Chloe POV:

I didn't say anything to anyone about what happened. Why would I? I mean, for all I know... I could be going schizophrenic. I guess I just didn't want to add to everyone's worry list. I looked down at the scar on my hand and gently grazed it. Maybe I just cut myself by accident cutting... I don't know, like, vegetables?

Oh, fuck that logic. Like I would cut vegetables out of all things. I don't even cut vegetables.

Maybe I was sleep walking? It could be a possibility.

My thoughts were interrupted by the vibration of my phone. It was Dean:

"Can you come over later? Gotta talk about some things.

-D"

That damn boy. Always being so mysterious. But I had to admit... It did turn me on.


"Mom, can I go out for a few hours?" I asked when I finally got dressed.

She looked up with a slightly disappointed face, "But, sweetheart, you didn't even eat breakfast yet. Don't you want to wait until then?"

I shook my head, "I'm not all that hungry, to be honest," I turned to Tommy, "You want my pancakes, Tommy?"

His face lit up automatically, "Do I ever!" He then swiped the plate from my mom's hands and started scarfing it down like he's never seen food before. Man, this kid can eat.

"I guess," my mother finally agreed grudgingly, "But don't be out too late!"

By then I was already grabbing my keys and opening the front door, "Okay, Mom! Will do!"

"Love you!" she shouted, but I was already out the door. She shook her head. "Honestly, what am I going to do with that girl?" Tommy didn't pay attention as he continued to scarf down his 4th pancake.


The rust bucket and I hit the golden road with an old cassette tape playing in the background. It felt odd driving her. She didn't have the same feel as Dean's car did. I sighed.

"You may not be an Impala, but you're still my ol' girl." I said as I patted the dashboard. Yes, I just talked to my car. Don't judge me.



"Hey, you made it." Dean was leaning against his hood when I shut my car door.

"I didn't know there was a second option..," I smiled jokingly, "So, how's your dad?"

He looked off into the horizon and squinted his eyes while putting his hands in his pockets, "He's good. He's researching and calling everyone up." He looked back up at me, still squinting, because the sun was insanely bright today. I nodded while putting my hands behind my back. I especially didn't want him to see the scar across my palm. "He also said that you need to keep the rat from now on."

I chuckled, "Why is that?"

"It drives him fucking nuts," he grinned, "I personally think it's hilarious, but him.... Not so much."

At this point, we were both leaning against our hoods, facing each other with our postures both mirroring the other's, "Is that what we needed to talk about? The custody of Loki?" I asked with a hint of frustration. I don't know what I wanted him to say, but I really didn't want to talk about school right now.

He sighed and pointed his head towards the ground. When he raised it again, he was biting his bottom lip, "No. Not necessarily." He walked over to me and stood about a half a foot away. I looked up at him with curiosity. What the hell is going through your mind...? He rose his hand and two tickets fanned out in front of my face.

...Homecoming tickets...?

"Look, if you don't want to go..-"

I cut him off, "No, no. I just-"

"Just what?" he asked, concerned and anxious. But, of course, still trying to act cool.

I sighed and looked down towards my feet, "I just... I have so much baggage, Dean."

"Chloe, what are you-"

I looked back into his eyes again while mine were becoming misty, "Why me? Why do you want to be with me? I'm so broken... So messed up." He was about to say something, but I cut him off again, "I'm the misfit girl! I don't fit in. I'm not popular. I'm not perfect. I just don't understand! You could have any girl. So why do you want a girl that has so much baggage that she can't even carry it half the time?" The tears were starting to roll down my cheeks, "Why me, Dean?"

He held my face in his hands and wiped away the tears with his thumb, "I'll be your baggage claim, Chloe."

"...What?..."

He smiled a weak smile and repeated, "I said, then I'll be your baggage claim. Chloe, do you honestly think that little of yourself? Because the girl I see is marvelous. She's perfect in every way. From her hypnotizing blue eyes to her porcelain skin... To her sarcastic, charming personality. You are that girl. That diamond in the rough. And I will do everything in my power to keep you. And if that means carrying some of your baggage, then so be it," The gaze in his eyes became more trance-inducing with every word, "And if I cared about this 'baggage', then I wouldn't be asking you to accompany me to something that I would never do in a thousand years, now, would I? And I wouldn't do this for just any girl, either. I want to show you that I want you. And all of you. Perfections, flaws, and all." He paused for a moment and searched my eyes, then gave me a crooked grin, "So, Miss Thompson. Will you go to homecoming with me?"

All I could do was nod. I was speechless. And he could tell that I was having trouble getting the words out. So he smiled widely and kissed me on the forehead, accepting my response. Then he held me there and whispered into my skin,

"And don't you ever doubt yourself again." I smiled into his chest at those whispered words.

And I realized:

One, I was going to homecoming with Dean Styles.

Two, even though Dean Styles looks like a hard ass on the outside... He's really the sweetest, most lovable guy that I've ever met.

And three, I was falling for him. And I was falling for him hard. Baggage and all.

Notes

I know it's been a while, but it's Christmas! So, why not update with another chapter?

I love the direction this story is going so far. How about you guys? Any suggestions? Leave them below and remember:

COMMENT, RATE, SUBSCRIBE!

Love you most,

Kayla