Band vs Band: Second Edition

Are You Afraid Of Me?

Preston's P.O.V

Y'know what? I've had enough of everyone having to fear Chloe because of her inevitable rage. I knew I had to try and stop her from possibly hurting others or even worse, herself. I've been around Chloe for the longest out of all the boys and I knew her like the back of my hand. At least...I thought I did.

But then she changed her personality completely and became the person that everyone feared to get within a few feet of. I can't tell if it was a defence mechanism to keep the bullies away or just her phase of growing up. But honestly, it looked to me like a permanent change and we'd might as well get used to this new Chloe.

Not if I can help it...

I sorta had a plan in mind which I hoped and prayed to god it would work. I approached Jade while she sorted out papers on her desk. She looked up and smiled at me, brushing hair out of her face.

Damn, I can see why Chloe might have a little crush on her.

"Hey Preston, can I help you?" She asked. "Oh, yeah...well yes, yes you could. You see...I have this...suggestion...that I just happened to have in mind" I paused every few seconds, a part of me hoping she'd get the hint that it was super hard for me to ask her for this one favour.

She cocked her head slightly. "Okay...what is this...suggestion?" She asked, prompting me to finish my sentence. "Well...I was kinda wondering if...y' know..." I chuckled nervously. "Preston, are you gonna keep pausing every few seconds or are ya gonna say what you want to say?" She asked, growing impatient.

"Sorry, um...I just...I need you to help me with some...Chloe-related...stuff" I finally finished saying what I had to say. Jade's face brightened as soon as I said the name 'Chloe'. "Sure, but...what's to do with her that you need my help with?" She asked, confused. "Well, y' know how she's always so violent and rough and stuff?" I asked. She nodded. "I could kinda use your help in toning all that anger down a notch, or even more than a notch if you could" I pleaded.

"Of course. Shouldn't be too hard, right? I mean, other than my self-esteem, what else have I got to lose?" She shrugged. I honestly didn't know how to respond to that, except maybe to wish her luck. For all I knew, she was gonna need a miracle to help her out.

"Are you sure this is gonna work?" Gavin appeared behind me, making me jolt in surprise. "Look, it's the only thing we can try right now. I'm tired of always being insulted and treated as if I mean nothing to her."

"Do you honestly think you mean anything to her though? Do you think any of us mean anything to her?" He questioned. That question had just taken me aback, even if it was sort of clear what the answer was. I guess I just wanted to believe that I was something I wasn't: Chloe's best friend.

"Look, what I'm trying to say is...do you actually think she's gonna change her" he gestured over to Jade. "Oh come on, if we, her long-term best friends and current bandmates, can't change her...then I just have a hint of hope that maybe...she can" I muttered, slightly losing hope with every word I spoke.

"Sure...that is...if Chloe doesn't kill her first."

Jade's P.O.V
I walked on confidently, only fearing the amount of lost self-esteem that would come from confronting Chloe. Chloe knew just what to say to each individual that would make them break down in tears and make them feel like they just took a stab to the heart with a thousand spears all at once. And that was freaking terrifying!

I wandered around, eventually finding Chloe sorting out random stuff in the storage closet. I guess that was just her strategy to avoid the girls and stay in a quiet, empty space all day. I gently pushed the door open, eliciting a squeaky creak. Chloe didn't even bother to turn around, continuing on with her sorting of items as if I was not even present.