CHAPTER 42
CHLOE'S POV
"We'll take to wherever you wanna go, okay sweetie?", mom said and flashed me her contagious smile and I nodded and smiled back.
"All aboard", dad yelled as we got into the car.
"Daddy is a captain", I said, giggling with mom.
"Yes he is. I just wish Jess would go with us"
"She's in college remember", I said to my mom who just laughed at me.
"I know dear", she said.
"Chloe....? Chloe wake up.....", Keith's voice rang in my ears and that was when I realized I was dreaming of the day I dread the most.
My eyes fluttered open and I saw his face, very close to mine.
"Hey"
"Hi", my voice was barely audible.
"How are you feeling?"
"Terrible. Where am I?", I asked as my brain couldn't register my location.
"You're in the nurse's office", he said and that was when I recognized the walls.
Who knew the ceiling was different?
I guess that's what happens when you don't look at the ceiling....
"Oh"
"Do you want anything to eat?"
"No, I'm fine. I just wanna go home", I said and he helped me to get up and out of the bed.
"Where's Miss Freya?", I asked as I couldn't find her in the room.
"She left. She said something like her fiance called and it was a matter of urgency"
"Ok. How long have I been out?"
"3 hours and I was worried sick"
" You didn't have to worry"
" Well, I was worried. I thought I was gonna loose you"
" You can't get rid of me that easily", I joked and we laughed.
" C'mon let's get you home", he was leading me out of the school when he stopped and asked.
" Can you walk?"
" Of course I can. How'd you think I got here?"
" I mean, I don't want to stress you"
" I'm fine", I continued walking slowly to his car.
School wasn't over so the parking lot was empty and there were no prying eyes or rumor mongers.
"Thank you, but you don't have to miss school because of me. I can call an Uber to come pick me up"
"I don't want you to go through that stress when I can just drive you home"
" You're such a gentleman"
" Don't talk too much. It's not good for your health", he cheeks were already tinted.
" Okay"
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" Go back to school"
" I won't until you finish this chicken soup"
" Don't be such a baby"
" You the one being a baby. Just drink it"
" No, I'm full"
" One more spoon"
" No, you said that six spoons ago"
" This is gonna be the last one"
" But I'll explode", I mimicked the sound of an explosion.
" You have got to be kidding me"
" No, I'm actually very serious. Just go back to school. You've been here for over an hour"
" And I'll stay longer if you don't finish the soup"
" I'm full....."
" One more spoon"
" But I'll explode..."
" Hiya chica", Jess burst through my room door and rushed over to me.
" Hey", I hugged her.
" We had to reschedule. What's up?"
" She doesn't want to finish this bowl of delicious, mouthwatering chicken soup", Keith said and Jess laughed.
" I see someone has been getting a lot of attention", she teased me, wiggling her brows.
" You can't be serious. Where's Matt?", I rolled my eyes at her.
" He went straight to his company. Something came up over the weekend. Well, forget about that, what's going on with you two?"
" Nothing", I hurriedly said.
" Right.... Okay, I'll leave you two alone, with no adult supervision...., and go to my room that on the other side of the hallway. Bye", she rushed out of the room and I couldn't wrap my head around what she just said.
What??!!
" Do you still want the chicken soup?"
" No, I'm full. You can have it"
" No, you need it more than I do"
" Says who?"
" Says me"
" And remind me who you are again"
" That's it", he climbed on the bed and got very, very close to me.
" What're you doing?", I asked.
" This", he tackled me and started tickling me.
" Stop.....please...", I said between laughs.
" Not until you say you're gonna finish the soup"
" Please....."
" Nope", he said popping the 'p'
" I'll finish it"
" Are you sure?", he stopped and stared at me.
" No", I pushed him off me so when he fell on the bed, I got on top of him so I was straddling him.
" It's your turn to get tickled", and then the tickle attack began.
" Stop...", he said with a loud laugh.
" Nope", I popped the 'p', trying to mimick what he did.
" I... won't....force you to.... drinking it anymore... please"
" Fine, but only because you begged", I stopped tickling him.
" Thank you", he sat up and we're now looking like we are about to kiss.
He was just staring at me and I felt shy under his gaze.
" Why are you staring at me?"
" Nothing, it's just.....forget it"
" O-k", I got off him before things got messy.
" Aren't you going back to school?"
" I'm already tired from all your tantrums so I'm gonna flunk classes today"
" How about basketball? Won't you guys practice or something?"
" Nah, coach decided we should take the day off"
" And your teammates? Won't they want their captain to....you know....hang out with them?"
" Are you trying to get rid of me?"
" No"
" Are you sure?"
" Of course I'm sure"
" Ok, if you say so. I'm gonna introduce you to them one day"
" Who?"
" My teammates. They've been at my neck since we started talking"
" Why?"
" First of all, you dated Nolan and now we're friends. Second, they said I spend more time with you than with them. I think they're just jealous"
" Don't say that! You're their friend and their captain. Sometimes, they just wanna hangout with you, because you're fun"
" Really? I used to think I'm a whole sack of boring"
" You're a cool dude"
" Did you just call me a dude?"
" Yes I did"
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" So, you two dating yet?", Jess asked immediately I came back into the house.
" No"
I just saw Keith off, he said something like he's gonna spend the night at his dad's house.
"Why?"
"I'm not ready for another relationship"
"Did you tell him that?"
"No, I just told him that we should set boundaries"
"Boundaries? What kind of boundaries?"
"No more kissing. I told him that we should stop because it wasn't the best option"
" But you like him"
" Maybe, I don't know"
" You're making a mistake"
" I'm not sure I am"
" You are but you're in denial"
" I'm going to bed"
" Won't you have dinner?"
" I'm full"
" You're trying to avoid this topic"
" Maybe", I went up to my room and plopped on the bed.
Maybe she's right...
But what if I give him a chance and he breaks my heart.
I'm not gonna let that happen....