Chapter Two
Cassie woke up to the sound of her alarm. It felt like she had only just fallen asleep. Rolling over she decided she really wasn't in the mood for school today. While the still in tact good girl side of her told her she shouldn't miss school, in light of recent events she told that girl to shut up and go back to sleep. All night she'd followed the constant pattern of sleep, nightmare, wakeup. Her thoughts were running completely wild in her brain. Part of her wanted to go to school just so she would have Diana to talk to about everything. As much as Cassie loved Diana and knew she genuinely only ever tried to help, there was one person she knew might be better for this particular conversation. She looked at the clock, eight o'clock. It was still early. Was there even a point in going over? He'd likely still be sleeping. Slowly she got up and crept over to the window to see if there was any sign of life in Jakes room. The blinds were shut, he must still be sleeping. Or, she considered, he'd learnt enough about looking in Cassie's window to decide maybe the blinds were better shut. Sighing she knew if she didn't go now she'd hear from Diana or Adam and be talked out of the idea of seeing him. Despite anything that happened prior to yesterday at this moment Cassie owed Jake a thank you. He had now saved her life three times, and given her answers no one could. Witch hunter or not he deserved a thank you. Climbing out of bed she decided to take a very needed hot shower. Showers always made Cassie feel refreshed. She hoped some hot water would be just what she needed to shake her out of sixteen years ago fire trance. She stepped into the bathroom hit play on her iPod she stepped into the shower reflecting this time on her conversation last night with Adam. Several hours later she still didn't regret their decision to press pause on whatever their relationship was becoming. Everytime she was with Adam she enjoyed herself. He was adorable, clearly handsome, assertive in a leader way, what wasn't to like? But every time she let herself flirt with their flirtation one of many warning signals flashed in her head and told her to stop. First and most importantly there was Diana. Diana had become besides her grandmother, the most dependent person in her life. Even though she had met Diana by fate, they became friends by choice. Despite the fact Diana had ended her relationship with Adam to give him the freedom to explore his relationship with Cassie she knew Diana wasn't ready to see that yet. Then there was the utterly terrifying declaration that she and Adam were destined to be together. As much as Cassie was intrigued by the idea, it also terrified her. If her and Adam were meant to be together then what? They date and then eventually get married and thats just that? It would be wonderful to think life and love could be that simple. At seventeen Cassie knew that was not the type of relationship she was ready to commit to. Then lastly there was Jake. Before she had known he was a witch hunter and he had left Cassie had told him she thought they were headed in a good direction, and she meant it. Her feelings were very real. And she had thought his were too when he said he had felt their connection also. Against all her better judgement she didn't want to trust him. She didn't want to feel like she should go to his house and see if he was coping any better than she was. She didn't want to have to come to terms with whatever their relationship was to be able to be with anyone else. But like all things in her life since her mother died, she knew she didn't have a choice. Fresh out of the shower she was torn again. Half her wanting to take her time and get ready and look nice. The other half anxious and demanding she throw clothes on and march over. Deciding she didn't want to begin doing that whole I need to look my hottest Faye type attitude she quickly applied a layer of mascara and lip gloss ,threw on a pair of dark wash skinny jeans and red t shirt that didn't fit tight enough she could barely move, but not too loose like she looked ready for bed. Putting on her black leather boots she wore the day before she headed out the door and across the road. When she got to the front door she stood awkwardly unsure of what to do. She had never knocked on the front door in the past, always just gone right to his room. But this time he'd be asleep. Oh what the hell she thought as she turned the door knob and stepped inside. Quietly making her way up to his room she began to panic. She hadn't even slightly thought out what she was going to say. Realizing it was too late to turn around she sucked in a breathe closed her eyes and opened the door. Opening one eye she saw Jake, as predicted asleep in the bed. Of course she thought, why would he be wearing a shirt? That would only make things easier. Cassie had never had a conversation with anyone in Chance Harbour about any past relationships she might of had. She was pretty sure in fact they all thought she was a monk of some sort at her old schools. While she was certainly no boy expert like Faye, or had ever had a real long lasting relationship like Adam or Diana, she had enough to know that the best way to wake a boy you had feelings for up wasn't by standing on the other side of the room awkwardly waving hi. Slowly she stepped over to the bed and sat down. He looked so peaceful sleeping. No one would ever have known less than 12 hours earlier he would of had to rehash such horrible events. That he would have had to leave his own mother behind to die. For a minute she considered tip toeing out and letting him be. She had come this far though, she wasn't about to leave before she had a chance to say anything. Slowly, painfully slowly, she reached her arm out and rested it on his shoulder and gave it a slight rub, "Jake?" she whispered. He stirred barely so she leaned slightly closer "Jake wake up," she said a little louder this time.
He opened his eyes slightly, "Cassie?" He questioned. "Whats going on?" He mumbled.
Immediately feeling stupid she stuttered, "Umm nothing it's just morning and I didn't really feel like going to school today, and I thought you might," she paused loosing all her confidence. "Nevermind, I'm sorry for waking you. I'll see you later or something." She was about to get up and run when she felt his hand encircle her wrist she turned back and looked at him. Now his eyes were fully open and he was starring at her. Half confused and half concerned.
"No, no, it's alright I needed to be getting up anyways. Are you alright?" He questioned. Still not letting go of her wrist.
"I'm fine." She sucked in. "I umm only came over because I thought you might be awake." I only came over because I thought you might be awake? Really, Cassie really?
He looked up at her, "Well, I'm glad you did."
She looked down at his hand on her wrist and then back at him, she smiled slightly settling more on the bed as he slowly let his grasp go of her. "Were you able to get much sleep?" She asked.
He looked up at her oddly, as if he didn't know how to answer. "A little," he said, and then looked back down.
Things seemed to be stiff, she sensed he didn't want to rehash any nightmares he might have had. "Well, a little is better than none." She declared.
He gave a half smile, "True," he looked at her questionably, "So, how are you?"
She paused not sure of how much she wanted to say about yesterday. That wasn't what she wanted to talk about. "I'm fine," she paused, "actually I came over because I realized I never properly thanked you."
Before she couldn't continue heinterjected. "Cassie," he starred at her almost angrily,"please don't. Do not thank me for anything. You don't owe me a thing."
He kept looking down at the bed spread. She could tell he felt guilty about the witch hunters, especially after yesterday. "Jake," she began "I don't..I don't blame you." She swallowed not knowing quite how to proceed. "Please, after everything we saw yesterday, everything we learnt," she swallowed again and this time she reached out and gently touched his hand, "after everything you did for me yesterday. I don't blame you." She finished.
He looked at their hands, hers resting just on top of us. Not holding it. Just touching enough to let him know she was being sincere. "You know, I meant every word I've ever said to you." Now grabbing her hand so that she knew he meant it. "Whether I wanted to or not, I meant it."
Cassie looked at him. Now she thought would be a great time to bring up what he walked in on with Adam. Before she could muster up the courage he spoke.
"I'm going to shower," he looked at her and gave the faintest of smiles "Would, do you want to grab breakfast after?"
Cassie wasn't sure what was happening. Yesterday when she told Jake things were complicated he had seemed disappointed she thought. She realized in that moment that if he wasn't going to give up on her she wouldn't give up on him. She smiled, "Sure," she said "breakfast sounds good."
Jake got up off the bed and for a minute Cassie wasn't sure what to do. Should she go home? Should she wait for him? She watched as Jake opened his duffle back and grabbed a towel, and thankfully a shirt she thought. "Okay I'll uhh, I'll be right back then." He nodded at her and then headed for the bathroom.
Cassie sighed sinking into the bed a little. She wasn't sure what was going on. But she knew one thing for sure. No part of her felt like the boy she had just agreed to go to breakfast with was a terrible witch hunter who had tried to kill her, if anything all she thought was that he was a misunderstood boy who had saved her.
Thank you so much to those who reviewed! Truly means a lot. I appreciate the positive energy. It inspired me to continue so quickly. As I mentioned earlier I am new to this. So the past two chapter I've just been feeling things out and seeing how things go. I've already started the next chapter and it does have more dialogue and story than the past two which have been more filling. Any feedback is appreciated on what everyone thinks so far of Cassie, Adam and Jake. I'm trying to stay as close to the show as I can in terms of character development and action. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing means the world, xo.