When i got home i immediately ascended the stairs and walked into my bedroom, falling back on the soft green sheets and staring at the ceiling. Hopefully by the time Collin managed to talk his way out of school i would be asleep and not have to talk to him about today. Unfortunately, i just couldn't sleep. So i settled for turning on my stereo as i changed out of my normal trousers and shirt and into a white dress and ballet flats. After a while i turned down the music slightly and heard voices downstairs.

Sighing, i looked at the mirror and pulled down my pony-tailed hair, letting my unusually curly hair flow down my back. Well, it sort of fell out but i like to pretend it looks nice. After a second i opened the door and jumped down the stairs two by two, smiling happily to myself and humming along to Taylor Swift's Love Story. I'd love to wear a dress like that sometime. Maybe i should make one...

"Sis!" i flicked my imagination off for a second and looked at Collin. "Are you okay? i tried to get off and get back as soon as i could but i had to er... go see someone first." i smiled sweetly at him and blinked.

"Why? Ooh, i was just thinking i'll make a snack. And guess what i just bought..." i managed to change the subject without him noticing and opened the freezer, pulling out some mccain's oven smiles. "McCain's potato smiles! Guaranteed to make every day a happy one. I love these." I grinned, opening the packet and pulling out an oven tray. "Oh, your friends are over?" i asked, just noticing some of the boys from his table in the kitchen. "Better make some extra!" i went to go back into the freezer and hopefully freeze the smile on my face but Collin pulled me back.

"Sis. this is not something you can just push under the carpet!"

"Why would i push the food under the carpet? Do you? because that is very unsantiary Collin. You need to go and clean that up. Here, go make the carpet safe again." i passed him a pair of gloves, a carpet cleaner and a scrubbing brush. "I'd hate for that to come back to haunt us." I smiled again and started counting the smiley faces. "Ooh, seventeen smiles! i'm seventeen." I widened my eyes at Collin before frowning at his upset expression.

"Cassy i'm so sorry i haven't been there for you these past few years."

"Why would you be upset about that? i'm fine!" i laughed albeit a little nervously, wondering if he was going to move out or something. i was thinking about this when Brady walked in, dripping wet from the rain outside.

"Oh my!" i looked around for a second before diving into the cupboard and pulling out a towel. "Here you go. Don't want you catching the flu. That's what happened to Collin and he's been burning ever since. I'm actually quite worried. should i take you to the doctor Collin? i was thinking about it last night because i had an unfortunate dream and couldn't get back to sleep. It's okay though, i had some coffee but that didn't really work. The slushies helped though."

"Cassy,"

"I know i know, i shouldn't drink coffee because it's bad for fertlity rates but at the moment i don't have to worry about things like that and so i drink it. Ooh, Brady, talking about rain, here." I passed him the towel while wondering where his shirt was. Maybe i should get him one of those as well. Maybe i should go shopping sometime soon and get some neccessities.

"Hey Cassandra." i covered my face as i turned around and, after no cold feeling in my arms, i opened my eyes and blinked at Kim.

"Oh, hey. What're you doing over? oh, are you here to see Jared?" She shook her head and smiled at me.

"No silly, i came over to see you. I saw what happened at lunh and bought some chocolate and chocolate ice cream to cheer you up." she smiled at me and i looked back at Collin.

"I thought you'd want a friendly face around today. Maybe we could watch a film together or something while you tuck in?" the smile fell from my face and i looked back at Kim before smiling nervously.

"Would you mind if i got changed first? i made the mistake of opening my door to a 'friend' before and i forgot to wear a chocolate coloured t-shirt. It makes the stain easier to get out. It'll only take a minute." With that i ran upstairs and closed my door, the smile dropping off my face as i changed out of my dress and into jean shorts and a chocolate coloured camisole vest. I'd put the heating on when i'd gotten in so that i'd have heated up.

While i was there i decided to just close my door, turn up Love Story and start on my homework with the door locked. I'd been cold enough for today.

I decided to try and not go near Collin and his friends for the rest of the week. it seemed like a bad idea... I would have to suffer in silence for the week and maybe venture forth on Friday to see Brady or something. He's the one i fake the smiles for.

This is a shorter one, sorry :P but i wanted to write the next chapter where it was