© June 2013

Part Sixteen of 17+

Chapter Sixteen: Grounded

    Valarie was enjoying a dream where she and Dr Kaufman were enjoying a walk in a park some place when she saw Spirit running towards her looking worried about something.

     “Mother, you need to wake up and go find Chloe.” Spirit pleaded.

     “Chloe’s safe in bed.” Valarie whined over the interruption.

     “Chloe’s run away mummy.” Spirit said as she clapped her hands together and Valarie was suddenly awake and lying in her bed.

    Even though Valarie was alone in her bedroom, she couldn’t help but feel that something was wrong, so she jumped out of bed and went to check on Chloe. Valarie ran down stairs when she found Chloe’s room empty, that’s when she saw the piece of paper on the kitchen table and she snatched it up to read what it said.

    I’m sorry I lied to you mother, and even sorrier for the pain I’ve caused Aunty Ash. I had no idea that my becoming friends with Susan Smith would do the damage it did, so I’ve decided that it’s best I just leave before you ask me to. Aunty Ash can carry on seeing Mr Smith, and this way I know that you and Dr Kaufman won’t get in trouble because of me. Thank you for trying to help me, but I’m not worth saving, I can see that now.

    Goodbye

    Chloe

     “Of all the stupid things...!” Valarie growled as she crushed the letter Chloe had left. Valarie was soon running back up to her bedroom to get dressed. “Spirit...! Spirit...!” Valarie shouted as she ran up the stairs.

     “What’s going on?” A sleepy looking Ashley asked as she appeared at her bedroom door.

     “Chloe’s run away...!” Valarie said as she walked past Ashley on the way to her own bedroom. Valarie pushed the note Chloe had left into Ashley’s hand as she walked past.

    Ashley cleared her vision enough to read the note, and she was soon flying back into her own bedroom to get dressed so she could help her sister go look for Chloe and bring her home.

    Chloe had no idea where she was going, or what she was going to do now she was back on the streets again, but she did find herself walking towards Stacy’s house, so she decided to go and say goodbye to Shadow before she left.

    Apart from the odd animal noise, the stables at Stacy’s were quiet and a little scary, but Chloe made her way over to the stall where Shadow was housed and she quietly opened the door to the stall and slipped inside, where she walked right into Shadow.

     “Hi boy.” Chloe giggled as she patted the side of Shadow’s head. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have any mints for you this time.” Chloe added as Shadow tried to bury his nose in Chloe’s hand.

    Shadow seemed to understand, and he lifted his head up and rested it on Chloe’s shoulder as though he was saying it was alright.

     “I’ve just come to say goodbye.” Chloe said as she fought back tears. “I’ve done a really bad thing and hurt Aunty Ash, so I’m leaving.” Chloe explained to her horse.

    Chloe soon realised that Shadow must have understood what she was saying, because Shadow let out a grunt just before he kicked out with his back hoofs, making contact with a metal bucked he had in his stall. The bucket made such a racket as it bounced off the wall; it woke some of the other horses. Chloe knew this was going to bring Stacy’s father out to the stables, so she tried to leave before he found her, but Shadow was blocking Chloe’s exit.

     “Shadow...!” Chloe growled as she tried to get out of the stall. “I need to get out of here before Stacy’s dad finds me.” Chloe added as she tried again to get past Shadow.

     “It’s a little late for that one.” A male voice said from the stable door.

    Chloe stopped trying to fight her way past Shadow and looked at the stable door and saw Stacy’s father stood there looking half asleep in a dressing gown with a shotgun in his hands.

     “Hello Mr Williams.” Chloe said with a weak smile.

     “What are you doing here at this time?” Tom said as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

     “What’s going on dear?” Chloe heard Stacy’s mother ask just before she poked her head over Tom’s shoulder to see who he was talking too. “Chloe...?” Dorothy asked when she caught sight of Chloe stood at Shadow’s side. Shadow had now moved so Chloe could leave the stable.

     “Hello Mrs Williams.” Chloe said with a nervous smile as she gave her a little wave.

     “Don’t hello me young lady...!” Dorothy said with anger in her voice. “Does your mother know where you are?” She asked as she stepped into the stall and took hold of Chloe’s hand.

     “I’d say not, looking at all this.” Tom said as he held up Chloe’s backpack and pulled out a hand full of clothes and some bags of crisps. “Looks like she was planning to runaway.” Tom added with a raised eyebrow.

     “Is this true...?” Dorothy asked with shock in her voice.

     “Yes...” Chloe said as she hung her head in shame.

     “Why ever would you feel the need to run away from home...?” Dorothy asked with pain in her voice as she pulled Chloe into a hug.

    Chloe just burst into tears, not able to tell Stacy’s mother the real reason for her running away. Dorothy didn’t push for an answer as she led Chloe out of the stables and down to the house. Chloe was soon sat in the kitchen while Dorothy made a pot of tea and Tom tried to call Chloe’s house to let Valarie know they had Chloe with them.

     “I can’t get an answer at Val’s.” Tom said as he walked back into the kitchen. He was just about to sit down when there was a knock at the front door, so he groaned as he got to his feet again and went to see who it might be, but he had a pretty good idea that it might be Valarie looking for Chloe.

     “Is Chloe here?” Valarie asked as soon as Tom opened the door. Valarie already knew Chloe was here because Spirit told her, but she couldn’t just barge in like she already knew.

     “Yes, she’s in the kitchen with Dotty.” Tom said as he stepped aside and let Valarie and Ashley run past him.

    Chloe looked scared to death when she saw Valarie and Ashley burst into the kitchen, she looked even more scared when they both ran over to where she was sat. Chloe flinched like she was about to get a beating for running away, but she found herself in the middle of a hug as Valarie and Ashley both started sobbing. They were both glad that Chloe was safe.

     “You foolish little child.” Valarie said once she’d gotten her tears under control. “I’m sorry for all the trouble we’ve caused you Dotty.” Valarie added as she looked at Stacy’s mother. “We had an argument earlier this evening, and Chloe overreacted.” Valarie explained.

     “No harm done.” Dorothy shrugged like she wasn’t bothered about being woken up. “I’m just glad we found her when we did.” She added with a smile. “Stephi tried to run away a couple of times because of how she felt at your age, but she always came back after she’d had time to clear her head.” Dorothy said, thinking that Chloe’s reason for running away was down to her transgender issues, which in a way it was, just not the reason that Dorothy thought.

     “What’s all the noise about...?” A sleepy looking Stacy asked as she walked into the kitchen. “What’s wrong...?!” She shouted when she saw Valarie and Ashley. She couldn’t see Chloe, so she thought that something had happened to her best friend. “Is Chloe alright?”

     “I’m fine.” Chloe said as she poked her head around her mother to give Stacy a weak smile and a little wave.

     “Then why are you all here at this time...?” Stacy asked as she ran over and threw her arms around Chloe.

     “I tried running away, but your parent’s caught me while I was saying goodbye to Shadow.” Chloe admitted.

     “You were just going to run away without talking to me first...?” Stacy asked looking first shocked and then angry with Chloe. “How could you do that to me?” Stacy asked as she threw her arms around Chloe again. Stacy was acting like Chloe might still run away if she let go.

     “I wasn’t thinking.” Chloe smiled as she realised just how much of a friend Stacy had become.

     “I think we better see about getting you home.” Valarie said once Stacy had released Chloe again.

     “Will I see you tomorrow, or later today?” Stacy asked after she saw the time.

     “Yes, I’ll be here a little later to pick you up for school.” Ashley promised.

     “I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused.” Chloe said as she got to her feet and looked down at the floor, to ashamed to look Stacy’s parents in the eyes.

     “Please don’t worry about it sweetie.” Dorothy said as she placed a finger under Chloe’s chin and forced her to look up into her eyes.

    Chloe couldn’t help but smile when she saw the kind look in Dorothy’s eyes. “Thank you...!” Chloe said as she threw her arms around Dorothy and hugged her.

     “Now go home and get some sleep.” Dorothy laughed as she let Valarie lead Chloe back out to her car.

    Dorothy, Tom and Stacy all stood and waved to Chloe, Valarie and Ashley as Valarie drove her car out onto the road towards home.

    Chloe looked over to the empty seat in the back of Valarie’s car when she saw Spirit appear. “Did you tell mother what I was doing?” Chloe asked with a little anger in her voice.

     “Yes...” Spirit said in a sad tone. “You were doing something really silly, I’m sorry if that hurts our friendship sis, but I had to stop you.” Spirit added as she reached over to take hold of Chloe’s hand, but Chloe pulled away and looked out the window, but all she could see was her own reflection looking back at her due to the late hour and it being so dark out.

    Spirit let out another sigh and was just about to leave the car when she felt Chloe take hold of her hand, so she looked over to see Chloe’s tear streaked face looking back at her.

     “Thank you sis.” Chloe said. “Did you have anything to do with Shadow stopping me leaving the stable when I went to see him?” Chloe asked with a frown as she thought about all the noise that Shadow made, which brought Stacy’s father out to the stable.

     “Nope, that was all Shadow.” Spirit admitted. “I guess he didn’t want to see you leave either.” Spirit added with a grin.

     “None of us wanted you to leave.” Valarie said from the front seat. “Why would you think for a second that Ashley and I would want you to leave?” Valarie asked with pain in her voice.

    Before Chloe had time to give an answer, Ashley spoke up. “And for the record, I would never choose a man over you.” Ashley grinned as she looked at Chloe between the seats from the front passenger seat.

     “I just thought that I’d made everything complicated, so if I left, you would both be able to keep out of trouble.” Chloe tried to explain.

     “I do like David a lot, but I love you.” Ashley grinned, calling Susan’s father by his first name.

     “You were being silly.” Valarie snapped. “Let Ash and I worry about what trouble we can cope with, you just worry about helping Spirit when she needs you too, and being a teenage girl.” Valarie added the last part with a grin as she took a quick look over her shoulder at Chloe, before returning her eyes to the road.

    Valarie was soon pulling into the driveway back at the house and they all got out the car and made their way into the house. Ashley was carrying Chloe’s bag for her.

     “I’ve got some food in there Aunty Ash.” Chloe said as her aunt placed the backpack on the kitchen table. “I’m going to head up to bed now.” Chloe said as she turned to leave the kitchen.

     “You’ll take a seat and let me have a word with you about this running away and lying to me about your friendship with Susan Smith.” Valarie said as she pulled out a seat at the kitchen table and waited for Chloe to sit in it.

    Chloe did as she was told and she waited for the lecture to start, but Valarie walked over to the fridge and set to work making them all a hot chocolate. Chloe wasn’t sure if all the waiting was part of her punishment or not, but it was working pretty well.

     “Are you hungry?” Ashley asked.

     “I ate the sandwich that was left for me in the fridge just before I left.” Chloe mumbled.

     “Good, but that still doesn’t answer the question I just asked.” Ashley frowned.

     “Yes, I am feeling a little hungry again now Aunty Ash.” Chloe admitted.

    Ashley was soon jumping into action as she set to work making Chloe another sandwich. “I hope you’ll be alright with another sandwich? It’s a little late to start cooking now.” Ashley said as she worked.

     “I love your sandwiches Aunty Ash.” Chloe smiled, happy to have her aunt talking to her again, even after all the trouble she’d caused.

    Chloe was soon sat with a sandwich and a mug of hot chocolate in front of her, and she started munching on the sandwich and taking little sips of her drink.

     “I’m sorry if anything I’ve done or said has made you feel that I could, or would ask you to leave again Chloe.” Valarie said once she was seated at the table. “You are now my daughter, and no matter what crazy thing you do, I will never turn my back on you sweetie.” Valarie added with a pleading in her voice.

     “I’m sorry mother, I just panicked.” Chloe said between mouthfuls. “And I’m sorry for lying to you about being friends with Susan.” Chloe added.

     “I can’t say you lied to me, but you did go against my wishes and became friends with this Susan when I told you not to.” Valarie frowned.

     “I’m sorry mother, but she just looked so lost at school, and she didn’t have any friends to hang around with.” Chloe started to explain. “I know what it’s like to be all alone in a school with no one to call a friend.” Chloe added as she thought about her time as James, and how he was always being picked on and made to feel less than worthless.

     “Susan thinks a lot of you Chloe; she wouldn’t stop talking about you on Sunday. It was Chloe this, and Chloe that.” Ashley giggled.

     “Susan was saying pretty much the same thing about you today at school.” Chloe smiled. “That’s one of the reasons I decided to run away, so she could still have you in her life.” Chloe added with a sigh. “I just thought I’d be forgotten about in time.”

     “Do you really think so little of yourself?” Valarie asked with anger in her voice.

     “Doesn’t sound like she was doing much thinking at all sis.” Ashley shrugged.

     “I should ground you for a month after this latest little stunt, but I’ll leave at a week.” Valarie said with a sigh.

     “A week...?” Chloe asked in shock.

     “Do you want to try for two weeks?” Valarie asked with a raised eyebrow.

     “Agree to the week.” Spirit said as she appeared next to Chloe. “I once earned a month when I spoke back to mother.” She warned.

     “You should listen to your sister.” Valarie smirked at the memory. Spirit only ever did a week of her grounding still, but she never argued with her mother again after that.

     “Does that mean no riding either?” Chloe asked, but hoped that her mother would let her still take shadow out.

     “No riding, no going out other than to go to school from now until next Monday.” Valarie said in a tone that left no doubt in Chloe’s mind that Valarie was being serious.

     “Yes mother...” Chloe said sounding defeated.

    Chloe finished her sandwich and her hot chocolate before she gave her mother and aunt a hug and a kiss, then she made her way up to bed and got ready for a couple of hours sleep before she had to get up again and get ready for school.

    Valarie entered Chloe’s bedroom and made sure she was tucked in before she went to her own room to get some more sleep. She was hoping to carry on her dream with the good doctor, but she knew that you very rarely managed to carry on a good dream once you’d been woken.

    Chloe still felt half asleep the next morning when she walked into the kitchen and took her seat at the table without saying a word to either her mother or her aunt. Chloe still felt bad about all the trouble she’d caused so she thought that keeping quiet would be her best option.

    Valarie jumped when she turned and saw that Chloe had entered the room without her realising. “Good morning sweetie, I didn’t hear you come in.” Valarie smiled as she walked over and leaned down to give Chloe a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “What’s wrong...?” Valarie asked when Chloe stiffened up.

     “I know I did a bad thing, so I don’t deserve your kindness.” Chloe said as she looked up at her mother with tears running down her cheeks. “I’m nothing but a screw up.” Chloe added as she started sobbing.

     “You’re not a screw up.” Valarie said as she sat in the seat next to Chloe and pulled her up onto her knee so she could hug Chloe. “Yes you did a bad thing, but you’re a teenage girl, and that is how you learn.” Valarie said as she rocked Chloe in her arms.

     “I’m so sorry mummy.” Chloe said with a pleading in her eyes for Valarie to believe her. “I was going to tell you about Suzy.” Chloe added as she buried her head in Valarie’s chest again.

     “I know you would have sweetie, but I hope you realise that keeping secrets like this can backfire on you.” Valarie said with a smile as she lifted Chloe’s chin so they were looking each other in the eyes.

     “Can I still be friends with Suzy...?” Chloe asked nervously.

     “Yes, but she will have to know about your secret at some point if things carry on getting serious between Ash and this David.” Valarie warned.

     “But what about me using Suzie’s name at the hospital...?” Chloe asked with worry in her voice.

     “I’ll worry about that if and when they find out, but it’s not for you to worry about.” Valarie said with a warning in her voice, but she was smiling. “You just worry about being a teenager.”

     “Yes mummy.” Chloe giggled. “I love you...!” Chloe added as she threw her arms around Valarie.

     “I love you to sweetie, but you’re still grounded until Monday.” Valarie said in a smug tone.

     “I know that mummy, and I accept my punishment.” Chloe said with pride in her voice. “I’ll miss riding Shadow, but that is all part of my punishment and I understand that you could ground me for much longer than a week.”

     “You can be so grown up at times.” Valarie sighed as she looked at Chloe who was still sat on her knee.

     “She is until she does some stupid thing like running away.” Ashley laughed as she brought Chloe a glass of juice over to the table.

     “She’s not the first one to run away over something silly.” Valarie smirked as she looked at her sister.

     “I’m sure you’re right sis.” Ashley said it in a tone that warned Valarie not to say another word.

     “Did either of you try running away when you were my age?” Chloe asked, not missing the unspoken words her mother and aunt seemed to be sharing.

     “That’s not the point here Chloe, the point is you ran away rather than facing the trouble you were in.” Ashley said as she pointed a fork in her direction.

    Chloe just blushed as she slipped off Valarie’s knee and took her seat again. Valarie got up and went back to sorting out breakfast for them all while Chloe took her morning pills and washed them down with her juice.

    Valarie and Ashley soon had breakfast ready and they all sat down to enjoy a nice family breakfast together. Chloe soon realised that even though she was grounded, and had been in trouble, her mother and aunt weren’t going to keep reminding her of the fact, and they were soon chatting and laughing like they normally did at meal times.

     “I was thinking of asking David and Susan over on Thursday night, and you could ask Robert to join us as well.” Ashley grinned.

     “I’ll ask him later when I call him about this situation with Chloe and Susan.” Valarie said with a smirk. She was happy to have any reason to call Richard, even if she didn’t need a reason. “Speaking of doctors, have you heard anything about your friend in the hospital?” Valarie asked Chloe.

     “Yes, he’s awake.” Chloe smiled, proud of what she’d been able to do for Danny. “Fin told me that he’s awake and was sat up in bed smiling when he and Paul went to see him on Sunday.” Chloe added.

     “Doesn’t sound like the actions of a screw up to me.” Valarie smiled as she made her point that Chloe wasn’t as much of a screw up as she thought she was.

     “I was glad I could help, but I didn’t do very much.” Chloe shrugged off her mother’s praise.

     “Do you know when he’ll be back at school?” Valarie asked as she brushed over Chloe’s modesty.

     “Fin said he would know more after the doctors have run more tests on Danny.” Chloe shrugged.

     “I bet that this Danny suddenly waking up after all this time must have the doctors scratching their heads.” Ashley giggled.

     “Will this Danny remember talking to you, and what you did to get him back in his body?” Valarie asked with worry in her voice.

     “Spirit says he may remember little snippets, but only as weird dreams.” Chloe explained what Spirit had told her.

     “I hope you’re right sweetie.” Valarie sighed. “The last thing we need is some boy saying that you can see ghosts and help coma victims get back into their bodies.”

     “I don’t think Danny would do that, he didn’t seem like that type of a person when I spoke to him.” Chloe said to try and calm her mother down.

     “I doubt that anyone would believe him if he did remember any of it.” Ashley pointed out. “I know it’s all real, and even I have trouble believing most of it.” She added with a grin.

    Chloe finished her breakfast and then ran up to her room to finish getting ready for school. Once she had brushed her teeth and put her blazer on, Chloe grabbed her book bag and laptop case before returning down stairs to find Ashley waiting for her at the front door with Valarie stood at her side.

     “As far as anyone knows, you and I had an argument about you not doing your share of the house work, and I’ve grounded you for it.” Valarie said as she gave Chloe the once over to make sure she looked her best before leaving the house.

     “Your mother and I were always being grounded because we sneaked out without doing the dishes or cleaning our bedrooms.” Ashley laughed.

     “Ash...!” Valarie said through gritted teeth. “Chloe doesn’t need to know about any of that.”

     “You both used to get grounded...?” Chloe was shocked to think that her mother and aunt were once as much trouble to be around as she was, but they had to have been teenagers at some point, Chloe thought to herself.

     “I’d like to hear more about you and mother when you were my age.” Chloe said as she followed Ashley out to her car after she’d given Valarie a hug.

     “Don’t you even think about telling my daughter anything about us at her age...!” Valarie warned, but she already knew that Ashley planned to spill all their little secrets, just from the grin Ashley had when she turned around to look at her sister.

     “Chloe has a right to know what kind of family she’s joined.” Ashley said trying to look innocent as she said it, but Valarie could see her sister fighting back a smirk.

     “Say too much and she’ll get to see me disown my sister...!” Valarie warned.

     “You wouldn’t see your loving big sister thrown out on the street would you?” Ashley asked with a hurt look.

     “Yes I would.” Valarie frowned.

     “Meany...!” Ashley pouted just before she stuck her tongue out at Valarie.

    Valarie just started laughing as she did the same to her sister. Chloe giggled as she got in the back of the car and watched her mother and aunt playing around.

    Ashley pulled up outside Stacy’s house and got out the car to go greet Dorothy and Stacy.

     “Are you not getting out the car sweetie?” Ashley asked when she saw that Chloe hadn’t made a move to get out the car, or undo her seatbelt.

     “I was just going to wait here.” Chloe said sounding nervous as she took a quick look in Stacy and her mother’s direction before she looked down at her lap again.

     “Are you worried about last night?” Ashley asked in a tone that said she thought Chloe was being silly.

     “I’m terrified.” Chloe admitted as she took another quick look at Stacy’s mother. Chloe looked even more worried when she saw that Dorothy was walking over to the car with Stacy at her side.

     “Is everything alright?” Dorothy asked as she reached the car and looked at Chloe sat in the back.

     “Chloe’s scared that you’re still angry with her over what happened last night.” Ashley said with a roll of her eyes.

     “I was never mad with you in the first place Chloe.” Dorothy said with a sad smile. “I was just glad we found you before you ran away properly.”

     “Do you think Mr Williams is mad with me...?” Chloe asked nervously.

     “He was a little grumpy that you woke him up, but he was glad that Shadow made all that noise so he could come out and find you.” Dorothy laughed.

     “Daddy is always grumpy when he gets woken up.” Stacy rolled her eyes as she said it. “So how long are you grounded for?” Stacy asked as she dropped into her seat and put her seatbelt on.

     “A week, so I can’t go out until next Monday.” Chloe pouted.

     “Only a week...?” Stacy sounded shocked. “I was expecting a month or more.”

     “I’m glad you’re not my mother then.” Chloe sounded even more worried now.

     “Maybe I should have a word with your mother.” Dorothy said with a smile.

     “Please don’t...!” Chloe pleaded.

    Dorothy just started laughing. “I’m just teasing you sweetie.” Dorothy said as she leaned in through the window and gave Chloe a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek.

     “You can be so mean.” Chloe said as she playfully slapped Dorothy’s arm just before she let Dorothy hug her. Chloe was grinning when Dorothy broke the hug and stepped back again.

     “Now that’s the Chloe I love.” Dorothy smiled when she saw a much happier Chloe sat in the car grinning. “Have a good day at school you two, and try to keep out of trouble.” Dorothy said with a frown.

    Ashley got back in the car and Dorothy waved to them all as Ashley drove her car out of the driveway in front of the house and headed in the direction of the school.

     “What’s the cover for you being grounded?” Stacy asked as they were approaching the school.

     “Mum says I should tell everyone that I’m grounded for not doing my share of the housework, like the dishes and cleaning my bedroom.” Chloe shrugged.

     “I’ve been grounded for not doing that stuff, so it’s a good cover.” Stacy agreed.

     “It’s better than telling them that I’ve been grounded for making friends with Susan when my mother told me not to.” Chloe pointed out.

     “Very true, and it wouldn’t be fair on Suzy, I actually like her a lot.” Stacy smiled. “I know she’ll be sad when she finds out that your Aunty Ash is going to stop seeing her father.” Stacy added.

     “I’m not going to stop seeing him.” Ashley said from the front of the car.

     “But I thought it would be too dangerous for you to keep seeing Mr Smith if Chloe is using his daughters name at the hospital.” Stacy asked, sounding shocked at what she’d just heard.

     “I really like David, and Suzy is a little sweetheart.” Ashley said. “I can’t hurt the two of them like that, and if I suddenly decide I don’t want to see David anymore, it may hurt Chloe’s friendship with Susan.” Ashley pointed out.

     “Is it alright for me to tell Suzy about the dinner on Thursday night?” Chloe asked.

     “I’d like to ask David before you say anything to Suzy, if that’s alright sweetie?” Ashley smiled.

     “That’s the least I can do after all the trouble I’ve caused.” Chloe smiled back.

    Ashley pulled up to the gates of the school hoping to find David working security again, but it was one of the sports teachers who Chloe had never seen before, due to her not doing any sports. Ashley entered the school grounds with no problems and she was soon parking up outside the main school building and letting Chloe and Stacy out the car. Ashley smiled as she saw David making his way over to the car.

     “Hi Ashley...!” David shouted as he waved.

     “Hello.” Ashley said once David had reached the car and leaned in for a quick kiss. “I’m surprised to see you out here; don’t you have classes to prepare for?” Ashley asked.

     “I do, but I wanted to start my day off right, and I remembered you saying that you drop Chloe and Stacy off.” David grinned.

     “Most would call seeing me a bad start to their day.” Ashley blushed.

     “Most people are idiots then.” David argued.

     “I am glad that I ran into you though.” Ashley said excitedly. “I spoke with my sister, and she wants to invite you and Suzy over for dinner on Thursday night. I hope you’ll say yes.” Ashley added with a pleading in her voice.

     “That sounds like a wonderful idea.” David grinned even more.

     “Do you not need to check with Suzy first?” Ashley asked.

     “No, she’ll jump at the chance to spend more time with you and Chloe.” David waved off Ashley’s worries. “I hope that we can see each other before Thursday though.” David added with hope in his eyes.

     “I’m free tonight.” Ashley grinned.

     “I’ll see you later Aunty Ash...!” Chloe said at that point, not wanting to be around for anymore of the mushy stuff.

     “Okay sweetie...!” Ashley shouted, due to Chloe and Stacy walking away rather quickly.

     “I had no idea that Mr Smith could be that smooth.” Stacy giggled as she and Chloe made their way into the school.

     “I can’t believe how shameless my aunt is.” Chloe sounded shocked over the way her aunt was flirting with one of her teachers.

     “At least you can tell Suzy about the dinner date on Thursday now.” Stacy giggled as they made their way to their lockers to drop off the books they wouldn’t need until later in the day.

    Chloe and Stacy didn’t see Susan, Sophie or Jade until they arrived at their home room. Susan was already sat at her desk reading a book, and Sophie and Jade arrived just after Chloe and Stacy.

     “Morning Suzy...!” Stacy squealed as she ran up to Susan and threw her arms around her.

     “Morning Stace, Chloe.” Susan smiled as she closed her book after placing her book mark in it to mark her spot.

     “Have you been here long?” Chloe asked.

     “Yes...” Susan said with a roll of her eyes. “My father wanted to see if he could see your aunt.” Susan added with a groan.

     “He was successful if it makes you feel any better.” Chloe said.

     “I’m glad one of us is happy then.” Susan grumbled.

     “My aunt has invited the two of you over for dinner on Thursday evening, I hope you don’t mind?” Chloe asked.

     “Invited over for dinner...” Jade said before Susan had time to say anything. “This is all sounding very serious Suzy.” Jade added with a grin.

     “I hope this isn’t going to be a problem for you Chloe...?” Susan asked nervously.

     “Why would I have a problem with it...?” Chloe looked confused at Susan’s question.

     “The whole aunt dating a teacher thing.” Susan shrugged.

     “No, I think it’s kind of nice to see the two of them getting on so well together.” Chloe giggled. “Though I could do without seeing the whole kissy, kissy stuff.” Chloe added with a shudder as she remembered how she and Stacy had left Ashley and Mr Smith out in the car park.

     “You saw the two of them kissing in the car park...!” Susan said a little to loud and had the rest of the class looking at their little group.

     “Yes.” Chloe said as she looked around at the rest of the class. “I was going to say that no one saw them, but I think they all know about it now.”

     “Are we all going riding after school?” Sophie asked as she tried to blank out the rest of the class looking at them.

     “I can’t...” Chloe sighed. “I’ve been grounded for a week.”

     “What for...?” Jade asked with a little too much excitement in her voice.

     “Not cleaning my room up and doing the dishes when I was asked.” Chloe tried to sound ashamed of what she’d got grounded for.

     “That sucks.” Sophie frowned.

     “Tell me about it.” Chloe rolled her eyes.

     “So you’re under house arrest until the weekend?” Jade asked.

     “Until Monday.” Chloe corrected Jade.

     “Until Monday...?” Jade said with a pained look.

     “Yep, Monday.” Chloe said in a sad tone.

    The teacher arrived so they all took their seats and waited for roll call.

    Chloe and Stacy didn’t get to see Finlay and Paul until morning break when the two boys came running up to the girls and picked them up off the floor and spun them around.

     “What’s gotten into you two...?” Chloe giggled as she wrapped her arms around Finlay’s neck while looking into his eyes.

     “We’re just happy to see you.” Finlay grinned back.

     “And it’s great to have Danny back with us.” Paul added as he put Stacy back on the ground again while keeping his arms wrapped around her.

     “He’s back at school already?” Chloe asked, sounding nervous.

     “No, I mean awake.” Paul explained. “He can’t even walk yet, but the doc’s have said it won’t be long before he’s back on his feet.” Paul added with pride in his voice.

     “Paul and I are going to see him after school, and I was wondering if you wanted to come with us, so he can meet you now he’s awake.” Finlay asked with hope in his voice.

     “I’d love to, but I’ve been grounded until next Monday.” Chloe pouted.

     “You’ve been grounded...?” Finlay said with shock in his voice. “What did you do to end up getting grounded?” He asked, still not believing that Chloe could get herself grounded for anything.

     “Mum told me to clean my bedroom up, but I didn’t do it and went out riding with Stace instead, so mum’s grounded me until next Monday.” Chloe sighed.

     “That sucks.” Finlay said. “You’re mum is pretty strict.” He added with a worried look.

     “She sneaked out without doing the dishes as well.” Stacy pointed out.

     “It’s times like these that I’m glad we stop in a dorm, and don’t have to worry about things like that.” Finlay said with a proud grin on his face.

     “Don’t you have to keep your dorm room clean and tidy though?” Chloe asked.

     “Yes, but we just push all the rubbish under the bed, the teachers never look under there.” Finlay explained how he and Paul kept out of trouble.

     “I’ll have to remember that.” Chloe giggled.

     “Knowing your mum, she’d look under there first.” Finlay warned. “I’d hate to see you get grounded for a month because you took cleaning advice from me and Paul.” He added with a laugh.

     “I thought all girls were neat freaks anyway...?” Paul said with a puzzled look.

     “We can be just as messy as the boys.” Stacy said as she slapped Paul on the arm for his sexist comment.

     “I’d say some can be worse.” Sophie said as she looked at Jade.

     “I’m not that bad...!” Jade whined.

     “You’re not that good either.” Sophie smirked as she bumped Jade with her shoulder.

     “Do you think your mum might make an exception and let you come to the hospital?” Finlay asked.

     “I’m not sure, she was pretty mad with me.” Chloe said as she bit her lip while trying to work out if Valarie might let her go to the hospital. “I’ll give her a call at lunchtime and ask her.” Chloe added when she looked at the time and realised she didn’t have enough time to call her now.

     “Cool...!” Finlay grinned like Chloe had already made the call and been given permission to go, but Chloe had her doubts as to whether or not her mother would let her go to the hospital.

    The bell sounded to let them know they needed to head back into the school and get to their next lesson, so Finlay pulled Chloe into his arms and kissed her, while Paul did the same with Stacy before the two boys ran off again.

     “Do you think your mum will let you go out this evening?” Stacy asked as they made their way to their next lesson.

     “I doubt it, but I don’t have anything to lose in asking.” Chloe shrugged.

    The five girls were soon at their next lesson and they all found their seats and got their text books out ready to start the lesson.

    Valarie was doing some research for a chapter of her new book when her cell phone started ringing; Valarie looked worried when she saw it was Chloe’s number. Valarie had been worried about getting a call from Jennifer to tell her that Chloe had ran away again, but now she was worried that Chloe was going to tell her she had ran away instead.

     “Chloe...? What’s wrong...?” Valarie asked with fear in her voice.

     “Nothing’s wrong mummy.” Chloe said on the other end of the phone. “I just wanted to ask you something.” Chloe sounded nervous.

     “And what might that be...?” Valarie asked, but she already expected it to be something to do with her being grounded. “And don’t even ask if you can go out for a ride this evening after school.” Valarie said with a warning in her voice.

     “I know that mummy, but Finlay and Paul are going to see Danny this evening, and they asked if Stacy and I want to go with them.” Chloe explained her reason for calling.

     “You do understand the meaning of the word ‘grounded’ don’t you...?” Valarie frowned.

     “Yes mother, but I thought this might be an exception.”

    Valarie was deep in thought for a couple of seconds as she tried to work out whether or not letting Chloe go to the hospital to see a sick friend was against the rules for being grounded. “Alright, I’ll let you go with Finlay and the others to see Danny, but I will be driving you all there and then I’ll drop the boys back at the school before bringing you straight home.” Valarie offered.

     “I’m fine with that mummy...!” Chloe said excitedly.

     “Tell Finlay and Paul that I’ll pick them up outside their dorm block at six thirty this evening, and you will be going straight to the hospital to see Danny, nothing more than that; so don’t get any funny ideas.” Valarie warned.

     “Yes Mother, and thank you.” Chloe said a little shocked that her mother was letting her go to the hospital.

    Valarie looked at her phone and let out a sigh as she realised just how soft she was being with Chloe, but she thought that Chloe deserved to see some of the good she’d been doing, and the fact that she wasn’t a screw up like she’d called herself the night before.

     “Nice to see you playing the tough mom, sis.” Ashley said from the doorway to the study where Valarie was doing her research for her new book.

     “I’m still being tough on her.” Valarie argued. “I’ll take them to the hospital and then Chloe will come right back home with me after.”

     “Are you sure it’s safe for Chloe to be near this Danny after what she did to help him get back in his body?” Ashley asked with worry in her voice.

     “Spirit seems to think this Danny won’t remember what Chloe did while he was out of his body.” Valarie repeated what she’d been told.

     “I guess you’ll find out later...” Ashley sang as she pushed herself away from the doorframe she was leaning on and she spun around to walk away. “Lunch is ready by the way...!” Ashley shouted over her shoulder.

    Chloe just looked at her cell phone in shock over the fact her mother had just said she could go with Finlay and the others to see Danny, even if it did mean Valarie taking them.

     “Well...?” Finlay asked, not able to read the look on Chloe’s face.

     “Well what...?” Chloe asked.

     “Can you come to see Danny tonight?” Finlay frowned.

     “Oh, yes, but mum is going to take us there and then drive us back again.” Chloe explained.

     “So we won’t be able to grab something to eat after then?” Finlay asked, sounding disappointed.

     “No, sorry.” Chloe replied. “Think yourself lucky that my mother is letting me go to the hospital at all.” Chloe added.

     “Good point.” Finlay agreed.

     “My mum said she will pick you and Paul up outside your dorm building at six thirty.” Chloe repeated what Valarie had said to her. “Do you want to call your mum and make sure it’s okay for you to go to the hospital?” Chloe asked as she looked at Stacy.

    Stacy pulled herself away from Paul and fished her cell phone out her blazer pocket and called her mother. It was a short conversation, but Stacy got the okay from her mother and they finalised their plans, and then they relaxed to enjoy what was left of their lunch break. Chloe and Susan had to put up with some teasing about them soon being sisters if Chloe’s aunt and Susan’s father got serious.

 

To Be Continued Next Tuesday  

 

Story by SaraUK

 

Edited and Posted by SamanthaK

    EDITORS NOTE: Please Comment and/or leave Kudos and let Sara know you like her work please, Any comments on spelling, grammar or the layout of the story please PM me “Samanthak” not Sara. Thank you