Twenty minutes after finishing his phone call with Chloe, Jason was standing outside her home. For the first time in all his life, Jason actually found himself glad that his older brother had refused to mind his own business. Had it not been for Devon, Jason would probably still be moping around the house pretending that he didn't really have feelings for Chloe.

After only one knock, the front door swung open, and Chloe greeted Jason with a warm smile and her purse already in her hand. "You're early. You're never early."

"You're wrong. I show up early if I'm given a good enough reason to – and seeing you is definitely a good enough reason."

Chloe gave a short laugh and genuinely blushed under the strong gaze of Jason's seductive green eyes. Stepping onto the front porch and shutting the door behind her, Chloe said, "So, what exactly do you have up your sleeve for today?"

"Well," responded Jason as he stuffed his hands into the pockets of his denim jeans. "I don't really have anything up my sleeve. I just thought that we could do something really wild like go for a walk. And, we can just see where we end up. How does that sound?"

"Like perfection."

Walking along the sidewalk with mere inches separating their bodies, Jason and Chloe allowed their minds to wander. It seemed that nearly a lifetime had passed in a time span of less than two weeks. The world they had known was no longer the same – it had changed just as their feelings for one another had.

Though he was greatly tempted to reach out and take Chloe's hand in his own, Jason refrained from doing so. He just wasn't sure where he really stood with Chloe, and he refused to take that extra step only to find himself falling into rejection.

Tiring of the silence that followed them on their stroll, Chloe hesitantly admitted, "I'm sorry for just walking away last night."

"Yeah, well, I'm sorry for starting that stupid argument," Jason conceded, feeling relief when apologizing didn't completely crush his ego.

For a moment, it appeared as if the silence would once again take over the duo. Then, Jason suddenly stopped walking and said, "Well, look where we ended up."

Also stopping, Chloe followed Jason's gaze and found herself staring at a very familiar place – Salem High. Keeping her gaze focused on the buildings, Chloe thought aloud, "It's too bad we don't have a key."

"Why is that?"

Turning to face Jason, Chloe responded with a smile, "Because, there's a torn photograph in my locker that I just don't care about any more."

Jason smiled just slightly and asked, "You mean the one of you and Brady that I tore up the day we got suspended?"

"That's the one. I think it's way past time to throw that photo – and the memories – in the shredder." With a shrug Chloe began to start walking once more and said, "Oh, well, I guess I can just trash it when we go back to school on Monday."

Jason reached out and grabbed Chloe's slender wrist. When she turned to face him with eyes filled with curiosity, he said with a devious smile, "Why wait? There's no time like the present."

"You're joking, right?" When Jason only answered by giving her an expectant stare, Chloe continued, "Jason! The building is locked. How do you suggest we . . . oh, wait . . ."

"Yep, it's time for a little breaking and entering."

"Since I'm obviously going to have to be the logical one, let me make just a few quick points. First, if we get caught, we are going to be in serious trouble – especially since we were suspended not too long ago. Also, if you were going to break into a building, couldn't you think of something a little more glamorous than Salem High?"

Jason gave a brief nod and responded, "So, you ready to go inside or not?"

Before Chloe could answer, Jason flashed her a wickedly charming smile and began to walk toward the back entrance to the school. Quickly going after Jason, Chloe muttered, "I just had to open my mouth."

Jason and Chloe's footsteps made rather eerie echoes as they slowly walked down the corridors of Salem High. Since there were very few windows in the hallways, it was much more dimly lit than either teen had expected it to be on a bright spring morning.

Shaking her head, Chloe whispered with a smile, "I can't believe we actually broke into the school. Nancy would have a heart attack if she ever found out."

"Yeah, my mom, too," Jason responded in a hushed tone. With a grin, he continued, "Hey, Chloe, why are we whispering? The building's empty. After all, it's technically spring break."

Chloe gave a sweet laugh that seemed to fill the empty hallway. "Good point." Running her left hand along the smooth surface of the lockers she passed, Chloe said, "As much as I hated coming to Salem High my sophomore year, I'm honestly going to miss this place and all my friends after I graduate."

"Don't tell anyone, but I feel the same way."

"Oh really?" Chloe asked with a hint of disbelief.

"Yes, really," confirmed Jason as he playfully tapped Chloe's nose with the tip of his index finger. Continuing to walk down the hall with his stunning companion, Jason explained, "Here, I'm Jason Masters and everyone knows that. They know that I'm cool and that I rule."

"Gee, Jason, it's a good thing you're not conceded or anything."

"Not conceded, sweetheart. Just confident," Jason smirked. "Besides, I might as well enjoy the perks of high school while I can. In less than three months, we'll graduate to the real world."

Chloe casually tossed her dark hair over her shoulder and remarked, "Don't let it go to your head, but I honestly don't think you have anything to worry about, Jase. Your handsome, witty, and I can't imagine you ever not being the absolute center of attention. Hey, you've even got my undivided attention, now. That says a lot."

Influenced by not only the intimate tone Chloe used, but also by the soft lips that spoke the words, Jason boldly leaned down and captured Chloe lips with his own. He wrapped one arm around Chloe's waist and placed the other on the locker behind her as he deepened the kiss. Reluctantly pulling away, he stated, "Let's get rid of that photo."

Approaching her locker, Chloe secretly found herself surprised that she didn't feel regret for finally being able to let go of her connection to Brady Black. Chloe knew that Jason was part of the reason for that. Whether he knew it or not, Jason Masters had changed her life for the better – he'd helped her let go of a love that was never meant to be.

(FLASHBACK)
The fading afternoon sun was a definite contrast to the bleak atmosphere that filled Brady's loft. While the outside world kept turning with soft white clouds floating in the winter sky, the world within the walls of the old loft began to slowly crumble.

"What do you mean – you're leaving Salem?"

Brady placed his strong hands on each side of Chloe's face and gently explained, "This is a once in a lifetime chance. Kate wants me to be the one to help her expand the European division of Basic Black. Even though she can't stand me, she thinks that I'm the best person for the job."

"But, can't you stay here in Salem? You already have a great job here."

Releasing Chloe's distraught face, Brady explained, "I would never want to hurt you, Chloe. After all, you mean quite a bit to me. In fact, you're the best friend that I've ever had. But, if I turn this job down, I'll be giving up this great opportunity to prove that I'm not just working at Basic Black because my father runs the company. This is my one shot to prove myself. You have to try and understand that."

Not allowing herself the luxury of crying, Chloe responded, "So, you'll just be packing up and leaving tomorrow. Just like that."

"Just like that. Trust me, Chloe. Someday, you'll see that this is the way things are meant to be."

(END FLASHBACK)

Chloe cringed at the oddly loud creaking sound made by her metal locker door opening. Ripping the two halves of the photograph off the inside of her locker door, Chloe muttered, "Goodbye and good riddance."

"I'll second that."

After tearing the once adored photograph into several smaller pieces, Chloe merely allowed the fragments to float to the floor as she said, "I feel so much better."

As the two teens began to laugh softly, the sound of a distant door slamming shut shattered their tranquility.

"Okay, I was feeling better," stated Chloe as mild panic filled her blue eyes.

Listening carefully to the approaching voices that drifted to his ears, Jason surmised in a whisper, "Sounds like Mr. Woods and our old pal Principal Cohen."

"Oh, gee, how lovely," Chloe sarcastically cooed.

Jason gently, yet firmly, took hold of Chloe's hand and declared, "Let's get out of here – while we still can."

After only being pulled a few feet, Chloe suddenly jerked free of Jason and whispered urgently, "Wait, there's something I have to do!"

"Now?" Jason questioned as he watched Chloe return to her locker.

Despite the possible crisis developing around her in the darkened corridors of Salem High, Chloe found a genuine smile appearing on her face as she carefully pulled a photograph out of her purse. It was her favorite from the one's Jason's step-sister had sent over that morning. Hurriedly placing the adorable picture in the old photograph's place, Chloe quietly shut her locker door and returned to Jason's side. With an almost wicked smile, she grabbed his hand and asked, "What are we waiting for?"