when i turned 18

The Bag {Chapter 5}

Two hours later, I wake up in the middle of the night and realize I need to wake up Cassidy. I hadn't noticed I'd fallen asleep, and my mom is already angry I'm not home yet.

I gently nudge Cassidy's arm. "Hey, Cass. Wake up." It takes her a few moments to rouse, her sudden awakening evident in the slight jump she makes. "Holy shit, Andrew, you scared me. I didn't know you were still here."

Taking a moment, I glance at my naked body, then at hers. "Well... yeah. Didn't have much of a choice. That was pretty impulsive, even for us. I mean, it was our first date, for crying out loud, Cass."

Cassidy groans in annoyance. "Yes, Andrew, I know. But you were just as into it as I was... clearly." She eyes the stain on her sheet, a smug expression dancing on her lips.

Sighing deeply, I meet her gaze. "Look, Cassidy, I don't know what this is or where it's going, but I want things to be right between us. I want to take this slow."

Cassidy sits up, the moonlight casting a soft glow on her beautiful red hair, accentuating her features as she pulls a blanket around herself. "Andrew, I don't regret tonight, and I never will. You made me feel so good, but I agree. Let's take this slow."

Drawing closer, I press a light kiss to Cassidy's forehead. "Thank you."

"I've got to get ready to go. My mom's pissed. Would it be okay if I showered before I head out?"

Cassidy nods, tossing me my clothes scattered across the floor, a silent agreement echoing our unspoken feelings.

After thoroughly scrubbing away the remnants of the night, I step out of Cassidy's bathroom, the scent of her floral-scented soap lingering in the air. Across the room, Cassidy is meticulously changing her bedsheets, her movements graceful yet purposeful. As she folds the rumpled linens, she arranges them neatly at the foot of her bed, her slender fingers working deftly.

Approaching me in her light pink robe, her hair tousled in an artful disarray, Cassidy looks effortlessly beautiful. Despite the late hour, there's a soft glow about her, accentuated by the gentle light filtering in through the curtains.

Looking up at me with a hint of gratitude in her eyes, she murmurs softly, "Goodnight, Andrew. Thank you for tonight. Please, try to be quiet when you leave through the front door. My mom will flip if she catches you."

I reach out, placing my hands on her shoulders, feeling the tension lingering beneath her delicate frame. With a gentle squeeze, I offer a reassuring smile before enveloping her in a tender hug, holding her close. "I'll text you when I'm home, Cass. Goodnight."

Quietly shutting the door behind me, I make my way through the dimly lit hallway, each step muffled by the plush carpeting beneath my feet. With bated breath, I approach the front door, the faint sound of Cassidy's mother's soft snores echoing in the stillness of the house.

As I step outside into the cool night air, a sense of relief washes over me. Glancing back at Cassidy's window, I offer a silent farewell before making my way to my car, the soft click of the door closing behind me signaling the end of another unforgettable evening spent in her company.

The next day dawned bright and clear, the sun casting its golden rays across the sleepy neighborhood. As I woke to the gentle chirping of birds outside my window, memories of the previous night flooded my mind.

Reflecting on my time with Cassidy, I couldn't shake the warmth of her embrace or the softness of her voice as she said goodnight. Despite the late hour and the need for secrecy, there was an undeniable connection between us, a bond that seemed to grow stronger with each passing moment.

I decided to check my phone, hoping to find a response from Cassidy to my text letting her know I had arrived home safely, but it was still stuck on 'delivered'. Given the early hour, I figured she was probably still asleep.