CHAPTER EIGHT:
Unresolved Feelings


Robbie was a stickler for perfection. Which is why he found himself at the station after dinner the next night, putting CDs back into their correct alphabetical order, emptying the trash, and labeling pre-recorded shows. Keeping things running smoothly and methodically soothed him, having been a perfectionist from birth. One thing he could never question was perfection.

The door to the warehouse burst open, making Robbie jump about 10 feet into the air, and causing the pile of CDs he'd so painstakingly stacked to tumble over.

In walked Travis, laptop in hand, a scowl marring his usual serene features. Spotting Robbie clutching his chest at the table, Travis chuckled. "Sorry for scaring you. I didn't see your truck or any bikes outside, and I didn't think anyone would be here this time of night."

Robbie shook his head, trying to calm his frazzled nerves. "Yeah, it's okay. I was just tidying things up in here anyway." Travis settled himself onto the couch, flipping his laptop open.

"So, uh, why are you here, again?" Robbie had found a few old blankets and a pillow behind the tech booth, and figured Travis had been spending the night sometimes.

"Oh, you know, just wanted a quiet place to upload music," he shrugged.

Robbie had long suspected that Travis had a tumultuous home life, and this further confirmed his suspicions. "So... do you want to talk about it?" Robbie asked, pulling out a chair to sit facing his friend.

Travis quirked an eyebrow. "About what? Uploading music?"

Sighing, Robbie said, "No, not that. About... anything. We haven't exactly had a personal conversation in a while."

The blond boy's face clouded, and he abruptly stopped typing. "Well, I guess there is something — it's about Cassandra."

It was Robbie's turn to raise an eyebrow. Not exactly what I had in mind, but good enough. "Oh? What about her?"

Face in his hands, Travis mumbled, "I don't know. It's just that —" He finally glanced up at Robbie, finding the inquisitive gleam in his eye quite disconcerting. "— every time I see her with Ray, I feel jealous."

"So you like her?"

"No! That's impossible. She and Ray seem fairly cozy together..."

Robbie held up a hand, stopping Travis' attempts at trying to hide how he really felt.
"I can tell you've got feelings for her, Strong. But you've got a point: she and Ray are quite, um, attached to each other." He shrugged sympathetically. "You missed your chance."

With that, Robbie bid Travis good night, as it was almost 9pm. If he wasn't home soon, he'd be seeing his face on milk cartons the next morning.

Stepping outside, he was bombarded by what felt like a hurricane. Rain and huge gusts of wind pelted Robbie, and now he was very upset with himself for not taking his bike or truck. So he broke into a jog, wanting to get home as quickly as possible. Seconds later Robbie collided with something soft, hopefully a human being and not a bear; it was hard to tell in the stormy twilight.

"Robbie?" the person exclaimed, and only after they pulled down the blue hood of their sweater did he know who it was.

"Cass, hey!" Robbie really didn't want to stay outside a minute longer, but he stayed where he was, jogging on the spot, humoring her.

"Hell of a storm, eh?" Cassandra nearly yelled. "What are you doing out here?"

"Nothing, just on my way home. Listen, I'll see you later, okay? I have to get going!"

Cassandra shrugged, watching Robbie's form fade as he ran off. It was amazing how fast the storm had come; the sun was just setting when she'd left the Randall residence, and just as the warehouse came into view, the sky had opened up, spilling its tears onto them. Cassandra was used to this kind of weather having lived on the west coast for almost 5 years.

Going down the stairs and into the station, Cassandra trembled, soaked through from the rain, and feeling distinctly chilly. Travis and ducked beneath his work equipment to grab a pillow and blanket, and was temporarily invisible to her.

She began browsing through a rack of CDs that Robbie had so carefully put away, searching for the Queen and Pink Floyd mix she'd left behind. "Alright Mr. Floyd, where've you hidden Mr. Mercury?" muttered Cassandra.

"Try under 'M', subcategory 'Q'."

Cassandra spun around, a startled yelp slipping from her mouth. "Travis! Wow, you scared me."

Smiling, he replied, "Yes, it seems to have become a habit of mine tonight. Why are you so surprised to see me here?"

Hands on her hips, Cassandra remarked, "Well, because it's 9:30 at night, and any respectable teenager should be at home watching their favorite TV show, that's why."

Chuckling, Travis set the pillow and blanket onto the couch. "Then why are you here?"

Cassandra laughed. "I'm not a respectable teenager."

"Ah, touché."

She walked over to the couch, sitting down beside him. "Seriously though, what are you doing here so late?"

Travis averted his eyes, toying with a hole in the blanket lying between them. "I like to sleep here sometimes. It's peaceful," he admitted.

"I know how you must feel," Cassandra agreed quietly, without even meaning to. "My parents fight all the time. Back in Victoria, I'd stay overnight at my best friend Katie's house almost every night, just to get away. I did everything possible to stay away from home."

There was a long pause, where Cassandra berated herself for giving someone so much personal information after only knowing them for a little over a week.

Finally, Travis looked up, staring at her inquiringly. Almost to himself, he murmured, "I can't explain this trust I feel. I've never told anyone about my home life... but I'm in a similar situation. My parents are rarely home, my dad being a diplomat and mom still working for the embassy in Hong Kong, and when they are home, it gets ugly."

Cassandra's hand reached out, her fingers trailing lightly against the purple-blue bruise along his jaw. "Sorry," she whispered.

Smiling ruefully, Travis asked, "Sorry about what? You didn't do this."

"I might as well have."

He shrugged. "Don't worry about it. I'm used to Ray's temper by now." He continued staring intently into her eyes, making Cassandra suddenly feel self-conscious. She then realized her hand was still against his jaw. Dropping her hand back to her lap, she looked away, a blush coloring her cheeks. Why was she so nervous? Cassandra had always been almost overly-confident when it came to guys. Then again, she'd also only hung out with the comedic/jock types, never anyone like Travis.

A lock of dark, wet hair fell across Cassandra's cheek when she'd looked away. Travis brushed it off, his hand lingering against the side of her face. She glanced up, dark hazel eyes meeting the deep blue-green of his. All of a sudden, his lips were against hers, and they were kissing slowly, savoring the moment.

A troubled look clouded Travis' face as he broke the kiss. "We shouldn't be doing this. What about Ray?"

Guilt suddenly overcame Cassandra, making her eyes sting with tears. She'd completely forgotten about Ray, how sweet and caring he was. "I... don't know anymore." She stood, avoiding Travis' questioning gaze. "I've got to go — see you later."