Chloe sighed, as she put the finishing touches to the guys article for Entertainment Weekly. She hurt inside. She missed the way JC would wink or smile, or visit her while she was working. She was alone. Again. Hayden was there for her as much as he could be, but there was only one person who would could make the misery end. And that someone was JC. They'd managed to keep their distance for the past month or so only saying occasional hellos and how are yous. She sighed, as she closed her computer and stretched, walking downstairs to make herself a good cup of coffee. She smiled as she saw Tobey stretched out on the couch, too tired to retire upstairs after his movie last night.
She sighed and ran a hand through her dark hair, wishing that JC would just call. She heard a soft knock on the door, and turned around to open it, to see Hayden standing there, fresh from the bakery with doughnuts and Starbucks in his hand. "Hey sweetie. Coffee?" She grinned. "You read my mind. Come on into the kitchen." Hayden laughed softly, as he saw Tobey dead asleep on the couch.
She sighed and sat down at the table and watched as he took a seat across from her. He took her hand in his. "You miss him, huh?" She sighed. "Is it that obvious?" Hayden nodded. "You did the right thing, Chlo'. You know that, as well as he. He had to get over Kira, before he could move on with you. You don't want her lurking in the shadows of your relationship, now do you?" Chloe shook her head. "Of course not." He nodded. "That's right. So. You're doing splendidly. The crying's stopped, I take it?" She nodded. "Yes, Hayden. I took what Tobey told me straight to heart. If me and him are meant to be, then it'll be. If not� well, then. At least I had that feeling. That feeling which I've longed to had, for so long now. I felt all tingly when he kissed me. I was happy. I still am, to an extent."
Hayden nodded and patted her hand. "Come on. Let me give you a lift to work." Chloe smiled and nodded, before walking out with him.
"Thanks for the ride. See you tonight." She waved to her friend and headed inside.
"Nonsense. I wrote that article. Of course, I did. I wanted JC to myself. But, then he didn't want me, so I got the next best thing. His ex-girlfriend. Am I a genius or what?!"
Chloe's eyes narrowed, at the girl who was chatting away on her cell phone, back turned. Chloe shook her head. "I KNEW it!" Cynda screamed, dropping her phone. "Chloe� w..what are you doing here?!" Chloe shrugged. "I work here." Cynda sighed, holding her racing heart. "You were eavesdropping!" Chloe shook her head. "NO! I was walking past and heard you talking about writing an article� what article is that, Cynda?! The one that I allegedly wrote about Kira Sandros, a girl I know absolutely NOTHING about? Except that SHE'S the reason I'm unhappy?!"
Cynda laughed, evilly. "You're right. I wanted him. And when I found out I couldn't have him� well, then I knew someone who could. Kira was the perfect solution to my little problem."
Chloe shook her head. "Why? Why me? You don't even know me." Cynda glared at her, not taking notice of the 5 sets of eyes and ears listening intently. "You think I don't know what you are? I LOVED Paul. I was supposed to be with him. But, NO! You were in the way. He cared about YOU then. NOT ME! Don't you get it? You screwed up my one chance at happiness. And now� now I've taken away yours. So, we're even now." Chloe shook her head, disgusted. "You were the one who locked me in the arena." She nodded. "It did more good than harm. That was a stupid error on my part."
Chloe shook her head. "You are a twisted little girl, Cynda. Twisted. Stay away from me, from now on." Brian Salinger crossed his arms across his chest. "Niece, you've got a lot of explaining to do. Follow me." Cynda turned around and gasped as she saw her uncle and 5 very angry guys. "Uh.. Uncle Brian�" He shook his head. "My office, NOW!"
Cynda hung her head, guiltily as she followed the older man. Chris sighed. "I knew it. I knew she would never write such a thing." Lance and Justin nodded. JC sighed. "I screwed up. And I wish I could go in there and take all the hurt away, but I know that I can't� not just yet." Joey nodded. "We understand, Jace. And I'm sure she does, too." JC nodded and smiled. "Thanks guys."
"Chloe Alicia Maguire. Just how many times, have you watched this movie?" Chloe looked up at her friend, from her spot on the couch and stuck out her tongue. "Well, Hayden, I happen to love this movie, as well as Ewan McGregor, who you still have yet to introduce me to, and besides. I have nothing better to do on this lone Friday night." He sighed and sat down next to her. "JC still keeping his distance?" She nodded. "Yeah. But, hey� Cynda finally fessed up. She wrote the article� and locked me in the lounge back in Detroit."
Hayden sighed. "Well, at least that part of the puzzle is solved. So, now it's basically getting over Kira, that JC has yet to do?" She nodded. "I suppose so." He frowned. "Chlo'. Do you� ya know� love him?"
Chloe frowned, and stared at the tv screen blankly, watching Ewan McGregor sing "Your Song" to Nicole Kidman. "What's love, Hayden? Is that it? Him singing, and her becoming enchanted by him? Is it enchantment? Fascination?"
Hayden sighed, pulling her closer to him. "I think it's the ability to do something like that. So extremely wonderful and beautiful that it touches you deep down inside your heart� something that stirs your soul into chaos� if we're going by the movie� Ewan's voice melted into her pores� it made her long for something good, finally. Then, yes, that's love. But, it's different for everyone. It can be that feeling you have, when he smiles at you, and you feel twitter-pated. That's love. I can't tell you what love is, Chloe. I haven't ever been IN love. But from observation, I can tell you what I know. You have to find out for yourself."
She nodded, wordlessly, watching the movie play on. After a few long minutes, quietly, she uttered a single word. One that held so much meaning and endearment, it hurt him to see his friend in such a state. "Yes."
Eighteen