"Cassie, hun. You need to pack your things up. We leave tomorrow."
"I know, mum. I'm still trying to process this all."
"You have all day today to say goodbye to your mates. Also, get out of the habit of calling me 'mum.' When we get to America, you must call me 'mom'." Cassandra walked out into the kitchen.
"Isn't that pretty much the same thing?"
"It sounds different."
"Whatever."
Cassie grabbed her bag, phone and headphones while walking out of the house. It was late August, and American school hadn't started yet. That made it a perfect time to leave. As she arrived to school, several different people, those whom she did and did not know, greeted Cassie. One was a girl she hated.
"Little, little Cassandra. Have fun in America, that's where all the ignorant, dumbasses are. You'll fit in perfectly there." She smirk as Cassandra dropped her head.
Cassie is a shy type, so when she opened her mouth, it was to surrender, except in this case.
"Hey, Hannah.."
"What, Cassie?" Cassie looked her straight in the eye and cleared her throat.
"Don't you have a teacher to go blow? Y'know, so you'll actually pass this grade." Cassie smirked slightly, but kept it hidden.
"You think you're so funny and tough because of that, Love?"
"No, I don't think that at all. I think, and know, I'm funny because I have a lot of friends that tell me so. I think, and hope, I'm tough because of this."
In a blink of an eye, Cassie was attacking Hannah like she had nothing to lose. It was her last day, so she kinda had nothing to lose. After she thought Hannah had enough, she got up and fixed her clothes then let out a deep breath.
"How's that for tough?"
That day had been great, she got to see her friends for the last time, plus she got to see her favorite teacher for the very last time.
"It sucks you have to leave Norwich, Cassandra. You were my favorite student."
"Don't worry Mr. L. I'll come back as soon as I can."
"Try not to get stuck in the paradox of US."
She got to see Hannah be put in her place for the first time! No one dared to try it, but Cassie had had enough. Of course she got in trouble, but not as much as anyone else would've. The school really couldn't do anything but pass her by.
When she got out of school, the first person she texted was Alexa, her penpal from US. They knew each other, via letters, for almost 2 years. Since Alexa was 13 and Cassie was 14, they had a bond that felt closer than anything. Now, they'll be living in the same country!
"Cassie, how was school?"
"Perfect. Just amazingly perfect."
"That's great. Are you ready for the biggest change of your life?"
"Physically, yes. Mentally, not even close. Mum, I have a question."
"Yes, love?"
"What does it mean to get stuck in a paradox?"
"Depending on the way it is used, it could mean that you see the fantasy of something, then when you love that fantasy, the ending changes."
"So that's what he meant."
"Who?"
"Mr. L. I told him I'd come back to see him, and he told me not to get stuck in a paradox."
"Don't worry, love. We'll come back."
Cassie fell asleep for a few hours in the living room, for everything in her room had been taken out, before her alarm went off at 1 am. She looked at the clock and to her surprise, she actually felt really happy.
"Time to fly." She whispered to herself.
She got up and grabbed all her stuff; a few bags, her clock, and other valuable items. She looked around the room then she proceeded to look into her old room, at the bare walls and everything.
About an hour after she was in a plane, flying over her homeland. She waved at the passing ground as it turned to a miniature land. Cassie sat back in her seat and closed her eyes. She quickly fell asleep and it felt like a matter of minutes before she was awoken.
"Cassandra? Wake up, love."
"Wha-.. huh?" As she opened her eyes, she quickly had to shield them.
When she exited the plane, she was still a little tired but when she saw her surroundings she was instantly curious. Her mom looked at her as Cassie looked around in slight amazement.
"Welcome to our new home, Cass."
"What's the name of this place again?"
"Ohio. Cincinnati, Ohio."
As they were making their way to their apartment, Cassandra decided to text Alexa.
"Hey, are you busy or something?"
"Nah, I'm just listening to music. What are you up to?"
"I'm making my way to my house."
"Oh, cool."
"I have a question. Why haven't you ever told me where you live, or at least sent me a photo or something?"
"Well, I don't know you all that well, and I don't want you to know where I live. I don't send pictures because I'm not pretty."
Cassie put down her phone when the car that her mom and her were in gradually halted. She got close to the window and stared up at the building. She looked at her mom who nodded to say 'This is our home,' and as soon as Cassie saw that she got out. She was excited to be there, but sad as well.
As her mom and her made their way to the apartment, Cassandra's mom was greeted by a man. Cassie retreated behind her mother for a few seconds before stepping into the apartment where they would be living. She knew that someone was there before Cassie got there, but she couldn't tell who, until the cleared their throat, which made her jump.
"Hah', we got a jumper."
"Who are you and why are you in my apartment?"
"Name's Sam. I'm here because my dad dragged me along. What's your name, kid?"
"Kid? My name is Cassandra, don't call me 'kid'."
"Sorry, but I'm not sorry. That's quite an annoying accent you got there, where are you from?"
"Norwich."
"England? Well, well, well! We have a British kid here. My friend and I hate British people."
"I prefer English."
"I don't care what you prefer. Look, I have to go and find my lost cause of a friend."
Cassie stepped aside and looked at the door.
"No one is stopping you."
As he was leaving, he glared at her and at that moment, she knew that he'd cause trouble for her.