Chloe sighed as she ran a brush through her slightly longer than shoulder length light brown hair. Her green eyes flickered sadly as she placed the brush back down on the small table. She ran a hand over the dimming scar above her right eyebrow and sighed. It had been so long since that incident. She shuddered and stood, straightening out her black skirt and white blouse.
�Chloe?� A knock was heard on the other side of the dressing room door.
�Yeah Mike?� She turned towards the door.
�You�re on in ten!�
�Okay.� She clenched her eyes closed and counted slowly to ten. He wouldn�t be there. Not tonight. He couldn�t be there.
�You can do this.� She encouraged herself. Nodding, she picked up her cherry oak violin and bow and checked the mirror one last time before heading out of the room.
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�I�m bored!� Joey whined. A group of five young men walked through the Florida streets. A tall, lean man with blue eyes adjusted his cap lower over his face.
�Shut up Joe, you wanna get mobbed?�
�Easy Juju, down boy.� Chris laughed.
�I�m hungry!� Joey piped up again.
�You�re hungry, you�re bored, make up your mind!� JC threw his arms up in the air. The guys chuckled.
�Let�s stop and get something to eat. That�ll keep him quiet.� Lance said, playing peacemaker. They all nodded and walked into a small coffee shop.
�How many?� A young girl nervously played with the menus in her hand. Apparently she knew who they were.
�Five please.� JC spoke up. They followed their waitress to a small corner in the back where they could eat in peace. After placing down menus and taking drink orders, she left.
�Man, could she be any more giddy?� Justin chuckled, looking around the small restaurant. There were a few more tables, all filled with couples, both young and old. A small stage was set in the front, along with a stool, music stand, a bottle of water, and a microphone.
�Guess we�re going to get some entertainment.� JC said, eyeing the stage. Chris nodded and stopped a waitress who was passing by.
�Excuse me, could you tell us who the stage is set up for?� He asked politely.
�Yes, her name is Chloe Webb. She�s a violinist.� She explained before leaving to go put in someone else�s order.
�Chloe Webb�why does that name sound so familiar?� Chris asked, scratching his chin.
�Shhh, It�s starting.� Lance shushed the chatter at the table as the lights around the room dimmed and the lights on stage brightened. A young girl seemingly in her mid twenties stepped out, a violin and bow cradled carefully in her arms and a pile of music clasped firmly in her hand.
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Chloe frowned as she waited for Mike to give her the signal to go on. She closed her eyes and leaned her back against the cool brick wall.
�Chloe?� A hand was placed on her shoulder. She jumped away from the offending hand, then blushed when she saw it was only Mike.
�You scared me.� She laughed nervously, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
�Chloe, relax, he won�t be here. He�s still in jail. Even if he was here, your security would take care of him.� Mike soothed. She nodded uncertainly, running a hand through her hair.
�Thanks, Mike. Now, I gotta go perform, right?� She forced a smile and offered a small wave before turning and walking towards the stage.
�Poor kid.� Mike mumbled sadly. She was always so insecure. He sighed and walked over to the sound system, all the while shouting commands into his head set.
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�Hey, how are you all feeling tonight?� Chloe smiled as she stepped into the light and placed her music on the stand.
�Tonight I�m going to play a few of my personal favorite pieces, which I hope you�ll enjoy.� She grinned before setting up her violin. Her smile faded as she placed the bow on her violin and began to play.
�She�s hot.� Joey commented quietly. Justin smacked him upside the head.
�Why does she look so god damn familiar!?� Chris asked in frustration, pushing his hair back.
�Shhh!� JC hissed angrily. The first notes out of her violin were slow. Gradually, the song sped up and the notes that came out were heavy and dark. Sad almost, like she was crying out for help. Chris� eyes widened. He knew this song!
�It can�t be�� He muttered, his eyes wide and disbelieving.
�I know her.�
�Know who?� Joey waved a hand in front of his dazed friend�s face.
�Chloe. She was, like, my best friend back in Pennsylvania.� Chris smiled, remembering when she composed this song herself and played it for him.
�What happened? Why didn�t you guys stay in touch?� Lance asked the logical question. Chris frowned.
�It was weird, freaky almost. We were freshmen. One day she was there and one day she wasn�t. The only information I found out was from the office, which didn�t help. They said she had been withdrawn from school, and they couldn�t tell me anything else.� He paused before continuing, all the while listening to Chloe start another piece.
�The only thing I have from her is this.� He held out the ball and chain necklace around his neck.
�That old thing?� Justin raised an eyebrow. Chris had always worn it. Even before they started the group. Chris nodded and fingered the necklace.
�Yeah, she left it on my doorstep. No note, no nothing.�
�Then how do you know it was her?� Lance whispered, taking a sip of his coke. Chris shrugged, causing an amused expression to rise on everyone�s face.
�It�s just, I know it�s from her. It�s one of those feelings I have.� He chuckled as the second piece came to a close.
�For my last piece, I would like to call up a member of the audience to help me.� Chloe�s timid voice spoke up, stopping the conversation at the tables.
�Chris! You do it!� Joey exclaimed, grabbing the older man�s hand and thrusting it up into the air.
�No! Joey! What the hell are you doing!?� Chris hissed, trying to get his hand down.
�You sir, in the back.� Chloe pointed to Chris. He froze.
�Go ahead man, it�s not like she�s a stranger�well, not really.� JC patted him on the back. Chris shot Joey a death look before slowly getting up and making his way towards the stage where Chloe stood, waiting.
�Hello sir, what�s your name?� Chloe politely asked as he stepped up onto the stage.
�She doesn�t remember me?�
�Uhhh, Chris.� He stuttered as he stood next to her.
�Here, Chris, can you hold this?� Chloe handed him three hackey sacks. Her fingertips brushed his hand as she placed the sacks into his hand and a jolt went up her spine.
�He seems familiar�.�
Chris took the hackey sacks and cradled them in his palm, unsure of what to do. He could almost hear the snickers of the guys.
�Okay, when I instruct you to, throw the hackey sacks to me.� Chloe smiled and repositioned her violin. Chris blinked.
�Ummm, excuse me? While you�re playing?�
The audience erupted into laughter at his uneasiness. Chloe nodded and smiled.
�Yup. When I tell you to.� She silently tapped out a beat in her head before beginning a face paced fiddle song. Chris watched in amazement as her fingers scaled all the way up the fingerboard and then back down again. Each finger moved with ease, creating everything from a high pitched sound to a low pitched sound and everything in the middle.
�Okay, now.� Chloe�s voice was barely audible over her playing, but Chris heard it. He hesitated before lightly tossing the hackey sack towards her. She moved under it and let it fall on the body of the violin. While playing, she popped it back in the air then caught it again. The crowd gasped in excitement with each toss higher than the last. Chris watched in awe.
�Another.� She said, keeping her eye on the hackey sack which was now in the air.
�R-right.� Chris tossed another one and like the first, she caught it on the base of the violin. Then, she began to juggle the two, one flying up while the other one rested on the violin. Her fingers continued to move up the length of the board at an alarming speed, never slowing.
�The last one.� Chloe said, her tongue peeking out of the corner of her mouth as she concentrated. Chris gently tossed the last one and she caught it with ease.
�Look at that Frank!� A woman in the crowd gasped.
�Frank!?�
Chris watched in confusion as Chloe�s face changed from the one of peace to the one of fear. Her hands shook and her fingers slowed until they came to a complete stop, the hackey sacks falling to the ground with a light plop. She quickly turned to face the woman who had said the offending name. She was looking up at the girl in shock and confusion. Her gaze shifted to the man next to her. Chloe almost breathed a sigh of relief when she saw it wasn�t him. It was then she noticed what she had done. The crowd watched her in curiosity as she stood there like a deer caught in headlights.
�I�I�m sorry.� She blurted before running behind the safety of the curtains. She was embarrassed beyond belief. Her cheeks flushed and tears welled up in her eyes as she raced past Mike, who was in a heated argument with the restaurant owner.
�She ruined my restaurant! She�s not getting paid!� The woman spat out angrily. Chloe raced by and shut herself in her dressing room.
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Chris stared at where Chloe had once stood. A small commotion over the girl�s act was taking place. Chris had to talk to her. He scooped up the hackey sacks, water, and music and rushed back stage.
�Where are you going?� A man with a headset stopped him.
�I, uh, just wanted to give her back her stuff.� Chris lied quickly, motioning to the stuff in his arms. The man nodded seeing as Chris was no threat.
�This way.� He led him to ratty splintering door where a piece of masking tape with the name �Chloe Webb� was taped on. The man knocked on the door.
�Chloe?�
�Yeah, Mike?� Her voice sounded far away and helpless.
�Can you please open up?�
There was a brief silence before there was a soft click and the door opened up. Chloe looked up at Mike, then she spotted Chris.
�I don�t do autographs, sorry.� She said bluntly. Chris hid his shock. This was far from the girl he had just seen on stage.
�This young man came to return your stuff, Chloe.� Mike explained. Chloe nodded curtly.
�And, I was wondering if I could talk to you, please?� Chris asked quickly.
�Now look mister, you said you were only��
�Wait, Mike�� Chloe stopped the man from chewing Chris out.
�I-I want to see what he has to say. Come in.� She ushered Chris inside and motioned for Mike to stay outside the door before slowly closing it. Chris nervously cradled the stuff, unsure of how to react.
�You can place that down over there.� She pointed to a couch in the corner. He placed the pile there before turning around to face her. She placed her hands on her hips and eyed him wearily.
�What is it you want?� She asked. Chris stopped. What did he want?
�I�Do you remember anyone name Chris Kirkpatrick?� He asked, looking her straight in the eye. Chloe�s eyes widened. She hadn�t heard that name in forever. The name of her best friend.
�I�yes, yes I did.� She held her head high in the air, covering up her nervousness.
�Did you give him something like this?� Chris asked as he pulled out the necklace hidden by his shirt. Chloe stared at it for a moment before her head shot up.
�Y-you!?� She squeaked, pointing at him.
�Me?� Chris chuckled.
�You�re really�?� She couldn�t quite believe it. Her best friend she though she�d never see again, standing here, in front of her?
�Yes, I am, Clover.� He said teasingly.
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A twelve year old Chloe sniffled in the corner of the playground. She wiped her tears on her sleeve and hid from her classmates.
�Hi, why are you hiding over here?�
Chloe jumped and turned to see a young boy towering before her. He was at least a year older than her, she noted.
�I�the other kids don�t like me.� She said shyly.
�Well why not?�
�They said I was stupid.� She muttered, sniffling again.
�That�s just stupid. M y name�s Chris, what�s yours?� The young boy offered a hand.
�C-Chloe.� She smiled slightly.
�Chloe? Is that short for Clover or something?� Chris asked, raising an eyebrow. Chloe giggled.
�No.�
�Well that�s what I�m going to call you!� Chris declared, taking the girl�s hand.
�C�mon, Clover, let�s go play!� He said happily pulling her along after him.
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�Chris!� Chloe launched herself into the young mans� arms, throwing away the fact she rarely had any contact with people, especially men. This was her best friend she was talking about. She buried her head in his chest.
�Oh god, it�s been so long.� She smiled wiping away tears. Chris nodded.
�Yeah. You had no idea it was me when I came up there?� He chuckled as they both sat down across from each other.
�Honestly? No.� She laughed lightly, shaking her head.
�Why are you here anyway?� She asked, blowing some hair out of her face.
�Well, me and some friends went out for the day and we came here to eat. It was just a coincidence I met you.� He explained. He jumped up suddenly, startling Chloe.
�I forgot I left them there! Alone! The poor waitresses!� Chris grabbed Chloe�s arm, noticing how she briefly flinched.
�Will you come out here and meet them.?� He asked, gently pulling her towards the door. Chloe hesitated before nodding slowly. If they were Chris; friends, then they couldn�t be bad, right? She opened the door and Mike stumbled in.
�Mike, what were you doing?� Chloe asked, raising an eyebrow. He smiled sheepishly.
�I was uh��
�Eavesdropping?� Chloe shook a finger at him, giggling.
�Anyway, this is Chris, he�s an old friend of mine.� Chloe explained. �And this is Mike, he�s like an older brother to me.� She introduced the two.
�Nice to meet you.� Mike smiled, shaking Chris� hand.
�Anyway, I was just taking Chloe to meet some of my friends, is that okay?� He figured he should ask permission before just dragging her out there. Mike nodded slowly, and turned to Chloe, making sure she was okay with it. She nodded.
�Yeah, sure, but we�re leaving in five Chloe.� Mike warned.
�Yes, dad.� She replied sarcastically as she and Chris left to go meet his friends.
�Mike!� A small voice from the headset said.
�Yeah, what is it?� Mike asked as he walked into a small office room and closed the door.
�You�re not going to like this.� The person said quietly.
�What? What is it?� Mike asked impatiently as he tapped his fingers on the desk in the room.
�I-it�s about Frank, he�s out.�
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