As the movie credits rolled and the lights brightened, Cassandra and Maeve stepped out of the screening room.
"That was amazing! So loud and vibrant, truly an experience one should feel at least once in their life," Cassandra exclaimed with genuine enthusiasm.
"I'm glad you had fun. We can come back whenever you like," replied Maeve.
"Fun" Cassandra thought to herself.
* * *
The duo strolled through the bustling streets, the remnants of daylight giving way to the warm hues of a setting sun. The shopping district transformed, bathed in a golden glow that added a touch of serenity to the surroundings. Making their way through the park, they immersed themselves in conversation, talking about everything and nothing at all.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the park transformed into a canvas painted with warm, golden tones. Dog walkers meandered along the winding paths, and birds returned to their nests, creating a symphony of sounds that accompanied the tranquil scene. The vibrant hues of the sunset reflected off the lake, casting ripples of color across its surface.
Sensing the perfect moment, Maeve knew she wouldn't get another chance like this.
"Cassandra, there's something I've been meaning to tell you," she said, the park's serene ambiance providing a fitting backdrop for a revelation that would change the course of their journey together.
Cassandra stopped and turned to look at Maeve.
"What is it?" replied Cassandra.
Maeve, standing on the precipice of revealing her true feelings, hesitated. Her mind raced with uncertainties.
"What if I say it, and she doesn't feel the same way? That'll ruin everything we've built up until this point. Or worse, what if I say it and she hates me? I really didn't think this through for long enough," Maeve thought, staring into Cassandra's vibrant green eyes.
"Is anything the matter?" asked Cassandra.
Panicking, Maeve blurted out, "Sebrina! It's my best friend Sebrina's birthday in two days, and she's having a little get-together at a bar/poolhouse. Would you... like to go with me? If you're free of course. I feel like I've been taking up so much of your time lately."
Cassandra, intrigued by the invitation, considered for a moment. "Hmm... a birthday celebration? Well, I would be lying if I said I wasn't the least bit curious to see how the people of your world celebrate their day of birth. Very well. I shall accompany you," she agreed.
"Great! I'll text you the address when I get home," said Maeve.
"Address?" questioned Cassandra.
"That's right I never showed you how to use maps did I? Here pass me your phone" Maeve held her hand out.
"You informed me never to use magic in public, or have you forgotten?" said Cassandra
"Why would you need magic to give me your phone?" asked Maeve
"I use spatial magic to hold items I don't want to carry, makes me wonder how you people carry things with you." explained Cassandra.
"Haha, you see we have these things called pockets" laughed Maeve.
"I know what pockets are" said Cassandra
"Well, never mind that for now, come over here," Maeve said, taking Cassandra's hand and guiding her under a tree away from prying eyes.
When Maeve stopped abruptly and turned around, it caused Cassandra to press up against her. Their noses were mere inches away from each other; every breath they exhaled could be felt on each others faces. They stared into each other's eyes, the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Their lips were tantalizingly close to touching and the air thick with romantic anticipation.
In that suspended moment, the world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them lost in the magnetic pull between their souls. The subtle rustle of leaves, the gentle breeze, and the soft sunlight filtering through the tree branches added to the enchantment of the scene.
A nearby dog's sudden bark broke the spell, causing Cassandra to clear her throat with an "ahem."
"Right, so... the map. Here's how you use it," Maeve explained, using her phone she took a few minutes to guide Cassandra through the intricacies of map apps.
Cassandra, with her keen intellect, grasped the concept immediately. The moment of potential intimacy shifted seamlessly into a different topic, yet the lingering warmth of their shared closeness remained.
After a few minutes, they were done.
"That's pretty much it," said Maeve as she returned her phone to her pocket.
"I appreciate you taking the time to assist me with this matter," said Cassandra.
"Before we go our separate ways, there's just one more thing I want to do," Maeve insisted.
"What ever could that be?" replied Cassandra.
"Here, pass me your phone. It's fine, just make sure nobody sees you bring it out," said Maeve.
Cassandra held out her hand, and a small black puddle appeared in her palm. After a few seconds, her phone floated out of the small black abyss, and she grabbed onto it, handing it to Maeve.
"What did you want it fo—"
Without letting Cassandra finish her sentence, Maeve grabbed her by the waist, pulled her in close, planted a kiss on her cheek, and with her free hand, took a selfie with Cassandra's phone, capturing the surreal beauty of the sun-kissed moment, forever immortalising it in the photo.
Cassandra, caught off guard, felt a soft tingle on her cheek where Maeve's lips had been. The golden hues of the sunset embraced them, casting a warm glow on their intertwined figures.
"That was for that day in the woods." Maeve said as she handed Cassandra back her phone, quickly taking off into the distance.
She stopped before getting too far and turned to shout one last thing, cupping her hands around her mouth she shouted "I'll see you in class on Monday!" and continued her exit.
Cassandra stood in the park, her fingers gently brushing the cheek where Maeve's kiss had left a lingering warmth. She looked down at the photo on her phone, a snapshot frozen in time, encapsulating the enchanting moment they had shared beneath the tree.
Her vibrant green eyes reflected a mixture of emotions—surprise, curiosity, and an inkling of something new stirring within.
The brilliant light of the setting sun painted a serene backdrop, casting an ethereal glow on Cassandra's flawless features, her dress flowing in the wind, revealing her perfect figure momentarily. The winds whispered through the leaves, carrying with them a sense of unspoken connection that transcended the realms.
As she gazed at the image, Cassandra couldn't deny the magic that radiated from Maeve's spontaneous act. A smile, subtle yet genuine, graced her lips. It was a smile that held the promise of uncharted territories, an unspoken acknowledgment that they were stepping into a realm beyond the ordinary.
In that quiet moment, Cassandra felt a shift within herself. The unexpected encounter with Maeve had woven a thread of intrigue, a thread that tugged gently at the edges of her understanding. With the sun dipping below the horizon, Cassandra pondered the newfound complexities that had entered her realm, carried on the wings of an innocent yet meaningful gesture.
"This girl..."