Chose Encounter of the Fifth Kind Part I

Still outside the office doors, standing in the corner so she wasn't in anyone's way, Chloe pulled out her phone. She swiped through her contacts until she reached one that read, "Em <3 ".

Chloe: Hi, sorry for not texting yesterday, happy belated 20th birthday!

She sighed and put her phone away.

In still in the elevator, Emily's phone dinged. She opened her messaging app and opened the text. There was no name for the number, so naturally, she typed,

"Sorry, I don't have this number in my phone. Who is this?" , and waited for a response.

Chloe heard he phone ding, and excitedly read the response. When she finished, she was full of disappointment.

She pushed herself off of the wall, and headed to the nearest bar, drinking until she could barely walk. When she could, she took a taxi to Emily's apartment building and waited on a bench in front of the doors for her to arrive.

- - Earlier at the Office Building - -

"Dr. Pertana, Hi." Emily said with a smile after he opened the door she had previously knocked on.

"Emily, hello." He returned her grin, then checked his watch with the clock on the back wall above his desk. "You're early. Really early. Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, sorry about that. I just wanted to see if you were available. I wanted to let you know that what we talked about, it went alright." She nodded, her smile still on her face.

"I'm glad. Good job Emily. I know that might not have been easy for you."

"Thanks." She hugged him tightly and he returned the embrace.

"Um...Do you know how Chloe's doing by chance?" She backed out of the hug, swinging her hands down to her sides, patting her thighs anxiously.

"..." He sighed, wondering the best way to word his response. "She misses you, Emily. So, so much. I think it would do you both some good to talk to her."

"Of course, thank you. Have a good day!" She shouted down the hall as she jogged to the elevator. While waiting for it to arrive, she searched her phone for Chloe's contact, but was unable to find it.

"Shit, new phone." She thought. She turned and sprinted back to Dr. Paterna's office, stopping his door from closing with her hand.

"Can I...*pant*...Have her number?" She asked breathlessly.

He chuckled and gave it to her, wishing her luck. Emily made her way back to her apartment, walking slowly so that she could think about what to say to Chloe.

When she arrived at her apartment building, she saw someone laying on the usually vacant bench outside of the doors. She recognized the curly hair, the clothing style, and figure of the person sleeping on their side.

"C-Chloe?!" She asked, speeding up towards the bench.

"Chloe, are you alright?" She gripped her shoulders, trying to shake her awake. She saw the large purple bags under her eyes, how her face was pale and her makeup was smeared down her cheek.

"Hmmm." Chloe mumbled while fluttering her eyes open. "Emily?" Her voice hitched as she sat up. She covered her mouth in disbelief, and wrapped her arms around Emily's neck. "Iz waiting for youuu." She slurred

"Come on. Let's get you cleaned up." She removed Chloe's right arm from her neck, positioned the left one around her shoulder and gently grabbed it with her left hand. She wrapped her right hand around Chloe's back, and walked them towards the door, stumbling at first. A man opened the door for them and Emily nodded to thank him.