Dating Days and Campfires

Confusion.

I groan, getting into bed and closing my eyes. 

But I wasn't the slightest bit tired. 

Are you effing kidding me?! 

After an hour of tossing and turning, I got up and decided to go for a walk to clear my head. 

Follow your heart. 

Become Disney. 

Be one with Disney. 

I wish my life was a Disney story. I would know exactly what to do. 

But then my parents would be dead and evil witches would be involved. 

Focus, Cass! What the fuck are you going to do?! 

"I just want to disappear," I whisper, looking out at the lake. 

"Me too, Cass, me too." 

I jump, nearly falling over as Taylor stands next to me. 

"O-oh, jesus, you startled me," I nervously laugh, clutching my heart. 

"I tend to have that effect on people," Taylor slyly grinned. (Gif on right or above) 

"Shut up," I muttered, roughly elbowing him. 

"Can't sleep?" 

I shake my head, my messy bun bobbing. 

"Me neither. Too many thoughts, too little space up here." Taylor tapped his head. 

For once, I knew EXACTLY how Taylor felt. 

"It's nice to have you back," Taylor smiled, gently nudging me. 

His brown eyes shone in the moonlight, and in that very instant, my heart shattered into a million pieces for the second time this week. 

I was too scared to tell Taylor how I felt, or more specifically, how I didn't feel about him. 

Okay, I'm willing to admit a tiny part of me did like him in that way, but it would never work out. He didn't live anywhere near me, and I still loved Alex. I just ended things with him, so it wouldn't be fair to just jump to the next available guy. 

"So... how have you been?" Taylor looks back out at the lake. 

"Fine,"  I shrug, but I know his words have more meaning than that. 

What he's really trying to say is, are you going to pick me? 

"I mean-" Taylor sighs. "How much longer, Cass?" His voice drops to barely a whisper and I feel for him, I truly do. 

"Taylor, I-I, I'm stupid. I'm a great, big fat idiot and I don't know what to do," I gush, closing my eyes and shaking my head. 

"You can't keep doing this! It's selfish and mean and you're hurting people!" Taylor suddenly spits, turning around and taking a couple steps. 

Honesty hurts. 

Everything Taylor was saying was true, and that's what hurt the most. 

"I know-" 

"No! You don't know! I-I can't keep doing this," Taylor hisses, mostly to himself, and then walks away, leaving me in the dust. 

I blink, stunned. And slowly, I reach up and wipe away an unexpected tear. 

*******************************************************************************************************************

I wake up the next morning by two little hands shaking me. 

"Hrmf?" I groggily question, rubbing my eyes as two girls, Lily and Jenny, come into focus. "Morning, girls," I sigh, falling back on my bed. "Is everything alright?" 

They looked at each other, excited little smiles. 

"Kathy wanted you to meet her in the old supply cabin out back." 

"Did she say why?" 

They shake their heads. "No, but I would hurry up if I were you because the Fire is going to begin in the afternoon again." 

"Yeah, yeah, I'll be out in a sec," I smile and climb out of bed. 

I quickly get dressed in some casual clothes and brush my teeth, quickly racing out the door. 

Maybe she wanted to meet me with me privately to give me some advice? 

I reach the old cabin and swing open the door to find a small table with two plates and a candle in the middle. 

Um.... what? 

"Aunt Kathy?" I say to the quietness. 

No response. 

Confused, I walk back outside and only take one step when someone calls my name. 

"Cassandra Williams?" 

Turning around, I blinked at Alex, clad in a gray suit with a blue tie. 

Why does this feel so famili-

Oh. 

"Alex. What are you doing?" 

"It's our blind date, Cassandra," he winks. "Remember?" 

__________________________________________________________________________________