Cassidy's mind clouded, already intoxicated by his tasty scent. She breathed in once more the moment he flashed a flirty smile.
"Got something in my face?" He asked, resting his gaze on her lips, looking back up when they started to appear more alluring than they should have.
She shook her head, pushing his body away from her. He chuckled, but let his weight fall backwards, sitting down again. He put the feather down right in front of her.
"And you say you're not a player…" She squinted. "You even hit on someone you don't like."
Just like her words were the best joke he's ever heard, he laughed out loud.
"You call that flirting?"
"Duh?"
Kyle hummed, his melodious voice surprisingly sending shivers down her spine.
"I'll take it you felt something, then."
"Wh—Wait, I never said—" She stuttered, interrupted by his proud, crooked smile.
"I'm just messing with you." He winked.
And just like that, he changed the subject completely.
To Cassidy's surprise, Kyle had the ability to talk about practically anything. He even asked her about how he believed humankind was doomed to die in an Artificial Intelligence uprising. Just like the Terminator movie.
The talked for the following forty-five minutes about many things. So many she couldn't even name them all in the end.
The bell rang when they were in the middle of a heated debate about what was the most ridiculous fashion trends they could think of.
After they finished talking and started walking towards the main building, she remembered her best friend. She checked her phone in a rush, only to find she was spending time with Allen and was going to head to class on her own.
Cassidy felt a sting of betrayal, but it only lasted a second, when Kyle told he had to go the other way, waving goodbye like if they were old friends.
Somehow, this didn't bother her at all; the thought of her misinterpreting yesterday crushing her good mood.
Just like the day before, the four of them met in the cafeteria. This time, Cassidy and Kyle didn't look as awkward as the day before; even though Kyle always seemed to get away with his flirty attitude. Something that helped them dissimulate.
Night arrived when Cassidy was listening to Isabelle's long audios, hearing everything the red-head wanted to do on her date with Allen. It was almost a week apart and she was already being painfully nervous about it.
She was overly excited, not only because it was their first date, but because it was also her first time going to an amusement park.
Talking about feeling thrilled, Cassidy's mind couldn't help but think about what happened that morning. She felt her stomach knot at the thought, something she was not used to feel that often.
Yes, she has had more than a few flings here and there. Most of them college students. She thought that aiming for older guys would make it a better experience; much to her disappointment.
Dating them only served as a reminder for her that age doesn't necessarily mean maturity. And she was not about to date an old hag. Specially because even her father was a douchebag. Even though he was a grown ass man.
But even after all her experience in the area, she still couldn't point out why everything with Kyle felt so complicated. Why she was so flustered about making a mistake, and specially why she kept playing along with Kyle's flirty side even when she was supposed to be mad.
Suddenly, he started to seem more relaxed rather than just not serious. And even though he always had that flirtatious attitude, he seemed honest every time he spoke.
Cassidy had her reservations on him being a player, though, but that was none of her business to begin with.
She stepped out of bed to go take a shower, where she wondered if she would dream of him again.
Secretly, even from her own heart, she was thriving for it.
That dream never arrived, something that disappointed more than she could ever admit. Specially because she was already making her way through the halls to her favorite spot. Where he was already waiting for her.
Cassidy sat down, greeting him by kicking his shoe softly.
Kyle took his sweater off his face as he sat down, smiling widely.
"Morning, sunshine."
"Morning." She eyed him. "You sleep here or something? Every time I get here you're already here."
Kyle laughed. "Obviously. Why would I be this early at school every day if not?" He said in a mocking tone, but then, his smiled showed a little bitter. "I come here early because I don't like being at my place much."
"Why?" She asked.
He shrugged. "I don't like empty spaces. And even though there are not many students, there are some teachers. Also, Mr. Smith is always around."
"The janitor?" Kyle nodded.
"He's got pretty cool stories." He insisted after seeing Cassidy's unconvinced expression. "So I just hang around here early in the morning. That's why I could tell it's the first time you arrive this early."
Cassidy hummed, not sure what to say to that.
His reason was something she never even considered, so unexpected she struggled to act casual. He was always all smiles and bright, but his place didn't feel as comfortable as being here.
She shook the feeling off.
"I might just ask Mr. Smith about those stories one day." She smiled.
As it did the day before, the conversation kept going. Flowing like if they were old friends that haven't talked in a long time, and had many things to say.
Even after he casually took her hand, saying he once had someone read his palm. He was fuming about it, as he pointed out in her palm what the old woman said to him: He was going to die alone, after losing someone a loved one.
He didn't believe in those words. He was sure as hell that she was a scammer.
And he didn't let go of her hand, even after he finished his random story.
Instead, he kept playing around with her fingers; softly stroking them and entangling them with his from time to time.
His carefree demeanor made her nervous. She was not someone to be openly effective, especially if she was not dating the guy.
But taking her hand away felt wrong, for a reason.
The butterflies in her stomach remained for the time he held her hand in his. And the cold air of the morning stroke her like the wildest hailstorm the moment he let her go. As easily as he took her in the first place.
Her irrational thoughts asking her why the cold his hand left felt so disappointing.
She let it slide, though.
This was this guy's nature. Flirting all the time, causing this to every female he interacts with. And she hated that the mere thought of her liking his presence even existed. Specially because she knew he was attractive.
She was not blind, after all.
He seemed unbothered while he kept talking, as if having physical interactions with other girls was something he was so used to, he didn't even process it as properly hitting on someone.
A thought that, for some reason, pissed her off.
The time came when they had to go to class, as he did the past day, he walked he to her first class of the day; and soon enough, it was already lunchtime.
Isabelle and Cassidy walked to the table they always sat in, followed by the unwanted attention of those around them. They made their way to the cafeteria to buy Cassidy's favorite juice box, but to her dismay, there were none left.
Both girls left to the table's area, where they were surprised by more unapologetic stares. They looked at each other, wondering what was going on, but every set into place when they watched Allen and Kyle already at the table.
Kyle was sitting on it, laughing hard about something as he waved his arms over his head. Meanwhile, Allen covered his smile with the back of his hand; sitting lazily in one of the chairs.
They moment Kyle set his eyes on them and waved happily, the more the stares sank into their backs. Cassidy didn't mind, but watching Isabelle's worried expression, she couldn't help but feel anxious as well.
They approached the table, where Kyle practically dragged her to sit beside him.
She rolled her eyes, pretending she found his attention annoying, and sat beside him.
"Got something for you." He said, pulling out from his sweater her favorite juice.
She looked at him in awe, her eyes practically crystallizing.
Kyle placed the little box in front of her. "I noticed you liked drinking this… And it was the only one left. I figured you wouldn't make it on time, so I bought it." Then, he winked at her.
How could some like this make her heart flutter? She thought, looking away from his attractive face and stabbing the juice box with the little straw attached to.