Page 3 of One of Them Girls

“You can answer it, you know. It might be important.”

I pull out my phone and see a video message from Tinsley.

Speak of the devil.

I swipe the screen, starting the video.

“It’s so beautiful here. You would love it. Wish you were here.”

“But kinda glad you’re not.”

“Finley! Love you, X! Have fun!”

The video stops and I laugh, shoving my phone back into my pocket.

“Girlfriend?” Cassandra asks, side-eyeing me as we walk.

“Nah, not my girlfriend. It was my best friend, Tinsley, and her man Finley.” I shrug.

“Anything ever happen between you two?” she asks, looking forward.

“Nah, not really. Her heart always belonged to Fin, and it was obvious to everyone but him.”

“So a guy can really be friends with a girl without falling in love with her, huh?”

“I guess so.”

We fall into silence as we walk side-by-side. I think about the girl I lost.

Can you really lose someone when they were never yours to begin with?

“So, tell me something about yourself Cassandra?” I say, breaking the silence.

“What do you want to know?”

“How old are you? Have you figured out a major yet? The typical stuff.”

“Well, I’m eighteen. I’m from a small town nearby and I’m not completely set on a major yet. You?”

“Eighteen, from New York but moved from the Chicago area, and I’m majoring in education.”

“Long way from home,” she teases, making me laugh.

“Yeah, it’s a little different here than what I’m used to.” I rub my jaw.

“Well.” Cassandra slows her pace. “This is me.” She points to the building next to me.

“Then it looks like I got you home safe.”

“You did, such a gentleman.” She smiles. “Maybe I’ll see you around sometime,” she says, walking backward toward her building.

“You probably will.” I shove my hands into my pockets and nod at the door. “I’ll walk away once you’re inside.”

“Nice meeting you, Xavier,” she calls over her shoulder, stepping inside the building.

“Nice meeting you too, Cassandra,” I murmur to myself.

As I walk home, I think about the pretty blonde girl and not once do I think about the one who usually consumes my thoughts.

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