Ok so this is a little bit of a filler chapter, but we have an important revelation for Cassandra that the rest of you probably already figured out!
The next morning I woke feeling worse than I had before I had fallen asleep- my body felt heavy and my head ached, as if I hadn't slept at all. My dreams had been troubled and I'd slept fitfully, tossing and turning all night as I agonized over my situation. As much as I hated to admit it, something about Edward Cullen made me feel, well, odd- all breathless and fluttery. And, while most of the girls at school didn't seem to mind this, to me it felt like a huge problem. Edward was living here, in my house, in the room next door.
As I padded into the bathroom, remembering to lock the door behind me, I contemplated plans of action. I wasn't used to such intense behaviour from a person; it made me unsure of myself and uncomfortable. In any other situation I would have simply avoided them, separating myself. But there was no avoiding Edward Cullen; he would be everywhere I was for my entire final year of High School. Brushing my teeth, I decided that there was only one thing I could do- treat Edward as if he were any other person and keep my behaviour casual.
It was better this way, I was sure.
By the end of the week, I had it perfected and life had become comfortable once again. Without realising it, Edward and I had developed a routine around one another, slipping easily into each others company. I had become used to having him there- I even found that I felt more comfortable when he was around, like I could speak up more, react more and be more than I had before. It was refreshing, and I welcomed it, remembering what Cam had once said about being the person I was supposed to be before my parents decided they hated each other and they hated me even more.
It was Friday afternoon, and we were gathered around our lunch table, discussing plans for the evening- Mike was leading the conversation, organising everyone like a military commander.
"Angela and I are riding with Cassie and Edward," Jess declared to the rest of the table, interrupting Mike, who glared at her. "Angela, me and Cass were thinking that we should go to Cassie's first and all get ready together, what do you think?"
Angela glanced at both of us, raising a questioning eyebrow. I shrugged, because it hadn't been my idea at all but Jess had been set on it for some reason. At the end of the table, I saw Lauren pouting angrily- she had made it clear to all of us that she wanted Edward, which I had worked out was the reason behind her sudden aversion to me. Clearly, she wasn't too happy that Jess and Angela would be having extra access to Edward either.
"Sure," Angela agreed as she and Jess worked out a meeting time and a plan for getting dropped off at the Swan household. I watched Jess suspiciously, my eyes narrowed as I tried to work out why she was so intent about coming over before we went bowling. I groaned inwardly, praying that she wasn't planning anything to drastic. Noticing my frown, Edward squeezed my shoulder reassuringly and flashed me a quick grin. As always, I my face muscles were moving before I could register what they were doing, forming into a grateful little smile.
"So, I'm invited to this bowling trip then?" Edward asked as we walked towards Biology with Angela and Mike. I blinked up at him, confused.
"Of course you are," Angela answered before I had time to react. I laughed sheepishly- I hadn't ever thought to actually invite him, I just assumed he would be coming. I noticed Mike forcing a smile and I wondered absently if Mike really wanted Edward there.
"Sure, you're Cassie's exchange student after all," Mike added, laughing a little too loud. I grimaced, poor Mike wasn't the best at hiding his feelings.
"Sorry for assuming," I apologized as I went to take my seat next to Edward, having to use the desk for support, being too small for the tall stool.
"It's okay," he sighed, faking annoyance as he held out a hand, helping me onto the stool. "I suppose you're just taking me for granted now Cassandra?"
"Something like that," I answered, turning my head to grin at him. He grinned back, but his eyes were dark with an emotion I couldn't read. I turned away again, letting my hair hide my face. I bit my lip, forcing back the feelings that bubbled up inside me. For a few minutes, we sat in silence, waiting for Mr Banner to hand out the equipment for today's experiment. With anyone else, I would feel comfortable in such a silence, but with Edward it felt wrong and I found myself fidgeting, clicking my pen on and off as I tried to think off a way to break the silence.
"I bet you need to have the bumpers up don't you," Edward said suddenly, nudging me in the ribs, a smirk of arrogance on his face.
"No, I happen to be a decent player," I retorted primly, straightening my back and flipping my hair off my face. "Why, do you?"
"No," he answered, leaning close. "I have good aim, and a strong arm."
"You can be on my team then," I laughed as Mr Banner placed the equipment on our desk.
"Well, I thought I might go on Lauren's team actually," Edward said, running a hand through his hair. I looked at him, trying to hide my shock. "She's been really nice to me, I thought it might be fun if I hang out with her tonight, get to know her better."
"Sure," I murmured, looking away from him. I felt oddly disappointed, the foreign feel of jealousy turning in my stomach as I thought of Lauren and Edward together. I had assumed Lauren's interest was one sided and I found myself feeling uncomfortable the realisation that Edward was not as impartial as I had thought and even a little angry that Lauren was 'taking' Edward away from me.
Ashamed of my own childishness, I forced myself to stay positive through the remainder of the lesson. But I could hardly bring myself to speak, just responding to Edward with one word answers, shrugs or smiles. I was grateful of the bell, grateful for the action of Gym, the concentration needed for the volleyball game so that I didn't have to think about it.
Angela and Edward were waiting when Mike and I reached the main entrance, chatting idly together. I smiled a quick goodbye to Mike, walking slowly towards them, still feeling a little unsure of Edward, who smiled broadly when I reached them before leading the way to the car.
I stayed silently as we drove, not taking part in the conversation, using the rain as an excuse to need to concentrate on the road. But, when Angela left, I once again felt unable to bear silence with Edward.
"I think maybe Jess is going to try to make a move on Mike tonight," I blurted out in desperation. Edward looked at me, his face puzzled.
"What makes you say that?"
"I think she's going to make a plan with Angela and I before we set off," I explained as we swung in to the drive, the mini slipping a little on the wet stone. Edward rubbed his chin and shrugged in response before we leapt out the car and made a run for the door.
We'd barely got in when I heard Jess's mom's car pull up outside and I ran to the door to let them in before the rain soaked them through. Both were holding large bags that I assumed contained outfits and so on for tonight. I realised with a touch of despair that tonight I would be victim to Jess's aspirations as a stylist. Brilliant. I called up to Edward, letting him know the girls were here as I grabbed snacks from the kitchen. Cam was out, as he had been nearly the entire week, working on some big project for the paper.
Angela and Jess were lounging on my bed when I returned to my room, pulling clothes from their bags. I put down the snacks and sank to the floor, looking expectantly at Jess, who was eyeing my wardrobe doors already.
"Go on," I sighed, waving an arm at them, "Do your worst."
Jess jumped up, her eye's glinting with something I couldn't read. I glanced at Angela, who shook her head and shrugged. Clearly, Jess hadn't divulged whatever she was planning to her either.
"Don't worry, I plan to," she told me as she began grabbing clothes and throwing them on the bed. "Edward Cullen won't know what hit him."
I stared at her, my jaw dropping in shock as she carried on sifting through my wardrobe. What the hell was she talking about?
"Jess," I choked, scrambling to my feet. "What the hell?"
"Cassandra," she sighed, putting her hands on my shoulders. "The hottest thing ever to hit Forks has a crush on you, and I'm going to make sure you don't waste this opportunity."
"I don't even like him, Jess!" I cried, looking at Angela for support.
"Cass, I think you do," Angela argued, giving me a sheepish smile. I gaped at her, unable to speak. "You're really open with him, it's almost flirting."
"And he's obviously into you," Jess added as she laid possible choices out on the bed.
"No," I whispered, remembering earlier. "He likes Lauren."
It was their turn to stare at me now, their faces shocked. Playing nervously with a stray curl, I told them about our earlier conversation, including my own reaction.
"Oh Cass," Jess whispered, hugging me before sitting me on the bed between her and Angela. "So you do like him?"
I paused.
"I think I might do,"
Oh lord. I liked him.
Not good.
You already knew that, didn't you? Anyway, things will start to hot up next chapter!! The more reviews I get, the more you'll get in the next chapter :P Don't you love bribery?