As she watched Cassie's back making its way up the steps to the school, Thelma felt her heart sinking. She only felt whole when she was with Cassie. Death in hindsight had been the easy part, "it's the afterlife that's the bitch" thought Thelma. She had no-one now, her only companion, her everything was Cassie, the world was empty for Thelma, she was forced to wander crowded streets, through faceless masses, knowing that engulfed in the crowd, she could not be more alone. Watching people live their lives was like a constant and unrelenting torture for Thelma, but watching Cassie living hers…without her was nothing short of searing agony.
After another week of her merciless solitude, Thelma was beginning to despair at her loneliness and was desperate for anyone to speak to her, to give her some comfort but with Cassie as her only salvation she was not hopefully. She sullenly walked up to Cassie's room, a packet of salt and vinegar crisps in each hand, hoping to see Cassie, though having no expectation. She entered the room to find Cassie stood before the mirror, examining how her arse looked in what Thelma thought was an indecently short skirt. She bit back her longing and jealousy and asked,
"Where are you going like that?" looking at Cassie's legs, her eyes sweeping upwards, lingering for just a second at her hips before moving to her stomach and up to her chest. Thelma gazed at Cassie's breasts perched high in her tight haulter, her perfect curves, soft skin. Thelma wanted to touch her so much, feel her loving caress.
"What do you mean? I have got friends Thelma. I know you hate to admit it but I am moving on. I'm not going to sit around waiting for Azazeal. I have other plans and a life unlike you." Cassie's words bit deep into Thelma and her heart seemed to have contracted within her chest. She sank to the floor, her breath catching in her throat, tears spilling down her ghostly cheeks, tears she didn't even know that she could cry. She never knew that she could express her feelings for Cassie this way, she had always kept them so locked away. The only time she had shown Cassie the truth was the day that she died. Azazeal had stolen any chance Thelma had had and now Cassie seemed to be stealing the last hope. But this sudden breakdown seemed to have released something in Cassie and she rushed over, crouching next to Thelma. Thelma wanted so much to hold her, to collapse into her arms and feel safe again. She was so used to being strong, even when she had been murdered, she watched her own memorial and stood by Cassie, without a word of grief and simply joked. She had always wanted to appear in control, she was to afraid to fall apart, but there was nothing left inside her but tears.
"Oh my God, Thelma. What's wrong? Thelma I'm sorry, I didn't mean…"
"You don't understand." Interjected Thelma. "You can leave and be away from me, you can be with Troy, you can go to classes, you can live your life." Tears were plummeting in a ceaseless torrent down Thelma's face, dripping onto the floor hopelessly.
"I'm doing everything I can to live my life!" said Cassie with unabashed exasperation. "I am trying everything to move on and not let Azazeal win. You think this is easy? I have to spend every second wondering what he will do to me next, I want a life!"
"You're all I fucking have," shouted Thelma in utter, crushing despair and overpowering desperation. "You are everything I have now. I lost my family, my life. I can never talk to anyone again, never hold anyone, I will never be loved and I did it for you. I sacrificed everything for you because…because, I love you. I love you more than the world, more than anything." Her eyes were burning with tears and breaths were ragged, she could feel herself shaking.
"I don't know what I am to you any more. You don't even want me around." She finished between gentle sobs and shaky breaths. She chanced a glance up at Cassie, who's face was blank. She looked slightly afraid, and was it guilt behind her eyes or sadness, or perhaps anger?
Thelma looked into Cassie's eyes, Cassie's magnetic stare catching in Thelma's own. She searched for feeling, any clue to what Cassie was thinking, any emotion. Without warning Cassie rose and moved towards the door.
"Cassie…" Thelma pleaded, fresh tears springing into her dark eyes.
But Cassie with a single glance back at Thelma left the room.
---- I have LOADS of ideas planned for this story if people are interested in it. Let me know.