Take it slow

Part 2

Part 2

As the sun started its path towards the horizon the group was seated by the table, ready to dig in. Chloe was seated between Kayden and Andy, while J and Liz were sitting on the edges of the table. Maddie was, strategically placed by Matt, next to Matt himself with Liz on her outher side. And lastly Chris. The atmosphere was very friendly and the boys fit right in with the friends who had arrived together. They were all talking and drinking and getting to know each other. It turned out that Kayden and Andy went to another high school in the same city as Chloe and her friends while Chris attended college in a city only an hour or two away.

"Thanks for inviting us, this is even better than we had planned from the beginning," Chris said and raised his glass.

"Video games will have to wait for tomorrow's hangover." The others laughed at Andy's statement and they all raised their glasses.

"Cheers." Kayden clinked his can against Chloe's and his brown eyes glistened in the setting sun.

"Cheers." Chloe took a few mouthfuls of her beer and then turned to Kayden. "Any big plans after graduation?" Kayden shrugged and flashed her a lopsided grin.

"College in the autumn, but before that I'll party my ass off all summer."

"Is that right?" Chloe asked amused. "What you going to major in?" she added and sipped her drink.

"Haven't decided yet... I got a scholarship... Um, sport related." His answer sounded evasive but Chloe didn't push him. Kayden glanced at her. "What about you?"

"I'm taking a gap year. I got a job for the summer and I'm going to work my ass off and hopefully I can go to Europe some time next year. I've been saving up for ages and now I finally have the chance to go." Chloe excitedly tapped her nails against her can and imagined going to places like the one she was currently at. Surrounded by calmness and nature in the fjords in Norway, hiking in the Alps and maybe the Pyrenees... Kayden adjusted in his seat and faced her fully.

"Europe, really? I've always wanted to go." Chloe snapped back to reality and took in his excited face but his features changed quickly when he noticed her gaze. He arched an eyebrow and pulled his hand through his curls. "I mean, I've heard they have some pretty sick clubs in Berlin, and Amsterdam, if you know what I mean..."

"Not quite what I was aiming for, but I guess there will be time for that as well."

"God, I'm so full," J groaned. He never learned how to stop eating before he started feeling sick.

"I'd think so, you barely left anything for the rest of us." Everyone around the table laughed at Chloe's remark and J stuck his tongue out at her. Maddie stood up.

"I hope you have room for dessert though." She motioned for Matt to follow her as she started walking back into the house. J's ears perked up.

"Dessert?"

"I thought you said you were full," Liz said questioningly. J patted his tummy.

"That was just my food-stomach, there's still room in my dessert-stomach." Liz rolled her eyes as the rest chuckled at J, always being the clown. A few moments later Maddie stepped back out on the porch with the same tray as earlier but she had replaced the glasses with small cups filled to the brim with chocolate pudding, topped off with whipped cream and some fresh berries.

"Wow, you are quite the hostess, that looks delicious." Chris straightened up in his chair and Maddie smiled at him.

"I helped," Matt said behind her. Chloe let out a laugh.