They Had Lights in Their Eyes

Five

'It's All the Same for the Dreamers'

Diana and Cassie walked in silence down the street, passing bustling shops and boutiques. Despite the rainy weather, virtually the whole town was swarming around the main street, on this odd holiday. Cassie wrung her hands together, not sure what to say to Diana. A part of her just wanted to burst out in apology, for developing feelings for Adam. Regardless of the fact that he was no longer Diana's, their history far surpassed the brief time Cassie had spent with him. It was a terribly complicated situation that she was in, and she wasn't sure how to take it. With Adam, there was just something there. It didn't even matter to her what that thing was; all that she really cared about, was that it was there. Feeling strongly for someone had always terrified her, and she'd shied away from any guy she'd gotten too close to. But with the dazzling Conant boy, she couldn't get enough. Temptation and infatuation were only mild factors that played into Cassie Blake falling for the blue eyed beauty. Whatever this feeling was, it was stronger than anything a teenager should be able to experience. Yes that was cliché to think and feel, but Cassie believed that when something is sincere and genuine, it doesn't matter how cheesy the lines and thoughts are.

"So when did you and Adam start… talking?" Diana's fake interest fell short, leaving spots of her jealously and envy out in the chilled open, clearly in Cassie's view. The blonde tried her best to ignore the tone. She could understand Diana's difficulty with the whole situation.

"Oh," Cassie began with constricted breath, "the first day I got here, I went to the Boat House, and met him there." She couldn't hide her beaming smile from the internally seething brunette. "And we just started talking, and then saw each other before school yesterday. I um, don't really know him that well, though…" The last part was almost a disclaimer; a 'don't hate me for flirting with your ex'. Cassie shot Diana a nervous glance, and swirling blackening orbs stared sharply back at her.

"Well you met an awesome first guy," the perfect princess replied tightly, "you're lucky. But Adam's weird about feelings." Diana scrunched her nose. Cassie couldn't decide if it was because of personal experience, or a nervous move to try and cover up a lie. "He's not good at expressing them. It's not like he's bipolar or anything, just… weird."

Cassie hated Diana's choice of words. 'Weird' and 'unexpressive' were not adjectives she'd use to describe Adam in the slightest. "I don't think he's weird at all," she returned in cold distance, suddenly despising this walk to the old house. "He's more real than most teenagers are." She dug her hands into her black coat pockets, clenching her fists. Running her nails over the purple nail polish, she looked to Diana in bitter expectedness.

The brunette could feel Cassie's distaste sinking into her perfectly tanned pores; in response, resistance and bitchiness grew thick and molten-like in her veins. Adam was her territory; always had been. She knew him better than anyone, and having this naïve blonde pop in, thinking she knew all about him, pissed Diana off, more than anything else. The one thing she could never tolerate was someone correcting or disagreeing with her views on Adam. He was something she'd been studying for almost ten years; she had knowledge no one else possessed.

"Is that so," Diana returned stiffly. Her benevolent personality won out against her strong feelings, and she sighed. Being respected and loved by all came at a price…

"Yeah, it's true. Adam may be a little introverted with his feelings, but they're all right there for anyone and everyone to see. Like have you realized that his eyes flash differently with every topic or situation? It's crazy to say, I know, but he does. I'm not trying to say I know him better or anything, I just don't think you're giving him the credit he deserves." What the hell was Cassie even saying! She'd known Adam for three days max, and she was already diving into his personality head first. The boy made her completely illogical and perplexed. She wanted to forget him; let the feelings she had for him drop. But then again, he was all she could think or talk about. This was one very complicated mess, and it was still very young.

"You don't know him," Diana agreed coldly, taking in a sharp breath. "Adam's Adam; that's all there is to it. He's quiet, shy, brooding, and just—definitely not the life of the party. And that's fine; I just think you're thinking too much into someone who's maybe not necessarily that deep." Diana knew that was a total lie. Everything was deep and well thought out with Adam. But somehow in her envy and competitiveness, she had turned on her very own opinions and feelings. What she loved about Adam was his thoughtfulness, and his shyness. She wished she could take back what she'd told Cassie, but it was too late. Catching the blonde's glance, Diana knew she thought that she was shallow. Maybe in some ways, Cassie was right…

"You know, maybe we should just drop this, huh? You seem like a really nice person, and I don't want to ruin anything with us by fighting over Adam." Cassie gave a small smile. She was willing to put aside their feuding differences to try and build a friendship with Diana. Because it was certainly true: the externally perfect Meade was so kind—a person Cassie believed to be great friend material.

"You're right," Diana laughed softly; "we shouldn't be having a cat fight about him. I'm glad that I met you, Cassie. You're so much more mature about things… it's really refreshing, after spending so long with Faye." Diana dropped her head, out of embarrassment and contentedness. Cassie watched curiously, seeing for the first time, the true Diana Meade. She wasn't bubbly, or all smiles and gracefulness. She was a real and honest person, whose hair got tangled and curled just like everybody else's. Cassie returned the smile.

"Yeah, I'm glad I met you too." Cassie let her smile fade lightly, but the acceptance was still dancing in her eyes. Pulling her coat tighter around her torso at the speeding and chilly wind, she shivered slightly. "It is so cold and rainy here! Ugh, I'm afraid I'm going to rust or something!" Cassie laughed, and she heard Diana chuckle along with her.

"Try living here your whole life… I'm still surprised I'm not a prune yet." Both girls shook their head in amused agreement, and continued off to the old house.

Maybe things would be fine between Diana and Cassie. But despite their efforts, Adam would be there when they reached the house…

So, filler chapter—no doubt. I'm SO sorry that this is so short; I feel terrible! I've been studying for a unit test in AP US History, so I've had no time to write. I want the scene at the house to be perfect, and super long (I'm hoping ten or eleven thousand words), so this chapter is just to jump start that, and as I said, to fill the time. Hopefully you still enjoyed, and got some insight into the Cassie and Diana friendship.

Reviews are love