Chapter 5: Chloe

Dad was still annoyed at something for some reason. And again, neither mom nor Caleb would tell me.

Heck, after snapping at him the day before, I'm not even sure if we're okay. We've never had fights before, and I'm not proud that our first ever one was because I skipped school. With Brayden.

Caleb looked at me when I walked out of my room, making me feel awkward. He sighed and shook his head. I guess he felt awkward too, since we haven't been talking for almost a day.

"So..." he started, clicking his tongue. "Were you with anyone? You know... when you cut school?"

"Uh, yeah." I replied to him, taking a sip of water.

He raised an eyebrow. "With who?"

"Brayden."

And just like that, Caleb's ears pricked. "Nicholas? Oh god, I hope you don't mean Brayden Nicholas."

This time, I was the one who raised an eyebrow. "Uh, yeah. Brayden Nicholas. Why? What's wrong with him?"

Caleb let out a forced, fake laugh. "Nothing." He snorted. "Except for the fact that he's an asshole."

"What? Why? He's so nice."

"Nice," Caleb repeated. "If he's nice then I'm an angel. Heck, Chloe, don't get close to him."

I crossed my arms, my eyes daring him. "Why not?"

"Because."

"Because?"

"Just because." Caleb said through gritted teeth. "I don't want you getting close to him. Plus, he's one heck of a troublemaker. Do you know why he's not in school most of the time? Because he always skips. And now, he's dragged you with him. And he's been to jail. Chloe, he has a criminal record!"

"I don't care, Caleb." I argued back. "You would've gone to jail a long time ago, too. Don't act like you've never done the things he has done."

Caleb sighed. "I don't want you to end up like me." He said. "I want the best for you."

"Caleb, he's the only person that has ever accompanied me." I pointed out to him.

"There's me." He said. "You can come to my table if you want to."

"Uh, with Delaney?" I asked him. "Heaven's sake, no."

"Come on," he whined. "You guys have been having a war, since, forever."

I snorted. "Yeah, ask her why. I didn't do anything wrong."

"What if you did?" Caleb asked. I widened my eyes at him. Is he actually siding her right now? "I mean, considering..." Caleb realised that he was about to spill something that I shouldn't know about and sighed. "Never mind."

"Wait, what?" I asked him. "Considering what? You can't just leave me hanging, you know."

"Forget it."

"No, I cannot just 'forget it'." I snapped at him. "Tell me."

"Chloe, come on, we're going to be late for school."

"You know what?" I said, making it sound obvious that I'm pissed at him. "Forget it. Just let me walk to school."

And with that, I did a small wave and walked out of the door.

###

I should've let Caleb ride me to school then argued with him. By the time I reached school, my legs died.

Well, not literally, I mean, I wished it did, but I'm just really tired and I don't have the mood for school.

When have I ever have the mood for school anyway?

"You look tired." Brayden chuckled, opening his locker.

"Yeah, no shit Sherlock." I rolled my eyes at him. "I walked the whole way here."

He frowned. "Your brother didn't drive you here?"

"No." I sighed. "We had quite a fight. Apparently, he doesn't like you."

Brayden's face stayed the same. It was as if he knew and expected it. "Oh."

"I thought you said everyone liked you." I said. "Why doesn't Caleb like you, anyway?"

He shrugged. "It's a long story." He told me. "Maybe I'll tell you next time?"

"Yeah, sure."

"I gotta go talk to Piper." He grinned at me. "Meet later?"

"Piper?"

"Yeah, she's one of my best friends, actually." He mumbled.

"Piper? Wow. She's been nothing but mean to me."

Brayden gave me an amused look. "Oh wow." Was all he said. "Well, I gotta go talk to her now. Bye, Chloe."

I waved him goodbye.

###

"So now I don't even know what to do."
Barbie pouted. "I mean... he's really... wow."

Barbie Reese, one of the best people I've ever met. She's my cousin and a year older than me. Her brother, Hunter, is a year younger than me.

Barbie looks exactly like the Barbie you would think of. Blonde, wavy hair and electric blue eyes. Her personality, however, isn't as sweet as hers and she's not all plastic or fake. She's a real sweetheart, yes, until she decides that she doesn't like you, that is. Then she'll be a complete bitch to you.

It was after school and Barbie texted me and asked if I wanted to go out with her. And I agreed, mostly because I didn't want to see Caleb in that hurry, anyway.

"Just... confess?"

Barbie gave me a blank look. "It's not as easy, you know." She told me. "He's uh... not in my school. I just see him in the cafe that I always go to. I don't even think he notices me."

"Barbie, you are an amazing girl." I told her. "If he turns you down, then it's obvious he's the one missing out."

Barbie smiled at my words. "I wonder why you in the world would Ashton break up with you. Seriously. That guy has serious issues."

I chuckled at her comment. "Oh well. What's done is done."

She then laughed and told me a few jokes and stories about the guy in the cafe she's been crushing on. I can't help but notice how her eyes would shine with every word she says about the guy.

She soon started tapping my arms in a fierce manner. "Hottie at three o'clock."

On instincts, I looked. "Uh... that's Brayden Nicholas. He goes to my school."

"Oh." Was all Barbie said. Then her smile turned into a frown. "Wait... is that the Brayden Nicholas? The guy that killed that girl?"

I looked at Barbie. Brayden killed who? She's insane. "Uh, what? Killed? No?"

"I'm pretty sure he is that guy." Barbie said. "I know that you won't like me saying this, but you better watch out."

I didn't say anything. Brayden killing someone? Doesn't make sense.

###

I spent the last 2 hours sitting on my desk, trying to find information about what Barbie has told me. Sad to say, it was true. Well, half true.

Apparently, Brayden was accused of killing this girl called Kaylee Brown. They didn't have any solid evidence, and therefore they were forced to release Brayden. In the end, they stated that it was either suicide or an accident.

But Brayden and this Kaylee girl... what's their relationship? It says in the articles that Brayden is 'heavily suspected'.

I'm so confused right now.

But of course, instead of asking Brayden who might or might not tell me the correct information about this, I decided to trust the Internet. As you can see, I'm really smart.

"Oh." Caleb said in amusement. "You found out about Brayden's murder. Good for you. Now you know why I tell you he's no good?"

Does he ever knock?

"I'm going to ask him myself." I told him. "And the articles said that they didn't have enough evidence. He was only suspected."

Caleb snorted. "Same thing."

"They are not the same thing." I insisted. I have never seen this side of him. We've always get along, but Caleb now is just... being ridiculous.

I get that he's just looking out for me, but to this extent is just plain ridiculous.

"I'm going to find that out for myself and you're not going to stop me." I told him before walking past him and out of the house.