"No matter where you run, no matter where you hide, out here there's a rule you'll find, only the strong survive."-Freshley's Comet
Seven
"Ahem. Excuse me." Chloe looked up to see a young blond girl standing in the doorway, looking annoyed. Chloe took off her glasses and set them on her desk. "Can I help you?" The girl sighed, impatiently. "Well, someone had better. I've been wandering around for 10 minutes now, and I don't appreciate it, one single bit." Chloe smiled thinly. "I'm sorry� who are you trying to find, exactly?" Chloe rolled her eyes as the girl examined her nails. "I'm Cynda. I'm looking for my uncle, Mr. Salinger?" Chloe nodded. "I see. Mr. Salinger, isn't in his office?" Cynda groaned. "If he were in his office, I obviously wouldn't be here wasting my time with the receptionist girl, would I?" Chloe could feel her anger start to boil, when JC knocked lightly on the door. "Excuse me� Chlo' can I steal you away for a sec?" Chloe nodded. "Excuse me a moment." Cynda paid her no mind, and smiled brightly at JC. "Hi there. I'm Cynda Salinger, who might you be?" JC looked at Chloe, who rolled her eyes again, and held out his hand. "JC Chasez. Nice to meet you Ms. Salinger." She giggled. "You too. I hope to be seeing you around." He nodded and turned to Chloe. "Chloe?" Chloe nodded and sidestepped Cynda. "Excuse me. If you wander down the hall a bit more and take your first right, you'll find the actual receptionist."

Cynda glared at the girl's back, watching her go. Cynda walked out into the hall, seeing JC and Chloe, was her name, laughing and talking quietly. Grinning to herself, she had found her next challenge. And Cynda Salinger always got what she wanted.

"So� that's Salinger's niece? He talks about her as if she's the Queen for pete's sake." Chloe laughed and nodded. "Well. She acts like it. I don't like that girl. She's got issues." JC laughed. "Ah. Didn't your mom ever tell you not to judge a book by its cover?" Chloe looked at him and shook her head. "Whatever. Come on. Let's go eat something, I'm hungry."

2 mths later

"Soooo. Chloeeee." She sighed. "Justin. Go away. I have a tour to get ready for. You're bothering me." He grinned and kissed her cheek. "Chlo'� come on." She sighed in exasperation, when she heard someone clear their throat. The two turned to see Cynda standing in the doorway. "Justin! There you are! I've been searching high and low for you!!!" He smiled. "Sorry, Cynda. I was in here talkin' to my girl, Chloe." Cynda looked at Chloe and her eyes narrowed. "I see. Well. I want you to come keep ME company. I have to pack too, you know." Justin laughed. "I'm so popular!! Well, Chlo', I'm gonna go keep Cynda company. JC said something about stopping by anyhow. He can be your buddy now." Chloe smiled and nodded, trying to push aside the fact, that this girl was slowly, but surely taking her place with the guys. Sure, she was beautiful, but had no intelligence, no self-respect. And she hoped the guys would see through her act. Because, she'd dealt with her kind before. She'd been that kind, before. Unintentionally, of course. She'd string guys along, they'd fall in love with her, and she'd get tired. And she'd drop them.

JC looked at the door in front of him, contemplating whether or not he wanted to bother her. He knew she was strained and stretched to the limit with deadlines. His thoughts were interrupted by a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Cynda grinning at him. "Hey." He nodded. "Hello." She looked at him, strangely. "Why are you just standing in the hall? Did you space out?" He shook his head. "Oh no. I was about to go visit Chloe." She frowned. "Now, JC, you know she's a busy, busy girl. Why bother her? Come on. Take me out to lunch?" He shrugged. "Lunch couldn't hurt, I suppose." Cynda squealed and took hold of his arm. "Great! Uncle Brian would be so happy! He thinks you're just an exceptional young man." JC smiled and followed her outside, not hearing the door close behind him.

Chloe leaned her head back against the door, fighting to ignore that twinge of something in the back of her mind.

                                                                        Eight
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