As ambitious as Cassie’s plan is, it’s not devoid of flaws.
For one, you don’t have the pens to do the work, Obviously, you could ask Tessa for them, but it means she’ll be questioning why. And while you could sweet-talk your way into acquiring them, you’d be pushing your favor a bit too far.
But that’s only the immediate problem. Cassie claims she has done the research, but your business instincts tell you she’s missing a lot. For one, where will she store the skins? At your house? And where will she get the packing materials? What if Customs checks it and notices what it really is, and sic's the federal authorities on you?
You sense the risk vastly outweighs the reward. But you know Cassie’s enamored by the idea, and she won’t relinquish it easily. Thus, you must exercise tact – so as to not break her heart. “Cass?”
“Is dinner ready?” she shouts from her room. “I’m not ready yet!”
“It’s about your proposal. We need to discuss it.”
You think of stepping in as you hear nothing, but you see her step from her room, naked but for the rubber cap and thick silicone gloves she’s using to protect herself. “Let me guess. You don’t like the idea, right?”
“Cass, we need to discuss it.”
“It’s alright,” she says, but you know she doesn’t mean it. “You don’t have to tell me. It’s all on your voice.”
You know she’s disappointed, and you could argue, but you appeal to her interests and your strengths. “Do you know what market study is?”
“Sorta.”
“I know you did it, because you told me about making a community. You want to create your target audience. But here’s the thing; have you considered if someone else’s already offering people what you’re selling?”
She scowls at you. “Obviously no one else does. Mom’s got the pens, no?”
“Yeah, but where did she get them? Have you thought about that?”
You know you cornered her, because she's dipping into a spoiled brat attitude to pester you. “Well... Of course not! But who cares! Mom found them, and--!”
“Cass, before you say any other word. Who’s the Business major here?”
“Of course you are,” she says, puffing her cheeks. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t--”
“Cass,” you insist. “Who’s the hacker here?”
That startles her, enough to break from her foul mood. “Why are you asking?”
“You know better about the dark web than I do. Have you used it to research about the pens? What if the pens can be bought there? If they do, why buy one skin when you can get them all?”
“Nobody’s gonna believe a pen--!”
“Nobody’s gonna believe your skins are the real deal.” She’s trying her hardest to fight it, but you know you got through her. “That’s why I asked you to discuss your proposal. Think of Tess as your investor; if you wanna convince your mom about it, you’ll need to make one hell of a pitch. And that pitch can’t start by telling her ‘Mom, can you lend me the pens?’”
You throw your arm around her, softening the blow. “It doesn’t have to be now – it can be once you set-up everything, check it out and do your research. If you can convince me, then I’ll see how I can help you, alright?”
“Yeah.” She lowers her head, disappointed – she's not taking this defeat well. “I guess you’re right.”
“Don’t take this as a defeat, Cass. You’re a smart girl – you might surprise me.”
“Yeah, I know! It’s just that...” She caves in, depressed. “Call me when dinner’s ready.”
“Cass, just do me that favor, alright? I’m doing this to help you.”
“Call me when dinner’s ready,” she insists, letting you know she needs her space. You return to check on the potatoes and the steak, but you feel only one of you will eat tonight.
--
You’re relieved Cassie took it in stride, because the first thing she does after waking up is talk to you. “Sorry about yesterday.”
“I’m the one that should be sorry. You told me your dream and I shattered it. I didn’t imagine you’d take it that bad.”
“It’s not that...” She’s not in her usual peppy mood, but she tries to mellow out as she holds your hand. “I thought about what you said – about checking on the dark web. A quick search revealed nothing, but that’s not enough. Research will take some time.”
“It’s alright. Take all the time you need.”
“And I appreciate that you were considerate to me.” She finally smiles, tilting her head. “That’s why I knew you and I would click. You’re pretty level-headed, Rach. Always there to get my head off the ground.”
“It’s not a bad idea. It just needs... refinement.” You hear her chuckle, startling you. “What?”
“It’s weird that you’re the more mature one when I’m supposed to be older. How old are you – eighteen?”
“Cass?” You feel offended – well, you pretend to – that she already forgot how old you are. “I’m roughly your age.”
“You know what I mean, Rach. I’m supposed to be like seven or eight years older than you, but you act like if it was the opposite.”
“Well...” You smirk, giving her an impish glance. “I’m not above it all. I wouldn’t have done this if I wasn’t interested in the first place."
“That’s why I thought you’d agree without thinking. Being Cassie has changed my life for the better – what would those skins do to people who probably need a change in their lives?”
“Probably change their lives for good,” you appeal. “Which is why it’s probably a terrible business model.”
“It’s not a terrible one.” You scowl at her, establishing dominance. “Fine - it’s not the greatest, but it’s not terrible. Not everyone wants a new life in a different skin. Some just probably want the experience of fucking like a girl or something.”
“Maybe. But you don’t want just anyone doing it. We gotta vet people, like Tess does – so they don’t end up screwing her, or us.”
“Yeah, but she could make a lot more money if she’d--”
“Cass?” Now you grab her hand, trying to hold her reins. “Vetting first, then they can have their fun.”
“Yeah, yeah...” She grabs a box of cereal – oat clusters, corn and bran flakes drizzled in honey – and fills a bowl with it, then douses it on milk. “Say - did you have a lot of friends in your old life?”
Once again, she’s showing her insightful side. You weren’t one to have many friends. There’s obviously Jimmy, a bit younger than you but a stalwart companion of many adventures. You tread carefully with him, because you never know what’s under his sleeve – as an unrepentant prankster whose jokes can go a bit too far, he’s just as eager to get you in trouble as to get you out.
Then there’s also Patricia – Trish to her friends. You’ve known her since before school, as she’s your closest neighbor, and she’s always been the athletic, tomboyish type. She was a lot closer to Jimmy during elementary, but have begun to split since middle school, only sharing when you’re around. She’s second only to Jimmy on pranks, though hers are aimed towards bullies who deserve it.
And of course, there’s Jessica. Your girlfriend – or well, David’s girlfriend. Just like Jimmy and Trish are David’s friends, not yours.
“Not too many,” you confess, sticking to the closest. Jimmy has always urged you to treat his friends and neighbors as yours, but you never got too attached to them. There’s Drew, of course, and Thomas Mallory and Robert Costa and Jake Bennett, but just like with Trish, you only deal with them when he’s around. Thus... “I can count them with the palm of my hand.”
“Including me?”
You grin and nod. “Yeah. Including you.”
“I guess that’s another thing we’re alike,” she reveals. “I mean, new me’s got a lot of friends and a lot of booty calls, but they can be boring sometimes. At least I’m still in contact with Gary Edwards – he'd be shocked if he knew who I really am!”
“Were you two close?”
“You’re kidding? The only secret he doesn’t know is this one, and if it weren’t ‘cos of trying to keep him away from Mom, I’d bring him to the group. He’s one of the guys that helps me keep the service site safe, after all, so he’s benefitting from something already."
“No one else?”
You notice her thoughtful poise comes along with the bright smile you were expecting. “Well, there’s Dan Miller and Louie Ladder – it's Luis Escalera, but we all call him like that. And I can also count Brittney Sanders – she’s the only one of my new life I can actually talk about things without feeling like ripping my skin off.”
“Sorta like in my case. I guess I see why we got along – we choose our friends carefully.”
“You’re damn right, bestie!” She slurps some of the milk and cereal with a big swallow. “Y’know, that makes me think. You said I could use my idea to improve the lives of others. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could bring in our old friends? Like you said – vet them, see if they wouldn’t mind, then tell them about the skins and stuff.”
Once again, Cassie’s crazy ideas and enthusiasm know no bounds. But this one seems a bit more sanitized. “Yeah, sounds like a good idea. One that needs some refining, though.”
“We could always start with one each. Heck – maybe consult it with Mom, even. See if she approves, then slowly bring them in. I know Gary would accept in a heartbeat. How about you? If you had the chance, who you’d tell?”
You’d definitely tell one of your friends, if you had the chance. But there’s someone who occupies your mind more than anyone.
What if you told Jess, so you’d be a couple again?
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
More by this author
