CHAPTER 22- FAMILY REUNION

Chloe walked briskly to the dorm after the hectic classes she had. Something felt very odd in the room. It was definitely Lopez's absence. The air felt different and she knew she needed to have the Queen Bee up and running to really enjoy the Academy. She rushed to freshen up and head to the cafeteria to grab dinner as promised.

No sooner had she entered the room, she was seen locking the room and dashing off in a hurry, ignoring the chit chat happening around her regarding the hospital scene.

"Wait up, hey. Chloe." A masculine voice called behind her.

Instinctively, she turned and said a hurried hi to Robin.

"I'm sorry Robin, I really have to go. I'm not free to chat."

"I know Chloe, a lot has been happening with you." Robin said and walked in step with her. "Slow down girl, two can fix this. Whatever it is."

"Okay then, I'm heading to the cafeteria to get food for Lopez. She's in the clinic. Happy now?" Chloe said.

"I'm really sorry about Lopez. Is she alright?" Robin was concerned.

"She's alright now, thank you. I just don't want her eating the food in the clinic, so I need to get her something she'd like. What are you doing here Robin?" Chloe quizzed.

"Umm, I haven't seen you around long enough to hold a conversation with you. How are you preparing for the final examinations to determine who gets to represent the school in the interstate battle?" Robin adjusted his glasses and smiled from ear to ear.

"Robin, we all are preparing earnestly, so don't bother so much about who gets selected. Just prepare. If you'd excuse me, I have to get food before the cafeteria runs out of consumables." Chloe said with an air of dismissal.

"I will walk you then."

"Whatever suits you, Robin."

Chloe got dinner in a paper bag and headed back to the hospital ward to see Lopez. She didn't want a crowd in the room, so she asked Robin to leave.

"Hey Lopez, how are you?" Chloe set the food on the side table by the bed and propped Lopez on the pillow arching her back.

"I'm fine, thank you Chloe. I'm starving, this is so thoughtful of you." She dug into the paper bag, emptying out its content on a foil plate Chloe brought.

Chloe looked away and felt the pang in her stomach. She knew she'd head home in about two weeks to spend quality time with her parents. If it weren't for the sudden issue with her roommate, she'd have left for home that same week. She missed home but couldn't risk Lopez being all by herself.

Just then, Lopez looked up with her mouth stuffed with food. "What is on your mind girl?

"Nothing dear. I am just glad you feel better. Exams and assessments start in a few weeks. Get well soon." Chloe hugged her.

A few weeks later...

The exams had come and gone by so quickly, the tension which hung in the air had died a natural death. Everyone was chatting excitedly and awaiting the results and rankings to see who will play the lead role of Giselle Leon Ave in the Princess and Pauper themed dance in the ballet triathlon to be held in the White House.

Everyone was left in suspense when the Principal called for a general assembly in the hall.

"Gather round students. The academic year has come to an end and as we as know, it is a long standing tradition of this great school to scrutinize the works and graceful craft of you all before giving the privilege to the most deserving of all to lead the school to victory in the ballet triathlon to be held in the White House. This is a great day ahead, get your things in place and keep practicing. You'd all get notified of your performance in your emails. Until then, keep dancing. You are free to travel home for a week." The Principal concluded.

The students dispersed and some walked in pairs to their dorms. Chloe hurriedly walked back to her dorm and was halted by Lopez in her face with a furious look. She felt better already and was discharged from the hospital.

"When were you going to tell me?" She asked.

"I'm lost, tell you what?" A puzzled Chloe asked.

"That you were going to leave me by myself..." she spoke up.

"I was going to tell you but I didn't want to be selfish. You were recovering. I was to go see my parents the weekend before the hospital situation took over and I had to take care of you." Chloe explained in honesty.

"Aww nice, safe travels dear. See you when you get back." She fought back a tear but Chloe caught it and hugged her.

Soon, the long awaited day of the trip came and, Chloe was so excited to go see her parents. She was really psyched about the whole thing that she barely slept the previous night.

She woke earlier than usual and got ready before Lopez could process it.

"Chloe, you are up already? Your flight isn't scheduled till about 9am. Young lady, it is just 7:30am. I want to spend some time with you. I want you Chloe." With that, Lopez went to the room and locked the door to guarantee privacy.

The wheels were spinning in Chloe's head and it all clicked when Lo dropped her dress in a pool beneath her and stepped out of the clutter like a princess from some medieval era.

Chloe gasped unconsciously and found herself closing her eyes to take in the pleasure that tinged her insides.

"Open those beautiful orbs. I want to see you and watch you watch me."

Lopez then walked to the bed and picked some imaginary item from the floor, to get her butt in Chloe's face. She gulped and swallowed.

As if that was not enough, Lopez lay down and spread her legs wide in front of Chloe's view and then she slid her fingers inside her wetness. She kept the progression, going in and out while Chloe stood there as if transfixed.

"So Chloe, what are you going to do about the voice in your head? Come on, we don't want you missing your flight and this too." Lopez chided her.

That was the prompting Chloe needed, she walked up to Lopez and kissed her passionately, cupping her breasts in the process and grinding against her wetness with her thigh and panting heavily. They both took time to explore their sexuality and dozed off in the warm embrace they shared.

The timer went off and Chloe woke up startled. "Phew, good thing I set the timer. I wouldn't want a case of missing flights. Besides, you've always been one to amaze me Lopez. I cherish that." Chloe smiled.

With that, Chloe gave Lopez a sweet kiss and picked up her travel bags.

"I'm good to go. I needed that Lo, thank you for seeing what I couldn't express."

"You are most welcome. Safe travels Chloe."

Chloe arrived at the airport and was soon very ready to go home. Everything was in place as her parents were expecting her.

As she climbed on board, she was awash with relief that she was finally heading home.

The touchdown was smooth and she wheeled her luggage out of the airport and took a cab home. She wanted to surprise her mother. The cab pulled up in front of the house. The first thing she noticed was the beautiful grooming of the flowers and the sweet fragrance that hit her nostrils. She smiled and waved at the cabbie.

Chloe could hear her mother on the phone. She pressed the doorbell.

"Coming, darling is that you? Did you forget something?" Her mother response echoed from inside the house. The door swung open and the first thing Chloe did was tear up and hug her mother who was already crying from over excitement.

"Baby, you didn't tell me you'd be coming today. I'd have made you something special. Welcome home darling, we have missed you so much. Come on in." She said while dabbing at her eyes.

"Mum, don't cry. I'm here now. It's so good to be back." Chloe mused.

"Of course, it is great to behold your beautiful face again love."

"Umm mum, where is dad?"

"He was called to come check out something at a construction site. He finally gets to head the branch here. I'm so excited. It has been amazing having some company around, you know?" Her mother blushed.

"Of course, I know mum. I can see the glow. About interesting company, you didn't tell me Skye visited you both. He showed up in school with such drama and a laudable first impression that left me really shy. Why didn't you tell me he was going to pull off that kind of stunt?" Chloe prodded.

"Aww darling, I'm sorry. He wanted it to be an element of surprise. I knew you'd have rejected the idea if I told you first off. That should be the least of your worries. Baby, do well to freshen up and come grab lunch." Her mother kissed her forehead.

"Okay mum, I'm tired though."

Moments later, someone was fumbling with the lock outside the house. Then came Chloe's dad.

"Honey, welcome back." His wife welcomed him with a kiss.

"Thank you sweetie. The air felt different and something good is definitely cooking. Is my Princess back?" He asked, upon hearing footsteps in the house.

"You bet, she is back." Chloe voiced and rushed downstairs to embrace her father.

"Pumpkin, welcome back. We missed you around here. I trust your trip wasn't stressful."

"No dad, it wasn't. It is amazing to be back." Chloe said.

Lunch was served and the family spent the rest of the day talking and catching up like old times.

It felt so good to be back. Chloe was so happy to reconnect with her family again. Just then, her phone chimed with an email notification that read Honeybloomers Academy.

It read,

"Dear Chloe, we applaud you for the excellent success you have recorded in the just concluded examinations and it is our esteemed pleasure to offer you the lead role in the upcoming ballet triathlon as Giselle Leon Ave. Enjoy your holidays. The particulars for preparations and all the details will be mailed to you soon. Keep your pirouette on always.

Best regards. Management."

Chloe screamed in delight and kept repeating..."I got the lead role. I got the role. I get to play Giselle Leon Ave in the ballet triathlon. I got in!!!"

"That is wonderful news baby. Congratulations dearest." Her mother said.

"Sweetheart, congratulations to you. This calls for celebration." Her father said.

The whole family agreed and decided to go to a fancy restaurant, for a big family dinner to celebrate the big win.

The best is indeed yet to come, but will fate smile in Chloe's favour? We can never tell, life has several uncertainties and Chloe is its next target. For now, she is really happy and we can't help but be excited for her, for clinching the prize.

"Don't forget to pack the jackets in the trunk Chloe, it is going to be a cold evening."

"Sure mum, I already did that. We're good to go, whenever we are set." Chloe smiled.