Chapter 4
Cassie was prepared for today. She put on her black t-shirt as was asked and went to school. She looked around and saw the other kids wearing theirs. She walk to her locker seeing some approving nods and looks. She even got a smile or two.
Cassie was putting her stuff together as she prepared to go to her classes. She wondered where Tiffany who was also going to be involved in it too. As she prepared to go she got a call and it was Charles.
Cassie turned around wearing her "Free the Arts and Student Freedom" Shirt. The Free the Arts was about bring back the arts to the school which were canceled during the riots. They also cracked down on freedom of expression. Cassie who missed her art program was so pumped she was going to be involved in the peace demonstration they were having at school along with Tiffany and other kids.
"Hi Cassie I see you're involved in this too." Charles said. Cassie nodded. "I know there is not much we can do but I still feel strongly about it even though we're not there." Cassie said. She knew the case and wondered about how Charles felt about it.
"So are you going to get involved I don't see you have on your black shirt?" Cassie said with a smile. She and Charles had sort of made up but there relationship wasn't at the peak it used to be at.
"Well not really." Charles said.
"Why not?" Cassie asked waiting for an answer. She had talked about this with him before but she guess he was going to be involved. "Charles why aren't you going? I asked you and you said you would go with me. Charles do you actually think those boys deserved what happen to them?" Some boys had tried to make a statement and were expelled for it and put in jail.
"Well not really but…"
"But what Charles?" Cassie said not understand what he was getting at. It was like it was okay he had an artist girlfriend but it was fine that some boys be thrown in jail after what happen.
"Cassie I…"
"Cassie!" Tiffany ran towards them with her black shirt on as well. "Hey you ready to go the rally is about to start."
"You bet." Cassie said give Charles on last glance of disbelief. She ran off with Tiffany to the rally. She didn't understand what Charles' problem was. "I don't want to get involved but what was Charlie boy's problem?" Tiffany asked.
"I don't know. I thought he was going to be involved with me but I guess not."
"I hope it's not a master effect." Tiffany said. "What's a master effect?" Cassie asked.
"Well the master effect I'm referring to domination of men in the old days."
"What's got to do with Charles?" Cassie said not getting where Tiffany was going at.
"Master effect means he's doesn't really care about stuff like this but he doesn't mind about you being involved as long as you don't put it before him. Then again it could be he still has some jealousy issues. You told me how you guys had talked about having sex before and when you were ready you guys got in a fight. Then you didn't want to even though he encouraged to let him spend the night when your parents were gone. Also how he just about got you fired when he thought you were seeing someone else."
Cassie didn't know what to understand. She didn't think this was a master effect or at least she hoped not. "I don't know maybe Charles is just worried I'll get hurt."
"If he was worried why didn't he come? If he is your so call protector then he should be right at your side to protect you just in case it gets out of control." Cassie agreed with it.
"I'm not saying just drop him but still you need to talk to him because something not right with him. Anyway forget about him lets go to this rally and let our voices be heard." Cassie nodded with a smile. "Let's go."
Cassie and Tiffany walked to the rally with all the other students with blacks shirts. They cheered and listen to speeches. On they're way out someone called to Cassie saying "Welcome back to the home team!" Cassie just laughed it off and thanked him. She looked to see it was this black guy with cornrows. Tiffany said he was on the football team.
"His name is Richard but everyone calls him Rick. He's really nice." He was kind of cute to Cassie. "You should consider being his friend. Just in case some of these guys try to mess with you and I'm not around."
"Isn't that like fitting in?" Cassie said. "Yeah but with one of the right people. He isn't a gang member or anything bad but still a lot of people around here look up to him." Tiffany grinned. "He's also great in bed." Cassie looked at her in shock. "Just kidding girl, I never slept with him. I just heard." Cassie shook her head and laughed, as the two got ready to go home.
"Wow that was so much fun and I feel so relieved I at least did something." Cassie said.
"Me too. I also glad it remained peaceful." Tiffany said. Cassie agreed. She was still a little upset about how Charles had acted about going to the rally. She was glad Tiffany had come with her.
"Tiffany why do you think Charles didn't want to go to the rally besides a master effect?" Tiffany shrugged.
"I don't know what's his problem. Either way you need to get it straighten out and talk with him. I'm not saying drop him all together but still get some info to see where he stands because I don't want you get any sicker with him." Cassie agreed.
"Also another bit of advice even though it's from me of all people…keep your legs close. Trust me there is nothing worst than being with someone you don't even love." Tiffany started looking down. Cassie hugged her. "Don't be sad and thank you." Cassie smiled.
Tiffany smiled back. "Let's go." The two walked out of the school. As they walked out the school they saw Cassie's dad Eddie and his partner Lund. "Hey Cassie, hi Tiffany. How are you girls doing?"
"We're fine daddy. The rally went on without incident. It was really peaceful."
"That's a relief." Eddie said.
"How are you doing Mr. Sutton?" Tiffany asked.
"Great Tiffany how is your father?"
"He's doing fine." Tiffany said. "You need us to give you lift home." "We're going to the mall first then we'll be on our way." Cassie said.
"Alright you two be careful." Eddie said. Both nodded and waved. The two went to the mall as planned. While there an older man approached Cassie. He was about in his late twenties early thirties. "Hello there how are you?" He said with a smile. He had on a black Armani suit. His hair was nicely groomed and he was well built.
"Oh hi I'm fine. How are you?"
"I'm quite well so tell me what is your name beautiful?"
"Cassie." She said simply. "Well Cassie you are very beautiful. Would you mind going out to dinner with me this evening?"
"She would but her dad wouldn't want her coming home late." Tiffany butted in not liking this guy at all. He looked strange. "I'm 16." Cassie said. He shrugged. "Age is nothing but number and I'll have you home before daddy finds out." He started to caress her face making Cassie feel very uncomfortable.
"We got to go." Tiffany pulled Cassie away from him. "Who was that guy?" Cassie asked. "I don't know but I didn't like he was acting towards you. You should have cussed him out."
"I know I just…"
"Don't tell me you were attracted to that pervert." Cassie shrugged. "I don't know." They went to the food court for a while then Tiffany got a call on her cell. It was her father who wanted her to come home because he needed her help.
"Well I better go. Bye Cassie." Tiffany said. Cassie nodded. Tiffany hugged her and both girls went on home.
