Auothor's Note: Thanks to the reviewers and readers who can't be bothered to review ( i do hope that's the reason there are only 2 reviews) I posted early to make up for the short chap

Chapter 3: Hopeless Situations

Mac was listening to Nat King Cole's Chestnut Roasting On an Open Fire. She was resolved to have the Christmas spirit even if she had to induce it to herself. Her mom spoke to her earlier about visiting an old cabin that was worn down and should have been demolished long ago. It was an annual affair. She would rather be anywhere than there, but unfortunately her small group of friends, consisting of herself and occasionally Veronica had no plans.

She was sitting alone on a corner table and was staring suspiciously at a supposed vegetarian surprise. Mac poked at a piece of broccoli that was sticking out of the green mush, Merry Christmas! She looked around the canteen and saw Veronica in deep conversation with Duncan, a little to there left is Weevil and his gang, and on the table at the middle are Logan, Dick and Cassidy. She caught Cassidy looking at her, her stomach dropped and she diverted her attention back to her food.

A few minutes later, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and saw Cassidy dressed in a blue cotton shirt and khaki shorts, he was carrying a book. "You need anything?" she asked taking her earphones off.

"Uhm…I..well…you know I just wanted to thank you again," Cassidy was shifting his weight from one leg to another. "I…uh…I got you a book. I don't know what you like so I asked the shop owner which one was good. She handed me this one, said it's a best seller." Cassidy handed her a small book with red borders.

"Tuesdays with Morrie, nice choice. Thanks! You didn't have to. You paid me enough," Mac replied, putting the book in her bag.

"Yeah, well, you know it's nothing. I just," Cassidy was interrupted by Butter's who placed his tray down on the table.

"Hey Mac!"

"Butters," she replied acknowledging him. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

"You remember visiting my house and telling my dad we were going out?" Vincent asked accusingly.

Mac stifled the laughter that was working its way out, "Yeah, I sort of do."

"Well, there's this Christmas party during the break that we have to go to and my dad has asked me to ask you to come. He seems to think that we would get along very well."

Mac exhibited horror and amusement at the same time. When she said she would rather be anywhere she didn't mean it literally. "Uh…I can't. I have a …uh…a previous engagement."

"I haven't even told you when this is going to happen," Vincent retorted.

"You know. I'm gonna be busy the whole Christmas break," she lied.

"You have to go. You got me into this mess," Vincent replied.

Mac and Vincent have already been talking for a while completely forgetting about Cassidy who seated himself beside Mac. He had heard him inviting her to a party where she really didn't want to go to. He felt sorry for her. He suddenly remembered that Dick was going on about having a party at a ski resort and decided to invite her, "She can't go. She's going with me to a ski resort the whole break."

"And who are you?" Vincent asked, looking Cassidy over.

Mac's eyes were wide open, what? Ski resort? She gave Vincent a nervous smile, "Yeah, I'm going to the ski resort."

"Cassidy Casablancas.," he replied, offering his hand for a hand shake.

"Right. Casablancas," Vincent shrugged, picked up his tray and moved to another table.

"Thanks for saving me from him."

"It's nothing. The offer stands though, a vacation for two weeks at a ski resort."

"I don't think so. It's nice of you to offer, but I can't afford it," Mac replied.

"Actually, Gia already reserved the whole resort. You just have to find someone to go with," Cassidy replied. "Unless, you already have plans?"

"Not if you consider trekking up a mountain and freezing to death a plan," Mac sighed. This was her opportunity to party with other people and she was passing it up because she felt awkward around Cassidy. She knew he was just being polite inviting her. "I probably don't know anyone there. You know we don't really move in the same circles."

Cassidy flinched; he knew very well that they didn't. He was a 09er, she wasn't. He wanted her to come nonetheless; she was a welcome relief from having Madison there. "I think Veronica might go. Dick invited her and Duncan."

Veronica's coming? They might not be that bad and I really don't want to go to that cabin again. Mac thought it over, maybe she could go. Even just to leave Neptune. "When are you leaving?" she asked.

Cassidy lit up, "This Saturday, 9 am. It's going to be two weeks long."

Mac hesitated, a part of her wanted to go but another part was telling her she was going to feel out of place. "I think…uh…I can go."

Cassidy smiled, "Sweet!" Mac looked at him and he became flushed. "I mean that's great. I'll see you this Saturday."

"Yeah, see you," Mac replied, pleased with herself. This is going to be a good vacation.