Relax

[Madeleine Baudelaire&Russ Ford]

Urgh!
Repressing the urge to frown/glare, she smiled sweetly. "Academic?" she enquired.

[Kira & Lee Norris]

"Academic," confirmed Chloe.
Lee- who was focused on her- suddenly noticed something strange. Although Chloe was speaking to Madeleine, every so often her olive eyes would flicker back to him. It was odd- it wasn't even obvious, but she kept looking at him... why would she...? A strange feeling twisted in the pit of his stomach, but he ignored her.
Kira got up, yawning. "I'm turning in. I'm exhausted from all that work."
Mike and Jack followed her lead, and soon only Chloe, Madeleine and Lee were left.

[Madeleine Baudelaire&Russ Ford]

As the others left, Madeline kept a trained corner of an eye on Chloe. Every so often, Chloe's gaze would flicker back towards Lee, and each time, Madeleine felt a rush of annoyance and possessiveness.
Honestly, she must be overreacting. But it was still there.
So, to both 'mark her territory' (ugh, what an awful metaphor), and to check out Chloe's reaction, she lay her head on Lee's chest. "How was your combat exam?" she asked him, ignoring Chloe - but looking at her from the corner of her eye to see how she'd react.

[Kira & Lee Norris]

As Madeleine's palm spread across his chest, his automatic reaction was to mirror her actions- before he realised how pervy that would be. Instead, he settled for placing his hand on her leg, feeling the same old thrill.
Chloe smiled strangely at them both. "Shall I leave you two alone?"
Immediately awkward, Lee's hand leapt from her leg. "No, you don't have to do that!"
"You're as bad as Lydia and Kyle."
"Not quite."
"You'll get there."
He laughed, feeling strangely embarrassed.

[Madeleine Baudelaire&Russ Ford]

Madeleine sighed, slightly disappointed as Lee moved his hand back quickly, as though he'd had an electric shock. She still got that jolt in her stomach every time he touched her. It was stupid, but she did. And now he'd moved his hand because of Chloe, she was a little irritated.
But it proved - at least to her mind - that Chloe was, in fact, a threat.
"You're as bad as Lydia and Kyle," Chloe smiled awkwardly.
"Not quite."
"You'll get there."
As Lee laughed, Madeleine frowned. "Lydia and Kyle?" she asked.

[Kira & Lee Norris]

"They're our friends," Lee explained. "Matt over there- yeah, from chess, remember? Well, he really fancied Lydia- still does, actually- but she found out and was really worried about it, because she knew he'd ask her out to the ball. He inadvertly chased her into the arms of Kyle. Sucks, don't it?"
"They're completely besotted," Chloe smiled. "Hopefully, you two aren't quite at that stage yet."

[Madeleine Baudelaire&Russ Ford]

Madeleine smiled gently. "Not quite. So, was that why Kira asked Matt to the dance? I remember her saying something about a 'pity date'..."

[Kira & Lee Norris]

"That's it," laughed Lee. "Awh... Kira... Where'd she go? Bed? Good idea!"
Kissing Madeleine awkwardly on the cheek, he sprang to his feet, and waved to them both, before hurrying on to his dorm, uncomfortably aware that thanks to Chloe, his cheeks were burning.

[Madeleine Baudelaire&Russ Ford]

Now was when she was starting to feel worried. Lee was awkward, and embarrassed...
She glanced at Chloe, feeling a little bit of resentment rise up in her.
"So, do you and Lee know each other well?" she asked, forcing sweetness into her voice.

[Kira & Lee Norris]

"Not very," smiled Chloe, getting up. "But we will. I'd love to get to know him better. He's really nice."

[Madeleine Baudelaire&Russ Ford]

"He is," Madeleine said shortly, but smiling at her.
Chloe wouldn't dare try anything with Lee. She wouldn't dare. She wasn't stupid; she knew that Madeleine could seriously hurt her without even bothering to try. Chloe was an Academic - her chances against Madeleine in that respect were really not good.
Still... she didn't want to have to look at her any longer.
"I'm going to take off," she said, standing up. "Nice meeting you."

[Kira & Lee Norris]

Chloe was reminded irresistably of one of those Cowboy and Indians movies that non-magic folk enjoyed so. At the end, there was usually a classic face-off, where the protaganist and his enemy would face off.
The question was, in this tale, who was the audience rooting for?
It was shameful to admit, but Chloe had found recently that she was developing a crush on Lee Norris. It was funny- he wasn't exactly the most obvious person to fall for- but after about two weeks or so, he could have some girls eating out of the palm of his hand, with very little effort on his part. Chloe had always sworn to herself she wouldn't be one of those girls, but she'd fallen into the same terrible trap.
Brilliant.
Still, it could be worse, she thought with a smile. She could fancy Levi Ryder.
Looking at Madeleine- a pretty, powerful girl- she saw her challenge. And she was a firm believer in fighting for what you wanted. Whatever the cost.
"Likewise, I'm sure," she replied, and turned and left Madeleine standing alone.