send.

waver

     It's easier to like Cass now that you know she isn't trying to steal your boyfriend. Jon is enthralled when you agree to hang out with them - her and her girlfriend, April - the next day, and his obvious joy makes it impossible not to smile back. Sure, you're still a little wary after all of the innuendos and ceaseless passes you'd thought she was making at Jon, but something in you has given way and you can't resist the chance to make Jon happy. Besides, if things go wrong, it's not that far back home. You could always just leave.

     On that note, you're surprised to hear that Cass has her own apartment not too far away from where you live. She's only 19, but she seems to be thriving off of the independent lifestyle - at least, that's what Jon tells you. She works at a record store in the city, which is where she met April. They've both got the same music taste as Jon, and you guess that's why he's so eager to hang out with them, hoping they'll have other things in common. Whatever it is, it's making him happy, and that's good enough for you.

     The next day is a lazy one for the most part, spent lying around and talking, but you definitely don't mind. After all, you've only got four days left to do it. You need to take all the time you can to memorize the feeling of his fingers on your hips, the way he makes you shiver when his digits wander up under your shirt, running lovingly across your skin, or the way you can't resist tipping your head against his knuckles when he brushes them over your cheek.

     Life without him is going to be the hardest thing you'll ever do, and you already know it.

     You watch his enthusiastic expression as he talks, feeling his stomach rising and falling underneath you as you lie atop him, listening to him describe the plans for the day. Cass and April want to go out for lunch, and then they've invited the two of you over for movies and whatever other bullshit comes up. Sounds casual. Easy. You're just hoping things don't get fishy again, because you really want to like Cass after all you've heard from Jon. He seems determined to befriend her. It'd be a shame if you couldn't support him in that.

     Luckily, it turns out to be a much smaller problem than you anticipated. You're a bit tense when you first see her at the restaurant, forcing a plastic smile on your features, but it becomes easier to relax when you see the way she acts with April. She's got an arm wrapped loosely around the girl's waist, and every time she speaks, Cass looks at her like she's the one who put all the stars in the sky. It's comforting and, though you hate to admit it, absolutely adorable.

     Everything is going smoothly when you settle into your seats, April across from you at the booth and Cass before Jon, conversation flowing easily and comfortably.

     "You gave me a deal because you thought I looked good in that t-shirt."

     "No, I did it because I knew you were someone who would cherish the band!"

     "Bullshit, Cass," the girl laughs, tossing her head back. "You told me that, and I quote, if anyone could pull off the shirt that well, they deserved anything from the band for free." Cass's face reddens, but she grins as the girl leans against her and nuzzles playfully at her cheek.

     "Okay, that might be the case, but in my defense, you looked damn good in that shirt." That makes everyone laugh, including you, and your smile only widens as you feel Jon's arm slip around your shoulders, tugging you into his side. You let yourself rest there, laying your head against him and shutting your eyes for a moment. This is the way it should be normally. Having friends you can just casually hang out with, eating lunch with your boyfriend, feeling like you belong. You wish it could stay like this forever.

     You're broken from your reverie as the eyes of the couple across the table turn to you, blinking a bit. April leans forward curiously, resting her elbows on the table and her face in her hands. You feel a bit uneasy as she waggles her eyebrows.