Cataclysm

Night In

Cassandra swung the front door of her apartment open and waded through the pile of shoes next to her door. It was a bad habit of hers to leave them messily by the door. She kicked her shoes off anyways with a sigh, hung her keys by the door, and set her bags on the kitchen table before plopping down on the couch.

It hadn't been more than five minutes of mindless cell entertainment before a text from her least favorite person came through.

Vidal: Chinese. 8:30 for the presentation due tomorrow?

She groaned and spread out on her couch before typing a reply. At least she loved Chinese take out.

Cassandra: sorry. forgot that was today. sounds good but let's do it at my house, i'm too tired to go out. see you in a few hours Trevino

Vidal: your house already?
and here i thought we were just getting to know each other, you sly dog you.
whats the dress code? birthday suit? some whip cream?

Cassandra snorted a sarcastic laugh, but couldn't help smiling after. Sly dog? Does he actually believe he's funny?

Cassandra: shut up. i'd say smart casual but we can't be getting ahead of ourselves.

Vidal: i'm the reason we're passing. i'll shoot for black tie. only a black tie. send the address. see you at 8

Cassandra couldn't muster the energy to prepare herself any lunch. She was scheduled at her job far too early. To keep herself from falling asleep, she put on one of her favorite, classic space age movies. However, the attempt didn't last very long when she found her eyes getting droopy.

THUMP. THUMP.

Cassandra shook awake, unaccustomed to hearing anyone knock on her door. VIDAL, she remembered. A slight panic went off in her chest as she combed her hair with her fingers while running to the bathroom for a quick tooth brushing and splashing water on her face.

THUMP THUMP. Cassie?

"Coming!" Cassandra raced to the door but paused to flatten her shirt against her tummy.

She twisted the door knob open to find Vidal have his usual smirk on his face. Vidal wore a black t-shirt that hugged his body, particularly highlighting his pecs and biceps. He also wore grey sweatpants, the kind that made you hiss when you get a sneak peak. Well, if you were Cassandra, you hissed. Has it been that long that I'm actually checking out this tool? She thought. Vidal hadn't a clue of her sinister thoughts.

"Did I interrupt your nap time, princess?"

"Shut up. I had a long day at work, I didn't even get to shower," She rolled her eyes, stepping aside to let him in. He stalked in from a tall height, holding a bag of steamy Chinese food and his backpack, and turned around the apartment, taking it all in. Cassandra grew shy, feeling exposed by having someone analyze her apartment. Surely he was already forming thoughts about her.

"You can shower before we get started. I don't mind. I'll set up the stuff," Vidal responded, his eyes still traveling around the room, until they reached her dvd collection, "Woah, Star Wars? You're geekier than I imagined," he smirked, finally facing her.

She immediately scoffed, "Science fiction is like the smartest part of fiction with the best story telling. And Star Wars is a classic!"