Half a World Away

27 - Cassidy

Friday night rolled round and Cassidy was getting herself ready for her second date with Lucas. Cassidy was grateful that Dean was working the late shift as he had already given her an earful when he first found out about the fact that she had agreed to the date. Jasmine had been less than pleased herself; reminding Cassidy that he wanted Jasmine. Cassidy ignored them. She knew this time what she was getting herself into and this time she had the upper hand.

Lucas arrived right on five o'clock to pick Cassidy up for their date and escorted her out to his car. He started the car and started to drive in the direction of the hinterland.

"Where are we going?" Cassidy asked curiously.

"There's a Country Farm Festival thirty minutes from here," Lucas explained, "Food, rides and entertainment. It will be fun, I promise."

Thirty minutes later Lucas parked the car amongst many others and they walked the short distance through the festival gates. Cassidy was amazed at the sight that greeted them, not at all what she had expected.

Fairy lights hung from tall wooden totem poles and draped across the large farmyard. Stalls were set up along one side selling food made from fresh farm produce. Hay-bails were laid out as chairs and tables, as well as out skirting the festival area boundary. There was a petting zoo towards the back and a stage off to the other side with a country band playing country versions of popular songs from the radio.

"What do you think?" Lucas asked Cassidy, smiling as though he already knew the answer from the look on her face.

"This is fantastic!" Cassidy gushed, "I didn't even know they did such events."

They wandered the stalls and decided on some burgers. Sitting down on the hay-bail they ate while listening to the band play. Although they made small talk, the conversation wasn't overly stimulating and it made Cassidy think of her conversations with Zack. She tried to push the thought to the back of her mind.

Once they had finished eating the couple decided to visit the petting zoo. Lucas bought Cassidy a cup of food to feed the greedy baby animals. Picking up a small lamb, Cassidy giggled as it ate the pellets of food from the palm of her hand, tickling her with its tongue.

Lucas led Cassidy to a large pile of hay-bails. She was confused at first but then Lucas showed her the opening. It was a maze made out of hay-bails piled high. They wandered around aimlessly until they found the exit that came out the other side.

Surprised, Cassidy found she was enjoying herself with Lucas. She briefly reminded herself to keep her guard up, as she had enjoyed her time with Lucas on their first date only for Lucas to pull the rug out from underneath her in the last moments.

"Come with me," Lucas held out his hand for Cassidy, which she accepted.

Lucas led her out past the hay-bail barrier of the festival towards a small hill on the horizon.

"Um, I don't think we are meant to go out here," Cassidy stammered as she looked backwards towards the festival.

"Don't worry about it," Lucas assured her, "We aren't going far. From out here, away from the lights, you can see the stars so much better."

When they reached the top of the hill, Cassidy sat down beside Lucas on the grass. The soft thrumming of the music from the festival played down below them. Surrounded by darkness, yet Cassidy could still see Lucas with the light of the moon glowing above. The stars glittered the sky like millions of fireflies.

"I don't think I've ever seen so many stars before," Cassidy exclaimed in awe.

"You see more the further you get away from the town lights," Lucas explained.