The Nerd And The Bad Boy

Chapter Fifteen

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As soon as we got to Chloe's house, she flopped down on the couch, "Im so full!" she groaned.

I put my bags down gently on the floor before following suit and flopping down like a dead fish. "Same here," I muttered, my stomach churning.

Chloe's dad stumbled into view, a beer bottle in hand. "Where you girls been?" he slurred unevenly, leaning heavily against the wall. Even drunk he still worried about his daughter's whereabouts.

"Just the mall, daddy," Chloe rolled over on her side to stare at her father.

He nodded, "I'll be upstairs," he tried to turn away.

"Why don't you sober up and go to work?" Chloe sat up, and pleaded with her eyes.

"I just need time, Chloe, just like anybody else," he rubbed his forehead.

"What about me? I have to feed myself, because my dad is incapable of doing so," she teared up, forcing on, "Even though he says he loves me, says he worries, and says he'll get better, he's not there for me."

"I'm sorry, Chloe, I really am, but please, just give me time."

"She was my mom, y'know, I need time to heal too, Hank," she called him by his first name.

He looked like she had slapped him, "Chloe,----"

"Dont talk to me until your ready to be my dad, Hank," she went back to laying on the couch. Hank took this as a dismisal and left, continuing up the stairs.

"That was kinda... harsh," I told her.

"Wouldn't you say it to your dad?" she questioned.

"Maybe, but my dad is not my dad anymore, he's a complete stranger. Your dad cares about you, a lot, Chloe," I got up and sat on the arm of the couch near her head.

"He has a funny drunk way of showing it," she said bitterly.

"So? He cares about you and he's just upset that your mom left him."

"Yea, I guess, but, Ali, how do you know? The only people who love you are your maids, Colten, my family, and of course me."

"I just know some things, okay?" I bit back a snap, "I'm going to go stay with Colten till tomorrow, I'll see ya later," I got up and headed for the door, completely forgetting my purse.

It was getting dark out, I knew I shouldn't walk by myself at night, but I just needed some space. I didn't remember the way to Colten's so I was wandering aimlessly. When I had gotten lost, and the sun had set, I reached into my pocket for my phone. A phone that wasn't there, the phone that was in my purse.

"Shit!" I cursed, looking around, I didn't recognize where I was. At all, by now though I was wishing for a miracle. A big miracle. I kicked a rock, and if I tried to retrace my steps I'd be even more lost, since I'd took all those turns.

"Hey, there, beautiful!" A male voice called, "What're you doing here all by yourself?!"

A chorus of male laughter surrounded behind me. I did the only thing I could do: run like hell.

I pumped my arms, forcing my legs to go faster. Shit, shit, shit, I was so screwed!

"Wait up, lovely, we don't want to run you down before we have fun!"

I ran faster than ever now, praying that someone would find me. My breath caught in my throat as I felt my lungs quiver. Why couldn't I have chosen to be in a sport? Seriously!

I heard footsteps behind me, they were running and gaining speed. "Alice! Slow down!"

I stopped instantly, soon feeling arms wrap around me. Colt had found me! And literally saved my ass!