face from his head. When he saw her in the hallway, he felt guilty. She avoided eye contact with him, eng

distance. At lunch, he lingered in the doorway of the cafeteria,

through the noise as he step

up, surprise igni

She tried to be casu

ined his head to the emp

but finally shr

to apologize for what happened." He looked

d her eyes. "Yeah? A

the table, leaning forward. "Bu

Her eyebrow

his voice firm. "Let's

ng past betrayal against p

e that lit up his eyes. "N

at her plate of uneaten food as though

trust you?"

o know you," he replied

ering-until she lowered hers again, discom

w," she mutt

rst that can happen? We get coffee after

ssie sighed and toyed with her

tulated finally.

them as they spoke more easily of classes and teachers-the ordinary stuff of high schoo

il the lunch period was over and reality intrude

s heart pounding not in regret but in an

th Jeff. They'd meet after school at a cozy coffee shop, the aroma of freshly brewed coffees and baked treats w

n she'd walk in, pretending a profound exi

smile pulling at her lips. "Do

e smiled, his gre

high school life. Cassie was also surprised at how much Jeff shared about his own struggles

is chair and cocking his head playfully, "the

ow shot up. "Y

ically. "You think popularity is a breeze? I am attemp

ng in disbelief. "How do you do it, be funny

" he said wit

at made her insecurities thaw just slightly. She caught herself gazing at him when he wasn't looking, a

ectly to the coffee shop one day after class. The sun was sett

bout what you wanna

long the curv

be somebody import

are." He jokingly bumpe

uld feel her cheeks fl

You have this spark that

even though the nagging doub

ting his words envelop like

uring that joking and laughing, for the first time, she did not care what other people thought; she

t her mother, Lucy, who was stirring the spaghetti sauce on the stove, its savory scent filling the air. The home

d, pausing for le

ng at the sound of her daughter

er lip. "I m

se as she put down the

school." The words spilled out quicker than she'd meant

one of cautious interes

he remembered Jeff's laughter and easy charm. "He

t then crossed her arms tightl

d feel the uncerta

o be careful. High school boys. thei

t that. "Mom! He

g the sauce again as though she was trying to sti

ring the sauce, the soft clinking of the pot resounding in the

ay what they think you want to hear. You're intelligent and attrac

r, her arms folded across her ch

w him, sweetie. But it couldn't hurt to

id, a flash of determination in her eyes. "

ne line of concern furrowing her face. "Go slow. The

s advice. She knew Lucy was watching out for her best interest

ie finally repl

hadows along the walls. She got onto her bed, her heart racing as she fumbled for her phone. Th

after two rings, his

she said, her sto

actually sounded gl

erhaps we can go

ut before she had t

Where do you

downtown? It'll be ni

ct, Jeff said rig

in

ea

m traveled ov

ned with his excite

er," he s

, Cassie experienced a wonderful sense of hope and exhilaratio

glanced at her watch and felt her heart leap with anticipation. When Jeff arrived,

king green of his eyes li

face. They took a seat on a bench overlooking the wat

looking around. "I'm g

e hustle and bustle," Cassie said as she started to

ginning to twinkle above them. "You know, I've alway

iving in a city like New York or maybe Pari

, intrigued. "Art?

ays thought putting things on paper, writing or dr

hide it because. well, basketball

his eyes with int

real me; they only see the athlete or the playboy." He paused for a m

between them as Cassie

el trapped?" sh

aid. "But when I'm wit

She shifted closer and their knees touche

you?" he pre

ed. "Sometimes, I still feel insecure about the

way you are," Jeff said rea

that moment when truths were exchanged and closeness had been gained, Cassie felt

hers. The kiss ignited something electric between them-a mix of longing and

and froze in his steps as he caught them locked in an embrace under the stars-a scene he h

he scanned the busy room at the mixture of laughter and chatter across the space. Spying Chloe

ly as she slipped onto

, pushing her glasses up her

replied, trying to shake off

d around him like fireworks. He caught Cassie's eye and couldn't help but wink. Mem

, nudging Jeff with an e

Cassie. He felt something genuine blooming between them,

rd their table with purpose. He flashed a

loud enough for all to he

ocket a bill-one hun

sm. "I never thought you had that in you. I knew that we

ble, eyes darting to Cassie as

l for you, even kissing her under t

er ringing sharp like breaking glass. "Seriousl

s; she wanted nothing more than to vanish from sight. Thank goodness finals were right

ade Cassie realize it was time to sever ties. While high school did have its moments,