First date

"Drama queen who?" Cassidy spoke up over the music playing in the background, and over her best friend's whining.

It was already Saturday, and it was almost time for Isabelle's date with Allen. She had changed her clothes over twenty times already, making Cassidy and MJ grow roots in the floor.

"Relax, Iry. It's not like you're meeting the president." MJ said, laying on Isabelle's bed as he rolled over his SM profile; not paying much attention to her friend, only when she got out of the bathroom with a new set of clothes on.

"Yeah, just relax!" Cassidy sighed. "You looked nice in everything you showed us, Iry. Just pick one already."

"I think I like the first one I tried the most…" Isabelle mumbled as she walked out of the bathroom.

Cassidy rolled her eyes, but smiled at her pouting. "I told you that one was pretty."

"I know I'm not meeting the president, ass." She said, throwing a blouse to his face. "That's exactly what I wanted to avoid! But I wanna look pretty too." Isabelle pouted.

MJ lifted his eyes from the screen to look at her, then he walked towards her until he was in front of her. He grabbed her face with both of his hands.

MJ looked at her tenderly, just as he always did. Cassidy always thought he might have a crush on her because of the way he looks at her. But after finding out he was gay, she kind of let the matter go.

"It's going to be great. Don't worry. You look nice on these, so relax." MJ gave her a reassuring smile.

"Thank you, guys." Isabelle shifted her eyes from his dark eyes to Cassidy's, her eyes tearing up a little.

Cassidy, who was sitting on the floor, rested her back on Isabelle's bed. Isabelle has always been sweet and caring, so watching her almost crying face made her heart quiver.

She let the feeling go, though, because it was no use crying like a bunch of babies.

"For letting you freak out on your own for more than an hour? No problem." Cassidy joked softly, a funny smile on her face.

"Yeah, don't worry about it." MJ walked back to the bed, throwing himself on it. "But I'm not helping you to pick up all this shit." He said, motioning his hand in circles; pointing out every surface covered in messy clothes.

Isabelle opened her mouth, her eyes traveling to Cassidy.

The blonde girl, without looking at her, spoke. "Don't."

Cassidy didn't see the red-head's face, but she could swear she was making her too-hard-to-ignore puppy eyes.

Even after all the pep talk she was giving herself while she fixed her room, Isabelle was still nervous. It didn't matter how many times MJ and Cassidy told her everything was going to be fine, it didn't help out at all.

And finally, two hours later, Allen arrived.

Cassidy could see how MJ's body tensed when Isabelle ran out to greet Allen, but ended up relaxing, smiling sweetly at her excitement.

She wondered what was the deal, for a second, right before her brain cells started misdirecting towards Allen's best friend. She found herself looking around, as if Allen's presence meant Kyle was somewhere near.

This thought trigger the memories from the day before. Flashes of his bright eyes squinting when he smiled, his eyebrows, his hands on hers.

She shifted her weight from one leg to the other, shaking the images away.

Isabelle looked excited, a wide smile on her face. So much for all the drama she put up earlier, Cassidy thought.

Isabelle's parents came out to say hi, and it was obvious Allen was having a hard time introducing himself. He was incredibly formal, and his sense of humor was definitely out of the game.

Cassidy had to admit Allen seemed clumsy enough when it came to expressing his own emotion, and got to see why Isabelle was so into him.

She didn't miss a beat to tease him up a little. Clarifying to Isabelle's parents that they were going out on a date, so her and MJ were not invited.

MJ showed her his hands as to high-five.

She made a mental note as to ask Kyle more about Allen. She knew she couldn't really interfere, but she could dig out some information about the man. It was her right as the best friend, at least.

So the idea crossed her mind.

The moment she went back to Isabelle's bedroom to retrieve her things and go home, she grabbed her phone.

C: Hey, those candies you eat all the time. Where do you buy them? I'm cravin' some.

She typed as she walked down the stairs, meeting up with MJ, who was kicking some dirt in the front yard.

"You have plans today?" He asked, raising his gaze from the ground to Cassidy's hands.

She shook her head. "Not sure… You?"

"Yeah. Practice." He sighed. By the look on his face, she could tell he was worried.

"Is it Iry?" She asked.

MJ nodded, letting his head hang down again, and kicking the floor once more. She smiled, hitting his arm playfully.

"C'mon, MJ. Not even her dad is that worried about her." She joked.

"I know. I'm just tired of guys playing around with her." MJ clenched his haw a couple of times, shaking his head. "I know I should relax but… yeah, I'll just worry until I see her again."

Cassidy sighed. "I worry about her too… That's why I gotta do my recon."

"How?" He raised an eyebrow. "Are you FBI and I didn't know?"

"How come you didn't?" She laughed. "I can ask his best friend." She admitted.

MJ hummed, looking at her suspiciously. "Is he hot?"

The questions took her by surprise, shrugging and nodding slightly. "Yeah. Why?"

"If I have to kick Iry's boyfriend's ass, and his best friend's as well, I'll do it without mercy." He warned.

"What do you mean?" She crossed her arms over her chest, not liking where the conversation was heading.

MJ narrowed his eyes. "You were biting a smile down while typing, Cass. You can't fool me."

She scoffed. "It's not like that!" Her high pitch voice made her feel nervous. Was she over reacting? She thought. After clearing her throat, she continued. "I gotta do what I gotta do to make sure Iry is safe."

"Right." He walked towards her, messing her hair with one hand. "But seriously. Just as I worry about Iry, I worry about you, too."

He walked backwards towards his place, still looking at her as he signaled her the iconic 'I'm watching you' signal with his fingers. He smirked.

"Introduce him next time. I'll have a talk with him like I did with Allen."

Cassidy's eyes widened.

"What did you do?" She yelled, only making MJ's smile widen. "MJ! I'm not introducing anyone!"

He waved goodbye as he laughed his ass off, disappearing behind the door.

Cassidy remained in the spot with a mixture of fear and nervousness. She was not about to introduce Kyle to him. First, she didn't like him, so why introduce them? Second, MJ could be very scary and mean, so that was a no no for her.

A wave of pity washed over her of the thought of Allen having to fend against MJ's mean side. But the fact that he kept with the date plan regardless automatically added some points.

At least, he was not a coward.

Her phone buzzed in her hand, revealing a text message in the notification bar.

K: Where are you?

C: At Iry's, was helping her prepare for her date.

Was about to go home.

Why?

K: Meet me at the mall. I'll show you.

She read, excitement rapidly forming a knot in her stomach. That was faster than she thought, and certainly spontaneous.

When she was about to block her phone, another message arrived.

K: Let's make it our first date, too ;)