Attached Strings √

Chapter 8

A/N: Fellow readers allow me to present to you... *drumroll*... Paul Jameson!

Things are looking up for me, well not exactly but there is some improvement. I haven't stopped sitting with Chloe and I have learnt quite a lot about her during the past two weeks. She is very sarcastic but friendly, too. Her friendliness is where our problem lies though. See, I don't want to be her friend. I want us to be more than that. Funny enough, I don't want her the way I want other girls. I don't just want to hit her and run. I want to stay with her- while hitting her.

I was on my way to my locker when I saw Chloe and Amber talking. I'm not one to eavesdrop on other people's conversations but theirs seemed quite interesting and so I minimized the distance between us. Amber was saying something about how they were going to enjoy being roommates in university. I know it is only the beginning of our academic year but I don't like the idea of parting ways with Chloe. The thought of her getting a boyfriend there is what pains me the most. I noticed that Chloe was not as excited and this made me curious. "I'm not going to varsity, Amber" she said looking at the floor. "Why not?" I heard myself whisper. "I can't afford to go. My mother's death has left me penniless. The payout I received from her insurance went to funeral expenses and the rest goes to the rent and groceries. I can barely survive now and the landlord will kick me out if I don't look for work soon," she said. I was saddened by these news and I knew I had to do something about Chloe's situation but I don't want her to feel like I pity her. I have to come up with a way of helping her without showing her.

Chloe's POV

Today turned out to be quite depressing. I am lying in my mother's bed and I am not in a very good mood. The house is very lonely and I think I might as well should just move out to a smaller place which will be relatively cheaper. Today's events reminded me of my problems and the fact that I need a job as in yesterday.

Paul has also been on my mind a lot lately and I can see that he is really trying to get close to me but I can't allow him to break my walls because his intentions are still a mystery. I don't want to let myself get too close to him because I don't trust myself with him and I know letting him in would only bring me heartbreak. This is why I never told him why I needed a hug that day, I knew he would seize that opportunity and make me his next accomplishment. I looked at the clock and found that it was past midnight and so I decided to call it a night. I was only a few minutes into my slumber when I heard my phone vibrating. I was too lazy to open my eyes and check the caller ID. I picked it up and "Hey," I recognized that seductive voice.