Everyone is helping pick up from the party. It's been pretty silent amongst everyone, but no one knows what to say. Sloane can't believe that Trent did what he did in front of half the school at the party. None of them can believe it.
Sloane picks up an empty cup off the couch and tosses it into her trash bag. "Guys?" Everyone stops and looks at her. "What do you think they're going to say at school?" she asks worriedly.
"Sloane," Bree takes a step closer to her, "Honestly, I think Chase took care of you there."
"I agree," Leo says. "They'll probably be talking about how Chase kicked Trent's butt and totally humiliated him. And Trent's going to have a black eye for proof."
Sloane looks at Chase, worried he won't be okay with it like she wouldn't be.
Chase senses it, "Don't worry," he walks down the stairs towards her. "I'd rather have everyone talking about me instead of people gossiping about what Trent did to you."
"Are you sure?" Sloane says.
"Definitely. And I hope I didn't ruin your birthday."
"Trust me. I've had a lot worse. Trent was the one who ruined my party anyway, not you."
"I'm sorry he came and messed everything up,"Bree says. "Maybe I should have only invited certain people."
"It's not your fault either, Bree. It's probably my fault. I should've read him better when I met him."
"Sloane, stop," Chase says. "It's Trent's fault and only his. Don't blame yourself. He just likes you and he's mad because you don't like him back."
Sloane doesn't say anything.
He steps close to her, "I'm sorry I let it go as far as it did," he says in a low tone. Everyone else has gone back to cleaning up.
"What do you mean? I have no problem with you beating up Trent."
"That's not what I'm talking about," Chase looks away. Sloane looks away too, and they just go back to picking up.
When Tasha and Davenport get back around midnight, everyone is in the middle of watching 17 Again in the living room. Everything is dark except for the light shining from the TV and the DVR. Everyone is cuddled up in their own blankets, besides Chase and Sloane, who are sharing. Leo fell asleep half an hour ago, and the living room is spotless.
"I'm surprised you guys are still up," Mr. Davenport says quietly.
Bree pauses the movie, "It's Sloane's birthday."
"Not anymore," Sloane says. "It's 12:06."
"We're probably going to go to bed when this is over," Chase says. "How was the musical?"
"Good. How was having the house to yourselves?" Mr. Davenport raises an eyebrow.
"Ehh," Chase says.
"Can we just go back to the movie?" Adam says. "This is my favorite part," he whines.
"Yes, please," Bree plays it.
"Goodnight," Mr. Davenport and Tasha say before heading upstairs.
On Monday morning when Sloane walks into school, she feels like she can already hear roars of whispering. While her and Bree are at Sloane's locker, somebody Sloane doesn't recognize approaches them.
"Is it true?" She asks while clutching her books agaist herself. He facial expression is unreadable.
"Is what true?" Sloane says coldly, expecting to be called a slut by the end of the day.
She looks past Sloane to Bree, "Did your brother really beat up Trent? Is he who gave Trent that black eye?"
Bree hesitates before answering, "Yes."
"That's crazy. I didn't even know you had another brother until today. What's his name?" She asks like he's interested.
Bree looks disgusted, "Chase." She swallows, "And he's taken."
"Really?" She looks surprised. "Who's he dating?"
Sloane slams her locker shut right then and turns her body to directly face this girl. Her mouth curves into a tight, overbearing smile. Sloane takes a step closer to her, "Me. Chase and I are together," she stares her in the eye with the same despiteful smile spread across her face.
"Oh. Right," the girl backs down.
Sloane tilts her head.
The stranger takes a step back from her, "You make a cute couple," she nods. She turns and walks away without saying anything else.
As the day goes on, it seems to Sloane that the tables have turned. She's Chase Davenport's girlfriend. He's not that 'random nobody Sloane's dating' anymore.
When Sloane walks into fifth period study hall, people have filled up the round table that her and Chase usually sit at. A couple boys and girls take up the space around Chase now, leaving no room for herself. The two girls look dazed, and the two guys are nodding with smiles on their faces. One of them laughs.
Chase is talking to them. As Sloane walks behind him, she realizes he's telling them how the fight went, but with exagerations, hand motions and extra details. She taps him on the shoulder annoyed as she squeezes between his and Ethan's chairs.
He turns his head and looks up at her with a smile. "And this is who I did it for." He puts his arm around Sloane's waist.
She looks down at Ethan, "Ethan. You were at the party. And are you even in this study hall?"
"No," he answers. "But I just love hearing the story again. The amount of passion and love he has for you is unreal," he looks at nothing while smiling. "He did something he knew was wrong to defend and protect you. So much inspiration," he stands up quickly. "I've got it! A painting." He holds his hands up like a frame around Slaone and Chase. "Chase in front, protecting you, while your standing behind him: vulnerable and defenseless." He looks so excited, "I'll be back," he dashes out of the room.
Sloane turns and calls after him, "I am not vulnerable and defenseless!" She groans. The late bell rings and things seem to quiet down in the room immediately.
The two girls and other boy get up and go to their regular tables. Sloane sits down heavily next to Chase.
"What's wrong, Sloane?" Chase asks quietly with comfort in his voice.
Sloane looks at him and his face his covered in nothing but worry. She forces a shrug. "Everyone's been over you all day. I feel like I can't get you alone, and that's definitely not usually a problem," she trails off as she looks past Chase and watch two tall men walk into the cafeteria, heading towards Principle Perry across the room. She hasn't even taken attendance yet.
"I don't care about that, and you have me alone now," Chase says but Sloane's having trouble listening. She can't look away from the two formal looking men. Their sunglasses and black suits make them look intimidating. "What are you staring at?" Chase turns around and spots them immediately. He quickly looks back to Sloane quickly. Chase starts using his bionic hearing to listen to what they're saying. Sloane slouches down a little.
"We're looking for Sloane Jensen," one of them says in a hushed tone. Chase heart starts beating fast immediately. They both have what appears to be badges, but Chase and Sloane can only see the backs of them.
"There's no Sloane Jensen, here," Perry says not looking at all scared. "In fact, no one with the last name Jensen even goes to this school."
Chase taps out, "Sloane, get out of here, now," he whispers assertively. "They're looking for you!"
Sloane's heart starts beating even faster than it was before. Her eyes are full of fear, and Chase can tell.
"Run and don't stop," Chase says frantically as Sloane discreetly slides out of her chair.
Sloane bites back tears and nods at him fast.
"Run home and tell Davenport. Once you get out of here shape shift into me, okay?!"
Sloane nods quickly again, wishing she could stay here and have Chase to protect her. But she can't do that. She has to run.
"I love you," Chase says quickly and scared.
"I love you too," Sloane says before sprinting away before she can be caught. She finally lets the tears fall as she runs for her life. Out of the cafeteria doors, out the main entrance, onto the sidewalk. The tears finally fall. She takes a shortcut through the woods, where she can shape shift without anyone seeing her. She looks down at her feet, that know look like Chase's, being careful not to trip over anything. Just looking down at herself as Chase makes her cry harder. She wants the real thing—Chase himself. She wants Bree and Adam and Leo. Mr. Davenport and Tasha. But she's alone now, somehow feeling more alone then she ever has before. Sloane tries to push away any feelings, and concentrate on getting to the Davenport's home. She pushes on and on.
Cars drive by her, and she longs that she could be safely hidden inside one of them with a normal life. To be just be one of the people driving by her, wondering why some teenage kid is running for dear life. She runs, again trying to push away extra thoughts. Just get home, just get home. It's the first time Sloane has thought of the house as her actual home, not just the Davenports' house. But it's not my house anymore, she thinks against herself. She doesn't stop running, with no intention to go back to the house now. She can't ruin their lives more than she already has.
Notes: Next chapter tomorrow :)) Be sure to review!