Plans

“…and going to introduce me to Victoria. I’m a bit nervous considering she is getting me a fake ID, but she says the club is pretty lax in the first place about checking. So long as I don’t push my luck with buying my own ****, I should be fine.”

I had talked to Chloe about Alexis needing care as much as Natalie did. What I didn’t expect was Chloe’s invite to hang out turning into an epic girls night with Alexis and Victoria involving clubs and fake IDs. Normally, there would be some cause for concern considering what Alexis and Victoria normally got up to when they went to the club. Alexis addressed any worries I might have had, saying both her and Victoria agreed it would just be a night of dancing and fun. No guys allowed. She teasingly promised to keep her hands off my girlfriend too. That caused a wild fluctuation in Chloe’s Noise that translated to a deep red blush.

I wish I could say I wasn’t concerned because I trusted them, but as Alexis and Chloe mentioned numerous times, I was cheating. Their intentions were clear to me as it was in their Noise. They were excited, but there was no deceit in their Noise when they spoke of their plans. The fact remained that my lack of feelings made the whole situation pointless. The only thing that mattered was Chloe was happy and that she returned to me.

The fear—so much as I could feel it—was always her not returning. I could feel it every time I saw Alexis and Chloe together. The way they interacted, smiled, laughed. Chloe was so vibrant when she was with her. They both were. She still cared deeply about me, that was always clear, but it was different. It was a curious situation. The idea of Chloe with other people didn’t bother me in the slightest, but the sight of her and Alexis’ Noise interacting caused odd sensations throughout my body. Never once did I feel lacking in bed with Chloe, yet the only thing that mattered to me, I fell short: the emotional connection she so clearly craved.

“You do realize most clubs and bars usually have a Gifted person who is some form of truth seer,” I said, not wanting to burst the excited bubble Chloe had surrounded herself in.

“Alexis told me as long as you don’t look underage, they let you in.”

I recognized the perfect opportunity to tease her. I hesitated a proper amount of time, running my eyes over her. “And you think that applies to you?”

Her Noise lit up as she laughed. I was proud my joke had landed properly. “Ass,” she said, playfully swatting my chest with the back of her hand.

“Then why the fake ID?”

“You have to at least put some effort in.” She grinned. “Plus, if it is good enough, I can finally start hitting the wine section!”

“The truth comes out.” We stopped in front of the classroom I was headed to.

“I can’t believe you failed a test.”

“You were distracting me.”

“Me? I’m halfway across the building during sixth.”

“And yet your Noise was as clear as it is now. Hard to concentrate when all I see is infectious happiness and joy poking at my mind.”

“Yeah, well, serves you right for snooping,” she said, sticking out her tongue.

I gave her a smile as I rubbed her arms. “See you in the library?”

Her expression turned a bit more serious. “Ah, yeah. Have two today so I should be done around the same time.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Her gaze lingered for a moment before she walked backwards. A few steps, she turned. I watched as she headed back down the hallway. My smile dropped as I entered in the classroom. The sooner I got this done, the faster I could get back to Chloe.