Athletic Bonding

As the others broke off into pairs looking for guidance and relationship advice, Chloe was happy to fade off into the background drama-free. Since day one Chloe knew this trip wasn't going to be this free-spirited fun in the sun vacation with friends they all had hoped for. Brandon and Ashley breaking up, Gavin seemingly snatched up by Heather, Zack, and Ashley literally disappearing for a whole day together, and of course, Victoria falling head over heels for Heather's cousin, Kurt! it was fair to say this was anything but usual, but now that everything was at a simmer, Chloe needed normal in her life.

Popping back into her room for a few quick minutes the redhead changed into a pair of tight black shorts, her sports bra, and a baggy t-shirt. She snatched up her sports bottle and made another quick pitstop in the kitchen to fill it with water before heading out the front door. Giving her neck a slow roll, Chloe did some quick stretches on the porch and prepared for her usual cardio exercise. However, the girl only had her foot on the first step of the front stairs before she heard a voice from behind her, "Hey Chloe, uh...where are you going?"

Chloe reached up taking an earbud from her ear and glanced back seeing Brandon standing in the doorway. She gave the jock an uncertain look before glancing down the driveway, "Just going out for a jog," Chloe answered as Brandon stepped out of the cabin, "I've been taking it easy since this was a vacation but I can't go two full weeks with no exercise, I'll go crazy. Plus, next game I play I'll probably burn myself out by the second half," The redhead added with a short laugh,

"Trust me I get it," Brandon easily agreed as he crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall of the cabin,, "My training is pretty intense but at least I can actually take some time off here and there, but you got to stay in peak shape all year round, huh?"

"Yeah, but it's not that hard to me," Chloe shrugged while pushing her headphones back in, "It's just sorta what I do now, later Bran," The redhead sweetly said with a short wave before stepping down the front deck steps,

"Uh, Chloe, hold up!" Brandon jumped up from the wall and followed the girl down to the front yard. Chloe looked back and pulled her headphone out once more, "Sorry, I know you're already doing your own thing but uh..." Brandon awkwardly began as he rubbed his neck, "You think I could come along?"

"You want to come jogging with me?" Chloe smirked, clearly tickled by the idea, "You do remember yesterday, right? You barely kept up," She added on in a teasing fashion,

Brandon broke out in a full grin, letting out a short breathy laugh, "Hey, I did alright, but that was after all day of hiking and you know, I didn't really eat that much yesterday either. I'm good now, though, I'll be right on your side all the way," Chloe let out a slow nod, flicking the offer around in her head, "I...I just...don't want to be here with Ash alone,"

"You wouldn't be here alone though," Chloe pointed out with a confused tilt of her head, "Zack's here, Heather, Gavin too. I'm sure Kurt and Vicky will be back before you know it...try not to worry about it," The redhead said with reassurance, starting to turn around only for Brandon to stop her,

"I don't --" Brandon fumbled for a moment as he continued to step forward, "I don't want to be here with her...without you," Chloe's eyes widened and she stared back at Brandon silently, "This week has been that absolute worst of my life. I know I don't have a right to be the upset one in all this, I know this is me paying for my past...sins or whatever, but I still hate it. I'm not blind, Ash and Zack are getting...close, and it pisses me off more than I care to admit," Chloe crossed her arms and Brandon instantly tossed his hands up defensively, "I know! Ashley is not my girlfriend anymore, and I do not have a say in who she spends her time with, but like I said, whenever I see them...my blood boils, alright?"

"Okay, that's...mature of you to understand your faults in logic, but I don't see what I have to do with that, Bran," Chloe calmly replied causing Brandon to let out a breathy laugh along with a bewildered headshake,

"Honestly, I don't know what you have to do with it either!" Brandon fully admitted, "What I do know is, this week, you've been the only one who has treated me like a friend. Zack is terrified of me, Gavin and I were never close in the first place, Heather is judging me for what happened, and Victoria absolutely fucking hates me. You, Chloe...you just fucking talk to me! You treat me like Brandon, you let me talk, you don't berate me, and I...I feel more in control around you because I know, at least in some way, you're on my side,"

Chloe felt a small smile rest on her face and nodding understandingly, "You are my friend, Brandon, just like everyone else here...well, everyone but that douche Kurt," She tacked on sharing a short laugh with the jock over it, "But, you do know, they are still your friends too. Things are weird right now, sure, but if you'd stop being short with everyone and tried to spend time with them, things would get better,"

"That's what I'm trying to do now, spend time with a friend," Brandon smoothly shot back making Chloe let out a small sigh and give him a small glare, "What, that's what this is, and that's exactly what you just told me to do,"

Chloe let out a small smirk, "You know that's not what I meant,"

"I know, but please Chloe, can you just do me a solid here?" Brandon lightly begged, "Unless you really just don't want me to come,"

Chloe let out a small sigh and shrugged, "No, I don't mind you coming with me, I guess I was more...surprised that you even wanted to," The redhead explained while Brandon relaxed and let out a pleased smile, "I'm sorry for being so standoffish about the whole thing, come on, let's see if you actually have it in you to keep up with me or if you'll be eating my dust again,"

"Please, now that I'm ready for it, there's gonna be no chance you smoke me again," Brandon cockily replied with a few quick stretches,

"Uh-huh, well, once I do pass you, try and keep your eyes off my ass, hmm?" Chloe playfully teased catching Brandon by surprise just as the pair began to jog off away from the cabin.