****Reminder: You need to read Catching Feelings before you read this story, or you will be confused or spoiled on certain events!****
*****The Night of the Halloween Society Event*****
It wasn't quite time for Jeremy to go find Jasper yet, so the group was meandering around, enjoying some of the drinks and food, and dancing. Dancing at an event like this wasn't like homecoming, though. Chloe was expected to keep everything appropriate, as her parents were there and they didn't like there to be rumors about the family. Still, even if she couldn't drive Wayne crazy, she could still dance close to him. She showed him a few basic waltz steps, so he could keep up on those dances, and made sure that they were as up close and personal as they could be during those dances, her red and black lace skirts swirling around his legs as they moved.
Wayne and her seemed to be getting far more looks of interest or disgust from the society people than even Jeremy and Jimmy did, though their two friends weren't being overtly flirty or affectionate at the event. There were little tell-tale signs though, like how Jeremy's hand would linger on Jimmy's shoulder or the small of his back when he was showing him something or introducing him to someone.
The only plus side was that, since they were in public, her parents didn't make any overt comments. Just said they were happy to meet him, and then her mother told Chloe they would talk about this later before they disappeared for the rest of the night.
Chloe stopped to grab them a couple of glasses of water and handed one to Wayne. "So, now you've seen what an event in my world is all about. What do you think?"
"I dunno, Chloe, I thought it'd be more... like a plantation. Where are all the indentured servants?" Wayne joked quietly.
Chloe gave a surprised laugh at that joke. "No indentured servants, though some of the people that work in these households might as well be. I know people who have gotten married at plantations, though. They don't invite Ethan and me to those weddings anymore after we started pretending to see the spirits of the past saying they would curse the bride and groom back when we were sixteen."
Wayne laughed, then started humming "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" whenever he spotted a rich white guest. Chloe giggled at his antics and then laced his arm with hers. The two of them were making their way back to the rest of their small group when someone saying Chloe's name made them stop and turn around.
The man that was standing there looked to be about their age, and it was clear he was one of the guests by the tuxedo he wore. He had incredibly blonde hair that was cut short and styled, and deep brown eyes. He looked to be around five foot ten and had a lean but built frame. His eyes looked warm when he was looking at Chloe, but as soon as they flicked over to glance at Wayne, they seemed to have a chill in them.
Chloe, though, now had a scowl on her face as she looked at the man.
"It is you," the man said and smiled at her. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"Never would have been too soon," Chloe ground out.
"Now, now, remember your manners, Chloe," the man told her. "You haven't introduced me to your...friend."
"It's only good manners if he wants to meet you," Chloe replied.
Before she could steer them away, though, the man looked at Wayne, and spoke. "I'm Maximilian Pearson, but you can call me Max. And you are?"
"Maximilian? You're going to lead with that moniker? I think I'll pass," Wayne said, looking at Chloe, "It appears my date passes as well. Good day, Maximilian."
"I mean, your date used to scream it in bed, but sure," Max replied, seemingly unbothered by Wayne's dismissal.
"I think that's a bit of an exaggeration, Max," Chloe pointed out. "I definitely want to just dance with my date, though. If you'll excuse--"
Her words were cut off by Max grabbing her arm and pulling her away from Wayne and across the room to one of the quieter areas of the ballroom of the country club. Chloe swore at him the whole way, telling him to let her go, but he ignored her. Wayne moved to stop them, but Chloe waved him off, gesturing for him to wait for her.
"Max, you're hurting me!" she hissed at him, trying to pull out of his grip. "You definitely haven't become less of an asshole over time, have you?"
"You avoid all society events for two years, and the first one you show up to after all of this time, you show up with...that?" Max asked incredulously.
"You want to try that again, Max?" Chloe demanded, her voice a growl.
"You don't bring the help to the ball, your Highness," Max said to her, his voice full of condescension.