Chapter 4
"Obviously you're interested in that Souza kid" ray said shrugging. They sat in there usually spot outside in the forest.
Chloe shook her head in denial. There was no way she had any interest in a JERK like him.
"Face it Chloe you are. You would never do that for some new kid, a stranger. Now you're helping some guy who you say is a jerk. It's not like you, which means he interests you in some way, either a friendship or a potential love interest" he said. She guessed maybe her was right in some weird way.
"Hey guys!" Liz's voice boomed as she ran over with an extra person. It was usually just Liz, ray, and Chloe this was strange.
"This is Tori Enright a transfer...we've become friends!"
Liz exclaimed happily, tori smiled her way and gave Ray a distrusting look.
"Liz has told me a lot about you Chloe I think we will become good friends" she said smiling a warm smile her way. Chloe smiled back, nodding her head.
Tori pulled out her cell
"I'm outside in forest out back. Bye" she then muttered stupid brothers.
"Sorry my brothers are coming over...is that alright?" She asked, we all just nodded. Though Chloe didn't want to see Derek Souza, they are her brothers...unfortunately.
They all chatted and tori was telling us how they moved from Albany. How it sucked and the people were dull.
"The people at this school suck just as bad. School spirit is important to them so that's why the jocks and cheerleaders are asses" Chloe explained.
"Really some of them didn't seem that bad" the blonde Asian boy said strolling in with his big bad brooding brother.
"That's because they are trying to CONVERT you. They must like you...be careful" Chloe said grinning his way.
He stopped grinning when he looked Liz's way. Like the air had been knocked out of him, no one but chloe saw it. Seems like one of the brothers had fallen for her best friend. He then took the empty spot between her and Ray. Who was unusually quiet, she nudged his leg.
He was staring at tori trying to get her attention. Sighing he shrugged, probably because this was a girl he couldn't fluster. Instead tori just glared at him, giving him are you an idiot stop look.
She felt a thump and turned to see Derek Souza taking a seat next to her. He was looking up at the sky, avoiding the escalating debate about what was better pizza or ice cream.
Chloe looked his way and then up at the sky. It was a pretty day out, clouds forming all sorts of shapes and sizes.
"It's pretty right?" He whispered her way, Chloe jumped a bit. Shocked at his deep baritone voice, it was surprisingly sexy.
"Y-yeah it is" she said turning towards him grinning. Why was he talking to her? Didn't he not seem to like her? What was going on?
Nothing else passed between them except for indiscreet glances towards one another. Chloe had a faint blush on her face and eyes shined with curiosity. She had thought maybe he'd continue talking to her, but it was unlikely.
The bell rang telling them it was time for fourth blk.
"Do any of you know where the art room is?" Simon asked alittle sheepishly.
"I do, it's my next block" Chloe said smiling. They all bid there goodbyes except for Derek, who just grunted a goodbye and left.
Simon and Chloe walked towards the school, Derek behind them.
"I just have to stop by my locker and grab my sketchbook" she said leading him towards it. Simon just stopped his conversation with Derek and nodded. As she opened her locker she felt a hand over her shoulder.
"Hey cutie where have you been hiding these days?" A sick voice drawled out. Chloe turned to Liam Malloy, she gave him her best glare and slapped his arm off of her.
"Go away Liam I don't have time for you" she said ignoring him.
"Aww but you always had time for me before. What's the difference now..." His eyes turned towards Simon and Derek, and smirked. Chloe gritted her teeth.
"No Liam I never gave you any of my time you just chose to come and pester me every day. When you know the answer is still NO" she said slamming her locker shut.
"Whatever Chloe you know you miss us. So why don't you stop being stubborn and come back to me" he twirled her hair and smiled. She was about to tell him off again when Derek caught Liam's arm and pushed him off.
"She said to leave her alone. So why don't you take the hint Malloy" it seemed like they knew each other.
"Oh Derek you're back! What a nice surprise!" Liam said smiling, angrily. She hates when he did that, she knew it meant he was going to hurt someone.
"Liam just go, please" she whispered laying her hand on his arm. He stiffened but nodded
"Fine Chloe for now. But I will be back" he said stalking off.
Shaking her head she turned towards them as put on her best smile.
"Shall we get to class?" She asked and continued walking.
"Whoa wait Chloe! What was that?" Simons eyes were wide and curious.
"That was a stupid ex who just couldn't take a hint" she answered, feeling a little dejected.
"You actually dated THAT!?" Simon asked still confused.
"No...Liam wasn't like that before...he was..." She stopped talking not wanting to bring up such old memories.
"We're here" she said then looked up towards Derek, he almost looked sad for her. What did he pity her!? She didn't want or need his pity!
"Derek got to your class it must be that one" Simon told him grinning like an idiot. Derek nodded and walked off.
She didn't realize she was holding her breathe as he left. Taking her usual seat in the back Chloe took out her art book.
"So you're the one who showed my brother around and helped him with his locker?" Simon asked smiling smugly.
"Yeah?" She was unsure of where this was going.
"You are also going to tutor him in english?" What was up with this guy, Chloe only nodded and asked,
"Why? Why are you asking me all this if you already know the answer."
"I'm just surprised, nobody usually helps Derek in fear of being eaten by him. So when I left first block and realized he wasn't behind me, looking for him guess what I find? And as Derek put it 'a cute little blonde with a nice smile helped me today'" Chloe blushed and if possible Simons grin grew.
"He said that?" She asked confused, really confused.
"Of course I wouldn't lie! He also said that you were apparently brilliant well except for math. And very kind" her blush just grew madly, it was weird.
"Then why did it seem like he hated me?" That was one of the questions in her mind bothering her. Chloe was the type who didn't really care how others saw her but with Derek it was different. She wanted him to see her true self and accept it, just as she had accepted him.
"Derek has always been suspicious of everyone. when someone is as kind as you are to him, he thinks their is some reason to that. He's not used to it, because people always try to get away from him. So imagine when some petite little girl strolls along and starts chatting him up with no hesitation or fear in her eyes? He's just confused and waiting for you to just abandon him" Chloe shook her head.
"I could never do that!" Her voice raises a bit and everyone looked towards their desk.
"I know but that's just Derek" Simon said shrugging.
Chloe would not just abandon someone and she's just have to prove that to him.
Watch out Derek the big bad wolf is finally going to meet little red and he's in for a surprise! How do you like it so far? Good? Bad? Please review
