cass (ettes)

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“So, what brings you to Minneapolis? Are your parents here with you?” She looked around as if his mother and father would pop out from behind the bushes. 

Schroeder was hesitant to tell her, but something told him she wouldn’t take ‘mind your own business’ as an answer. Besides, he probably wouldn’t see her again after this coincidence meeting.

“I’m in a summer music program at the University of Minneapolis.” His voice grew quieter as the sentence went on, his face pink with embarrassment. Why was he embarrassed? He had no idea.

“Like classes and stuff?” The sheepish boy nodded. “That’s amazing, Schroeder!” She shouted and grinned, seeming genuinely elated for him.

“Yeah it's pretty cool.” He returned the smile. 

“You need to tell me more than that, Beethoven.” She said with a light laugh. 

Schroeder flushed again at the old nickname she apparently hadn’t forgotten about, but he had to tell someone about the recent events or he would just about explode (and Lucy seemed plenty interested). 

“Well, I have this super packed schedule with piano and music theory classes, and there’s times of day literally dedicated to practice-”

Lucy snorted, “I bet you love that.” 

He was about to give a snarky response until he saw the friendly gleam in her eyes.

“I do, as a matter of fact.” He stated triumphantly. “Anyways, that’s the time of day we’re in right now, but I couldn’t focus on playing because I have this- …thing I have to go to and I need a suit – or maybe a tuxedo, I’m not sure – but none of the stupid stores here sell suits that aren’t crazy expensive.” Schroeder didn’t know why he didn’t just tell Lucy about the performance, but he definitely went off rambling to make up for it. By the end he was out of breath.  

“Easy. Just go to a thrift store.” When the frazzled expression on Schroeder’s face didn’t change, Lucy laughed again. “You really know nothing about shopping. A thrift store’s for second-hand clothing, so everything there is less expensive. They used to call it a junk shop.”

“People sell their used clothing?” Schroeder’s face twisted in disgust.

“It’s really not unsanitary, you just need to find the right pieces.” When he still seemed unsure, Lucy added, “Besides, based on the absence of any new friends being mentioned in your tangent, I’m assuming there’s no one to borrow from, so you’re kinda stuck.” 

Lucy rolled her eyes at his remaining expression, caught between confused and grossed-out. “I’ll go with you tomorrow, okay? How soon is your …‘thing’?” She raised an eyebrow at his inability to tell her what event they would be shopping for. 

“Two months.” Great time to be honest, Schroeder. She’s gonna think you’re nuts.

“How long are you in the city for?” 

“Two months.”

“Ah.” A brief pause before Lucy continued,

“I’ll help you, Weirdo, on one condition. You have to let me show you around the city properly, alright? All the best spots, none of that touristy stuff, if Minneapolis even has tourists.” 

“Why?”

“Let’s just say I need a distraction for the summer, okay? I won’t ask about your ‘thing’ if you don’t ask about mine, deal?” Schroeder didn’t even have a second to think about it before their reunion ended abruptly. 

“Oh good grief, I’m late.” Lucy muttered under her breath, getting off the swing in a hurry after glancing at the dainty watch on her wrist.

Not giving Schroeder a chance to respond to her proposal, she yelled over her shoulder as she ran off with no explanation,

“Meet me back here tomorrow, same time!” And then she was gone.

What just happened.

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let me know if i did smth totally wrong in posting this im so lost