“Cassie.” I hear someone whisper.

I open my eyes and look around. All of a sudden, my eyes lock on Ashley’s beautiful face. She looks perfect. Her glossy brown hair flows around her. My heart skips a beat.

“Ashley.” I barely breathe.

She extends her hand and I take it. I crawl out of bed and follow her to her bedroom. It is all burnt from the fire, and the room still has a faint smell of ash. We sit down in the middle of the floor and lace our fingers together.

“I saw you found my diary.” She smiles softly. “I’m sorry you had to find out that way.”

“Why did you never tell me? I would have been there for you!” My eyes begin to water.

“Hey.” She pulls one of her hands away from mine to wipe my tears. “No more crying. Everything is okay. I may be gone, but it’s time for you to open a new chapter to your life. I want you to be happy without me. I want you to remember only happy things about me. I’m okay. I miss you like hell, but I promise you even when you feel alone, I’m here. I never had the guts to talk about what I wrote in my diary, simple as that. It was nothing against you. You know I love you babygirl.”

I throw my head against her shoulder and sigh. “It just feels so wrong being happy without you. You were my moon and stars. Ashley I just want you back.”

“I can’t come back. You know that. I still am your moon and stars. You see this room? It’s over. Act like it doesn’t even exist. In fact, move out. This house is going to cause you more sadness. I want you to be happy Cassie, that’s all. Fuck the rest.” Her fingers lace through my hair as she pulls me in to kiss me on the forehead.

“I miss you. I love you Ashley. No one will ever replace you.”

“They better not.” She laughs. “But that Zack boy in your bed looks like a good substitute.” She winks.

I roll my eyes. “He’s cute, but I would feel weird being happy right now.”

“Don’t. Come on, let’s go back.” She helps me up and leads me back to my bedroom.

I am covered in Zack’s limbs, my back curled against his chest. His lips linger in my hair and he lightly strokes my forearms. I am fast asleep, but he is awake, his eyes memorizing every inch of my body. I smile softly and look at Ashley who is beaming at me.

“See? He’s good for you. This is what you need. Why would you pass him up? If he leaves, all you are going to have is yourself.” She shrugs.

I nod slowly. “Okay. I’ll try.”

“Now go. I’ll be here always, I promise. Even if you move, I’ll just move with you. I love you Cass.” She hugs me tightly.

I inhale the familiar scent of lavenders and the faint smell of vodka. I smile softly and pull back from our hug. I walk back towards my body and touch my forehead softly. As soon as I do so, everything goes black.

My eyes fly open and I gasp for air. Zack releases me from his grip.

“What’s wrong?” He asks panicked.

Immediately, I go to cry, but no tears come out. My sadness is replaced by happiness.

I saw Ashley.

I look back at Zack who is staring at me with worry covering his face. I smile and tackle him down to the bed.

“Nothing. Absolutely nothing.” I grin as his body envelopes mine. “Sorry I fell asleep.”

“It’s fine. I can imagine your sleeping has been a little weird given your circumstances.”

“Zack I don’t know a damn thing about you.” I sigh.

He sits up, but keeps me firmly planted in his lap. “Well. I became a firefighter because I knew that I wanted to help people for a living. It comes with great benefits in the long run too. My roommate is just about the only friend I have. He and I work together in firefighting. I haven’t had a girlfriend for about a year and a half. I’ve never really found someone to settle down with. The rest you’ll learn along the way.” He grins at me.

I nod thoughtfully and rest my forehead in the crook of his neck. “Sounds good to me.”

My fingertips trace the lines of his strong jaw and up towards his cheek. He grabs my hand and laces his fingers with mine. I pull my face away so I can look him in the eyes.

They have a completely different expression than they have ever had. His eyes smolder mine and sparkle. They flicker with love and search my face. I feel blood rush to my cheeks and I glance away. His finger finds my chin and brings my face around to meet his gaze.

“Cassie.” He sighs.

I nod, unable to say a word due to the lump in my throat.

Beep beep beep beep beep

“Fuck.” Zack jumps up quickly and pulls his sweatpants down, back facing me. His jeans are on before I know it and he throws his grey shirt over the tanktop.

“What’s going on?” I ask worriedly.

“That was my beeper. The guys at the station need me.” He explains. “I’ll keep in touch with you.”

I nod with a halfhearted smile. “Stay safe.”

He looks at me for a long moment before letting out a sigh. “Come on. You’re coming with.”

“I’ll be okay.” I assure him as much as I can, even though I know I won’t be.

Zack realizes it, scoops me up, and throws me over his shoulder. He runs out of the house with me. Quickly, he slips me in the passenger seat and jumps into the driver seat.

“Buckle up please.” He begs as he slams on the gas pedal.

We fly down the roads, and a usual 15 minute trip now takes 5. Zack pulls up to the fire station and helps me out of the car. We jog up to the building, up the stairs, and to where I assume all of the firemen hang out when they are waiting for a call. There are couches set up on the east side, all facing the TV that is set up on the west side. I see a little further back is a kitchen.

“Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be right back.” He runs down the hallway.

I sit on the couch and hold my knees to my chest. All of a sudden, a man who looked to be in his 20’s plops down next to me.

“You mind?” He gestures to the black TV and the remote he holds in his hand.

“Not at all.” I smile softly at his friendly face.

“Sam.” He extends his hand and I daintily shake it.

“Cassie.” I reply simply.

His eyebrows shoot up. “Cassie! Cassie Malone, correct?”

I look at him for a moment, trying to see if I recognize him. “I’m sorry, I’m not sure if I remember you.”

“You don’t know me.” He laughs. “That actually sounds a little creepy. I’m a firefighter here, but I’m not on call tonight. I’m just hanging out. I’ve just heard your name thrown around here a few times by Zack. You are a lot prettier than he described.”

I blush. “Thank you. It’s nice to meet you. Zack was at my house today checking up on me and then he got the call so he decided to take me with him.”

Sam nods. “That’s right. I’m really sorry to hear about your loss. How are you coping?”

“Not well.” I laugh bitterly. “Well, I’m a little better now. But it’s been a pretty rough two weeks.”

“That’s expected.” Sam smiles. “Can I be of any help? Maybe take you to dinner?”

Just as I open my mouth to respond with a big fat, no, Zack rounds the corner wearing his firefighting uniform.

“Lay off Sam.” He groans.

Even covered in head to toe with gear, he has to be the most handsome man I have ever seen. He’s holding his helmet and mask in his arms, an annoyed look on his face.

“I was just trying to be friendly.” Sam throws his hands up in defense laughing.

“I gotta get out of here.” Zack walks towards me quickly. I lean my head back on the couch and look up at him.

His eyes are much softer now, and he’s looking at me like I’m the only person in this world. His gloved thumb rubs against my cheek.

“ZACK LET’S GO!” A few other firefighters call as they run out of the building.

He blushes. “I’ll be back.”

Zack takes off running, leaving Sam and I. Sam turns to me.

“Wanna play Xbox?” He grins.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ZACK’S POV

“I’m getting so tired of these little shits.” I yell as I run out of the burning building.

“Empty again?” One of my team members ask.

“Yeah. Definitely an abandoned building too.” I punch the side of the fire truck angrily. “Why the fuck do people do this? If it’s abandoned LEAVE IT.” I yank my helmet off.

The captain comes up to me and throws an arm on my shoulder. “What’s going on Zack?”

“I’m just frustrated. These types of things aren’t what I work for. Two weeks ago, we saved a girl from a burning building. Her friend didn’t make it, but we at least saved her. THAT’S what I work for. I work for saving lives. Not cleaning up after bored teenagers. Calls like this really piss me off.” I growl angrily.

“Listen, you work for putting out fires. I know your frustration. I was there once. I promise you, it will pass. The more lives you save, the more this will seem like a treat; a break if you will. We’re almost done here anyway. When we get back, go home. You aren’t yourself. We’ll see you on Monday, okay?” The captain pats my back.

“Thanks Cap.” I hug him and turn back to the fire.

It has almost completely subsided, Kevin finishing off the remainder of the flames. The others are already cleaning up and loading back into the truck. I join them in the back.

“So who’s that girl you brought?” One of the guys, Jackson asks.

“Just a friend. She was actually the girl from that call we had a couple weeks back. The one with two college girls, one didn’t make it. The one that made it is the one waiting for me at the station. Her name is Cassie.” I explain.

“She’s cute.” Andrew pipes in. “I call dibs.”

“Nah man, I call dibs!” Jackson yells, punching him in the arm playfully.

A pang of jealousy rips through my chest and I shove Jackson back to his seat. “She’s a person, you can’t just call dibs you assholes.”

“You just want her for yourself dickhead.” Jackson barks.

I glare at him, not in the mood for this shit. My team and I are like brothers, meaning they know me better than I know myself. I love them with all my heart, but damn they know how to press my buttons.

“You do realize we aren’t the threat, right?” Andrew reminds me. “You left her alone with Sam. Sam the ladies man.”

My insides freeze over and immediately melt with anger. I clench my hands up into balls and shake my head. “I’m such an idiot.”

“Yeah, you kind of are.” Jackson laughs. “Let’s just hope she isn’t a sucker for assholes.”

I laugh at that, relaxing a little.

Cassie doesn’t like assholes…right?


CASSIE’S POV

“Yes!” Sam shouts as he passes me on Mario Kart.

“You jerk!” I laugh, moving my body with the remote.

We have been playing video games and hanging out since the guys left. We talked for a little, mainly about who we are and what we do. We avoided the subject of the fire altogether, for which I was grateful for.

“FIRST PLACE AGAIN!” He cries, jumping off the couch.

“Someone’s humble.” I mutter and glare at him jokingly.

He laughs. “Sorry. You’re right. Come on, I’ll give you a hug.”

I stand up and he eagerly throws his arms around me. I hug him back, just as he leans forward, and whisper in my ear, “This is the hug of a winner.”

I bust out laughing, still hugging Sam when Zack comes speed walking back in to the room. He stops dead in his tracks when he sees our embrace and a look flashes across his eyes.

“Hey.” I smile, pulling away from Sam. “How was the call?”

“It was okay. Ready to go?” He asks blandly.

I nod and quickly hurry to his side.

“Night Cass.” Sam calls. “I had fun.”

“Yeah me too! Night.” I smile at him as Zack slips an arm around my back and pulls me out of the building.

As we drive home, I can feel anger radiating off of Zack’s body.

“What’s wrong?” I ask softly.

“Bum call.” He mutters.

“Is that all?”

“Yup.” Zack pops the ‘p’.

“Liar.” I touch his arm lightly and his body flinches. “Did I do something?”

“Don’t worry about it.” He laughs bitterly as we pull up to my house.

“You don’t have to stay over. I’ll live.” I mutter as I get out of his car. “Thanks for today.”

I walk to my front door, not waiting for a response. I really don’t need any negative energy in my life right now.