He sighed. "Can I ask� why did you write that article?" She sighed, and placed both her hands on either side of his face and forced him to look into her eyes. "I did NOT write that article, JC." He sighed, and took her hand. "Then� how?" She sighed. "I don't know yet. But I WILL find out. Besides, I could never write such a thing� especially about you." He brought her hand to his mouth and gently kissed the inside of her palm. "Why not?" She sighed, feeling a shiver run down her spine. "Because, JC. Because I care� I care about you, ok?" He smiled softly, and he stood up, pulling her with him. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, and ran his hands through her hair, testing the softness of it. Something he had longed to do, since the moment he saw her. She sighed, in content as he pulled back, cupping her cheek with his palm. Dipping his head down to meet hers, he gently touched his lips to hers, silently asking if what he was doing was alright.
She leaned closer, deepening the kiss, and he sighed against her lips, as she wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him to her. The kiss lingered for a few moments, before she pulled away, breathless to rest her forehead against his. He smiled. "You sing very beautifully, you know." She smiled. "Thank you. You do, too." He grinned. "Chloe� I don't want to fight anymore. In fact, I'd really rather have it the other way around�"
She sighed. "I just wish� you'd believe me." He sighed, and kissed her hand again. "Chloe� I want to. I do. Because I do believe that you'd never do something like that. We'll work through this, alright?" She nodded, and he grinned. "Ok. We should get back, before people think we killed each other." She laughed. "Yeah, ok." He grinned, and took hold of her hand and walked out into the hall towards the stage, where the others were.
As they approached the others, Chloe dropped JC's hand, and he shook his head. "No need for that, Chlo'." She smiled brightly, and linked her arm with his, and joined the rest of the group. Everyone saw them coming and their mouths distorted into that of surprise. Melanie shook her head, confused. "I don't get it." JC smiled. "From here on out, everything is just fine. Understand?" The others nodded, excitedly. Cynda, however, couldn't stop the anger from spreading across her face. Turning away, she shook her head, and knew her next step had to be put into effect.
JC smiled, and pulled her after him. "JC� where are we going? You have to be on stage, in oh, about, NOW?!" He grinned. "That's nice. I had to ask you something first. There's this after party, we're all sorta indebted to go too� and I wanted to know if you'd come." She nodded. "Sure. I already am, but�" He shook his head. "Like as my date." She nodded. "Ok." He grinned and kissed her cheek, quickly. "Ok. Bye Chloe." She waved. "Bye JC."
Trying to suppress her squeal, she flipped open her phone, and dialed Hayden's number. "Hello?" She grinned. "Hey there, sexy." He laughed. "Baby girl! You're feelin' a lot better, I take it?!" She sighed. "You have no idea." He laughed. "Well, good! I'm glad! Things on the JC front aren't bad?" She shook her head. "Not anymore� in fact, he kissed me earlier." Hayden's mouth dropped open. "WHOA! Say what?!" She laughed. "Yeah. Hayden� it's crazy� but there's this feeling� and it's amazing..." He laughed. "You're in love, Chlo'. Face it." She grinned. "Well, ok. I have to go now. Just wanted to hear your voice." He smiled. "Luv ya, Chlo'." She smiled. "Luv ya, bro." She hung up, and headed to find Melanie, to give her the lowdown of events.
Melanie shook her head. "What are you gonna wear?" Chloe shrugged. "Probably just this black dress. Nothing too much, you?" Melanie sighed. "Don't know, yet." Chloe frowned. "Well, we gotta go now. Throw something on, girl." Melanie laughed. "I'm so glad, you're back to the old you. I hated the tension. It drove us all bonkers!" Chloe laughed. "Yeah, me too. Hey, where's Cynda?" Melanie shrugged. "She said something about heading down early to talk to her uncle, I don't know."
Chloe nodded. "Hey, Mel. The night I left my laptop with you� was it just you here?" Melanie frowned, trying to remember. "That's the night, you went to the Christensen's?" Chloe nodded. Melanie sighed, but then looked up slowly. "Wait a minute. I went out with the guys that night� but Cynda stayed home, because she said she was exhausted." Chloe nodded, thoughtfully. "I see."
They were interrupted by a loud knock on the door. Melanie shrugged and opened it to see JC and Joey standing there. "Ladies, we are ready to go. Shall we?" Melanie rolled her eyes. "Joe, you're a fruit." He laughed. "Ok, dearie. Come on! Dancing! Food! Fun!"
JC smiled and held out his arm. "Yes, let's go." Chloe took it and smiled, happily. Even if, JC was still doubtful of her writing that article, it seemed like it didn't matter just then. He made her feel, alive. She wasn't ready to let go of that security. Not yet� not ever.
"I hope you can dance as well as you can sing." Chloe grinned. "Oh, but I can." He laughed, as she twirled out onto the floor, pulling him with her. "Chlo'. Why does this feel so right?" Chloe smiled. "I don't know, JC. But I don't want to analyze it." He nodded. "Me either." She rested her head on his shoulder, not wanting to ever let him go.
"Hey. I'm gonna go get some air, ok?" She nodded. "Do you want me to come?" He shook his head. "Nope. You stay here. There's some people headed your way, wanting to talk to you." He kissed her forehead, before winking, and heading out into the gardens.
Cynda smiled evilly, as she glanced around, before following him out. "Beautiful night, isn't it?" He turned to see Cynda standing in the doorway. Her way too short baby blue dress showed way more than he wanted to see. "Yes, it is." She sauntered over to him and grinned. "JC� I noticed you're not upset with Chloe, anymore?" He shook his head. "I'm not. I care about her too much. Too much." Cynda sighed. "Such a shame. Such a waste. Why? JC? You want her� when you could have so much more?" She inched dangerously close to him, testing him. "Like� me?"
He backed away, shaking his head. "No, Cynda. I've� fallen in love with Chloe� and I don't want anyone but her." Cynda shook her head. "And after what she did to you? She DID do it, JC. There's no getting around it. Accept it� and move on� to better things� like me." She leaned in, wrapping her arms around his neck, claiming his lips as her own, just as an all too familiar figure silhouetted in the doorway escaped from those wanting to speak with her. JC shook his head, pushing the girl away, just in time to see Chloe shaking her head in disgust. JC shook his head. "Chloe� no."
She shook her head, fighting tears. "Don't. Just� don't." Anger seething through her, she took off inside, pushing past everyone in front of her, and blindly made her way outside.
JC pushed the girl back and ran after her, and made it outside, just to see her jump in a cab and leave. He sighed, breathless, and ran a hand over his face� Just how long would it be, before they could be at peace with each other and not at odds?
Sixteen