CW: There are implications, though not direct mention, of sexual violence/trauma in this chapter as well as some light sexual contact. 'In Your Own Words' is intentionally non-graphic, but if you are someone who finds this kind of content triggering, I implore you to proceed with caution, stop reading, or message me for a chapter summary should you like to finish the story with some distance between you and the subject matter.
Texts sent March 30, 2017 at 5:12pm:
Weston Maguire: Do you have a restaurant preference?
Cassie Belford: Not really, I just can't do sushi or seafood.
Cassie Belford: Shellfish allergy.
Weston Maguire: I remember. Cassandra Belford, 21, likes blue and is allergic to shellfish.
Cassie Belford: Actually, I'm 22 now. My birthday was a few weeks ago.
Weston Maguire: How the hell did I miss that? We talk multiple times a week.
Cassie Belford: I didn't want to make a fuss. Besides, do I strike you as a birthday person?
Cassie Belford: I didn't mention it in any of my emails. Don't worry about it.
Weston Maguire: Still. I can't believe I missed your birthday.
Cassie Belford: It's not a big deal, everyone has them. There are probably millions of birthdays today that we're missing.
Cassie Belford: What time were you thinking for tomorrow?
Weston Maguire: Peter's lending me his car, so I'll get you at 5:30pm?
Cassie Belford: 5:30? Are we seniors in college or seniors in life?
Weston Maguire: We've got other stuff planned for later, so it'll be an earlier dinner.
Cassie Belford: Oh. Okay.
Weston Maguire: Really? You're not going to ask questions or fight me on it?
Cassie Belford: Not this time.
Weston Maguire: Jesus Christ, I'm floored.
Cassie Belford: Watch yourself. I'll see you tomorrow.
Weston Maguire: Yes ma'am.
. . .
to: simon.idzik@baderu.com
from: cassandra.belford@baderu.com
subject: My date with Wes
sent: April 1, 2017 at 12:02am
Simon,
I know you're at Sarah's faculty event, and that you won't be checking your email anytime soon, but you're the person I want to talk to about this. Even if you can't talk back right now. I'm sure you'll come home in a few hours, and then you'll listen to me and hold my hand when I start to cry. But I need to do this now, before I lose my mind.
I really liked him... I still really like him. But it didn't matter. You were right---I wasn't ready.
He was seven minutes late to pick me up, but I didn't care. I waited outside on the steps of our building and tried to settle my nerves. I guess I was a little anxious.
He got out of the car. "How long have you been waiting?" he asked.
"Not long," I said, and then I stood up to meet him.
"Hey, we match!" he grinned. He'd worn dark jeans, a light blue button down, and a charcoal blazer. I was wearing a blue dress that Sarah got me for my birthday. It was almost the same shade as his shirt.
STAI LEGGENDO
In Your Own Words
Storie d'amore!!! ATTENTION MALE STUDENTS OF BADER UNIVERSITY !!! Are you a participant in the tradition of violent, albeit organized, sport? Are you a capable writer? If the answer to both of these questions is yes, then this opportunity is for you. Get paid to...
