============Friday Night============

"Hey Ma, it's Brit's birthday tomorrow remember." Jason reminded. "We promised Cassie that she could go."

"I know, but do you think it would be a good idea?" Ivy asked her son from across the room as she sat by her daughter's side. "I don't think she'll last the day."

"Maybe she will, maybe she won't. We never know with Cassie." Jason chuckled slightly. "But I do know that it'll kill her not to be with her best friend on her birthday."

"I just don't want to lose her, Jase," Ivy said as she stroked the sleeping girl's hair.

"I'll be with her all day. I'll make sure she'll still take her meds and rest when she needs to." Jason announced, hoping to ease his mother's worry. "It's the least I could do for her."

Jason stood up and headed to the bed before sitting in front of his mother. "She needs this mom. One last day outside."

Ivy just nodded knowing that her son was right.

=============Saturday============

"Hey, Brit! Who are you waiting for?" One of her friends, Felix asked.

"Yeah, you've been standing by the doorway for almost an hour now," Olivia said popping her head out from the kitchen.

"Cassie's coming," Brit told them but felt like she was telling herself.

"Are you sure?" Lynn asked out of nowhere. "Have you talked to her? No one has seen her for the better part of the year."

"I wouldn't keep my hopes up, Brit," Ty said putting his hand on her shoulder.

"She's my best friend. She wouldn't miss my birthday." Brit told them, again more felt like reassuring herself.

"She won't." Faye, Brit's older sister, said coming up from behind them. "I'll wait for them, you go entertain your guests. I'm sure, Uncle K's looking for you."

Brit just nodded and headed back to the living room, her friends following her. Faye sighed, this was supposed to be a good day. She pulled out her phone and texted Jason, 'Where are you?'

Jason was driving. Cassie was jumping up and down in her seat, the first time Jason had seen her so happy in such a long time. They pulled up to Brit's house and headed to the front door where Faye had been waiting. Faye hugged them both and smiled at Cassie. She seemed so strong.

"Well, I'm sure Brit's gonna like my present," Faye said as she tried to wrap a bow on Cassie's head.

"Heyyyyyy," Cassie dragged out. "I'm Brit's gift from myself. You find one for your own."

The three laughed before heading inside. They got stopped by Faye's parents, Peter and Hazel. They were so shocked to see Cassie that they didn't move, that was until a blur of black hair ran past them and tackled Cassie. Peter, Hazel, Faye, and Jason reached quickly and pried Brit off Cassie much to the birthday girl's complaints. Cassie just laughed it all off and hugged her best friend tightly.

"I knew you wouldn't miss my day," Brit whispered to Cassie.

Cassie didn't say anything but held the girl tighter. They spent the whole day together, inseparable, joined at the hip, where ever one was the other wouldn't be far behind. Jason and Faye followed them around wanting to keep an eye on the younger girl but it seemed that she was doing alright, better actually as if she was when the two were back in Kindergarten.

The day was nearing the end and everyone was about to go home but Brit dragged Cassie up to her room. "Brit, I missed you too but Jase and I should go home soon. Ma's gonna be worried."

"C'mon Cass, I haven't seen you for a while. Can't you stay longer?" Brit asked as she closed the door behind them. "I've missed you."

Cassie knew where this was going and as much as she was in pain the whole day she couldn't disappoint Brit. "I've missed you more. You have no idea how much I've been looking forward to seeing you today." Cassie stood up and wrapped Brit into a hug even though the pain in her stomach flared.

Cassie loosened her grip and Brit captured her lips in a kiss. This caught Cassie off guard but deepened it and pulled the other girl closer. Brit smiled against the kiss, she missed the taste of Cherry Cola on Cassie's lips. Cassie was always gentle with Brit, unlike her ex-boyfriend Hunter, and that was always what Brit missed about Her. No matter who she was with, Cassie still loved her wholeheartedly and waited for her. The two broke off the kiss and leaned on each other's foreheads. They stayed in a comfortable silence just enjoying each other's company until Brit spoke.

"Cassidy Renner, will you make me the happiest girl and be my girlfriend?"  Brit asked out of nowhere.

Cassie was surprised by this, Brit had always refused when she asked but now she was asking. "What made you change your mind?"

"You are my best friend, you are my person, you are my other half. Whenever I am with you, I am at my happiest and I don't want to be without you. I love you, Cassie." Brit poured her heart out.

"I love you too, Brit," Cassie replied before stealing a small kiss. "And I would love to be your girlfriend."

Brit smiled brightly and kissed Cassie with full force which made them stumble back into the bed. They laughed and just stayed in the bed in each other's embrace for a while. They talked and made out for a bit until Jason knocked on the door. "C'mon Cass! We should head home now. I'll be waiting in the car."

Cassie got up and gave Brit one last kiss before running after her brother. She hugged Brit's family goodbye before she was pulled into another hug by Faye. "You better survive this Cass."

Cassie smiled sadly before asking the older girl a question as they walked to the car. "Faye, do you think it was a good idea to keep this from Brit?"

"To be honest, no. She's your best friend yet she doesn't know what's happening to you. It's unfair to her especially since I know but it was your decision and we'll always respect that, little one." Faye told her.

Cassie looked down in thought before looking back up to Faye. "Can you tell her everything when I pass?" Shocked flashed through Faye's face at the younger girl's words. "She's gonna be so mad at me for not telling her sooner and I still don't wanna tell her cause I don't want her to see me in so much pain.  Everything hurts every time. I didn't want to put her through that, I just wanted to see her one more time if I could."

Faye had tears in her eyes and wrapped the little girl in her arms. "You are the strongest kid I've ever met Cassie. I'm gonna miss you so much."

"It's my last day outside. I'll miss you too," Cassie said as she pulled away from Faye and got into the car.

The two drove off as Brit ran out of the house. She didn't catch the siblings but she saw Faye with tears in her eyes. Brit asked her what was wrong but she just shook her head and led Brit inside. Brit ran up to her room and called Cassie. They talked the night away without a care in the world until Cassie had to go to sleep.

"Brit, I love you. Remember that okay?" Cassie said with a heavy breath. It was getting harder for her to breathe.

Brit didn't hear the heaviness and just smiled that Cassie loved her too. "I love you too, my light."

Cassie smiled, probably the last genuine smile she'll ever smile. "I'll see you again, my light."

With that Cassie hung up the phone and left Brit smiling for finally having Cassie as her lover.

=============Sunday============

Brit slept in. It was the day after her birthday and she was exhausted but that didn't stop her from being excited. She was gonna see her Cassie later today, they had planned a date and the other girl had said that they were gonna have a picnic at their favorite spot overlooking the city, where they had their first kiss. Brit showered quickly and got ready before sliding down the stair railings. She slipped past the living room but heard crying. Brit peeked in and saw her parent's comforting a crying Faye. She listened in and heard her sister crying out that someone had passed and that they were so young. Brit finally stepped out and made her presence known.

"Faye? Who died?" Brit asked her older sister and Faye just sobbed harder.

Peter got up and was about to explain to his youngest what happened when Faye stopped him. "Dad, I promised her I would tell Brit."

Peter just nodded and sat back down beside Hazel. Faye wiped the tears away and pulled Brit into a hug. "Promise me you won't lash out. Promise me you won't get mad."

"I promise. Faye, just tell me what's happening." Brit asked still confused out of her mind as Faye let go.

"Cassie died last night." Faye finally spits out. "Yesterday was her last day."

Brit was in disbelief. This wasn't true, Faye was playing some cruel trick on her. She was just with Cassie last night. They just told each other they loved each other. This isn't true.  "If you're playing a trick on me, Faye, it isn't funny. It's cruel and downright mean. I was talking to Cassie last night, she was okay. There's no way she's dead."

Faye pulled Brit down to her level and Brit saw the tears in her sister's eyes. Brit examined them and found no tells, no lies, her sister was telling the truth. Brit couldn't find it in herself to even make a full sentence, just one word fell through. "How?"

"Cassie was diagnosed with Stage IV Liver Cancer when the year started. They tried everything to stop it from spreading but yesterday it was reaching higher up to her heart. The doctors didn't catch it cause Cassie wasn't complaining about anything and because she was here most of the day. Jason told me that when they woke up Cassie had passed. She died a little passed midnight." Faye explained to Brit. Faye wiped the tears that were forming in her sister's eyes as she continued. "We can head over there if you want?"

Brit didn't trust herself to speak and just nodded. Hazel led her to the car and sat beside her as she cried. Faye sat upfront with Peter driving. Soon they got to the hospital and went in. Faye led them to the cancer ward, to Cassie's room. There Cassie was in her bed, Ivy was holding her daughter's hand as she wept while Jason sat by the bedside crying on his sister's arm. Faye took a step forward and placed a hand on Jason. The boy looked up and enveloped her in a hug as he cried. Ivy was pulled into a hug by Hazel as she comforted the crying mother. Brit slipped by all of them and sat beside Cassie.

Jason finally acknowledged that Brit was here and stepped up beside her. "Brit, we're sorry we didn't tell you earlier. Cassie made us promise not to tell you because she didn't want you to see her suffer and be in constant pain. She loved you too much to put you through it. Cassie wanted to see you yesterday, that's all she wished for her last day."

Brit listened to Jason's words but it didn't feel real. Cassie was in her arms but she wasn't there. "Hi, my love. I got here earlier than we planned, I'm sorry. I was so excited about our date today, I didn't realize that you wanted to reschedule. It's okay though, we can have our date when we meet again. Promise me you'll wait for me?"

Brit asked even though she knew there would be no reply. She kissed Cassie on the cheek and curled beside her crying into her shoulder. "I love you my light."