[ Chloe ]

"Hey." He winked at me.

Oh gosh. Why is my life so hard?

Luckily, Paige was turned to the rows of donuts right now. Okay, I have to explain this to Braeden.

"Braeden," I whispered, setting down my broom and taking him by the wrist. I led him to a table in the far corner, seating him so his back was to Paige. "Listen, we have a problem. My friend Paige likes you, and I like you too. We got in a big fight about it, and now she never wants to see me again. So will you please stay away from her? Yanno, when we're together."

He thought about it for a second. "Sure, anything for you." I blushed as bright as a rose bush.

"Thanks, I really do appreciate it." I leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Now hurry along, before Paige sees you."

"Before Paige sees you, huh?" Paige was turned away from the donut stands, broom in hand.

Braeden stepped in front of me. "Please, Paige. You don't have to make her feel guilty in a situation where she is completely innocent."

Paige's eyes turned to slits. "But she's my best friend. I never thought she would do something she knew would hurt me." Her voice was wavering when she said that. Like... she misses me as her friend.

"But you're also her best friend, Paige. Two wrongs don't make a right."

A tear ran down Paige's cheek, and she hastily wiped it away. She set her broom down, storming up to the counter lady. "I quit."

And she strutted out the door, just like that. And all my problems disappeared. Well, all but one; my best friend still had her anger pointed at me.

The counter lady looked stunned. "Well that was a little strange. Chloe, did you have anything to do with this?" she looked at me.

I put my hands up. "No, I honestly did not."

She turned to the donuts, deciding whether or not to trust me, I guess. I hope I don't get fire-

"You're fired," she boomed. "I just can't trust a 14 year old. Sorry."

I looked at her in disbelief. I raged through the door, walking outside and crossing my arms. Braeden followed me.

"Ugh, how could she do this? I didn't do anything wrong, and she's accusing me of making Paige qui-"

"Chloe!" Braeden cut me off. I looked up at him. He took my head in his hands and soothingly told me, "Everything is going to be just fine."

He touched his lips to mine, and I felt tingly butterflies take flight. And he was right, everything is going to be fine.

We pulled apart, and I hugged him. "Thank you," I softly said. "Thank you."

We stayed there for a while, counting the minutes tick by, our arms wrapped around each other.

Finally he offered, "How about we meet at the park on the hill again tomorrow at 6:00?"

I smiled. "That would be great."

Absolutely great.

afternote: I'm so sad this story is almost over, but I have a perfect ending in mind! Just wait a little while! 😋