It Exceeds Her

Chapter 12 - 'I Swear I've Seen You Before'

Ashton's POV

Only a week remained of break till we returned to that hell hole, otherwise known as high school. At least this semester I'd have Chloe to keep me company. Mom finalized her admission into the school just before the new year and she is now registered as a full time Junior along with us.

Chloe. I haven't gotten much information from her. And every time I bring it up she dismisses it with a 'not my secret to tell' line. Mom finally lifted our curfew this week, but still had us under watchful eye. Chloe on the other hand is roaming around with Justin in some other country by herself. Mom just let her go. By. Herself.

Justin had flown in for the big New Year's Eve gala my parent's hosted along with his parents, who apparently are some hotshot business owners. Dad was thrilled to entertain them, while mom was fascinated with 'Chloe's way of life'. Whatever that means. Justin on the other hand couldn't leave Chloe's side all evening. He followed her around like a lost puppy. It was a sad sight to see forsure.

Ayden was to busy to notice anything other than Zoey all night long. Felix's mom and step-dad were invited and forced Zoey to tag along as well. I say forced because the only time she looked like she was having fun was when Chloe joined her for a drink.

That's yet another mystery I can't figure out. Even though mom said we could have a glass of Champagne, Chloe opted for a non-alcoholic glass of bubbly. She has to have been the only teen in the room that went for the legal drink option.

At the end of the gala mom seemed thrilled by the turnout. At the end of the day all the really matters is the happiness of mom. No matter how much she punishes me, I do deserve it half the time. Oh who I am I kidding? I deserve it most of the time. I still love her.

Back to present day, the fresh powder has made for great snowboarding weather. Ayden, Felix and I are suppose to go hit the slopes. What I hadn't expected was for Zoey to pull up in front of my house in her brand new Jeep, courtesy of Chloe. Chloe made good to her promise to Zoey and ended up buying her that new car she's over the moon to have now.

Felix pulled up in his newly detailed car, while Zoey pulled up right behind him. I immediately understood the need for two cars. Stella sat in shotgun next to Felix, while Ayden made his way over to Zoey's passenger seat. This was a double date, intentional or not, I was a fifth wheel.

"Hey, dude. You remember Stella right?" batting her eyelashes at me, I turn my focus back on Felix.

"Yeah, hey Stella. So which car am I driving in?"

"Up to you" I immediately headed towards Zoey's car ready to avoid those two at all costs. Felix and Stella have been screwing around since the club opening and honestly I thought he'd be tried of her already.

"Zoey" I acknowledge as I slide into the backseat.

Our favorite ski lodge is just 20 minutes from the house, but it'll be packed with all the tourists, so we decided to head about 45 minutes out of town to a low key hill that isn't as intimidating as the ones at the ski lodge.

Not five minutes into the journey and Roni Reign is already the newest headline. "Did you guys see her big Instagram announcement. I honestly thought she was in rehab, but a girl that successful has to have some kind of problems." Zoey seemed hyped by Roni and Ayden was listening to everything and anything she was saying. This guy was whipped.

"So you two dating" I interrupt. Ayden quickly sends me an angry glare, while Zoey goes offly pale. "Sorry didn't mean to interrupt"

"It's okay" her voice is soft and barely above a whisper.