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Chris watched Chloe play in the waterfall on the Isle of MTV. He watched as she did a perfect swan dive into the small pool of water at the base of the falls. She popped up with a smile on her pretty face.
Chris ached to join her in the water, but they were being interviewed. He was so wrapped up in Chloe that he missed a question.
�I�m sorry, could you repeat that?� he asked Ananda.
�You seem to be paying special attention to that young lady over there,� Ananda hinted.
�Actually, I was wishing that I could go swimming,� Chris lied.
�Well, it is pretty hot out here,� Ananda agreed. �We�ll have more on 'N Sync later today, now back to Thiala."
�Chris, what is with you?� JC asked in a whisper after they had bid goodbye to Ananda. �You�re totally distracted.�
�I know what�s wrong,� Justin said with a smirk.
�Shut up Justin!� Chris grumbled.
�Ooo, give us the dirt!� Joey spoke up, leaning into the huddle.
�It seems that our old friend here has quite the crush on dear little Chloe,� Justin told them.
�That�s the last time I tell you a secret,� Chris informed him.
�We already knew that one,� Lance said.
�No kidding, old news!� JC commented.
�There�s nothing between us!� Chris raised his hands in defense.
�Yet,� Lance teased.
Chloe pulled herself out of the water. She sat on the side of the pond with her legs still in the water. As she wrung out her hair she felt a tug on her leg that pulled her back under the rippling water.
Chloe resurfaced sputtering. Justin stood in front of her laughing.
�I�m going to get you,� Chloe threatened.
�Try it,� Justin challenged, swimming away.
Chloe chased him across the pool, cornering him by the waterfall. She pushed his head under, then made a break for it. Unfortunately, Justin was too quick for her. He grabbed her ankle, pulling him back to him.
She could feel his strong arm wrap around her waist in an iron grasp. Chloe looked up into his face, making her eyes wide and innocent.
�What are you going to do with me now?� she asked.
�Don�t try that innocent act on me,� Justin said. �I know you too well.�
�I�m a perfect angel!� Chloe protested as he dragged her toward the waterfall.
�Hell�s favorite,� Justin said, tossing her under the curtain of water and swimming away quickly.
�I�ll get you back,� Chloe called half heartily after him.
She swam up to the side where Chris was dangling his feet in the water. She hoisted herself up on the side, seating herself next to him.
�Why aren�t you swimming?� she asked.
�It would ruin my dreads,� Chris told her dejectedly.
�Poor baby,� Chloe teased, plucking a bright blue flower from the bank beside her. �Isn�t this a pretty flower?�
�Yeah,� Chris agreed. �It would look good with your red hair.�
�Thanks,� Chloe said.
�Hey, guys,� Joey swam up to them. �We were invited to a party tonight on the beach tonight. There are some pretty hot babes attending.�
Chris rolled his eyes. �Don�t you ever think about anything else?�
�Of course!� Joey told him indignantly. �I also think about food.�
�Well,� Chloe said, rolling your eyes, �you boys have fun at your party, I�m going back to the hotel.� She stood up, grabbing her sandals.
�You�re not going to the party?� Chris asked.
�I�m not invited am I?� She pointed out.
�Just show up with us,� Joey told her. �They�ll let you in.�
�Oh, aren�t we special?� Chloe teased.
�Why have the fame if ya don�t use it?� Chris said with an over dramatic snooty air.
Chloe laughed. �When is the party?�
�At seven,� Joey answered in a corny macho man accent, �but we�ll pick you up at six-thirty.�
�I�ll have to call all the girls and tell them I have a hot date tonight,� Chloe said dryly.
�Actually, you have five hot dates,� Joey pointed out.
�Oh, my mistake,� Chloe called over her shoulder as she sauntered across the sand.
Chloe looked beautiful that night. She wore an ankle length wrap around skirt with a blue Mehndi pattern with a plain white tank top. Her hair hung around her face in soft, billowing waves. A familiar blue flower was tucked loosely behind her ear.
Chris couldn�t take his eyes off her. She was on the dance floor with Justin. His heart twisted painfully as he watched her throw back her head with laughter as Justin dipped her low.
Chris sipped his Coke.
She�s flirting with him, he fumed.
�Hey Chris,� JC greeted him, taking the seat next to him. �What�s wrong with you?�
Chris shrugged.
JC followed Chris�s gaze and suddenly understood. He leaned forward.
�You know they�re just dancing,� JC said.
�Sure,� Chris replied bitterly.
�They are,� JC insisted. �Justin knows how you feel about her, he wouldn�t try anything with her. Put your Coke down, and go ask that girl to dance.�
Chris thought a moment. JC had a point. Justin would never hurt him. He was like his brother. Besides, asking Chloe to dance was a lot better than sitting there feeling sorry for himself.
After taking JC�s advice he approached Chloe and Justin.
�Hey, mind if I cut in?� he asked with a smile.
�Do you mind?� Chloe looked a Justin.
�Nope,� Justin told her. �I�ve been trying to let you down easy all night, you�re too old for me.�
Chloe slapped him on the arm before turning to Chris. A swing number was blasting over the speakers. Chris created quite a show, dipping her and spinning her around the dance floor.
By the time the next number flowed through the speakers they were breathless. It was a slow song.
�C�mon, one more dance,� Chris suggested.
.
�Sure,� Chloe agreed.
Chris stepped closer to her, realizing they were a perfect fit. Chloe�s head fit perfectly into the place between his shoulder and jaw. His arms were the perfect length to wrap around her waist.
Chris could feel her soft breath on his neck. He closed his eyes, relishing the feel of her soft, satiny skin pressed against him, and her sweet smell.
He had no doubt that he was in love.
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