And they had turned so easily against her. Cassie slammed her locker shut, her pride and anger not allowing her to just walk away again. Throwing her shoulders back, Cassie made her way straight over to them, not hesitating at all. They grew silent; their eyes weary as they watched her approach.
“Hello everyone,” she said with a forced, bright grin. “How are you this morning?”
They glanced at each other before turning slowly back to her. “Fine,” Marcy answered, anger gleaming in her eyes. It was anger so fierce that Cassie could feel it radiating against her. “What do you want Cassandra?”
Cassie reached into her notebook, pulling out the notes she had made a long time ago on the homecoming dance. It was a poor excuse, but she didn’t care, she was tired of hiding from these girls, tired of slinking through the halls like a leper. She handed the notes to Marcy, meeting her gaze head on.
“You asked me for these.”
Marcy took them from her, barely glancing at them. “That was a long time ago, things have changed since then.”
Cassie forced herself to smile at the small girl, trying hard to keep her temper in check. “I am well aware of that Marcy, but I am still on the homecoming committee.”
Marcy’s mouth parted, her eyes widened in fear as she glanced rapidly at the other girls. “Well uh, you know Cass…” Kara started awkwardly.
“You haven’t been to any meetings in the past two weeks,” Marcy interrupted hotly.
“I’ve been busy, but I’ll make sure to attend the next one. It’s today right?”
“You can’t be serious!” Marcy exploded, her leaf colored eyes narrowing fiercely.
“Oh, I’m very serious. You said yourself Marcy that I do have the best ideas, and we do want our senior year to be the very best dance that it can be.”
Marcy gaped at her like she had sprouted another head. “But…”
“It will be fun; we can catch up on all the gossip. It’s been so long, I can’t wait to find out what’s new and exciting in your lives.”
They shifted uncomfortably; everyone except for Marcy appeared slightly ashamed. Marcy looked like the top of her head was going to blow off. Her face had turned magenta, her eyes were narrowed fiercely. If they hadn’t been standing in the midst of a crowded hallway, Cassie was certain that Marcy would have launched at her.
Cassie grinned back at her, savoring in her anger. It was nice to have the tables finally turn, if even a little. She would never regain her social standing in the school, nor did she want too, but she was damn tired of skulking around. And she was damn tired of all the whispering.
Maybe if she confronted them head on they would back off. Yeah right, and pigs would fly, she thought with a sigh. But at least she was making a stand; she was sticking up for herself in some way. It was a small jab, but it was a jab.
Even before Marcy’s gaze darted behind her, and her eyes widened as lust blazed forth in them, Cassie knew that Devon had arrived. Her body had become so attuned to his, so in sync that she would know him anywhere, find him anywhere. She could feel the anger radiating from him, the protective urge that encompassed him as he moved across the hall. His hand landed on her shoulder, seeking to give her comfort.
“What’s going on?” he asked quietly, his voice nearly a growl.
“We were just discussing plans for the homecoming dance.”
Devon’s eyebrows drew sharply together as he glanced questioningly around the group. “Really?”
“Yes, there’s a meeting today, and since I haven’t gone to one in awhile I thought it would be a good idea to attend.”
He stared at her in disbelief. “Really?”
Cassie smiled at him, pressing closer to his side. Confusion radiated from him, but he didn’t say anything more. “So I will see you later,” Cassie said softly, keeping her false grin plastered to her face.
It was obvious that Marcy wanted to argue this point, but with Devon present she wasn’t going to say a word. Turning to Devon, Cassie slipped her hand into his, keeping her smile plastered on as she pulled him gently away. “What are you doing?” he asked quietly.
She waited till they turned the corner before her shoulders slumped and she relaxed against him. “I don’t know,” she admitted, confused as to what she had just done. She should have remained slinking through the hallways, trying to stay hidden, though it was impossible. Now she was afraid she may have just poked the bear. “I really don’t know.”
He heaved a sigh as he slid his arm around her shoulders, pulling her against him. “Are you really going to this thing?”
Taking a deep breath, she nodded as she bit nervously on her bottom lip. Though she had jumped before looking, she was committed now, and she intended to stay that way. Turning another corner Dani, Melissa, and Chris came into view by the cafeteria doors. “I am. It will be ok,” she muttered.
Devon quirked an eyebrow, a small smile twitched at his lips, but his eyes were still clouded with worry. “I suppose.”
***
Devon stood outside the door, leaning casually against the wall as he studied the slowly ticking clock. Though Cassie had told him to stay away, that she wanted to do this on her own, he was not going far from her. He couldn’t bring himself to; even through the thick double doors he could feel her distress and anxiety. He didn’t know why she had insisted upon this, but she was determined to go through with it, and there was no stopping her.
Shifting slightly he shot a look at the group of freshmen boys that scurried past, eyeing him wearily. He quirked an eyebrow, but paid them little attention otherwise. Chris came strolling around the corner, a towel tossed over his shoulder, his hair still wet from his shower. He was whistling as he walked, but tension hummed through him.
“How was practice?”
His whistling died off as he shrugged, pulling the towel from his shoulder. “Be glad when the football season’s over.”
Devon nodded, his attention turned back to the closed doors when Cassie’s anxiety clicked up a notch. He desperately wanted to go in there and pull her out. She would be infuriated with him though, and she was having a rough enough time without him adding to it. Chris studied the closed doors behind him as Devon shifted, his agitation growing. He was growing to hate the bitchy, cruel girls in this school. And he was not too fond of the lust filled, envious boys either that were annoyed she hadn’t chosen them.
“Not going well?” Chris rested his hand against the wall as he studied the closed doors.