Falling Inside the Black

ANOTHER SIX MONTHS LATER…

Mac and Dick and then Veronica and Logan were waiting out front of the Neptune High gymnasium. When Dick saw Cassidy's goofy ass grin he snapped a bright picture. "Hey Grad," He grinned, proud to be Cass' brother.

"Damn that was bright," Cassidy rubbed his eyes and then felt an unexplainable new weight on him. Okay so it was explainable. "Veronica," He patted her back.

"Snookums, let the man breathe," Logan lightly tugged on Veronica's pony tail.

"Sorry," Veronica stepped back into Logan's arms.

Cassidy smiled at Veronica before meeting Mac's dark blue eyes. She walked over and gave him a big hug and kissed his cheek. "I am so proud of you," She whispered and then pulled away, winking.

"Another Casablancas graduatin'!" Dick hollered and threw his fist in the air before bumping it with Cassidy's.

Cassidy was going to say something about Dick's grammar when he felt a hand slap his ass.

"Be sure to get your freaky freak on tonight CC."

"Korny?" Veronica and Mac exclaimed at the same time.

"The one and only, hey Ronica looking fine as hell and Mac…scrumptious. Later dudes," Korny ran off.

"Is there something we should know Cass?" Logan raised an eyebrow.

"Uh no?" He laughed, he too surprised at Korny's actions. He was most likely high. The only 08 senior to be high on weed for graduation.

"So anyway, remember you are to come to my house after this and before you go to the all night grad party." Veronica reminded Cassidy and he nodded.

"Well I can see you need to go talk to your peeps so…Mac and I are going to leave and pick up your gift but see you at Ronnie's in like an hour?" Dick asked. "I am so proud of you little buddy."

Cassidy nodded.

Even though it was extremely crowded and loud Cassidy could still see his brother hoisting Mac up and over his left shoulder and he could hear Mac's desperate laughs and pleas to be put back down on the ground.

"Yeah we will take off too, gotta get the house set up for the big graduate." Logan smiled and brought Cassidy into a big bear hug and patted him a few times on the back. "You did it man, you made it." Logan whispered.

Cassidy knew what he meant and he had to agree. He made it through the tragedy and all the pain and the tears. He made it and he had never felt better. He smiled as Veronica and Logan walked away as well.

"Cassidy! Cassidy, over here!" Piz yelled, trying to make his way to him through the crowd after graduation. Cassidy turned his head away from his friends when he heard his name being shouted through the loudness of everyone. He saw Piz and started running towards his boyfriend. They stopped in front of each other.

"Congratulations." Piz said grinning. "I am so proud of you. I knew you could do it."

Cassidy threw his arms around Piz, pulling him close. "Thank you for believing in me. I know that you know that I haven't told you everything…"

"Cassidy, stop. It's okay." Piz murmured in his ear.

"No, it's not. When we first met, I heard what my brother said to you. There is a lot about me that you don't know."

"And I respect that."

"I know you do and I love you for that."

"You love me?" Piz said smiling, his eyes wide.

"I do, and you know that you butthead." Cassidy said, smacking Piz on the arm. "But that's why I feel that you deserve to know everything about me." Cassidy said. "I'm ready to tell you all of it."

Piz smiled down at Cassidy, "I have to tell you something too. I love you as well."

Cassidy smiled at Piz and they embraced each other in the middle of the crowd as the rain began to fall down on them. Everyone ran for cover, but Cassidy and Piz stood there in the rain holding each other.

end