“I’m on my way. Are you okay?â€? Alex gushed into the phone. Chloe could hear him starting the car already.

He must really care about me. she thought sadly.

“No.â€? she whispered. “Just come to J—the party.â€? She couldn’t say his name anymore. He didn’t deserve to have a name; beast was more suitable.

“Okay, I’ll be there in five. Where are you?â€?

“Upstairs.â€? Chloe said inaudible. She added, “In a … dark room.â€? Alex didn’t answer to that but minutes later he found her curled up in a ball. He turned on the light and she flinched. Alex looked over Chloe. Her shirt was on the floor next to her; her jeans were put on wrong and she was cradling her wrist, tears rolling down her face. She looked horribly broken, inside and out.

Alex wasn’t sure how many times he’d pictured Chloe as close to naked as she was but this was not what he imagined. This girl shaking in fear in front of him couldn’t possibly be the same Chloe who had turned him down so harshly.

Still, Alex helped her. He loved her.