Don't Listen

Chapter 20- Progress

Chloe's Point of View

"Do you like horror movies?" Connor asked.

I nodded, I was still upset about everything at school and my voice was still shaky when I talked, but nonetheless I appreciated Connor trying to take my mind off it. He put the movie on, but halfway through, the doorbell rang.

"Oh my mom's boyfriend invited his kids over tonight," he explained.

"You didn't have to invite me over if you had guests coming over," I said.

"You looked like you needed someone," he said shrugging. "I was happy to help."

I blushed and tried not to let him see.

"You are more than welcome to stay," Connor said cheerfully. I nodded and followed him to the entrance.

When I saw who the guests were, I wanted to cry all over again. Grayson. How was it possible that of all the people at the beach I made friends with, the guy's mom was dating Grayson's dad.

"Chloe?" Grayson asked completely shocked to see me.

"Oh you guys know each other?" Grayson's dad asked.

I looked at Grayson and it took everything out of me to finally say, "No," as strong as I could.

But then he said, "Yes," at the same time. I glared at him.

"We go to school together," Grayson explained.

They had offered to let me stay for dinner but I made some excuse about needing to be home. Connor offered to walk me to my motorcycle.

"I had a really fun time hanging out with you," he admitted as we walked.

"Me too," I said smiling.

"We should surf again sometime," he suggested.

"Definitely," I said. We exchanged phone numbers and I got on my motorcycle.

When I got home, I check the mail and sighed. I stared at the stack of invitations, they were supposed to be for Ali's eighteenth birthday party. She had spent the whole summer planning it. I absolutely dreaded my birthday, every year Ali threw an expensive party that even my parents came to. It was the event of the year in the town. my parents sponsored a location and everyone was invited. Every year, Ali invited the whole school while I stayed home, but seeing as she couldn't this year, the job fell on me.

***

My birthday came awfully fast. In the weeks before my birthday, a lot had happened.

Kendall and I gotten very close. As I got to know her, I realized how similar we were. She spent most nights at my house and quite quickly became my closest confidant. Knowing that I had made a friend had made Scott very happy who had grown very worried about me.

Kendall and Gavin were now dating after a lot of Cupid playing on my part. Gavin and I were also good friends now, not only was he helping me with school, but he was great at call of duty and we made the best team.

Connor and I had also become great friends, he and I surfed after school whenever we could. At least four days a week, I knew he had a crush on me. He hadn't done much to hide it. Besides, his younger brother had teased him about it when I was over at their house. I didn't have the heart to tell him I didn't like him that way.