August 31st, Friday - Casey Silpetti
Friday starts the same as any other day. Casey gets up early enough to sneak out, and heads over to the caff to get some breakfast. Harmony is already there, a huge cup of some kind of cappuccino sitting next to her as she sketches.
“Hey girl! First week’s done, and we survived! Have some breakfast.” She reaches next to her and brings out another cappuccino, handing it to Casey. There are a few bagels on the table next to her pad. “So, I need your help.”
A sudden sinking feel hits Casey’s stomach. Harmony needing help usually results in something unpleasant, unhealthy, or embarrassing. She makes a noncommittal “hmm?” noise as she sips at her cappuccino, trying to avoid Harmony’s eyes for the moment.
She doesn’t notice, and instead starts a caffeinated ramble that only picks up speed as she goes, “I need a model for art class. Mr. Boyd wants to see me try to do a range from my normal style, and try some photorealism, and some abstract portraits and what not. Come on, it’ll be fun! It’s not like I’m asking you to do a nude. Hmm… although a nude would probably cement an A… could probably even sell it for a lot…” She sees Casey’s face and laughs. “Ok, so maybe not. Come on, you know you want to. If you don’t help me, you at least have to help me find someone else who will. Maybe we can ask Aiden, I can think of some interesting poses for the two of you…”
Science class starts off normal enough, until Josie comes in. She stands sheepishly in the doorway, waiting until Mr. Zachery notices her. He finally stops writing on the board long enough to do just that, and she chirps, “Uhhh… Prof. Z? There’s a… small problem with the… with the Science Club experiment in your office?” Behind her in the hall is Marshall and Vaughn, both looking as nervous as she does.
Prof. Z hesitates for a long moment, then turns back to the class. “Alright students, get with your lab partners and finish working on your projects. Remember, they are due by the end of the class on Tuesday. I’ll be right back.” He rushes out, leaving a stunned class behind him. It’s not every day a teacher bails out on the students!
Casey sees Aiden and Cadence get up and head her way, so she closes her book and reaches under her desk to grab her lab notes. She hears a soft gasp from Veronica as the two sit down, and when she comes up from under her desk she sees Veronica reach over and lay her hand on Cadence’s arm. “What happened?”
Cadence did a good job covering it, but Casey can see the dark shadow of a bruise across the younger girls jaw. Her bottom lip is swollen slightly on the left side, and Casey can see where it was split.
Cadence glances down at her notes, averting her eyes but not pulling her arm away from Veronica. Her face flushes with a rosy glow, and she smiles an obviously fake smile. “Oh, it’s nothing. I’m just pretty clumsy, I ran into a corner of my door last night.” Her poker face is failing her today, it’s obvious she’s embarrassed and uncomfortable talking about it.
Aiden glances over at Casey. While they were lab partners last year, he got to know a little about her, and he knows that she’s probably the most world-wise of all of them sitting there. Casey gives him a look that says she’ll try and talk to Cadence about it.
Veronica squeezes the other girls arm affectionately before letting go. “You need to be more careful then! And why was your head so far into the clouds?” she teases, smiling.
Casey sees Aiden make a little face. Poor Veronica is so niave that it’s almost funny. Gullible at that, she hates to even think that someone is lying, so she believes almost anything.
Lost in thought, Casey misses Cadence’s answer, something about ‘schoolwork’ or some such, and Veronica chuckles before opening her own lab book.
Casey gets caught up at her locker at lunch time, so by the time she grabs her food and heads into the student center (which is generally where all the seniors and “cool kids” hang out for lunch), she sees Harmony and Aiden sitting at a table waiting for her. As she walks up, Aiden shoots her a “save me” look.
“Hey Silpetti, help me talk Dennison here into being a model for me. Or did you find someone else for me to practice my craft upon?”
“Ummm…what about May?” Laughs Casey. “I’m sure she’d love to be a model…she might even go nude, just for you.”
Harmony playfully punches Casey on the arm, “Yeah right.”
“So, Case, we still on for tomorrow night? I think I might go buy some stuff to throw on the grill, what do you think?”
Harmony’s eyes widen in almost comic surprise, as she looks back and forth between the two of them. “Tomorrow night, what’s going on tomorrow night?” She turns and looks for an answer.
“Nothing big, just a study group,” answers Casey.
“Yeah, I get 3 lovely ladies in my house tomorrow. Case, Cadence and Veronica are coming over so we can work on our Chem project. You’re more than welcome to make it 4 and come over later.” He does a weird Groucho Marx-like eyebrow wiggle toward Harmony. “We can grill out, and watch a movie or play a game. I’m a Monopoly Maniac.”
“That sounds like fun,” Harmony says. “You’ve got my number, Case. Call me when you’re done with the boring studying stuff.”
“Or, we can solve 2 birds with 1 stone and, as long as Veronica and Cadence don’t mind, you can do some realistic drawings of us studying,” Casey suggests.
“Do you think they’d let me??” Harmony almost shouts. “That would be perfect! You can get your studying done and I can draw. You won’t even know I’m there, honest. I’m gonna go find them and see if they care and then go tell Mr. Boyd. See ya!” She winks extremely obviously at Casey as she leaves.
“Well, she sure gets excited, doesn’t she?” asks Aiden.
“Yeah, she doesn’t always have a slow-down mode.”
They sit in almost awkward silence for a minute as Casey eats and Aiden pretty much stares at her. “Stop staring,” Casey says.
“Can’t help it.”
Casey blushes. “Try. You’re making me nervous.”
He glances around the student center, then looks back at her. “So, ummm, you doing anything tonight?”
Casey’s head snaps up. “Huh?”
Aiden laughs. “You doing anything tonight?”
“Yeah, I’m going to that town meeting thing that Roni’s mom is putting on.”
“Roni?”
“Veronica. Sorry, I guess it’s kind of my nickname for her…from Chem class. I forget nobody else calls her that sometimes,” clarifies Casey.
“Oh. I kind of like it. It suits her.” He waits a moment, trying out the nickname in his head. “Anyway, so you’re going to the town hall thing. Anything after that?”
Casey stutters, “Ummm…no.” She starts talking faster “But I don’t know how late it’s gonna go. It could be really late.”
Aiden laughs. “Relax.” After a moment of smiling at her he continues, “Do you wanna get something to eat after the meeting, or go to a movie, or something?”
“I guess so.”
“Don’t sound so excited. We don’t have to, if you don’t want to. I just, well, I kinda like you and I would like to get to know you better. You’re different from everyone else around here.”
Casey blushes. “I would like to do something…it’s just…I don’t have a lot of extra money.”
“I wasn’t asking you to pay for anything…I was asking you on a date.”
“Oh. Well, I’d like that then. Thanks.”
“Good. It’s a date. I’ll just meet you at the town hall thing if that’s ok?”
“Sure. Hey, I’m gonna go try and find Cadence. I’ll see you tonight though.”
“Cool. I hope she’s ok, that bruise was nasty, even with the makeup. Later Case.”
Aiden heads over toward another group of friends, and Casey heads off toward the cafeteria where Cadence usually eats her lunch, smiling to herself as she goes. She stops to grab a couple of jumbo cookies on her way.
Casey finds Cadence as she’s finishing her lunch. “Cadence, mind if I join you?”
“Go ahead. What’s up?”
“Not much. Want a cookie? I wasn’t sure what kind you liked, I have chocolate chip and PB. Or we could split them and have a little of each.”
“Hey, nice. Where do you get giant cookies like this?” asks Cadence.
“In the snack booth. You know the one the cooking classes set up. They don’t always have them, but when they do, they go fast. There were only a couple left when I got these.”
“Let’s split ‘em. Thanks, Casey…and not just for the cookie. You and Veronica and Aiden are really the only people I know around here, and you’ve all been so nice to me. I guess being a teacher’s kid isn’t the best role to have at this school. Most people have been kind of snobby toward me.”
“So, tell me a little about you. How many schools have you been in? Have you lived a lot of places?” Casey stops her questions with that one, although she had more on the tip of her tongue. Cadence gives her a sudden look, one tinged with suspicion. Her eyes seem to judge Casey in some way, the same as her mother did.
“Why do you ask, Casey?” Her tone is quiet, but Casey hears a hint of steel underneath the velvet softness.
Casey is used to being able to work on people, and has a good understanding of how they act and what not. Cadence’s sudden 180 catches her completely off guard. Unbidden, a thought flashes across her mind, ‘This girl has secrets.’ She plays it cagey, glancing away from her and nibbling on her own cookie nonchalantly. She tries a standard tactic of making herself look as harmless as she can.
“Well, I just started at this school myself two years ago, before that I was in public school. I kinda come from the ‘wrong side of the tracks,’ foster kid, ya know, so when I got here I was on the major outs with a lot of people. I kinda also went to a lot of different schools when I was younger, so I know what it’s like. It sucks, doesn’t it?” Keeping close enough to the truth not to completely lie is another good tactic, especially with someone on edge like Cadence suddenly is. Casey glances back at the other girl and smiles.
Cadence grins back, and a slight look of embarrassment crosses her face as she relaxes. It makes Casey think though, she’s never seen this girl smile. She grins, she faked a smile back in class when her bruise was brought up, but in the past week of seeing her around school and in class, she’s never smiled.
“Sorry, guess I’m just a little tense, like I said, people haven’t exactly been treating me great since I started. Yeah, I’ve been to quite a few schools. Lived all across the country in the past few years, never really stayed anywhere long. My mom’s… she’s kinda got a little gypsy in her or something.” She says this with a grin, joking.
“What do you like to do in your free time? I mean, if you travel so much do you have any hobbies or something?” Casey asks.
“I have a few things. I like to run. I play the harmonica, but not well. My mom is kinda strict, cause of our religion. So I can’t really date or anything. Since I don’t stay anywhere long, I don’t really look to make friends. I mean, I used to have a few people I talked to on the internet, but after a while it’s hard to stay friends that way, ya know?”
Casey nods back at her. There’s a hint of sadness that threads its way through the other girls voice. A sense of loneliness and longing, something that Casey knows about herself. Cadence is looking away from her, out at the crowded tables and other people having fun in their own little groups, and Casey takes the time to really look over her.
Physically, the other girl is very similar to Casey. Casey is probably only an inch or two shorter than the other girl, though the way Cadence carries herself makes her seem taller than she is. She doesn’t slouch, and carries her slight frame with an almost military bearing. Something about that thought gives Casey pause, it’s a fitting word, military. That’s what the other girl reminds her of, the way her eyes scan the room, looking for something, threats perhaps? The way she carries herself, straight and dignified. She exudes a sense of power once you get close to her, something you might not guess from far away.
But at the same time, she dresses to hide it. Well, as much as that can be said considering everyone here is wearing school uniforms. But still, she could be considered quite cute, but it’s like she takes pain to hide that. She wears no makeup, and her dark hair is done up in a messy bun. She wears her necktie loosened, but over that wears the school uniform coat that effectively hides her curves and in the end makes her blend in with the crowd completely.
“I know what you mean. I didn’t have too many friends either, until I came here. But then I met Harmony, and Veronica and her sister Bianca, and Aiden. They helped me feel at home. Of course there are people like May who did their part to make me miserable, but what else is new, right?” She smiles at the other girl, who nods back. “So, do you like it here? Is it like your other schools?”
“Oh, I guess it’s ok. I’m not a big school person, but this one is pretty nice, nicer by far than any other I’ve gone to. It’s… kinda, higher class than I’m used to, no offense.”
Casey laughs lightly. “Oh, me too. I’m here on scholarship, the David Mors Foundation scholarship. Another strike against me when I first started, so see? I told you we had some things in common.”
Cadence chuckles back, and they sit silently for a few moments, enjoying the rest of their cookies and a sense of companionability.
Casey decides to go ahead and risk the question she’s been waiting to ask. “So, if you don’t mind me asking, how’d you really get that bruise? I only ask because I like you and I think we could be friends, you seem like a good person, and I don’t like to see my friends hurt, physically or any other way.”
Casey see’s the battle in Cadence’s eyes, as she tries to decide if she should tell the truth. If it were anyone else, the younger girl’s poker face would probably fool them. But Casey is better at reading faces than the normal person, and she sees the fight, and realizes as soon as Cadence starts talking that she failed, Cadence isn’t telling her the truth.
“I got in a fight with someone. It was no big, but I didn’t want ya’ll to know because, well… like I said. Ya’ll are pretty much the only people treating me nice, and I didn’t want you to think I was some delinquent or something fighting for fun. I’ve had some problems at some of my other schools before; I didn’t want to start off on the wrong foot here too.”
It’s close to the truth, Casey can tell that much. Like she did earlier, Cadence is using just enough of the truth to make it sound good, but it’s not the whole truth. But it’ll have to be good enough, because Casey is afraid if she pushes any harder, the other girl will completely close up.
Casey decides to let Cadence’s story go for now. She can try to ask again later, and try to pay more attention to Cadence when she can. “So, you ready for the study party tomorrow at Aiden’s? He’s gonna’ grill some food for us.”
“Yeah, he mentioned that…oh and your friend Harmony asked me if she could draw sketches of us while we work. I’m still not quite sure on that one,” Cadence says.
“Harmony’s…harm less,” Casey jokes.
Cadence groans, “That was bad.”
“I know, but I had to do it. But really, she won’t draw anything you don’t want her to. Anyway, I’ve gotta run off to get some stuff from my locker before class. I’m glad you let me in a bit. It sounds like we have a ton in common. Guess I’ll see you later.”
“Cool, later Case.”
…
The college is certainly a nice place. Casey has been here before. The Student Union is unlocked all night and as long as she actually studies, or at least looks like she fell asleep studying, it’s a good place to crash when she can’t find anywhere else. There are plenty of places to sit and watch people. The library is one of the best in the state, and the computers there are free to use. There are usually some type of activity going on that offers some really great picture opportunities.
However, this is the first time she’s been in the new theatre since it opened. A recent project funded by Mr. David Mors himself, the theatre is a masterpiece of modern technology and building principles, while retaining an old-country feel that fits in perfectly with Lower Arkham.
The entirely stone and brick outside facade, complete with stone gargoyles and rain spouts lends a slightly gloomy atmosphere to the building. Inside, the polished wood and brass and dark carpeting makes the building seem more high-class.
Casey had managed to swipe a Blake Holsey Newspaper ID badge last year, and with that and her camera it’s easy to get passed in to the section where the media will be tonight.
The inside of the theatre is huge. A large, cathedral style ceiling is lost in the shadows above. Some soft elevator music is being pumped through hidden speakers, and the acoustics make it seem as though it’s coming from the very air itself. Casey manages to worm her way through the crowds of camera people, technicians and newscasters, and find a relatively high perch that she can clamber up to. Once there, she has an unobstructed view of the stage, and should be able to turn around and get good pictures of the crowd as well.
She starts taking pictures of those who are already here. Senator Carlin-Kane is bustling about, busy making sure every feels at home and all the last minute details are being taken care of. Her husband Sandy and her two daughters are forgotten in her work, sitting quietly together towards the side.
Sandy is laughing; sharing some kind of joke with is two daughters. Bianca is blushing slightly, and the look she gives her father makes it seem as though the joke might have been at her expense. But even as Casey watches, the girl’s eyes flick back over her father to the man standing behind them, one of their security detail. He’s the one that is always with the girls whenever Casey sees them on the TV. Bianca has mentioned him, Fetch Wilson. From the way she talks about him - or doesn’t talk about him - it seems as though there is a quiet heat between them. From the look in his eyes, it’s not one way.
Veronica notices none of this, and instead joins her father in simple, open, carefree laughter. The younger girl may not be as classically pretty as her mother or older sister, but there is something about her that brings to mind true beauty. She is a pure soul, and delights in a joy that it is impossible not to share with her. Even as far away as she is, and knowing nothing of which they are speaking, Casey finds herself smiling in response. Veronica spots Casey and waves. Casey waves back as Bianca, Sandy, and even the bodyguard, look to see who Veronica is waving to. Bianca waves as Veronica explains to her dad who Casey is. When she’s done, he waves up at Casey as well before they’re interrupted by Senator Kane’s introduction of the Police Chief.
David Mors is another attendant worthy of getting a few pictures of. It was just announced that he is now the richest single person on the planet, with an estimated worth of over seventy-six billion dollars. Owning more companies than a single person could name, his fingers are in every pie worth it. But for all that, he seems an imminently approachable and down to earth man. He gives thousands and thousands to the city as a whole, and his influence is the stuff of legends. His son, Chance is seated next to him. A handsome boy, he has a quiet arrogance about him that has caused problems between him and many teachers and students. But he didn’t fall far from the family tree, and he can back up that arrogance with an intelligence and ambition that is second only to his father’s. With them is Mors’ head of security, the mysterious Gideon Masters. He notices everything, and the look he gives Casey as she snaps some shots of them bring a quick chill to her back.
The rest of the attendants are mostly all headliners themselves. Mayor Laithe Delacroix, Chief of Police Harry Woodruff, the City Council. The one person who seems to belong here the least is Father Chris Piccoli of St Alexander Sauli’s Holy Catholic Church in Kings Row. Casey had been there a few times, for meal or shelter. Father Piccoli does a lot with the children of the area, and is well liked. He looks uncomfortable now, though Casey can’t blame him all things considering.
Casey looks for Aiden, but doesn’t spot him in the crowd. “Oh well,” she thinks to herself, “guess he changed his mind.”
The night goes pretty much as Casey had figured. All the attendants give their speeches, and all the words blend in together. Casey manages to remember why she’s there and snaps pics of each of them speechifying, getting some close-up and some farther shots where she can see the audience, changing rolls whenever necessary. There is a little sniping between Senator Carlin-Kane and the Chief of Police, but everyone agrees that something needs to be done to stop the horrific crimes going on.
Casey notices that as the night continues, Father Piccoli looks more and more uneased. He hides it well, but she knows the Father, and something seems to be wrong. In fact, when Senator Carlin-Kane introduces him, he stands and then pauses, his eyes flicking about as though looking for something or someone. Something catches his eye, and he walks woodenly to the podium, his gaze never wavering from whatever it is he’s looking at… is it Bianca, or Veronica? Perhaps Sandy, or one of their security detail? Whatever it is, by the time he reaches the podium he looks more like the Father Piccoli that she’s used to, and looks calm and at peace. Casey snapped pics the whole time Father Piccoli walked to the stage, thinking she’d look at them later to try and see what calmed him down.
Reaching the podium Father Chris turns and nods to Ms. Kane. “Thank you Senator for the warm introduction.” Turning to the crowd in front of him Father Chris’ smile broadens, “I want to thank you all for coming tonight to show your support of our children. We have relied on the fine officers of this city for a very long time and they have always done their best to protect us. They still do and for this I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart.”
At this he turns his smile to the Chief of police and nods. “I have spoken to many of the fine men and women in uniform over the past few weeks and I must tell you that not a one of them has not been running themselves ragged in their concern for our children. Like many of you they too are parents and even in a few cases grandparents. Not a one of them want any more children to go missing or to come up dead.” As Father Piccoli says this last line his mind wanders to the children from his church that have come up missing and a frown rises to the surface of his face spreading a sadness to the crowd.
“When a child goes missing it is not only the parents who feel the loss, it is the whole of the community. It is not only the police’s job to watch over and protect our children nor is it the responsibility of the parents alone, but it is all of our responsibility that is what being a part of a community is and we as a community have a responsibility to help the fine officers of our city in every way to watch over the smallest of the community.”
A tear escapes the good Father’s eye as he sees Mercedes, in his minds eye, swinging on the swings behind the church in her Sunday church dress. “We need to get with the police and set up watch groups and numbers to call if we see something unusual in our neighborhoods. I ask you all to volunteer to answer phones for the police as well since they are all over worked. These things that have been going on must stop our children must be made safe and to do that we can not point fingers at who is responsible but we must all work hand in hand no matter what that entitles. Whether it is opening our doors for the children to stay until their parents can pick them up or walking the streets keeping an eye on the little ones.
“The sisters of St Alexander Sauli’s Holy Catholic Church and I have been doing these things already and many of my congregation have started helping as well. I ask you to do at least as much.” Looking over the crowd the Fathers mind thinks back on the feeling of something being off and once more searches for where it could be coming from.
“I want to thank you all once again for coming and to please leave your name with me before you leave for the night if you wish to join in the protecting of our children. Anything you can do will be a help and will not be turned away. I myself will be working with the Senator and the police to set this up. Thank you.” He turns wiping his face with his hand and moves back to his place at the table. Casey noticed the uneasy look had come back to Father Piccoli before he turned around, but it was gone by the time he got back to his seat.
After his speech, the question and answer part opens up. Casey leans back against the pillar she’s sitting by, and tries not to yawn too noticeably. She scans the crowd again for Aiden, but still doesn’t see him. The crowd has a lot of energy, but it seems as though what they’ve heard has calmed them to some degree. Nobody seems to really be asking important questions, just rehashing the same things over and over. Even covering the same info that’s been all over the news and in the papers. Eventually the crowd runs out of questions. Senator Kane stands up again and thanks everyone for coming and hoping this meeting, and everyone’s cooperation, will lead to a safer town and no more missing children. People stand up; some leave; some mill around talking; some crowd toward the stage to shake hands with the local celebrities. Casey changes rolls of film. The used ones are in one pocket and a couple extra blank ones are in her other pocket. She packs up her camera and sees Veronica waving her over before she climbs down from her perch.
Casey heads over toward Veronica and her family. “Hi Roni. Hi Bianca.”
Veronica’s already infectious smile widens at the unexpected use of a nickname. “Hey Case!” Veronica introduces Casey to Sandy. Bianca nods a hello, but steps away from the crowd to talk to Fetch. Casey notices that the whole time Fetch is talking to Bianca his eyes scan the room. Sandy asks Casey what she thought of the meeting.
“It was ok. A lot of it was really good posturing and rehashing the same points over and over. I think it will help bring the community together, which may stop the attacks, but then again, it could just bring a false sense of security until another kid is taken,” Casey tells him. Sandy gapes at her for a moment, not expecting that reaction since everyone else is applauding the result of the meeting.
“Now here is a girl after my own heart,” he smiles widely. Veronica must have gotten her smile from him, he has the same joy of life look to his eye, and his smile is completely honest and true. “Veronica, Bianca, you need more friends like this!” He turns back to Casey, “Those are some good points. So, you and Veronica are lab partners, huh?”
Someone bumps into Casey and mumbles an apology. Casey steps a little closer to Veronica and Sandy to try and stay out of the way. Casey, Sandy and Veronica chat a little more about how they like school so far, Casey’s interests, and other idle chat. Casey keeps scanning for Aiden, but still doesn’t see him. Casey finally excuses herself, telling Veronica she’ll see her tomorrow at the study party and tells Sandy it was nice to meet him.
Casey makes her way through the crowd to the door, still looking for Aiden. She literally runs into him as she steps outside.
“Oh my gosh, I didn’t see you. I’m sorry,” Casey says before she even notices she’s run into Aiden.
“It’s ok, I was kind of waiting for you,” Aiden says. He’s dressed up for tonight. It’s one of the rare times she’s seen him outside of his school uniform or soccer uniform, and he looks good. A black, short sleeved button-up shirt hangs untucked. It has a deep blue lightning bolt pattern to it, tastefully done. The top few buttons are also undone, and he’s wearing a black wife-beater underneath it. Faded blue jeans and black sneakers complete his look. A faint hint of something that smells good waftes her way, but unlike most guys it’s understated, not dabbed on by the bucket.
“Aiden. I didn’t even realize it was you. I was looking for you inside.”
“I got here late, I was waaaay in the back. I saw you though, up on your perch. I figured I’d wait for you outside. Didn’t know you’d take so long.”
“I was talking to Veronica and her dad. I’d have hurried if I knew you were here.” Casey blushes a little, “I thought you changed your mind.”
“Not a chance,” Aiden says as he takes her hand. “You hungry?”
“Starved.”
Aiden drives them to an all-night greasy spoon. They eat, chat, and really seem to click. They talk about all their interests, how they grew up and how different their lives are. They finish up and Aiden pays.
“Thank you for dinner,” Casey says as they walk out to his car.
“No prob. I had a good time.” Aiden pauses then continues, “A really good time, actually. So, where’s home? I’ll drop you off.”
Casey panics a little, “Ummm, it’s ok. I only live a couple blocks from here, I can walk. Thanks tho. I’ll see you tomorrow night.” She turns awkwardly and starts walking away from Aiden’s car.
“Hey!”Aiden catches her arm. “A couple blocks is no problem.”
“No really, it’s fine. The walk’ll give me time to think.”
“Think about what?” Aiden asks.
“Nothing.”
“Think about what?” Aiden asks again, teasing this time.
“Time to think about tonight. The rally, dinner, you know, stuff.”
“Well, then, I guess I can live with that answer. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“Yup.” Casey looks at her watch, “Or later today, it’s already after midnight. Thanks again for dinner.”
She starts to walk away again but Aiden grabs her arm one more time.
“Yeah?”
Aiden kisses her gently. “Just one more thing for you to think about. I’ll see you later.”
Casey stands there and watches him get in his car. He honks and drives off. She walks back to the school and manages to sneak into her current residence. As she’s changing for bed she realizes that some of her film is missing from her pockets, luckily it’s just the blank rolls. Casey falls asleep wondering what anyone would want with her 35mm film since everybody else seems to use digital now.
