Page 17 of One of Them Girls

“Yeah, because that’s what I was shooting for.” We both laugh. “What about you?” I ask.

“I’m undecided, much to my parents’ dismay.” She sighs. “I don’t know why they think I should decide now.”

“At least your family is okay with whatever you choose. My father is currently in denial and thinks I will switch to a business degree like he wants,” I say bitterly.

“Don’t want to run the family business?”

“Not at all.” I shake my head adamantly. “What about you?”

Cassi shrugs. “I could see myself living on a ranch. Working with horses and cattle. Is it what I want? I’m not sure. But I like the option to pursue something else.”

“I could see it,” I say, picturing her working with animals and living off the land.

“What made you choose teaching?” she asks, taking the attention off of herself.

“I’m sure you’ve heard the story before. There was a teacher when I was younger who listened, helped. Made me want to help the next generation.”

“Come on, it’s not that generic. Tell me the entire story.”

I let out a deep sigh. “Honestly? I didn’t even know what I wanted to be. Not even back then. I’ve always been groomed to take over Dad’s import and export business. Then, in the eighth grade, I met Mr. Roberts. He was a strict guy, but fair. He was never mean, just firm. Always pushing his students to be the best versions of themselves. I guess that’s where it started. I watched how he was. The way he could care for so many students at once. You could tell he cared too. No matter how many times a kid caught an attitude with him or how many jokes they made, he never gave up on them. I guess I realized that’s what I wished my father were like. It didn’t happen right away. I didn’t leave his class deciding to become a teacher. That was later when I realized if I continued to let my father lead my life the way he wanted, I would be miserable. So I thought about what I wanted to do. What would make me happy? That’s when I thought of Mr. Roberts. I realized what would make me happy is to do everything I can to help the next generation. So I came here.”

“That’s admirable you know.” She looks back over her shoulder, raising a brow.

“If you say so.” I huff, feeling the strain of the hike set in.

“So your father doesn’t approve?”

“He thinks this is some sort of rebellion against him. He is hoping that I decide to change majors. Honestly, the only reason he hasn’t cut me off completely is because of his image. In order to save face, he has to at least pretend to support me. Can’t let his associates see him disown me.”

“If that’s the case, why do you still use his money? I don’t mean that as an insult, but you could really make it on your own.”

I give her a sad smile. “If only it were that easy. This is really hard for me to admit, but I’m accustomed to having money. I mean before Jack I didn’t even know you could have friends who didn’t care about your money. Well, and Tinsley, but she had more money than I did. I guess, the simple answer is I’m scared.”

She pats my shoulder. “That’s brave of you to admit. It’s okay. You’ll get there. So tell me about what kind of trouble a young Avi got into,” she teases.

I tell her all about my childhood, her telling me about hers. The rest of the hike we keep to lighter subjects. Our likes and dislikes and before I know it we’re cresting the top of the mountain. Walking toward the edge of the mountain, we look below. Solid red rocky cliffs surrounding us as we look down into the valley. It’s desolate and makes you feel so small.

“It’s beautiful in a way only a desert can be,” she murmurs.

“I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it.”

“I packed some trail mix and whatnot for us. We should eat some and hydrate before we start back down,” Cassi says as she pulls her pack off. “I put some snacks in the outside pocket. I figured when we hit the first town, we can grab some food.”

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” She shrugs. “I invited you, the least I could do is make sure you have something to munch on.”

Sitting on the ground, we snack as we point out different things we see. Once done, we put our trash back into our packs.

“Ready?” Cassi asks as she brushes her butt off.

Without thinking, I pull my phone out and snap a picture of her. Her hair all over the place, making her look like a beautiful mess.

“Hey.” She frowns.

“What? I like taking pictures of beautiful things.” I shrug, taking a photo of the view.

She slowly approaches. “Well then, how about a photo together? To remember this by.”

---