Finding Cassidy Green

1

7 days left

Dull. Boring. Routine. Uneventful. Gray.

Yeah, that's how I'd describe my life at this particular moment in time. However, that all changed when Cassidy Green showed up at my doorstep at 4 o' clock in the morning, backpack in tow, braids in her hair and that cheeky grin I'll never forget. It's been 9 years since I last saw this girl and she had disappeared, rather moved away, without a trace or maybe even a letter saying goodbye.

 I can't blame her though. 

Her parents had to move out of the country when I was 12 and she was 11. Cassidy leaving was kind of a big deal because we were childhood friends, and very close ones at that, ever since we were in diapers. At that time, it shook my world because I couldn't believe that my best friend of over 10 years was leaving and I had no idea why. 

And I cried. 

But then again, when you're 12, you get over that stuff because puberty hits you and you finally turn into a "man." At least that's what my dad told me.

And 9 years later, right at this very moment, Cassidy shows up at my door of the house I've been living in ever since. My parents left the house to me for the past 2 years as they're currently vacationing at Bora Bora as do all retired parents do.

She's standing outside and I can recognize certain features. She still has her big, brown child-like eyes and her unkept brown hair which I swear she hasn't brushed since the last time I saw her. I don't know if she was trying to achieve this hippie look or not, but right now she looked like a hobo. A pretty hobo...?

Well, I guess what I mean is that she just looked so natural and low maintenance but, god, so attractive. She showed up in all her shining Cassidy glory— no make up, tousled hair, a beanie, a button-up denim shirt, black cardigan, shorts, and her worn-out, white Converse sneakers. Geez, she's really gown up. Is this really the girl from 9 years ago? 

I probably can't properly function well and create a coherent thought because again, I'm awake at such an ungodly hour.  

As I drink in the girl that stands before me, she gives me one look and smiles. It's her smile that takes me back to all those days we spent playing hide-and-seek, watching movies till late at night, climbing trees, spending our summers at the pool in my backyard, and of course, going on adventures with my partner in crime. 

Cassidy. Freakin'. Green. At my doorstep, still looking at me with her huge, brown eyes and smirk. And at that very moment, I looked straight into her eyes again and I just knew.

She's back.