Chapter 3

Chloe

Chloe and Sophia walked around the Elites building. They were side by side on the sidewalk that surrounded the building, their eyes drinking in everything around them as the blazing sun seeped into their skin. Chloe grew surprised by how many students loitered around their building. The Elites building was far from the other campus buildings, but for some reason a lot of students hung out around there.

"It's beautiful outside," Sophie said, stretching out her tall body.

She tilted her face up and the sun hit her. She smiled then, her eyes gleaming in the sunlight.

"It is," Chloe said. "I always love the start of a semester. It's still so warm."

"Sophia! Chloe!" Caiden called.

Chloe smiled as Caiden walked towards them. At his side was Nash who had his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes were hard and there was a permanent scowl on his face.

"What a coincidence!" Caiden exclaimed once he reached them. "Our paths have crossed."

Sophie giggled and Caiden grinned at her. Chloe smiled, welcoming Caiden's presence. He was always ball of sunshine; one that lit up their team of Elites. Sometimes Sophia and her wondered how Caiden became best friends with Nash of all people.

"Hey," Sophia said.

Chloe glanced at Nash, her eyes lingering on him. She waited for him to say something, even a simple hello to acknowledge their existence. But he kept his eyes on the bright sky above them, his eyes darkened with annoyance.

Chloe tried to smile, but he glowered.

"What?" Nash narrowed his eyes.

"Nothing. Just hi."

Nash scoffed and whipped his head to the side. He lifted his head up defiantly and Caiden and Sophia exchanged a look.

"Why so grumpy, Nash?" Sophia smirked. "Is it your time of month?"

"Excuse me," Nash said. "That's quite sexist and I don't appreciate you putting women down like that."

Sophia rolled her eyes and Chloe giggled. Her eyes were on Nash and he met her gaze, and he tensed. His eyes widened momentarily before he concealed it with a glower.

"Nash is always like this." Caiden rolled his eyes. "Even with me and we're supposed to be best friends. Don't mind him too much."

Nash shot Caiden a glare and Caiden grinned. Caiden and Nash were polar opposites. Where Caiden was all smiles and bubbly energy, Nash was all brooding and anger. Once again, Chloe pondered over how they became friends.

"Have you guys noticed there's so many people around our building?" Sophia frowned. "And they all keep staring at us... It's weird."

Chloe followed Sophia's gaze to where a group of guys stared at them. Their eyebrows were furrowed and they wore a look of contempt.

"What's their problem?" Nash asked.

He shot them a glare and they all looked away. Nash kept scowling and Chloe's eyes followed him, immersed in him like he was her favourite tv show.

"They're just jealous because we're the Elites," Caiden said. "We get our own building, special classes, free food, parking and more. I can't blame them for hating us. We're practically celebrities."

"We're not," Sophia said. "I feel bad that we get special treatment. We - well I, don't deserve it. This is all too much."

Sophia grew quiet and all eyes were on her. She seemed to be shrinking as if to make herself invisible.

"Why?" Caiden asked.

"Sophia is too nice." Nash rolled his eyes. "I bask in the special treatment we get. We deserve it. We're one of the smartest most talented people in this school. I wouldn't have it any other way."

Sophia rolled her eyes. Chloe agreed with Sophia. It was crazy. They'd been Elites for a year now and nothing changed - she still felt in awe of all the perks they got simply for having the highest scores in Sakuya. Nash especially never changed and that was why Chloe found herself drawn to him like a moth to a flame.

"Well, that's you and not me," Sophia said. "You're way too obsessed with being an Elite."

"Well, you don't have to agree with me," Nash said. "That's my opinion."

Sophia shook her head and Nash's eyes darted to Chloe. His eyes locked on hers; his hazel eyes glimmering with the sun hitting them. Chloe said nothing and Nash frowned.

"You better be ready for another year of contests," Nash said. "I'm going to beat you this year! Even if it's just for one silly challenge, I will beat you at least once!"

Nash crossed him arms over his chest and smirked. Chloe smiled back, unbothered by the spark of competition in his eyes. Sophia hated how Nash treated her, but Chloe found a thrill in the competitions he made. She was always overthinking, always so worried, and to have Nash force her into these competitions was needed to keep her mind off everything. Just once, she wanted to be a carefree nineteen year old and Nash allowed that, even for a moment.

"Game on," Chloe said.

Chloe smiled and Nash hesitated, seeming almost stunned for a moment again. Her smile grew and Nash shook his head as if to snap himself out of his daze. His scowl returned, settling in like a familiar house guest.

"Game on," Nash said. "Come on, Caiden, let's go workout."

"What?" Caiden frowned. "We already worked out today."

"We need more gains."

Nash grabbed Caiden's arm and dragged him away. Caiden shrugged and waved goodbye, and they waved back.

"Nash is something special, isn't he?" Sophia groaned. "I'm so sorry you have to deal with him. I'd be insane by now."

"It's fun," Chloe said. "I enjoy his contests."

She blinked, seeming struck.

"Nash? Fun?" Sophia said slowly. "Chloe, I think you're losing it."

Chloe laughed. They all thought that. That she was crazy for enjoying this, but she did.

"Nash's challenges are fun," Chloe said. "And he's different. Say what you want about him, but I've never met someone like him."

Sophia blinked again and Chloe's smile grew. No one understood and she didn't care. As long as she enjoyed it, that was all that mattered.

"Nash is just jealous of you," Sophia said. "He's trying to beat you to feed his ego. He's being immature. You don't need to be so nice to him."

"I don't know Nash well enough, but I don't think he's a bad guy."

"We've known Nash for a year now."

"But still, we really don't know him."

Sophia frowned. Chloe's eyes rose to the sky and she took in the beauty of the world around them. She was excited for the year to come. She'd nearly gone crazy in the summer after the incident, so Chloe was glad to dive herself into her studies and be surrounded by her friends. Even Nash, who she doubted considered her a friend.

"I'm a strong believer that everyone has their story," Chloe said. "And Nash has much of his own story as we all do. And until we know him, we won't be able to understand him."

Sophia looked genuinely concerned for Chloe and Chloe brushed it off. Maybe she was delusional, but she was happy with Nash's war. She was happy for a distraction.

*****

Chloe stepped into her tiny apartment she shared with her dad. White walls surrounded her in the main hall filled with grease and dirt stains. It was quiet, as it usually was after she came from school, and she took off her shoes and made her way to the kitchen.

But the second she entered it, the sound of a plate shattering exploded and her heart leapt to her throat. She threw caution to the wind and raced into the kitchen.

"Dad!" Chloe flew into the kitchen. "Are you okay?"

Chloe's dad's hands trembled. One of his hands gripped his walker and the other hand held a shard of a plate. Chloe rushed to him.

"Don't worry," Chloe said. "It's fine. Go rest. I'll make dinner."

"I'm sorry, Chloe," His voice cracked. "I'm so sorry. I just wanted to do something on my own for once."

He teared up and Chloe took the shard away from him. She took his hand gently in hers and his grip tightened. She could feel him shaking uncontrollably and she met his eyes, wishing he'd calm down.

She wasn't mad. She'd never been mad at him for the way he became last summer. But, her dad didn't seem to believe her. No matter how many times she tried to emphasize none of this was his fault, he wouldn't listen.

"It's okay," Chloe whispered. "I know it's not ideal, but I know you're trying your best. We'll make the best out of it. Everything is okay."

Her dad shook his head. His black hair was streaked with gray; his green eyes full of pain. She kept her eyes on his, wishing he would calm down.

"You shouldn't be my caretaker," my dad said. "I'm supposed to be taking care of you."

"Dad, seriously it's fine," Chloe insisted. "Please just go back to your room. I'll clean this up and make dinner."

A tear slipped down her dad's cheek and he nodded. Chloe let go of his hand and he held onto his walker, and slowly made his way out of the kitchen. And only when she heard his door shut, she exhaled and dropped down to pick up the broken shards scattered across the kitchen tiles.

The stroke had taken everything from her dad. It had made him weak, unable to walk or think straight. It had happened out of nowhere last summer and Chloe had been horrified, and her father struggled to find purpose ever since. This wasn't the life they chose, but it was the life they got. And despite everything, Chloe would make the most of it.