Chapter 3: Chloe

I twirled around and looked at my dress. I have to admit, it looked so... nice. Lovely. Whatever you wanna call it.

"I am just so proud of you." My brother teased. "My little Chloe has grown up, huh?"

I turned to face him. He was leaning against the side of my door. "Yeah, yeah." I said. I twirled once more. "Do you think it's alright?"

Caleb frowned. "Are you just doing this just because Ashton will be there?"

"No," I lied. Well, half lied. Maybe I'm doing it because Brayden might be there too. I don't know, honestly. But I know that I want to impress someone, I just don't know who.

I told Mom I wanted something simple but nice, attractive but doesn't attract a lot of attention.

And that's what she found for me. The top part was shiny silver, and the bottom part was of lacy white. The top and bottom were connected by a pastel pink ribbon.

Me being me, looked into the mirror and twirled again. "Okay, but do you think it will attract too much attention?"

Caleb sighed and shook his head. "No, Chloe, now come on. Mom's calling."

###

"Will Jae and Noah be there?" My dad asked, his eyes fixed on the road. "I haven't seen Noah in a while. I really loved that guy."

"So you're cheating on me." Mom joked.  "I don't know, probably. But I heard they've been around for some time now? Anyway..."

I looked out of the window. We passed lots of buildings and trees.

Okay, Chloe. You're going to go out there, have fun and prove both Delaney and Ashton wrong.

I leaned back and sighed. Going to a party just to prove someone wrong is so pathetic. And my stomach has been uneasy from just now. I don't know why.

Maybe I was nervous. But why am I so nervous?

Because Ashton, Delaney and Brayden will be there, stupid.

But I wasn't even sure if they are going to be there. So why am I nervous again?

I'm not even a hundred per cent sure if Brayden will be there. Same goes for Ashton and Delaney. 

"Chloe?" My mom called out. "We've arrived."

I looked out of the car window. The place was huge. But it wasn't like a party that I watched in the movies or anything, probably because parents are here. It's very beautifully decorated.

I opened the car door, stumbling out. My stomach still feels sick.

"You okay?" Caleb asked me. I smiled and nodded. I don't want him to worry about me.

My family and I walked to the house. The more I'm closer to it, the dizzier I get. I don't even know why.

And when I stepped inside the house, I lost it.

I started throwing up.

On Caleb.

"Chloe!" He exclaimed.

But it wasn't an exclamation of being pissed or angry or upset that I threw up on his favorite shirt, it was an exclamation of worry.

"Chloe, are you okay?" Mom asked.

I looked at her. Crap. I feel dizzier than ever.

"You should go home." Caleb said, stroking my hair. He took out a packet of tissue from his pocket and started wiping my vomit off.

I nodded, showing that I agreed with him.

"Come on," dad sighed. "I'll drive you home."

"No," I said. "You enjoy the party. I'll walk home."

Mom handed me a glass of plain water. "You sure?"

I nodded whilst taking a sip. "Yeah. Our house is not far from here."

Mom looked at dad worriedly. "She's a big girl," my dad stated. "And our house isn't really far."

"She could faint halfway."

My dad turns to me. "Will you?"

I shook my head. "I feel better now, but I think if I take a bus home I'll be okay."

Mom frowned. "You sure?"

"Yeah." I assured her. "I'll be okay, Mom. Have some faith in me."

Mom sighed. "Okay." She said. She opened her bag and took out some pills. "But just in case, here, take this. It'll help you feel better."

I smiled and took the pills from her hand. I frowned when I looked at the description. "Um, I don't think I should be taking these." I told her, handing her back her pills. "But thanks anyways."

And I walked out of the house.

###

I might have told a lie to my mom. I knew I shouldn't, but I did. I didn't have enough money to take the bus. So here I am, lost and alone.

I groaned. I'm not gonna lie, I actually felt a lot better. Like I feel healthy.

I stopped outside a shop. It's a shop for spectacles. Maybe I should ask for directions. I sighed. This is so frustrating. Why didn't I ask my mom for bus money?

Just then, someone walked out of the shop, pushing me aside. I gave a low growl to the person. What rights do they think they have?

Then I realised something. I recognise the person. I mean sure, he's wearing a hoodie and all, but I could still recognise him.

Brayden Nicholas.

"Oh, sorry... Chloe?" He frowned.

I started playing with my fingers. "Yeah?"

"Why are you dressed like that? What are you even doing here?"

"I'm supposed to go to a party," I told him. "But I got sick and wanted to go home."

"Oh." He said. "Then let me walk you home. Just tell me your address."

"It's beside Riverwood park." I mumbled.

Although I couldn't see him, I could sense him getting closer to me. "What?"

"Beside riverwood park," I said a little louder.

"What?"

"Beside riverwood park, dumbass." I shouted this time, looking at him straight in the eyes.

It was supposed to be a mistake. I wasn't suppose to look into his eyes because I'll get nightmares out of it. But I noticed something. His eyes aren't green. They're blue now.

What?

Brayden must've noticed me staring. "Yes?"

"Your eyes- I mean, um, nevermind."

"Oh, these." He laughed. "They are contact lenses. You wouldn't look at me straight in the eyes, and when you mentioned contact lenses the other day, I figured it was something that has to do with my eyes."

He shrugged before walking in front of me. When he realised I wasn't following, he turned back to look at me.

"Come on, I know a way."

###

I looked at Brayden for the hundredth time. Did he really buy contact lenses cause of me?

Dang, now I feel bad.

"Why did you buy those contact lenses for?" I asked him.

He looked back and smiled before shrugging and walking again. "I guess I'm really not used to people disliking me."

I looked at him and did a small laugh. "You're a smart one. How did you figure out?"

Brayden gave a low whistle. "I mean, it's obvious, really. And you told me to get contact lenses."

I can't help but smile at that.

"Unless, of course, you'd rather I take these off."

"No, no." I shook my head. "You look good in blue."

"Yeah?" He said, but it sounded more of a question. "Well, I think I look good in blue too."

"You're one arrogant ass, don't you know that?"

"If you mean awesome, then yeah."

And in a matter of time, we reached my house. But since Brayden doesn't know that, he walked past it.

"My house is here, Brayden." I laughed.

He turned around and looked at my house. He, again, gave a low whistle.

"That's a cool house."

I frowned and looked at him. "Who says that?"

"I do." He shrugged. "But it is a cool house."

I nod. "Thanks... I guess."

"So..."

This is awkward.

I popped my lips. "Uh... bye?"

Brayden nodded. "If you ever need me just text. You know, in case you faint or vomit or died... wait, no. Don't die. I mean, just..."

"I get it." I laughed.

"So, yeah. Bye."

Brayden gave a small wave.

I didn't move. I don't know why. Brayden and I were awkwardly standing outside my house and this awkward moment is just so... awkward.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" Brayden asked after a while.

"Yeah." I replied. "I... am going inside my house now."

Brayden nodded. "Well I'll be walking there and back to my house..."

He bit his lower lip. I'm not going to lie, he looks really cute doing that.

"Yeah... so... bye?"

And with that, Brayden walked away.

This night didn't go well. But it did not go badly either. Maybe it was Brayden who turned my whole night around. Maybe getting sick was worth it. Whatever happened today, it sure was unforgettable.

What am I talking about? Nothing happened today. I was supposed to go to party, got sick and went home instead but I got lost. Coincidentally, Brayden was there and he helped me out.

He wasn't anyone special.

I think.

Is he?

I mean, I'm not over Ashton. I don't know if there's a 'yet'.

But hey, who knows? Brayden could end up like Ashton too.

But Brayden is Brayden and Ashton is Ashton.

I shook my head, then unlocked the door into my house.