A Match Made in Desperation, Cassia Scarborough

Chapter One: Single Minded

It was a bright autumn morning, in sunny California. The scent of coffee and newly baked cookies permeated the small, cluttered kitchen in apartment 134. Two friends sat together at a polished table. One, a teenager wearing clothes which did more displaying than actual clothing, and which did not help at all in fighting the frigid coastal air, sighed heavily and stirred the brown liquid in her mug with one, neon green fingernail.

“What is it now?” The other girl asked.

“Single life. It's so boring, Kira. I cannot believe that I just passed up the opportunity to have a real boyfriend. He said he'd drive up to see me every month, can you imagine? He could be with me, right now. It has been three weeks since I made out with him, three weeks!”

Kira rolled her eyes and leaned back in her chair. Unlike her friend, Kira wore a practical turtleneck and some bluejeans. Her murky blond hair was gathered up into a serviceable pony tail and she hadn't even bothered with makeup that morning. “Then why did you tell him to fuck off and leave you alone if you are going to pine after the guy?”

“I didn't tell him to fuck off! I told Emma to tell him that. And anyway, I'm not pining away for him, per say. I just miss having someone around, it doesn't matter who. I just want someone to cuddle with me and kiss me and tend to my every passing whim, is that so much to ask? You know, he never flirted with anyone else...”

“Unlike you.”

The girl jabbed her neon nail into the coffee. “I didn't mean to, per say. Anyway, it just goes to show that there are some guys out there who can restrain themselves and who are decent and did you know he was in love with me? I think he still is.”

“Poor man. Are you goanna drink any of that? We have to hurry if we're gonna catch the bus. I'm not gonna be late for class again because of you.”

They stood up and stuffed pastries into their pockets before leaving. As the pair began the long trek down the stairs to the bottom floor of the apartment building, Kira asked. “So, Aria, did you finish the math homework Mr. Florence assigned?”

Aria waved to the security guard and leaned into the glass door leading to the street. “Are you kidding? We're homeschooled for Christ's sake, homework shouldn't even be in our vocabulary.”

“Isn't that all we are supposed to do, technically, is homework?”

“I cannot believe that I told him no.” Aria ran her green nails through her hair and sighed heavily.

The city bus stop sat next to a large sign proclaiming the name of the apartment building. “Broken Heart Homes” it said, in three foot high letters. A group of teenagers stood waiting for the bus, and as Kira and Aria approached, they saw that most of the teens were part of their home school group.

“I mean, it's not like I still have a crush on the guy, but is it so horrible that I miss the flowers, the attention, the kissing, the dancing... I mean, really, single life is the pits.”

“I am counting the minutes before frost bite sets in. I think you're nails are already succumbing.” Kira said, looking pointedly at her friend's shorts, violet bodice and black fishnets. Aria's long copper hair was piled on top of her head and held in place with a plastic clip. Her green eyes matched her nails and were bordered by black eyeliner.

A boy detached himself from the group of teens awaiting the bus and sidled over to them. “What boy are you guys talking about?”

“You don't know him, he lives pretty far away.” Aria responded, digging a cookie out of her backpack for solace.

“So? Tell me his name anyways.”

“Johnny Dep.”

“Seriously?” The boy raised his eyebrows until they disappeared into his mop of black hair.

“No, his name's Justin. He asked me to be his girlfriend the other day over AIM and I said no because I don't have a crush on him anymore, but now I'm regretting it.”

“Why?”

“Because I hate being single! It was so nice to have a cute guy doting on me for once, sitting with me, kissing me, groping me...”

Kira jumped. “What!”

Aria ignored her. “My point is that I totally hate being single.”

The boy seemed to consider this problem for a moment, even going so far as to tap his chin thoughtfully. “That does suck. I have exactly the same problem.”

Aria laughed. “Really?”

“Yup, hey, you wanna be my girlfriend? I think it'd fix everything.”

Aria choked on her cookie and laughed nervously. Kira looked like she was about to faint. “Fun, a pity relationship.”

“I'm not asking you out of pity. My name's Roger, we met a few weeks ago and I thought you were the most gorgeous girl I had ever seen. So if you're that desperate for a boyfriend, why not give me a chance?”

“Are you serious?”

“Yup.”

Aria looked at Kira for guidance but there was nothing but shock and horror to be found on her friend's face. So, after a moment's reflection, she leaned forward and pressed her lips against Nathan's.

It wasn't a match made in heaven, but it is interesting to note, that a match made in desperation sometimes ends up being even better.