SZNS SERIES 1: Summer by Maria Writes (books for men to read txt) 📗

left then alone, there was an awkward silence between them. She was thinking that she'll talk first, but decided not to. So, she just stared at the window hoping to see something interesting.

When she saw nothing, she took a glance across her and saw surprised to see Jesse looking at her. Is there something on my face?

At last, Jesse finally speaks. "You should talk, you know. Earlier you were so talkative, but now, you're very quiet. Why is that?"

"There is nothing to talk about really, I mean we don't even know each other aside from you're my best friend's half-brother. There's nothing really." Everything is getting awkward. She's also kinda nervous about this dinner.

"What about our spring wedding? June said something about it." Jesse quickly blurted that made her hold her breath.

Lucky me, the waiter came with the foods. He's a life saver. To save herself from more embarrassment, she diverted the topic. "How did you become half-sibling with Caroline anyway? I mean you're both on the same age, how come your half siblings?"

Jesse stared at her for a while before answering. "Actually, I am four years older than Caroline. My mother had a relationship with her dad before. Then they broke up just as mom realized she was pregnant. She never told my dad. Dad flew to Europe that time to work. That is why I never met him. When I was ten, that's when my mom heard that my dad was already married, to their college friend/classmate, and had a child, Caroline. She never bothered introducing me, she's worried that my father will reject me. So, mom and I lived on our own, with the help of my grandparents. My mom worked as an actress, but only doing extras, then she'll work at night as a waitress on a club nearby."

"My mom got sick a few years ago, cancer. So, I have to stop studying to support her because at that time, I still don't know who my father is. My grandparents are dead that time. Then my mom couldn't take the pain anymore, so she gave up. When she died, that's when I met my father, through my mom's journal. That's is how I learned the whole story about my father. I went to their house that was written on my mother's journal. That's when I learned that I still have a father, and I even have a sibling. Good thing my father's wife is very understanding. She welcomed me to their home even if I insist that I will not live with them. They took care of me, they even had me change my surname to Reed. They enrolled me on a school near their house but I wasn't happy, so after I finished that year, I transferred here."

Wow, she didn't know he had that kind of story, to lost your mother is very heart shattering. She cannot imagine what it's like to lose a parent, especially a mother. "I am sorry about that. I shouldn't have asked."

"No, it's okay, I want to share it. I want you to know. So, don't feel bad about it, okay?" Jesse said while smiling at her.

How could a man who suffered too much smile like that? He'd been through enough. She can't help but feel bad for him. Luckily, her parents are still alive to take care of her. Chloe lost her appetite because of what Jesse shared to her. She looked at him who is eating his sandwich happily, as if he never shared a horrible experience he had.

She just observes Jesse until they both finished eating. After a few minutes, they went out of the café to have a tour on the campus. It's only 5 in the evening so it's still okay to roam around the area. She showed Jesse every remarkable place the university has to offer.

When they finally entered the Thespian Hall, she became a bit nervous but at the same time excited. She wanted to show Jesse one of the hall's sacred room, as she calls it, where you can see a gallery of Heighfield's best directors and performers. Among them are her parents and herself.

"This room is very special for me because it shows the legacies the university had. Like for example, the Kings" She pointed the wall where her family's photos were hanged. "My mom and dad went her at the same time, sometime in the 80's. They were the best performers at that time. So being in this school is really on top of my dream board."

Jesse looked around and stop at a picture near the door. "This is my mother, Ally Graham, I didn't know that she also went to this school before." Because of what she heard; Chloe went to see what Jesse is talking about.

There was a very beautiful woman, she looked like a female version of Jesse. She had the same hair and eye color, but she's paler unlike Jesse who is a bit tan. "She's very stunning. No wonder you looked good."

"What?"

Realizing what she said, Chloe took a quick glance at Jesse, "Nothing. We should head back, it's getting kinda late."

They both exit the hall and went to their dorm building. To her surprise, Jesse walked her in front of her dorm room that made her heart beat so fast. When they finally reached her door, she faced Jesse who is now looking intently at her.

"Thank you for the dinner, and the time after that, see you at auditions I guess." Chloe had a smile that reaches her eye while talking to Jesse.

"No problem, I'll see you soon. Have a great night." With that he turned around.

She was about to open her door when she saw Jesse walking towards her again. Seems like he forgot something. "I almost forgot; you diverted the conversation earlier about our spring wedding. Let's talk about that tomorrow. Bye again."

Chloe