The Number Three

Part Two

Chapter One

"Our second love is hard. It teaches us lessons about our selves and how ultimately we need to be loved. This love is unhealthy, unbalanced, and narcissistic. The one we wished could be right."

"Hey Bells. Sorry that it's been so long. We've just returned." I lay fresh flowers down. "Im sorry." I whisper. Hot tears leak down my face.
"Chlo. We gotta go babe." Joe says behind me. I nod and blow her a kiss before leaving. "Ready?" He asks as we pull up outside of my probation officers office.
"Yeah." I sigh getting out. When I get inside Fr. Trish is there too.
"Chloe! How was your trip abroad?" She asks hugging me.
"Good considering." I hug her back.
"You're looking better."
"Thanks." I say sitting. We turn to Gill my P.O.
"Your probation is almost up." I nod slowly. "Chloe, you made a mistake but in the end you've tried to make it right. You should be proud."
"I'm okay. Healing I guess."
"Good. So after this week we go in front of the judge for the final ruling and it will be over."
"Cool." I say picking at my finger nails.
"Go home."
I stand and go back to Joe whose in the car.
"Home." I say.
"How was it? Any news?"
"A week and I see the judge again."
"Finally. Soon you'll be free to be a normal teenager again."
"Hmm. Not sure I ever was."
"You were."
When we get home mom is making dinner.
"Hey love. How'd it go?"
"Okay."
"Not fine?" She laughs.
"Funny."
"Well, you have summer laid out in front of you. So do something fun, okay?"
"Sure, I'm mr fun."
"Mail." She points to the stack and I take my weekly letters to my room. I open my dresser leaving them unread like the rest. 365 plus letters stare back at me.
"Nope." I say shutting the drawer again.

Chapter Two

"You again." A voice said behind me.
"And you." I reply drily.
"I was just passing through."
"Convenient. You're going to get me into trouble."
"Mmm. You seem to do that yourself if you're here yeah?"
"Fair point."
"Well, I'll see ya." He says walking away.
I shake my head and go back to collecting trash.
"Six more days!" Mom sings as I head to the shower. "Heading to work. Go out! I love you."
"Love you, drive safe!"
I pad to my room and get dressed deciding to leave the unpacking for tomorrow. I head out for a run to town. I stop to the video Rama and go In deciding to 'go out' tomorrow as well.
"Stalking me?" A voice says from behind me.
"No." I stare slowly.
"Twice in one day? Okay." He sighs.
"Okay." I respond.
"Daryl." He introduces his self.
"Chloe." Finally I turn to face him. He's tall probably six foot even. Dark hair, dark eyes and he's scrawny. His dirty brown hair falls in his eyes.
"Been awhile since I've seen you around Chloe."
"I've been away."
"Well, I have to get home but I'll see ya." He says smiling. I decide on dirty dancing and jog home.
When I get home I pop some pop corn and fall asleep during the movie.
"Chloe."
"Did. Stalking me while I'm working?"
"Work?" He coughs to cover a laugh.
"What do you want?" I ask suddenly annoyed.
"What time are you off?"
"Noon."
"Meet ya then." He says walking away leaving me gaping.
"Ready?" He asks at noon exactly. I nod and sigh. "Well cmon then." He laughs. We head to the ice cream shop. After we order we sit in a booth far back.
"So Daryl, what is your interest in a garbage picker?" I ask finally. He smiles.
"Curiosity."
"That killed the cat."
"Satisfaction brought it back." I can't help but laugh.
"Touché."
"So tell me about yourself."
"Like?"
"Anything." He prods. I consider this carefully.
"I have a brother and a sister." I offer.
"I've got a sister too but I don't collect trash." He smiles kindly.
"Funny." I roll my eyes.
"You said you've been away, like a vacation?"
"You could say that."
"You're a closed book Chloe." He sighs.
"Mystery." He watches me intently. "What?"
"Nothing."
"Chloe!"
I spin around. "Shit." I mutter. Daryl looks intrigued.
"I had to find out from mom that you're back. You don't respond to me and why are you with him?" She says pointedly.
"Hey." I smile sweetly.
"Chloe." She growls in warning.
"Aspen Renee. I am sorry, been busy." I shrug.
"Yeah. Clearly. Call me, and find a new friend Chlo."
She does daggers at Daryl.
"I'll call you tonight." I say. She nods leaving.
"You know her?" I ask turning back towards Daryl.
"Nope." He chuckles.
"Well she knows you." I press. He only shrugs. "Okay." I sigh.
"What are you doing?" He asks standing.
"Heading home. Thank you." I gesture to the table.
"Here." He says hanging me his phone. I enter my number.