Title: Explanations and Expectations - Part 1
Rating: PG-13
Author's Note: This is the nice, full version. HAVE FUN! =o). P.S., I didn't do spell check, so don't correct me on the spelling errors.
~*~*~*~*~
"I've got an idea," Cassidy said, smiling. "I'll go get everything we need for this new project ... and you go get lunch."
"Lunch?" Butch pretended to look hurt. "Is that the only thing I'm good for?"
"Of course not ... but I'm hungry."
"Fine, fine," Butch rolled his eyes. "I'll be back in a bit."
Cassidy followed his figure as he walked the hall. As soon as he reached the end, he turned the corner. Cassidy frowned for a bit, but he peeked back around and gave her a wave. She grinned and waved back, following their usual tradition. She turned around and sighed, looking up at the large closet in front of her. She quickly spun out the lock, and opened the door.
"What a mess," She said, looking around at the many gadgets in the closet. Each Team Rocket team was assigned a closet to keep any necessary equipment. Butch and Cassidy's newest mission was to invade a smalll Pokemon school to steal the Pokemon that stayed there.
"How thrilling," Cassidy had remarked sarcastically. "A new way to get ourselves stuck in jail."
"We can do it this time, without those brats to ruin our plan," Butch had said, giving her a reassuring smile. Butch's smiles could convince her to do anything, and both of them knew it.
"Maybe I should clean up a bit," Cassidy remarked to herself. Knowing Butch, he would wander into a different store and take awhile before he came back with their lunch. She began to sort through boxes and tiding up. Deciding to work on the top shelf first, she grabbed a bucket from a nearby corner and stood on it. She grabbed a box and climbed down.
"What's in this?" She wondered out loud. She pulled out an old Pokemon Handbook from her childhood, and a few hair ribbons. Then she noticed a photograph in the corner and pulled it out to look at it.
"Oh my god ..."
The photograph fluttered to the floor as Cassidy's hands began to shake.
"I can't believe it," She shook her head, her breath coming in shorter gasps. Trying to calm herself, she took a deep breath and picked up the photograph again.
It was a picture of two smiling girls, not more than twelve, both in two piece swimsuits. One, a red head, was holding up a hose and spraying the other blond girl. Both girls were laughing histerically.
Her entire body shaking, Cassidy dug into the box again to pull out another photograph of the same two girls, this time in a more formal picture taken at a photo booth. Both girls were smiling and hugging each other happily. It didn't take three seconds for Cassidy to recognize the two girls.
"It's me," She said, running her fingers over the blond, and then running her fingers over the red head. "And Jessie."
Still holding the photograph, she reached into the box again and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper.
"I can't believe I still have this," She laughed to herself, reading the words on the paper. "'You're invited to Jessie's 14th Birthday Party' ..."
~*~*~*~*~
"Jessie, I've got the greatest idea!" Cassidy grinned at her best friend. "How about you, me, Vicky, and Jennifer go bowling?"
"Bowling?" Jessie's eyes glowed with excitement. "Could you arrange that?"
"Of course!" Cassidy swung her arm around Jessie's shoulder as they walked down the hallway of their school.
"You're the greatest!"
"I know, I know," Cassidy said, and both of them burst out laughing.
Cassidy was happy to help her friend. Times weren't great for Jessie ... her mother had died when Jessie was four, leaving her father a greving maniac, and an abusive alcoholic. He was often away from home, and when he wasn't, he was abusing Jessie one way or another. Jessie often had to work odd jobs, only buying food and other necessities with what she earned. Her few clothes came from Cassidy's older sister, who donated her clothes quite frequently.
"Hey you guys," Their friend Vicky, a short girl with blonde, almost white hair ran up to them. "It's your birthday this weekend, right Jess?"
"Yeah, and we're going bowling!" Jessie grinned happily.
"That sounds great!" Vicky said. "I better get to math class ... there's a substitute today, and I don't want to be left out of all the sub bashing."
"This is going to be great," Jessie said, then waved to Cassidy. "See you later!"
***
Jessie opened her eyes. It was Saturday, finally. She was fourteen.
She got up and glanced in the mirror next to her shabby bed. Only one cut, a medium size, dark red gash on her left cheek. She could always lie and say she got it riding her bike. She only wished the previous night hadn't happened. Her father had ordered her to her room while she was looking up information for a school project in a few of her mother's old books.
"I'll go in a minute," She had said, leafing through an encyclopedia.
"You're going to your room now."
"I've just got to find someth--"
An empty beer bottle flew towards her, hitting a table and cracking. Bits of shattered glass flew through the air, with one of the pieces blowing across Jessie's cheek. She reached up a hand to delicately inspect the cut, then with a look of pure hatred towards her father, she ran into her room.
She shook off the night as she dressed for her party, putting on a red spagetti strap with a small black skirt. She stepped out of her room, checking down the hall to make sure her father wasn't around.
"It's my birthday, and he's gone," She rolled her eyes, then crept through the den. Picking up a broom, she attempted to clean the broken glass away. Satisfied, she put away the broom and stepped outside, grabbing her bicycle, heading towards the bowling alley.
As soon as she stepped in, she was greeted by Jennifer and Vicky, who had obviously arrived with each other. It wasn't too long after she arrived that Cassidy flew in the door, shoving a cake at Jessie, panting.
"I had to run all the way here," She explained. "I overslept, and my parents had already left for work ..."
"At least you got here," Jessie said, smiling.
"How about you go ahead and open the presents?" Vicky suggested. "That way we can bowl for the rest of the party, and ..."
"She can talk to Andrew," Jennifer finished. Vicky blushed deep red and kicked Jennifer in the ankle, then looked back over her shoulder to make sure no one had heard.
"Here," Vicky handed a small envelope over, still blushing and looking nervous. Jessie opened it to reveil a gift certificate to a local department store, and hugged her friend in thanks.
"I hope you like that store," Jennifer laughed, handing Jessie another certificate.
"This is wonderful ... thank you so much!" Jessie said, totally sincere.
"Now," Cassidy grinned. "Don't worry, I don't have a gift certificate ..."
She handed Jessie a small brown box, a card taped to the outside. Jessie opened it up, and read the care privately.
Dear Jess,
I know times haven't been the best for you, but maybe the next year will be great. After all, we've both got scholarships to go to Pokemon Tech! But I want you to remember that you'll always be my friend, no matter what.
Friends forever,
Cassidy
Jessie bit her lip, then threw herself at Cassidy in a hug.
"I'll always be your friend, Cass," She whispered.
"Great," Cassidy said, then pulled away. "You still have to open your gift!"
Jessie opened the box slowly, savoring the moment, then peeked inside. She lifted out a shiny new Pokeball.
"Toss it!" Cassidy urged. Jessie, speechless with surprise, pulled her arm back and tossed the Pokeball onto the floor, as a Pokemon popped out.
"Ekans!"
"An Ekans?" Jessie gasped. Cassidy knew that they were her favorite Pokemon.
"I found it abandoned, and thought you'd like it," Cassidy said.
"Like it? I love it," Jessie said, looking at Cassidy, her eyes brimming with tears. The promising look formed a bond between the two girls.
A bond that would never be broken.
~*~*~*~*~
Weeds
Cassidy pulled a new item out of the box - a brochure for the Pokemon Technical Institute. She shuddered. This was where the nightmare began.
It had been her fault. Or hadn't it? She couldn't help the thought circling her mind. Yearning to remember, she sat back, thinking about the year it had all happened ...
***
Jessie was spinning wildly, madly, out of control.
Cassidy knew it very well. But she denied it. To her, Jessie could never change, she would always be her best friend, the most trustworthy, best person in the world.
And when the announcement came on that Wednesday morning, Jessie didn't seem to really care. But it had shattered her, broken her in half.
"Jessie, what'd they say?" Cassidy asked worridly when she returned to the dorm. She had been called to the office - which was almost always bad news.
"Don't get worried, no big deal. My dad croaked, finally. He got shot," Jessie smiled, a crooked, nearly mad smile. "Got in an argument at a bar, and got shot. I knew it'd happen."
"Jessie, I'm ... so sorry," Cassidy laid a hand on Jessie's sholder, but she pulled away, still smiling.
"It doesn't matter! Don't you see, Cass? I'm free now, no parents, no one to hold me back! I can do whatever I want with my life, and have nothing to worry about," Jessie jumped onto her bed.
Cassidy shook her head, unable to believe what Jessie was saying. She wasn't at all sad about her father's death? And she didn't feel anything about her mother's death anymore?
"You want to go out tonight? I feel like celebrating," Jessie said, sitting up.
"Sure, I guess. How about skating?"
"Skating? You've got to be kidding."
"Bowling?"
"Cassidy, we're fifteen! Live on the edge a bit!"
"Uh ... the pizza place?"
"A little better," Jessie frowned. "I was thinking something like ... a club."
"A club? Don't you have to be ..."
"Eighteen? Only a minor setback," Jessie said, then smiled. "We can pass for being older. I'm tall, and you're mature ... well, except for your choices of hang outs ..."
"What about ..."
"Ids? Got that covered too. You have nothing to worry about, Cass, I've been planning and thinking and planning ahead."
"I guess we could try ..."
"Of course we can!" Jessie grabbed Cassidy's arm. "We have all day to go shopping for what we can wear tonight, so let's go!"
Cassidy, although a bit skeptical, followed Jessie out the door. She was soon caught up in Jessie's excitement as they headed to get their bikes to go to a mall, what the girls joked as 'The Mall near the school that's in the middle of nowhere'. Of course, Pokemon Tech was always joked as being stuck in the middle of nowhere, but it didn't matter, since the school was of such high quality.
"Hey Cass, look at that!" Jessie pointed towards the parking lot. "Looks like we've got a new student! And check it out ... in a limo!"
A huge, black stretch limo was parked in the parking lot. The principal of the school was standing next to the limo, talking to the parents. A butler came around and opened the door, as a boy stepped out. Jessie reached over and grabbed Cassidy's arm excitedly.
"A guy!" She giggled. "The new kid's a guy! And not bad looking, either!"
The parents waved to the boy, who seemed less than happy about being at the school. The principal began to lead the boy towards the building when he spotted Jessie and Cassidy.
"Girls!" He waved, as they ran towards him. "Jessie, Cassidy ... I'd like you to meet James."
The boy looked up at them nervously, looking first at Jessie, then Cassidy ... then back at Jessie again.
"Would you like to show him around this afternoon?" The principal asked. In otherwords - You're going to be showing him around this afternoon.
"Right, come on James," Jessie grabbed him and started to run towards the bike rack. Cassidy shrugged and followed after.
"So, where're you from?" Jessie asked, leaning against the bike rack casually.
"Oh, not far from here," James said quietly, looking at the ground and hugging a few books to his chest.
"Don't play all wimpy on me. I hate wimpy people. And I hate whiners. Don't you dare whine in front of me, or you'll get slapped. Ain't that right Cassidy?"
"Yeah, Jess ..." Cassidy raised an eyebrow at Jessie's peculiar behavior.
"Yeah. Cass here's my best friend. Don't whine with her either. Treat her as you'd treat me," Jessie nodded, then leaned back again.
Of course, she leaned back too far, and fell over backwards, knocking half the bikes in the rack over. Cassidy smacked a hand to her mouth to hide her laughter. James looked as if he was trying to hold back his laughter too, as Jessie stood up and brushed off her uniform.
"Is that laughter I see? Cassidy? James?" She pretended to be mad, but her face broke into a grin. "I meant to do that, seriously. It's all a part of being cool."
"I see," James said, nodding his head.
"So, you rich?"
"I guess you could say that."
"Lucky," Jessie rolled her eyes. "I was born poor, raised poor, and I still am poor."
"It's really not that great," James muttered.
"Whatever," Jessie rolled her eyes yet again. "Say, how about you join me and Cassidy tonight? We're going ... out."
"I don't know ..."
"Listen, you want to fit in? You better hang with us. We'll make you cool, won't we Cassidy?"
"Right," Cassidy said, sighing. "Whatever you say, Jess."
***
"Alright, I managed to scrape one up for you, James ... you're now Robert Thatchman."
"Robert Thatchman?"
"Are you coming or not?"
"I'm coming."
"Thank you, Robert," Jessie nodded. "And I'm Crystal, and you, Cassidy, are Julie."
"Julie?"
"Julie Green," Jessie snickered. "Now, let's go."
The three walked along the streets, with Jessie leading the way. Cassidy was still skeptical and a bit nervous about the club, but she figured that Jessie knew what she was doing, and wouldn't lead her anywhere she shouldn't be. They reached the door of the club, and Jessie casually flashed her Id to the guard. Cassidy bit her lip, but did the same and passed without question. James looked a little nervous, but the guard didn't seem to notice, or care, and let him in as well.
"Good job you guys," Jessie said. "Just act natural, no questions asked."
"Uh huh," Cassidy didn't pay much attention to Jessie as she looked around the club. Everyone there seemed so ... old. Cassidy hunkered down slightly, looking nervously around at the other people dancing, sitting and talking ... and drinking.
"I'm thirsty, how about you guys?" Jessie asked nonchalantly. Cassidy couldn't believe that she wasn't at all nervous in the club.
"No, I'm fine," Cassidy said. Even though she was thirsty, she didn't want to drink anything at the club.
"I'll pass too," James said quietly. He looked about as nervous as Cassidy felt, and she was glad that he felt the same way.
"Fine, whatever," Jessie said. "Are you two ever going to grow up? Maybe I have to show you an example."
And with that, Jessie went up and ordered herself a drink. A *real* drink.
"Jessie, I really wouldn't ..." Cassidy could help but stare at the beer in Jessie's hand.
"Geez, Cass, this isn't boarding school. It's the weekend. I'm free now too. Might as well celebrate my father's death the way he died," She raised the bottle to Cassidy, then swung it back and took a long drink. James subconscieously scooted a little closer to Cassidy, and both shared nervous glances at each other. Suddenly, an idea hit Cassidy right in the head, and she pretended to stumble and hold herself up using James.
"Oh my god, I just had this sudden dizzy spell," Cassidy said, raising a hand to her forehead. James nodded, indicating that he got what Cassidy was trying to do.
"You do feel kind of warm, Cass ... maybe you should sit down for awhile. I'll sit with you."
"Whatever?" Jessie rolled her eyes, then ran off into the crowd.
At 2:15 in the morning, Cassidy and James finally left the club to go home. They managed to sneak back in without any trouble.
But Jessie was left at the club.
***
"Jess? Jess, wake up ... it's 3:00 in the afternoon!" Cassidy shoved Jessie's dead mass of body over in her bed in an attempt to wake her up. Her face filled with disgust as a sudden wave of the nasty smell of alcohol flew right past her.
"Geez, how much did she drink?" Cassidy asked herself, shoving Jessie again, this time with a little more force. Finally, Jessie opened her eyes, then closed them again and pulled a pillow over her face.
"For god's sake, do you have to always turn on every single light in this room, Cassidy?"
"Jessie, it's daytime. I don't even have any lights on."
"Well turn off the sun then."
"Jessie, you have to get up," Cassidy said, glancing nervously at the door. "People might start to wonder."
"You don't have to shout!" Jessie pulled the pillow tighter over her head. "Oh my god ... I have the worst migrane ..."
"It's more than a migrane," Cassidy laughed. "I think that club was a little too much fun."
"What club?"
"You know ... the club we went to last night?"
"Oh. That club. When'd we leave?"
"Well, James and I left about 2:15 in the morning ... and god knows when you left."
"Stop shouting!"
"I'm not shouting," Cassidy sighed, feeling like she was a frusterated mother, and Jessie was the stuborn child. Without thinking, she muttered three words outloud that she immediatley regretted.
"God bless Myamato ..."
"What about my mother?!" The pillow flew off and right into a lamp.
"Nothing, Jess!"
"Why'd you say that?!" Jessie sat up, then held up a fist like she was going to punch Cassidy.
Then, with a groan, she sunk back down into her bed.
"A little hungover?"
Cassidy turned around to see James leaning against the door frame, a small wisp of his purple/blue hair hanging down over his face.
"Shut up, wuss boy," Jessie hissed. "Why don't you and Cassidy just leave me alone? I'm fine ... and I'm not hungover!!!!"
"You're hungover," Cassidy tossed Jessie's covers back over her head. "Sleep so you'll be more agreeable when you wake up."
"Whatever."
"C'mon, James, I'll show you around the school," Cassidy said, taking James by the shoulder, and shutting the door.
***
It got worse.
"Cassidy, you're my best friend, right?" Jessie asked one day as they were getting ready for school.
"Of course."
"Then I can confide something in you, right? And you promise you won't tell anyone?"
"Of course."
"Okay then," Jessie took a deep breath. "I ... kind of ... like ... James."
"Cute," Cassidy smiled. "It's kind of obvious."
"Seriously?" Jessie raised an eyebrow. Cassidy laughed, and tossed Jessie her jacket.
"We better go, or we'll be late."
"Sure ... but Cassidy? I kind of promised ..."
"Bianca. And you promised her you'd walk to school with her," Cassidy sighed. "I'm telling you Jess, that girl is bad news. Do you know all the stuff she does? Horrible."
"Thank you mother," Jessie rolled her eyes. "I know what I'm doing."
"That's what you think," Cassidy muttered under her breath. She knew that Jessie's friendship with the delinquent Bianca wasn't a good idea, after all, the girl did drugs. Cassidy had tried to talk sense into Jessie, but it wasn't working. She angrily slammed the door to her dorm room and began the walk to her homeroom.
"Hey Cassidy!" Cassidy turned around to see James running towards her.
"Hi James, are you waiting for anybody?"
"No, actually ... I wanted to ask you something," James took a deep breath. "You know that dance we're having? Well, I wanted to ask ... Jessie if she'd go with me."
"That's great!" Cassidy grinned. "I think that's a wonderful idea, and it'll do her good too."
"I know what you mean," James said. "But do you think she'll go with me?"
"I have a feeling she will. You want to eat lunch together today? I could use someone to talk to, and besides, Jessie seems like a great topic to discuss."
"Sure," James smiled. "See you later!"
***
"I can't believe you didn't get a date for tonight!" Jessie said.
"Yeah, well, at least you've got one."
"I know ... James!"
Cassidy and Jessie walked along the sidewalk towards the gym, where the dance was being held. Cassidy was glad for the time spent with Jessie preparing for the dance, and for a while, things were just like they used to be. Jessie spent her time experimenting with makeup on Cassidy, and then helping her choose a dress. She couldn't convince Cassidy to take down her pigtails for the dance, though, something she promised herself she would eventually do.
"Jessie!" James ran up to her as soon as they walked in the door. "I was wondering when you'd get here!"
"I spent my time trying to talk her into a new hairstyle," Jessie jabbed her thumb in Cassidy's direction, who held onto her pigtails nervously.
"I like my hair," Cassidy said quietly, then smiled. "But I hear a slow dance coming on, already ... you two better get in there!"
"A slow dance? Hurry up, James!" Jessie grabbed his hand and dragged him into the gym. Cassidy smiled after them, then turned around.
And right into Bianca.
"Hello, Cassidy," Bianca sneered.
"Hello, Bianca," Cassidy said in the same tone of voice Bianca used.
"I was wondering where Jessie is," Bianca said. "That is, if you'd lower youself to speak to me."
"Huh?"
"Don't play dumb with me, prep. Always walking around like you're better than everybody else. And then not even bothering to talk to anyone besides Jessie and that rich kid," Bianca laughed, then grabbed one of Cassidy's pigtails and gave it a tug.
"What is your problem?!" Cassidy shoved her away. "And if you must ask, Jessie and 'that rich kid' are in the gym dancing right now."
"Thanks, brat," Bianca said, then ran off into the gym. About five seconds later, a fast dance started playing, and Jessie and Bianca ran out.
"See you later," Cassidy said to herself as the two ran outside the school.
"I knew it wouldn't last too long," James said, walking towards Cassidy looking rejected.
"She'll be back at some point," Cassidy rolled her eyes, then smiled at James.
She couldn't help but notice how cute his own smile was.
"Well, if she's not back by the next slow dance, you won't have anyone to dance with," Cassidy said, biting her lip, trying not to seem too obvious.
"Yeah, you're right ..." Suddenly, James' face lit up. "Hey, would you like to dance with me for the next dance?"
"Oh, I guess so," Cassidy said, trying to hold back her smile.
And when the next slow dance came around, they danced together. And even though her heart told her it wasn't right, Cassidy scooted closer to James.
Rating: PG-13
Author's Note: This is the nice, full version. HAVE FUN! =o). P.S., I didn't do spell check, so don't correct me on the spelling errors.
~*~*~*~*~
"I've got an idea," Cassidy said, smiling. "I'll go get everything we need for this new project ... and you go get lunch."
"Lunch?" Butch pretended to look hurt. "Is that the only thing I'm good for?"
"Of course not ... but I'm hungry."
"Fine, fine," Butch rolled his eyes. "I'll be back in a bit."
Cassidy followed his figure as he walked the hall. As soon as he reached the end, he turned the corner. Cassidy frowned for a bit, but he peeked back around and gave her a wave. She grinned and waved back, following their usual tradition. She turned around and sighed, looking up at the large closet in front of her. She quickly spun out the lock, and opened the door.
"What a mess," She said, looking around at the many gadgets in the closet. Each Team Rocket team was assigned a closet to keep any necessary equipment. Butch and Cassidy's newest mission was to invade a smalll Pokemon school to steal the Pokemon that stayed there.
"How thrilling," Cassidy had remarked sarcastically. "A new way to get ourselves stuck in jail."
"We can do it this time, without those brats to ruin our plan," Butch had said, giving her a reassuring smile. Butch's smiles could convince her to do anything, and both of them knew it.
"Maybe I should clean up a bit," Cassidy remarked to herself. Knowing Butch, he would wander into a different store and take awhile before he came back with their lunch. She began to sort through boxes and tiding up. Deciding to work on the top shelf first, she grabbed a bucket from a nearby corner and stood on it. She grabbed a box and climbed down.
"What's in this?" She wondered out loud. She pulled out an old Pokemon Handbook from her childhood, and a few hair ribbons. Then she noticed a photograph in the corner and pulled it out to look at it.
"Oh my god ..."
The photograph fluttered to the floor as Cassidy's hands began to shake.
"I can't believe it," She shook her head, her breath coming in shorter gasps. Trying to calm herself, she took a deep breath and picked up the photograph again.
It was a picture of two smiling girls, not more than twelve, both in two piece swimsuits. One, a red head, was holding up a hose and spraying the other blond girl. Both girls were laughing histerically.
Her entire body shaking, Cassidy dug into the box again to pull out another photograph of the same two girls, this time in a more formal picture taken at a photo booth. Both girls were smiling and hugging each other happily. It didn't take three seconds for Cassidy to recognize the two girls.
"It's me," She said, running her fingers over the blond, and then running her fingers over the red head. "And Jessie."
Still holding the photograph, she reached into the box again and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper.
"I can't believe I still have this," She laughed to herself, reading the words on the paper. "'You're invited to Jessie's 14th Birthday Party' ..."
~*~*~*~*~
"Jessie, I've got the greatest idea!" Cassidy grinned at her best friend. "How about you, me, Vicky, and Jennifer go bowling?"
"Bowling?" Jessie's eyes glowed with excitement. "Could you arrange that?"
"Of course!" Cassidy swung her arm around Jessie's shoulder as they walked down the hallway of their school.
"You're the greatest!"
"I know, I know," Cassidy said, and both of them burst out laughing.
Cassidy was happy to help her friend. Times weren't great for Jessie ... her mother had died when Jessie was four, leaving her father a greving maniac, and an abusive alcoholic. He was often away from home, and when he wasn't, he was abusing Jessie one way or another. Jessie often had to work odd jobs, only buying food and other necessities with what she earned. Her few clothes came from Cassidy's older sister, who donated her clothes quite frequently.
"Hey you guys," Their friend Vicky, a short girl with blonde, almost white hair ran up to them. "It's your birthday this weekend, right Jess?"
"Yeah, and we're going bowling!" Jessie grinned happily.
"That sounds great!" Vicky said. "I better get to math class ... there's a substitute today, and I don't want to be left out of all the sub bashing."
"This is going to be great," Jessie said, then waved to Cassidy. "See you later!"
***
Jessie opened her eyes. It was Saturday, finally. She was fourteen.
She got up and glanced in the mirror next to her shabby bed. Only one cut, a medium size, dark red gash on her left cheek. She could always lie and say she got it riding her bike. She only wished the previous night hadn't happened. Her father had ordered her to her room while she was looking up information for a school project in a few of her mother's old books.
"I'll go in a minute," She had said, leafing through an encyclopedia.
"You're going to your room now."
"I've just got to find someth--"
An empty beer bottle flew towards her, hitting a table and cracking. Bits of shattered glass flew through the air, with one of the pieces blowing across Jessie's cheek. She reached up a hand to delicately inspect the cut, then with a look of pure hatred towards her father, she ran into her room.
She shook off the night as she dressed for her party, putting on a red spagetti strap with a small black skirt. She stepped out of her room, checking down the hall to make sure her father wasn't around.
"It's my birthday, and he's gone," She rolled her eyes, then crept through the den. Picking up a broom, she attempted to clean the broken glass away. Satisfied, she put away the broom and stepped outside, grabbing her bicycle, heading towards the bowling alley.
As soon as she stepped in, she was greeted by Jennifer and Vicky, who had obviously arrived with each other. It wasn't too long after she arrived that Cassidy flew in the door, shoving a cake at Jessie, panting.
"I had to run all the way here," She explained. "I overslept, and my parents had already left for work ..."
"At least you got here," Jessie said, smiling.
"How about you go ahead and open the presents?" Vicky suggested. "That way we can bowl for the rest of the party, and ..."
"She can talk to Andrew," Jennifer finished. Vicky blushed deep red and kicked Jennifer in the ankle, then looked back over her shoulder to make sure no one had heard.
"Here," Vicky handed a small envelope over, still blushing and looking nervous. Jessie opened it to reveil a gift certificate to a local department store, and hugged her friend in thanks.
"I hope you like that store," Jennifer laughed, handing Jessie another certificate.
"This is wonderful ... thank you so much!" Jessie said, totally sincere.
"Now," Cassidy grinned. "Don't worry, I don't have a gift certificate ..."
She handed Jessie a small brown box, a card taped to the outside. Jessie opened it up, and read the care privately.
Dear Jess,
I know times haven't been the best for you, but maybe the next year will be great. After all, we've both got scholarships to go to Pokemon Tech! But I want you to remember that you'll always be my friend, no matter what.
Friends forever,
Cassidy
Jessie bit her lip, then threw herself at Cassidy in a hug.
"I'll always be your friend, Cass," She whispered.
"Great," Cassidy said, then pulled away. "You still have to open your gift!"
Jessie opened the box slowly, savoring the moment, then peeked inside. She lifted out a shiny new Pokeball.
"Toss it!" Cassidy urged. Jessie, speechless with surprise, pulled her arm back and tossed the Pokeball onto the floor, as a Pokemon popped out.
"Ekans!"
"An Ekans?" Jessie gasped. Cassidy knew that they were her favorite Pokemon.
"I found it abandoned, and thought you'd like it," Cassidy said.
"Like it? I love it," Jessie said, looking at Cassidy, her eyes brimming with tears. The promising look formed a bond between the two girls.
A bond that would never be broken.
~*~*~*~*~
Weeds
Cassidy pulled a new item out of the box - a brochure for the Pokemon Technical Institute. She shuddered. This was where the nightmare began.
It had been her fault. Or hadn't it? She couldn't help the thought circling her mind. Yearning to remember, she sat back, thinking about the year it had all happened ...
***
Jessie was spinning wildly, madly, out of control.
Cassidy knew it very well. But she denied it. To her, Jessie could never change, she would always be her best friend, the most trustworthy, best person in the world.
And when the announcement came on that Wednesday morning, Jessie didn't seem to really care. But it had shattered her, broken her in half.
"Jessie, what'd they say?" Cassidy asked worridly when she returned to the dorm. She had been called to the office - which was almost always bad news.
"Don't get worried, no big deal. My dad croaked, finally. He got shot," Jessie smiled, a crooked, nearly mad smile. "Got in an argument at a bar, and got shot. I knew it'd happen."
"Jessie, I'm ... so sorry," Cassidy laid a hand on Jessie's sholder, but she pulled away, still smiling.
"It doesn't matter! Don't you see, Cass? I'm free now, no parents, no one to hold me back! I can do whatever I want with my life, and have nothing to worry about," Jessie jumped onto her bed.
Cassidy shook her head, unable to believe what Jessie was saying. She wasn't at all sad about her father's death? And she didn't feel anything about her mother's death anymore?
"You want to go out tonight? I feel like celebrating," Jessie said, sitting up.
"Sure, I guess. How about skating?"
"Skating? You've got to be kidding."
"Bowling?"
"Cassidy, we're fifteen! Live on the edge a bit!"
"Uh ... the pizza place?"
"A little better," Jessie frowned. "I was thinking something like ... a club."
"A club? Don't you have to be ..."
"Eighteen? Only a minor setback," Jessie said, then smiled. "We can pass for being older. I'm tall, and you're mature ... well, except for your choices of hang outs ..."
"What about ..."
"Ids? Got that covered too. You have nothing to worry about, Cass, I've been planning and thinking and planning ahead."
"I guess we could try ..."
"Of course we can!" Jessie grabbed Cassidy's arm. "We have all day to go shopping for what we can wear tonight, so let's go!"
Cassidy, although a bit skeptical, followed Jessie out the door. She was soon caught up in Jessie's excitement as they headed to get their bikes to go to a mall, what the girls joked as 'The Mall near the school that's in the middle of nowhere'. Of course, Pokemon Tech was always joked as being stuck in the middle of nowhere, but it didn't matter, since the school was of such high quality.
"Hey Cass, look at that!" Jessie pointed towards the parking lot. "Looks like we've got a new student! And check it out ... in a limo!"
A huge, black stretch limo was parked in the parking lot. The principal of the school was standing next to the limo, talking to the parents. A butler came around and opened the door, as a boy stepped out. Jessie reached over and grabbed Cassidy's arm excitedly.
"A guy!" She giggled. "The new kid's a guy! And not bad looking, either!"
The parents waved to the boy, who seemed less than happy about being at the school. The principal began to lead the boy towards the building when he spotted Jessie and Cassidy.
"Girls!" He waved, as they ran towards him. "Jessie, Cassidy ... I'd like you to meet James."
The boy looked up at them nervously, looking first at Jessie, then Cassidy ... then back at Jessie again.
"Would you like to show him around this afternoon?" The principal asked. In otherwords - You're going to be showing him around this afternoon.
"Right, come on James," Jessie grabbed him and started to run towards the bike rack. Cassidy shrugged and followed after.
"So, where're you from?" Jessie asked, leaning against the bike rack casually.
"Oh, not far from here," James said quietly, looking at the ground and hugging a few books to his chest.
"Don't play all wimpy on me. I hate wimpy people. And I hate whiners. Don't you dare whine in front of me, or you'll get slapped. Ain't that right Cassidy?"
"Yeah, Jess ..." Cassidy raised an eyebrow at Jessie's peculiar behavior.
"Yeah. Cass here's my best friend. Don't whine with her either. Treat her as you'd treat me," Jessie nodded, then leaned back again.
Of course, she leaned back too far, and fell over backwards, knocking half the bikes in the rack over. Cassidy smacked a hand to her mouth to hide her laughter. James looked as if he was trying to hold back his laughter too, as Jessie stood up and brushed off her uniform.
"Is that laughter I see? Cassidy? James?" She pretended to be mad, but her face broke into a grin. "I meant to do that, seriously. It's all a part of being cool."
"I see," James said, nodding his head.
"So, you rich?"
"I guess you could say that."
"Lucky," Jessie rolled her eyes. "I was born poor, raised poor, and I still am poor."
"It's really not that great," James muttered.
"Whatever," Jessie rolled her eyes yet again. "Say, how about you join me and Cassidy tonight? We're going ... out."
"I don't know ..."
"Listen, you want to fit in? You better hang with us. We'll make you cool, won't we Cassidy?"
"Right," Cassidy said, sighing. "Whatever you say, Jess."
***
"Alright, I managed to scrape one up for you, James ... you're now Robert Thatchman."
"Robert Thatchman?"
"Are you coming or not?"
"I'm coming."
"Thank you, Robert," Jessie nodded. "And I'm Crystal, and you, Cassidy, are Julie."
"Julie?"
"Julie Green," Jessie snickered. "Now, let's go."
The three walked along the streets, with Jessie leading the way. Cassidy was still skeptical and a bit nervous about the club, but she figured that Jessie knew what she was doing, and wouldn't lead her anywhere she shouldn't be. They reached the door of the club, and Jessie casually flashed her Id to the guard. Cassidy bit her lip, but did the same and passed without question. James looked a little nervous, but the guard didn't seem to notice, or care, and let him in as well.
"Good job you guys," Jessie said. "Just act natural, no questions asked."
"Uh huh," Cassidy didn't pay much attention to Jessie as she looked around the club. Everyone there seemed so ... old. Cassidy hunkered down slightly, looking nervously around at the other people dancing, sitting and talking ... and drinking.
"I'm thirsty, how about you guys?" Jessie asked nonchalantly. Cassidy couldn't believe that she wasn't at all nervous in the club.
"No, I'm fine," Cassidy said. Even though she was thirsty, she didn't want to drink anything at the club.
"I'll pass too," James said quietly. He looked about as nervous as Cassidy felt, and she was glad that he felt the same way.
"Fine, whatever," Jessie said. "Are you two ever going to grow up? Maybe I have to show you an example."
And with that, Jessie went up and ordered herself a drink. A *real* drink.
"Jessie, I really wouldn't ..." Cassidy could help but stare at the beer in Jessie's hand.
"Geez, Cass, this isn't boarding school. It's the weekend. I'm free now too. Might as well celebrate my father's death the way he died," She raised the bottle to Cassidy, then swung it back and took a long drink. James subconscieously scooted a little closer to Cassidy, and both shared nervous glances at each other. Suddenly, an idea hit Cassidy right in the head, and she pretended to stumble and hold herself up using James.
"Oh my god, I just had this sudden dizzy spell," Cassidy said, raising a hand to her forehead. James nodded, indicating that he got what Cassidy was trying to do.
"You do feel kind of warm, Cass ... maybe you should sit down for awhile. I'll sit with you."
"Whatever?" Jessie rolled her eyes, then ran off into the crowd.
At 2:15 in the morning, Cassidy and James finally left the club to go home. They managed to sneak back in without any trouble.
But Jessie was left at the club.
***
"Jess? Jess, wake up ... it's 3:00 in the afternoon!" Cassidy shoved Jessie's dead mass of body over in her bed in an attempt to wake her up. Her face filled with disgust as a sudden wave of the nasty smell of alcohol flew right past her.
"Geez, how much did she drink?" Cassidy asked herself, shoving Jessie again, this time with a little more force. Finally, Jessie opened her eyes, then closed them again and pulled a pillow over her face.
"For god's sake, do you have to always turn on every single light in this room, Cassidy?"
"Jessie, it's daytime. I don't even have any lights on."
"Well turn off the sun then."
"Jessie, you have to get up," Cassidy said, glancing nervously at the door. "People might start to wonder."
"You don't have to shout!" Jessie pulled the pillow tighter over her head. "Oh my god ... I have the worst migrane ..."
"It's more than a migrane," Cassidy laughed. "I think that club was a little too much fun."
"What club?"
"You know ... the club we went to last night?"
"Oh. That club. When'd we leave?"
"Well, James and I left about 2:15 in the morning ... and god knows when you left."
"Stop shouting!"
"I'm not shouting," Cassidy sighed, feeling like she was a frusterated mother, and Jessie was the stuborn child. Without thinking, she muttered three words outloud that she immediatley regretted.
"God bless Myamato ..."
"What about my mother?!" The pillow flew off and right into a lamp.
"Nothing, Jess!"
"Why'd you say that?!" Jessie sat up, then held up a fist like she was going to punch Cassidy.
Then, with a groan, she sunk back down into her bed.
"A little hungover?"
Cassidy turned around to see James leaning against the door frame, a small wisp of his purple/blue hair hanging down over his face.
"Shut up, wuss boy," Jessie hissed. "Why don't you and Cassidy just leave me alone? I'm fine ... and I'm not hungover!!!!"
"You're hungover," Cassidy tossed Jessie's covers back over her head. "Sleep so you'll be more agreeable when you wake up."
"Whatever."
"C'mon, James, I'll show you around the school," Cassidy said, taking James by the shoulder, and shutting the door.
***
It got worse.
"Cassidy, you're my best friend, right?" Jessie asked one day as they were getting ready for school.
"Of course."
"Then I can confide something in you, right? And you promise you won't tell anyone?"
"Of course."
"Okay then," Jessie took a deep breath. "I ... kind of ... like ... James."
"Cute," Cassidy smiled. "It's kind of obvious."
"Seriously?" Jessie raised an eyebrow. Cassidy laughed, and tossed Jessie her jacket.
"We better go, or we'll be late."
"Sure ... but Cassidy? I kind of promised ..."
"Bianca. And you promised her you'd walk to school with her," Cassidy sighed. "I'm telling you Jess, that girl is bad news. Do you know all the stuff she does? Horrible."
"Thank you mother," Jessie rolled her eyes. "I know what I'm doing."
"That's what you think," Cassidy muttered under her breath. She knew that Jessie's friendship with the delinquent Bianca wasn't a good idea, after all, the girl did drugs. Cassidy had tried to talk sense into Jessie, but it wasn't working. She angrily slammed the door to her dorm room and began the walk to her homeroom.
"Hey Cassidy!" Cassidy turned around to see James running towards her.
"Hi James, are you waiting for anybody?"
"No, actually ... I wanted to ask you something," James took a deep breath. "You know that dance we're having? Well, I wanted to ask ... Jessie if she'd go with me."
"That's great!" Cassidy grinned. "I think that's a wonderful idea, and it'll do her good too."
"I know what you mean," James said. "But do you think she'll go with me?"
"I have a feeling she will. You want to eat lunch together today? I could use someone to talk to, and besides, Jessie seems like a great topic to discuss."
"Sure," James smiled. "See you later!"
***
"I can't believe you didn't get a date for tonight!" Jessie said.
"Yeah, well, at least you've got one."
"I know ... James!"
Cassidy and Jessie walked along the sidewalk towards the gym, where the dance was being held. Cassidy was glad for the time spent with Jessie preparing for the dance, and for a while, things were just like they used to be. Jessie spent her time experimenting with makeup on Cassidy, and then helping her choose a dress. She couldn't convince Cassidy to take down her pigtails for the dance, though, something she promised herself she would eventually do.
"Jessie!" James ran up to her as soon as they walked in the door. "I was wondering when you'd get here!"
"I spent my time trying to talk her into a new hairstyle," Jessie jabbed her thumb in Cassidy's direction, who held onto her pigtails nervously.
"I like my hair," Cassidy said quietly, then smiled. "But I hear a slow dance coming on, already ... you two better get in there!"
"A slow dance? Hurry up, James!" Jessie grabbed his hand and dragged him into the gym. Cassidy smiled after them, then turned around.
And right into Bianca.
"Hello, Cassidy," Bianca sneered.
"Hello, Bianca," Cassidy said in the same tone of voice Bianca used.
"I was wondering where Jessie is," Bianca said. "That is, if you'd lower youself to speak to me."
"Huh?"
"Don't play dumb with me, prep. Always walking around like you're better than everybody else. And then not even bothering to talk to anyone besides Jessie and that rich kid," Bianca laughed, then grabbed one of Cassidy's pigtails and gave it a tug.
"What is your problem?!" Cassidy shoved her away. "And if you must ask, Jessie and 'that rich kid' are in the gym dancing right now."
"Thanks, brat," Bianca said, then ran off into the gym. About five seconds later, a fast dance started playing, and Jessie and Bianca ran out.
"See you later," Cassidy said to herself as the two ran outside the school.
"I knew it wouldn't last too long," James said, walking towards Cassidy looking rejected.
"She'll be back at some point," Cassidy rolled her eyes, then smiled at James.
She couldn't help but notice how cute his own smile was.
"Well, if she's not back by the next slow dance, you won't have anyone to dance with," Cassidy said, biting her lip, trying not to seem too obvious.
"Yeah, you're right ..." Suddenly, James' face lit up. "Hey, would you like to dance with me for the next dance?"
"Oh, I guess so," Cassidy said, trying to hold back her smile.
And when the next slow dance came around, they danced together. And even though her heart told her it wasn't right, Cassidy scooted closer to James.