Teenage Love Story

Miami Part II

Natasha took an Uber back to Andre's place. It wasn't a surprise when she discovered he wasn't home to greet her.

Natasha grabbed the phone and called Cassidy.

"Hey Nat," an excited voice shouted onto the opposite line.

"Hey," she said, smiling, "how are you?"

"Just settling in camp and missing my girl," Cassidy said.

Natasha can picture him pouting.

"How's Miami so far?"

"Horrible," Natasha said, wiping a tear off her cheek.

"Are you crying?" Cassidy asked.

"No."

"Don't cry, Nat," Cassidy said softly, "what happened?"

"My friends," she said, "they're just all different."

"Hey, it's not your fault," he said, "people change. You can't stop that."

"No, you don't understand," Natasha said tearfully, "It just gets worse every year. Our meetings are so forced; none of us are real friends anymore."

"I'm sorry," Cassidy said.

"I didn't tell you about this..." she continued, "if I did, you wouldn't have let me come."

"Damn, you should have told me, I'm missing you so bad right now."

"I miss you too," Natasha laughed.

"I wish I can pack you up and take you to soccer camp."

Natasha laughed, "Too bad I like first class."

"Hey, I'm alone," Cassidy suggested gently, "you can tell me now."

Natasha shook her head, "I'll tell you when I'm back."

"That's thirteen days from now."

"You're counting down?"

"Every minute."

"That's so cute," Natasha said, giggling.

"Yeah? And I have a surprise for you when you're back."

"Tell me!"

"I can't do that," Cassidy laughed, "it won't be a surprise if I tell you."

"Are you picking me up at the airport?"

"You know I'm doing that already," Cassidy confirmed.

Natasha smiled, "Thanks Cassie."

"You're lucky you're the only who can call me that and get away with it."

"Because you love me."

"Who said I loved you?"

"Cass!"

"I love you," he said sincerely.

She could feel him smiling on the phone.

"I love you too," she said.

Talking to Cassidy always made her feel safer, happier, and luckier...

A couple of hours later, Vince came by to drop off Natasha's luggage.

"I'm sorry about lunch," Vince said.

Natasha shrugged, "You guys aren't friends at all?"

He shrugged, "Everything just...went downhill."

Natasha shook her head.

"You and I were the sane ones who held everyone together last summer. We didn't see each other after you left. The group just kind of dismantled."