Episode 1 by Tamara Hart Heiner

Author:Tamara Hart Heiner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: teen crushes, high school love, rivalries, friendship, teen drama, academy
Publisher: Tamark Books
Published: 2020-04-18T14:48:28+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

Matchmaker Fail

Cassie didn’t see Riley for another week. She hoped things were going well at Camp Splendor.

Oddly enough, when Cassie got home, she didn’t feel like talking to her other group of friends. She almost didn’t call any of them, but she finally called Amity and Janice, just to say hi before she left again for the church youth retreat.

“It’s so good to hear from you!” Amity said. “We miss you so much!”

She said it over and over again, enough that Cassie started to believe it. She hadn’t seen them in so long, it almost felt like they weren’t a part of her life anymore.

The youth retreat was in Dallas, and Cassie rode with her neighbor Beckham and his sisters to the campus. As soon as they arrived, she looked for Riley.

“Riley!” Cassie called, spotting her and waving.

“Hey!” Riley said. She came over and pushed the hair back from her face. “No stitches.”

The stitches were gone, but the painful red mark remained. “Ouch.”

“It doesn’t hurt. And the doctor said it will fade to a small white line. So it’s all okay.”

“How was Ben?” Cassie couldn’t help asking. “Did he seem okay after I left?”

“Yeah, he came by a few more times. But he didn’t say anything about you. Sorry.”

“That’s okay,” Cassie said, and she meant it. She had Ben’s last words, and she’d treasure them.

They separated to go to their host homes to eat dinner and change for the dance. Cassie and Riley met Jessica, their third roommate for the duration of the three-day retreat.

“Want some salt and vinegar chips?” Jessica asked, holding the bag out to Cassie.

“I don’t know,” Cassie said, eyeing them uncertainly. “I’ve never had that kind.”

“So try them.”

Cassie took one, then lifted her eyebrow in surprise. “These are actually good.”

“I know, right?” Jessica grinned. “They’re my favorite.”

Cassie grabbed several more handfuls and decided they were her favorite also.

Dinner was chicken nuggets and French fries, which was somewhat problematic for Cassie, since she was a vegetarian. She ignored the nuggets and nibbled at the fries. Good thing Jessica had chips for them to eat.

“What are you wearing to the dance?” Jessica asked.

Cassie showed her the long black dress she’d brought.

“Oo, nice. I think the dances are everyone’s favorite part.”

“They’re mine,” Riley said, pulling her own dress out. “I’m so excited we get two dances.”

“I wish we had three,” Cassie sighed. “There are so many boys here!” Boys had come from as far away as Texas and Tennessee for the extended retreat.

They had another class after dinner, which meant the dance didn’t start until nine o’clock. Cassie waved to friends from other congregational units but stayed sitting next to Riley. As soon as the class ended, the girls jumped up with the rest of the youth and worked their way through the hallways to the big auditorium where the dance would be held.

“Noah’s here,” Riley said, taking Cassie’s hand and squeezing it. “I saw him walk in.”

“Who’s Noah?” Cassie asked.

“Oh, that’s right, I never told you. He’s friends with one of Zack’s brothers.

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