Because you guys were such great sports with reviewing a chapter that had zero chalek, I now give you my longest chapter yet.

Prepare yourself, I'm bringing you one step closer to that happy ending...

Chloe POV

"Do you want to go for a cup of coffee?" Brian asks me once we arrive back in our neighborhood.

I check the time. Only 5 o'clock and I'm beyond exhausted. Besides for all the energy it took to act like a dumb blond in front of Brian's grandmother, I didn't get much sleep last night due to a certain visitor. I have to admit I'm bothered by the fact that right now he's probably snogging Mimi. Thinking about it in detail makes me want to claw out the seat cushioning.

"I'm kinda tired, can you just drop me off at my house?" I ask, stifling a yawn.

Brian eyes flick between me and the road and he looks worried. "I'm so sorry, Chloe. I shouldn't have made you stay so long," he immediately starts apologizing.

"No, Brian, it's fine. Really. I just had a long night and my mom wants me home before dark." Technically the second one wasn't exactly true, she just wanted me home before 10-but at 10 it's dark, isn't it? Justifying lies, are we? This inner voice of justice needs to GO AWAY.

"God, I'm so stupid," Brian continues like I didn't even say anything, and I can't tell if he's talking to me or himself. "I practically forced you to come and then totally abandoned you to talk to my grandmother. You must be so annoyed at me."

...Here's the thing. Brian's kind of insecure. He's always over thinking and second guessing, begging for my forgiveness or complimenting me to no end. It's definitely flattering to have that kind of attention from a cute college boy, but after a while it gets a little frustrating. I wish I didn't have to stroke his ego all the time.

On the other hand, Alek is the exact opposite. Whereas Brian would never think to tease or insult me, Alek wouldn't bat a single pretty eyelash. Plus he's so absolutely full of himself that he'd still think he was perfect even if I didn't compliment him once. Oh, and when he does something sweet? It knocks the wind out of me. It's so rare for him to be sincere that each and every time he does it, it's incredibly special.

Brian's flattery is just...nothing new. I wish he would do it less so it would be more meaningful, but it's part of his personality.

Um, Chloe? Space in. Brian's waiting for an answer.

I turn to him and put my hand on his arm. "I had a really nice time. Stop worrying so much."

He looks at me with a half smile. "Yeah?"

"Yes." I say, starting to convince myself at this point.

He signals to make a right and turns onto my block. "King residence it is then."

"Thanks," I think about giving him a small kiss on the cheek, but decide against it. If I'm not going to date him then I can't lead him on.

Did you just decide you aren't going to date him? Why is my conscience so incredibly Team Alek? Is there another one that cheers for Brian? Nope, it answers smugly. Just me.

I close the car door and make my way to my house, turning around to wave at Brian as he drives away. After he's gone I pull open my bag and dig for the key.

Where's my key?

After about a minute of searching, I give up and call my mom. It goes straight to her voicemail and I remember her saying something about an important meeting, and how she wouldn't be able to answer until it was over. Alright, Mai powers-time to be good for something. I sneak around the back of my house and climb onto my roof. So this is how Alek feels, huh?

I carefully make my way over to my window and tug at it, expecting it to open. No luck. What the hell? I never lock my window. I scan the frame and see a small padlock at the bottom left corner. Alek. He must have installed it after I fell asleep last night. I jump to the ground and brush off my jeans.

I can't help but smile at the thought that I now get to interrupt Alek's date.

I think back to this morning when he told me he'd be in some Mai club on Main Avenue, in case of emergency. Well being locked out of my own house is definitely an emergency to me. Luckily Main Avenue is walking distance and there's still plenty of day light left. When I arrive, I walk up to the Usher and extend my claws, poking him gently in the chest.

He opens the red velvet rope and I slide in, scanning the room for Alek and Mimi.

It doesn't take me long. Most of the couples are out dancing on the floor, or drinking at the bar, but Alek is one of the few guys that's too preoccupied with pressing some girl up against a wall to notice anything. Walking closer I see it's definitely Mimi and I feel like I'm going to be sick. It didn't take him long to move on, did it? I guess he really was telling the truth about not liking me...I make my way over to the bartender and ask for a cold cup of water. After a few sips I feel a bit better, but not much. I need to get my key and leave as soon as possible.

I walk over to Alek and quietly clear my throat. He doesn't react. I do it again, louder. After a minute, I clear it a third and final time.

Alek breaks the kiss and starts to turn around. "Look, we're a little busy here..."

"I can see that." I say, pursing my lips.

His face goes blank. For the first time I have rendered Alek Petrov speechless.

"I need my key," I say impatiently, wanting to get out of this room and into fresh air.

"Why would I have your key?" he slowly slips back into himself, and leans against the wall. Mimi looks back and forth between us, as if she isn't sure how to react to Alek possibly having a key to my house.

"My window, Alek. You put a lock on it, remember?"

"How do you know it was me?" he asks smirking, and I want to punch him for making me feel stupid in front of Mimi.

"I don't have the patience for you right now. Can you please just give it to me?" Whether the bluntness is coming from jealousy or exhaustion, he deserves it either way.

"When I told you the Uniter had many responsibilities, I didn't think I'd have to list all the obvious ones also," he comments, clearly amused with himself.

I lose whatever remaining patience I posses.

"You know what? Forget it. I'm sure I can find someone more understanding than you in a dark alley somewhere who will offer me a place to stay." I'm acting like a complete child, but on two hours of sleep that's how I feel. Like everything is too loud and too wrong and I need to throw a tantrum for it to all go away. I turn on my heel and push my way through the crowd.

Just as I'm about to burst through the door I hear Mimi murmur, "isn't she charming."

As soon as the air smacks my face, tears spring to my eyes. Well that was pointless. I still can't get into my house and I now hate Alek for being such a Class A Jerk.

Is that the only reason? You sure it had nothing to do with that little visual he provided for you? Shut up. Shut up, shut up, shut UP!

I slink against the club's wall and melt to the floor, holding my head in my hands. It probably isn't the best place for the Uniter to have a breakdown, but it's not like I have anywhere else to go. My mom's at work, Amy and Paul went to the beach for the day, I won't call Jasmine because she has way too much to worry about as it is. and I told Brian I was going to sleep. How would I explain my trip to a night club that he's never heard of?

I have no where to go and no one to call. I've never felt so alone.

Alek POV

"isn't she charming."

I barely hear her as I start to chase after Chloe. Mimi grabs me by the wrist and spins me around to face her. "Don't go," she purrs. "The fun's just begun."

I try to gently pull my hand away, but the girl's got a grip of steel. "I have to Mimi. It's my job."

"You're lying. It isn't because it's your job at all," her voice turns angry and threatening. "It's because you care for her. That's why we can't be together, because all you can think about is her."

I don't know how to answer, so I give her the ultimate Alek response. I misdirect her attention for a moment and escape as quickly as I can.

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