Chole's POV:

     I smiled. Tonight's supper went well other than Nathaniel's being late. I know he said it was due to traffic and I believed him. I did not doubt that he was being honest. He had a way of doing that.

     I sighed. I went bowling with him and took Sarah along. I noticed my father did not join us. I hoped this was not his way of pushing us together. I enjoyed the bowling and did not correct anyone who whispered among themselves about it being a date.

       I  was glad that Sarah liked the bowling too. It would give her something nice to reflect on in the coming days. I hoped Nathaniel was right and the court would see how great I was with her and let me adopt her. It would be too cruel to take her away now.

    I arrived at home late, but I did not mind. Sarah smiled the entire time she prepared for bed. I tucked her in and sang to her. Soon, she was asleep. I got ready for bed afterward and read until I drifted off.

    I was awakened by screams rather early in the morning. I checked in on Sarah and she was asleep.

    I looked at the time on the clocks in the house and each read, "3:45 am."  I yawned.

 I wanted to go back to sleep but the screams grew louder. I stayed in my pajamas because of how early it was. I drank some coffee, which I may regret later, but I needed to remain alert to help with the akuma.

   I  brushed my teeth and brushed my hair.

  I used the restroom, then, called out, "Beebee, buzz on!"

   I felt the transformation takes its full effect in no time.

    I knew Sarah needed her rest, but woke her up anyway since she could stay alone during the battle.

    "Queen Bee, what brings you here?" Sarah asked. I could tell she was confused. 

  I did not have time to explain. "I came here as soon as I could. Chole sent me to make sure you were safe. There has been an akuma attack and I have to go fight." I told her.

    Sarah yawned and got up. "Then, we have no time to lose, let's go," She said grabbing my hand.

  I was conflicted about the idea of taking her with me. How would she be safe as a civilian?

   I left the house, exited the back door, and locked it. I felt that would be best under the circumstances. 

   I  flew to the akuma attack with Sarah holding onto my right hand.

   Once there, I let go of her hand and told her to hide somewhere safe. She assured me she would.

 As Queen Bee, I joined the battle. I did not see Rooster King or Kid Zebra anywhere. I fought as hard as I could by myself for a while. 

  After fifteen minutes, Carapace arrived and I was grateful for his assistance. Soon, after his arrival, I saw Kid Zebra. Good, she hadn't forgotten to come, after all, I thought. Where was the Rooster King?

     Carapace, Kid Zebra, and I fought together.  Eventually, the Rooster King came and he looked shocked to see the three of us already there.

      "Glad you could join us," I said.

      "Yes, I did not realize it was an akuma until I saw it on the news," He said.

         "I got the usual alert from my bracelet glowing," Carapace said.

          "My anklet glowed, beeped twice, and there was a message, 'the others need your help'", Kid Zebra remarked.

         I was glad the other heroes were there to help me. The akuma seemed stronger than the rest this time.

         I gasped when he, grabbed me. By he, I mean the akumantized victim. 

         I could not breathe and thought I was going to die.  The Rooster King glared at him and said, "The Queen Bee is my woman, get your own," He snatched me away. I blushed. He had called me his woman.

              I did not know that he felt that way about me. I did not have to tell him I felt the same, because we still had to help Carapace and Kid Zebra.

              We fought long and hard. It was 6 am by the time the battle was over. I groaned. It was a good thing that today was my day off from work. Otherwise, I would have been a grumpy worker.  I fisted-bumped the other heroes after Kid Zebra snatched the akuma with her grabber and stored it in the usual glass jar.

               Kid Zebra ran off after the fist bump and so did Carapace.

     The Rooster King stayed staring at me. I blushed. Why should I react this way?

      I  flew to him and kissed him. I was going to leave when he surprised me, He reacted to the kiss by kissing me back. I had not expected that sort of reaction. He pulled away and whispered, "Queen Bee, I love you, but it isn't safe for us to be together." He sounded sad when he spoke.

        I watched him leave feeling sad at his confession. I did not know he loved me. 

        Why did his voice and kiss seem familiar?  Who was he?

         I flew off to find a place to transform back.  Once I had, I fed Beebee some honey. Then, I looked to see if I could find Sarah. To my relief, I found her asleep behind some recycling cans.

       I picked her up and carried her back home.

       I unlocked the back door and entered it with her in my arms. I laid her on the sofa and shut the door. I locked it.

     I carried Sarah back to her room and laid her on her bed. She remained asleep. Thank goodness.

    I went to my room and climbed back into the bed. I blushed when I thought about the kiss shared with the Rooster King. It had been short, but sweet. I wished I knew who he was. Why did the kiss make me long for more?

       I sighed.  I tried to get back to sleep, but couldn't.

      I heard my phone beep twice.  I checked to see who it was and smiled.

    Text from Nath..." Bee, you and Sarah alright?"

    Text to Nath, "Yes, we are safe at home. How about you?"

    Text from Nath "I am safe at my place, but it feels empty. You know the strangest thing happened..."

     Text to Nath "What was it?"

      Text from Nath "I enjoyed the meal and bowling with you. I did not mind when people around us thought we were a family."  I blushed when I saw his answer.

        Text to Nath "What are you saying?"  

      Text from Nath "Chole, I love you. I want to be with you. The only trouble is something is holding you back, and I can't force you. Tell me, how do you feel about me?"

         I gasped. I did not know how to respond. A month ago, I would have said he was my best friend. Now, I was not sure. 

        Text from Nath "Chole, I will let you discover the answer. See you soon."

         I smiled. He implied he would let me figure it out and said, he would see me soon. How soon?

       I went back to sleep for a bit. I was awakened again by a knocking at the door.

    Sarah shouted, "Mom, come to the door. It is Dad, I mean Nathaniel is here."

       I got up, dressed, and pulled open the door.

      "Hi, Bee, and little Bee," Nathaniel said.

      "Hi, Nath," I said. 

   "Mom, let him inside, please," Sarah said.

   "Yes, please, let me in," Nathaniel added.

    "Nath, do come in," I said. I smiled when he stepped into the house and closed the door after him.  Sarah locked it.

         Nathaniel and I sat on the sofa. Sarah brought us some bagels, cream cheese, and coffee.

           "Where did you learn to make coffee?" I asked. "Oh, Grandpa showed me," Sarah answered.

           "Thank you," Nathaniel said.

      Sarah started to color.  She smiled when she saw how close we sat. 

          I  saw him looking in my direction and blushed. "Nath, what brings you here?"

          "I came to see my two favorite girls," He said.

     "Oh, and who might that be?" I asked teasing him. "You and Sarah," He said.

            I smiled. He smiled too.

         I ate a bagel and he ate one as well.

        I  reached for the creamer at the same time he did. For a moment our hands touched and I blushed. I could see a corner of his cheeks turn red.

       I  let go of it and he poured some creamer into his coffee, then offered it to me. I put some in mine.

           I  felt the coffee helped me to feel more alert.

            Nathaniel took a few sipes and set the coffee mug on the coffee table. He kissed me and I felt like someone had shot electrical currents through my body. I  kissed him back.

              I  did not know where this relationship was going, but I knew I longed for his kisses.

  Find out more as the story continues in Chapter 27

  Until then,

bye-bye,

little owlets!

Summer out!