Between the Lines

CHAPTER XI

What's the difference between appreciating and being in love with that someone?

Do you get that feeling of butterflies in your stomach when you appreciate a person for doing something in your favor? Do you miss the person whom you wanted to thank the most? Do you get jealous when you see someone else is with the person whom had saved your life?

Chloe wanted to know.

She watched as Tom finish his food. She smiled when the guy looked at her. She then stood up from her seat, helping Tom to lie back down. The man winced in pain when he forced himself to lie flatly on his back.

"Careful." Chloe whispered as she held the man. When Tom had settled down, she went back to her seat, he looked at her with a small smile.

"Thank you for looking after me." He said. Chloe just smiled and nodded. It was then Tom had realized the attire Chloe was wearing, he felt guilty.

"You haven't gone home yet, have you?" He asked, noticing how tired Chloe looked.

Chloe sheepishly smiled as she nodded, before looking away. Tom just smiled, "You look just fine."

It made Chloe's heart to flutter at the compliment. She expected for a mention of her sister's name, but it never came. It sounded weird to her.

"Why haven't you told me how much it hurts you being compared to Clarisse?" Tom spoke, his eyes never tearing away from Chloe. He just found out after talking to Chloe's father, and when he talked to Chloe's friend, Stacie.

Since then, he felt even more guilty. He was so dumb that he didn't noticed that he had been hurting Chloe. Though, it hurt him too when Stacie told him about Beca. But seeing Chloe here, with him, he could not get himself to stop hoping.

"I thought I could live with it. It was fine with me, to be honest. I was glad that you all loved her, I was flattered to be compared to her. But realizing that you all see her through me… that you only see her, not me. I didn't know if I should point it out." Chloe explained, pain in her voice.

Tom felt guilt eating him wholly.

"I'm sorry, Chlo. If only I could do something about it… if only I knew. After being away from you for so long, I realized that I couldn't get myself to stop loving you even if you're away. I knew then how much I wanted to make it up to you, not because I see Clarisse… but because you're Chloe." Tom said, his voice shaking.

Chloe smiled, tears escaping from her eyes.

"I understand, Tom. I'm sorry I never told you." Chloe said, almost whispering. Tom placed his hand on top of Chloe's that was resting on the hospital bed.

They smiled at each other in silence.

Tom had asked Chloe to get home and to rest when his sister came back, assuring Chloe that he'd be fine. He was more than glad that he had finally expressed his feelings. Although he isn't expecting Chloe to give him a straight answer, he was hoping that Chloe's feelings for him is still there.

Chloe walked exhaustedly into the bellas' house and saw Aubrey waiting for her. She swallowed as she saw how upset Aubrey looks like. She felt sorry for her bestfriend and Stacie, because their relationship had been rocky ever since Chloe had dragged Aubrey with her shits.