nothing is temporary

three | second base

wise men say
only fools rush in
but I can't help
falling in love
with you

"Cass! Get in!" Topher yelled from his Bronco. I was walking home from the local book store when I heard his familiar engine pull up; the same as Jack's, just white.

"Uhm... a little kidnapper-y Toph, don't ya think?" I called back. Chase, in the passenger's seat, let out a chuckle.

"There are better ways I could have worded that, maybe." He grinned.

"Jack's party, blondie. You shouldn't be walking home in the dark anyway. You should've called us." Chase mumbled. I hopped into the bed and leaned my face towards the middle of the two. "Jack is having a party?"

"He didn't tell you?" Topher scrunched his nose.

"Sounds like a no." Chase sighed. "You're in the group, you're coming. He probably just forgot to text you." Chase gave my head a little pat. "Don't stress too much about it."

It was hard not to stress when Jack has been acting perfectly fine and then pulled this. I looked down at my clothes and couldn't deny I'd worn better outfits to public. My faded blue cropped tank and my jean shorts were now dry from the swimsuit underneath it.

In Carmel Shores, you hardly ever wore a bra and underwear. Nine times out of ten, your average teen on the street was wearing a bikini under her clothes.

"So this is Jack's house." I whispered to the boys.

"Home away from home. Come on in." Topher helped me leap out of the back of the Bronco and held the door open for me to the house.

It was packed full, smelling of strong vodka, stale beer, and weed. I could barely move before a path suddenly cleared its way, revealing Mia at the end. Of course everyone would move for her; the Red Sea would part if Mia wanted it to.

"Baby!" She threw her arms around me and planted a big kiss on my lips.

"Woah, hey babe! How much have you had to drink?" I chuckled at her. She pretended to count before shrugging her shoulders and giving up. "The question is not how much I've had, it's why have you not had enough?" She giggled before clasping my hand, leading me into the kitchen, and handing me a drink. "Oh, I think that's Jack! Jack, look who's here!" Mia yelled, waving her arms like a crazy person. I froze in place, cursing her in my mind.

"Cassidy?" Jack said, setting his drink on the table by the other guys he was talking to. "What are you doing here?"

My mouth hung open. "I really can't believe you right now." I grabbed my drink and headed down a hallway in this small ass house. There was no upstairs, but I did find a bedroom that didn't look like it was used regularly; a guest room. Perfect, because it would be so awkward to be mad at him and sit on his bed.

I had finished my drink and stared up at the ceiling. The door opened slowly and shut just as softly.

"Cassidy, look –"

"Jack, I'm so confused. You throw this party, say we're friends, then invite all our friends except for me. That was just so shitty of you and to be honest —"

"Oh my God, Cassidy, shut your mouth for one second!" The bed sank in at my feet and I sat upright, waiting for him to continue.