Waking the next morning, piled in warm quilts, her sleepy eyes fluttered as she palmed her face. Sitting up, she remembered the night before with Grayson on the couch.
She shot out of bed in panic, thanking god she was alone. Still in her clothes, her bra dug into her side and with a hand, she pulled at it.
“Ugh.” Chloe shuffled around her room, losing her warmth as she changed into fresh clothes and headed for the washroom.
“Chloe!” her dad called up the stairs.
She paused, “I'm up!”
“About time...” trudging up the stairs, he came into the door frame as she brushed her teeth, “I called you four times.”
In the mirror, she studied her dad's reflection; all worn uniform and greasy hair, “Jeez, attractive Dad.”
He pointed at her, “I'm going to bed. Grayson is downstairs waiting for you.”
“Huh!” her cheeks hit a new shade of red, “Why is he here?”
“It's seventy forty five, Chloe,” her dad shook his head, “See you later.” walking into his room.
“He's not supposed to be here.” She grumbled and slammed the bathroom door.
Taking her time with her hair and makeup, out of fear to face Grayson and unsure why she'd been stood up by Bruce, she finally descended the stairs. She didn't see him right away, but further inspection revealed wolf-boy at the kitchen table.
Not knowing what to say, she brought up the first thing that came to mind, “I told you, I didn't need a ride.”
Grayson looked to her, “Morning, Chloe.” Glancing at the watch on his wrist, “It's almost eight. We're going to be late, and I don't see your ride anywhere, just in case you didn't notice.”
Chloe glanced at the clock on the wall, something must have happened to Bruce, she got worried. She turned to question him, once she had her bread toasting.
“Grayson, what happened last night?”
He paused, “What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean!” She snapped in a hushed voice, “I woke up in bed.”
“You feel asleep, I put you in bed and left,” he explained.
She stared at him, “Never in my life have I had such a stalker of a friend before.”
He smiled, “I'm your friend?”
Chloe's eyes widened and she turned back to her toast, “No.” It popped up, scaring her again.
He laughed, “You don't like that toaster, do you?”
Rolling her eyes, she buttered the food, “Let's go to school.” She left the room.
Gray snapped to his feet and followed, “So, Friday today, what are you doing after school?”
Chloe put the piece of toast in her mouth and threw on her parka, her fuzzy boots next. With a bite of the toast in her mouth, she chewed.
Grayson waited, “Not going to answer me?”
“I don't know, nothing?” she took another bite and grabbed her bag.
Grayson was first out into the freezing air, he held the door for her and she slid past him. Closing it, he passed her a house key.
She whipped it from him, “You took this last night?”
“I figured I would lock it for you. Since, you were alone.”
Chloe rolled her eyes and headed towards his truck, Grayson at her side.
“Damn, it's cold today.” Shivering, she climbed into the monstrous vehicle.
Grayson turned the truck over, the heat blasting already for her.
Five minutes down the highway, with her jaw still jittery, she inched herself closer to a vent.
“Come over here.” He pulled his coat off, taking his hands from the wheel.
Chloe blinked, “I'm fine, Grayson.”
He leaned over, undid her seat belt and hauled her beside him.
Her throat closed as she stared at the dash, “What are you doing?”
He reached across her lap and grabbed the middle belt, securing her new position beside him. Throwing his jacket over her legs, he dropped his arm around her shoulders.
“Warmer?”
She didn't answer, he had disabled her voice box. His warmth radiated beneath his cotton shirt and she inched closer to him.
“You like me a bit, don't you, Chloe?”
Again, she did not reply, he smiled, “Okay then.”
“You're okay,” she breathed.
Amusement covered his face, “Do you want to come over for supper?”
Chloe snapped away, fighting against him and the seat belt, “Supper? At your house?”
“Yeah,” he nodded, “Why do you look so afraid?”
“Grayson, I hardly know you!”
“Your dad's working the night shift tonight, you'll be alone and my mom is making meatloaf. It's really good.”
She couldn't help but stare at him, “Grayson, you can't be serious!”
He creased his brow, “Actually, I am. Come over.”
She wrinkled her nose, “No.”
“Just, think about it.” He suggested.
“Grayson.” She hissed.
He glanced at her, “Alright, don't get your city-butt in a bunch. It was just a suggestion.”
She looked to the icy road in front of them, “Are you like asking me out?”
“Uh...” He made a face, “Wh-”
“Don't answer that!” She changed her mind on the question.
The truck on the highway shot ice and snow in different directions. Not wanting to say another word to Grayson Holtz, the rest of their trip was warm but awkward. She could feel his fingers rub her every once in a while, tugging her close when the truck would hit a bump; it took all of her gumption to ignore him.
He pulled into the parking lot of Polar High and shut the truck off after finding a spot tucked in the back.
She pushed his jacket off her legs and turned to undo her seat belt. His nose brushed against her forehead and she stopped all movement.
“Chloe,” he said in a husky voice, “I've never been so interested in a girl before.”
She swallowed and moved her eyes up to meet him, “What's that mean? You don't even know me.”
“Feels like I do.” With a raised hand on her cheek, her stomach turned. She clenched her knees together and bit her bottom lip. She didn't know what was happening to her. She didn't understand it, but she was pretty sure on some level Wolfboy had pushed – no, bulldozed her safety walls.
“Grayson. You make me nervous.”
“I'm sorry, this is all new for me.”
She wrinkled her nose, “The concept of liking someone is new for you?”
“Yeah.” He nodded.
She swallowed, inching away, “Grayson, we don't really know each other and...”
“Well, we can get to know each other.” he suggested in his husky voice.
Chloe stared at him, “I'll see you after school, Wolfboy.” she scooted across the seat, grabbed her bag and flung herself out of the vehicle. Slamming the truck door, she rushed away from him, only to see Dayna waiting for her near the school entrance.
“Annie said Grayson gave you guys a ride home yesterday.”
Pale faced and her stomach in knots, Chloe was in no state to converse.
“So?” Dayna pushed.
“Yeah,” Chloe walked inside the school, where Annie was waiting to ambush. Apparently, attacking her was a past time of theirs.
“Chloe!” Annie hugged her, “I decided, I don't want to do better than Grayson Holtz. I need him. Can you help me?”
Chloe blanched, “Uh... what?” Just her luck, her only friend in town, in love with the guy that liked her?
She sighed, “Annie...”
Dayna was eyeing her up as Bruce approached them. He didn't stop for a hello, cutting straight to the chase, “I know your dad arranged for Holtz to give you a ride, but you said I could then you change your mind?”
“Huh?” Chloe grunted, Bruce had blown her off.
“Yeah,” He nodded, “I don't get it either. Unless you're into Holtz, cause I saw you just get out of his truck.”
“What!” Chloe shrieked.
Bruce moved closer, “I really didn't think you were like that, Chloe.”
“You're with Grayson?” Annie was almost in tears.
“No... No!” Chloe couldn't figure out the mess going on around her, it was only her third day at Polar High!
“You blew me off!” Bruce snapped at her, “Why?”
Chloe tried to calm herself, “I said yes. I didn't blow you off.”
“That wasn't the message I got from you last night around midnight.”
Chloe's jaw dropped, her eyes fixating on Bruce, “Oh my god! You got another message from me?”
Bruce nodded, “If I remember correctly – Don't need a ride.”
Chloe screamed and threw her fists at her sides in a fit.
They stared at her.
She huffed, “Bruce, I didn't send you that message, but I know who did. See you guys later,” she ran from the group and started on a witch hunt. Pacing down each hall, it should not have been hard to find his gigantic-self.
As the minutes ticked, her anger grew. She was going to chew him out and never talk to him again. He was going to regret it, she was going to make sure of that!
She spotted him at the end of a hall and ran for him. Her legs thundered under her as she pushed and shoved kids out of the way. Even with him turned away from her, she threw all the weight she could into him. Colliding with his side, he didn't move but it had got his attention. He looked to her, enraged as her index finger waved in the air at him.
“Are you alright?” Immediate concern crossed his face and he took her shoulders.
“You idiot!” she shouted at him. “You come to my house and go on my computer!” she slammed her palms to his chest again.
“Chloe...” his voice still strong and even as he reached out for her, but she snapped her hands away from him and slapped him across the cheek.
“Don't you have any respect!” she shrilled.
He growled, his eyes darkening, “Do you like Collins?”
Chloe boiled, “That's none of your business, Grayson!”
“No, it really is.” He shot.
Overwhelmed with him, she turned away.
He snarled, “Chloe.” The people around them shuffled off as the warning bell for class rang, leaving them silent and alone.
He came up behind her and took her shoulder, “Come with me.”
“Get off me!” She snapped, hitting his chest with all her strength, again it didn't phase him.
He took her arm, her failed attempts to get away only made him hold her tighter. He opened a near janitorial closet and shoved her inside, caging her against a shelf full of soaps and buckets.
“Chloe, you need to learn a little respect too.”
“Get away from me.” She was afraid of him, but she refused to admit it.
A heavy breath left him and he leaned into her, dropping his forehead to hers; he couldn't get much closer with their height gap.
“I'm pretty sure this is illegal.” She snapped.
He stayed silent, his hands raised to her cheeks.
She swallowed, “Let me go, Grayson.”
“Do you like Bruce Collins?” He asked her again.
“You realize we're in a janitorial closet, right?”
“I don't care where we are, Chloe!” He snapped, dropping his hands away, “You just beat me up in the hallway.”
“Because you invaded my privacy!” She shrilled, “Who does that! I just met you!”
He gripped at his hair, “I told you, I like you!”
“That makes no sense, that's not how you get girls to like you!” She retorted, “Are you completely socially impaired?”
“Yes!” He admitted, “I am.”
She made a face, “Well...” Not knowing what to say to that.
“I'm sorry.”
Her brow furrowed, “No, that's not good enough.”
“I won't go on your computer again?” He added.
She grumbled.
He stepped towards her and in panic, she skidded against the shelving, “I won't hurt you. I just...”
She blinked, “What?”
“I just want to know, if you like him?” His breath hit her cheek but she refused to look at him.
“No. I don't.” Realizing it was the only way to get away from him.
He grunted, “Really?”
“No, I don't like him!”
He stepped back from her, “Fine.”
Her eyes focused on him through the dim light, “Can I go now?”
“Yeah.” He nodded, pouting.
In a hurried frenzy, she left the closet with his consent and ran to class, not looking back.
Her mind unable to let go, it raced through what had happened.
Grayson.
Their fighting.
Her slapping him.
His demand on her liking Bruce Collins.
She groaned and flung herself through the doors of health-class. The room fell silent as the teacher looked up from attendance, “Well, Miss. Pryce, glad you could join us.”
She mumbled an apology and rushed towards Annie and Dayna, sitting at a desk beside them. She didn't look up, speak, think. His warm hands on her cool cheeks had burned her nerves, leaving a deep sensation routed in her core. Having little idea about what was budding between them, she attempted to move on, the possible answer scaring her.
***
She stared out the window of her calculus class, having spent the entire day in her own Chloe Pryce world. Every one of her potential friends were avoiding her. On top of it, Grayson was gone. His absent attendance in Gym and English had been a clear indication and left her wondering.
Looking over the phone in her hands as the final bell for school rung, she pressed the call button.
“Loe.” Her dad's voice came through the crackling reception.
“Hey, Dad, I know you have to work later, but can you come get me?”
“Is everything alright?”
Chloe swallowed, “Yeah, I just... I don't think Grayson can give me a ride home.”
“I'll be there as soon as I can.”
“Thanks,” she hung up the phone and made her way out of class. Annie and Dayna joined her, keeping their distance. They were talking about Bruce's party and she listened half heartedly.
“You okay, Chloe?” Annie finally asked, “You've been quiet all day.”
Chloe looked to her as she put her jacket on, “Yeah, I'm fine. I just miss home.”
Annie nodded, “Yeah...”
“So, you going to Bruce's party or not?” Dayna snapped.
Chloe didn't even hesitate, “Yeah, I'll see you there.”
“We can get someone to pick you up?” Annie suggested.
“Sure,” Chloe grimaced, “See you guys tomorrow,” she turned and walked away, out the front doors to the parking lot. Her eyes trailed from the books in her arms to Grayson across the parking lot, leaned against his truck. Their eyes met and his smouldering gaze tipped her senses.
Her lips parted, her breath catching in her throat. Unable to move, breathe or do anything a normal human should, she froze.
Grayson stepped forward once she didn't advance, “Chloe?”
Her heart rushed, her fingers twitching. She was mentally begging for her body to stop, for her to come to her senses.
A large sport utility vehicle pulled up in front of her. Blocking her view of Grayson. She snapped her eyes to the driver, noticing the stripes and marked police vehicle
Henry waved from inside, smiling like a father picking up his daughter from preschool.
Chloe whined and catapulted herself towards the safety of her dad. Crawling inside, she snapped her seat belt in place and took a deep breath.
“How was school?”
“Fine.” She looked to Grayson, stopped half way across the parking lot. He had come back to school for her, a haunting thought in itself. She forced her eyes off him, his lost puppy expression killing her.
Henry put the truck in drive, oblivious to what was going on. With one last glance, she caught Grayson's eyes. His shoulders fell with his sigh as he turned and walked away.
Within seconds, they were on the highway, heading home.
She couldn't wrap her brain around the last twenty-four hours of her life and she wasn't sure if she wanted to.
“What are you doing tomorrow?” Henry asked.
She looked to her father, “There's a party...”
“Chloe, you're not going to a house party. Your mother may have been okay with that nonsense, but I'm not. Not with the drugs and alcohol that fly around here with these kids.”
She made a face, “It's just a few friends, Dad.”
“Can't you do something else?”
She was about to lie, because she wanted to go to Bruce's party with Annie and Dayna, “I guess I could go hang out with Dayna and Annie at their house.”
“Alright,” he nodded in agreement to the fake arrangement.
The rest of the drive was dry of conversation. Her and her dad were a lot alike, even after being separated for five years.
She sighed. He did the same and still they stayed silent. Almost like a bonding moment.
He pulled into the snowy drive and the stopped the truck, “I'll come in for a bit.”
She rushed out and moved quick to the house.
Her dad opened the front door and she followed, “Moose roast?”
With a grumble, she gave up on antler-less meals, “Sure. I'm going to go do some homework.” she climbed the stairs, collapsing on her bed. Burying her face into the heavy blankets Grayson had covered her in the night before, she pictured his pathetic puppy-dog face at school.
Her fourth day in Polar, Alaska and she could only think of him.
Him and only him.