*Alex*
The afternoon sun cast gentle light over Chloe and me while we walked to my car. Despite the cheerfulness of the scene, a deep frown etched itself across Chloe's lovely features.
“Are you all right?" I asked while opening the passenger side door.
“I'm fine," she replied, taking my hand and seating herself.
I walked around to the driver's side, trying to figure out the best approach. Clearly, she was not fine but also didn't want to talk about it.
Once I turned on the engine, I looked over her way. “You're not fine, I can tell. What's bothering you?"
“What's bothering me?" she said in a tense, tight voice, her gaze steadfastly not moving in my direction. “Oh, let's figure that out. Maybe it's the fact that someone is trying to hurt my best friend. Or that my best friend's fathe
