Casey & Tommy discussing Gamma Raids 1

Tommy unlocked the door to the basement and stepped inside, carrying a takeout bag from Linda's Diner. He picked up a Monte Cristo and a cheeseburger with extra fries for dinner. He wanted pizza, but Casey insisted on food from Linda's, and she won the thumb war. But Tommy didn’t mind. He loved Monte Cristos, especially the ones from Linda’s.

He shut the door. “I’m back." 

The basement was as it always was. Not exactly cozy but safe, familiar. And one of Tommy's favorite places. 

Casey lay on the couch, her head on the armrest, as she read a book with a purple cover. She flipped the page. “Hey, if we were cadets in space, what do you think our team name would be?" 

“What?" Tommy asked.

“‘Cause I’m thinking something like Ass-stroid Kickers or-" 

“What are you talking about?" He set the takeout bag on the coffee table. And as he sat down, Casey shifted, so they were sitting next to each other. 

She showed him the cover of the book. The cover was purple, pretty, featuring blue letters and the black silhouettes of a boy and a girl with a ponytail. “Found this in the girls’ bathroom at Morgan High. Figured it might be a story worth reading, so I stole it." 

“Of course you did.” Tommy wasn’t surprised. “Well? Were you right about the story being worth it?”

He unpacked the food. He set the three foam boxes on the acrylic coffee table. The two larger ones held the cheeseburger and Monte Cristo, and the smaller box had a slice of Casey's favorite butterscotch cake. 

Casey opened her takeout box. She took a fry. “I'm liking the main chick. She's pretty cool. Kind of a badass. Has some issues." 

“Sounds like someone I know," Tommy smiled at Casey. He bit his Monte Cristo sandwich. It was delicious. 

Casey rolled her eyes. "The main guy is cool, too. Serious, kind,” she ate three more fries. “And he's hopelessly devoted to the main girl." She raised an eyebrow, smiling. Her smile was beautiful, even when she was teasing him. “Sound familiar?” 

Tommy chuckled. "Not really.” 

She nudged his shoulder. “You saying you're not hopelessly devoted to me?" 

“Depends on the day,” he joked. “You can be kind of a handful.” 

The truth was Tommy adored Casey with everything he had. She was his best friend, his partner in crime, and the girl who held his heart. She didn’t like labels. Boyfriend. Girlfriend. They didn’t use either title, but it didn’t matter because they both knew they were together. 

“Fine,” she said. “If that’s how you feel, maybe I’ll leave you for Lee." 

“Lee?" 

“The guy in the book." 

“You're gonna leave me for a fictional guy in space?" Tommy wasn't sure he understood where this conversation was headed. He swallowed his food, then bit his sandwich and set it in the foam box, chewing. 

“Maybe," Casey shrugged. “He’d definitely make a kickass love interest.” 

Tommy swallowed again. "So, apparently, I’ve got competition.”

Casey clicked her tongue. "Eh. I doubt he’d go for me. He's only got eyes for Kat." 

Tommy took the book and flipped through the pages. He didn't know what he was looking for, maybe to see what exactly was so captivating about this story and its main couple. He read a small section, leaning against the back cushions of the couch. “Who's Levy?" 

“The chick who thinks she's got a shot," Casey turned, stretching her legs across his lap, elbow bent on the back cushions of the couch. "You should read it, T. You might like it." 

“What? You're not afraid I’ll fall for the fictional badass with issues?" Tommy asked. 

“You won't if you know what's good for you,” Casey said. 

He laughed, amused by the threat. “Fine. I’ll read it."