Page 71 of As the Rain Falls
Best Friends Forever now
That’s my #endgame
Fuck Caleb Monteiro
Cassandra: staaawp he’s my friend
i don’t want to think about him that way
Kayla: And I don’t want to be the prettiestgirl in the whole wide world
Alas, some things can’t be helped xD
Cassandra: ok stop being ridiculous.
but he did compliment my jewelry the other day
i swear i almost died xD
Kayla: I’m telling you it’s meant to be
Don’t forget to invite me to your wedding xD
PLANTING SEEDS OF DECEPTION
Cassandra
OCTOBER, 2016
“Are you not goingto get the dog?” Nathaniel asks me, lifting his coffee mug and taking a long sip.
He likes his coffee black, hot, and bitter, which is completely blasphemous, but I guess a guy like him could never have a sweet tooth like I do.My usual coffee order always tastes like a dessert.
“I will,” I answer, setting a dog toy from the convenience store near Sainte Madeleine on top of the blanket pile. “I just want everything to be perfect first, before he gets here.”
I rearrange the blankets over our couch again, making sure everything feels cozy enough to welcome Pepé this afternoon. My brother sits at the dining table, typing away at his laptop, his fingers moving rhythmically across the keyboard. I tried making conversation earlier today, but he barely glanced at me.
We’re alone because Dad left early for brunch with some of his church friends. He invited me to tag along, but the thought of enduring an afternoon of prayer and thinly veiled gossip wasn’t nearly as tempting as playing with my neighbor’s dog. I’m so excited about bringing Pepé home.
“I still don’t know why you’re doing this.”
“Beckett asked for a favor,” I explain with a shy smile on my face. “I figured since he’s always driving me to school, I could watch over the dog a few times.”
“I don’t like you being friends with him,” Nathaniel warns me. “You know how guys usually are.”
“I think I’m old enough to decide whether I want to befriend someone or not, thanks.” I roll my eyes and flip my long hair back. “And whether I want to date Beckett or not is also none of your business.”
Truthfully, I am hesitating on what to do.Should I text Beckett or just knock on his door?
He did tell me to text, but that feels so impersonal, and knocking, on the other hand, is bold, but maybe too straightforward. I guess I could send him a text, but the thought of it makes me totally nervous. We’ve never done that before, at least, not really.
Like, what if I say something stupid and mess it up?What if I end up sounding ridiculous?
“Date? You’re just taking care of his dog, Cassandra,” my brother scoffs. “Don’t embarrass yourself.”
It’s the same tone he’s always used against me, like I’m making a big deal out of nothing. If I try to look back on our childhood together, Nathaniel always acted like I was an annoying little kid. Thank God I don’t remember much, or else I’d have serious self-esteem issues.
“So what?” I plant my hands on my hips, glaring at him. “I want Beckett’s dog to feel as happy here as he feels over there.”
