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Walking down the stairs, I felt him before I saw him. Here I was thinking I would make it out without being noticed.

“Chloe, is that you?” Emily smiled warmly at me, clearly relieved to see a friendly face. Little did she know I couldn’t stand her.

“Hi Emily, Mr. Clark.” I nodded my head at both of them.

“Chloe, your parents informed the school you were sick.” Xavier’s moody eyes were raking mine for answers and drawing in my presence, as if he suddenly were able to breathe upon seeing me.

Yeah, sick of putting up with you, I thought to myself.

“Yes, but I’m feeling better. I will be back in school Monday.” I scoffed to myself. “Well, I have to go. It was nice to see you both.”

If I could have run, I would’ve, but luck would have it that Dan and Maddison turned the corner just then and Dan’s eyes locked with mine for a split moment. I knew I wasn’t going anywhere now.

“Dan.” I smiled warmly. “Maddison.”

“Chloe, where did you disappear to this morning?” Dan pulled Maddison into his side, still smiling broadly. “Alec’s been in a foul mood all day.”

Oh lord, I had caused Alec to be angry because of this. This was my fault entirely.

“Look, I have to go.” I gave him a small smile and with no more explanation I headed for the door.

Closing the door behind me, I jogged to my car. I had to find Alec. I had to reassure him. He was my source of sunlight and it was getting darker every second I was away from him.

***

Pulling up out front of Alec’s house, I saw it was dead. Not one light was on, and not one car was in the driveway. I knew Dan and his parents would be at my house, but where was Alec?

As if on cue my phone began to vibrate in my pocket. Pulling it out and seeing Dan’s name flashing was just plain freaky. I flicked the phone open.

“I just pulled up outside your house, and now you’re calling me. Talk about good timing Dan.”

“Yeah, I had a feeling you were heading there.” Dan’s voice was friendly like always. Maddison was really a good influence over him, though looking back Dan was always happy.

“Yeah, where is Alec?”

“He headed out about the same time as us. He was going to have beers with his mates at the Shuttle Bar in Mair Street.”

“Thanks, Dan.”

“No worries, Chloe. Have a good night.”

I closed the phone and started the car. At least I was wearing something appropriate for going out. I was thankful that I hadn’t put on something casual. I knew the bar he was at. It was only a few blocks away.

Alec must be blowing stream off. I couldn’t stop the nerves bubbling in my stomach. This was our first fight. I was hoping that once I explained my situation to Alec, it would work out. But what if it didn’t? What if Alec was over the drama with me, and wanted to call it quits. It was true that I came with a lot of baggage.

Damn Xavier. I gritted my teeth. I was madder with myself. Why did I act like I did?

I turned into Mair Street and took the first parking place I saw. I jumped out of my car, quickly walking along the sidewalk. I hadn’t been out in a while and had forgotten how busy the streets were. People were laughing everywhere; the smell of alcohol was thick in the air.

I walked into the bar,my eyes searching the crowds for Alec. Where the heck was he? Finally, I spotted him, at a pool table.

Leaning against his pool cue, he looked relaxed. Chewing my bottom lip, I walked over to the bar and sat on a stool. I glanced in Alec’s direction, and, to my slight surprise, he was staring directly at me.

I slowly put my hand up and waved in his direction. The smile that was on his face disappeared and a stern look replaced it. His eyes were furious. His look was hard. I had never seen it before.

“Did you want something?”

I glanced at the barman, who was looking at me with complete annoyance.