For Forever and A Day

9.

Since the accident:
5 months 18 days
May 25th, 2010

The bell let out a small ding as the two entered the small establishment. Cassandra Williams looked around observing the new restaurant while Ryan Blake walked right up to the counter.

It was a quaint little joint. Booths surrounded the restaurant with some tables for two in the center of the two wings of the large room. The floors were black and white tiles and the seats were a flamboyant firetruck red. Cassandra let her muscles relax and she took a long breath in, letting the smell of sweet smelling freshly cooked pizza waft into her nose.

"Tony my man."

"Ryan!" Tony exclaimed as he drew it out. The two exchanged an intricate handshake and a hardy laugh before Ryan turned and motioned for Cassandra to come up and meet his friend.

When she stepped forward Ryan placed a hand on her shoulder as he gestured to Tony. Tony looked at her with a big smile on his face which made his green eyes crinkle at the corners. His fair skin contrasted with his bright red hair. He stood slightly taller than Ryan from what Cassandra could see from on the other side of the counter. He was very thin but he still looked strong and that he should not be messed with.

"Cassandra this is my man Tony who  always settles my greasy food needs. Let's not forget to add that I went to high school with this moron."

"Thanks for the introduction Mr.Ego." Tony replied as he tried to reach out and punch Ryan on the shoulder but Ryan quickly dodged.

"Tony this is my friend Cassandra." Ryan said with a smile as he finished his introductions. The girl only smiled, not bothering to complicate things and lead to long explanations.

"It's nice to meet you."

"Nice to see this guy with a friend. He's almost always alone. Oh and don't get the wrong impression." He motioned to the pizza place around him. "This is my second job. During the day I work at the Station too but." He shrugged, not bothering to finish his thought before he turned back to Ryan. "The usual?"

Ryan nodded, looking pleased. Cassandra must have looked confused to Ryan on the order and Tony's reasoning because he laughed and shook his head as he looked at her. "Don't worry, it's nothing extravagant."

She nodded but still looked puzzled.

"I'll get Mark to come and see you guys. He has to meet your girl."

"Were just friends Tony, don't push it. She might get uncomfortable." Ryan said with a warning look and a slight defensive tone in his usually calm voice.

"A hot single guy like you. What girl wouldn't get uncomfortable? The answer, everyone of them." Ryan rolled his eyes as he tried to reach out and hit Tony but he laughed as he did a side step.

"I'm going to go and get a table." The strawberry blonde told the two as she walked to a table for two set in the left center of the restaurant.

Ryan was laughing as he came over and sat down across from me. "Seems nice huh?" She nodded.

"Yeah. How long have you two known each other exactly?"

"Middle school. So approximately when we were eleven." He shrugged. "Shoot!" He exclaimed as he looked towards the empty counter. "Tony you didn't give us drinks!" Ryan yelled across the empty restaurant.