Stephanie woke up to the sound of a basketball. "Sportacus is already playing outside!" she thought, and that was enough for her to jump out of bed, brush her teeth, put on clothes, and run out to join him. But Uncle Milford stopped her in the kitchen.
– Good Morning Stephanie! Here, I made scrambled eggs. Let's have breakfast together!
She could not say no this time, she was storming out for days, early in the morning, as soon as she woke up. Uncle Milford made her promise that they will spend more time together, since she spent all time with her friends, from the minute she arrived two weeks ago. Especially with Sportacus.
– Good Morning Uncle Milford – she wanted nothing more than to yell "later!" and run outside, but she went to kiss her uncle on the cheek, and helped with the plate instead.
During breakfast Uncle Milford was asking her about her parents, about school and friends, and she was trying to keep her mind on spending quality time with him, but she couldn't help feeling that breakfast was never going to end.
Then, after the longest 15 minutes, he finally said "Go, have fun" and something else, which Stephanie couldn't figure out, because she was long gone, before the Mayor could finish the sentence.
Stephanie ran like the wind, to the basketball field, where she found Sportacus playing with a stranger, which made her more excited, since nobody new ever came near Lazytown.
She ran through the rusty gate, not even closing it after her, and shouted "Good Morning Sportacus!" as she jumped to his arms.
Sportacus lifted her up, and spun her a couple of times, before putting the pink girl back to her feet.
She immediately turned toward the interesting stranger to greet her.
– Hi, I'm Stephanie, you must be new here.
Cassie never saw a bigger, more honest smile. She already liked this pink haired girl.
–Stephanie, that smile just made my day, and it started already on a high note! – she gestured towards Sportacus – Nice to meet you love, I'm Cassie. – Cassie turned toward Sportacus in a pretended shock, and giggled – Is everybody this nice here, or am I just lucky? She just melted my heart!
If Sportacus had any doubt about Cassie, it vanished at that moment. If she liked Stephanie, they are not that different at all.
A little later all of the children arrived and joined the game. Sportacus soon found out that, when it comes to imagination, Cassie is really skillful, and she can make up the most impossible imaginary situations and commentary around a simple basketball match, and the kids loved it.
The last who arrived was of course Pixel, who stayed up late, playing the new game he got, but when he arrived, he freaked out.
As he walked into the field, and all of his friends greeted him, they wanted to introduce him to their new friend, who just arrived this morning. But Pixel already recognised her.
– Oh my God! Guys that is not just a Cassie, she is the Cassie from Skatewentures! – his jaw dropped hard, but his friends just looked at him in confusion.
– Are you all living in a box, or what? I can't believe you never heard of the Skatewentures! Oh my God, she is the greatest travel blogger who ever existed! She is only 25, but she has already travelled around the world! Please can I touch your skateboard?!
Cassie hid her face behind her hand, and laughed in surprise and embarrassment.
– Of course love, knock yourself out. – Cassie smiled down at him, still blushing, and handed over her skateboard.
Pixel held it ceremonially, and bowed his head to Cassie, and it made her giggle "C'mon dude!"
Pixel admired the stickers on the back of the board. They told a story, Pixel already knew, so he explained every single sticker to his friends, telling the tale along the way, about different cultures and unique people Cassie met on her way, and wrote about in her blog.
Sportacus was listening carefully to the stories about this stranger, but he was looking at Cassie's face for the whole time. He knew he was right about giving her a chance. Her face told the same story, from another perspective. But her face radiated another feeling too. She was moved by Pixel's adoration, so much so, her eyes were even clouded a little.
Then Pixel finished the story, and gave back Cassie's skateboard.
– It's an honour to meet you. – Pixel said with admiration.
– You made me look like a hero, but I'm just a girl, who can't sit on her ass, and makes a blog about it. But you my friend, you just became my true hero, for reading that whole lotta nonsense, I can put on virtual paper. I think you might be my biggest, and only fan.
Cassie ruffled Pixel's hair, what made him giggle like a girl.
– Who wants to try out that legendary skateboard? – Cassie souted, and jumped on the wheels. She flipped the skateboard, kicked it to her hand, jumped the fence, and landed on the board again. She wanted to get out of that moment before she would really start to cry. Knowing that someone reads your stuff, and meeting them in person, are on completely different levels.
The kids all followed her out to the street to take turns on the board, and they let Pixel be the first.
Sportacus and Cassie leaned back to a wall, and watched the kids having the time of their life.
– I think we would be great friends Cassie. – He said suddenly – What do you say? Do you stay a little?
She tilted her head, thinking about it for a moment. Finally she smiled in mischief to her new friend.
– Anything for you Pretty boi. – she laughed when Sportacus made a confused grin, and she playfully hit his arm. Finally she got a bit more serious, and nodded.
– If it depends on me, I think I'll stay a little. But I need to find a place first. And a job.