The Duet

Chapter 11: A New Year

Chase sighed with content as he looked as his drawing. He had been working for two hours on this single sketch. He pulled out his phone and sent a picture of it to Alicia.

"Your lines are too thick. Sketches have lighter lines." Alicia texted back. "You forgot to start the drawing with a basic shape, and what is that? A hyena?"

"It is a wolf!" texted Chase.

"Doesn't look like one. You have to work on the details, it looks mutated."

Chase sighed as he plopped down on the bed. It had been two weeks since Alicia had given him the sketchbook. He had received a phone and a skateboard as a Christmas present from his parents. He had contacted Lukas, Ethan, and Eliana who had already gotten their phones a year ago. Alicia had somehow gotten ahold of his phone number, and video chatted with him. She spent over an hour on the phone talking to him about how to draw even though she already taught him how a while ago. Out of exasperation, she had given up and told him to bring the sketch book when he came over for dinner that day. Chase was now a regular at the Kims' house, and was like, to quote Ashley, an slightly less annoying older brother. His phone dinged as Alicia sent him more texts telling him what to do better next time, and how his drawing could be worked upon. Chase looked at his phone and to his amazement saw a text that was not related to the drawing.

"Hey Chase whatcha doing on New Years? My mom is asking."

"Nothing much, I mean my parents are home, but we don't have any plans." he replied

"My mom is wondering if..."

"What?"

After a moment of silence, Chase's phone dinged again.

"If you and your family would like to come with our family to the New Years festival down at the park."

"I'll ask my mom."

Chase rushed downstairs, and asked his mom if they wanted to go to the New Years festival. His mom thought for a moment, then nodded.

"My mom said yes."

"Ok. See you there."

Chase just realized he had made a big mistake. His mom were meeting Alicia's parents. What if? Chase shook his head, as he forced himself to go to sleep, and mentally readied himself for the meeting that was happening in three days.

The three days went by rapidly. Chase couldn't remember anything that happened during those days except for practicing for the upcoming concert, riding his new skateboard and stressing about what his mom would say, do and act.

"Why am I so stressed, and worried about this." pondered Chase. "It's not a big deal, IT'S JUST MY MOM MEETING ALICIA'S PARENTS!"

"Chase, are you ready?" his mom called from downstairs.

"Yes, Mom!" he replied as he shuffled out of his room.

He got into the car, and to his surprise, saw his dad sitting in the driver's seat.

"Dad!" Chase exclaimed, hugging him, "I thought you were gone on that business trip!"

"Well, I couldn't afford to miss anymore of your break, especially since I missed Christmas. I hope you like your gift." Mr. Park answered.

"I loved the gift, Dad!" praised Chase, "I'm able to ride on it, and I can even do tricks on it as well!"

"I knew that you could ride that skateboard." Mr. Park applauded.

Chase was thrilled. His dad has always been going on business trips ever since he was promoted, and was rarely home. His dad always brought excitement, and exquisite gifts when he came back from his trips. One time he had given Chase a helmet that had supposedly been worn by a knight.