Blue Skies: Sean & Kaycee | Short Stories

Buried Alive | Part 3

So, this may end up being its own book. 

Yay for too ambitious story ideas.

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Kaycee drummed her fingers against the table, glancing towards the door again. Her other hand gripped her overflowing mug of chai, which she was too nervous to even drink.

The cafe was quiet, being it was mid-afternoon on a Tuesday. She'd never been here before—it must have opened after they moved away—but she liked the vibe; she could envision herself studying here before her classes. It was perfectly located right in-between her house and the UCLA campus. Kaycee shook her head, still amazed at her own sudden ambition. It was like her brain was trying to make up for the three years she'd hidden away; when time had stood still.

"KAYCEE?!"

She looked up to see her former best friend rushing towards her. Bailey practically pulled Kaycee out of her seat, enveloping her in a tight hug. When she finally pulled back and met Bailey's tear bright eyes, she felt her heart clench. God, she had missed her.

"Hey, Bails," she said with a watery laugh.

Bailey peered down at her, an unusual feeling as far as Kaycee was concerned. The last time she had seen her friend they were about the same height. But aside from the few inches that now separated them, Bailey looked the same. Her hair was still streaked with blonde and styled into a bob she'd had since she was five years old; her skin tan and smile crooked; her eyes dark, filled with concern and subtle wariness as she took in Kaycee's appearance.

"Decided not to grow anymore, huh?"

Kaycee was grateful Bailey decided to take a light hearted approach. She laughed.

"More like you grew without me, you giant."

Both smiled, but they fell into an awkward silence as the truth of Kaycee's statement hung between them.

Bailey sat down across from her, ordering a latte and chocolate croissant when the server quickly approached the new arrival. She then turned to Kaycee again, her eyebrows raised in question.

"So are you back for good?"

"I think so," Kaycee said.

A huge grin spread across Bailey's face and tears sprang to her eyes.

"I'm so glad, Kayc. It's been lonely without my partner in crime."

There was a pause as the server placed Bailey's order on the table. The girl immediately started tearing into the croissant, shooting an embarrassed look at Kaycee.

"Sorry," she mumbled sheepishly, "I stupidly forgot to eat breakfast before rehearsal this morning then I went straight to choreo with Nat...I'm assisting her class tonight."

A sting of regret and longing shot through Kaycee; that could have been her life. She quickly pushed the thought away and gave Bailey a strained smile in response. Her friend noticed her pained expression and winced, brushing the crumbs from her hands as she attempted to steer the conversation in a safe direction.

"So, uh, are you living at home?"

Kaycee nodded.

"Yes, but I'm starting my first semester at UCLA next week."

"WHAT?" Bailey sputtered, her eyes wide over the top of her mug. "You're going to UCLA? The dance program?"

Kaycee nodded again, a small smile pulling at her lips.

"Oh My God," she exclaimed, setting down her latte and clapping her hands together. "This is brilliant. So fucking brilliant. We'll be starting college together...plus Tahani is too! She's gonna freaking flip!"