"He... Is "C" to the "U" to the "T-E" Cute!"- Who?

D:What have I told you?

J: I'm bored!

D:Too bad.

J: Audience!

Hey, we couldn't let you guys wait! And thanks for all the reviews! They make our day! So, this is for all of you! Enjoy!

Oh, and check out our new story, 'Love in Time'!

Disclaimer:

D: Can you do the disclaimer, Liz?

Liz: sure! If you let me in the story.

D:*looks at J* umm...

J:... Okay.

Liz: Alrighty then! DJ doesn't own Darkest Powers! hey, and D, did you now D:, looks like a frowny face?

D: *glares*

J:*snickers*

Chapter 9-Chloe (My Momma's Broken Heart)

TPOV

You could just see the slight daze Chloe was in. Derek had really done a number on her. Her skin was flushed, hands shaky, eyes slightly glazed over, she was stuttering and giving one word responses. I shot her a sympathetic look as we came back downstairs.

"So, who's gonna go next?" I asked. "Do want a random or an assigned?"

"A-assigned'"

"Any preferences?"

"Maranda Leese?"

"Blondie, freckles, and placed with Miranda Lambert?"

"Y-Yup." I stopped and turned to her.

:he really out did himself didn't he?" Chloe shivered.

"Yeah, he did."

"How bad?"

She tensed. "It was pretty much like he was claiming me." I flinched.

"Ouch. did he say anything?"

"Yeah."

"Well, what? I can't read your mind." I hugged. Chloe offered me a small, apologetic smile.

"He said, 'mine and mine alone'. or something along those lines."

I grinned. "Simon got him angry. Then again, we all know that since, I cushioned his fall." I said sarcastically. I opened the door to the karaoke room for her. "Birthday girls first."She gave a small laugh and entered.

Annie was just finishing up "Sparks Fly" by Taylor Swift.

"Thank you Annie!" I shouted as she bowed. I cued Simon to hit me with a spotlight spell. "Who would like to go next?" Multiple people raised their hands. I stood on my tiptoes to see Maranda holding up her hand. Thank goodness. "You-" I pointed at her "Get on stage!" She raised her hands as the Simon through the spotlight off me and onto her.

"I'm going, I'm going!" she shouted as she ran to the stage, spotlight following her.

"Man, I love that girl." Simon whispered beside me, grinning.

"Amaze collection, Saunders!" Maranda called out. Chloe blushed and waved away the comment.

A fun beat hit the room, and people immediately started clapping. Maranda rose the microphone to her lips. She grinned.

I cut my bangs with some rusty kitchen scissors

I screamed his name 'til the neighbors called the cops.

I numbed the pain,at the expense of my liver

Don't know what I did next, all I know is I couldn't stop.

She flashed a hand out and flicked her hair, winking at someone up front.

Word got out to the barflies and the Baptists

My momma's phone started ringing off the hook.

I can hear her now, saying she ain't gonna have it:

Don't matter how you feel, it only matters how you look.

She placed a hand under her chin and gave a cute smile. Then she scowled, made a shooing motion with her hand, and made her way to us.

Go and fix your makeup, girl, it's just a break up

run and hide your crazy and start acting like a lady

Cause I raised you better. Gotta keep it together.

Even when you fall apart

Well, this ain't my momma's broken heart.

She hooked her arm through Chloe's and they sang together, sharing the mic. I laughed at them, and, Maranda waved at me, joined them.

Wish I could be just a little less dramatic,

like a Kennedy when Camelot went down in flames.

Leave me to be the one holding the matches,

when the fire trucks show up and there is no one else to blame.

Derek materialized in the crowd surrounding us. Chloe and Maranda were having to much fun to notice,but when I pointed it out, they used the next four lines on him. I was having too much fun to sing along. I watched Derek's face turn uncertain and afraid, listening to the words.

Can't get revenge and keep a spotless reputation.

Sometimes revenge is a choice you gotta make.

If only Chloe had a knife...

My momma came from a softer generation,

where you get a grip,and bite your lip,just to save your little face..

They sneered out the last line, and Derek took a step back. They high-fived each other and continued on to the chorus, singing it with a renewed joy, having people join in. It was awesome, but i focused on Derek. There was something different... His eyes! Yeah, this may sound cheesy, but it's true. His eyes were alive and huge, still full of fear of Chloe after their just five seconds ago encounter. he never looked like that where was Chelsiey? wouldn't they have worked it out. Well, this is his eyes... they were bright and full of sadness, fear, and life! His eyes had been dull for the last five days except when they feasted upon Chloe, and only lightly brightened, nt enough. they might as well have been dead grass compared to the vibrant green were now. What the freak.

Powder your nose, paint your toes.

Line your lips and keep 'em closed

Cross your legs, dot your eyes

and never let them see you cry.

I closed my eyes, opened and breathed out. Chelsiey. Derek. Dull eyes. His words...

"No, Simon! If that worked, then pink would go with everything." I huffed, and then cringed. If pink went with everything... Heavens above! Don't let the world end like that until after I die.

"Tori, you can make pink go with everything." Simon shot back just as Chloe came and sat with us in the nearly empty restraunt, and dreamy smile upon her face. I waved my hand in front of her eyes.

"Hello, anyone in their? Calling for ghost-girl." Chloe blinked, and then blushed when she saw us watching her. "What were you dreaming about, Chloe?'

"It-it was n-nothing." chloe blushed more darkly. I tsked.

"Uh-huh. It was wolf-boy, wasn't it?"

She scowled at me. "His name isn't wolf-boy." I waved the name aside. That's not what I was wondering about. "So, what was it?"

"N-nothing. I-I swear." I rolled my eyes. She sighed. "I was wondering what he was planning for my birthday." Simon grinned.

"I'll bet you anything that's what he's-" Simon was cut off as a massive shadow loomed over our table and Chloe's face brightened.

"Chloe, we need to talk." Derek's deep voice rumbled. Chloe's smile became more uncertain as she mumbled, "the dreaded line," she got up. As she followed him out, Simon and i I looked at each other. In an unspoken agreement, we got up quickly, but quietly, and followed them. We listened in by the door.

"it means i'm done with you." That would be Derek, what was he talking about?

"B-but, I-I th-thought you said-"

"she's better than you." Wait, who could possibly be better than Chloe? And, apparently Chloe was thinking the same thing.

"W-wait, wh-what?"

"chelsiey."

"Chelsiey Bridget? The girl from 49B?"

"Yeah." Wait, what did he mean,'yeah'. Simon looked at me, the same question written all over his face. Chelsiey had taken an interest in Derek ever since we got here. He had made it very clear,however, that he didn't like her. So, the why, again. why was Chelsiey better?

"Umm...wh-"

"Why?" Derek's voice was cold,unemotional.

Chloe's voice was so soft that I had to strain to catch the one word she uttered, "yes."

"I don't need this, Chloe. I don't want the trouble you bring. Dont want it. you are just a hopeless, helpless, spoiled little brat. Worse than Tori, because at least she doesnt confuse people. Doesnt manipulate them. you are just a two-faced liar. I don't want or need you. You don't meet any expectations. you're a horrid person. so, dont come to me later, begging me for help. I wont do anything. You have to learn to are just a tiny, annoying, little child-" I was done. I'd heard enough. i stood up from my crouched position only to have Simon put a hand on my shoulder, pulling me back down. his face was twisted with rage, but he imply shook his head. 'wait' I slowly at back down. ""I'm not apologizing. the only one needing to apologize is you. You have no self-respect, so get lost. And don't come asking for forgiveness." i looked at nodded.I stood and shoved the doors open. Chloe yelped as she saw us. Derek looked up. i could feel my hands start sparking. just looking at him caused my anger rise. there was something off about him, but I was too angry to notice.

"What?" The nerve!

The wind picked up and lightning crackled, the forces answering to my distress. "How could you, you little-"
"Tori!" I turned to look at Chloe, and my rage melted, seeing the broken, lifeless doll that had replaced my best friend. I wanted to go over and hug her. I could just see that she wouldn't be able to hold much longer. Seeing that she had my attention,she spoke."I'm fine-" Liar "Let's just go." her blue eyes begged me to just listen for once. Then, she turned and left. I went after her, after giving the guy 100th of what he deserved.

I threw the lighting ball as quickly as the substance I was using. he yelped when hit made contact with his chest. I grinned feraly.

"you deserve worse." i hissed, then left him for Simon.

My eyes widened as I realized the threat. I knew something was fishy about that girl! My eyes met Derek's. I looked around, before taking him by the arm and lead him outside.

"Demon or witch." I told him. he raised his eyebrows, questioning me. I rolled my eyes. "Chelsiey. She's either a half-demon or a witch." Derek thought for a moment, before his eyes widened, understanding. "do you have any ideas?" i asked.

"No. We can't just go in there and take her. She'll expect that and we'll cause to much attention. How do we tell Chloe and Simon."

"Without you sounding desperate?' I shook my head. "I have no idea. she might think that you are trying to get me to get you back and if ou told her, she won't believe you." a spark of pain and hurt flashed across his face. Chloe always believed him, trusting his instincts. For him not to believe a word he said, that must tear him apart. I sighed. "We'll think of something." I turned and headed for the door.

"Tori!" he called out. i turned. "Why are you helping me?" good question. Why was I helping him?

"Chloe."

and there is the closing to Chapter 9... as we have told someone. oh, not to point fingers, CJSummer. We just keep tring to tell him to keep reading, that we want their opinion. I mean, they are our bff and all... it's not like its a big deal or anything. Could anyone convince him to keep reading? whoever does gets a shout out in Chapter 11 (or 10, depending) and a DP oneshot of their choice!

Anyways, hope you enjoyed that! We'll try to get 10 up by tomorrow, I, J has to attend girl's camp and D will be stuck taking care of kids. So, we hope this, and 10, if we get it posted, will be enough to tide you over until Saturday! We love you all and please review!

Toodles!

-DJ