LiTtLe ThInGs

[Misty]

i wrote this story with my friend, Denise. it started out as our take on how Chris met the band...and just grew. i'm currently working on it's sequel.


::Chapter One::

Chloe shook her head, "I wanna go see The Punisher." She threw the newspaper at her cousin Chris.

"Hmmm...." he said as he looked at it. "What do you wanna see, Reid?" he asked his girlfriend.

"Taking Lives. Helen told me that it was really good." she replied, scooping some of her brown hair back behind her ears.

"Thomas Jane is in The Punisher." Chloe said, as if that settled it.

Chris opened his mouth but said nothing as the phone rang. Reid answered it and then handed it to him, "It's for you...I think it's Bert." Chloe let out a small groan as Chris took it and started talking.

"Hullo," he said into the reciever. "Yeah...nothing much we're getting ready to go see a movie...tonight? It's sold out man, we tried...really?! Swear to God!?...dude...all of us? Reid and Chloe included?...Sh-weet...We'll be there! Latah." He hung up the phone well aware that the girls were both staring at him.

"Well?" Chloe asked him. "What was all that about and what's so sh-weet?"

He smiled and ran a hand over his bald head. "Bert has us backstage passes to tonight's concert!"

"Really?!" Reid asked, completely astonished. "It's sold out!"

"I kid you not." Chris replied. "So you guys up for it?"

Chloe threw her shoe him. "I'm not gonna even grace that with a duh."

He laughed and threw her shoe back to her. "Well then you might wanna put that on so we can get going, Chlo. The concert starts in two hours and Bert told me to meet him at the back of the arena in forty five minutes." He stood up. "I'm gonna go change into my good pants."

Reid laughed. "You says that all the time...but they all look the same."

He shrugged as he headed towards the stairs. "It's not my fault if only I can tell the difference."

Reid looked at Chloe. "He's your cousin."

Chloe smiled, "At least I have an excuse. What's yours?"

Reid shot her friend a mock scandalized look, "Uh...I don't really know. Maybe it's the way he drums."

"I taught him that." Chloe joked.

"Taught me what?" Chris asked as he came into the living room, pulling his beanie on his head.

"How to drum." she replied tugging her shoulder length red hair into a messy bun.

"Yup, you and Dave." he answered, messing up her hair and stealing her ponytail holder.

"Chrrrrrrrrrrrrrrris!" she whined.

Reid stared at them. She couldn't have asked for a better boyfriend or best friend. She had known Chris and Chloe since she had moved to Utah eight years ago but it seemed like a life time. Sometimes it was hard to forget that they were cousins because they acted so much like siblings, fighting over petty things and basically driving each other up the wall. She cleared her throat loudly, "Ahem. Are we gonna get going any time soon?"

Chris nodded and pulled out the keys to his jeep. "Wanna drive, Chloe?"

"Sure!...Wait, why are you letting me drive? You guys aren't like gonna make out in the back are you?!" A look of disgust crossed her pretty face.

"No," Reid replied with a laugh, "You drive the fastest out of all of us and like I mentioned, we need to get going."

"Oh-kay...but if you guys start with the kissy kissy crap I'm pulling over and you two can find a new ride!" She told them, leading the way to the jeep.

Chris laughed as he pulled the door shut behind them, "I'll ride in the back and Reid can ride up front."


"Dude! I thought you'd never get here! They were so worried!" Bert exclaimed as he shoved back stage passes at all three of them. "Hi, Chloe..." he said in a shy sorta way.

"Who was worried?" Chris asked as he slipped his on.

Chloe rolled her eyes at Reid. It was no secret that Bert liked her but she just didn't return those feelings.

"Joel. Benji, Paul and Billy." Bert replied.

"And why would the members of Good Charlotte be worried about me getting here?" Chris asked him, looking at both Reid and Chloe.

"Cos you're auditioning to be their new drummer, dude." Bert threw over his shoulder as he led them to the stage. "This is your chance to get out of this place man. Just do what you do and make it good."

Reid snorted in disbelief. "Incase you have forgotten, he's always good."

Chloe chuckled, "Well, there was that one time..."

"Shut it, Chlo." Reid replied with a smile.

"Man...you have got to be kidding me." Chris said to him.

Bert laughed, "I kid you not."

Just then the guys of Good Charlotte walked onto the stage and Chloe nearly died. She clutched Reid's arm to keep from making a fool of herself. "Oh my gosh...they are so hawt." she whispered in her best friend's ear. Reid nodded but said nothing as introductions were being made.

"This is Chris Wilson, his cousin Chloe Wilson and girlfriend, Reid." Bert said. "And of course, they know who you are. Chloe and Chris are both huge fans."

"Cool," Benji said. "Uh, may I ask what your last name is Reid?"

Reid smiled, "That is my last name."

The guys laughed as Benji blinked. "Oh sorry."

"Why? I get asked that all the time. I just perfer it to my real name." she replied, moving closer to Chris.

"You may wonder why we asked Bert to invite you here at such short notice," Joel said and then launched into an explaination. "Incase you haven't noticed, we kinda need a drummer. We have a habit of not being able to keep one and Burt told us that you were the best he knew that wasn't actively drumming for some band. Could you audition for us?"

Chris stared at them. "Uh...now? I mean, sure."

"Great!" Benji exclaimed. "I'm so glad that you agreed!"

A few minutes later Chris was getting ready to show them what he was made out of and Chloe, who had actually taught him how to drum and seen him perform a thousand times over, decided to explore the arena. She told Reid that she was going to get some air and then left the stage and exited the building as Chris began to drum.

"Gotta light?" came a voice from behind her.

She turned around and was shocked to find Joel standing there. "I thought you were watching Chris."

"I was...I am going to but I had to go the bathroom and then I decided that I needed a cigarette. So do you have a light cos Benj has mine." he asked, looking her over.

Chloe felt slightly uneasy as she dug into her bag. "Yesh, lemme find it."

"Did you just say 'yesh'?" he asked with a laugh as she handed him her lighter.

"Uh yeah," she blushed. "It's a word that me and Reid made up back in highschool."

"No way. Me and Benj say that all the time!" he declared as he took a drag off his cigarette.

She laughed. "I guess we aren't as unique as we thought."

"It's cool, though." Joel replied. "I've found someone just as strange as me."

She looked at him and not for the first time, noticed how completely gorgeous he was. "You don't come across as strange."

"You have much to learn, Chloe." He smiled. "I like that name. Chlo-e." he said, sounding it out. "Nice."

"Thanks. It's my mom's, she died in labor so my dad named me after her." she said looking at the ground because she wasn't quite sure why she was telling him this.

"Oh, I'm sorry." he replied, dropping his cigarette and putting it out with his shoe.

"Don't be. I didn't know her so it's all good." she said.

He laughed but didn't say anymore as the door swung open and Paul walked out. "Dude, Benj is flipping out cos you aren't in here. He said that it's a decision to be made by the whole band and you need to be listening. This guy is just awesome!"

Joel shrugged, "Bert said he was and I believe him."

Paul laughed, "But still. If you don't get in there then Benji just might have a heart attack and then what would you tell Elizabeth?"

Again Joel shrugged. "That he had a heart attack."

Chloe chuckled and followed them back into the building. She was anxious to see how Chris had done.

[Misty]

::Chapter Two::

"Dude, that was just so fricken awesome!" Paul exclaimed.

"You are so good!" Benji told Chris. "And you know all our songs, even the old ones! This is just too good to be true!"

"We could really use you." Billy said. "We're about to go on tour and well, we'd be honored if you would accompany us and be our drummer."

"Yeah, that would be awesome. You could try out the tour thing and see if it's for you." Joel said. "And if you didn't like it, well, no harm no foul. Just expect really awful hate mail."

Chris was smiling. "Wow...thanks. That's a lot to stomach at the moment. Could I have a few days to think it over and discuss it with family?" Family meaning Chloe and Reid.

"Yesh," Benji said unaware of the "see, I told you" look that Joel flashed a bemused Chloe. "But only a few days...less maybe but no more than that cos like Billy said, we're about to start our summer tour."

"I have one question," Paul said.

"Fire away." Chris said.

"Who taught you to drum like that?" he asked him.

"Well, it's a mixture of Dave Grohl and Chlo." Chris replied.

"Chlo as in Chloe...that Chloe right over there?" Benji asked him, pointing at her.

Chris nodded. "I don't know any one else by the name of Chloe." he said with a smile.

"That's interesting." Joel said, staring at her and making her beyond uncomfortable. "Female drummers rock. You'll have to drum for me sometime."

Bert walked over to them, "So what's the what?"

"We like him and he's considering joining us." Paul told him.

"Cool. You ready for the show?" he asked, talking to everyone but looking at Chloe.

"Yeah...Of course!...When aren't we?" Everyone started talking at once and Bert's attention was drawn elsewhere to Chloe's relief.


With the lights out it's less dangerous
Here we are now
Entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now entertain us
A mulatto
An albino
A mosquito
My libido
Yay...yay

The phone rang loudly and Chloe cursed, turning down Nirvana. "Allo?" she asked into the phone.

"Chloe?" came Reid's voice.

"No, this is Chris. Duh." she replied as she shook her bottle of black nailpolish.

"Ok, stupid question but ya ain't gotta get all brassy about it." Reid said into the phone. "I'm hanging with Gallane and Lori-Ann. We're gonna go to the mall and make fun of people. Ya wanna come along?"

Chloe thought for a moment. What she really wanted was to listen to Nirvana and paint her toe nails and then maybe veg out infront of music videos on FUSE for awhile. "Yesh, I guess. Just give me a few cos I gotta get ready and I'm painting my toes."

"Sure. We'll be there in an hour." She went quiet and Chloe thought she had hung up so she went to turn off the phone. She barely heard Reid's question in time to stop.

"Huh?" she asked her.

"I said, have you heard from Chris at all today?" Reid repeated.

"That would be a negative, Houston." Chloe replied. "I saw him this morning before he left. He said something about hanging with Joel and Paul today. Something about bonding and doing "guy sthuff"...other than that, I know nothing."

Reid laughed. "So he's decided to join them then?"

"Like I said, I know nothing." Chloe told her. Which was a lie. Chloe knew that Chris had already decided to join Good Charlotte. She also knew that Reid wasn't too happy with that concept. She just thought it'd be better coming from Chris instead of her. "I'm sure he'll tell you first."

"Rrrrrr-ight." Reid replied. "Well, we'll see you in an hour, chica."

Chloe disconnected and started to slowly paint her nails. She could tell that this trip to the mall was gonna be fun with a capital NOT in front of it.


"So Chloe's your cousin?" Joel asked Chris.

"Uh huh." he replied, slurping on his milkshake.

"Does she live with you?" he asked.

"Uh huh. Why?" Chris didn't understand Joel's sudden interest in Chloe. That's all he wanted to talk about whenever him and Chris were alone. Chris was getting tired of it. He had never talked so much about his cousin. He wondered what was taking Paul so long.

"Curious. Trying to get to know you and your family." Joel replied.

Chris smirked. "Why don't you just ask for our phone number so you can call and ask her out. She's single. She likes yellow roses and she wants to see The Punisher. I'll even dial the number for you." He handed Joel his cell phone. "It's ringing."

Joel smiled at Chris. "That obvious huh?" Chris nodded and Joel excused himself from the table as Paul came back from the counter.

"Allo?" came Chloe's voice, he barely heard her over Kurt Cobain.

"Chloe? It's Joel." he said into the reciever and suddenly it was quiet on her end of the line.

"Hey...sup?" she asked.

"Nothing really. Just hanging with Chris and Paul. I was wondering if you wanted to go catch a movie later...if you didn't have plans or anything like that." he said.

Silence greeted him and then, "What movie did you have in mind?"

"Hmmm...lemme think. How does The Punisher sound?" he asked.

"Great! I really wanna see that movie." she replied.

"So it's a date?" he asked hopeful.

"It's a date." She replied,a smile in her voice.

"Great...I'll pick you up around six thirty." he told her.

"See ya then." And then there was dial tone. Joel smiled as he walked back over to Paul and Chris.

"So?" Chris prompted.

"She said yes. Which is a Good Thing but now I'm all nervous. What if she hates me?" Joel asked him.

"Then you and Bert can start a club." Chris replied and Paul laughed. Joel looked worried at the thought.


Chloe stared at the phone. Was she dreaming? Had Joel really just called and asked her out for a date in five hours? She speed dailed Reid's number.

"Hey. What's up? You ready?" Reid asked.

"Change o' plans. Joel just called and asked me out." Chloe told her. "So I'm not going."

"Really now? You're ditching us for a guy? Wow. You must really see something." Reid teased her.

"Blah. Bite your tongue, wrench." Chloe replied, laughing. "See ya around." She hung up and stared around her room. She looked down at her clothes and groaned. What was she gonna wear? And why did that matter to her?

[bRoKeN*smile]

wow that's pretty good so far....can't wait to read the rest!

[Misty]

::Chapter Three::

Three hours and about seventeen outfits later, fed up, Chloe started a shower and tried to relax. Unsuccessful, she climbed out of the shower and raced to the ringing phone.

"Hello?" she asked.

"Hey it's Chris," he said on the other end, "I'm gonna be out tonight, I'm showing the boys around the city. If Reid calls, tell her I'll call later tonight or tomorrow."

"Okay. Alright. I'm going to be out tonight as well. Mind if I borrow one of your beanies?" Chloe replied.

"No problem. Have fun with Joel," he mocked.

She laughed and hung up.

Once she picked up something that she might actually consider wearing, the phone rang again, cursing, she answered it.

"Hey Chlo, it's Joel. Are you doing anything now?" Joel asked, nervously.

"Nope. Just chillaxin', "she answered.

Joel laughed, "You said chillaxin! Is that a Reid-Chloe word?"

"Yesh it is!" Chloe said.

"Well, if you're ready, I'll swing by now and pick you up now. We can see the movie earlier and go out to a bar or something when it's over."

"You can't kill me, I'm already dead." Chloe replied, mocking the movie and subtly replying that Joel swinging by now would be just perfect.

She gave him directions and hung up the phone quickly and started running through the house getting ready faster than she had probably ever before. Reid and she had gone out on quite a few dates during their high school years. Reid was the one known for getting off the couch when the doorbell rang, without having to get ready, Chloe, on the other hand, was the one who kept guys waiting at least fifteen minutes. An extra ten if she really wanted to look good for you. The doorbell rang and Chloe answered, for a record she was ready to walk out the door right on time.


Gallane, Lori-Ann, and Reid walked slowly around the mall, stopping in stores they liked or slowing down to annoy the people behind them. By seven, they were weighed down with about as much as they each could carry, and retreated back to Reid's Mustang. They threw everything into the trunk and piled into the small car. Reid sped off away from the mall back toward the city, blasting Yellowcard and singing along the whole way.

"I wonder how Chloe is doing on her date," Gallane teased.

"Let's pay her a visit!" Lori-Ann said, pointing at the movie theater as they drove past.

"Do you know how dead we would be?" Reid laughed.

"Jayda Leigh Reid, since when have you not wanted to have fun?" Gallane said, jokingly talking down to Reid. Reid slammed on the brakes and turned into the parking lot of the theater and sped up.

"Don't bring up the Jayda again, and especially the Leigh part, and I'll consider it." She said with mock vengeance.
Gallane thought about it for a second and Reid pulled into a parking space toward the front. Lori-Ann got out of the car and went to ask the guy they had known in high school if anyone went into the Punisher, especially someone that looked like Chloe and Joel.

Lori-Ann walked back smiling and motioned for everyone to get out. Reid locked the car up and walked behind Gallane and Lori-Ann, wondering about why Chris hadn't called her since yesterday. All today she had moped around waiting for him to call, getting distracted, and the wondering what he was doing. She knew that Chloe would know where he was, afterall, they did live together. She'd ask her if she wasn't too mad at them crashing her date.

"Hey, Chlo." Reid said, dropping her arms around her best friend's neck which caused her to jump. Joel got quiet, clearly not liking the intrusion.

"Damn!" Chloe said. "How many times have I told you not to do that?"

"I forgot how jumpy you get sometimes. Sorry chica. Ya know I love you." Reid told her, flashing a big smile.

"So what are you doing here? And whose we?" Chloe asked her. She shot Joel an apologetic look and he shrugged to show that it was ok.

"Me, Lori-Ann and Gallane. They're off flirting with the guy at concession. And we're not staying if that's what you're wondering. Mike told us to leave before the show starts." Reid told her. Joel seemed happy about that. "I was just wondering if you knew where Chris was at."

Joel answered, "He's hanging with the rest of the band. Showing them around town and what have you. He said he'd call you tomorrow."

"Or latah tonight. Jayda, you know he loves you and I'm sure his just as upset about being away from you, but this is a big chance for him!" Chloe said to her friend in a small, reassuring voice.

"Oh." A sad expression had settled Reid's normally cheery face."I know...I just wish that he'd call. I guess I'll go get Lori-Ann and Gallane so we can go. Thanks for the info." She left just as the theater dimmed and the previews for upcoming movies began to roll.

"You are not a nice man." Chloe said to Joel as the lights went up.

Joel looked at Chloe in mock hurt, "What?! I have never attacked you with a popsicle! I haven't known you long enough to do so. So I take it that you liked the movie?"

Chloe laughed and nodded her head. "Thomas Jane. I mean...yesh, it was great. Action packed and violent...just the way I thought it'd be!"

Joel chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Does Reid always crash your dates looking for Chris?"

Chloe shook her head. "Nope. Recent development. She's going through Chris withdrawl. This is the longest they have gone with seeing or talking to each other."

Joel laughed. "Seriously?! Wow. It's hard to have a girlfriend and tour. It works bettah if you bring her along."

Chloe laughed. "I can imagine. When Chris leaves for tour with you guys, Reid's gonna go insane. She'll be at my house every day!"

"You have the most gorgeous blue eyes I have ever seen." Joel told her.

She stared at him. "Where did that come from?"

"Uh...it sounded like a good thing to say. You can hit me if it wasn't." Joel told her. "But please, not hard. I bruise easily."

She laughed. "I wasn't gonna hit you. But I can if it'll make you feel better."

He held up a hand, "Please don't. So ya hungry?"

She tilted her head to the side. "I thought you'd never ask. I know this great Italian resturant if you're up for pasta."

"Great." Joel said. "Lead the way."


Chris was having a great time. Don't get him wrong, he loved spending time with Reid and Chloe but sometimes he needed to get away from the girls. There was only so much clothes shopping and gossip he could take. Plus he needed time to think of a way to tell Reid that he had decided to talk Good Charlotte up on their offer. He knew that Chloe would be estatic about the idea, she was always behind him. He also knew that Reid would back him but she wouldn't be as happy about it.

"Such heavy thoughts. You were supposed to leave those at home." Benji said, plopping down on a bar stool beside him.

"Yeah well, I tried." Chris told him. "But I know that sooner or later I'm gonna have to tell Reid and I don't want to."

"You could always leave it up to Chloe to tell her." Benji replied.

"Uh, not a good idea. Reid is kinda jealous of the relationship that I have with Chloe." Chris said.

"She's your cousin right?" Benji asked, taking a swig out of his beer.

"More like a sister. Reid doesn't like the time we spend together or the fact that we tell each other everything." Chris told him in a low voice. "She's sorta insecure that way."

Benji patted his arm. "You love her right?"

"Reid? Yeah, why?" Chris asked him.

"Let her know it. Before you tell her about drumming for us, do something romantic and then invite her along." Benji told him.

Chris smiled, "That's a great idea. Thanks man."

Benji shrugged. "Thank Joel, not me. It was his idea. I think he's gonna invite Chloe to tour with us. Ya bettah watch out for your cousin, son."

Chris looked at him. "Why?"

"Joel tears through girls. Oh sure he's interested for awhile but a few shows latah, she's barely worth a second thought." Benji told him. "But maybe I'm wrong this time. He seems to have fallen pretty hard. Maybe he won't break her heart. We can always hope, right?"

"Chloe can take of herself. I don't think she'll get hurt. It takes her awhile to open up to people, especially guys." Chris replied. "But I'll warn her. Thanks man."

[Misty]

::Chapter Four::

"Chloe..." she thought she heard her name but wasn't sure. "Chloe." This time she stirred. Opening her eyes, she found her lovely cousin looming over her. "Chris, you should get a cover for that thing you call your head...the sun is glaring off of it." She told him, shutting her eyes and rolling over.

"You leave me no choice." he said. A few seconds later Linkin Park blared on, jarring Chloe out of bed. She landed unceremoniously on the floor in a big heap of bedclothes.

"Oh my god. I am gonna kill you!" she told him as he helped her out of the tangle of blankets. "Why must you torture me?"

"Because you're a girl and I need you're help planning my date with Reid this afternoon." he told her.

Chloe snarled at him but said nothing as she stretched.

"So you'll help me?" he asked.

"Yesh, I'll help you but only if you get me some coffee." she told him.

"One step ahead of you. I've already been to the Coffee Beanery. Breakfast is in the kitchen." Chris smiled. "I'm smart that way."

Chloe flashed him a small smile. "Ha ha. If you were so smart, I'd still be in bed all comfy and asleep while you planned your date by yourself."

"True." he replied. "So how was last night?" he asked, following her down to the kitchen.

"Great. I had lots of fun. Joel is a really nice guy." She told him.

Chris couldn't decide if she was being honest or just saying that. Chloe was hard to read sometimes. "Seriously?"

She nodded, tearing a piece off of a banana nut muffin. "Seriously."

"So do you like him?" he asked, hoping he sounded casual instead of fatherly.

"Yesh...no...maybe." She stared at him. "I do but I don't want to. Does that make sense to you, Chris?"

"In a round about sort of way. It's because he's in a band and he's not from here, is that it?" he asked, taking a sip from his coffee.

She nodded and the sunlight danced off her hair, making it look like fire. "That's exactly the problem in a nutshell. I don't wanna fall for him because after he leaves, I'll never see him again."

Chris laughed. "Not true! I'm in the band now."

Chloe looked at him. "Really?!" He nodded and she squealed, running around the island to hug him. "Eeeeeeeeeee! My cousin is in Good Charlotte!"

He laughed. "I take it you're happy then?"

"Estatic." She flashed him a smile, which dimmed as she walked back over to her seat. "But Reid isn't gonna like it much. This date had better be good."

Chris nodded. "You're telling me. So shall we get to planning?"

Chloe finished off her muffin, "We shall."


Reid stretched and rolled out of bed. She couldn't believe that Chris hadn't called her at all yesterday. She wondered if he was mad at her but couldn't think of a reason for him to be. She checked her answering machine incase she had slept through his call, which she had been prone to do. Nope. Maybe she should call him? She looked at the clock. He'd be up by now. But him being home was a different story. Maybe she should just drop by and surprise him? Even if he wasn't there, chances were Chloe would be there and they could hang and she could hear all about Chlo's date with Joel.

She turned on her stereo and Three Days Grace's new song filled the room so she cranked it up and bobbed her head to the beat. She headed into her bathroom and started her shower. She didn't hear her cell phone ring or flash that she had a new text message.


"I won!" Billy declared. He threw his controller down and did a victory dance. "I won! I am The Man..w00t w00t. Go me, go me, go me!"

Benji laughed. "Two of out three."

Billy stopped dancing, picked up his controller and sat back down. "You're on."

Paul laughed and looked over at Joel. "Man, I am ready to leave this place."

Joel shrugged, "I kinda like this town. It's quiet and no one has really discovered that we're here."

Paul nodded. "True. But I think the only reason you like this town is because you've found a girl. Maybe The Girl?!" he asked with a grin, knowing Joel could never settle down.

Joel grinned. "Ah maybe."

Paul's grin faded. "Did I hear you right or did you just stutter? Did you say just maybe?"

Joel shrugged. "Yesh, so?"

Paul gave him a look. "So? It's a serious thing that you're messing around with here, dude. She's Chris' cousin. If you hurt her than Chris may decide to not join us and we need a drummer. So if you're not serious about her, then leave her. It's for her own good and the well-being of the band."

Joel stared at him. "Is that all you care about? I mean, I care about us having a drummer and Chris is good and everything but I'm not planning on messing things up with Chloe."

Paul sighed. "So you really like her?"

"Like you like air." Joel replied. "I think I'm gonna go drop in on her and see what she's doing."

Paul laughed as he walked out of the motel room. "Alert the media. Joel is in love."


Chloe stood in the doorway staring at Reid. "He's not here."

"Well, can I come in?" she asked, twirling a lock of brown hair around her finger.

Chloe smiled. "Yesh but then you'd miss your date with him."

Reid stared at her. "What date?"

Chloe gave her a coy smile. "Have you checked your cell phone lately?"

"Noooooo." Reid replied. She hated games and Chloe knew it. "Why?"

"Well, I suggest you go do it and follow the directions carefully." Chloe replied with another smile.

"Why?" Reid asked.

"Because Chris is up to something. I'm not sure what, but he was humming your song earlier." Chloe told her. Reid couldn't tell if she was lying or not. Chloe was a very hard book to read sometimes.

"Oh kay but if this is a joke, I'm gonna hurt you." Reid told her friend.

Chloe smiled, "Well, then I'm glad it's not. Hope you have fun. Now, I have some music videos to check out." And with that she shut the door, leaving Reid on the steps all by herself. She pulled out her cell phone as she walked back to her car and pulled up her latest calls. One missed and one new message. She clicked on the message.

"Yo Reid. It's me. It's really quiet here all by myself. I have nothing but the insects, fish and an old woman to keep me company. Care to guess where I am?"

She smiled. He was at "their" lake. How lovely. She got in her car just as Joel pulled up in front of Chloe's house.
He flagged her down.

"Is Chloe here?" he asked. He was holding a dozen yellow roses, Chloe's favorite.

"Yesh, why?" Reid asked him.

"I didn't wanna knock and her not be here." Joel replied. "That'd kinda suck."

Reid nodded, "Yeah it would. It's happened to me a few times with Chris. I'm off to find him as we speak."

Joel smiled, "Then I don't want to keep you from your hunt any longer than I have to...I just have one more question."

"Shoot, but make it quick." Reid told him.

"Do you think she'd join me on tour? Even if Chris didn't join the band?" he asked. "I figure you'd know cos you're her best friend and all."

Reid laughed. "I have no idea. She might. It all depends on how she feels. You may want to ask Chris that. Speaking of which..." she put her car into reverse.

He nodded and waved bye. He took a deep breath and made his way up the walk to her door. He tried to hide his nervousness as he rang the doorbell.


"God Reid you can't be that thick! He's at the effing lake!" Chloe exclaimed as she opened the door. "Er, sorry." she said to Joel, who was standing there holding a dozen roses. She put on a smile although she was freaking out. She looked horrible. Why oh why did he have to show up while she was in her grunge mode?

"Uh, expecting someone else?" he asked, a boyish grin on his face.

"I thought you were Reid. Chris had planned a really cute date for them today. She has to follow all these clues. I didn't think she got the first one...Sorry for yelling. Wanna come in?" she asked him.

"That would be nice." He stepped into the foyer and whistled. "Nice set up you've got here."

"Yeah. Chris's parents were killed in a horrible car accident. It was in his dad's will that the place went to him, me and Lanay." Chloe replied.

"Whose Lanay?" Joel asked.

"Chris's older sister. She moved to Maine last summer with her fiance." Chloe told him. "She's due for a visit though. You probably won't get to meet her but she's hella cool."

"Oh." He looked uber nervous.

"Nice flowers you have there." Chloe teased as she lead him into the kitchen. "Want something to drink?"

"Uh, I'm glad you like them. They're for you." he said handing them to her.

"Thanks. They're my favorite. I'm gonna have to get onto Chris for giving out vital information." She joked.

"If it helps, I tortured him for it." Joel told her.

"Oh that's a nice cheery thought." She replied. "So...like I asked, ya wanna drink?"

"Depends on what you have." He replied, looking around the kitchen.

"Coke, tea, milk, juice and water." she replied. "Choose your poison."

He laughed. "Coke, I guess." He watched her get it for him, a smile played at his lips. She was wearing green cargos and a brown tee-shirt with the DC logo on it. It should have clashed but she pulled it off. She didn't have any makeup except some eyeliner and her hair was in a really sloppy bun. He had never seen a girl look hotter.