica?"
Shawn took the basketball.
"Sure. Why not?"
Shawn threw up his hands in surrender. " I just don't see how you can say you love some girl you've known for just a couple of months."
"Look, I'm trying to find something real. I don't see anything wrong with that." I started walking again.
"Well, I like to play the field, girls just equal one big headache."
He threw the basketball to me." And take it from me, you're headed for trouble." I gave Shawn a not-so-soft punch in the arm.
What did he know anyway?
Ch.7
I still can't believe that Michael asked me to homecoming yesterday. I really can't wait to tell Brady.. It feels like I haven't talked to him in ages..
Unfortunately, Michael's band was playing at the dance, so I really wouldn't be able to spend much time with him. But I comforted myself, by knowing that every girl would be jealous because I was with the band's sexy lead singer.
*** It was Friday afternoon and Mimi and I were dress shopping. She had agreed to go with one of Michael's friends, although she wasn't looking forward to it too much. We were looking through different rack searching for the right dress. I pulled out a short black dress.. It looked absolutely perfect.
Mimi picked out a couple of dresses to try on also, and we headed for the dressing room.
"So I guess Brady and that Veronica girl are getting pretty serious huh?" Mimi's muffled voice asked, as she was pulling off her sweater.
I started taking off my boots. "They're going to homecoming, if that's what you mean."
Mimi came out so I could zip up her dress. "Yeah, I knew they were going to the dance. I mean, Brady asked her a while ago. But that bracelet he gave her looked really expensive. Shawn told me that Brady blew off a big chunk of money for it."
My hands stopped midzip." What are you talking about? What bracelet?"
In the mirror, I could see Mimi raise her eyebrows. " You mean, you don't know about it?"
I shook my head, trying to look nonchalant. "No, he probably just forgot to mention it. It's no big deal."
"Well, it's gold and it has an opal on it. Opal's her birthstone. I saw the bracelet when I was in the bathroom yesterday. The way she was holding her wrist up, I'd have to be blind not to notice it." I tried to look like I had no interest in what was being said. "I didn't know Brady was the kind of guy who'd do something as hokey as buying a girl her birthstone,"
"I'm sure he'll tell you all about the bracelet. He probably just hasn't had the chance." Mimi said while turning to her side seeing how the dress looked in the mirror.
"Oh yea, I'm sure it just slipped his mind."
Inside I was furious. How in the world had Brady neglected to tell me about something as important as this to his best friend? He'd obviously told Shawn about it, he probably even consulted Shawn about what to buy. Brady never bought presents for his girlfriends, especially expensive jewelry.
Maybe Brady really was in love with Veronica, If so, then the bet would be a draw, I mean I was in love with Michael wasn't I? But was Brady going to abandon me now that he's found something better? In the past, our friendship always came first. He'd tell me everything and anything about his life. Including his love life. Now it seemed like he didn't need me at all. Maybe I'd said good-bye to my best friend. It was a depressing thought.
"Well, I think Brady's going out with Veronica is a complete waste of a great guy. She's the absolute worst." Mimi said interrupting my thoughts.
"Why's that?" I had to admit; I didn't like Veronica very much. Every time I meet her it's like I just walked into a freezer. But I was used to get the cold shoulder from Brady's girlfriends. I actually got a kick out of it, I found it kind of amusing. But I was surprised to find that Mimi seemed to have a negative feeling towards her.
"That girl is such a social climber. I heard her bragging about Brady in the restroom. She was going on and on about how good he looked, but he didn't say a thing about his personality." She said putting her clothes back on.
"Really?" I was studying myself in the mirror. Somehow, the black dress had lost its appeal. I suddenly had a heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach, and all of a sudden shopping was the last thing I wanted to do.
"Then I heard her tell Jan Spears that Brady was her ticket to popularity. Since everyone knows who he is, they'll know who she is too. She said by the time she's a senior (veronica is a junior), she'd be captain of the cheerleading squad and going out with the quarterback. How shallow could you get?"
I hung the black dress back up. "You're not jealous of Veronica, are you? I mean Brady's a great guy, but not great boyfriend material."
Mimi frowned. "Chloe, I'm not jealous. Are you?" "Don't make me laugh," I said indignantly. "I'd never go out with Brady. I've told you that about a thousand times."
"I know that's what you say." Mimi said putting her shoes back on. "But you never tell me why you don't want to go out with him."
I sighed." For one thing, I'm into Michael. Even if I wasn't, Brady and I would never be right for each other."
"Expand." Mimi said, arching an eyebrow.
"First of all, he's like my best friend, he can't commit, he's arrogant, we have different taste in drinks, we get into stupid fights about who gets to handle the remote control, we."
I knew I was babbling, but Mimi's questions were really starting to get me. Talking about Brady in a personal way was making me uncomfortable.
Mimi laughed." Ok, I now see that you two are a match made in hell. I'll drop the subject. I know how much you hate talking about Brady."
"Thank you. Now let's go. I can't find a dress in here."
As we walked out of the store, I tried to ignore the gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach. I still couldn't believe that Brady hadn't told me about buying that bracelet for Veronica. As soon as I got home I was going to call him.
***
I twisted the strand of hair with my finger, as I waited for someone to pick up the phone. On the third ring, I heard Marlena's warm voice.
"Hi, Marlena. May I talk with Brady?" I kicked off my shoes and lay back on my bed.
"Chloe! It's so good to hear from you, I feel like I haven't seen you in so long."
"Well, I've been pretty busy." Marlena was one of my most favorite people. She was like my second mother.
"Chlo?" Brady said picking up the phone.
"Hey." For some reason my heart started racing. All of a sudden, Brady sounded like a stranger.
"What're you doin' tonight?" He asked
"I have a date with Michael." I walked over to my closet to pick out something to wear.
"Looks like our bet might be a draw." His voice sounded a little tired.
"So I hear," I responded, unable to keep the bitterness out of my voice.
"Whoa, what's that supposed to mean?" I could tell he was irritated, but I really could have cared less.
"You and Veronica are getting pretty close. Everyone's talking about that bracelet you found necessary to buy for her."
"It was her birthday, so what's the big deal?"
"Why didn't you tell me that you were so in love with her that you decided to blow your cash? Am I not important enough for you to fill me in about your life?" I was getting angrier and angrier. Brady could have at least let me know he was thinking about buying her something, I could have even helped him pick it out.
"Excuse me for having a life. I thought you were too busy kissing Michael Suckface in the halls to care what I was doing." Now Brady was mad too, and I could tell our conversation wasn't going to end pretty.
" Ha! Your lips are glued to Veronica's. I'm starting to think you two are Siamese twins."
"I think you're just worried that I'm going to win. You're worried about that sorry excuse of a boyfriend and you know it's not gonna last until Winter Ball."
I pulled out a jean skirt and a black turtleneck sweater. Then I slammed my closet door.
"I'll have you know that I am completely in love with Michael. You on the other hand wouldn't know love if it knocked you on the head. All you care about is a pretty face."
With the help of my free hand, I struggled out of my jeans. Time was ticking and I still hadn't changed.
"Chloe, you don't know a thing about me. Obviously you've spent all these years in a fog."
"Obviously," I responded sarcastically. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to finish getting ready for my date. Have a wonderful life."
"Same to you." His voice was barely audible.
"Good-bye" I set down the phone with a violent bang. I was on the verge of tears, and Michael was going to be outside honking in about ten minutes. As furious I was with Brady, I couldn't believe how our conversation ended. We have never been so mean and cold to each other, and I wasn't sure how I could get past it. I tried to act excited about seeing Michael, but the tears were working their way down my cheeks. My face looked pale, my eyes red. I might have been in love, but I looked like I just lost my best friend.
**** "Do you know how beautiful you look?" Michael said, pulling me close.
I leaned my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat." You're not so bad yourself."
We'd gone out to Tuscany, and know we were at my front door.
"Chloe, I'm so glad we found each other. I was really bummed out at the beginning of the year. When Kimberley left, I thought I would be alone for the rest of my life. But when I walked into Creative writing class, there you were."
"Sounds like fate to me." I said looking into his eyes, wanting to lose myself in them and forget about everything else.
"Me too." He moved his face close to mine and finally met his lips with mine. I felt little tingles, but a weird feeling of confusion washed over me. I had what I wanted, but there was this haunting sense of a major letdown. Why?
Ignoring my brain, I pressed myself closer, trying to lose myself in the kiss. As we pulled apart, we were both breathless.
Michael smiled, and smoothed me hair behind my ear. He leaned forward and gave me a peck on the forehead, then tilted to whisper in my ear. "I'll sing a song just for you at the dance."
I slipped inside my house. As I walked upstairs, a part of me felt really happy. I achieved my senior year goal. It wasn't even homecoming and I was falling in love for the first time. Who would have ever thought that cynical Chloe Lane was capable of doing that?
But then another part, a huge part, of me felt as if I'd just been run over by a car. Although I could call Mimi and tell her all the details of what happened on my date, Brady's door was closed to me. And if I couldn't share the events of my life with the person I cared most about in the world, It was almost as if they hadn't happened at all.