Chapter 3- No downside
A/N- Jake et al are now 15. By now, of course, Ax is in the picture.
Cassie and Rachel are in the hall at school getting ready to leave.
Cassie
I shut my locker door, letting out a calming breath.
"Like I said, Rachel, I'm not going to Homecoming this year."
"Yes, you are."
I hefted my backpack, giving Rachel a level stare. "No, I'm not," I said, preceding to walk down the hall.
I should have known that wouldn't do it.
"Cassie, give me one good reason why you shouldn't go," replied Rachel, falling into step with me. "Because, you know, I 'm not seeing a downside. Let's see. Number one, we'll be in a group, so Marco will stop riding me about Tobias and I - and by the way, this is not a date. We are simply enjoying one another's company for the evening."
"Who are you trying to convince?" I said lightly, trying to shift the conversation back onto her.
"Don't try to change the subject on me; don't think I don't know what you're doing." Sigh. "Now, back to what I was saying. Number two, you and Jake can finally stop playing this whole 'just friends' thing - it's getting annoying. And number three, my personal favorite- I get to take you shopping for a gorgeous dress to wear, cause sweetie, I have seen those sorry excuses for dress clothes you have, and they're not gonna cut it. You, my friend, are gonna knock Jake's socks off."
I'll admit, the idea was definitely growing on me. I allowed myself a small smile. But wait a minute. "Rachel, you're forgetting one little detail. Jake hasn't asked me to this thing yet."
Rachel smiled knowingly. "Oh, he will," she said. "If I know my cousin, he most definitely will."
We went our separate ways, and as I started towards home, I played with the idea of Jake being my date for the dance. This friends thing was a lot harder than I anticipated. Some days I would catch myself daydreaming about him, wondering what it would be like if we went on a date, or if he was a good kisser. I was sure he was. But maybe he didn't want to ask me out. I mean, as gorgeous as Jake was, I knew there were lots of girls at school who liked him, and he could have his pick of them all; why would he pick me?
"Hey, Cassie." The shy sounding male voice came from behind me. I turned around.
"Oh, hey, Brian." It was Brian Randall, my lab partner for biology. He was really smart, and into animals as much as I am. He was a really sweet guy, who also happened to be extremely cute, with curly black hair and hazel eyes. Rachel swore he was totally into me, but I didn't think so. Maybe I was too busy thinking about Jake to notice. "What's up?" I asked.
"Not much. Are you going home?" He asked.
"Yeah, I have a ton of work to do at the clinic."
"I'll walk you, if you want."
Hmmm.
"Okay, I don't mind company," I replied casually.
"Cool." We walked quietly for awhile.
"So," Brian said, breaking the silence, "have you done much research on the lab report yet?"
"Yeah, I'm about halfway through my part. You?"
"I finished my half yesterday."
"Oh, that's good, you've got it out of the way," I replied.
"Yeah. Um, if you have time today, I could maybe help you with your part," Brian said hopefully.
This was interesting. Better play it carefully.
"No, I think I'm okay, I've pretty much got everything I need, It's just a matter of putting it all together," I replied.
"Oh, okay." We were at my house now.
"Okay, Brian, thanks for walking me home. I'll see you in class?"
"Yeah," Brian said. I opened the door.
"Hey- Cassie?" Brian asked quickly.
"Yeah?"
"You wouldn't maybe wanna go to the dance with me, would you?" he asked nervously.
I wasn't completely surprised, but I was still caught off guard. "Um- dance?" I stammered.
"Yeah, Homecoming? Next Friday?"
"You're asking me to Homecoming?" I asked stupidly.
"Well, yeah-I mean-Never mind, I shouldn't have asked. You probably have-"
"No, Brian, I- I don't, actually, but-"
"No, I understand, Cassie. It's okay. I've got to go."
I just looked at him, not saying anything, not knowing what to say, as he turned to leave. But then he turned back again.
"Listen…whoever you're waiting for…he's a really lucky guy. If he doesn't come around, I'll be at the dance. And if he does…save a dance for me, okay?"
My heart melted. "Absolutely," I said to him, sending him a smile.
He grinned back as he turned to leave. I watched him until I couldn't see him anymore, then I just dropped down to the steps.
"Well, hell."
