A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in forever but my computer got a virus and I was to lazy to get it fixed. I'll try to update more regularly.
Chapter Four
Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire and begin at once, whether you are ready or not, to put this plan into action.
~Napoleon Hill
That night after dinner I begun my master plan. Lydia had gone off to the lab to examine the new specimens Juliet and her had collected on their recent outing to the Island so I was in the house alone. Taking out all the ingredients I would need for my famous red velvet cake I set to baking the delicious dessert.
Students at the school were allowed an hour lunch. Most of the kids ate at home or in the courtyard with their friends. I usually stayed at home and read while I ate. The next day however I stopped at home only to grab a couple pieces of my cake then headed off to Bonnie Daniels' house.
After being on the island for two years I had gotten to know everyone who lived in the barracks pretty well and often hung out with them for fun or to help them on whatever project they were working on for Ben. Bonnie was not different. I found her to be a fun if not a bit shallow.
Knocking on her door I prayed my plan would work. Here's hoping. After a few moments the door opened and Bonnie greeted my warmly. Her fight with Ben was evidently forgotten.
"So what brings you by Cassandra?" She asked when I got inside.
"I was worried for a test and spent the night baking," I say holding up the pieces of cake. "I think I have made more than Lydia and I can eat so I thought I would drop some off for you on my lunch break." I did indeed have a test this morning so I was covered if she checked on me for some reason. Not that I was worried for the test.
"Oh thanks Cassandra, you know how I love your red velvet," She says indicating I can sit at the kitchen counter. "Sit and eat with me while you're on your break."
"Thanks," I smiled glad that she had taken the bait and invited me for a chat. After some small talk I plunged in. "So what has been up with you I feel like my life is so boring?"
"Oh me? Nothing much. However Ben did ask me to take a two year gig at the looking glass. You know that underwater station? But I turned him down." She said dismissively.
"Really?" I feigned excitement and jealously. "That is so exciting. Gosh I'm jealous. What a opportunity." I break and take a bite of my cake. She is just looking at me and so I continue. "Getting out of here for a whole two years? Away from all the drama of who is sleeping with who. Not to mention that you would have all the time to read and do everything you don't have time to do around here. I know I would love such a trip. You are so lucking. Do you have anything to drink?" I ask politely. I allow the topic to drift to the latest gossip about everyone on the Island. Most of which I know already from observing the barracks.
"Okay sorry to bring it up again but," I blurt our randomly, "I am just so jealous. Ben must really trust and respect you to offer you such an opportunity. I've been dying to help out on the Island but everyone says I'm not ready." A lie by the way I am plenty helpful to everyone on the Island but they say I can't really start helping out until I'm 18 which is in a couple months yet. "Hey if you're turning it down I think I'll ask Ben if I can do it. Gosh what an opportunity." I let a excited faraway look grace my features as I nibble at the remaining pieces of my cake. "Did you hear that Tommy Mulligan is hanging out with Melanie," I add. These barracks are like high school most of the time. I find a good percent of the gossip utterly unimportant but hey a mission is a mission. I can see the gears working in Bonnie's head as she questions me about Tommy. She doesn't realize that I am playing her in an attempt to get her to do Ben's will which was what I was afraid of. Seems the innocent façade I project most of the time and the fact that I should be ignorant of the coming and goings of this island protected me.
Soon after she reminds me that I need to be getting back to class. "Shoot I wanted to go talk to Ben, all well I will go talk to him tomorrow." We say our good byes and I make my way back to class. Now all I can do is wait and see if I was successful in persuading Bonnie to take Ben up on the looking glass assignment.
The rest of the day passed uneventfully. But when I awoke the next day I decided to do a bit of investigation. Since it was Saturday I was afforded the liberty to sneak up to my roof and saw that the courtyard was a bit more active than most Saturdays. As I watched I saw many people visiting Bonnie or Greta's houses. I felt the smirk on my face as I realized that Bonnie took the bait.
I practically skipped into the kitchen for brunch. Lydia was making waffles. "Good morning. So there is going to be a bit of a hoopla tonight," Lydia said.
"Why?" I asked innocently enough.
"Well it looks like Greta and Bonnie will be going on assignment for two years."
"Really, what for?" I asked and I happily observed that Lydia didn't find the comment the least bit suspicious and just continued to make brunch.
"That looking glass station. So everyone decided to have a bit of a barbeque tonight."
I had bothered to dress up for the barbeque in a dark green dress but found the whole affair rather boring. I has snuck off well in to the beginning of the dinner and was currently hiding up a tree. Resting comfortably leaning back on a branch I propped War and Peace up and read. The murmurs of conversations from the party providing the perfect back ground noise I lost myself in the classic work.
Soon however two voices grew louder. Lifting my head up I listened to the distorted voices grow closers. Soon the figure of Juliet and Goodwin came in to view wrapped around each other.
"Goodwin we should go back to the party," Juliet said as she disentangled herself from the man.
"I know Juliet but I hardly get to see you," Goodwin said as he wrapped his arm around her waist. I had known about this little affair for a while and found it rather unbecoming of Juliet partly because I didn't like Juliet and partly because Goodwin was a bit of a bore. Juliet pulled him in for a kiss and they proceeded to get intimate. I would explain the details of their um interaction but it is hardly worthy of typing. My dream about Ben all those years ago was more intense. As a 17 year old girl I couldn't help but be interested in their relations. The island didn't exactly provide outlets for such pursuits besides the boys in my age group who I found utterly unattractive. I had similar feelings about Juliet and Goodwin at the moment.
After they let I went easily back to reading only to be disturbed again by a figure finding their way in to my clearing. This time is was an agitated Benjamin Linus. I could usually control myself around this enigmatic person but his unexpected presence drew a quiet gasp from my lips. Ben glanced up before surveying the landscape around him. He appeared to be looking for something, or someone. I thought he had failed to notice me but his voice rang out, "You can come down now, Cassandra."