SZNS SERIES 1: Summer by Maria Writes (book series for 10 year olds .TXT) 📕

people downstairs are slowly increasing. They head down with their chin up. Chloe and Caroline walked side by side down the stairs and the moment their feet touched the floor; all eyes were on them. She shared a smile with Caroline and walk across the room.

Chloe was walking gracefully when her mother welcomed them. "Good thing you're sober now. We'll be talking later."

She smiled then give her mother a peck on the cheeks.

"Mother, this is an incredible party, don't sour the mood." her mother just chuckled then went to face Caroline. both shared a hug. "Your parents are here; they were looking for you sweetie. Go find them."

They roam the entire house until they found Caroline's parents sitting on their table drinking champagne. And they are not alone, Jesse was there as well. Clad in a black and red Victorian suit, pair with a pitch-black mask that made his green eyes pop. "Mr. Reed, Mrs. Reed, I hope you enjoy my father's party."

"We are, Chloe. You look fantastic in your dress. Looks like you and my daughter are the only one wearing black attire tonight." Mrs. Reed said while touching her mask. "Elijah, let's go dance please."

Mr. and Mrs. Reed headed to the dancefloor and left the three of them sitting on the table they were occupying earlier. She is seated in front of Caroline and Jesse. There is tension in the atmosphere. Awkwardness is felt in every passing second. She forced herself not to talk because she doesn't have anything to talk about. Caroline surely felt the weirdness coating them because she smiled at her.

Luckily, a waitress passed by their table with a tray in hand. She stood and grab a champagne flute from her tray. The program will start in a few minutes, but while everyone is waiting, they opened the dancefloor for everyone to use.

"Chloe King?" a man called her from behind. When she faced him, her mouth slacked open? What a handsome man. But the problem is, who is this? His face is so familiar, but she cannot distinguish the name. Chloe felt like she's seen this man before. Her face held confusion, thinking of the man's name. She tried to speak but she's speechless because she doesn't know how to communicate with him and she doesn't know his name.

"Umm, hey. Who are you?" she chuckled "sorry that was rude. But I don't know your name. Have we met before?"

The man reached out for her hand then placed his lips against it. I'm starting to like this guy. "Nate Tulle. You know? Nerd kid next door. Former neighbor? Remember?"

Wow, so this is what Nate Tulle looked like in person. He's changed. Hugely changed. When they were kids this man looked dumb, but now he looked like a Greek God. She still can't believe how this man had major changes physically.

"Come on, you used to bully me before. With her." He pointed at Caroline who's also gaping at him. "Remember me now?"

Finally, she was able to close her mouth "Yeah, of course. I'm sorry I didn't know that you'll be here. Wow, I didn't recognize you at first."

"Caroline would you like to dance?" Jesse asked. "Come on, let's go."

Jesse didn't wait for his sister's response. He stood up and drag Caroline to the dancefloor. He's in a sour mood tonight. I wonder why? 

 

She faced Nate again and smiled at him. It's really weird to think that the boy she used to bully when they were kids is now a very hot man. But she should know better, he always had a thing for Caroline. So off limits.

"Sorry about that, but he's Jesse. Caroline's older brother. I know, crazy isn't it. Caroline has an older brother."

"Would you like to dance as well? Honestly, there's something I want to ask you that is why I approach you." Nate said nervously.

She smiled then sighed. She gave him a pointed look then pointed above her head. "Lemme guess, yea high, blonde, very skinny, pale, and oh, she's my friend, and her name is Caroline. Yeah? Just like old times, Tulle."

Nate let out a chuckle, "Yeah, just like old times. But please I need your help. I'm still into her you know? After all this year." Nate grab her hands and look at her with his pleading eyes "Please?"

"Make sure you know how to dance well or I'll leave you."

He smiled and lead her to the dancefloor. On the dance floor, Nate placed her arms on his shoulder and they just swayed to the soft music surrounding them. They can see Caroline and Jesse doing the same on the corner of the dancefloor. They were talking, but since they were a little far from her, she was no idea what they're talking about.

"You're into him too?" Nate asks. She looked back at him them shook her head.

"What? No. I'm just worried about Caroline. She saw her girlfriend with someone and it upset her so bad. So, now you have a teeny-tiny little chance of making her your girl. And you have to do it well, because if you broke her already broken heart, with fist will break your face. Capeesh?" She said sweetly but she knows that Nate was threatened because she saw him gulped.

"But you can't deny you're into him. I saw how you looked at him from a far. So, let's have a deal, I'll court Caroline. Then you go with that guy. If we both fail, let's settle with each other."

Chloe laughed at Nate' idea. It's kinda stupid but actually fun. So, without thinking, she nodded and they walked towards Jesse and Caroline. When they reached them, she suddenly had the urge to back-out because she now realized how non-sense Nate's idea was. But she's already too late. "Mr. Reed, if you don't mind, may I have a dance with your sister?"

Jesse let go of