The Dance: Chapter 3
With the crumpled up note in her pocket, Chloe just had to think of a plan on how to distract Bailey from seeing that the note he left for Andrea went missing. She couldn't brainstorm with Zoey, as she had no clue about what she did. She felt a little guilty about intervening, especially with Andrea trying to be cordial with her. The handshake they exchanged felt genuine.
It was the next practice day at the stables and Chloe and Zoey arrived with the other girls already prepping for the day. The two sisters walked into the stables without the other girls even really skipping a beat. Chloe felt drowned in her thoughts.
If Bailey finds out I stole his note, he'll never wanna speak to me again. Chloe walked past Andrea, who was brushing Jupiter. And Andrea already thought I was mean, so I guess it won't be the worst thing in the world if she finds out.
"Hey, Chloe, hi, Zoey." Andrea greeted.
Chloe felt taken aback. "Oh, uh, hey, Andrea," She gulped.
"So, my mom is gonna take me to the party store to get the decorations," Andrea did not pick up on Chloe's uneasiness, as she was too focused on making sure her horse's coat was clean. "I have a pic of them on my phone, you wanna see?"
"Wow, uh, cool." Chloe jumped into Chilli's stall. "Um, no, I trust your judgement."
The other girls had stopped in their tracks, appalled at the words Chloe just uttered.
"Wait, what?" Andrea said, confused, "you do?"
"I know I did not just hear THEE Chloe Stilton just say that she trust's someone's judgement on something as huge as decoration?" exclaimed Nani.
"Yeah, sis, are you okay?" asked Zoey.
"Maybe you should go lay down," Molly chimed in, "you're not acting like yourself."
"Guys, guys, I'm fine!" Chloe put her hands up in a defensive pose, as she laughed nervously.
"Nah, you're acting a little strange," said Alma.
"Ah, stop it you guys," Chloe continued, "Andrea and I are starting anew."
"You guys are cool now?" asked Sarah.
"Yeah, we shook hands yesterday and put the past behind us."
Andrea's friends all turned to her for confirmation. Andrea stared back.
"I mean, yeah that is true," Andrea started. "But I didn't expect a complete 180 from you, ya know?"
Bailey walked into the barn. "Good morning girls."
"Morning!" chimed the group.
"Morning, Drea." Bailey said, smiling.
"Morning." Andrea smiled back.
At that moment, Chloe started to panic. She did not think of a plan to get Andrea to come to the lounge, where Bailey would be waiting for her. She had to think, and fast. Without thinking, she went into the tack room, got the note out of her pocket, and slipped it back inside Andrea's locker, without anyone even noticing, except for Zoey. Zoey stared at her sister's actions with a raised eyebrow.
"Uh, Chlo, are you good?" Zoey asked, "You've been acting off since last night."
"Never better, sis!" Chloe responded, without missing a beat. "Hey Andrea?"
"What's up?"
"I completely forgot to grab a Chilli's curry comb, can you go grab it?"
Andrea gave her a look of disbelief. "But you were just in the tack room?"
"Please! I'm gonna be late for our lesson if I don't start getting Chilli ready, like, right this second." Chloe clasped her hands together, in a begging pose.
"Oh, alright," Andrea sighed.
Chloe's plan was now set in motion.
Andrea walked into the tack room and went to the grooming tools to do as Chloe asked. Before she exited the room, she saw a piece of paper sticking out of her locker that she did not see before. She opened her locker and the note fell on her riding boots. She opened up the slightly crumpled paper to read its contents.
Andrea walked out the room, blushing, and giving Bailey a passing glace.
"Here you go, Chloe." Andrea said quickly, passing the comb to her.
"Thanks! I owe you one!" Chloe smiled, mischievously.
Andrea, Molly, Sarah, Alma, and Noni tacked up their horses and walked them out to the riding ring. Andrea had to tell them what she read.
"Guys, you'll never believe what Bailey left in my locker." She exclaimed with excitement.
"What?" asked Nani.
"Tell us!" said Alma.
"He left a note saying he wants to meet in the lounge to tell me how he really feels!"
The group squealed, jumping up and down, as preteen girls do.
"He's finally gonna ask you to the dance!" Sarah said, loudly, as Chloe and Zoey walked up, joining them. This prompted the other girls to shush her.
Chloe acted as if she didn't hear them. Zoey looked over at her and locked eyes with her. She gestured her head over to the girls to signal that she was going to lose her chance. Chloe just shrugged, but with a smile. Something was up and Zoey was going to find out what it was. She didn't say anything either, following her sister's lead.
"Hey, Zo, I'm gonna go get a water from the lounge, you want some?" Chloe asked.
"Uh, no, thanks." Zoey gave her sister a suspicious look.
"Okay, suit yourself!" Chloe walked away, heading towards the house.
Andrea saw Bailey walk Aztec out and tie him to that riding ring post. She locked eyes with him. Bailey blushed and quickly walked towards the house, as well.
"Welp, here's my chance guys." Andrea took a deep breath. "Wish me luck!"
"Go get him, girl!" cheered Molly.
Inside the house, Chloe was pretending to get a bottle of water from the kitchen, but she was really waiting for Bailey to come in. She hoped and prayed that this would go the way she wanted.
The door opened and in walked Bailey.
"Oh, hey, Chloe," Bailey said, surprised. "I didn't think anyone would be in here at this time."
"Oh I was just grabbing a water before practice, to, you know, stay hydrated!" said Chloe, normally. To Bailey, she was acting like herself, but in the inside, she was screaming with nerves. "Hey Bail…"
"What?" asked Bailey. "If you don't mind, I'm kind of expecting Andrea."
"Well that's the thing," Chloe said, walking closer to him, stepping into the lounge. "I don't think she's coming.."
"What? Why?" he asked.
"Well, I overheard them talking about some note you left in her locker, and," Chloe paused.
"And? Did she say something?" Bailey's voice started to sound scared.
Chloe bit her bottom lip. "Well, I didn't hear much, but they were all laughing, and I heard the words, 'I'll let him down gently.'"
Bailey fell silent. A lump formed in his throat and his legs became weak. He fell onto the couch and stared off into space, processing what he just heard. The only word he could mutter was "Oh,"
Chloe sat down beside him, placing her arm around his shoulder. "I'm really sorry I had to be the one to tell you."
"No, thank you, Chloe." Bailey said, sadly. "You saved me from an embarrassing moment."
Chloe heard the door creak open. Without looking, she knew it was Andrea. She took the moment to lean her head on his shoulder. The door creaked closed. Mission, success.
"I know how much you liked her." Chloe said. "But look on the bright side, I don't have a date yet, either."
"So?" asked Nani, seeing Andrea walking back. "How did it go?"
Tears swelled in Andrea's eyes. "He set me up."
"What?!" the group said together.
"No way," said Sarah. "What happened?"
"I walked in and I see him and Chloe sitting together on the couch, cuddling." Andrea's voice began to crack.
Zoey had a confused look on her face, but she remained silent.
"I don't believe it," said Molly. "And all this time we really though Bailey was all about you."
"I was so stupid to believe he'd like a girl like me…" Andrea hung her head down. She had no time to process what she just saw, as Will walked into the ring.
"Alright guys, let get started!" said Will signaling everyone in. "Where's Bailey and Chloe?"
"We're right here!" said Chloe, walking up with Bailey. With the attention on them, everyone could see their hands intertwined.