Nathaniel's POV:

    I smiled.  Chole had said she thought I was cuter than the rooster hero. I had only been teasing when asking if I had to compete with him. I could not let on I knew his identity.

     I  got ready for the dinner. I was not sure what to wear. The place sounded fancy. I  changed into my blue dress pants, a red colored shirt, and a blue dress jacket. There, that ought to do it. I hope no one minds that I left out the tie. I did not feel like dealing with one tonight.

    I combed my hair.

  I grabbed my wallet, left my place, and locked the door.

  I got in my car and headed toward the restaurant.

   I got stuck in traffic.

 Great, I thought, I had hoped to be on time.

A few minutes went by, and the traffic finally moved. I arrived at the restaurant a half an hour late. I sighed. I would have to apologize to the others for keeping them waiting.

    I entered the plaza and this waitress asked, "Mr. Kurtzberg?"  "Yes, that is me, why am I in trouble?" I asked. "Not yet, but right this way," She said. She showed me to the table where the mayor, Chole, and Sarah were waiting for me. I took my seat next to Chole. 

    "Sorry, everyone, I got caught up in traffic," I said.

     "It is okay, you are here now," Sarah said.

   "Glad you could make it son," The Mayor replied.

      I looked at Chole and saw her tears. "Chole?" I reached over and wiped her tears.

      "Nath, I thought something horrid had happened to you," Chole stated. I smiled.

        "I am sorry to have worried you," I  told her.

    The waitress smiled. "Is everyone ready to order?" She asked.

       The others nodded, and I answered, "Yes, I believe so, Miss Annalise," I said reading her name tag.

         "Alright then, what would you like?" She asked. 

     The mayor ordered a salad, a small potato, and fish. Sarah ordered macaroni and cheese, a corn dog, and green beans. Chole ordered cornbread, mashed potatoes, and meatloaf. I ordered the same as Chole.  What can I say, we both have similar tastes in food.

      The waitress, Annalise, took the menus up, and said, "Very well, the food should be ready in about twenty minutes." She then left.

        I  turned back to the others. "I did not mean to make you upset," I said.

        "It is alright the traffic was crazy," Sarah said.

        "Son, we understand," The mayor added.

        "Nath, I am sorry, I overreacted," Chole said.

     "The outfit compliments the necklace, and it looks grand on you. I mean you are beautiful," I said. I felt my face turn red.

      The mayor handed Sarah a small placemat with some things for her to color and a small box of crayons. While Sarah colored, the mayor looked at the dessert menu. Chole sat there quietly staring at me. I felt the moment had become awkward all of a sudden.

         "Thanks for the tea, and the lemon slices, "I said with a wink in Chole's direction.

         "Oh, you're welcome, I  had hoped you wanted that instead of the soda," Chole said.

              I  held her hand. "Bee, it is fine, you don't have to worry about trying to please me, I am already happy because I am here with you and a little bee."

               I  was relieved when she did not pull her hand away.  

              The evening was uneventful for the most part. The dinner was good, but the company was far better. I blushed when I realized Chole had moved her hand.

            After the meal, Sarah excused herself to the bathroom, and Chole went with her. Probably to keep an eye on her to make sure no one disturbed her.

             I sighed. I missed the way her hand felt in mine. 

           "Son, you must be patient with Chole," The mayor said.

         "I know, I promise to be, she is special to me," I said.

           I looked up as she and Sarah returned to the table.  I noticed they were both smiling.

          "Mom says she wants to go bowling and you are coming too. She will not take no for an answer, Dad," Sarah said. I did not bother to correct her. 

          "I see, then bowling it is then," I said.

     The mayor did not say if he was coming too, and I did not ask.

      I paid for the meals and the mayor smiled.

     "Good evening, Nathaniel, take good care of the girls," He said.  The mayor walked outside and smiled. He decided to walk home so Chole could take her car to the bowling place herself.

     Chole and Sarah climbed into her car, and I followed behind in my vehicle.

        Now, at the bowling place, l paid for them to bowl. Chole smiled and Sarah did the same.

    The three of us bowled and had such a good time. We did not see someone watching us and taking notes.

         I  beat the girls in the first round of bowling. In the second round, Chole came in second place,  I was third, and Sarah in first. Sarah was excited.

         Chole was sure I had let Sarah win. After bowling, I walked them to Chole's car. Once, they were inside with their seatbelts on, I said, "I had fun, and I know you two did as well. Hope we can do this again sometime."   "Well, see," Chole said.

  I followed them home. I watched them go inside and drive around back. I parked my car and got out. I checked to make sure no one else was in there. It was only because I saw someone follow me to her place.

     Satisfied, that it was only the girls, I climbed back into my car and headed home. I slept peacefully that evening.  

    Right at 4 am, I was awakened by screams. What?   I sat up startled by the sound. I got up and turned on the news. I heard the words akuma attack. I knew what I had to do.

    "Orrikko, feathers spread!" 

        I transformed and headed towards the place where the akuma was situated. I was relieved to see Queen Bee, Kid Zebra, and Carapace were already there. 

        Find out more in Chapter 26

       Until then,

bye-bye,

 little owlets!

Summer out!