Not Just Another Cliché

"Tell me what Em?" Casey repeats as he steps closer to me.

I look around our surroundings and then back at Casey.

"Can we go somewhere else?" After a few seconds he nods and we make our way to this park where a Starbucks is held and we walk in.

Casey goes up and orders while I contemplate what to say.

He walks back down and before I can even start to explaining myself he begins to speak.

"You know what Emily, it's our friendaversary and it's been a pretty damn good day so whatever you're keeping from me can you save it until we get back tomorrow?"

"I've held it off for too long." I whisper.

"Yeah exactly and one day won't make a difference so can we please go back and join our friends so we can finish the festivities before this bomb explodes because I really don't want to remember this day in a bad way."

"Me too. It can wait."

********

I wake up to a bright light in my face making me squint.

I rub my eyes and roll over hitting a hard object.

I open my eyes to see my best friend of 10 years and now my boyfriend of 1 month. Things have changed so much and everyday spent with him as my best friend and boyfriend, is only a day closer to us being a part.

Casey wants to go to Kentucky and I accept that because he's wanted that his whole life but I've never had my heart set on actual cheerleading. I like more of the science behind it like the flips and cartwheels. Not the cheering part.

That's why I'm saying no to Caseys offer on Kentucky.

I've always wanted to attend college and if he asked me this last year, I wouldn't have even thought about it. Straight away, I'd say yes to going to a very high rated university for cheer with my best friend who I was in love with.

But somethings changed. I've changed.

And that's what I need to tell him.

A warm hand over mine wakes me from my thoughts.

"You ready to get going?" Casey asks and after a while of looking into his eyes I smile and nod.

I get out of bed and head into the shower and once I'm finished, I change into light blue jeggings, my white Calvin sports bra and a whine cropped at the front jumper.

I walk out of the bathroom drying the ends of my hair with a towel.

"Showers free." I say to Casey.

I stand up tall when he doesn't respond. He's sitting down on a chair with his eyes glued to the ground.

"You're not coming Kentucky are you?" He asks not moving his eyes.

"I thought we were saving this for later."

He looks up at me and after a minute, I shake my head.

He jumps off the chair and comes over to me.

"Why didn't you just tell me Em? I wouldn't have minded. I know it's my dream and it's not yours."

"Exactly Casey. It's your dream. And I didn't wanna do anything to ruin that for you. I have my own dreams and I wanna go to my own college."

"What college?"

I look up at him and straight into his big brown eyes.

Say it Emily.

Say it!

I pull my eyes away from him and turn away.

Wimp.

"You should get ready. We don't wanna get stuck in traffic."

There was silence for a minute before he went into the bathroom slamming the door making me jump.

Once I hear the shower start up, I let out a sigh and run my fingers through my wet hair and sit on the bed.

He's gonna find out some time Emily. You have to tell him when we get home. It's now or never.

*********
"Casey, can we talk?" I say when Seth and Holly drop us off.

The whole car ride was silent except for Seth and Holly trying to make light conversation but failing miserably.

"Sure."

I throw my bags inside the door and walk into the living room.

My mom and dad went for dinner with my moms boss again and Olivia is next door with Meg. Again. So it's just us.

"What's up?" He shrugs.

I start pacing up and down my living room when Casey speaks.

"Spit it out Emily."

"No, I'm not going to apply for a scholarship for Kentucky. Because I've already applied for one. For Juilliard." I yell and then whisper the end.

"Juilliard? As in New York Juilliard?"

I nod slightly.

"That's almost 12 hours away from Kentucky."

"I know."

"Emily. I've lived next door to you almost my whole life. How am I going to let you go almost 12 hours away from me? Don't go."

"What? You can live your dream but I can't live mine? Casey this is our future we are talking about. I've danced since I was in diapers and cheered since I was old enough to actually do it. It's my passion and I don't wanna go to some community college in Kentucky and do something I'll regret. Please let me do this."

"Em, you know I want nothing more. But can we really do long distance?"

"I-I don't know. But we still have a month until graduation. We can talk about it."

"I can't let you go just yet. We have only been together a month. It's too hard and it's too soon."

"Same here. I love you Casey and I'm sorry I didn't tell you. It's not even official yet. I only applied. I still have the interview and audition and then they'll choose and it's one in a million."

"But you're one in a million too. So are you quitting cheerleading after high school?"

"Well dance is cheerleading, only without cheering. Every Friday I'm dancing by twirling and jumping and flipping. There's several forms of dancing."

"And I know you can do all of them. I love you Emily." He says enveloping me in a hug.

"I love you too."

***************
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Junior Homecoming next chapter.
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