The Nine Lives of Chloe King

Previously on "The Nine lives of Chloe King"...

That feeling I got when I first saw him in the church,

it was like I was experiencing exactly what he was feeling.

This is the longest we've spent together since mom died.

What's that supposed to mean?

Dad, most fathers would be

thrilled that their son actually wanted to spend time with them.

I like you a lot and I like being a around you.

If you need time, I'm in no hurry.

Something tells me we're going to be very good friends.

Alek!

Your mom, she's the leader of the Mai?

I'm sorry, Chloe, but your life is no longer your own.

Hey! Wait up.

You're doing great.

Though I don't think an assassin would

let you take a time out to catch your breath,

at least none of the assassins I know.

And that's why we're training.

But you can't keep stopping to look for obstacles.

Assume they're going to be there and improvise.

Assume invisible obstacles. Got it.

The Order won't tell you where the knives are gonna land.

That's why you're such a good teacher--

always bringing it back to a practical application.

Think she's ready?

- Ready for what? - I don't know.

I'm gonna say yes, but there's only one way to find out.

Wait!

How come my opinion doesn't count for anything?

- And I'm thinking not. - Chloe, you can do this.

I promise. Back up and try again.

Stop acting like a little scaredy human.

But what if I am a little scaredy human?

No, you're Mai. So stop thinking and start using your instinct.

I am, and my instincts are telling me that you people are crazy.

If Alek can do it, then I'm pretty sure you can.

Hey.

Fine.

It generally hurts less if you actually jump all the way across.

You didn't trust yourself. Next time you might not be so lucky.

Not gonna be a next time.

Come on, we got a lot more work to do.

== sync, corrected by elderman ==

Morning.

Made your favorite-- cereal and bowl.

Some assembly required.

Oh excellent.

I was actually craving...

Unfrosted corn byproducts?

I thought I was supposed to enjoy my youth.

What happened to that box of sugary deliciousness?

Down your mother's gullet at 11:00 last night.

You're not the only one with cravings.

I think I'm gonna be late tonight.

It's okay. It's Wednesday.

Ah, dinner with the dos amigos, yeah.

You going to Amy's this week?

I think Burgers is the plan.

Already jealous.

Oh and, Chloe, what exactly were you doing last night?

I found your jeans on the bathroom floor

with a huge hole in 'em.

Uh, you know me. Wild child--

slinking down alleys, running across rooftops.

I tripped over the recycling bin coming in the side.

How many times have I told you that area--

The "are you okay?" is implied

as is the "I love you."

- Always is. And I'm fine. - Have a good day.

Ugh.

- For sure! - You have to promise.

You can't tell anyone.

Devon's parents were out of town last night,

- Really? - Sure did.

Yes, it's infected. Yes, it hurt.

And yes, my mom's gonna kill me if she ever sees it.

Coach says a 4.9 won't even get college scouts interested.

Turn around.

Having fun?

I swear, I'm gonna tie a bell around your neck.

Stop sneaking up on me.

Maybe you would have heard if you weren't preoccupied.

I wasn't doing anything. I was just going to class.

And tuning into all the gossip?

So where do you think that tattoo actually is?

At least I think it's a tattoo she's talking about.

Ew! And I wouldn't know.

It's just noise. I can't really control it.

We'll have to work on that.

The hearing is there to alert you to danger.

- Meaning you? - Meaning killers, executioners.

The assorted non-human predator.

You're not safe just because you stopped one man.

You have to learn to control your gifts.

It might mean between life and--

Well, for you, losing another.

Is this your long-winded, slightly frightening way

of saying that I have training again tonight?

- Jasmine will pick you up after work. - Can't wait.

Has anyone ever told you that you're a close talker?

- Just you. - It's not a compliment.

I'll see you later.

Oh and, Chloe,

be careful.

One of these days something you won't like.

That's the third night in a row she's blown me off.

I seriously think I might be in the market for a new best friend.

- Hey, you. - Hey.

You look industrious.

And before you think I'm getting all stalkery,

this sidewalk happens between school and work--

You know, if I take the long way around the park

and cut across Divisadero.

Oh yeah, no, you didn't have to do that.

- Are you okay? - Yeah. Sorry.

Just in the middle of working on some stuff. Getting myself organized.

Organized is good.

Um, I texted you last night about that movie.

Blood, guts, flying limbs-- I'm in.

I think I'm gonna have to take a rain check.

My dad--

let's just say he's being my dad--

and that's complex.

Rain checks happily accepted.

Well, I'd better go or I'm gonna be late.

And as of two minutes ago, I actually am late.

- See ya. - See ya.

Mr. Rezza, a moment of your time.

- My employer is very upset. - I'm sorry to hear that.

The Order does not exist to serve your personal vendettas.

Perhaps if you had listened when I tried to warn you...

The Mai now know of the girl's existence.

Plans were in place,

but now she's guarded and protected.

Your involvement is no longer required.

We will dispose of the girl.

Expecting a call?

More like hoping for one.

I told Brian that we could only be friends.

And I thought he was okay with it, but--

You were being sarcastic.

Glad you caught that.

Hey, my friend Jasmine's coming by a little before 6:00 and I was wondering--

If you could stay to the end of your shift for a change?

It's like you're a mind reader.

Vintage. Lana.

Look, hold on one second.

- Paul. - Hey.

You're coming tonight, right? It's my turn to pick.

Of course. I would never miss dinner with my two best friends.

So is everything okay,

you know, between you and me?

Paul?

Okay, to be honest, I have been a little hurt.

While I understand there's an unfortunate recurring

borderline racist narrative in the American comic book pantheon

of Asians being portrayed as subservient geeks

or simply one-dimensional kung-fu-kicking bad-asses,

- I am none of those things. - What are you talking about?

Why haven't you asked me to be your sidekick?

- My what? - Your sidekick.

Your sidekick, your loyal and trusted confidant.

You, my friend, are already all of those things.

- Really? - Really.

Unless I ever see you in tights. Then the deal's off.

This conversation's over.

Chloe!

Whoops.

What's wrong?

I don't know.

For a second I just--

I felt completely terrified.

- She's not that scary. - No.

It's like I was feeling what she was feeling.

She's the one who's terrified.

I know, I know...

Uh, whatever that weird sense thing is you got going on...

...You might wanna get it adjusted.

But I don't even know what it is.

So you're saying you can read people's minds?

No, I can't tell what they're thinking.

I literally feel what they're feeling on an emotional level.

But I can't control it. It just happens.

See, this is the part where you say, "Oh yeah, I get that all the time.

It's a Mai thing. It's so not a big deal."

Sorry, I've never heard of anything like it.

Great, so my powers came with an extra scoop of freak.

That Chloe, always an overachiever.

Chloe, I really don't think it's anything to worry about.

But if it'll make you feel better, we can talk to my mom.

Hey, either of you "Lana Jacobs"?

No, sorry. She left about a half an hour ago.

I guess that's why the instructions say to be here by 4:00.

Do you need me to sign for something?

I wish you could, but they're cupcakes,

and these things go stale pretty quick.

And there is a God.

They included her home address.

411 Arden.