Miss Snyder welcomed the four boys with a smile when they entered her classroom. Seven others, four boys and three girls, were in the room, along with the teacher. Then, as Sean went to find a seat, a seventh grade girl named Chloe Levin ran over to him, grabbing him in a bearhug. Torn between not knowing whether to feel embarrassed or flattered, Sean accepted Chloe's tight embrace. Besides, her grip was so tight, he doubted if he could break the hold even if he wanted to.

Chloe was considered a prime target for bullies. She had been diagnosed with Autism and partial Downs Syndrome. Furthermore, she stood shorter than most of her classmates. The top of her head fit snugly under Sean's chin and while not fat, had a chunky body. At least the plastic girls thought so. Only when the teacher commanded, “You can let go of him now,” did she release her grip on Sean. After she did, she enlightened him as to the reasons for her actions. “I heard what you did to Stacy Klimkowski, that'll teach her.”

As weeks turned into months, Sean began to relax more. He had established a genuine friendship with Scott and the two seventh graders, Arnie and Sam. However, one day after school, Estelle got him on his own. “Do you know Chloe really likes you?”

“She does?” Sean responded in surprise.

“Yes she does. I thought you might have noticed that when she gave you that big hug at the first meeting,” Estelle identified.

“I always thought it was because of what I did to Klimkowski,” Sean returned.

“That might be part of it,” Estelle admitted, “But don't you notice how she sits near you at the meetings and why she nominated you for president? What you did to Klimkowski made you a hero in her eyes but she really likes you and thinks you're cute.”

“Oh,” was all Sean could muster as he tried to take it all in.

“Besides,” Estelle continued, “I hear the other girls talk and they all thing you're a sicko because of what you did to Klimkowski.”

“Do you think I'm a sicko?” Sean asked in all honesty.

“No, I think you're a nice guy and I loved how you put Klimkowski in her place. She's nothing but a bully. As for me, I'm a Leversee Lady.”

“A what lady?” Sean inquired.

A Leversee Lady,” Estelle reiterated and further explained, “Leversee Ladies are devoted fans of Mark Leversee.”

“What the kids who shot up this school?” Sean's puzzlement plain to see.

“Yep, I think if I had known him ten years ago, I would have been able to help him. But do think about what I said about Chloe. She really likes you.”

He had to admit, he enjoyed Chloe's tight embrace and sure, she might have had Downs Syndrome but that didn't make her unattractive. He also thought about what Estelle had told him about the other girls at school thinking he was a sick pervert because of what happened with Stacy Klimkowski. All the muddle made his head spin, therefore, he decided to talk with the one person he knew he could go to.

“Mom, can I talk to you?” Sean asked when he found his mother in the living room.

“Sure, what is it?” Mother inquired, her voice being forever reassuring.

“There is this girl in school who likes me,” Sean informed.

Mother smiled at her son, “Oh, do you like her?”

“I think so, I'm not really sure,” he confessed.

“Well tell me more about her, what's her name?” Mother instructed.

“Her name is Chloe Levin, she's a seventh grader and she's in the Helping Hands group with me.

Mother further probed, “How do you know she likes you?”

“Another girl in the group told me,” Sean imparted. “But she always sits near me at the meetings and she was the one who nominated me as president of the group. At the first meeting, she came up to me and gave me a hug because I stood up to the Klimkowski girl.”

“Well, why aren't you sure if you like her or not?” Mother continued.

“Because I only found out today.”

“Oh,” Mother realized. “Do you think she's pretty or does she have a nice personality?”

“I guess so,” Sean shrugged. She seems nice but she does have Downs Syndrome.”

“What does that matter?” Mother fired back. “It's no matter if she's got Downs Syndrome or five heads, it's what you think of her and if you are worried about what people might think because you like this girl, then don't worry. It's they who have the problem.”

With these words of wisdom to ponder, Sean thanked his mother and went off to think about what she had said.

Ponder is what Sean did, not just for the evening but for the rest of that week. He also tried to read signals form Chloe when she and Estelle sat with them for lunch.and on the school playground after they ate. She always seemed to be looking at him and always smiling. After a few more days of pondering and another conversation with Mom, he decided to simply talk to her.

From then on, Sean made it a point to invite Chloe and Estelle to sit with them at lunchtimes, none of the boys objected. He also made sure he sat next to Chloe. Estelle seemed to sense this and was happy to assist. When not disttracted by the other guys talking about subjects of their interest, Sean would start up a conversation with Chloe.

There was a sweet innocence about her which Sean found quite appealing. In sone ways, she was like a little girl. She loved watching “Spongebob Squarepants” and told about her big doll house. This gave Sean the confidence to divulge that he liked building spacecrafts with Lego. Chloe finding that cool lessened his worries that ever since Jeremy's betrayal, his former friend would spill the secret to his bullies. With Chloe, he began to feel he could tell her most anything.

Sean enjoyed spending his lunchtimes with Chloe and was glad that the rest of the group were so accommodating. It led Sam to comment, “We need to have more girls in our group.”

“Yeah, maybe,” Estelle responded. “But girls either don't realise or like to admit that they are being bullied. As Mrs. Hinton pointed out last year, girl bullies are more coniving.”

“I know a girl who's being bullied,” Stewart identified. “Her name is Nancy Flowers and some of the girls in sixth grade really give her a hard time.”

“Invite her to come to our next meeting,” Sean suggested rather authoritively.

While things seemed to be going well with Chloe, Sean started thinking about his next move. He wasn't sure how to take things further and he sorely wanted to do that. His answer came on the Saturday, when he went with Scott, Sam and Arnie to see the latest “Transformers” movie. During the ads for upcoming films, there was one for an upcoming movie from the creators of “Minions.” He remembered that Chloe really like the Minions so this presented him with a golden opportunity. He would ask Chloe to the movie.

On the Monday, it took every ounce of determined discipline for Sean to coneal his excitement over asking Chloe out. While nothing was going to stop that determination, Sean feared what grief he and Chloe might get from the other kids, especially Eddie and the rest of those bullies. None of them needed to know what went on in his personal life.

Sean sat with his four friends at the normal spot for lunch. He made sure that there was a place for Chloe to sit when she arrived. His anticipation grew as he scanned the children coming into the gym for lunch. Seeing Estelle got his hopes up but those hopes were dashed when she came over to them minus Chloe.

Estellle must have sensed Sean's disappointment because as soon as she sat down, she volunteered, “Chloe's not in school today, she's home sick.”

“Oh,” was all Sean could say, doing his best to hide his disappointment.

Sean managed to keep a lid on his feelings for the rest of the Monday and he had to dig really deep to do the same when Chloe was still home sick on Tuesday. If she had been home on the Wednesday, he might have lost it but to his delight, Chloe was back in school. He couldn't hide his feelings of joy when she sat down next to him at lunch.

“I'm glad you're feeling better,” he offered.

After a taking a bite from her sandwich and a few chews Chloe responded, “Yeah, I had a bad tummy but I'm all better now.”

“Good,” Sean returned. He went back to eating lunch but a few minutes later, he stated, “There's a new Minions movie coming out.”

“I want to see it,” Chloe responded.

Siezing his chance, Sean struck. “The movie's coming to Ramsgate this weekend, would you like to go see it with me?”

“Yes,” came Chloe's excited reply.

Seeing the excited look on both of their faces, Estelle chimed in, “You two are going to have a good time.” Her success at having played matchmaker pleased her deeply.

Mom was really pleased when Sean told her of his stepping up and asking Chloe out. She even assisted with the logisitcs for their big evening. Tara spoke with Chloe's mom and said that she would take care of transport. Apparently, the two mothers had a nice long friendly chat and afterwards, Tara informed Sean, “It appears that Chloe thinks you're some kind of hero because you stood up the the girl who had been bullying her.”

Friday evening couldn't come quick enough for Sean. The rest of the week seemed to sail past. Even the nasty looks from Eddie and his crew did nothing to lower his mood. As he stood in front of the bathroom mirror, he gave himself one last going over knowing that his mother would inspect him. He wore a light blue polo shirt, although it would be concealed by his coat and black trousers with comfortable but non formal light brown shoes. At least the thought he looked good but then he joked, “Maybe I should shave.” With that, he left to see mom.

“Don't you look good,” Mom commented as she gave him the once over.

“My son's going on his first date,” Father added. “I guess you're becoming a man.”

The three minute drive from Sean's house to Chloe's seemed double as did the short walk to the front door. His mom sitting in the car drove his confidence on. Again, the time between ringing the doorbell and the door opening seemed twice as long. A woman around his own mother's age opened the door. Her hair was darker and straighter than Chloe's and she was taller and more slender. Still, as he briefly studied her face, Sean thought he could see some of Chloe in her mother. “I'm here to pick up Chloe, “ he announced, proud of himself for not stammering.

“You must be Sean, I'm Mrs. Levin,” the woman at the door replied very cheerfully. She opened the front door and invited him in. Accepting the invitation, he entered the home. The front door opened to a landing with the main living room off to the left. A male figure, obviously Chloe's father, observed him from across the room. He made no effort to come forward but stood there observing Sean, most likely questioning in his mind, “Is this young man good enough for my daughter?”

The sound of footfalls coming down the stairs refocused his attention. He had to look hard at the young woman who had now reached the bottom of the staircase. “Was it really Chloe?” The brown hair, which she always tied back, now hung down around her shoulders. In school, she always wore jogging bottoms or loose fitting trousers but now she was in a pretty light blue dress which ended just below her knees. Light tan panty hose covered her legs. Sean looked on with astonishment, Chloe looked absolutely beautiful.

Chloe walked over the the astonished Sean. “Let's get some pictures,” Chloe's mother suggested. The couple turned around to see Mrs. Levin holding a cell phone. “Stand next to each other and smile.” Both complied as she took a few photos. “Now put your arms around each other's waists.” Sean needed no further encouragement. The feel of Chloe up against him made him feel all tingly. After a few more snaps, they were allowed to go.

It was now Tara's turn to be the doting mother as Sean opened the back door to let Chloe in. She turned around and said, “It's nice to meet you, Chloe.” Chloe smiled back. As Sean began to open the front passenger door, mother made a gesture with her head to get in the back seat and sit next to his date.

Nothing was said for the very short ride to the Ramsgate Twin Theatre. When the car stopped in front, Sean immediately jumped out and sped around the back of the car to let Chloe out. Once she deplaned the car, Sean gave a quick wave to his mother and they went inside.

Sean had been to this cinema many times in the past and it hadn't really changed. Some say it really hadn't changed in over 50 years but on this particular evening, there was a different atmosphere. Maybe it was the company. He paid for the tickets, bought a medium sized buttered popcorn and two sodas. After which, the couple went to find their seats.

Like with so many sequels and movie spin offs, the film wasn't that spectacular. It had its funny bits and he laughed at those. However, Chloe giggled all throughout the movie and Sean found that more amusing than the film. He loved watching her giggle, knowing she was enjoying the movie. About halfway through, he notcies her arm resting on the armrest next to his seat so he decided to act. He reached out and put his hand on top of hers. Without breaking her concentration, she turned her arm over, entwining her fingers with his. They sat like that for the rest of the film. Sean couldn't be more content.

Hands stayed together after the movie ended. Sean's reasoning was that he was helping her out of the cinema. However, they continued to hold hands as they went through the lobby and into the street where Dad's car was waiting. Their joy was such that they didn't realize some kids from school had spotted them and immediately began whispering.

Unlike the ride to the cinema, the ride back went too quick. When the car pulled up to Chloe's house, Sean got out and ran around the back of the car to help Chloe get out. Then he walked her to her front door. “I really had a nice time,” he told her.

“So did I, the movie ws funny.”

With that and Chloe being shorter than he, Sean bent down and kissed her forehead. Responding with a strength he didn't realize she had, Chloe pulled him down to where their lips met for a brief kiss. He only wished it lasted a little longer. “I'll see you in school on Monday,” he said. Chloe went to the front door but before she went in turned and said with a grin, “I'll see you in school.”

Sean practically floated back to the car. When he got in, Dad asked, “Did you enjoy the movie?”

“Yes,” was all Sean could reply.

After a minute's silence nd nearly home, Dad declared, “You know you can do better than that.”

“Better than what?”

“Than her,” Dad clarified.

“But I really like her,” Sean defended.

“Maybe so, but if other girls see you with her, they will think you are so desparate that you will go with anyone. They won't respect you.”

“I don't care about that,” Sean asserted.

“You will,” Father responded in a tone which said the conversation was now over. In spite of that, Sean was determined he wasn't going to let it spoill his great night.