"Thoughts"
Chloe's hand pulled away from (Y/N)'s cheek, but the sensation of her touch lingered. The warning had been clear, etched not only in her controlled words but also in the way Mark had slunk away. Chloe monitored everything. Trying to escape was futile; trying to explore the subway for the moment was dangerous.
— Chloe: Shall we go eat now? The sandwich is waiting for us. — She said, returning to her friendly tone, as if the confrontation from a second ago had never occurred.
(Y/N) couldn't utter a word. He just nodded, unable to make any sound. He felt as if fear had drained all his energy. He walked beside her, a prisoner, as they headed to the table at the back of the cafeteria, away from the hustle of the other students.
Chloe's table was impeccably clean, with only two trays. She offered him a drink, which he automatically accepted.
— Chloe: You have to eat, (Y/N). I don't want you to scare me again with those strange dreams.
"Dreams?" (Y/N) wondered. No, it was an accident, a real accident that she insisted on calling "a nightmare." The reality he knew was being rewritten by her.
— (Y/N): What happened yesterday, Chloe? Why do you tell me it was a dream? — He dared to ask, keeping his voice as flat as possible.
Chloe sighed, a gently sculpted expression of disappointment on her beautiful face.
— Chloe: Oh, (Y/N). You look so cute with that face. I already told you. You had a very vivid nightmare. — She tucked a lock of blonde hair behind her ear.
— Chloe: Your mind... sometimes it plays tricks on you. But I'm here to protect you. Do you understand, sweetie?
(Y/N) forced a tight smile. It was an elaborate lie, but he had seen the truth in Mark's frozen eyes. The subway. The tracks.
I can't attack her directly, he told himself. I have to find a weak spot.
He began to eat the sandwich Chloe had given him, watching her as she ate with perfect grace. His mission had now changed: He must feign obedience so he could spy.
— (Y/N): I'm sorry, Chloe. You're right. I guess I'm a little confused. Thank you for taking care of me.
The effect was immediate. The coldness in her eyes vanished, and a genuine, luminous, and unsettling smile spread across her face.
— Chloe: Good boy. That's all I ask. Now, tell me about your chemistry class. Did it bore you much today?
The conversation that followed was trivial. Chloe talked about herself: her perfect grades, her upcoming oratory contest, her plan to go to the best university. (Y/N) nodded, laughed at the opportune moments, and behaved like the submissive companion she expected. But his mind was analyzing the situation.
She talks about herself a lot. She has no idea what I like or who I am. She only cares about the version of me she wants.
Suddenly, a simple yet potentially revealing idea came to him. She had found him in the hallway so fast. How?
— (Y/N): What a nice day! I like that you always know where I am, Chloe. How did you find me so quickly today? Do you have some kind of radar? — He asked jokingly, hoping his light tone would hide his true intention.
Chloe laughed, her laughter like the tinkling of silver bells, but there was something artificial about it.
— Chloe: Let's just say I have eyes everywhere, (Y/N). I always make sure my valuable things are close by. Don't worry about it. Just focus on your sandwich.
The comment sent a chill down his spine. It wasn't a joke. To her, he wasn't a person; he was a valuable object, a possession. And the way she had said "eyes everywhere"...
Later, after class, Chloe insisted they walk together. As they passed the lockers, (Y/N) remembered the forum comment about the boy's birthday.
"[Alex], how was your birthday after she told you you couldn't go out?"
— (Y/N): Hey, Chloe. Did you know a boy named [Alex]? I think it was a while ago. Is he still at school? — He asked casually, preparing for the inevitable lie.
Chloe stopped. Her eyes narrowed, and her expression hardened in a fraction of a second. The smile was gone, replaced by the same cold stare he had seen in the hallway.
— Chloe: I don't know who you're talking about. Don't talk about irrelevant people who are no longer here. Only you and I matter.
She took a step toward him, forcing him to back up against the lockers. Her breath smelled of mint.
— Chloe: I already told you I don't want you to ruin the day, (Y/N). First you ask about the subway, and now about... about him. It saddens me that you keep looking for trouble.
She raised her hand and, instead of stroking him, lightly pressed her thumb on the scratch she had given him the day before.
— Chloe: Do you need another reminder that I'm only here to help you?
The pain was minimal, but the message was an icy slap: she knew he was investigating, and the next "lesson" wouldn't be so gentle.
(Y/N) felt a knot of panic and fury.
No. She's testing me.
— (Y/N): No, Chloe, I'm sorry, it was just a silly question, you're right.
She withdrew her thumb. Her smile returned, radiant and terrible.
— Chloe: That's what I like.
As they resumed their walk, (Y/N) realized his new plan. He couldn't search the internet. He couldn't ask other students. But there was another option, one that Chloe might not monitor: if he could find Alex, perhaps he could investigate what Chloe did.
How was he going to find him without Chloe knowing?
Autor:
I changed the anonymous name to Alex. I haven't decided yet whether to continue the novel, but I will try to have fun. I will use the first 15-20 chapters to introduce (Y/N) and Chloe and develop their personalities, and then I will add more characters.