Chapter 61

"Okay," Cass said. We walked out of a video store. She had found something but figured since it was one of Miles' favorite movies he probably had both versions of it AND the movie soundtrack so we were back at square one. She let out a distressed moan. She had been in a few relationships in middle school. Most of which only crossed over holidays like Labor Day or Memorial Day or President's day. Nothing that required buying something for any of these boys she barely ever spent time getting to know. Miles was her best friend. Not jst a boyfriend. This required a lot of thought to.

It's not that Miles is meaning driven it's just thathe probably bought her something meaningful that would make anything she bought him look less. That's how Cass explained it to me. I don't think she understands that no matter what he's going to love anything she gives to him. Everything she gives to him he's going to just be in awe over. He's head over heels for her. I don't think it even would matter if she got him vitamin chews. It's cute though.

She stopped lookign around. "So clothes are a big no." She said counting them off on her fingers. "Every movie he's ever seen he probably has a copy of, I doubt he's missing any of those Dr. Suess books... what else is there?"

I sighed. We really were back to square one.

"Help me Elisa! You're the one who's been in relationships before!" She said desperatly. "I need you."

I thoguht about it. "Have you checked the bookstore for something else that's not in the Kid's Department?" I said. "Or the CD store- you could find something there."

"Hey Elisa!" I turned around it was Rainie. She came over to us smiling. "What's new?"

"We're shopping for Cass' boyfriend's birthday." I said.

Her face was overcome with enthusiasm. "Can I help?" She asked.

"Sure," I said.

Cass smiled a little. "Yeah,"

"What does he like?" Rainie asked Cass. They've talked before, but somehow Cass is a little more than jsut on edge around her. She's intimidating, Rainie, but she's so nice and always happy.

"Um," Cass said thinking. "Movies, Dr. Suess-"

"My step-brother read the new Dr. Suess biography." She said. "Does he like reading stuff like that?"

"They have that?"

"Yeah, they probably have it at the bookstore here." Rainie said pointing behind her. "Oh- And get him a disposible camera!" She said smiling. "I always get Paul one for everything."

There is never a conversation I've had with Rainie or Paul where they haven't brought each other up when they weren't with one another. I could be discussing brain surgery with Rainei and hse'll tie Paul into it somehow, or him and Bennett could be talking about squirrels and he'll bring up Rainie. It's strange. I don't think Bennett and I do that. But I think it takes a lot more than what we have to reach that level.

Cass smiled. "Thanks," She said.

"Come on, let's go look." I said.


We followed Rainie's advice. Gettign the Dr. Suess biography. And the disposible camera thing. I felt strange doing that becuase it was "sort of an inside joke but not really" thing between her and Paul. But Cass liked the idea. Rainie had been working but Paul took up and extra hour so she had an hour to kill on her own at the mall because he drove her here.

I called Miles though, from the bathroom at the bookstore. "Hello?" He said.

"Hey," I said. "Quick-question..."

"Go ahead," He said.

"The new Dr. Suess biography..."

"I'm going to go get a copy right now, actually."

"Don't," I said. "Please."

"What-" Then he froze. "Oh..." His voice perked up. "She got it for me?"

"No," I said. "But please act surprised."

"I will." He said. I had to make sure because knowing Miels he would have gotten it and shown it to Cass that night after reading it and she would have had a freak-out. Rainei already saved us. We didn't need a trip all the way back to the beginning again.

When I hung up, I started getting out of the stall. My phone rang again. I picked up. "Hello?"

"Hey," It was Bennett. "What's up?"

I sighed. "Me and Cass are shopping for Miles' birthday present." I said. "I just called him to make sure he wasn't going to go out and buy it on his own."

I heard him laugh quietly. "Was he going to?"

"He was on his way out the door." I said smiling.

"We were supposed to have another band practice today," He said. "But Paul cancelled, so I was wondering what you were doing tonight, but if you're still shopping that's fine."

"We just finished actually," I said. "I'm not doing anything tonight."

"If you want you can come over my house, we could watch a movie or something." He said. "I thought people were going to IHOP but I guess not anymore." He said.

"That's sounds great." I said. We haven't sat in his house and watched a movie in a month now. I missed it a little, just being with him by myself. We do just hang out the two of us but not as often. "What time should I come over?"

"Whenever," He said. "I'm here."

"I'll text you when I start walking to your house then." I said smiling.

"I'll meet you halfway." He said. I could hear his smile over the phone. I always could.


He wrapped his arms around me. Kissing my forehead. I leaned in to him. Resting my head on his chest. We were lying down. A movie on I had never seen. It was called Say Anything it was some movie from the 80s. Cass and miles were talking baout it once. But it was the first time I ever saw it. He kissed my forehead a lot during it.

Holding me close against him. I felt warm inside. And happy. Holding onto him. Not thinkign about whatever was ahead of us. Just watching a boy stand outside of a window with a stereo held over his head.

He had rented it so there was no commercials to wait for. When the credits rolled he kissed me. His lips soft and sweet. We kissed until they ended and by then I had to go home. I didn't want to but I always did. Tomorrow was Friday anyway. So hopefully we'd hang ou again, the plan was everyone was going to meet at IHOP. Something I was getting used to.

But I missed him a little. If that was possible. Jut him and me together. I really did. My mother was in Chicago tomorrow. So I wouldn't be alone tomorrow night in my big empty house.