A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED
(CASSIE'S POV)
Okay, this was getting crazier. It hadn't been an hour since the recess was over and Seth and Hayley were acting so, so, so crazy like … I don't know what to call them. In just two classes whenever both of them came in front of each other, both of them started acting like lunatics. Hayley would put up some stupid joke nervously and Seth was laughing like it was a joke of the millennium but none of them would talk to each other face to face. Hayley was thinking that she was acting crazy and Seth would never like that and same were the thoughts of my poor brother Seth. Hayley would try to talk to me and make me laugh but I knew what the actual scene was. She wanted to talk to Seth! Urgh! Why don't they tell each other and snap it off? I had to have a control. I knew what being an imprint without knowing that you are one, is. Plus, Hayley was a bit shy. Seth was just like her. I bet this is not gonna be easy but I was ready to do this. I was the going to help Seth.
"Don't tell me that you're thinking of Seth." Brady asked me.
"Whoa! Don't tell me that you got a gift like that square jaw sucker!" I joked.
"It's just that I was thinking the same." He whispered because he was sitting behind me but the teacher in our French class hadn't yet made an appearance. Seriously? Were just we two on our seats? The class was presently looking like a party place. I turned back to face him.
"They're getting crazier. I mean just look at Seth down the window!" I said and we both looked down the window. This was horrible. He looked totally lost sitting by the practice court.
"Okay, I guess you're right. This is getting crazier." He said.
"I wonder what's happening with Hayley." I said and turned back. It was a minute silence between the both of us till he shouted.
"Oh man! That was indeed crazy!" he was laughing like this indeed was the joke of the millennium. I looked back. Seth still seemed lost and Cole was looking at him in confusion and trying to ask him something.
"What happened?" I asked.
"Cole hit the ball on Seth's face and he really didn't react." He laughed. I couldn't help cackling a bit as well.
"What should we really do?" I asked.
"Let them face each other themselves." He said.
"What do you want? Let them keep on those idiotic joking stuff? Leave Seth laughing hysterically on a non sense joke by Hayley? Let him be lost like this? Let both of them keep idiotically fussing around? I would not like to call myself a friend if I let go on with this. You know that a friend in need is a friend indeed! I would not like to call myself a sister if I let go on with this. WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING BRADY FULLER; I CAN'T LET THIS GOING ON! WE HAVE TO HELP THE BOTH OF THEM!" I said.
"Whoa! That indeed was the most dramatic speech you ever gave to me. I bet you're the best actor I ever met." He laughed.
"Yeah, I was just flown in emotions. I didn't even expect this myself." I said and laughed. "But we've gotta do something."
"I believe so. I bet I never want to listen to another one again." he said.
"Hey, it wasn't so bad." I replied.
"Seriousness for relationships still doesn't match you well." He said. "Correction – all's but ours."
"You're crazy." I said.
"Well, like it's a shy for a shy – brackets Seth and Hayley, nerdy for a nerdy – brackets Ethan and Sonny, kiddish for a kiddish – brackets Nathan and Ashley, it's a crazy, music lover and bookworm for the same…" he came closer and whispered in my ear. "Brackets… you and me."
"Hold on! You're calling me crazy?" I asked and Mademoiselle Lavigne entered, not giving me a chance to shout hysterically upon Brady.
"Settle down class." She said in her French accent. Okay, this was weirdo. The chapter went on and later was our next class. It didn't take long to finish and school was over! Luckily though. The gang met at the usual meeting place i.e. the gateway. Seth joked the idiotic jokes this time and none of us, except Hayley laughed. I had got to do to turn this normal.
"So guys, I guess I'll be going." Hayley said.
"Where? I thought you could come with us to TMFC." I said.
"I've gotta help my mum in her bookstore. It's just near TMFC. I'll catch you guys later." She said.
"Guess we should cut off the plan then." Brady said.
"Yeah, maybe." I added and all agreed.
"Bye." Hayley said and went away.
IN THE EVENING, 7 O'CLOCK
Cole, Seth and I had finished our home work. I was giving them some extra explanations of the chapters. I was helping them with Maths. Brady hadn't shown up yet because he was helping at TMFC. Rachel and Paul were to be out tonight, not exactly. They were at the Black's place tonight. Man! I was missing him. Seriously? I never thought this was going to happen with me. I was missing him? Urgh! Fine, I decided to turn on TV.
"Nope, not at all…. Eeow! Yuck... I'm gonna puke! ... That's gross!" I was muttering while switching the channels.
"I'm kinda hungry. Wanna eat something anyone?" Cole asked. My ears literally stood up. I had this chance. I could call Brady at home.
"Um… Cole, I'll just order …a pizza." I said and took my phone from the table.
"From where? TMFC hotline or Brady Fuller's, huh?" Seth said. My friends knew me better than I knew myself.
"What?" I said in a squeaky voice and laughed idiotically. This showed that I was lying. I dialed TMFC hotline.
"The Musical Food Club, how can I help you?" this was Brady's voice. I just slid out of Cole's and Seth's attention.
(Bold – Brady, italics – Cassie)
"Hello?"
"Well, sir could I talk to Brady Fuller?"
"Hey blue eyes, what're ya doin'?" he asked.
"Talking to you." I replied. "Hmm… I wonder who this blue eyes is."
"Well, someone known as Cassie." He replied.
"But who's Cassie?" I asked laughingly.
"Well, the sunshine of my day and moonlight of my night." Brady said.
"Aw! That's cute." I said.
"So, why did you call up? How did you know that I'll pick it up?" he asked.
"When will your shift be over?" I asked.
"Done. It's over, almost. Some seconds. So, my answer." He said.
"Well, Rachel and Paul ain't home and Cole, Seth and I were done with homework. I was gonna order two pizzas, I guess."
"What's with Seth?"
"Lost but not much though." I said.
"Can I join you people?" he asked. "Well, I know you're gonna say yes but have to get over with the formality."
"What if I say no?"
"You can't keep me away from you."
"Okay, so you're getting us one large size extra cheese and large size chicken TMFC special." I ordered.
"Your orders are really polite. Maybe that's why you've got rapid home deliveries."
"I don't know." I said.
"Oh, would you shut it down and order the pizzas?" Cole said from behind.
"I'm just doing that!" I shouted.
"Turn on the speaker." He said. I did the same. "WOULD YOU MIND SHUTTING UP, COLE?"
"Sorry." Cole said and went away.
"I'll be there in seven minutes. Count up." He said and hung up. I went to the kitchen and got the plates and poured out juice in four glasses.
"Who's the fourth one?" Seth asked.
"Fuller is coming." Cole said.
"Oh! Why did I forget that Cassie's got a guy now?" Seth said. Just then Seth's cell buzzed with the SMS tone.
"Ethan and Nathan got grounded. They broke the TV!" Cole said and laughed. "Check out this picture." He said and showed it to me and Seth. They were both in front of the TV and trying to fix it with their mother standing just next to them.
"This is worth watching." Seth said.
"True." I said. "Seth, have you imprinted on Hayley?"
"He- Hayley?" he stuttered. "The- the fresh- man?"
"Am I speaking in French?" I said.
"Might be." He replied.
"I'm not joking. You have, haven't you?" I asked.
"Yeah, I have. Dude, she's so beautiful. Her hair, her eyes, her cute little nose, her talks. I love her." And Seth was lost once again.
"So, why don't you tell her?" I asked.
"It's not even one day since we met her!" he replied.
"No! Dude you can't have imprinted! Are Rod and I just the ones who are free? This isn't happening!" Cole said.
"Shut up, Cole!" I said.
"Man!" he exclaimed.
"Let me talk." I said and sat by Seth's side- My poor brother who was in deep thoughts about Hayley. He was so depressed.
"Listen Seth, I know I don't understand imprinting because I haven't experienced it but I know it's somewhat like love. Seth, you love her and you need to tell her before any other guy gets her. You've gotta hurry bro." I said.
"And out of these what is there that I don't know?"
"I don't know. Find it out yourself." I muttered.
"Well, anyways. Thanks for the help sis."
"Anytime." I replied. Okay, I knew I hadn't actually helped him. I needed to get this done.
"Where's Rod then? We could call him in." I asked.
"You don't know this still? Actually he's dating Tanya – Tanya Adams." And with a noise of door opening, Brady appeared through the door.
"He's out on a date?" I asked. Okay, I knew Rodrick liked Tanya but she wasn't his imprint which was the worst part of this.
"Well, most probably." He said and kept the pizza boxes on the table. He came towards me and… c'mon I was waiting for a hug! This was when Seth went to the kitchen from between the both of us and it got ruined. Next time for the hug. Brady glared at him.
"I'm almost starving!" Cole said and opened the box.
"It isn't even five minutes that you ate my granola bar." I replied.
"Come here Seth. We're gonna start." I said.
"Um… yeah just there." He said.
"Forgot this. Hayley sent JUST FRIENDS for you. She said you may like to read it. She said that she's left something in for you. I ain't allowed to have a look at it before you." He said and gave me the book. I wanted to read it since I don't know when. Okay, since I started trusting in love. It was just somewhat like my and Brady's story but with both normal human protagonists.
"Hey! I wanted to read it since a month and I talked about this to her. She remembered it." I said and looked inside for whatever she had left for me till I saw a purple sheet of paper.
Dear Cassie,
I know it's kinda idiotic to write you a letter like this in this era but you know, I'm kinda weird and I love doing this. I never have had friends because my aunt and I kept moving but now when we're in La Push, we're not gonna move again. I am really grateful to you for calling me your friend and introducing me with each of your friends. They're all really great just as you are. I couldn't feel so great ever till now but now I'm happy that I have you. Thanx for saving me from Valerie today. I look forward to being even great friends with you.
Hayley
Hayley had told me about this earlier. She hadn't had any friends till now. I really liked her a lot. Not because she was a lot like me or she was Seth's imprint, it was a friend connection that I have had earlier with Megan Wood, who was my best of best friend till 3rd grade. I seriously hated to remember her because she reminded me of our friendship and then our fight at last.
"Cass, come. Let's eat." Brady said. I looked at the plates. They had already made the partitions. All of them had 3 slices each and I had a half and half of both the pizzas. I guess that was enough for me.
"I guess I have a girl best friend now." I said. We turned on the TV and started eating. Seth got lost in the TV. Brady, Cole and I had eaten our pizza slices but Seth's were left.
"He's not eating. Pick them up." Cole whispered in my ear.
"But what if he knows?" I asked.
"Trust me. He won't even have a look." Brady said.
"What do we tell him when he comes back to conscious?" I asked.
"Don't worry. He won't even notice." Quil came in with Claire. None of us had noticed the door open. Seth didn't even pay attention to this. I gave Quil two slices and Claire a half of slice. I took another half.
"Where are my slices?" Seth asked when Quil and Claire were done eating.
"You have finished yours." I lied.
"Oh! I didn't notice. Guess because I'm still feeling hungry." Seth said. "Guys, I'll be backing home."
"Me too." Cole said.
"I'll go and leave Claire bear back home too." Quil said.
"Bye." They all said and returned. It was just me and Brady left back at home.
"So?" he asked.
"So, so?" I asked. "You ain't going back home?"
"Let's watch some movies. I have them by chance." He replied.
"This was a pre planning, wasn't it?" I said.
"No." he lied.
"Oh, seriously?" I asked.
"Okay, it was. Happy?" he asked.
"A lot." I replied. I tucked in the DVD of Prom Nights Hell in the player and brought my blanket from upstairs as I knew that today, I was gonna fall asleep on the couch. This movie was really interesting but almost towards the end, I fell asleep with my head across Brady's chest as I had expected.
I woke up in my bed next morning and maybe Brady had returned home and I could hear Rachel and Paul's voices from downstairs. I got ready and ran downstairs to the breakfast table and there were our breakfast guests. I took the seat by Brady and began munching at my toast after the good morning greets.
I met Hayley on the gate waiting for us with the others. School went on and she and Seth still couldn't notice their feelings for each other and were still acting crazy. Two days passed on and now Hayley was getting full flirts from Cory Burns and poor Seth, he was totally broken. Brady and I were still worrying for him and then on Thursday, we got an awesome chance to go to Hayley's aunt's library-cum- bookshop but unfortunately, Cory was there too. We all were to b present there after school.
We were walking to the bookshop and today, all of us had compelled Seth to tell her. He was still not ready though.
"Listen Seth, it's now or never situation." I said while we were sitting and reading.
" Why?" he asked.
"'cause Cory can ask her anytime before you and he's already here." Brady told him and pointed towards Cory.
"Seth, just go. It's the time. I mean you know everything about her. You care for her more than anyone. What if she refuses? What if she goes out with Cory? What if she's not ready to be with you? What if she starts hating you...?" I was cut off by Seth.
"How's that supposed to make feel better?" he said and got up. Guess that because of my taunts he was ready to go to her.
"I don't know. I'm not really good at this." I said.
"Thanks for the help." He said lowly.
"Seth, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. I just want you to go and ask her out." I replied.
"No, it's okay. You're right and I'm gonna go and ask her." He replied.
"There's Seth Clearwater – the bestest and brightest. Go and get her my tiger." I said and he turned around. I looked at him and caught his arm.
"Wait a second..." I spiked his hair a bit and pulled his cheeks. "Okay, now you're ready to go." I said.
"Thanks and don't think I'll forget you once she's in my life. You're my sister and no one can take your place." He said and went to her. This time, it felt like I were Seth. I was nervous and continually watching him and then they both talked and…. I could see a blushing look on her face and then she nodded. Seth's smile stretched and he came back to us happily.
"Brady, Cassie, she said yes!" Seth said and hugged me.
"Seth…I can't…. breathe." I said.
"Oh, sorry." He replied and later, we went to TMFC and had a small treat from him. I actually proved to be a good friend to him at last.
Hayley and Seth are finally together. Wait for the next update 'cause it's gonna be for another imprint. Well, will this imprint to be like Hayley to Cassie? Or some thing else? Wish me Luck for my English Olympiad 'cause mom wants a gold from me this year. And I want it too! Keep reviewing. The next chapter will be fun.
