“Yeah he does,” Chris agreed enthusiastically. “Big bad vampire taken down by a crown!”
The three of them burst into loud laughter that drew the attention of the few students closest to them. They didn’t pay attention as they clung to each other, laughing loudly. At some point through it, Cassie realized that they were not truly laughing at the situation. They were laughing because they needed to. It had been so long since she had heard their laughter, so long since she had expressed any of her own. The release was wonderful.
Kara stepped up to the microphone, drawing Cassie’s attention back to the stage. Wiping back the tears that had formed in her eyes, Cassie was slowly able to regain control. Devon was watching her with a raised eyebrow; amusement glowed in the depths of his bright emerald eyes. She waved at him, unable to completely rid herself of the silly grin she wore.
“And now nominee’s for Homecoming queen!” Kara announced eagerly.
That was enough to make her smile slip away. Melissa’s hand tightened on her shoulder as the names were read off. Cassie felt a small jolt of surprise when she was mentioned. She had expected her name to be as eradicated as she had been in the eyes of the student body. Well not completely eradicated as she was still the center of attention, she was just the most hated person in school now.
“And the winner is…” Again the dramatic pause as Kara ripped into the envelope. Her bright grin caused Cassie’s stomach to roll violently. “Marcy Hodgins!”
Loud applause exploded through the room. Cassie didn’t move, didn’t even breathe as she watched Marcy eagerly climb the stage. Marcy’s grin was so wide that every one of her teeth showed. She waved like a queen to the crowd, as she eagerly accepted her crown and flowers. “Thank you everyone!” she announced into the microphone. “Thank you so much!”
“They love me, they really love me!” Chris said with a high falsetto, he fluttered his lashes as he folded his hands demurely before him.
Despite the sick feeling in her stomach, Cassie could not help but laugh again. Chris never failed to cheer her up; he always seemed to know exactly what to do in order to get a laugh from her. He grinned back at her, his sapphire eyes twinkling merrily. Without Chris she would have been lost long ago, adrift in a world that she didn’t understand. They had survived The Slaughter together, had moved everywhere together, and had grown closer than any brother and sister ever could have.
The band began to play again, catching Cassie’s attention as the soft song drifted from the speakers. The lead singer moved forward, reclaiming his microphone. “Now for the king and queen to share a dance!” he announced.
Cassie ran her hands up and down her arms as her skin began to crawl. This was the part that she had been dreading. Melissa’s arm tightened around her. Devon glanced helplessly at her as Marcy seized hold of his hand. Cassie managed a wan, reassuring smile as she nodded briefly. Marcy led him eagerly forward, practically pulling him down the steps of the makeshift stage.
Chris laughed coldly as he shook his head. “Could she be any more desperate?” Melissa muttered in disgust.
“She’s been looking forward to this for months. Even if I hadn’t fallen from grace I think she would have stuffed the ballot box just for this dance,” Cassie said softly.
“Have to agree.”
They reached the dance floor; Marcy released Devon’s hand as she practically threw herself into his arms. He took a small step back, a disapproving frown marring his attractive face as he took a step back. Marcy chose to ignore it; stepping close once again, she wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest.
The tingling of Cassie’s skin became worse; her heart lumbered painfully in her chest. She couldn’t stand to watch this, but she couldn’t bring her frozen legs to move either. Devon rested his hands lightly on Marcy’s shoulder, holding her slightly back when she tried to get even closer. Which Cassie didn’t think was possible.
Groaning softly, Cassie tore her gaze away when Marcy’s hands drifted down to his ass. Though she knew that Devon wanted nothing to do with this dance, or Marcy, she couldn’t stand to watch anymore. “I have to go to the bathroom,” she blurted, spinning out of Melissa’s light hold.
“Cassie.” Melissa grabbed hold of her hand, halting her progress. “He doesn’t want this.”
Cassie nodded as she gently tugged her hand free of Melissa’s. “I know that, but I also don’t want to watch it.”
“I’ll come with you.”
Cassie shook her head, the crawling of her skin growing more intense. She couldn’t see what was happening anymore, but she was certain that Marcy was still doing her best to grope Devon. “I just need a few minutes. I’ll be right back.”
Melissa’s eyes were sad but Cassie didn’t stop. Hurrying swiftly through the crowd, she ignored the stares and mutters that followed her. She also ignored the satisfied smirks on the faces of Marcy’s friends. Girls who had once been her friends too. The only one who didn’t look completely smug was Kara. Cassie met her gaze for a brief moment, a surge of hope spurting through her at the sorrow and loss that filled her old friends gaze. For a moment she felt a connection to the girl again.
Then Kara blinked, her eyes darted to the girls surrounding her before she turned swiftly away. Anger surged through Cassie, anger at Kara, and anger at herself for even momentarily entertaining the idea that Kara might once again be her friend. She should have known that Kara would not risk the censure of the rest of the school. She would not go against the grain by alienating herself, and becoming the outcast that Cassie had.
Though Cassie could not entirely blame Kara, she still couldn’t help the hurt that shot through her. Turning away, Cassie hurried through the rest of the crowd, forcing herself not to bolt from the room, and the people inside it. She burst out of the gym, taking a deep breath of the cooler, fresher air.
Her hands clung to her arms, trying hard to stop the shaking that had seeped into her bones. Heels clicking on the linoleum floor, Cassie made her way slowly to the bathroom as she attempted to regain control of her wildly swaying emotions. Pushing the bathroom door open, she poked her head inside.
Kelly Jackson was at the sink washing her hands; Kelly froze as her eyes met Cassie’s in the mirror. Cassie gave her a brief nod before continuing onto one of the stalls. Closing the door, she leaned her forehead against the cool metal, grateful for the brief, solitary peace as she inhaled and exhaled deeply. She listened as Kelly left the bathroom before popping the door back open and stepping outside once more.