by Cala Riley
“Nothing much. How was your day?” I ask.
“Good. Classes droned on forever. I’m so glad it’s Friday.”
“Same. What are you up to this weekend?”
“Tonight I’m watching movies with Mara. Then tomorrow I’m going on a hike, so I’ll probably crash early tomorrow night. Why? What’s up?”
“Nothing. Hiking, huh? You’re not scared of bugs and snakes?” I tease.
She chuckles. “Hell no. I can handle myself with a few forest critters. Maybe if a bear came along, it would worry.”
I shake my head, laughing. “Of course. You can take on the world.”
“Damn right. I may be five-foot-five, but I pack a mean punch.”
“Okay, Rocky Balboa. Calm down over there. Where are you going hiking?”
“Why do you want to know? You planning on stalking me? I mean, I know I’m hot shit, but that doesn’t warrant light stalking.”
“Ha. You wish. I’m just wondering where in the great state of Texas there are any mountains. I’ve only seen desert and city since I’ve been here.”
“Of course you have. You haven’t ventured off the beaten path. How about this? No stalking required. I officially invite you to go hiking with me tomorrow.”
“Sure. I’m down.”
“You realize I’m leaving at five in the morning.”
“I’m a morning person. It’s no problem.”
She chuckles. “Don’t you go out buying new hiking boots and shit tonight. You’ll regret it tomorrow. Wear something comfortable. It gets hot quick. I’ll make sure I have everything you need. What size shoe do you wear?”
“Whoa there. I don’t reveal that until the second date,” I tease.
“You’re so stupid. I might have a pair of broken-in boots for you. What size?”
“Twelve and a half. Where are you getting these boots?”
“Don’t you worry about that. It might be a tight squeeze, but I think I have a pair I can borrow.”
“That’s a little weird, but thanks, I guess?”
“You’ll be thanking me tomorrow. Five a.m. sharp, Xavier. Don’t be late. Meet me here and we can take my car.”
“I can drive.”
She chuckles again. “Trust me. You want me to drive. See you in the morning.”
“Later.”
I toss my phone on my desk and can’t help but smile.
Looks like I’m going hiking.
“Wow, color me impressed.” Cassie stands next to her car as I get out of mine.
“What?” I ask.
“You’re here five minutes early. Going for extra points?”
“I honestly was about twenty minutes early, but didn’t want to wake you or your roommate in case you were still in bed.”
She narrows her eyes. “Do you think I’m not a morning person?”
I laugh. “I think mornings are not a close friend of yours.”
She glares, but it turns into a small smile. “We haven’t always been on the best of terms. You really like mornings?”
I shrug. “It’s not about liking it. I’m just used to it.”
“I don’t think I could ever get used to waking up this early, but every once in a while I can do it. Let’s get going before it gets too light.”
“Where are we going, anyway?”
“You’ll see.”
We get into her car and get on the road.
“So you like hiking and dancing. What else is there to know about you?” I ask to fill the silent car.
“Coffee. I need coffee before I can take too much talky. We’re stopping by the diner to get some.”
“Coffee it is.” I try to suppress my laugh.
“Laugh all you want, Avi. You won’t be laughing when I bite your head off because I haven’t had my coffee.”
“Avi?”
“Shhhh.”
We make it to the diner in five minutes and get our coffee and a couple of breakfast sandwiches to go. Once back in the car, she blows on her coffee before taking a large sip.
“Heaven. This is heaven.”
“Can we talk now or am I still in the danger zone?”
She takes another long sip. “Now you may talk.”
“Why thank you, your majesty,” I jest.
“That’s right, loyal subject. Bow to the queen of crazy.”
“I don’t think you’re crazy.”
“All women are crazy. It’s what level of crazy that you need to worry about.”
“Ah, so I should be worried I got in a car with the queen then.”
“That’s right. Maybe I’m actually planning to drive you out to the desert to murder you and defile your corpse before leaving you to the vultures.”
“Oh. Wow. Drink more coffee. You’re not you when you’re cranky,” I tease.
“Watch it, Avi. It’s still early.”
“Where did this new nickname for me come from?”
She shrugs. “Xavier’s a lot to say. I think it’s cute. Avi. Rolls of the tongue.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone call me that.”
She glances at me with a smile. “Good. It’s just for me then.”
“Well, shit. I feel like I should have a special nickname for you now. Cass? Dra? Dre?”
She bursts out laughing. “A lot of people call me Cass. Dra? Really? Dre doesn’t even make sense.”
“Sorry, I’m not quite creative as you.”
“What about Adra?”
She laughs. “Whatever you want, Avi.”
“Adra it is. My own special nickname for you. I better not hear your friends calling you this.”
“I can assure you no one has ever called me Adra. It’s all yours.”
“Great. Now that we have that settled, how about telling me where we are going?”
“Nice try. It’s not a long drive. We will be there soon.”
“How’s rooming with Jack?” she asks.
“Good, I like him. He’s a good dude. Do you like your roommate?” I trail off.
“Rebecca.” She nods. “She’s one of my best friends. We grew up together. Like spending every weekend together at one of our houses. So it made sense when we came to the same college. We knew we could live together without jeopardizing our relationship.”
“What about Mara? She said she was your best friend, right?” I ask.
“Her mom and mine are best friends, so we grew up together. But I’m closer to Rebecca.”
“That’s cool. I moved so much that I never really got to build relationships like that.” I shift uncomfortably in my seat.
“Yeah, but I bet you’ve been to some pretty cool places.”
“I have,” I say thoughtfully.
“Well, don’t hold back now,” she teases, making me laugh.
I launch into telling her about Paris, England, Dubai, and more. One story after another. Describing each place. From the people, the food, and the culture.
I watch how the plains turn into valleys, then rock cliffs, and into desolate mountains.
Wouldn’t want to get lost out here.
“Here we are. Welcome to Guadalupe Mountains National Park.”
“I’ve never heard of this place,” I murmur to myself.
“I don’t think most people know about it unless they are from Texas.” She shrugs. “Come on, let’s grab our packs.” Cassi hops out of the car, popping the trunk. I follow, looking around.
“It’s so dry.”
“That’s why we have plenty of water, city boy.” Cassi smirks. “Here, try these on.” She points to a pair of boots in the trunk.
“Where are we hiking?” I ask, ignoring her jest. Grabbing the boots, I open the back door of her car and slip off my shoes, trading them for the boots.
“We are going up to Guadalupe Peak,” she says sliding her pack into place. “How do the boots feel?”
“I should be good,” I say, standing, testing the boots out. “How high?”
“It’s a little under nine t
housand feet above sea level. We should be good.”
Shutting the door, I grab the second pack, tossing it onto my back. “Lead the way.” I wave, letting her walk in front of me.
Cassi
I don’t know what I was thinking when I invited Xavier to hike with me. I’m attracted to him, which should be my first red flag. I don’t need to be getting into any more complicated relationships.
My second red flag? He’s actually funny. He’s kind and considerate. He’s what I would normally look for in a man.
Maybe that’s why I’m gravitating toward him. He makes me feel things I haven’t felt in a while. He makes me feel more like the old me. He makes me feel like I’m more than this one event in my life.
A pang in my chest hits me as I watch him pull Ryan’s old hiking boots on. Ryan liked to hike with me. I haven’t had the urge to bring anyone else with me since he passed. Even though Jared hiked with us from time to time, I couldn’t bear going with him now.
Yet yesterday when Xavier called, I smiled. When he teased me, I laughed. Not a forced laugh, but a genuine laugh. Then, before I knew it, I was inviting him with me.
Let’s not talk about the ride here. I don’t know why I called him Avi, but it stuck. I didn’t lie to him. It’s easier to say, and it’s a cute nickname. What I didn’t tell him is that it makes him hotter.
Maybe that’s why butterflies swarmed my stomach when he said only I’ve ever called him that. Or why my heart raced when he picked out his own nickname for me. One that’s only his.
“How long is this hike and do we have a game plan?” he asks, pulling me out of my head.
I shake my head and say over my shoulder. “Don’t get killed. I don’t have a very solid alibi.”
“True. I did leave my car at your place and I told Jack and Tinsley I was going hiking with you.”
“Tinsley?” I frown.
“My best friend from back home,” he says, falling into step with me.
“Ah. The infamous best friend from the video message.” I can’t deny the pang of jealousy that hits me.
“Don’t worry. You’re my only Adra. So this way?”
He breaks off, heading in the wrong direction.
“You’re going to get lost. This way, dummy.” I point toward the sign, telling us where to go.
“Ah that’s what those signs are.”
I smack his arm, taking up the lead. “Don’t stare at my ass.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he says, but as I peek back, he’s totally staring at my ass.
He glances up and gives me a cheeky smile. “Sorry. It’s like it’s the Earth and I’m the moon. I can’t help but gravitate around it.”
“That was cheesy as fuck.” I face forward.
“Cheesy, but you liked it.”
“Not at all,” I say, hiding the smile on my face.
Xavier
I follow Cassi up the trail, watching her ass sway side to side.
Do not pop a boner, do not pop a boner.
“So tell me something about you.”
“What do you want to know?”
“What are you majoring in?” she asks, looking over her shoulder.
“I’m going for my teaching degree. I want to work with kids.”
“Really?” I hear the skepticism in her voice.
“Really.”
“Uh.” She turns around, walking backward as she looks at me. “I can see it.” She nods. “You’d be the hot teacher all the high school girls want.” She winks, turning around.
“Yeah, because that’s what I was shooting for.” We both laugh. “What about you?” I ask.
“I’m undecided, much to my parents’ dismay.” She sighs. “I don’t know why they think I should decide now.”
“At least your family is okay with whatever you choose. My father is currently in denial and thinks I will switch to a business degree like he wants,” I say bitterly.
“Don’t want to run the family business?”
“Not at all.” I shake my head adamantly. “What about you?”
Cassi shrugs. “I could see myself living on a ranch. Working with horses and cattle. Is it what I want? I’m not sure. But I like the option to pursue something else.”
“I could see it,” I say, picturing her working with animals and living off the land.
“What made you choose teaching?” she asks, taking the attention off of herself.
“I’m sure you’ve heard the story before. There was a teacher when I was younger who listened, helped. Made me want to help the next generation.”
“Come on, it’s not that generic. Tell me the entire story.”
I let out a deep sigh. “Honestly? I didn’t even know what I wanted to be. Not even back then. I’ve always been groomed to take over Dad’s import and export business. Then, in the eighth grade, I met Mr. Roberts. He was a strict guy, but fair. He was never mean, just firm. Always pushing his students to be the best versions of themselves. I guess that’s where it started. I watched how he was. The way he could care for so many students at once. You could tell he cared too. No matter how many times a kid caught an attitude with him or how many jokes they made, he never gave up on them. I guess I realized that’s what I wished my father were like. It didn’t happen right away. I didn’t leave his class deciding to become a teacher. That was later when I realized if I continued to let my father lead my life the way he wanted, I would be miserable. So I thought about what I wanted to do. What would make me happy? That’s when I thought of Mr. Roberts. I realized what would make me happy is to do everything I can to help the next generation. So I came here.”
“That’s admirable you know.” She looks back over her shoulder, raising a brow.
“If you say so.” I huff, feeling the strain of the hike set in.
“So your father doesn’t approve?”
“He thinks this is some sort of rebellion against him. He is hoping that I decide to change majors. Honestly, the only reason he hasn’t cut me off completely is because of his image. In order to save face, he has to at least pretend to support me. Can’t let his associates see him disown me.”
“If that’s the case, why do you still use his money? I don’t mean that as an insult, but you could really make it on your own.”
I give her a sad smile. “If only it were that easy. This is really hard for me to admit, but I’m accustomed to having money. I mean before Jack I didn’t even know you could have friends who didn’t care about your money. Well, and Tinsley, but she had more money than I did. I guess, the simple answer is I’m scared.”
She pats my shoulder. “That’s brave of you to admit. It’s okay. You’ll get there. So tell me about what kind of trouble a young Avi got into,” she teases.
I tell her all about my childhood, her telling me about hers. The rest of the hike we keep to lighter subjects. Our likes and dislikes and before I know it we’re cresting the top of the mountain. Walking toward the edge of the mountain, we look below. Solid red rocky cliffs surrounding us as we look down into the valley. It’s desolate and makes you feel so small.
“It’s beautiful in a way only a desert can be,” she murmurs.
“I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it.”
“I packed some trail mix and whatnot for us. We should eat some and hydrate before we start back down,” Cassi says as she pulls her pack off. “I put some snacks in the outside pocket. I figured when we hit the first town, we can grab some food.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” She shrugs. “I invited you, the least I could do is make sure you have something to munch on.”
Sitting on the ground, we snack as we point out different things we see. Once done, we put our trash back into our packs.
“Ready?” Cassi asks as she brushes her butt off.
Without thinking, I pull my phone out and snap a picture of her. Her hair all over the place, making her look like a beautiful mess.
“Hey.” She fro
wns.
“What? I like taking pictures of beautiful things.” I shrug, taking a photo of the view.
She slowly approaches. “Well then, how about a photo together? To remember this by.”
I pull her into my side, wrapping my arm around her shoulders.
“Say cheese,” I tell her, snapping a photo of the two of us.
4
Cassi
Headphones in, head down, I run through the study guide the professor gave the class. I don’t know why, but for some reason, math makes my head spin and I rather do anything else instead of trying to figure out algebra. It didn’t make sense in high school, and it definitely doesn’t make sense now.
Dropping the sheet, I cover my face, groaning in frustration.
Would getting a tutor help?
How will I ever pass this class?
Maybe I can find someone to do it for me.
Uncovering my face, I take a deep breath and pick the sheet back up.
You can do this.
“Boo,” he rasps in my ear, making me jump.
“What the hell, Avi,” I whisper-shout, slapping his shoulder. Xavier laughs, sliding into the seat next to me.
“What are you doing?” he asks, making himself comfortable.
“What does it look like?” I grumble.
“Considering you’re in a library and look frustrated, I would say school work.” He smirks, picking up the paper I dropped. “College algebra?”
“Yeah,” I say, rubbing my temples.
“College algebra should be pretty much the same across the board, right?”
“Probably.” I frown, wondering where he’s going with this.
“When’s it due?” His eyes focus on the paper.
“Thursday,” I tell him.
“Well, how about I keep this.” He waves the paper back and forth. “And I’ll look over it. Then I will help you out.”
“Really?” I say skeptically.
“Really. I won’t do it for you, but I will help you learn the material.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, running my finger on the edge of the table, unable to look him in the eye.
“Hey,” he says softly, tugging on the ends of my hair. I look up and see him biting his lip. “You want to get out of here?”
