Half a World Away

15 - Cassidy

"Cassidy," Jasmine whispered, "Are you awake?"

"Mmmm..." Cassidy responded, her eyes still closed.

"Come on," Jasmine said rocking Cassidy awake.

"What?" Cassidy groaned, keeping her eyes shut tight.

"It's concert day!" Jasmine sung.

"Not until tonight," Cassidy pushed her away and rolled away.

"Come on, it's already lunch time," Jasmine pleaded. "I was thinking we could go get mani-pedis together."

"You go," Cassidy mumbled, slowly opening her eyes to the white light shining in through the tall window. "You know I don't do that stuff."

"Fine!" Jasmine threw her hands up in the air in defeat. "What are you going to do while I'm gone?"

"I don't know, I'm sure I will think of something," Cassidy yawned as she stretched her arms and legs out around her.

"Well, the concert starts at six, we need to be there at five," Jasmine reported, moving about the room collecting her handbag, phone and purse. "I'll make sure I'm back by three. Maybe we can have an early dinner somewhere on the way to the concert, so BE ready!"

After Jasmine left, Cassidy dragged herself out of bed and into the shower. Her stomach felt queasy, a reminder of all the drinks she had the night before.

While the warm water cascaded over her, Cassidy recalled the previous night's events. She still couldn't believe she had met Zack Masters in person, but her highlight was Solo_Track talking to her again. If she had known sending him a photo of herself would have reignited their friendship, she would have sent a photo weeks earlier. She could have avoided so much heart break.

With a towel wrapped around her and another twisted in her hair, Cassidy wandered back into the bedroom. She eyed her phone which lay taunting her on the bed. Shaking her head to discourage her thoughts, she started back to the bathroom before stilling in the doorway. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, then suddenly turned and dove for her phone. Her hair towel unravelled and fell beside her on the bed, a damp auburn curtain raining down across her bare shoulders. Cassidy held her phone in her hands and started to type before she could convince herself otherwise. She didn't want to get too far ahead of herself, but the fact Solo_Track spoke to her again meant the world to her and she needed more.

C45510Y: Hi...

Cassidy waited with bated breath, staring at the back lit screen, praying he would respond. Not the most intelligent opener, but it was all she could think and she just needed to hear that alert, the soft ping that would tell her he was talking to her still. What felt like forever, but was more like half an hour, an alert came through.

Solo_Track: Hi.

Solo_Track: How are you?

Cassidy's face lit up with a smile, as she rolled over onto her back and quickly typed a reply.

C45510Y: Not feeling the best, to be honest. Had one too many shots at a club last night.

C45510Y: How about you?

Solo_Track: Greasy food and lots of water should help.

Solo_Track: Busy with work, but always happy to hear from you.

C45510Y: Always? You haven't spoken to me in weeks.

As soon as she hit send, Cassidy regretted her message.

Solo_Track: I know, I'm sorry. I just needed some time to think things over. When I saw you though, I couldn't not reply. I realised I overreacted and know you're not like others.