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Chapter 9

“NO way!” I roared, with my fists clenched. “He is doing this on purpose!”

“Chloe, do not use that tone with me,” my mother shot back, crossing her legs as she sat on the couch. “Xavier has a point.”

“No he doesn’t. He’s just trying to control me!” I threw my hand up in the air. “And to keep me away from DAN!”

“Chloe, all Xavier mentioned to us was you are behind in your work and that two weeks away from school so close to the end of the semester isn’t the best idea.”

I scoffed. “I’m sure if I was going away with him, it would be fine!”

My mom rubbed the sides of her temples. “Please, Chloe, stop arguing with me on this. You and Dan can go away another time.”

“I already said I could go with him and his family!”

“And I will call them and tell them you can’t.”

I threw myself into an armchair and crossed my arms. “So you are just going to let Xavier boss me around then.”

“No. Xavier actually has your best educational interests in mind.”

“I hate him,” I muttered under my breath. I knew I was lying to a degree, but I did strongly dislike him. Who did he think he was going to my parents behind my back? I knew the only reason he did it was because he didn’t want me going away with Dan after the way Dan kissed me at the basketball game.

“Xavier’s only ever has one interest in mind, his,” I spat.

“Chloe, look. You really need to just calm down,” my mom said softly. “You only have yourself to blame for this.”

I sneered.

“It’s true, Chloe. If you hadn’t let your grades get so low, you wouldn’t have to do all this catching up.”

I glared into the carpet. “Whatever.”

I heard my mom sigh. “Why don’t you go around and see Dan tonight and explain to him why you can’t go.”

That didn’t sound like a half-bad idea. But I was not saying so to her.

“Whatever,” I muttered dryly and walked out of the room.

“You can stay the night too, if it is alright with Alice and Brett.”

“Dan’s parents won’t care,” I threw over my shoulder and stormed off in the direction of the stairs.

I flipped my phone out and sent Dan a quick text. I knew he wouldn’t care if I came over.

***

I pressed the button and Chad’s car locked. I slung my overnight bag over my shoulder. Since my car was totaled, I had to do some major sucking up to borrow Chad’s.

Bringing my fist up, I knocked lightly on Dan’s large white door. You really didn’t have to over knock. Not when werewolves lived in the house.

The door opened. Alice, Dan’s mom, whom I like to sometimes think of as my other mom, greeted me. Our families were pretty close.

“Chloe, sweetie, nice surprise.” She smiled and opened the door wide for me.

“Do you mind if I stay night?” I asked and readjusted the bag on my shoulder.

“No, I just got off the phone with your mom.” She smiled. “Dan’s in his room.”