The Invitation

You drive to the University and sit distractedly through your classes. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. All day you beat yourself up over your careless interaction with Chloe. After the high of starting to come to terms with Fiona, now you suddenly had Chloe to worry about.

You hoped she didn't actually quit her job or anything crazy like that. With Chloe you just never knew.

By the time you meet Casey at your now regular table in the small upstairs cafe in the Drama department you really needed something to cheer you up. When you see her round that corner, when you see those flowing red locks and brilliant green eyes, you feel a weight lifted from your shoulders. You let out a long sigh.

She wore a skirt and top with a retro style as she often did. Her low pumps clack, clack, clack along the tile as she hurries to be with you. In her face you see your own happiness to see her reflected back.

You already had her latte waiting for her on the table. You smile as she approaches and she smiles back. Heaven, fucking heaven.

She leans in and kisses your lips then takes her seat across from you. She sits quietly for a time, looking at you most curiously. You grin back at her.

She finally says. "What's the matter Jesse?"

You are taken aback. "Who said anything is the matter?"

She shifts from her seat across the table to the one beside you. She looks at you closer and you catch the aroma of her wonderful perfume. "Your eyes did. What's wrong?"

Casey read you like a book. You let out a breath and your shoulders slump. "Oh Casey. I fucked up today. I hurt someone I care about very much."

She reaches up and gently runs her fingers through your hair at your temple. "Not on purpose."

You shake your head. "No. I was just being an idiot. It was my cousin."

"Chloe?"

You nod. "Yeah. I told her something that really hurt her feelings and now I don't know how to make it better."

"Something you regret?"

You sigh. "No, it needed to be said. But...I could have handled it better."

Casey rests a hand on your shoulder, her other on your forearm. "If it needed to be said..." Casey squeezes your shoulder. "...she'll get over it. Sometimes it's the truth that hurts most of all, but in the end it will be for the best."

You take her hand in yours and hold it tight. You give her a small grateful smile and she smiles back.

"Yeah. Still doesn't feel good."

The pair of you sit like this for a time. Her silently giving you support and you silently taking it. After just a few minutes you were still worried about Chloe, but you were feeling a whole lot better about how things would turn out.

"On the bright side things have never been better with my sisters." You say.

She looks surprised. "Even Fiona?"

You nod. "Even Fiona." You take a sip of your tea then add. "Hey, when you meet her...uh...she's can be a bit blunt. She likes to push buttons, honestly I think it is just instinct with her." You look into Casey's eyes. "She might call you a he or a dude or something like that."

Casey leans back and laughs. "I don't care about that! I told you, I identify as a girl to make it easier for everyone else. I'm not ashamed of being a...dude." She air quotes that last word.. "But good to know, thank you."

You nod. "Good." Leaning in you then say in a low voice. "She actually said it was pretty hot. You and me being together."

Casey's face slowly shifts from happy to...sultry. Keeping her gaze locked on yours she hits you with the most powerful 'fuck me eyes' you'd ever experienced! She whispers back. "I think it's pretty hot too. I think you're pretty hot Jesse."

Your heart skips a beat.

Her cheeks blush pink but her emerald eyes stay locked on yours. "I shouldn't have said that." She says. Despite her words her steady gaze told you she regretted nothing. Her ruby lips and perfect white teeth were slightly parted. Her chin dipped down a bit. Her long naturally wavy red hair framing her fine featured face.

"Casey...I..." You swallow. "I think you're really hot too."

Sexual energy crackles between you like a Jacob's Ladder.

Ring...

God damn this fucking phone! It always seemed to find a way to interrupt when thing were going so well!

Ring...

You snap back to reality and fish out your phone with annoyance. You answer without even looking to see who it was.

"Yes!?"

It was your aunt. "Hello Jesse."

You bring your tone to be more respectful. "Oh, hi Aunt Peg."

"I just got off the phone with Chloe." She says in a serious voice. "I didn't realize you were doing that today."

"I know. I know. I just wanted to get things going. God, is she okay? I've been worried sick about her." You respond.

"No, but yes." Your aunt says. "She is taking it hard, but she'll be okay. She is coming over tonight. Elsie and I will talk her through it."

"Okay, I'll come over right after..."

"No. No hun. Don't come over tonight." Peg says. "That's why I am calling. Don't stop over tonight, okay?"

"But...I want to talk with her. I want to make this right. I want to apologize to her. And I was hoping I could sleep over again...."

"No Jesse. Not tonight. You need to give her some space. Besides, you should probably go see your Mom."

"But I want to help! I was the one who hurt Chloe and I should be the one to fix it."

Peg says in a soothing tone. "Leave it to us Jesse. You don't have to do everything."

"Peg..." You say. "...Peg...I don't know if I want to go home tonight."

Peggy sighs. "Honey, your mother loves you. I'm not sure I am comfortable with you kids shutting her out like this."

"Peg...Peg, I..." You let out a breath. You wanted to say more but Casey was sitting right there. "Okay, I won't come over."

"It's for the best." She says. "And don't worry. Chloe will be fine. Love you my dear."

"Love you too Peg. See you tomorrow." You hang up.

Casey sat patiently as you stared at your phone. El and Peg picking up your pieces. You'd make it right with Chloe too once you had the chance.

Casey softly clears her throat. "You don't want to go home? It must be pretty serious."

You slump back and nod. "It's complicated."

Her hand softly strokes your forearm. "Um...you could...."

Silence.

You look up at her. She seemed uncomfortable. Her eyes were staring down at your arm where she lightly stroked your skin with her soft fingertips. She nibbles the inside of her lip nervously. She suddenly takes in a sharp breath and shakes her head. "Um...sorry. Hey...uh...do you want to come over for a movie or something? We could make some food and stuff. It might be fun." She takes in a long trembling breath. "Um...Felix is working tonight so...we'd have the place..." Her angel's voice fades off to nothing.

She slowly looks back up into your eyes. Her tone had been nervous but her words casual, as if it was just a normal invitation to hang out. Her wide glimmering green eyes however begged you to accept her invitation. She shrugs. "I mean...if you want. It's no big deal."