"... So, you guys just left?" Alyssa reiterated as Kassi nodded in confirmation.
"Since more girls kept coming into the theater, I couldn't focus, and it was quite obvious that the movie was the last thing they wanted to see," Kassi grumbled with a shake of her head.
"Did he take you any place else after that?"
"By that time, I wasn't up for anything anymore, so I just told him to take me home," Kassi explained. "And he wasn't too happy about that. I feel horrible. But maybe it's for the best?"
"Kassi," Alyssa whined. "Sure, your first date wasn't successful, but that shouldn't mean that it marks the fate of any future ones. By the looks of things, he feels really bad about what happened and the fact that you gave up so easily might give him the idea that you don't even like him."
Kassi groaned before burying her head into the cushion of the couch they were sitting on. "But that's the thing: I really, really like him. I just don't want to get in the way of him and his fans, or him and his career in general."
"If that was the case, he wouldn't have asked you out in the first place," Alyssa pointed out. "We know him; he isn't used to putting himself out there, but when he does, he's so set on it that nothing can change his mind. He's an awkward one, but he gets what he wants if he's smart. I think he tried well enough, maybe you just need to meet him halfway."
Contemplating this, Kassi sighed as she nodded her head in understanding.
"I guess you're right. I'll call him over later today to apologize. I suppose I'm just scared, you know? This has never happened to me - to us more specifically - and I don't know how to handle it. I never actually thought I would have to handle it. But I'm really glad I'm not alone on this one."
"You're definitely not alone," Alyssa assured her. "I'll always be here for you."
"Speaking of being alone," Kassi addressed with raised eyebrows. "How was having the place to yourself that night? Did you have any surprise guests while I was gone?"
Instantly blushing, Alyssa slowly nodded in response while playing with the ends of her hair.
"Oh God," Kassi moaned. "Please tell me you didn't..."
"What?" Alyssa squeaked out. "No! No, I didn't. Things got heated I give you that, but trust me, nothing happened."
Kassi sighed in relief.
"To be honest, I feel like nothing is going to happen," Alyssa added quietly after a short while of silence.
"Please explain," Kassi encouraged, curiously.
"Okay," Alyssa sighed. "So, I'm pretty set on the idea that Calum doesn't want anything serious and to be honest, I'm alright with it. But I've noticed that whenever I try to initiate anything because I can sense he'd be into it, he'd stop it once it went too far... I was just thinking that maybe he just doesn't want me in that way..."
Kassi scoffed. "Please, if you were a campsite, his tent would be the first one up."
Alyssa choked on her spit. "Kassi!"
"What?" Kassi questioned innocently. "It's true. You must be crazy if you can't see that Calum has wanted to jump your bones ever since that night we met them at Starbucks. Crazy, I tell you!"
It was Alyssa's turn to scoff. "Well, I'm here and ready for my bones to be jumped and he clearly can't see that, so I give up."
"No, no," Kassi exclaimed, shaking her head. "Don't think of it as rejection... You know - I can't believe I'm even considering this - but maybe, he wants to take it slow with you?"
Alyssa raised her eyebrows at this observation. "Does the word slow even exist in Calum's vocabulary?"
"Not likely," Kassi noted distastefully. "But you did tell me that he's trying to change his ways. Maybe this is him finally doing that!"
Sighing, Alyssa ran both of her hands through her messy hair before collapsing onto Kassi's lap. "Boys are so problematic."
Kassi giggled, playing with Alyssa's hair. "Can't live with them, can't live without them."
. . .
"Hello Luke, Calum - come in!" Kassi greeted as she let both boys enter. "Where's Ash and Mikey?"
Luke swiftly engulfed Kassi in a big hug. "Ah, they wanted to go to the studio today. They both say hello though," he replied with a smile before moving further into the apartment.
"Hey, Kassi," Calum said, grinning while she reciprocated with an acknowledging nod.
He quickly scanned the room. "Where's Alyssa?"
"Oh, she's studying in her room," Kassi told him as she joined Luke on the couch.
"Would it be alright if I go see her?" He asked rather hopefully.
Kassi noticed this and smirked. "I'm sure she won't mind."
Calum smiled before disappearing down the hall, leaving both Luke and Kassi alone. Once he was out of sight, Luke leaned over to play with Kassi's hands; seeming fascinated by them. Kassi giggled at the ticklish sensation as he started to trace the lines on her palm.
"Luke, I'm really sorry about our date the other day," she spoke up.
He glanced up at her in wonder. "Why are you apologizing? It's not your fault."
Kassi shook her head. "No, I mean I'm sorry for not trying. It wasn't very nice of me to just go home instead of working it out with you."
"Kassi, it's totally fine," Luke assured her, entwining their fingers together. "I understand you're not used to it yet. But trust me, in the future, it will all work out and you'll be able to deal with the fans like it's second nature."
Hearing this, Kassi couldn't help the smile that started to stretch across her lips. "You mean, you still want to give us a try? Even after I acted like a total bitch?"
"Of course I do," Luke exclaimed loudly. "I wouldn't have it any other way. But just let me know ahead of time if you're ever in an uncomfortable position. I'd hate to have your feelings get hurt only to find out that I'm the reason why. You mean a great deal to me and I just wanted to let you know that before you think otherwise."
Kassi's heart fluttered violently in her chest and she couldn't help the pool of emotions that soared through her as she caught both her and Luke by surprise by suddenly leaning forward, planting a kiss on his lips.
Seconds in, she sensed Luke's nervousness and was tempted to pull away in order to save the humiliation. But then, he kissed back, almost as if to reassure her second thoughts, and the butterflies in her stomach multiplied.
