The Smile Always Fades

16. Love or Infatuation

Anna couldn't take it anymore, there was so much to tell, and no one to tell it to. Anna needed Cassy.

It had been a couple weeks now since Anna and Bentley had shared their first kiss. Their relationship did change--holding hands, playful winks, stolen kisses--but that was all. Bentley hadn't even asked Anna out on a date, which she found peculiar, but didn't mention. Bentley was probably just nervous or hesitant or shy; he just needed time to work up the nerve to ask, right?

No matter what the deal was with Bentley, Anna needed her best friend. She needed to hear Cassy's voice and ask for some advice, or at least just relay the events that had been transpiring the last few months. Even if Anna didn't have time to tell Cassy everything, she at least wanted to talk about her fast approaching trip to New York City. It was finally the beginning of March and Anna had three weeks before her plane made its way for Manhattan. She could hardly believe how fast time had flown, and so many events had happened since the Stevens left their cozy home in Oregon for a modern condo in the Big Apple. Country Living to Big Streets and Bright Lights.

Anna was holding her stuffed animal lion close to her chest as she laid on her bed. She shifted her feet onto her bedroom wall and reached over for her phone sitting on the night stand. Okay Cassy, Anna tried to telepathically communicate. Please be awake or close to the phone where you can answer. Anna shook her head and laughed at herself. Bentley's nerdiness must have been starting to rub off on her.

Anna hit Cassy's number on speed dial and listened to the ring of Cassy's phone. On the fourth ring Anna was pleasantly surprised to hear Melany's voice. "Hello? This is Cassy's cell phone; Melany speaking."

"Hey Mels," Anna said happily. Melany never failed to make Anna smile. "It's Anna. I've missed you guys!"

"Anna!" Melany screamed. "I'm so excited to hear from you!"

Anna laughed. "I can tell," she commented, rubbing her now ringing ear.

"You're still coming during spring break, right? We have big plans for when you get here."

"Yes, I'm still coming." Anna's grin was ever-present now, it never went away when Melany was in the room or speaking. Her spirit was so endearing and sweet that Anna couldn't not love Cassy's baby sister. "I can't wait to see you!"

"Oh, Anna, I just drew this picture of an Arabian horse--it's my favorite breed--and it got entered into my school's art gallery! I'm gonna be an artist just like you!"

"Just like me, huh? Well that's great Melany, congratulations on getting that drawing in the art gallery. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks," Melany said shyly. "So do you wanna talk to Cassy?"

"Yeah, that's why I was calling actually. I haven't talked to your sister ever since you guys moved. I've really missed her."

"She's missed you too, Anna," Melany answered. "I'll put the phone on speaker so that you guys can catch up."

"Thanks, Mels."

A beep sounded and Cassy's voice popped in. "Anna?!"

"Cassy! Hey! Oh my god, it's so good to hear your voice." Joyful tears welled up in Anna's eyes. This moment was long awaited. "I tried calling and texting, but I never got an answer. I figured I would try one more time."

"I am soooo glad you did," Cassy's voice echoed over the speaker. Her voice sounded the exact same, Anna never would have known Cassy was paralyzed if she hadn't heard about the ordeal earlier. Things were like how they always had been on the phone, at least on Anna's end. "I'm so excited that you're coming in a few weeks."