Calendar Girl (5/12)

[serafina19]

Title: Calendar Girl
Summary:  Chloe leaves for Star City to start fresh after inadvertently seeing Clark and Lana consummate their relationship. But she soon finds herself hesitating to let another guy into her life when she accidentally runs into Oliver Queen during her first day at Star City University.
Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except for Evie Chambers and Scott Kane, any resemblance to another character is coincidental.

Happy (potentially still early) Birthday!:  kachica.  This one's for you Keiko.

 

Author note: I'll likely jumping the gun on this chapter, but after "Masquerade" my muse was cooperating. Here's hoping I'm actually writing and not suffering from fan-girl hang-over.

On a completely random note, I don't know if the Sony X268 exists, or if there's an actual form of this... I'm being lazy.

August    September     October    November
 

Banner courtesy of: geek_or_unique

 

December

If I am lost for a day, try to find me
But if I don't come back then I won't look behind me

December 1

This was not the sight that Chloe expected. She had walked into her dorm, wanting to get some studying done, maybe take a moment to catch up with Evie, but no, instead she finds her roommate and Lois holding flutes of champagne, breaking from laughter the moment they saw her open the door.

Entering the room cautiously with narrowed eyes, Chloe said slowly, "What are you guys doing?"

Lois shrugged and lowered her glass. "Nothing."

Chloe pulled the door shut, taking a couple steps further into the room. "You guys are alone in the same room, laughing, and drinking champagne on a Wednesday. That's something."

"What's wrong with drinking on a weekday?"

Chloe's eyebrows raised further as she said, "I'm sorry…did I forget to mention the part that you're getting along without me?"

"You told me to be civil... that's what I'm doing."

Lois wasn't budging, Chloe knew to expect that much, but as Chloe turned her gaze towards her silent roommate, Evie sighed.  "Do you want to tell her or should I?"

"I'll do it, you traitor. The guys that drugged you... we got them expelled." Lois crossed her arms and looked smug as she watched Chloe's mouth open.

"Sorry... we?" Chloe looked back over to Evie with a worried expression. "She hasn't corrupted you already, has she?"

"No, nothing like that," Evie said quickly before taking a long sip of her drink.

"How?"

Her roommate spoke up first. "With my influence on the school paper, I was able to get a hold of their files. It turns out they had long been accused of having a grow op, but no one had been able to find it."

Lois continued, "So I did a little undercover work; they recognized me from the party and after some... feminine persuasion, they showed me their stash while I had a hidden camera. Sent the footage to the police and now they're standing charges for drug possession. From the size of the operation, they should be gone for the foreseeable future."

Evie raised her glass before holding it out in Lois' direction. "Game...set..."

"Match," Lois finished as they tinged their glasses together and took a sip.

"It was that easy?"

"Frat boys are easy to tempt... I've encountered worse," Lois remarked before turning in Evie's direction. "Though I have to give you props, cuz - your ambitious tendencies are rubbing off on your roommate."

"What?"

Lois put her arm around Evie, shaking her body slightly. "This whole thing was her idea."

"No..." Chloe voice trailed momentarily as she saw her roommates cheeks redden. "Really?"

Evie shrugged. "You're my friend Chloe. I couldn't stand by and let these guys have the chance to hurt you again. But I knew my reputation around here would never allow them to show me their operation. Hence... Lois' involvement. As a witness of the footage, I can attest to your cousin's..." Her voice trailed as she turned to Lois. "What did you call it again? Oh right...persuasiveness."

Lois gave her a subtle elbow. "You know if you get tired of working the sports industry, you may have a future in investigative work."

Taking a step away from Lois, Evie shook her head. "No... I believe that's enough for me. I'll stick to profiles and post-game analysis, thank you very much."

After chuckling at the sudden bonding between her roommate and cousin, Chloe narrowed her eyes. "Did Oliver know about this?"

"Not until a couple hours ago." Evie relaxed again, bringing a smile to her face. "We figured he knew a couple good lawyers to ensure they got what they deserve."

Chloe shook her head as she walked forward to group-hug Lois and Evie. "Thank you."

December 6

"You're in a library."

Oliver looked up at Chloe with a confused expression. "Really? I hadn't noticed."

"I'm sorry, I'm so used to seeing you being engrossed in social activities that it's weird seeing you hunched over a desk."

"Imagine my surprise when I saw you at a party." Oliver pursed his lips the moment after he finished. "Sorry... it slipped out."

"Hey, nothing happened. I'm fine... although I suppose I should be thanking you for your involvement in Evie's extraction plan." Last Chloe heard, they took a plea deal, but they'd be behind bars for long enough.

"It was an open-and-shut case, especially with Lois' footage." His expression softened as he met her eyes. "I'm just glad I was able to help out."

Looking down at the various papers on the desk, Chloe asked, "What are you working on?"

"Final papers, trying to edit them to ensure they make sense."

Chloe picked up one of the piles of paper and after scanning the first page, she peered at Oliver with concern. "Does this actually pass as a final paper? Your grammar's atrocious."

"Sorry miss journalist... not all of us have exemplary writing skills."

"No, but... have you read this?"

He dropped his pen and rubbed his hand across the back of his neck. "Queen Industries has kept me busy recently... I haven't exactly had time to ensure I have correct grammar. I'm just hoping that I get the point across."

After putting it back on the desk, Chloe grabbed his shoulder. "Can you afford to take that gamble? You said yourself that the charade ends after graduation, you can't risk failing a class over things like sentence structure."

"I know... if only I knew someone who could help me out, this problem could just go away." He looked up at her with a slight pout, causing Chloe to roll her eyes at him.

"Seriously... you're sucking up to get me to edit a paper?"

"I'm not saying anything." Even though this wasn't the first time Oliver had used a technique like this on Chloe, she still wasn't immune to it, despite the fact that it drove her insane.

"You're terrible," she said, snatching the paper from the desk, "and lucky I'm still getting stupid articles."

"What's your topic of awful now?"

At the time, she was engrossed in flipping pages, figuring out what she was getting into, so she was only half paying attention when she answered, "The pressures of cramming."

Oliver quickly shook his head. "Why does John continue to underestimate you?"

Putting the paper into her bag, she sighed. "I don't know... I'm a first year maybe? I'll have it back in an hour." Chloe turned to leave when she felt Oliver grab her hand.

"Thank you."

Chloe grinned as she tapped his hand. "It's the least I could do to help out a future business leader of America. Consider me your official grammar sidekick."

~0~

Back in the dorm room, Chloe was busy adding editing marks when she heard Evie coming inside. Dropping off her bag, she leaned over Chloe's shoulder and squinted lightly upon seeing what Chloe was doing.

"Since when do you care about the stock figures of multi-national corporations?"

"Oh, it's Ollie's... I'm helping him out."

"Ollie, huh?" Chloe noticed that Evie had opened her mouth, but instead of adding to her question, she shut it promptly and went to her side of the room.

Glaring in her direction, Chloe asked."Care to complete that thought?"

As she took off her coat, Evie shook her head. "Not really."

Chloe sighed and put down the paper beside her. "Seriously, what's the big deal?"

There was a pause between the women as Evie lay back against her pillow, but eventually she asked, "Are you that bored?"

"Let me see…I don't have finals for a week, I've already submitted my final assignments and I can recite what I'm going to write for my article. Short answer... to tears."

"You could always come into Lazee's for a shift."

"Tried that already. Everyone is taking the shifts so they can pay for a flight home or Christmas presents."

Evie turned to her side to face Chloe. "So you're editing papers? Come on Chloe, there's so much to do in California."

"I thought you hated it here."

Evie's face immediately paled as she sat back up on the bed. "I never said that... just a little homesick."

"Really? Then why aren't you going home for the holidays?"

Her expression fell further as she drummed her fingers on her leg. "I... umm... had a falling out with my parents a long time ago. They don't want me home."

"Oh, I'm sorry." Then it hit Chloe. "Where did you go for Thanksgiving then?"

"Visited my uncle and cousin in San Francisco… they're the only members of my family that still talk to me...with any luck they're coming here for Christmas." Standing up quickly, Evie headed towards the door. "Have fun editing Chloe."

Chloe looked at her roommate leaving as the door closed. Never had she seen Evie that melancholy. Then again, Chloe didn't know much about her home life in Michigan. Evie was pretty mum on her past, and while Chloe knew that there was more going on than Evie was letting on, she respected her roommate's privacy because Evie was the one person that didn't bother her about Oliver. But she started to wonder if she should stick behind in California to keep her company during the holidays in case Evie was alone for the holidays.

December 22

Chloe was in the middle of her break when Katie poked her head into the back room. "Chloe... Oliver's here to see you."

Closing her book, Chloe smiled. "Thanks, I'll be right out." She honestly hadn't expected him to be around, she always figured he would be spending the holidays at a five-star resort or on some deserted island... or both. But all thoughts left her the moment she opened the door to see him standing there. The wind had been blowing pretty hard, so he had been rubbing his glove-less hands together until he heard the door squeak open. Seeing his infectious smile come across his face, Chloe couldn't help but grin back as she approached the counter.

"Hey...you're a welcome surprise."

Oliver quickly replied, "Same to you, I thought you'd be in Smallville by now."

She shook her head before she gazed out the window, which despite the wind, held no sign of winter. "Unfortunately, torrential snowstorms in Kansas have cancelled all the flights, but honestly, I don't mind staying behind. This way I get more time to spend with Evie and Lois, and I get to pick up a couple extra shifts to pay off my student loans."

"You know, if you ever need anything, all you have to do is ask."

"No...no thanks. I appreciate the offer, but I'd rather you spend your money elsewhere." Chloe drummed her fingers on the counter. "So can I get you anything?"

He glanced up before saying, "Large hot chocolate and a minute of your time if you're not too busy."

Chloe turned over to Katie, who simply nodded. "Just give me a second."

Oliver put his money on the table. "Keep the change," he said and then pointed towards a table. "I'll be over there."

As she poured Oliver's hot chocolate, she let out a sigh. She did have one form of transportation that didn't need to listen to regulations, but as much as she wanted to go home for the holidays, the last way she wanted to get there was on the Clark express. Despite promising Clark that she'd call, the truth was she wasn't sure what to say to him. The holidays were supposed to change that, but being alone with him to get home, no matter how short, wasn't going to help her. So upon hearing that flights had been canceled, she did the only thing she could do; she called the Kents, hoping they'd understand. Fortunately, Martha just told her to take some time for herself over the holidays, so that's what Chloe intended to do... after working a couple extra shifts at Lazee's. After putting the final touches on the whipped cream, Chloe walked over to where Oliver was sitting and sat across from him.

Taking the mug from Chloe, he asked, "Aren't you having anything?"

"Trying to cut back... it's the disadvantage of working around it all the time."

Oliver curled his fingers around the mug. "So... this time-spending during the holidays, do I fit into that equation at all?"

"Of course, but I thought you be living it up in Cancun or something."

He was quick to shake his head. "Business never sleeps."

"You can't be serious Ollie... you're working over the holidays?"

His mouth twitched slightly upon hearing his new nickname. "You were right, I can't afford any slip-ups, so I'm making sure that everything is running smoothly. But I do have the next couple of days off, so do you mind if I join you on your debauchery?"

That statement caused Chloe to lean back in her chair before she raised both eyebrows at him. "I'm sorry, but did you pay attention to anything I've done this semester?"

"I'm kidding."

"Glad to hear it." It was then that Chloe noticed the large shopping bags next to Oliver. "There better not be anything in those for me."

"I know it's early, but I wanted to give you a little something."

Chloe titled her head slightly as she pursed her lips. "Oliver, we agreed no gifts."

"I don't remember saying anything about presents."

"They're the same – never mind." She knew that Oliver wouldn't listen to her protesting, so it was better to fly the white flag early.

"Good." He slid a bag over to Chloe on the floor. "That's Evie, and this," he placed another bag on the table, "is for you."

She pulled out the box and upon opening it, she smiled at the contents. "A leather jacket... Ollie... you didn't have to break the bank for me. I mean... you probably didn't," She looked up at him and then sighed again. "Thank you." Chloe skimmed her fingertips down the material as she smiled at the colour choice. If her memory served her correctly, it was the same colour as the jacket he was wearing the night they met.

"I just thought that this way you could be your own hero." He reached across the table to grab her hand and flashed a smile at her, but before Chloe could open her mouth to respond, they heard someone clearing their throat. They looked up to see Lois standing in front of them, tapping her foot and glaring at Oliver, causing Chloe to swallow loudly as she subtly retracted her hand from his.

"Where's my gift?"

Oliver reached inside of the bag on the floor. "Well, I was going to wait to give you this... but if you..."

Lois held her hand out in anticipation. "Gimme gimme."

Oliver plopped a tape recorder in Lois' hands with a bow.

Chloe raised an eyebrow. "A recorder?"

"Not just a recorder... the Sony X268... transmits Hi-Def video and audio and is the highest standards on the market. It's the iPod of compact recording devices... not something I expected from you of all people."

"I figured that maybe with better intel, you can get a better job."

Lois playfully smacked his shoulder. "Very funny."

"Hey, the gang's all here." Chloe looked around her cousin to see her roommate approaching their table.

"Evie? I thought you were meeting up with your family tonight."

She bit her bottom lip as she pulled up a chair. "Oh... um... they couldn't make it."

Leaning down to pick up the bag on the floor, Oliver placed it on Evie's lap. "Something tells me you could use this."

"Oliver, I didn't get you anything. I thought we said..."

He interrupted, "I lied."

"Thanks." Evie ruffled through her bag and pulled out a Red Wings jersey. "No... you didn't... Oliver?"

"I know people."

Lois looked at the jersey quizzically. "It's a funky wing thing on a jersey... what's the big deal?"

Evie flipped the jersey around. "Autographed by the entire team. I might need to frame this. Wouldn't want it to get dirty... or ... or..."

Chuckling, Chloe asked, "Evie... are you going to be okay?"

"Fine... I think." She leaned over to hug Oliver. "Really... thank you."

"My pleasure." Looking around the three women, Oliver smiled. "How about we hit the town... my treat?"

Chloe shook her head. "I've got work, but you guys go ahead."

Katie came by to grab Oliver's empty mug. "Look around Chloe... there's no one here. I can handle closing up. Besides, I owe you for covering for me last week."

"Great," Lois said grabbing her cousin's hand. "Get that platinum card ready, Queen."

Watching the cousins exit the cafe, Evie turned to Oliver. "Lois is going to make you regret that offer."

He picked up the bags and began walking towards the door. "It's worth it to see you girls smile, especially since everyone's holiday plans fell through."

"You really didn't have to give me anything."

"No... but I wanted to. You've been out of sorts recently... and while I know it won't completely make up for your family not showing up..." His voice trailed off when he saw Chloe trying to break Lois' grip on her arm. With a chuckle, Oliver held the door open for Evie to exit first. "We should probably save Chloe from Lois, shouldn't we?"

"Probably," Evie said as she walked past him, "but only if you'll take Lois."

December 31

After a long night, Oliver, Chloe and Evie were heading up the stairs to the dorm room when they heard the first set of fireworks going off.

Waving her arms around, Evie exclaimed, "It's five minutes to midnight. Seriously people, wait a couple of minutes."

"Okay... no more champagne for you, roomie." Chloe unlocked the door and walked in. "Thanks again Ollie."

Oliver smiled and turned to leave when Evie stopped him. "Come on in... probably shouldn't be on the roads at this time of night, and besides, you shouldn't ring in the New Year by yourself."

"You wouldn't mind?"

Evie shrugged. "We're all friends, right?"

Chloe blinked, taking a moment to find her voice. "Yeah... you might as well stick around." She sat down on her mattress and watched her roommate lie on her bed. Looking up, she noticed Oliver had remained standing in the middle of the room. "You're allowed to sit down, you know?"

"I'm fine."

Chloe patted her mattress. "Come on, despite what you might hear about me, I don't bite."

He stared at her quizzically and said, "You sure?" before letting out a grin as she sat down next to her. "You sure that you're okay with me staying here? Isn't there some sort of dorm policy regarding this?"

She scoffed, "Oh please, there's nothing the RA's can say that I haven't heard before."

"I'm glad to hear that you're more comfortable with the situation."

"Honestly, I'm still not a fan, but I'm getting used to it. Although they have been less pesky recently, making me think that either your misdirection attempt worked or I'm too boring to have full-time surveillance. I hope it's the latter."

"Why?"

"I don't want you to risk what you've built for me."

Oliver placed a hand on her back . "It's worth it. I'm lucky to have a friend like you, Chloe."

Glancing into his eyes, she said, "Same here."

"And you're not boring... far from it."

They both looked outside and waited for the inevitable countdown, but at the sound of the door opening, Chloe and Oliver turned to find an intruding couple who had jumped the gun with their make-out session.

Oliver stated, "Wrong room."

Not even skipping a beat, the couple walked back out of the room. Rolling her eyes, Chloe got off the bed to close and lock the door. "Geez Evie, you weren't kidding when you said that some people need to be reminded patience is a virtue."

"Shh."

Chloe turned quickly to notice that Evie was fast asleep. "Guess you tired her out."

"Me? You're blaming me for the fact she's sleeping?"

Pointing at him, Chloe replied, "You're the one who dragged us out."

"You don't regret it, do you?"

Chloe shook her head as she found her way back to her spot on the bed. "I had fun."

It was true, Chloe had always enjoyed the Christmas season and while she thought that she'd miss the days of hanging out with her dad, Clark, Lana, Pete, and their respective families, she realized that she was getting used to her new life and new friends in Star City. Looking out the window, Chloe considered her actions of the previous year: graduating high school, moving away from home, standing up to Clark... these were steps in the right direction. Her eyes then met Evie sleeping soundly across the room. Chloe had never expected a decent roommate, but Evie had proved her wrong. Then there was Oliver.

He should have been someone who she'd avoid like the plague, but there was something about Oliver that drew Chloe to him. Considering the sacrifices he had made just to make her comfortable... it was liberating to have someone who took the time to care about her this much. It no longer mattered what his last name was, or what his reputation was, she knew that Oliver was someone she could trust, and Chloe really felt like she knew him.

Hearing the chanting across the quad, she felt Oliver slip his arm around her back, pulling her towards his side.

Ten... nine... eight

"Happy New Year, Chloe."

Ready for what the New Year would bring, Chloe smiled. "You too Ollie."

Three...two...one...

January

Comments

[melissa dougherty longmuir (from livejournal.com)]

UGH! a cliffy :) Was still a great chapter. I love your story and can't wait to read more!

[serafina19.livejournal.com]

Yeah... but honestly, there was no way that this wasn't going to be a cliffhanger, but I'm glad you still enjoyed the chapter.

[kachica.livejournal.com]

Aww, thanks, Sera! One more great b-day gift to add after Masquerade, since it ended here at my b-day.

I'm really enjoying this story. Lovely update! Can't wait for more!

[serafina19.livejournal.com]

My pleasure... you've dedicated vids to me in the past, it was the least I could do, but it makes me happy that you liked the chapter. Hopefully I can keep the story interesting.

[paulingui.livejournal.com]

Aww they spent Christmas and New years's eve together! :).

I was waiting for a New Years's kiss but *sighs* I guess that can be a little bit early.

lovely chapter!

[serafina19.livejournal.com]

You would have LOVED my original plan for New Year's, but then this story morphed on me and... you're exactly right, it would have been too early. (even if I could pull off writing it)

[saurina.livejournal.com]

Great update. It's good to know that they have each other during the holidays..:))

[serafina19.livejournal.com]

I agree... always nice to have someone to spend the holidays with.

Thanks for reading!

[lilisullivan.livejournal.com]

Great chapter, i really love this story.
I was so sure, they were going to kiss at midnight so...damn!

[serafina19.livejournal.com]

Can't say I didn't think about it, but it didn't feel right.

[lali-lewicki.livejournal.com]

Can't wait until the month of February, lol... I wonder if Chloe will go out with someone and Oliver will be jealous, or the other way around! lol...

I love this fic, almost missed the update, when I was looking through the comm, but I'm glad I didn't! Between finally getting around to watch the episode a couple of hours ago and reading this just now, you have ensured that I'll sleep in a nice Chlollie bubble of goodyness. (Seriously, how awesome were our Chlollie scenes in Masquerade!)

[serafina19.livejournal.com]

The holiday in question has been written and I can confidently say... neither... so I'll let you mull that over. But February itself isn't finished, so who knows?

Like I said in my note... I was hoping that I didn't ruin the chapter because of I was on a fan-girl high, so it's good to know I didn't disappoint.

Those scenes were amazing... the trunk scene made my day. Glad you found the chapter though, I always enjoy reading your comments.

[f-queen.livejournal.com]

aaaw would be great if they kiss HAHA! =) but its early for tath yet =)!

i loveeee youre historyyy =)! i want read mooooooooreeeee :)

[serafina19.livejournal.com]

It is unfortunate... but hopefully when it does happen, it'll be worth the wait.

Thanks... I'm aiming to post January on Tuesday, but after that I'm likely taking a week hiatus to make sure I keep the quality up.

[iheartbl.livejournal.com]

I don't know how I missed this update, but glad I went back to read it. So Ollie gave the jacket to her as a Christmas gift! I think subtly Chloe's starting to have feelings for him...anyways off to read January.

[serafina19.livejournal.com]

Don't sweat it. I'm always glad to read your comments whenever they come.

[brittany2922.livejournal.com]

Great Chapter! I always love reading stories where Chloe and Oliver spend the holidays together.

[serafina19.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm the same way.

[slytherinpunk.livejournal.com]

I love that Ollie's not afraid to ask Chloe for help--it shows how comfortable he is with her. And awwwww!!! His gift to Evie was perfect! Is it wrong if I am jealous of a fictional character?

I thought the new years eve was a nice touch, and I may have squeed at Chloe and Oliver cuddling and falling asleep together. I just hope they wake up and smell the coffee new years day ;)

[serafina19.livejournal.com]

No, it's not wrong. I was totally jealous as I was writing it because I'd love it if my Helm jersey was just signed by him (let alone the rest of the team). Granted, I'd likely be way too cautious with it. I wore new jeans (the type that bleed) when I bought my jersey at the Joe, and I was scared the entire time that I'd wreck it.

New Year's Eve was initially this big extravagant plan, but I could never write it, so I stuck with simple things that seemed to suit them more.