Chapter Seventeen

Kirstie smiled as she looked up from her magazine as she watched Chloe hand out outfits to the new band that she was now working with. Chloe had been working for them for a couple of weeks now and Kirstie had met them a few times, and all five of them seemed nice. She was pleased that Chloe was away from the toxic environment that she was working in before, but as she watched her best friend, she couldn't help but notice that something was different with her. Something that was so subtle that other people wouldn't notice but Kirstie could tell that something was missing with Chloe. She sighed to herself as she thought about what Nathan had asked her to do. Maybe he was right, maybe the two of them were secretly in love with each other and for some unknown reason they pretended to hate each other. Maybe Lee wasn't the only one that was struggling when they were apart. As much as Kirstie hated the thought of lying to her friend, she knew that she had to do this.

Kirstie silently put down the magazine.

Chloe, can I ask a big favour?" Kirstie said nervously.

"That depends what it is." Chloe smiled, as she continued applying makeup to Tom's face.

"I was meant to be going to a gig with Ben tonight, I've had the tickets for ages, and we had a huge row last night so now I don't have anyone to go with." Kirstie explained.

"And you want me to go with you?" Chloe asked.

"If you wouldn't mind, I don't have anyone else to go with." Kirstie said quietly, starting to feel more and more guilty.

"Is it that nineties gig you spoke about a while ago?" Chloe asked.

Kirstie nodded, feeling slightly nervous that Chloe was about to cotton on to the plan.

"Eclipse will be there, though won't they?" Chloe said quietly.

"Yeah, I guess so, but it'll be fine, you can put your hood up when they come on. It'll be busy, it's not like they will notice you in the crowd." Kirstie explained.

"Hmm...I'm still not keen." Chloe said quietly, feeling slightly awkward at the thought of being in a room with Eclipse again. She hadn't heard from any of the boys in the past two weeks and was still a little hurt by Lee's abrupt departure last time she saw him.

"Please Chloe, I really want to go." Kirstie pleaded.

"Michelle.....Louise.....Kathleen...anyone that's not me?" Chloe suggested desperately.

"All busy." Kirstie lied.

"Aww c'mon Kirstie." Chloe sighed.

"Please." Kirstie smiled, giving Chloe her puppy dog eyes. Chloe hesitated for a moment, wishing that she didn't have to be put in this position but knowing that she couldn't say no to her friend.

"Okay fine." Chloe sighed. Kirstie let out a little squeal of excitement and quickly rushed over to hug Chloe.

"It'll be amazing." Kirstie whispered in her ear.

Kirstie and Chloe laughed as they danced along to the music. The atmosphere in the stadium was so infectious, that even though Chloe didn't want to be there, she found herself having a good time. The music stopped for a moment as the announcer told the crowd that Eclipse were taking the stage next.

"I still can't believe you talked me into this." Chloe whispered in Kirstie's ear. Kirstie felt a pang of guilt once again that she was setting up her friend. She could only hope that everything would work out well. Chloe quickly pulled up her hood as Eclipse took to the stage. She could feel her eyes fill with tears as she laid eyes on them again. Chloe cringed slightly and moved to stand closer to Kirstie as Lee walked over to their side of the stage. She glanced up at him, even though he was a reasonable distance away, Chloe felt like she was close enough to touch him.

"This is an exclusive of our new song Broken!" Nathan announced.

Chloe's eyes were fixed on Lee as Adrian began to sing the opening of the song. Goosebumps rose on her arms as Lee held the microphone up to his mouth and began to sing:

My heart is yearning for you

I wonder if you feel it too

So many words I wanted to say

That never came out the right way

Now that I've lost you for good

I'd tell you I love you if only I could

I'm broken without you

As soon as the song finished the crowd erupted into enthusiastic applause. A few random girls screaming out the names of their favourite member. Kirstie gently wrapped her arm around Chloe's waist. Chloe watched Lee closely, it was difficult for her to see him closely under the lights, but she could have sworn that his eyes had filled with tears. He squatted down on the stage and pressed his microphone against his forehead, a look of pain etched on his face. It was only in that moment that Chloe became aware of the warm tears that were steadily rolling down her cheeks. She had no idea how long they had been falling or even why she was crying, all she knew was that she had to get out of this room. Kirstie watched in horror as Chloe rushed out of the room, quickly squeezing her way between the crowd and rushing into the bathroom. Once she was safely in the bathroom, she leant her back against the wall and slowly slid down it, bringing her legs up to protect herself. She couldn't understand why she was so upset; something had stirred inside of her as soon as Lee had walked out onto the stage. As soon as Nathan had announced the song title, she'd recognised it as the one that Lee had been working on all those weeks ago when she still worked with him. Since the first moment that she'd heard the words, she hadn't been able to stop crying, but she didn't know why. How could someone so full of hate and anger write such a meaningful song? The way that he'd sung the song, he'd clearly meant every word. Chloe jumped as the bathroom door burst open.

"Just wait a minute, we need to find a cubicle first." she heard a female voice giggling from the doorway. She couldn't see who the voice belonged to as it was around the corner from where she was sitting. Chloe quickly wiped her tears away, desperately hoping that whoever it was wouldn't notice. She gasped as a beautiful young woman walked around the corner, her hand holding on tightly to Lee. As soon as Lee locked eyes with Chloe he instantly let go of the woman's hand.

"Chloe!" Lee exclaimed.

Chloe remained silent, glancing between Lee and the beautiful woman standing beside him. She felt like someone was stabbing her in the heart repeatedly when she joined the dots in her head. As Chloe sat silently, she could feel herself becoming angry with herself, she shouldn't be feeling like this about him. This man hated her, he'd teased her, belittled her and tore her down repeatedly, so why was she getting butterflies in her stomach just looking at him and why now?

"Are you okay Chloe?" Lee asked gently when he noticed that she was crying. Chloe nodded silently, wishing that the ground would swallow her up.

"What happened?" he asked. Chloe remained silent, not really wanting to look at him or talk to him. The mystery woman smiled at Lee and took his hand.

"Laura, stop it." Lee snapped as he pulled his hand away from her, like he'd received an electric shock. Chloe glanced up as Lee crossed the room and squatted in front of her and placed his hands on her knees. Her skin tingled under his touch.

"Chlo, talk to me." Lee tried again, his tone almost pleading. Impulsively Chloe placed her hands-on top of his and gently played with his fingers. Lee glanced down at Chloe's hands and gently curled his fingers over hers, tracing small circles on them.

"Lee, don't we have something we should be doing." Laura said from behind them, sounding slightly frustrated.

"No, you can go." Lee said quickly, his eyes not leaving Chloe.

"But..." she started.

"Look, why don't you go and find someone else to get off with, try Steven." Lee sighed, finally turning to face Laura.

"It's fine, I have to go anyway, you get back to your beautiful guest." Chloe said quietly as she slowly stood up. Lee's heart felt heavy as he watched Chloe walk out of the bathroom. His heart was pounding seeing Chloe again, even though it had only been a couple of weeks, he felt like he was complete when he was with her. He knew that he missed her, but he hadn't realised how much until she was in front of him once again. His heart was pulling him to go after her, even though he'd vowed to stay away from her, he needed to see her. As Lee stood leaning his back against the sink, Laura walked over to him and slowly began to unzip her dress in front of him, smiling at him as she did so.

"Did you not hear what I said?" Lee sighed as he gently squeezed past her.

"I'll need my jacket back too.' he added, referring to the fact that she'd taken it off him on the way to the bathroom. She sighed and handed him the jacket.

"You're a dick!" she called after him as he left the bathroom.

"Yeah, I know." he muttered under his breath. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair in frustration, suddenly realising that he had no idea where Chloe had gone. He racked his brain for a moment, desperately trying to figure out where she might have gone. He suddenly remembered she said that she had to go. Before he could talk himself out of it, he ran out of the venue, quickly dodging between people, desperately hoping that he would catch up to her in time. As soon as Lee was outside the venue, he looked around, breathing a sigh of relief when he noticed her standing outside, the venue, her jacket collar turned up against the wind. He quickly walked over to her.

"What's going on Chloe?" he asked, slightly breathless from running.

"Nothing I'm fine." Chloe said quietly, trying to delete the thoughts of him with Laura that were swirling around her head.

"Well, what are you doing waiting out here?" Lee asked.

"Getting some fresh air." she said quietly.

"Why were you crying?" he asked, sounding concerned.

"I don't know really, just hearing that song made me feel really emotional." Chloe admitted.

"What song.....Broken?" Lee frowned, his heart pounding nervously. He couldn't help but feel concerned that Chloe might have realised that he'd written those words about her. She nodded slowly.

"Why?" Lee asked, his mouth suddenly feeling very dry.

"I just thought that...oh I don't know, I'm being stupid, same as usual." Chloe sighed. The more time that passed the more frustrated she was becoming with herself; she always knew her own mind, but right now she was so confused, she had no idea what she was feeling or why. Lee watched her closely, feeling slightly sorry for her. He hated it when she tore herself down.

"Anyway, you have a beautiful woman waiting in there for you, you shouldn't be out here talking to me. It's not like I am important, I'm a nobody." Chloe said quietly, her insecurities getting the better of her once again. Lee shook his head slowly, not quite able to believe that someone as naturally beautiful as her, constantly doubted herself. Lee made a snap decision.

Chloe glanced up at Lee as he began to stride purposefully towards her. She watched as he threw the jacket that was in his hand, over the venue railing on the way past. As Lee eventually reached her, Chloe impulsively stepped back, gasping as her back made contact with the venue wall. As soon as Lee reached her, he gently cupped her face before leaning down to kiss her. Chloe froze in shock for a moment but eventually relaxed into the tender kiss. After a few moments Lee broke the kiss, his face lingering against hers as he pulled away reluctantly. He gently planted a peck on her lips. Chloe slowly opened her eyes as she heard Lee sigh. She watched as he placed his head and hands on the wall behind her. Chloe sighed deeply, feeling comforted by Lee's warm body that was pressed against her.

"I shouldn't have done that I'm sorry." he whispered. Chloe gently placed her hand on his broad chest, frowning slightly when she noticed that his heart was pounding under her hand.

"Why did you then?" Chloe asked nervously.

"I don't know." Lee said quietly, as he slowly moved away from her, Chloe shivered as she felt his warm breath against her neck as he moved away.

"I like the ladies remember." Lee added quickly, starting to feel angry with himself for not being able to resist her.

"Yes, but beautiful ones normally." Chloe whispered. Lee silently walked over to the railing and picked up his jacket.

"But I was in the area, so I'll do right." Chloe said sadly.

"I didn't say that Chloe." Lee said quietly, before quickly walking away before he said or did something, he would later regret.