• C H A P T E R S I X •

Wandering

"Huh..." Tom stepped out of the kitchen with his filled glass of alcohol- looking terribly confused by Chloe's reaction. 

"You see, I don't think that my height is the only thing you gals should be lovin'." The girls in front of Benedict giggled and Tom rolled his eyes at his best friend flirting. 

He actually found it quite funny. 

"Ben, Ben!" Tom whispered desperately and Benedict dragged his best bud into the crowd. 

"Tom, Thomas! Join me!" Smiling awkwardly, Tom nervously sipped at his glass as Benedict sighed and began to introduce him to the woman around him. "Meet Sarah, Anna and Mary. Can you believe that their names spell out Sam?" Benedict chuckled. "They're great-" 

"Excuse me, Sam." Tom interrupted and tugged Benedict away from them- and he squealed lightly. 

"Call me!" Benedict cried out as he was dragged out of the room. "Tom, come on... you were ruining my vibe..." Straightening his jacket, Benedict took a small sip from his cup. "Anyway, what's wrong?" Tom bit his lip and didn't really know how to gather his words- since Benedict just did something to his vibe of trying to explain.  

"Oh my..." Tom breathed to himself and blinked continuously while the words rushed to his mind. "... C-Chloe looked really confused." Frowning, Benedict shook his head. 

"... I'm going to need a bit more detail Hiddles." He placed his hand onto Tom's shoulder. 

"She's confused that I'm here." He said quickly and took a large gulp from his cup. 

Benedict inhaled deeply and was also confused about Chloe's behaviour. But, he had to comfort his friend- even if he ruined his night with a chance to meet a woman.  

"Tom, I bet she's just surprised after so long... Maybe you should talk to her. And, give her that present." Benedict nudges and smiles slightly- and it made Tom smirk- which then gave him some hope. 

"I'll be back." Tom slowly walked away and looked back. "Thanks Ben." 

And Tom made his way towards Chloe and her friends. 

"You don't know?" Jessica cried out.

"I guess I don't, I mean... it's been too long." Caroline draped one arm over Chloe's shoulder. 

"But, you remember some memories, right?" Chloe nodded. 

She definitely did. Especially the good, kind and comforting ones. 

"Um..." She felt a tap on her back and scrunched her toes together. "Ex-excuse me." Chloe knew that voice- she turned around, a smile creeping onto her face. "Hey, sorry, can we go somewhere private?" 

Tom simpered and Chloe grabbed Tom's hand before taking him upstairs. 

Although, Tom really didn't know how to respond to hand holding. He didn't know if he should clutch on her's hard or with less strength. 

Chloe didn't mind taking Tom upstairs, since Tom was the only guy she had ever let into her bedroom. With permission, of course.

Upon entering, Chloe took a deep breath in and tucked her hands into  her pockets. 

"What's up, Hiddlespuff?" Bowing her head, Chloe chuckled under her breath. 

"I..." Tom couldn't help but laugh as he took out a box. "I... wow... I wanted to give you this." Licking his lips, Tom handed the present to her. 

"You didn't have to..." Chloe said with shock and pulled the lid off, which revealed a lovely bracelet. "Ah, Tom... it's beautiful." Biting her lip, Chloe threw her arms around Tom with hesitation. 

"It's really great to see you Chloe." Tom said softly into Chloe's ear. 

"It's great to see you too Tom." Releasing his arms from Tom, Chloe place the bracelet onto her bed. "I'm sorry for earlier, I just... I wasn't expecting you." Chloe slightly simpered, and didn't really want to express how she didn't invite him in the first place. 

She thought that it may hurt him a little. "I was thinking... now that you're here, we could maybe... spend some more time together? O-only if you can." Chloe folded her arms and simpered slightly. 

Tom was glad that Chloe had brought this subject up. Or he would have- if he had the confidence.

"S-sure, yeah okay. I guess- it'll be nice to catch up." Tom nodded slowly and focused on his old best friend.  

And both realised that they had missed each other dearly.   

But neither wanted to truly confess.