Chapter 16

                Chloe took a deep breath as she got close to Nathaniel, as she could feel the tension radiating off of him, and she didn't really wanna hear him yell at her. She was tired, and didn't really want to deal with this. Also, there's the fact that she values him, and doesn't want him to be annoyed with her. Chloe decided to suck it up, and went towards him.

"Chloe, where were you? I was so worried when you just ran off!" Nathaniel exclaimed. Chloe winced, even though he hadn't yelled at her, it felt like he had. Nathaniel got a little closer, and Chloe took a step back. He was kind of scaring her right now, although Chloe was easily scared from a childhood of protection from the world. 

"Nath" Chloe begun cautiously, taking a few steps back, and holding her hands out in front of her, as if they could help her if something went terribly wrong. Chloe's mind was racing. Should she call her limo? Should she just make a run for it? Should she just scream back like the mean girl she used to be, or should she just take it, and cower?

So many options, none all that great. If she called the limo, it would take a few minutes to come. If she ran, she would probably get caught, and that would be bad. If she screamed back, all the kind things she had done in the last few weeks would unravel, and she would have the shiny label of mean girl. If she took the yelling and cowered, she would either end up crying and running off, or people would stare and point and talk about her. Chloe was seriously debating option 2: running for it. 

"Chloe, where did you go, and why did you leave? I almost got hurt! If Queen Bee hadn't stepped in, then I don't know what would have happened. But then, she got hurt taking the hit for me, and I had to kiss her to save her, and just..ugh! none of this would have happened if I hadn't been searching for you since you ran off! Chloe, I can not believe you. I cannot believe I ever thought you had changed." He said in a tone that invited no further argument. If words could kill you, Chloe would be near dead.

Chloe felt her eyes start to tear up, and she took a deep breath to calm herself down, but it was no use. If she didn't go soon, then she would break down in the dance. 

"Nathaniel, I thought you were with me...I really did think that you were behind...I looked for you too, but I didn't find you.  If you hate me, then go ahead, but know that I didn't mean for any of this to happen." Chloe's voice broke on the last word as a tear slowly made it's way down her face. She hated lying for the sake of keeping her identity a secret. Things were so much easier before this.

Nathaniel instantly softened at the sight of the tear. He edged towards her, anger forgotten.

"Chloe-" He said softly. Chloe whirled on him, even though all she wanted right now was a hug, he didn't deserve one from her if he was going to assume and  yell at her for things that were out of her control.

"No. It's fine. Enjoy the rest of the dance." Chloe nearly yelled at him. She spun around and ran out of the dance, thankful that she didn't fall from her heels. 

'I'm so tired of people breaking me and hurting me' She thought as she ran further from the dance, tears freely making their way down her face. She found a place far away from the dance, sat down, and cried right there. 

'Maybe I'm to trusting' She thought as she cried. After what seemed like forever, all the tears had gone, and Chloe got up, noticing that Nathaniel hadn't tried to find her, and started to make her way home through the dark night.

All alone.