Chapter 4: Chloe

"Motherfucker!"

My eyes flew open at the sound of my dad shouting. My parents never censored themselves around me. Well, at least my dad doesn't.

Of course, my mom tried to stop him, but to no avail. Well, dad will be dad.

A knock came on my door. "Chloe?" Caleb called out.

I sighed. I really hate having to talk with morning breath. "Yeah?"

"How would you like me to cook breakfast?"

I jolt out of bed the minute Caleb said that. He should be the last person on earth to ever cook. "I can cook myself!"

###

Dad was in a really bad mood today. I don't even know why. He usually was this bubbly and fun and nice person, but this time he kept a straight face the whole morning. Damn, something horrible must've happened at the party.

I looked at Caleb. He knew what's going on. I could tell. He just didn't want to tell me, for some reason. I am so going to force him to tell me.

Mom looked like she was in a bad mood too, but tried her best to hide it. Your acting skills suck, Mom.

"Come on, Chloe." Caleb sighed after a while of silence. "I'll drive you to school."

"You know how to drive?"

"Yeah, I do."

"But you're- we're not even 16 yet."

"Who cares?"

"I do. I'm not going there with you driving and you can't make me."

"I'll buy you food."

Ah, the four most magical words that can charm anyone.

I looked at dad. "Really? You're going to let him do this?"

Dad shrugged. "I started driving when I was 13 and no one cared. Plus, Caleb looks 17. They won't suspect a thing... I think."

"Yeah, and I'm- we're 16 this year."

"I give up." I sighed. "I'm only agreeing because I don't want to have to walk there."

Caleb grinned.

I frowned and turned to dad. "Why can't you drive us?"

"I don't want to." He shrugged.

And the best dad award goes to... Scott Benson!!

###

"I am not letting you drive again," I said through gritted teeth, stumbling out of the car. "That... was the worst experience I have ever had."

Caleb laughed. I admire him. He could still laugh in times like these. "Yeah, get used to it." He grinned. "Cause after I get my legal driving license, I'll be driving you everyday."

I looked up at the sky. "My life has turned into a nightmare."

"You have a life?"

I glared at Caleb. He is so dead.

Caleb, again, grinned.

As much as I loved him, I hate him.

"Whatever." I said. "I'll just enter this hell hole."

"It's called 'school'."

I walked into its doors, waving at Caleb without looking back. "Hell hole!"

###

"And there she is!"

I rolled my eyes. I loved him for helping me the other day but, he's still annoying.

"What do you want, Brayden?"

He shrugged. "Your... friendship?"

I shook my head. "Won't be that easy."

"Then what's the easy way out?"

"Buy me food."

"But... I love food too."

"Dang, we finally have one thing in common."

Brayden raised an eyebrow. "Finally? Really? We take so many classes together."

We do?

"Oh yeah. How could I forget?"

How long has he been spying on me?

"Should I walk you to class or something?"

I shook my head. "Nah, it's okay."

"But... but... I'm trying to be a good friend!"

I looked at him in amusement. "Then get me out of this hell hole."

"You mean school?"

"Hell. Hole."

Brayden sighed. Then frowned. Then smiled. "Your brother is Caleb Benson right?"

"Er... yeah?"

"Great!" He clapped his hands. "Then we'll have no problem at all!"

"What are you talking about?"

"I mean, your brother won't care if we skip school right?"

"Uh, yeah he will." Then I realised something. "Woah, you believed that Caleb and I are related?"

Brayden looked at me like I just told him I sacrificed a baby's soul to lord Voldemort. "Uh... yeah? Unless you're telling me you guys aren't?"

"Well, we are... just that people don't believe it."

"Most people." He corrected, grinning.

I rolled my eyes. I looked over at Delaney, who smirked at me. Oh, that's it.

I smiled at Brayden. "Yeah, let's get out of here."

###

I covered my face. Why did I think this was a good idea?

"My mom's gonna kill me," I groaned.

Brayden gave me an amused look. "But you said they'll be okay with it."

"My dad. Not my mom or brother. This is the end of Chloe Benson."

Brayden simply laughs. "Relax. If your father is okay with it, he'll back you up, right?"

So I expected Brayden to treat me to some restaurant or at least a cafe and buy me food (because I love food, I mean, who doesn't?). But did he fulfill my wishes? No. He brought me to a park instead.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah..." I muttered.

And there was silence. This is so awkward. And you know what they say... awkward moments are awkward. Wait, who says that? Oh my god, Chloe, get your act together. I swear to god if you-

"So, you and this Ashton guy..." Brayden cut my awkward thoughts of. "How- uh- how long have you guys been dating?"

I shrugged. "Start of high school, I guess." I sighed. "And ended last year end of school, so a year, I think."

"Why did you guys break up?"

"Cliché stuff. He cheated on me. Really, it's nothing exciting. Why can't we ever have a normal break up?"

Brayden scoffed, trying to hide a laughter. "Well, screw him then." He grinned. "Are we friends now though?"

"No." I said. "Look, I don't have any friends, so I don't know how to become friends? Like do you sign a contract to be 'bffs' or maybe sacrifice a virgin's blood to lord Voldemort or something?"

Brayden let out a laugh. "No, holy crap." Then he had that 'thinking face'. "Although, I would gladly do the second one."

"Yeah, the second one sounds exciting."

"So let me get this straight- you have a boyfriend but no friends?"

I nodded.

"Uh, how is that possible again?"

"Heck, I don't know." I frowned. "Maybe I'm some main character in a book or something and things like this only happen? But hey, you can't judge. There's 7 billion people in the world. I'm sure someone out there has lost their virginity and still have not have their first kiss."

Brayden frowned, looking up at the sky. "Huh."

"Or, you know- maybe someone in the world has asked lord Voldemort to-"

"What's with you and Voldemort today? You in love with him or something?"

"What? No?"

"Then why do you keep saying his name?"

"Dude, I don't know." I shook my head. "His nose are goals, man. That's all I know."

"And his hair too."

I let out a laugh. One that I haven't had since Ashton and I broke up. "Yeah. Especially his hair."

Brayden grinned. "See? You're having fun right?" He nudged me. "So you like me now right?"

I shot him a small smirk. "No, considering you took me to a place with no food."

Brayden sighed. "Food..." he muttered. "Now I want food."

I smiled at him. "Thanks for yesterday."

"Sure, no problem."

"And today, of course."

Brayden leaned back on the wooden bench. "What will happen if we become more than just friends?"

I shot him a frown. "You mean like... non blood related sister and brother or something?"

"No, I mean..." Brayden looked at my confused face and sighed. "Never mind. Didn't even know why I thought of it." He stood up from the bench and brush himself off. "Now come on, I'll take you home."

###

"Absent from school?" My Mom scolded. "What were you thinking?"

I heaved a sigh. "I just..."

"You cut school?" My dad asked. I nodded. "Cool! Hey, next time let me..."

Dad stopped talking when he saw Mom giving him 'the look'.

"I mean..." my dad panicked. "I am so disappointed in you, Chloe! *I've never been so proud* What were you thinking, skipping school? *You should ask your teacher to call me instead* We have raised you better than this! *Punch the teacher next time*"

I gave my dad an amused look. He's in deep trouble, alright.

Mom massaged her forehead. "Make sure this doesn't happen again."

I nodded. Mom then dragged dad to their room.

"Why did you skip school?" My beloved brother asked.

I sighed at his question. "Really? You're asking me why I skip school?"

"Look," Caleb said, putting his hand on my shoulder. "I know it can be tough- since you have no friends or whatsoever but-"

"You know what?" I cut him off. "You won't understand. Just let me change out of my clothes, yeah?"

I shook his hand away and make my way to my room.