Disclaimer: All characters belong to Kelley Armstrong

Chapter 15

Chloe's P.O.V.

"Thanks," I muttered to the barista, as she slid my coffee across the table, immediately rushing back to her hectic job of making drinks for her whiny customers.

Glancing at my phone for the time, I wondered just how much longer I could get away with not being at the dinner party without anybody noticing. Well, except for Derek, he noticed. Rolling my eyes at the absurdity of all of this, I quickly swigged my coffee, burning my tongue in the process.

"Crap," I hissed into the plastic cup, yanking my mouth away from the Devil's cup as I bit back a few more choice words for the scenario. Just my luck. I felt like I was in one of those movies where the main character says something along the lines of 'well, it can't get any worse!' but then it starts to rain. Was my life really just one big bad rom-com?

Ugh, this was getting repetitive and quite frankly, ridiculous. I keep going through the same thoughts and feelings and nothing is ever going to change. I wanted to pinch myself, kick myself, just do something to try to wake up from this pathetic dream that's been going on for months. I also wanted to get rid on the extreme pain going on in my mouth, but it seemed like nothing was ever going to change.

I have to talk to someone about this, I have to, it's driving me crazy. Preferably someone who isn't completely tipsy this time. God, maybe I should get a therapist.

After pouring some milk and cream into my coffee, hopefully cooling it down again, I shuffled my way to the door of the cafe, purposefully taking my time as I crossed the room. I didn't want to go back up there, I didn't even want to go home. Honestly, all I wanted was to wallow in my own misery while downing a bottle of wine as I watch crappy television. Hell, maybe I could even get some creative ideas for a screenplay from this: A Depressing Story About an Even More Depressing Girl. I rolled my eyes, even I knew how stupid I was sounding but I couldn't even stop.

Bumping my arm against the front door, a gust of wind blew directly into my face, causing my eyes to tear up from the strong winds as my hair flew everywhere (mainly in my mouth). If anyone was watching me, I mean really watching, they would have laughed. There was a five-foot-nothing girl fumbling over her too-long pants with a swelling tongue, swallowing back tears while simultaneously trying not to swallow her hair. It really was a sight to see. Oh, and don't forget the Looney Tunes shirt.

Grumbling, I pushed my way through the crowd of people walking on the street and punched in the numbers to get into Tori's building. Slapping my hair away from my face, I opted for the elevator this time, deciding I'd rather not have to do anymore exercise after a terrible day. Hell, maybe I would treat myself to a cab tonight. The doors opened and I nodded to the people getting off before going in and pressing the button.

I had about twenty seconds to brace myself for impact; before going back into the party or whatever Tori wanted to call it. Twenty seconds to unwind, breathe, and utterly clear my head of any unpleasant thoughts, specifically ones named Derek. I was going to put on a good face, I was going to be happy. I was going to be fine. I've gone my entire life not losing my mind over a boy, albeit a tall boy with green eyes, and I wasn't going to change that anytime soon. I could still get on with my life, I could get a job, I could focus more on my writing, I could spend more time with my friends. Right?

I smiled to myself; I was going to make this work. The doors opened and I made my way down the hall, my hand hovering just above the doorknob when I heard something behind me.

"Hey," Derek murmured, tucking his hands into his pockets, causing his shoulders to rise slightly. "Did you get your coffee?"

I blinked, trying to hide my grimace from his curious eyes, "Y-yup." I held up my cup of coffee, avoiding any and all eye contact with him.

Derek hummed in response, his eyes on my face and he took a step towards me. I fiddled with the lid of my coffee, continuing to pretend nothing was wrong. I turned towards the door again, desperately trying to get away from his stare.

"We should talk," Derek began, taking another step towards me, only a few feet of space left between us.

"Later," I said quickly, already turning the knob to enter the apartment. "Th-there's a party going on."

And with that I marched inside, a fake smile plastered to my face.

...

"We should probably get going," Simon said, patting his hand on Liz's head like she was a dog. "She's going to have a killer hangover tomorrow."

Tori frowned, brows furrowing at the thought of half of her guest list leaving at 11:30 p.m, "No way."

"Yes way," Simon replied easily, tossing me a quick smile over his shoulder. "I have a meeting tomorrow at 9 and we all know I need a solid eight hours of sleep to function."

"Trust me, we know," Derek grumbled under his breath, quiet enough so only I could hear it, as he stood less than a foot away from me.

I ignored him, hoping my body would stop buzzing at the thought of him being close to me. I didn't like where my mind was going.

I cleared my throat, "For work?"

Simon grinned, wrapping his arm around Liz's shoulders to keep her from falling down. "Yup, got an interview for an internship at this animation company. Low-key, but still. An unpaid job is still a job."

Liz reached her hand up to Simon's face, pinching his cheek like a smug grandmother, "I'm so proud of him! You know I'm his muse, right?"

Simon blushed as Ash barked out a quick laugh before Liz shot him the death glare. Trying to hide my smile from the now-angry Liz, I turned away, only to catch Derek with a lopsided smile, looking way too attractive for his own good. Derek, sensing my stare, directed his eyes towards me. For a second, his smile faltered, eyes adopting a softer, more sincere stance and I felt my body tingle with anticipation. Within a second, his lips ticked upwards once more, sending me a grin even greater than the one he was wearing fifteen seconds earlier. And he still had the same tender, but sparkling look his eyes, sending me on the verge of a mental break.

God, I was whipped.

Fortunately, my brain snapped me out of it before my knees gave out, and I turned away, teeth biting my lip, trying to rid the images popping up in my head. Derek, smiling at me like that after kissing me. Derek, laughing at something I said as we lay in bed on a lazy Sunday morning. Derek, giving me the same passionate look I saw in his eyes as he slowly-

No. Stop it. Bad Chloe.

"Ew. Liz is your muse?" Tori shuddered, wrinkling her nose in disgust, bringing me back to the conversation in front of me rather than any unrealistic fantasies of mine.

"Hey, she's the perfect muse," Simon said defensively, squeezing Liz as she smiled lovingly up at him.

"Well," Tori said, sticking her nose up in the air, "I'm Ash's muse."

Ash raised his eyebrows and Simon looked unconvinced.

"Yay! We're muse sisters," Liz cheered, raising her fist in the air. Tori nodded, pleased with herself.

Why did it feel like Derek and I were the only sober ones here?

"While this is fun," Simon gestured vaguely, "We still have to go."

"Yeah, me too," I said suddenly, surprising everyone in the room, including myself.

"You too?" Tori complained. "Why?"

"Well, my carriage is turning into a pumpkin again in about 30 minutes. Plus I'm pretty tired."

"Ugh," Tori rolled her eyes. "When did everyone get so old?"

I shrugged, sending her a sympathetic smile. "It's been a great party, Tori."

Tori sighed, running her fingers through her short hair, "Get out of here before I kill you."

I nodded, enveloping her in a quick hug, before saying my goodbyes to everyone.

"I'll come with you," Derek offered, already heading towards the door, only a few steps behind me.

"That's okay," I said, avoiding his gaze as I shrugged my bag over my shoulder. "Stay here or else Tori is going to lose it."

"So?"

"Derek, you better not be leaving. This party is not over!" Tori nearly shrieked at her brother, grabbing him by the arm and pulling him back into the circle of friends.

"Tori," Derek warned, already shaking her off him.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Derek." I said cheerily, he merely blinked in response. "Bye everyone!"

"Later," Ash murmured and I closed the door behind me.

...

The great thing about New York was that it was never quiet. There were always sirens going off somewhere, a group of twenty somethings laughing, and cars honking at pedestrians. The good times.

It was nice, the noise. I've grown up with it and I'll die with it. If anything, it's kind of comforting; wallowing in self pity is more bearable when there's life going on around. Sometimes it feels a little less lonely. Or at least that's what I was telling myself as I sat in the middle of the bathtub with warm, pinkish water surrounding me.

As soon as I got home, I felt like a little pamper session. Even though I hadn't had a bath since I was six, the urge to crawl up into a porcelain tub was just too much to resist. Thankfully, the apartment had one, no doubt because of Tori's insistence for luxury. She had also given me a bath bomb before she left: "Use in case of emergency." While this wasn't a completely warranted time to use the emergency bath bomb, it surely was relaxing. Maybe I could even become one of those girls who took a bath every week to destress.

This was nice. I was enjoying myself. After this I would eat those cookies and potato chips I bought on my way home and watch a movie. Preferably Clueless but I wouldn't object to a little 13 Going on 30. Then, I'll fall asleep and deal with the whole Derek fiasco tomorrow. Out of sight out of mind; this was my night.

When the water began to get cold and the pink color of the water started to look a little murky, I decided enough was enough and grabbed a towel. Hopping out of the tub, I dried off before dropping my towel and looking at myself in the mirror for a few seconds before pulling on some pajamas.

Bare feet padding on the hard wood floor, I left the bathroom and made my way to the kitchen. While I cleaned up before I left for Tori's, the room still didn't feel right. Sighing, I moved to the pantry, hoping there was still some chocolate from last week left. Pushing the door open, I was suddenly face to face with a grey blanket.

Oh my god. I'm a mess.

Remembering how I had thrown a tantrum and stuffed Derek's blanket in the pantry a few hours ago, I grabbed the blanket and marched straight to Derek's room. Thank god I came home before he did. I mean, what if he opened the pantry and found his blanket sitting between the rice and the ramen, how embarrassing would that be. No, this blanket has caused enough trouble as it is and I was not about to let it derail my life any further.

Was I being dramatic? Probably. Did I care? That's a hard no.

I grumbled as I pushed Derek's bedroom door open, this thing was going away for good. That blanket was private property; Derek owned this blanket and it's not cool when roommates use each other's things without asking, even though I doubt Derek would have minded. No matter, the blanket was where it needed to be, folded nicely right on his made up bed. Wow, that guy was really organized. I never knew any man in his twenties to make his bed without being asked.

Whatever. Shaking my head slightly, I turned around and left his room. Now, if this were a bad movie with a cringe love story, then I would turn around to find Derek right in front of me, home early from the party. The scene would go something like this:

Chloe turns around and Derek is there.

Chloe: Ah!

Derek: What are you doing in my room?

Chloe: Wha-at? I wasn't in your room.

Derek: I just saw you.

Chloe: Darn, I was hoping you didn't notice.

Derek: It doesn't matter what you were doing in my room. What matters is that you're here with me now. You're welcome to go into my room anytime you want.

Chloe: Really? You mean that?

Derek: What's mine is yours. I love you.

Chloe: I love you too.

Chloe and Derek then kiss and have sex.

End scene.

Who said I didn't have what it takes to be a screenwriter?

Fortunately (or maybe unfortunately), that didn't happen. Derek was still at Tori's and I was home alone in footy pajamas. I groaned, making my way once more into the kitchen to grab my snacks for the movie night I was about to have. Piling the food into a huge bowl, I walked over to the sofa, switching the TV on and settling down between soft pillows.

When my food supply ended, I was about halfway through Juno when I decided to lie down. It was getting late, my head hurt, and I was no longer susceptible to choking on my food. Sighing into my pillow, I went into the fetal position as I continued to watch the movie.

...

The sound of the lock turning caused me to jump as my heart literally stopped. Seriously, I could feel it.

Crap! Derek was home, and here I was lying down in the middle of the living room rather than holed up in my room. Why was I such an idiot?

Within two seconds, the door was opening and I could hear his boots thumping quietly against the floor. Then the footsteps stopped, he had heard the TV, he caught me. Squeezing my eyes shut to make it look like I was sleeping, I steadied my breath the best I could so I looked like a convincing sleeping person.

"Chloe," Derek's voice was low, soft as it moved closer to me, standing behind the couch.

I didn't respond.

"I know you're awake. I know you wouldn't fall asleep with a movie on."

I didn't bulge, my eyes were still glued closed, but my heart may have beat a little faster at the thought of him knowing me so well.

"Besides," Derek voice moved a little further away. He was probably moving to sit in the chair next to the couch. "You're still have coffee in your system."

Well maybe I got decaf.

Derek stayed quiet for a few more minutes, but I knew he was still there.

"Long day," Derek murmured as he strummed his fingers against his leg.

Long day would be an understatement.

Several minutes passed before I heard Derek get up and leave the room. I felt vaguely proud that I convinced him after all that I was asleep. Maybe I could add actress to the list of possible jobs down the line. I kept my eyes shut just in case Derek decided to make a surprise visit again.

Seconds later, Derek returned, and the TV clicked off with a soft hum. I heard Derek approach me and I held my breath, he must have been right next to me because before I knew it there was a blanket wrapped around me.

"I know you're not asleep," Derek whispered, his mouth inches away from mine and I struggled against the urge to open my eyes. My fingers twitched by my side, but I refused to give in, keeping the facade of sleep.

Derek placed a soft kiss to my temple, fingers moving my hair away from my forehead before retreating back to his bedroom.

My eyes shot open, hands going straight to spot where his lips touched my skin. This was a dream, right? But the spot was still warm and I felt the fire coursing through my body as I bit my tongue, unsure how to react.

I pulled the blanket closer to me, trying to stop the goofy smile from spreading across my face. What did that mean?

The blanket tickled my neck and I glanced down at it. The same grey blanket that I had deposited in Derek's room an hour before.

There was no escape.

So I did that. Also, I updated! I absolutely loved writing this chapter and I hope you liked reading it! This is my early Christmas present to everyone, I wasn't expecting to work on this tonight, but I just banged about 3/4 of it in one sitting and knew I had to update tonight. All I can do is promise I'll update within the next six months!

Don't forget to favorite, follow, and review!

Thanks,

Bridget