Chapter 64
The bell rang, ending the first class of the day. Students started filing out, chattering about assignments and weekend plans. I turned in my seat, catching Carly, Sam, and Freddie's attention.
"Hey," I said, slinging my backpack over one shoulder. "I've got something to tell you."
Carly just looked at me curiously, tilting her head slightly, waiting.
"Way better than anything from this morning," I continued with a grin.
Sam raised an eyebrow. "Does it involve food, chaos, or both?"
"Both. And way more than that," I said, letting the suspense hang in the air for a second. "My uncle Charlie is letting me throw an end-of-year party. His house. Big space. Real food. Music."
Freddie's eyes widened. "Wait—you're throwing a party at your uncle's beach house?"
I nodded. "That's the one."
Sam leaned in. "Is there gonna be a chocolate fountain?"
I looked at her, deadpan. "Really, Sam? I'm throwing an incredible party and your standard is a chocolate fountain?"
Sam shrugged. "Hey, priorities."
They all looked at each other, then back at me.
"Completely serious," I added. "So… you in?"
Three grins answered me before I even got a reply.
"So," I continued, "want to come to my house tomorrow? Help brainstorm how to make the party next level."
"To be fair," I added with a smirk, "I mostly want Carly's opinion. I'm thinking of inviting Regina from Class B too."
"Hey!" both Freddie and Sam said at the same time, offended.
I couldn't help but laugh at their identical reactions.
"I don't want a Willy Wonka party," I said, shooting a look at Sam. "And Freddie, you're better with record stuff. I was going to ask you to film the party—but nothing too professional. Just bring a regular camcorder."
Freddie looked mildly insulted but nodded. "Fine, but I'm still adjusting the audio levels. I have standards."
"Deal," I said.
The four of us were walking down the hallway when we spotted Regina approaching from the other end. I gave a casual, "Hey."
She smiled back, wearing the same playful grin. "Hey."
Carly just rolled her eyes.
I turned to Regina. "I need your help, Regina. I'm throwing a party this weekend—an end-of-year celebration—and I want your input on the planning."
Regina tilted her head. "Who are you inviting?"
"Everyone from my class, and a few from the other classes," I said.
"I'll help," she replied, "but only if you let me handle the rest of the guest list."
I leaned closer and whispered, "You can't ban the pretty ones."
"Deal," she said with a wink.
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The next day, the five of us split into two taxis and headed to Uncle Charlie's house. With that many people, squeezing into one cab just wasn't an option.
When we arrived, the beach house looked like a postcard—bright sunshine, ocean breeze, and the faint call of seagulls in the distance.
We stepped inside to find Charlie lounging on the sofa, smoothie in hand.
"Hey, kid," he said lazily. Then he noticed the group behind me. "Whoa. What is this, a band audition?"
"Uncle Charlie," I said, gesturing behind me, "this is Carly, Sam, Freddie, and Regina. Guys, meet my Uncle Charlie."
Charlie gave them his signature crooked grin. "Welcome to Harper's House."
Sam looked around, clearly impressed. "You actually live here? This place is insane."
Regina gave an approving nod, her eyes scanning the layout. "Yeah... this place is going to make one awesome party," she murmured.
I motioned toward the kitchen. "Come on, everyone—that way."
Charlie leaned in close to me and whispered playfully, "Hey, big dog. Which one are you planning to use the deck with?"
I rolled my eyes. "No one... for now," I replied with a grin.
I gave them the full tour—showing off the sleek kitchen, the wide deck (we reformed, and made it wider than the original), and the private path that led directly to the beach.
When we finished, we headed to my room. I had picked the second-best one in the house. Still big, with its own bathroom—though, to be fair, every room here had that. What really sold me was the little extra room on the side, almost like a private lounge. And most importantly, it wasn't right under Charlie's bedroom. That alone was a win.
As the others stepped inside, Regina casually dropped herself onto the bed without any hesitation. "Nice bedroom," she said, glancing around. "Pretty clean and organized."
Sam, with no sense of personal space whatsoever, immediately began snooping around the room. She checked out the shelves, opened a few drawers, then stopped when she spotted a guitar, an acoustic, and a DJ table all lined up in the corner.
"I didn't know you played instruments," she said, half impressed, half nosy.
Carly chimed in, arms crossed with a knowing smile. "Sam, Jake told us he takes guitar, electric guitar, and electronics lessons every week."
I shrugged. "Oh yeah, we've known each other for four months now, but you've never actually seen me sing."
Regina's eyes lit up with curiosity. "You could sing for us now."
I smiled but shook my head. "I will sing at the party."
"No way, come on, we're already here," Carly chimed in.
"Yeah, and we can judge if you're any good, so you don't embarrass yourself at the party," Sam added with a grin.
I rolled my eyes at Sam's comment.
"Okay," I said, clapping my hands once. "Let's go to the deck. Thankfully, it's not cold outside, even though it's December."
Everyone perked up and followed me out of the room. Before I left, I grabbed my guitar. As I walked through the living room, Charlie glanced up from his smoothie and gave me a knowing smile.
I just shook my head and kept walking, the sound of the sliding doors opening letting in the salty breeze and the soft rush of waves outside.
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