Running

Lying around in Mike’s bed was just something that was becoming more and more common as the days went by. He had been gone for two and a half weeks and I was still a mess. In these past two weeks I spent at least four nights locked in his room. We talked on the phone here and there, but not very often. He was so busy and having fun on the road, and of course I had to fake my happiness whenever I was on the phone with him. As soon as I would hear his voice I would want to cry. I missed him SO much.

I groaned and took the last sip of beer left in the bottle and then rolled over, placing it on Mike’s bedside table. That was the last of the alcohol that was stashed in here... if I wanted anymore I would have to walk out into the kitchen, and that wasn’t happening any time soon unless I showered. I got off the bed and walked over to Mike’s closet and grabbed a clean towel. I stripped myself of my clothes and then wrapped it around me.

“Cassie,” Vivian’s voice sang out as I exited the room. I turned my head to face her, a sad smile on her lips. “Do you want anything to eat?”

I shrugged, “Maybe just a grilled cheese or something...”

She smiled again and approached me, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug. She kissed me on the top of my head, “I’ll have it waiting for you when you get out of the shower.”

“Thank you,” I gave her a small smile and walked into the bathroom.

I washed through the tangled, brown mess on the top of my head with Mike’s shampoo. I ran my hands through the length, pulling out the dead strands and knots. My hair had grown to extreme lengths, down to my waist. I wanted to change it up as I played with it in the shower. Maybe I would do that while Mike was gone... something to occupy my time. I finished washing out the shampoo, and then proceeded to wash my body with Mike’s body wash. I was going to smell just like him, and I loved that. I walked out of the steamy bathroom with my towel wrapped around me once again, and walked back into Mike’s room. Closing and locking the door behind me quickly.

I dropped my towel and hung it on the hanger on the back of his door. I grabbed my bag and then pulled out my lotion. I covered myself in a thick coat of lotion and then slipped on a pair of underwear and one of Mike’s flannels. I didn’t have to worry about pants because Victor was at work. I pulled the flannel into my face and breathed in the scent through my nostrils, smiling at Mike’s smell once again. I walked over to the mirror and brushed through my hair, then examined myself. I had dropped a few pounds again while Mike had been gone, and my facial features were becoming very predominant again. I shrugged and walked out of the room, throwing my wet hair over my shoulder.

Vivian had a grilled cheese and glass of water waiting for me in the kitchen. I sat down and smiled at her as she made herself a cup of coffee. “Thank you, Viv,” I mumbled while taking a bite of the sandwich.

“Anything for my daughter-in-law,” she smiled and sat across from me at the table, sipping on her coffee and making a face. “Not enough sugar...” she mumbled and got up again, pouring a bit more sugar into her coffee. As she stirred she started talking, “How are you holding up?”

“Shitty,” I shrugged and placed the sandwich back on the plate. I took a giant gulp of water and closed my eyes for a few seconds. “The thing that sucks the most is that I have to act like everything is all rainbows and fucking butterflies when I talk to him on the phone because I know if he knows I’m miserable he will flip.”

She sighed and sat down again, “Cass, he’ll be home so soon. I know you miss him a lot, and believe me I do too. But I’m starting to worry about you again, you’ve lost weight since he left.”

“I think it’s just me being upset. I have no appetite anymore. I eat here and there,” I played with the sandwich on the plate in front of me, pulling off the crust. “I’m not going back to an E.D., Viv... I promise.”

She nodded, “I think you need to force some food down into your little throat, because if my son gets home and sees you wasting way he’s going to come after me first.” We both laughed, knowing that Mike would act as if it was Vivian’s fault that she wasn’t feeding me well. “I was going to ask you if you would like to go to the grocery store with me today... we could cook dinner together. Victor won’t be home until late.”

I smiled, “I’d love to.”

“Alright, eat your sandwich and then go get ready. I’m going to go tidy up some downstairs and then I will be ready to go,” she smiled and stood up from the table. “And I do mean to eat your sandwich... all of it... even the crust. Don’t make me inspect the trash, young lady,” she wagged her finger at me and walked out of the kitchen.


I trekked down the soup isle in search of chicken broth without sodium while Vivian looked at produce. I had no idea what we were going to be making for dinner, but she had given me a little list of items to grab and bring back to the cart. I peered through the shelves looking for the can, groaning as I could not seem to find it.

“You look lost,” a deep voice came from beside me, along with a laugh.

I turned my head to see a boy that was probably around Mike’s age smiling at me. He was tall, but not as tall as Mike, with shaggy brown hair a big smile on his face. I had never seen him around before.

“Yeah, I’m in search of chicken broth without sodium... but just cannot seem to find it anywhere,” I laughed looking up at him, awkwardly rubbing my arm.

“I just saw that actually,” he smiled. “It’s right over there,” he pointed to the other side of the isle. “I’m guessing you haven’t looked over there yet?” I shook my head with a blush, knowing he was probably thinking I was some huge idiot. “My name is Tony.”

He held out his hand and I placed mine in his, shaking it, “Cassie. How come I’ve never seen you around here before? I know most people in this area.”

He let out a laugh, “Well Ms. Popular, I’m from Newport Beach and just moved here last week.”

I nodded, “That would explain it. Are you going to school here or have you already graduated?”

“I’m going to Mission Bay High School in the fall. I’ll be a senior.”

I grinned, “No way! I thought you were like 19! I’m going to be a senior too.” I was still grinning at him when I spotted a small braid behind his ear, “You’re a Star Wars fan?” He held his hands out in front of me, his knuckles saying the words “STAR WARS”. I gasped, “Holy shit that’s so awesome!”

“I’m guessing you’re a fan as well?” He laughed as I nodded up and down vigorously. “That’s awesome! I don’t know that many chicks that like Star Wars.”

“Well I’m not like most chicks,” I smiled.

“Cassie, did you find the damn chicken broth or did you get lost again?” Vivian’s voice sounded from the isle. “Who’s this?” She asked as she stood next to me.

“I’m Tony,” he smiled sheepishly and held his hand out.

“Vivian,” she smiled and shook his hand.

I smiled at Vivian, “He’s new to the area and is going to be a senior at Mission Bay.”

“Well looks like you’re in luck because you just became friends with the school’s most popular little shit,” Vivian smiled and wrapped her arms around my shoulder.

I rolled my eyes and pushed her hand off, “And you wonder where Mike gets his personality from...” She winked at me and then walked away, muttering that she’d call my name when she’s ready to check out.

“Is that your mom? She seems awesome,” Tony laughed and ran a hand through is hair.

I shook my head, “Nah, she’s my boyfriend’s mom, but she’s like an awesome mother to me. My boyfriend and his brother are on tour right now, so I’m hanging out with her.”

Tony’s eyes got huge, “No way! Your boyfriend is in a band?”

I nodded again, “Before Today... I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of them or not, but they’re doing a tour all up and down the coast this summer.”

“Of course I’ve heard of Before Today. I fucking love them! I seriously saw them last week in Newport! I was in a band back home but we never got much publicity. Which one is your boyfriend?”

“Mike,” I smiled. “He’s the drummer.”

“He totally shreds on the drums... and his cheetah drums are fucking awesome! Dude, can I be your best friend?” He started laughing and ruffled his hand through his hair again.

I laughed along with him, “They’re leopard print, not cheetah. I picked them out for him so I’m glad you like them. And that’s so cool that you’re a fan. I bet you and Mike would become great friends. You totally need to meet him when he gets home from tour!”


I had talked with Tony for a little longer and then we exchanged phone numbers. He seemed really awesome and someone that Mike would probably like. I thought it was pretty cool that he was a fan of Before Today and wasn’t actually from San Diego... that meant that the boys were getting more and more famous. When I got back to Mike’s house I cooked dinner with Vivian, ate, and then watched Wheel of Fortune with her. She then decided that she was going to go to bed because she had work in the morning. I walked back into Mike’s room with the phone in my hand and decided to give him a call, sighing to myself as the phone rang twice.

“Hello?”

“Hey, baby,” I smiled at the sound of his voice.

“Hello beautiful,” I could hear the smile in his voice. “I wasn’t expecting you to be calling me from my house phone.”

I shrugged, “I decided to stay here. I cooked dinner with your Momma tonight and everything. Your dad is out late on a job and she didn’t want to be alone.”

“That’s really sweet of you, baby. I know Ma is probably lonely without Vic and I home.”

“Yeah, she really is. Not as bad as me though. I can’t wait for my Mikey to get home. Oh, and I made a new friend today! He just moved here from Newport Beach and actually went to your show there last week! He’s a fan of Before Today.”

“Really, babe? That’s fucking awesome! I can’t believe you met someone who knows who we are. Do you know how good that is for us? I have to tell Vic!” Mike started freaking out, “What’s his name? Is he cool?”

I laughed at his response, “His name is Tony and he’s super cool. He’s a Star Wars fan and has quite a bit of ink. I talked to him about bringing him to the tattoo shop so he can get some more. I think you’d really like him.”

“That’s so cool, babe. I’m glad you made a new friend that is a fan and will hopefully be one of my friends... I’m okay with you hanging out as long as he doesn’t try to put the moves on you. I don’t need anyone stealing you from me.”

I rolled my eyes, “Mikey, no one could steal me from you. You never have to worry about that.” I yawned, “I’m getting kind of sleepy, but I don’t want to get off the phone with you.”

“If you’re tired go to bed, Cass. I don’t want to keep you up,” I could hear him sighing on the other end.

I huffed, “But I’d rather talk to you than sleep, Mikey. Can’t we just stay on the phone until I fall asleep? I’m already snuggled up in your shirt and blankets.”

He laughed, “My black and red flannel?"

I giggled, “Of course. It’s my favorite. Will you sing me Scarlet Begonias?”

“Cass...”

“Baby, pwease,” I pouted and heard him laugh.

“Fine... fine...”

Notes

First off, I want to say thank you to everyone who is still supporting this story. I really wish that I could put out more updates, but I let my grades slack off way too much last year and need to keep them high this semester. Luckily, I was able to get some down time this evening so I could write this. I'm hoping that I can get back into the groove of writing... and I'm hoping I will be updating Sam's Town at some point this week.

All my subbies, recommenders, raters, commenters, readers, etc... ya'll seriously do rock.
I hope you enjoy this update, even though I feel like it is shitty and mostly dialogue.
I finally introduced another member from current day PTV... you'll see what role he plays.
What do you guys think is going to happen next?
What's up with Cassie losing weight?
Cassie's Outfit

Comment and let me know how each of you feel!
BTW - I still have yet to read anyone's stories.
I have tons to catch up on... I will read soon, I promise.
Sorry for sucking xoxoxoxo