meeting.

NOTE: This is a multi-part Take Ten to Write story. For the story to make the most sense, read all previous parts first. You can read the compiled story here.

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Chapter I · Part X

We ended up waiting a week before meeting again. I thought about the Walk every day. I wasn’t sure if I was more nervous or excited; either way, my heart was racing the entire week.

When Saturday finally came, we met at Nate’s house, which happened to be only a few blocks away from Blake and me.

Nate invited us in with a tight smile. Theo hovered behind him, practically bouncing off the walls.

“What’s gotten into him?” I murmured to Nate as I passed.

Nate glanced at Theo and rolled his eyes. “He’s had four cups of coffee already this morning.”

“It’s not even nine o’clock yet.”

“I know.”

Theo grabbed my arm and pulled me along with him. “Come on, let’s go!”

It turned out he was pulling me to the basement, which was Nate’s room. We passed a woman on the way down, who called, “Nathaniel, are you going to introduce me to your new friends?”

Nate paused. “Sorry, mom. This is Bailey and Blake.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs…” I realized I didn’t know Nate’s last name.

“Just Kerri,” she replied with a warm smile. “You must be the girl that Nate was telling me about.”

I turned to look at Nate with a raised eyebrow. “Oh really?”

“Mom,” Nate hissed, his cheeks reddening.

Kerri just patted his shoulder. “Have fun on your double date,” she said before turning away. “I’ll be in the kitchen if you kids need anything.”

“Thanks, mom!” Nate called before yanking us down into the basement and closing the door.

Once we were downstairs, I crossed my arms and stared at Nate. I was about to interrogate him, but Blake beat me to it.

“A double date?”

Nate shook his head. “My mom just saw four of us and assumed. It’s not a big deal, really.”

Blake opened his mouth to yell some more, but I interjected, “Nate’s right; it’s not a big deal. Now, can we please do this before I change my mind?”