Chloe sighed. "I didn't write anything. I swear to you, Melanie. I swear on Hayden, Tobey, and my own life that I didn't write ANYTHING. The other night when I came home from the Christensen's I pulled out my laptop and LOOKED at it. That's all! I knew I had an article to write, but I was too tired to do anything. Then magically the very next day, everyone suddenly hates my guts and wants me dead because I supposedly wrote some article about JC's ex-girlfriend� Why? Mel? Why would I do something like that? I care about JC� I wouldn't do that to him�"
Melanie shook her head. "Well, then, who did, Chlo'? It was sent under your name, your e-mail." Chloe sighed. "I don't know, Melanie� someone must have gotten into my computer or� something. All I know is� I didn't do it."
Melanie looked at her friend, and knew that Chloe wouldn't lie about something like this. Her and JC had become close friends, and she knew Chloe rarely just let anyone in to her secluded circle of friends. "I believe you, Chloe." Sad, dark brown eyes looked up into the others, and Melanie thought she saw a spark of hope glimmer in them. "You do?" Melanie nodded. "Yeah. I'm going to try my hardest to talk to the others, as well. But, it won't be easy, Chlo'. You're new� they don't know you as well as I, Hayden, or Tobey." Chloe nodded. "I understand. I'm guessing I'm going to have to go talk to Johnny, don't I?" Melanie nodded. "Yeah. In fact, you'd better head down there now." Chloe nodded. "Let me go shower, and I'll be there." Melanie nodded, hugging her friend. "It'll all work out, Chlo. I promise."
"Mr. Wright?" The older man looked up, and motioned for her to sit. "Ms. Maguire. Have a seat. I'm sure you know by now why I summoned you here." She nodded. "Yes sir. And if I may, plead my case?" He nodded. "Go ahead." She sighed. "Mr. Wright, I can assure you, I did not write that article. I haven't had time, even though I knew USA Today had a deadline. I've been working on the journal entries for the web-site, as well as the new biographies that were to go up on the site, as well. Those have been the only things I've been able to accomplish thus far into the tour. The other night, I was visiting some friends, when the article was claimed to have been sent. I didn't return back to the hotel until almost 1:30 in the morning. You can ask Mike, he saw me come back in. I went to start on the article that morning, but I found I was too exhausted, so I put it away and went to sleep. However, somehow, the next day, the article was sent and published, and I have a very upset crowd of people on my hands� Mr. Wright, it was made clear to me that there have been trust issues in the past concerning these guys� I understood that, knowing that if anyone wrote or did anything slanderous to my best friend or brother, I'd go mad. Not to mention, JC had not shared with me as much as was written in that article. I know nothing more than what he has told me, so how is it possible that I could've written such an in-depth article about a situation I knew little to nothing about?"
Johnny sighed, and crossed his arms. "I don't understand, Ms. Maguire. Then who could've written it?" She sighed. "That, sir, I don't know. My laptop is normally always with me� and when I've left it alone, there's never been anyone in the room." He sighed. "Ok, Chloe. To be frank, I don't know what I believe just yet. But this will be gotten to the bottom of. Meanwhile, I wish for you to keep going about your duties with the site and biographies. I will worry about USA Today and JC. He isn't happy, Chloe. Far from it. In fact, he's made threats to the quit the group, if you weren't fired on the spot."
Chloe closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. "Mr. Wright. My eyes are red, puffy, and still swollen. Would I really have gotten this upset if I wrote that article?"
He smiled sadly. "Chloe. Thank you for your side of the story. We'll discuss it further, as needed. You may go." She nodded and stood up, walking out into the hall. She leaned against the wall outside, and sank down to the floor, burying her head in her hands. "Ahem." She looked up, startled to see Justin and Lance standing there. Lance reached down to help her up. "We heard everything you said to Johnny." She sighed. "Yet, you still don't believe me." Justin sighed. "Not completely. There's still missing gaps and pieces we don't understand. But like he said, it will be gotten to the bottom of." Lance touched her swollen eyes. "I don't think you'd have gotten this upset, if you were lying." She sniffled, feeling the tears start up again. "I know what it's like. To have my personal life splashed all over things, I didn't want wet. I know what it's like to hurt. To feel betrayed and used." She walked swiftly past them, back to her room. It was time to go.
She crossed her arms, trying to ignore the biting cold. New York was always freezing at this time of year. Quickly, she walked down the street to where sets, scenery, etc. had been set up. She saw him, laughing, smiling, joking. And she felt worse. He looked up, just as she had picked up her pace, and his face broke out into a huge grin. Running to her, he scooped her up into his arms, when he felt her break down. He pulled away, only to have her burrow closer into his arms, and he felt the sobs rack her body. "Shh, Chloe� What's wrong, sweetie? Chloe� talk to me, please?" Natalie Portman saw, her co-star and the upset girl, and she looked at George. He smiled and patted her shoulder. "That's a wrap, for today, folks!"
"They� hate� me." Hayden brushed his friend's hair out of her eyes. "Chloe. No one hates you." She shook her head. "Yes. They do. They said I wrote an article about JC and his ex-girlfriend, exploiting their past relationship and how he got screwed over." He shook his head. "You'd never. In a million years, you'd never." She sighed. "Don't you think I know that?! Somehow the article got sent to USA Today via my e-mail."
He sighed. "This is ridiculous. And they don't believe you?" She shook her head. "Of course not. JC is still hurting from the relationship, and the others back him up all the way. Not to mention, Cynda managed to bring up my past." He shook his head confused. "Past?" She sighed. "Joshua, Ben� Paul. I slapped him, Hayden. He called me a whore, and I slapped him." He rubbed his eyes. "JC?" She nodded, silently. "What do I do? What can I do?" He shrugged. "I don't know, hon. I honestly don't know." He pulled his best friend to him and hugged her tightly, as she was once again let the tears flow.
Thirteen