Chapter 14
Chloe's P.O.V.
"Need another drink, Chloe?" Simon asked with a charming grin while pouring himself some red wine.
"Yes please," I answered, pulling my hair out of it's ponytail and shaking my head to release the curls. Simon caught Derek's eyes and mouthed something to him but I ignored it, just wanting another drink in my hand. After what seemed like an eternity, Simon turned back to me and gave me my drink, telling me he liked my shirt.
So far, I hadn't spilled anything else on myself or anyone else for that matter, but we were only an hour into the party and I was already three drinks in. Normally, I'm not one for drinking but I do enjoy a pity party every now and then and this fiasco of a week seemed like a good thing to drink about.
I swiftly moved past Simon, my glass firm in my hand as I avoided eye contact with Derek on my way to the sofa. Liz dropped next to me, giggling at Simon as he stood across the room before turning to me with a smile.
"Hey," said Liz, eyes blue and bubbly, making it clear I wasn't the only one drinking tonight.
"Hey," I mumbled back, hoping it didn't sound as slurred as it did in my head. Nevertheless, Liz sat back on the plush couch and exhaled slowly.
"Great night," Liz said with a goofy grin on her face.
I didn't look at her as I sipped my wine, instead staring straight ahead with a slight frown. "Some night," I responded.
"Yeah," Liz said again, practically beaming into space.
"What's going on with you?"
Liz looked slightly startled by my question but relaxed quickly, "Just happy."
"Yeah? I had no idea," I said with a quiet smile, glad to see my friend was enjoying herself.
Liz pulled her hands in front of her shirt, playing around with her bracelet dangling from her wrist, "So, what's up with you, Chloe?"
"I'm good," I answered quickly, waving my right hand in a generic gesture. Deciding to deflect the question from myself, I turned towards Liz, "How's Simon?"
Liz blinked towards her boyfriend, who was having a heated discussion with Tori at the moment, both of their hands on their hips. Wow, they really are related.
"He's just so incredible," Liz breathed happily, biting her lip to hide the wide smile. My eyes drifted towards Derek, flitting over his large hands move a glass to his lips.
"I never thought I could love somebody that much," Liz continued. Quickly, I forced my eyes away from my roommate and settled them on Liz's eyes.
"I'm glad," I grinned with 95% sincerity and only 5% jealousy. "You two really deserve each other."
Liz's eyes welled up with tears as she grabbed me for a hug. Quickly slinging my arms around her back, I smiled in having such a great friend.
"I love you so much, Chloe!" Liz practically sobbed into my hair. I patted her back before withdrawing.
"You are so drunk," I laughed, wiping a tear off her cheek. Liz simply shrugged as she dried her eyes. "Come here, I'll help you clean up," I offered, pulling her to her feet and walking us to the bathroom.
Liz wrapped her arm around my neck and followed me as Simon sent me an apologetic grin. I rolled my eyes jokingly as we passed him. Once we reached the bathroom I moved Liz in front of the sink, dabbing a damp tissue to her under eyes, hoping to prevent any future swelling. After splashing some water on my own face, I went to go sit on the side of the bathtub as Liz opened her purse to grab some makeup to reapply.
"Wow, I really need to sober up," Liz giggled, trying her best to keep her lipstick exclusively on her lips. I laughed watching her struggle as she turned to me, waving her lipstick in front of her.
"What would I do without you, Chloe?"
I moved some hair out of my face before answering, "It would be a tragic end."
Liz laughed heartily and turned back to the mirror and continued, "Enough about me, huh? Anything special going on in your world?"
Too much. "Not much," I answered with a shrug while playing with my hair. Liz glanced at me through the mirror, unconvinced.
"Oh really? You seem tired," She observed.
"More like frustrated," I mumbled while crossing my arms across my chest.
"Work problems?"
"Uh, no. I don't even have a job. Which actually might be a problem, I should start looking." I concluded, furrowing my brows as I ran through a list of employment opportunities in my head.
"Oh right," Liz said absentmindedly, waving it off as a drunk slip up. "So, boy troubles?"
"Something like that," I grumbled, twisting my fingers through my loose hair.
Liz turned quickly to me, wiping her hair into a ponytail before coming to sit next to me. On the toilet.
"Tell me all about it," she said eagerly, placing her hand on my shoulder comfortingly.
"Not much to tell," I shrugged. "I'm just losing my mind over something that will never happen."
To be completely honest, I didn't feel comfortable telling Liz everything about Derek while she wasn't sober, having a feeling it would be harder to keep a secret with the amounts of alcohol in her, but it did feel good getting it off my chest.
Liz nodded understandingly, "Does he know you exist?"
Good question. "Yeah," I said with a nod.
"Then you're halfway there!" Liz grinned as I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah," I scoffed, blowing a strand of hair out my face.
"I'm serious! No one can resist you, not even Derek," Liz said, patting me on the back.
I froze in place, replaying the conversation over in my head to make sure I hadn't spilled the beans about who I was talking about.
"Derek?" I asked questioningly once confirming that I had not mentioned any specific names, staring at the blonde girl to my left.
Liz's eyes widened immediately as she slammed a hand over her mouth. I frowned as I removed her hand from her lips as she mumbled about ruining her lipstick.
"Liz?"
She sighed, slumping her head onto my shoulder, "I shouldn't have said anything. I'm dead."
My eyes narrowed as I scowled down at her, "What's going on?"
"Simon and I have a bet."
I raised my eyebrows, prompting her to continue.
"We're betting when he can admit it to himself that he likes you," Liz explained, looking up at me with pleading eyes.
I nearly laughed. Key word: Nearly. A million thoughts flew through my head all at once, but the only one that stayed was one. She's drunk. She doesn't know what she's saying. But, I also felt a small amount of hope settle around me, causing me to sit up a little straighter, and before I could squash that feeling Liz leapt into my arms.
"Umph," I groaned as the air was knocked out of me. I glanced down to see Liz desperately hugging me, telling me I had to promise I wouldn't tell Derek or Simon. I assured her I wasn't as I peeled myself off her and stood up, moving towards the door of the bathroom. She's drunk, I reminded myself and shaking any lingering hope away.
"Let's go Liz, there's a party outside."
...
"You're telling me you broke the table?" Simon questioned, eyes as wide as his smile.
"No," huffed Tori, crossing her arms across her chest, "I almost did."
Liz laughed, "What were you doing?"
"She was trying to seduce me," Ash explained, receiving a smack on the arm from Tori while he piled food into his mouth.
The table erupted in laughter as Tori rolled her eyes, calling us all immature. I snickered in between bites of the food that Ash had prepared for us and caught eyes with Derek, who was also smiling and my heart contracted for a second and for a second I completely forgot where we were and my silent vow to get over him. I looked away suddenly, moving my attention back to my former roommate, Tori, and her blonde brother.
I frowned slightly to myself, not liking the flipping sensation that overtook my stomach when looking at Derek. I needed some air.
"I'm gonna get some coffee," I announced once dinner was over, and promptly stood up to head to the front door.
"Wait! I can make you some," Tori responded, standing up as well.
I waved her off, "Don't bother, you and I both know that you'll burn it."
This caused Tori to send me a deep frown as she fell back into her seat, giving me her most ferocious glare. I laughed and told them I would be back in a few minutes before leaving.
I should move out. I should really move out because staying there would just hurt too much. So, I should move out.
Dammit. I can't move out. Why, you might ask? Because I'm a goddamn wimp. A goddamn wimp who cares way too much about her goddamn roommate.
I slid down the wall of the stairwell and sat roughly on a step, burying my face in my hands and trying not to hyperventilate. Before I could even begin to think I heard a voice in front of me.
"Hi," A man said as my head jumped up to see who was talking to me. Just my luck. It was Derek.
"H-hi," I replied, tucking my knees to my chest.
"Thought you could use some company," Derek murmured, shoving his hands deep into his pockets and looking down at me on the floor. I gulped under his gaze and looked at his feet instead.
"Why?"
Derek shrugged, sitting down next to me on the stairs, rolling his shoulders. I let out a sigh, but kept still on the ground, not wanting to look up at him.
"Thought you were getting coffee," Derek grumbled, kicking some lint with his shoe.
"I was," I responded, settling my chin on my knees, "I just tripped on the way down the stairs."
I knew Derek didn't buy it for one second, but thankfully he played along, "Of course, Chloe and stairs don't mix."
I mustered up a small smile but said nothing, feeling his eyes on me.
Derek scooted a little closer to me, but close enough that I could feel the warmth of his side and that familiar smell tickling my nose. Slowly, I felt an arm worm it's way around me and my heart stopped as I sat there frozen for a solid ten seconds.
What was happening? I stared at him, my mind working in overdrive and my eyes wide in confusion.
He was so close to me I could hear him breathing softly before he opened his mouth to speak, "Sorry."
I gaped at him, "Wh-what?"
His jaw settled, green eyes meeting mine, "For this afternoon."
Oh. Of course. He just wanted to apologize for leaving. I exhaled the breath I had been holding. I felt like an idiot, thinking there was a possibility of him kissing me. At least the feeling of hope had finally left. I tried not to show my disappointment as I nodded before shaking myself out of his embrace.
"I'm going to get some coffee," I mumbled, not bothering to look at him as I descended down the staircase.
I had such bad writer's block for this chapter it's incredible actually. Yeah, yeah, yeah I apologize for my constant absence I'm actually the worst and I'm the lousiest with schedules. You probably won't get another chapter from me for a while, I'm going on vacation this weekend and I'm looking for a job for the summer, but I will be continuing this story! Thanks so much to everyone, you guys really are the ones the keep me motivated so please continue to leave your reviews!