In Charlie's Arms

25 • The Old Oak Tree

"I'm gonna miss this old tree," Sera said, looking up at the large oak tree that had been on her family's property for decades. It used to be a good tree for climbing before it died months ago, and she and her brother had spent many hours seeing how high they could climb when they were little. "Do you really have to cut it down? It's not hurting anything."

"Sorry, 'Phina, but it's something that needs to be done," her father explained, picking up his chainsaw from the ground. "The longer it stays, the more dangerous it becomes. It's best we get it down now while it's still safe to climb."

"That and Mom will kill Dad if it's not gone before we start decorating for the Fall Ball," Micah chimed in. "Apparently it's 'an ugly stick in the ground.'"

Sera shook her head, watching as her father and brother ascended the tree. There were other workers in the clearing, too, all chopping down any dead trees that might take away from the Fall Ball's glamor.

She looked over her shoulder towards the spot she had first seen Charlie when she arrived several minutes ago, smiling when she saw him busily hauling off dead tree limbs to the burn pile a couple dozen yards away.

She thought about going after him, but stopped when a scrawny, blond-haired, blue-eyed body cut into her line of sight. The same one she always tried to avoid during working hours on the farm.

"Aren't you supposed to be in school right now?" Sera asked him, placing her hands on her hips.

Aidan smiled. "I decided to skip," he said with a shrug, "I guess you could call me a 'bad boy,' or something."

"He's lying," Micah called out as he climbed the tree, "the school had to shut down because of some maintenance issue."

"Don't listen to him," Aidan scowled. "He's just mad that I have more game than him."

Jordan started up the chainsaw, effectively cutting off whatever Micah was going to say next.

"Anyways," Aidan continued, schooling his features into something more flirty. "I was wondering if I could cash in that date you promised me."

Sera frowned. "What 'date?' I don't remember ever saying I would go on a date with you."

"Hmm, well I'm pretty certain you promised me one."

"Well I'm pretty certain that that never happened," Sera shot back.

The boy patted her shoulder soothingly. "You must be experiencing memory loss, but don't worry, we can get through this together."

Sera waved his hand away, trying to hide her amused smile with a scowl. "I think the only one here with a memory condition is you, making up false memories and stuff."

Aidan smirked. "You're hot when you frown."

Sera slapped a hand over her face. "Talking to you is the worst."

"Because it's hard to hide your attraction for me?" Aidan quipped.

A laugh bubbled out of Sera's throat, encouraging a chuckle from Aidan. "That was good," she complimented, immediately regretting her words when she saw his head grow a few sizes.

"Why, thank you," he replied. "I have been known to be pretty good with my quips." His face smoothed into something a little less playful. "But really though, I was wondering if you would save a dance for me at the Fall Ball. I have some friends going, and I want to show off. Unless you won't be going."

"Oh no, I'm definitely going," she told him. Even if I don't have any idea what to wear, she thought about adding, but ultimately didn't.

Sera had thought more about what Krista's said about her "overused" purple dress, and decided that might want to get something new. But, with the ball being a little over a week away and her schedule packed with work, school, and volunteering, it didn't seem like she would be getting a new dress anytime soon.