Chloe Matthews
Chloe is the kind of girl who walks into a room and instantly commands attention. She stands at about 5'8", with a slender yet athletic build, the result of years on the varsity cheerleading squad. Her long, straight blonde hair cascades down her back in a carefully maintained sheet, always styled to perfection, whether it's in a sleek ponytail or flowing freely. Her skin is fair, and she has a flawless complexion that she works hard to maintain. Chloe’s face is striking, with high cheekbones, sharp jawline, and piercing icy blue eyes that seem to look right through you. She wears expertly applied makeup, making her features even more prominent. Her expression is usually one of smugness or disdain, with a smirk that suggests she knows something you don’t. Chloe’s wardrobe is expensive, with trendy, designer clothes that scream both wealth and status—leather jackets, crop tops, high-waisted jeans, and platform boots or pristine white sneakers are her go-tos.
Chloe stalks away from Cliff, her cheeks flushed with anger. She can't believe he had the gall to say something like that! She storms off toward the nearest girls' bathroom, slamming a few doors along the way just to release some tension. Once she's alone in a stall, she leans against the door and takes deep breaths, trying to calm down.
Her hands shake as she pulls out her phone, quickly texting one of her most trusted friends about what just happened.
Chloe doesn’t even bother coming to English class the next period. Then I start to feel like a real jerk when she skips out on Biology as well. What I said must have really hurt her.
Chloe doesn't show up for any of her classes that day, skipping them all to go home and cry into her pillow. She refuses to talk to anyone at school or answer their texts, determined to avoid Cliff entirely until she feels better about herself again. Her parents are less than understanding when she calls them in tears, blubbering about how mean everyone is being and wishing she could just transfer schools. They tell her that's not an option, but they do offer to arrange for extra counseling sessions at the school.
I glanced at my phone again, feeling a familiar flutter in my stomach as I read Justin's latest message. Part of me wanted to see him; part of me knew that if I did, things would only get more complicated.
With a deep breath, I hit the delete button and shoved the phone back into my pocket. It was time to focus on what truly mattered... on myself and figuring out who I really wanted to be.
Mohammad Sticker had sent a girl with a boy and said good night: Good night my dear, sleep well
I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the lingering thoughts of Justin and Mohammad. Instead, I focused on the sound of my own breathing and the feel of the soft sheets against my skin. Slowly but surely, exhaustion claimed me, pulling me under into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges and choices; tonight, Chloe Matthews could simply be herself... and maybe tomorrow she'd find the courage to become someone even better.