The Chosen Ones: Book 3: The War

10

Matt pulled Casey into his room later that afternoon as the sun was getting ready to set.
"What's up?" She asked, seeing that he was a little on edge.
"Nothing, well not NOTHING, I mean I was thinking, since we never got a chance to really go out, why don't I take you to dinner tonight?

Casey smiled. She couldn't help thinking how adorable it was that he was so nervous.
"Like a date?" She asked. Her smile could have lit up the room.
"Sure, like a date. Yeah, a date." He said, confidently.
"Of course. That'll be perfect."

Matt didn't know what tomorrow would bring. In fact, tomorrow was no longer guaranteed. He wanted to do something for her, something to make her feel normal. And if he was being honest with himself, he wanted a night where he could feel normal too. Casey suddenly hurried away down the hall, leaving Matt scratching his head.

Casey found Shannon in her room folding clothes and putting them away.
"Hey, I need your help."
"Sure, what's up?"
"Matt asked me to go to dinner tonight."
"Like a date?"

Casey nodded. Shannon gave her a hug. Their first official date. She could see how excited her friend was.
"Your first date!" She gushed. "Wait, I know why you're here. You have nothing to wear."
Casey nodded with a sad face.

"You came to the right place." Shannon said. She opened her closet, allowing Casey to pick whatever she wanted. Together, they laid out a few outfits and Casey tried them on in front of Shannon. This is what it was like to have a true friend. They both needed it. It reminded Casey of the times when she would help her little sister get ready for a party or a date with her boyfriend.

Casey had to leave her whole life behind after her family was murdered and she was on the run. Shannon on the other hand had lost both Amy and Gab, her two closet friends. So this little bonding moment hit home for both of them.

As night fell, everyone was at Matt's. Ben and Mary brought over Sierra and they ordered pizza for the whole gang. There was plenty of beer and wine. It was like a little going away party before the big day tomorrow. Ben and Mary didn't think of it as a party, more like a chance to see them all together and happy one more time. After all, they didn't know who was coming back alive, that's why it was important to the O'Hara's.

Casey came down wearing a short pair of black shorts and a black tight shirt that showed off her toned stomach. Her blonde hair looked almost white and was newly straightened. Shannon had helped her get ready.

"Damn!" Jenna said. "Where you going?"
Casey played coy. "I might have a date tonight."
Everyone gave out embarrassing hoots and hollers and whistles, much to her embarrassment.

Matt followed moments later wearing simple blue jeans and a white long sleeve shirt that contoured perfectly to his arms and chest.
"What no black t-shirt and a black baseball hat?" Shaun joked.
"This is actually Matt dressing up." Phil chimed in.
Matt laughed at his friends breaking his balls. They lovingly traded insults often.

"Where you guys going?" Mary asked.
"The Lake House." Matt replied.
It was an upscale restaurant about a half hour away that sat right next to a lake, hence the name.
"Great choice." Ben added.
"Well, you guys have fun." Phil said. "We'll be here, getting drunk."

On the car ride there Matt and Casey engaged in small talk. They never really had time for it before Casey left for the Nest. They chatted about everything from their favorite foods to music preferences, and even touched on each others hobbies and future goals, before all this happened around them.