Episode 2.3:
Homecoming
Cassie screamed, stumbling backwards. Her feet became tangled in the blanket, and she fell onto the floor, her right shoulder slamming against the coffee table on the way down. Groaning, she pushed herself up with her left hand, whipping her head around to look at the window. The silhouette was no longer peering in.
Panting and scooting backward until her back was against the bottom of the couch, Cassie gripped her elbow, wincing as the pressure moved upward toward her shoulder. A cold sweat broke across her forehead as her shoulder began throbbing. She wondered if it was dislocated.
There was a slam at the front door, and Cassie screamed again as she saw it blast open. Scrambling to get back on her feet, she tried to stand up using her right hand, and cried out again, this time in pain, as she collapsed onto her torso. She flailed against the wood floor and the slippery blanket, ungracefully squirming until she was standing again.
A dark male silhouette appeared in the entryway, darker than it should have been with only the shadows of night cast upon it. Somehow, the darkness seemed to be radiating from within the figure, rather than obscuring it. Its chest was heaving, and an arm rose to point toward Cassie.
Pain shot through Cassie's shoulder as if it had just been stabbed. The red-hot sensation spread down her arm, making her feel as if her veins were too small. Her fingers twitched spasmodically, and her bones felt like needles. She clutched herself with her good hand, whimpering. Her right hand was shaking, turning an ashy color beneath the fire-orange Balcoin symbol that was now burning on her palm, pulsing with her rising heartbeat.
The dark silhouette took a step forward. Glowering, Cassie lifted her right arm, crying out in pain, feeling ice-cold tears at the corners of her eyes. She pointed her palm at the figure. "Stop!" she screamed, and the silhouette was flung backwards, crashing into the staircase.
Cassie exhaled, shaking, and lowered her injured shoulder. She felt as if she was going to vomit. She was seeing double. She couldn't tell if she was swaying, or if the room was moving back and forth on its own.
The figure righted itself, this time pointing both of its extended palms in Cassie's direction. Before it could send another wave of pain at her, Cassie let out a primal, guttural scream. Fine, orange strands seemed to stretch out toward the intruder, quivering and crackling like electricity. They started wrapping around the silhouette, encasing it like a spider cocooning its prey. Cassie could feel the pulsing from the orange strands that connected them, seeming to bleed the figure's energy into her own, giving her shoulder the warm, soft feeling of healing. She breathed deeply, feeling her heartbeat increase but her shaking subside. She needed this. It was making her strong. She tried to slow her breathing and tilted her head back slightly.
There was a quiver in the orange energy connecting them, and the figure rolled to the side. The electricity fizzed, retreating back into Cassie's hand and feeling like a strong static shock. She instinctively drew her hands close to her chest, protectively.
The figure hesitated for a moment in the doorway, and then bolted across the lawn, immediately disappearing and fading into the dark night.
Cassie tried to catch her breath, her hand trembling and tingling with the traces of power. Her blue eyes were wide and afraid, and she felt…good. She lowered her hand, examining her palm. The Balcoin symbol was practically pulsing and wriggling on her skin, like something alive, something separate from her. The sensation was oddly pleasurable, like the relief that comes after a sneeze or the satisfying of an itch. She stretched her fingertips out, as if she could call back the orange electricity.
Moving her fingers reminded her of the damage done to her shoulder, and Cassie winced once more, the odd sensation of her palm no longer at the forefront of her mind. Her shoulder was dislocated; there was no doubt about that. She needed to get to the Emergency Room and have someone set it for her.
Staring out the still-open door, Cassie wondered if the figure was still lurking outside, waiting for her. Looking back down at her palm, though, she could almost jump with excitement. A part of her wanted the figure to be there again so she could see what else she could do with that power. Taking a deep, confident breath, Cassie stepped outside, closing the door behind her.
Sunday was uneventful compared to the events of Saturday night, leaving Cassie with a lingering sense of confusion, dread, and anticipation. She slept in late after coming home from her late-night ER trip, where she told the doctor she tripped on the coffee table after falling asleep on the couch and trying to find her way upstairs in the dark. She gave Cassie a sympathetic smile, telling her to make sure to get plenty of rest, in her own bed, from then on. The smile was instantly familiar, and Cassie realized the doctor must have known Jane, and was providing one of those sad smiles that had been directed at her all summer.
Once awake, Cassie spent most of the day wandering around the house, wondering what had happened last night. Who was the figure? What was that electricity between them? She had tried to recreate the orange threads all day, but couldn't get it to work. A few times, she thought she could feel a tingling around where the Balcoin symbol would have been, but nothing happened and she was afraid she had just made it up.
Around 4:00 Cassie remembered that Kate Meade would be coming over for dinner that night, and showered and tidied up around the house. Kate showed up at 6:00 with a Greek salad, inviting herself in and gushing over how beautiful Cassie looked. They ate dinner in mostly awkward silence, with Kate asking her about how school was going, what colleges she was going to apply to, and if she had met any boys lately. Cassie gave mostly one-word answers, then continued to eat after she was full, hoping the chewing would be a good excuse to continue not talking. After she couldn't eat another bite, Kate gave her a strained talk about how Cassie could open up to her about her feelings about losing Amelia and Jane, and that she was welcome at the Meade home whenever she wanted to come over, that the guest room was hers. Cassie could have almost laughed at the last part because of how strained her relationship with Diana had become, but instead cleared her throat and drank some water. Kate left around 8:00, telling Cassie she would be back next week.
Cassie tried to go to bed around 9:00 that night, but ended up staring at her ceiling until 1:30 instead, still fascinated, confused, and seduced by the orange power that had attacked the intruder. As she finally drifted into sleep, she imagined tiny veins of orange electricity darting between the points of the glow-in-the-dark stars on her ceiling, and was strangely comforted.
Diana took a deep breath. The scents of autumn filled her nose. She could smell the dry sweetness of the fallen leaves, the aroma of dirt still damp from yesterday's rain, and the salty sharpness in the air as the wind blew over the harbor and carried the mist across town.
Soothed, she turned around and slowly began walking up toward campus. She spent most of the day yesterday working on her college applications and homework, then retreating to a long bath during dinnertime to avoid her Grandma. She was still annoyed with Kate and Grant after the disaster of a dinner on Saturday, and now she was expecting to see Adam oozing concern and protectiveness over Cassie after the drugging debacle, rather than having the appropriate reaction of rage and betrayal. She had drugged him, for God's sake. Why was Adam still so hung up on giving her the benefit of the doubt?
Once inside the halls, Diana threw her head back and groaned. Hanging over the entrance was a huge butcher-paper poster in the school colors of crimson and silver advertising:
CHANCE HARBOR HOMECOMING!
FOOTBALL GAME FRIDAY 6 VS. SEAVIEW H.S.
DANCE SATURDAY 8
She had forgotten that the Homecoming game and dance was just around the corner. Not only would everyone be exuding school spirit and enthusiasm that week, but the Circle would probably try to convince her to go.
It wasn't that she didn't want to have fun with her friends anymore. She just…wasn't sure who her friends were anymore. She didn't feel like she could be around Adam, Faye, and Melissa without bringing out a part of herself she was trying so hard to suppress. She hadn't used magic all summer, and it had left a part of her empty. That emptiness had made her afraid, especially for the first month or so when she could still feel the strange ache from awakening her dark magic. She had felt more powerful than ever in that moment, but also more afraid of what she was capable of, and how much she didn't know about witchcraft. And being around Cassie wasn't even something she could consider because of that, especially now because of what she had done to Adam to try to manipulate the Circle. Not only that, but the overwhelming guilt she was bearing from her father's betrayal to Amelia made it near impossible for Diana to be around Cassie for very long.
There were a few other people she had been close with throughout high school, but last year she had spent almost all of her time exclusively with the Circle, and now felt the impact of those disconnected friendships. She felt like a drifter, not disliked by anyone, not unnoticed by anyone, but not really connected to anyone either. She was trying to keep her focus on her schoolwork, on finding the right college, and telling herself there would be plenty of people starting college looking for new friends as well. But it didn't do much to dull the loneliness she had been going through these first couple weeks of school.
Diana slammed her locker shut harder than she had intended to, and took determined steps toward the staircase to go to her English class. Maybe talking about Great Expectations would help clear her mind and help her forget about this stupid Homecoming dance. She pressed her lips together slightly as she realized it probably wouldn't.
Faye carefully lined her lips with dark red lipstick, eyes steady on her reflection in the mirror hanging on the inside of her locker. She smacked her lips together and puckered, then shut the metal door. She reached for the strap of her shoulder bag, and realized she had left it in the locker.
"Lock unlock," she muttered at the black combination lock. It didn't move. "I said, lock unlock!" Faye repeated, slightly irritated this time. Again, there was no movement. She gritted her teeth and narrowed her eyes at it. What was going on?
"Unlock!" Faye yelled. The traffic in the hallway slowed down, and Faye's cheeks got hot as she realized people were staring at her. She flipped her hair over her shoulder, acting like she hadn't noticed.
"Whoa."
Faye turned and saw Melissa lean against the lockers to the right of her own. "Calm down there." Melissa gave her a warm smile.
"The damn thing won't unlock," Faye mumbled, crossing her arms across her chest. "It worked fine on Friday."
"Are you concentrating?" Melissa asked, her voice soft and low. Faye knew her well enough to know that the soft, low tone meant Melissa was confused and concerned. For some reason, it bothered her to think that someone would have to be concerned about her ability to use her power.
"Oh, wow," Faye said in a fake-sweet voice. "If only I had thought of that!" She rolled her eyes and then went back to glaring at the locker.
"I was just trying to help," Melissa snapped back under her breath. She leaned into the lockers, and then stood up again, starting to walk away from Faye and down the hallway.
Faye bit the inside of her cheek slightly. She knew she shouldn't have snapped at Melissa like that. It wasn't her fault the locker wasn't working. She had just been so on edge since Saturday night and Jake chasing down Cassie. She had expected him to come over on Sunday and apologize, but she hadn't heard from him at all. Then last week had gone
"Wait a second," Faye said, quickly turning the combination and reaching in for her bag before trotting up behind Melissa. "Are you going to the Homecoming dance?" She made an effort to make her voice softer than it had been before. Melissa was her best friend. She should be complaining about Jake to her, not taking it out on her.
"I think I'm kind of officially over the whole school dance thing, given our track record last year," Melissa said coolly. Faye wasn't sure if the tone of voice had to do with thinking back on the series of disasters that had been their social lives at school events, or if she was still upset with her.
Faye shrugged, trying to keep her voice casual. "Yeah, but…it's our last year, and—"
"You want to buy something to make Jake go wild?"
Faye grinned. "Exactly." She pursed her blood-red lips. "What better way to spend my mom's money?" She beamed at Melissa, which earned her a small smile in return.
"I don't know if I'm going to go," Melissa said, this time her voice back to normal. She stopped in front of her History classroom door.
Faye arched an eyebrow. "Why not?"
"I'm kind of tired of being the third wheel every Saturday night. I think I'll just see if Diana and Cassie are going to stay home, or else meet up with Troy or something."
"Who's Troy?" Faye asked. She had meant to ask Melissa what she meant about being the third wheel every Saturday, and was surprised to hear herself ask this question instead.
"He's a Junior. I hung out with him on Saturday when you flaked out on me."
"Oh my god, Melissa, I am so sorry!" Faye gushed, suddenly remembering their plans to have lunch at the Boathouse and see a movie. "I am such an idiot. My mom and I got in this fight, and then—"
"I get it, Faye," Melissa said, her voice cool again. "I'll see you later. I have to get to class." Melissa turned around and went into her History classroom, leaving Faye in the hallway.
"Have you seen her yet today?" Adam asked as he and Diana walked through the cafeteria together. They found a table underneath a tall, warmly sunnied window, and pulled lunches out of their bags.
"Who?" Diana asked, pulling out a bright red apple, even though she knew exactly who Adam was referring to.
"Cassie," Adam said, not seeming to catch on. "We should have English together after lunch, but—"
"Then you'll see her soon enough," Diana interrupted. She pointed to a group of Freshmen at a table near them, who were all wearing brightly colored clothing. "It's 'neon' theme for Monday," she said, changing the subject. "Do you remember when we used to get all dressed up for Spirit Week?"
Adam laughed lightly, unpeeling a banana. "Yes," he said, shaking his head and looking to the side, happily lost in some memory. "Remember sophomore year when there was a Wild West themed day, and we dressed up like Bonnie and Clyde—"
"But I was Clyde and you were Bonnie," Diana finished, laughing warmly. "That was so much fun. We had the best costumes."
"I know, remember how everyone was joking that we should just wear them again Senior year when we'd be Homecoming King and—" Adam stopped suddenly, awkwardly, his eyes nervously unable to look away from Diana.
She could feel color flush across her cheeks, and she lowered her head, taking another bite of her apple. "Yeah," she said stupidly, wondering what else she should have said.
"Are you going to go?" Adam asked her. "With Grant?"
"I don't think I want to go," Diana said, swallowing her too-big bite of apple. The lump slid slowly down her throat.
"Why not? He seems like a good date," Adam said, before giving her a forced smile and taking another bite of banana.
"I guess once you've done it three times already it just loses some appeal," Diana said, shrugging. "Are you going to go?"
"Yeah. Probably. I guess so."
"With who?" Diana asked, trying to sound casual. Her hand hovered over her sandwich, and she gritted her teeth, hoping he wouldn't say what she thought he was going to—
"I was thinking of asking Cassie—"
"Adam!"
"—to go as friends."
The two stared at each other, strained, both trying to get a better read on the other's reaction.
"Only as friends," Adam said gently. "You know just as well as anyone that I don't have feelings for her."
"I don't care if you go with someone as friends or as more than friends," Diana said, trying to keep her voice firm instead of angry. "But Cassie? Do you not remember two days ago when the girl drugged you? What do you think will happen at Homecoming?"
"Maybe having fun at the dance is exactly what she needs to snap back into her old self," Adam said, shrugging and unwrapping a granola bar. "Besides, I don't know if she's going to go with anyone else. And she's spending far too much time alone at home."
"Please, someone will be more than happy to ask her out to the dance," Diana said, studying her sandwich carefully.
"Someone will ask you if you don't say you're going with Grant," Adam said. His voice creaked in a strange way. Diana figured he was trying to be funny, but it came out as something different she couldn't pin down.
"Doubtful," Diana replied, taking a bite of her food.
Before Adam could reply, Faye stormed over to their table, and slapped a bright pink flyer down on the table.
"Have you seen this yet?" she demanded, huffing and sitting heavily in an empty chair.
"No," Adam replied, leaning over and tugging it free from Faye's angry fingertips. "What is it?"
"It's an advertisement for the Homecoming dance," Faye said, still fuming.
"Oh, yeah , I saw the poster when I came in this morning," Diana replied. "I know, it's like, why are people so—"
Faye cut Diana off. "It says guests will not be allowed. Only CHHS students can attend."
Diana and Adam gave her confused glances, not understanding why she was barely able to keep her voice under a shout.
"As in, 'No Jakes Allowed'," Faye spat out. She grabbed the hot pink sheet from Adam and crumpled it up, throwing it across the room. "This is crap," she said, crossing her arms and collapsing against the back of the chair. "I bet my mom did it on purpose, just to piss me off."
"I don't know if that's something that only your mom would get a say in," Diana offered. "Usually they have committees and that sort of thing."
"She's treating me like a child!" Faye yelled, ignoring Diana and jumping back onto her feet. "I'm going to go make her change the rule. I'm not going by myself to this dance."
"Go with Melissa," Adam offered, a strange, strained smile twisting his lips when he said her name.
"I don't think so," Faye fumed before storming off back toward the cafeteria doors.
"Poor, tortured Faye," Adam said in a mockingly tragic voice, making big eyes at Diana. She couldn't help but laugh, which caused Adam to snort and laugh with her.
Melissa strolled down the empty street, slowly making her way home from school. Her eyes were fixed upward, looking at the puffy clouds in the sky, and the dark gray ones on the horizon. It would rain soon. The amber-edged leaves were rustling in the wind, sounding almost musical as they brushed up against each other. It was one of those beautiful Pacific Northwest Washington afternoons just after fall arrives and everything is caught in a glorious transition between the life of summer and death of winter. Melissa didn't think there was any time of year that was more beautiful than this.
Most of the driveways on the road were empty, their owners still at work. The houses seemed strangely fake because of that, as if they were just a row of dollhouses. Most of the homes in her neighborhood were old Victorians, which just added to the charm. Behind her, the busy sounds of school getting out were lost behind the row of trees she crossed through to walk home, and she was in a serene, quiet, and picturesque scene.
The sound was interrupted by the vibrating of her phone in the pocket of her denim jacket. Melissa pulled it out, and saw that it was Troy.
"Hello?" she asked, pushing a few curls out of her face.
"Hey, Melissa. It's Troy."
"Hey, Troy," Melissa said, noticing how bright her voice sounded when she said his name.
"How are you doing?" Troy's voice was soft on the phone, somehow endearingly so to Melissa.
"Oh, fine," Melissa said, swaying slightly as she turned the corner from Maple Road onto the cul-de-sac she lived on. "Just walking home from school. I looked for you today. I didn't see you."
"It's too bad we don't have any classes together." Troy's voice was genuinely disappointed, which made Melissa smile in spite of herself. "Well, hey," Troy said, clearing his throat. "The reason I called is because I was wondering if you wanted to go out to dinner with me tonight."
"Oh," Melissa said, her smile growing a little more. "That sounds nice."
"Great! I was thinking we could—"
"My dad and stepmom are having people over for dinner tonight though," Melissa continued.
"I see," Troy said, the excitement in his voice wilting away.
"But how about tomorrow night?" Melissa suggested.
"Yeah, great!" Troy said, brightness returned. "That would be awesome. I haven't been too many places since I moved here, but I really liked the Thai restaurant downtown. Have you been there? Do you like it?"
Melissa laughed a little, charmed by the enthusiasm in Troy's voice. She didn't think anyone had ever been so excited just to take her on a date before.
"…Is it bad?" Troy asked, his voice hesitant. "I mean, because there wasn't really a lot of Thai food where I grew up, so I'm not really sure what good Thai food is, you know?"
"Troy, no," Melissa said, still beaming as she reached into her pocket for the house keys. He was so cute! "It's a great restaurant. That would be a lot of fun to go."
"Awesome!" Troy exclaimed. "I'll come pick you up at 6:30 if that's okay!"
"Sure," Melissa agreed, closing the door behind her and dropping her shoulder bag on the bench along the window. "I live on Minister Way. Do you know where that is?"
"Right behind the high school?" Troy asked.
"Yep. Off of Maple. It's 113 Minister."
"113 Minister," Troy repeated firmly. "Got it. I'll see you tomorrow night at 6:30, Miss Melissa of 113 Minister Way."
Melissa grinned, sitting down on the bench next to her bag. "Great," she said softly, pulling her knees up to her chest. "I can't wait."
"I know!" Troy said, and she could practically hear his smile in his voice. "Well, have fun with your dad and stepmom at dinner tonight."
"Thanks. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Bye."
Melissa hung up, then pressed the phone against her collarbone. The grin was still on her face. She leaned against the light blue wall, its brightness a perfect match to her mood somehow. Her feet wiggled, and she let out a high-pitched, excited giggle before hopping up from the bench and racing up the stairs to her room.
Faye studied the noodles and vegetables on the scarlet red serving plate in front of her, pushing a piece of broccoli with a fork to make it look more like something out of a cookbook. When she had gotten home from school, she was expecting to compose a list of her demands regarding the rules for the Homecoming dance. But, instead, realizing that all she and her mom did lately was fight, she decided that she would cook her mom a nice dinner instead, and try to win her over that way. Then she remembered she didn't know how to cook. Take-out never hurt anyone, she figured, and ordered Chinese to stage on their nicest serving dishes for when Dawn got back from work.
As soon as she saw the headlights in the kitchen window, Faye hurried to place the chow mein, orange chicken, and egg-drop soup on the table. She pulled out some wine glasses and poured sparkling water in them, twisting the cap back on as Dawn walked through the front door.
"Oh my goodness," Dawn said, smiling as she looked into the kitchen and saw the candles and dinner Faye had arranged. She was stuck in the doorframe for a moment, a warm smile still on her face. "Faye, did you make this? Of course not. But thank you!" She unbuttoned her coat, hung it on the coat rack, and walked into the kitchen to give her daughter a hug. "This is exactly what I needed! Today was exhausting," Dawn said, sitting down and sipping her sparkling water.
"Really?" Faye asked, grinning and sitting in the opposite chair. "Tell me about it." She folded her hands together and rested her chin on them as she batted her eyelashes at her mom.
Dawn looked at her daughter, slightly confused, before taking another sip of water and saying, "Everyone is going crazy about this dance. Some parents want a different dress code than we've had in the past, others don't want us to spend as much money so that we have more for the Junior and Senior proms, and the Faculty Committee doesn't have any volunteers for chaperones."
"It sounds like you have a lot on your hands," Faye said smoothly, running her thumb over the curve of the wine glass as Dawn scooped some noodles onto her plate. "You know what might make it easier?"
"Hmm?" Dawn asked, slurping up a spoonful of soup.
"Just don't worry so much about the rules," Faye said with a nonchalant shrug. "I mean, that's what you're getting caught up on, right? Make it simple. Make each teacher chaperone once per year, and draw names out of a hat to decide on Homecoming."
Dawn interrupted. "That's actually a really good idea," she said, nodding as she took another spoonful of soup.
"Yeah," Faye said, grinning. "I know. Well, and as far as the budget, make the Juniors and Seniors fund-raise for the Proms. That way the Freshmen and Sophomores will get awesome dances too, and then they'll want to fund-raise when they're Juniors and Seniors so that their Proms can be bigger and better."
"That would make the School Board happy," Dawn said, nodding.
"Yeah, and let people bring guests if they're a couple years older."
"We can't do that one," Dawn said, shaking her head. "There were too many problems with the dances last year. The School Board made it clear that only Chance Harbor students are allowed to attend. They're hoping it will avoid the problems we had last time. But what do you think about the dress code issues?"
"What's the harm in bringing your boyfriend or girlfriend if they were a year ahead of you and graduated already?" Faye asked, impatient but trying to keep her voice sweet.
"Well, nothing, usually. It's normally anyone under 20 to accommodate that sort of thing. But the School Board is being really strict about it this year. As for—"
"Well, change the rule, then," Faye said, jaw clenched. "You're the principal, you can do that."
"Not really," Dawn began.
"Why not?" Faye hissed, slamming her glass down on the table. Some of the foamy water sloshed over the edge and dribbled down onto the tablecloth.
Dawn's eyes moved up from her plate and looked hard at Faye.
"This is about Jake, isn't it?" she asked coolly, her jaw suddenly tight, tugging on some wrinkles around her mouth.
"Of course it is!" Faye exclaimed. "It's not fair that I can't bring my boyfriend!"
"Faye, please," Dawn sighed. "It's not my rule—"
"But what's the use of being the principal if you can't change the rules?" Faye spat.
"That's not how my job works, Faye," Dawn said, her voice flat.
"It should be!" Faye exclaimed, stabbing a piece of chicken with her fork. "What am I supposed to do then?"
"Go with Melissa," Dawn shrugged.
Faye huffed and rolled her eyes, slinking down slightly in her seat.
Diana sat on the end of her bed, her knees tucked against her chest, and her freshly-painted purple toenails dangling carefully over the edge. Her gaze shifted between the pile of college admissions brochures stacked on her desk, to the half-eaten plate of apple pie her grandmother had sent up with her after dinner, and then to the window curtain, which was blowing softly in the breeze from her cracked window.
Diana looked back down at her toes, realizing she had painted four coats on them. The result of boredom and a distracted mind. She had spent all her time doing homework or researching colleges. She didn't have anyone to hang out with after school anymore, and she tried to avoid her grandma as much as possible. Even though Kate was becoming a more and more normal presence in her life, she felt guilty accepting that, as if she had somehow given up on her father, and felt even guiltier when she forgot to be angry at Kate.
She jumped slightly at the unexpected sound of her telephone vibrating, causing her toes to curl again. She quickly examined them, making sure none of the polish had smeared. Satisfied, she turned to the phone. Her stomach dropped a little as she saw it was Grant. God, what is wrong with me? Diana thought, instantaneously guilty for the nervous feeling. He was her boyfriend—why be nervous about talking to him too?
"Hello," Diana answered, wishing her voice didn't sound so apprehensive.
"Hey, Di. How are you doing?" Grant's cheerful accent was bright and lilting.
"Oh, you know. Fine, I guess. Just busy with school. How are you?"
"I'm good. I've missed you…" His voice trailed off like there was something else he was going to add but couldn't find the words quickly enough.
"Sorry," Diana apologized, feeling like she had blundered over the word. Why is this phone call so awkward!? she internally wailed. "Like I said, school has been really busy lately."
"I understand," Grant replied, his voice soft and accepting. "We've been getting ready to head out to port on the ship. It's been a lot of work—I had forgotten just how much, since last time I had you to distract me!"
"Yeah, I don't think I'll ever forget how much work that was," Diana laughed, finally feeling at ease. "I'm jealous you had a distraction."
"The loveliest," Grant laughed, followed by a breath of relief. "Which reminds me, could I maybe take you out to dinner this week? I could use that lovely distraction right about now."
"Umm…" Diana said, scrunching her toes and looking at her calendar on the wall. Big, red letters read HOMECOMING on Friday, and then followed up with a frowny face on Saturday. "Would…Friday work?"
"Don't you want to go to the game?" Grant asked. "Or were you thinking we'd go together?"
"No," Diana said, too quickly. "I mean, I just really don't want to go to Homecoming this year. Wait…how did you know about Homecoming?"
"There are banners all over town. Have you just missed them?"
"I guess I just haven't gotten out lately." The comment had stung a little, and Diana sat up a little straighter, as if to roll it off.
"Why don't you want to go?" Grant asked, his voice shifting to serious concern.
"It's not a big deal," Diana said, slightly annoyed that not wanting to go to a football game should merit concern. "I just don't feel like going."
"But it's your last year," Grant said. Was his voice almost pleading?
"And it's my decision." Diana's voice was firm and final. "Besides, I couldn't take you with me anyways. There's a rule that only the high school students can attend. You're too old."
Grant laughed a little at this. "Yep, practically ancient."
This made Diana laugh too, and she added, "So I guess we'll just plan on dinner for Friday then?"
"That sounds wonderful to me."
"Okay. Pick me up at 6?"
"I'll be counting the moments until then."
Diana made a gagging sound, but couldn't help but grin. "Cheesy!" She called into the phone before hanging up.
She walked over to her desk, pulling the calendar off the wall to white-out the Homecoming writing, and started nibbling on the rest of her pie.
Cassie took a deep breath as she stepped outside of the Java Brew. The warm scents of coffee, baked goods, and the vanilla aroma that circulated the building were replaced by the dampness of cement as the rain softly began to come down. Somehow the rain was a relief—the stifling dryness of summer would be banished, and everything from that spring and summer would be washed away and destroyed from memory.
"Cassie."
Startled, Cassie turned around, half-expecting to see the silhouette that had entered her house on Saturday night. Instead, Adam was walking up to her, his navy blue rain jacket tight around his body. Cassie pulled her gray cardigan around her body as she was reminded of the chill in the air.
"Oh," she said, tugging on a strand of blond hair as she looked from Adam to the ground. "Hi, Adam."
How was she supposed to act around him? She had avoided speaking with him in class today and yesterday, and had been leaving campus during lunch so she wouldn't have to sit with him. It wasn't because she felt guilty about drugging him…it was because of the fact that she felt nothing at all about it. She had realized this was unlike her, and thought that Adam would somehow be able to pick up on it, and then realize he had been fooled.
"I thought I'd be able to find you here," he said with a light laugh.
"Every Tuesday from 3:30-6:30," Cassie said awkwardly, trying to laugh back. She shifted from foot to foot, wishing she had worn something more comfortable than heels.
"So, anyways…" Adam's voice trailed off, and he shoved his hands roughly into the pockets of his rain jacket.
Oh, God, Cassie thought, eyes widening slightly. He knows about what I did…"
"Adam," she started, his head snapping up to stare at her. She blinked a few times, trying to figure out what to say.
"So can I drive you home?" he offered.
"I drove myself. Don't want to leave my car here overnight," she laughed, the smile staying on her face longer than it should have. Maybe he didn't know?
"Right," Adam said, "duh."
"Okay, well…nice seeing you!" Cassie said before hurriedly crossing the street to get into her car. Once inside, she slammed the door, looking out the corner of her eye to where Adam was still standing on the sidewalk in front of the Java Brew.
"Nice," she whispered to herself. "So natural. 'Why, yes, Adam, I did drug you, thank you for noticing. No, I have no regret whatsoever, you are correct.'"
She let her forehead fall on the steering wheel, before taking a deep breath and starting the car. I just need to get home and take a hot shower and go to bed, she thought. I'll feel much better then. He doesn't know anything. I'm being weird.
She drove off down the street, eager to get back home, take a shower, eat dinner, finish her math homework, and go to bed.
Adam stood on the sidewalk where Cassie had left him, still slightly stunned at her sudden departure.
Since when was it so hard to talk to her? He had never had any problems with that since she first arrived in Chance Harbor, and now he couldn't even form a sentence around her.
And who just shows up at someone's work anyway? That was probably why she was so uncomfortable, you freak, Adam thought, mentally scolding himself for doing something she probably thought was creepy.
"Yes, I have memorized your work schedule," Adam said bitterly to himself, then realized he was still on the sidewalk and the rain was getting heavier. Tugging his raincoat a little closer, he turned around to walk back to his truck.
"I'm not even asking her on a real date," he mumbled to himself, embarrassed by the rejection even though no one had been there to see it. "I want to go as friends."
The wind picked up at that moment, and Adam felt like it was laughing at him, completely aware of the root of his embarrassment. Angrily, he slammed the truck door closed, and took off back toward his home, silently fuming.
His knuckles were white as they clutched the steering wheel, and he had the music up as loud as it could go. He was grinding his back molars, though unaware of it, and his head was starting to pound as a result.
Adam let out a primal grunt as he punched the steering wheel as he pulled into the driveway. He killed the motor, and continued to punch the dashboard.
Suddenly aware of the fact he was being watched, Adam looked up to see his father, mail in his hands, staring with a look of surprise. Ethan's eyebrows were uncharacteristically arched instead of furrowed, and his body was totally still, as if paused.
"What?" Adam snapped as he slammed the door behind him.
"Son," Ethan said cautiously, reaching for Adam as he walked past him. Adam dodged his father, shoving his hands back in his coat pockets.
"Adam," Ethan said, this time his voice low and serious. It caused Adam to stop in his tracks, and turn to face the man he realized was using parental authority.
"What has been wrong with you lately?" Ethan asked, his voice now displaying a genuine confusion and concern. "You've been so…angry. It's not like you."
"Teenage hormones, I guess," Adam hissed, his voice mocking. "All that damn testosterone."
"You can tell me what's happening in your life," Ethan said, ignoring his son's attitude. Now his voice was softer, his eyes pleading. "You need to. You know that what makes us…special…is also what makes our problems special. I can help you, you know."
"Yeah, sure," Adam hissed, before turning his back to his father. He decided he'd go into the Boathouse for a little while instead, and considered slamming the door and locking his father out, but then stopped himself. He still had enough presence of mind to realize that would just be childish.
What was wrong with him? His head felt cloudy, and now that he was out of the car, with the blaring music and smell of oil, he could feel a sense of clarity returning. His dad was right…he had never had anger problems, ever, in his entire life.
"I just need to calm down," Adam mumbled, hearing his father's footsteps coming up the walkway, his path deterred from the houseboat. He threw his rain jacket on the rack, knowing he needed to go downstairs for a bit…that would calm him down.
Melissa took a deep breath, taking one final look in the mirror—at least she promised it was her last look.
She had put on her favorite pair of dark denim jeans, with zippers just above the ankle and seams that hugged her hips perfectly. She paired it with a black tank-top that had beading around the collar and dripping down the center of the shirt. She had slipped on her black satin wedges, and pulled her hair back to show off her black pearl earrings.
"You look beautiful, Princess," Patrick said as he walked behind Melissa and kissed the top of her head.
"Thanks, Daddy," Melissa said, smiling at her reflection.
The doorbell rang from downstairs, and the two looked at each other.
"I'll get it," Patrick said with a playful smile, hurrying toward the staircase.
"No!" Melissa laughed, trotting behind him in her wedges. "Please, don't! Let me get it! He's really nice, I swear!"
The door swung open when Melissa was half-way down the stairs, revealing Troy standing on the other side with a big bouquet of sunflowers. It stopped her in her tracks.
"Hi, Mr. Glaser?" Troy asked, offering his hand to shake Melissa's father's hand. "I'm Troy Clarke."
Carver accepted Troy's hand, looking sternly down from his tall frame. "Hi, Troy. Did you drive yourself here?"
"Daddy—" Melissa started, but Troy seemed oddly cool while being grilled by her father. She had only ever had two boys come to her house to pick her up on a date before, once at the end of middle school and the second time for her Freshman Homecoming dance, both times when her dates were too young to stand up to Patrick's interrogation.
"Yes, sir," Troy said, nodding firmly.
"Your car safe?" Patrick followed up.
"Yes, sir. It's a new Rav4. I've been saving up for my own since I started working the summer after my freshman year of high school, but when my mom passed away, I inherited her car."
"I'm sorry to hear about your mother," Patrick said. "That's a rough loss you never recover from."
Troy nodded, and Melissa stood frozen in place, simultaneously saddened by the obvious look of pain that had come over Troy's light eyes, as well as impressed by how well he was handling meeting her father.
"Where are you taking my daughter for dinner tonight?"
"Taste of Thailand, downtown," Troy answered promptly.
"That's an expensive restaurant. Do you plan on paying?"
"Daddy!" Melissa hissed, trotting down the last few steps.
"Of course, sir. Like I said, I've been working since the beginning of high school. Buying Melissa a nice meal would be my pleasure." He smiled, and Patrick gave a firm nod, a signal that Troy had answered that question with satisfaction.
"And when will I plan on seeing Melissa home again this evening?"
"I have reservations at 7, so no later than 9, if that's acceptable for you and Melissa."
"It sounds great to me," Melissa butted in, taking the bouquet from Troy. "Thank you," she said, her voice softer. "These are beautiful. Sunflowers are my favorite, you know."
Troy beamed at her, a look of affection clearly in his eyes.
"I'll see you again at 9, Troy," Patrick said, reaching out to shake his hand once more. He turned toward Melissa, his face instantly softening. "Have a good time, sweetheart." He kissed the top of her head once more.
Melissa smiled and waved as she headed down the walkway to Troy's car.
"I'm impressed," she said, smiling as Troy closed the door behind her. "Not too many people can hold their ground when they're up against my dad."
"He seems like a nice guy," Troy said, buckling himself in. "Serious, but probably really sweet once he accepts you, right?"
Melissa smiled. "Exactly right."
"Well, I think some Thai food sounds excellent around now. Shall we?" Troy smiled and started the engine.
Faye sat staring at the ivory-colored plate covered in chocolate crumbs, contemplating the lack of reaction she had gotten from Jake.
One of those trendy cupcake boutiques had just opened, and Jake suggested going on a dessert date to try it out. Thinking a dessert date meant a cupcake and then a rendezvous back to Jake's place for the real dessert, Faye had eagerly agreed, expecting Jake to pour out apologies and reassure her that anything he and Cassie had had last year was over. All without mentioning the girl's name, of course.
Instead, they had actually gone out for cupcakes, and then had a 20-minute conversation since finishing them, revolving mostly around Jake's job at a hardware store that one of Richard's old friends owned, and then a transition into his wondering about the state of the Circle and if bound or unbound was better for all of them.
"Jake," Faye finally interrupted. "My mom still won't budge on this issue with the dance."
"I'm not really the school dance type," Jake said with a grin, his long blond hair curling over his forehead. It looked so cute to Faye; she wondered what the cupcake store's policy on PDA was.
"Well, I'm the type who likes to have her boyfriend at the dance," Faye said, smiling sourly. "And I'm also the kind of girl who always gets her way. So, this is officially the worst thing that's ever happened to me."
"Oh, really?" Jake said, teasingly, reaching across the table to take her hand. "The absolute worst?"
"Absolutely," Faye said, smiling coyly this time as Jake brushed her palm with his thumb. She bit her lip. "So," she said airily, "I guess we're just going to have to sneak you in."
"I'm not sure that would make your mom like me any more than she does already," Jake said slowly. "Which is not at all."
"My mom doesn't…mind you," Faye said, shrugging. "I think she still just thinks of you as Old Jake. She doesn't really know New Jake yet."
"Well, I'm not sure breaking into a school dance is the best way to meet New Jake. That sounds a lot like something Old Jake would do."
"More importantly, it sounds like something Faye wants. So do it." She took her hand away, folding her arms over her chest.
"Faye," Jake sighed, leaning back into his chair.
"I can make sure you don't get caught," Faye said quietly, arching an eyebrow and grinning. "I'm pretty sure Diana has a Cloaking Spell in her Book of Shadows. Perfect way to get you in."
"Faye," Jake started again, but was cut off as Faye stood up.
"Pick me up at Diana's at 7, okay?" She grabbed her purse, signaling she was ready for Jake to drive her home.
"Okay," Jake sighed, pushing his chair in. "I'll be there."
Cassie fought her way through the hordes of 80s-themed students in her effort to make it to her car. Tuesday had brought Dr. Seuss-themed horrors of adult onesie pajamas and ugly wigs, Wednesday was full of red, yellow, green, and blue as each class was assigned a color to dress in, and now Thursday was over, which meant she had fought off bad interpretations of glam rock and The Breakfast Club all day long.
"Excuse me," Cassie gritted through her teeth, pushing her way past the fifteenth Madonna she had seen that day.
"Where's your costume?" an over-eager freshman boy called at her, grinning in his Grease T-Bird outfit.
"Wrong decade," Cassie grumbled, wiggling her way through the crowd and leaving a disappointed and confused 14-year-old behind her.
"Whoa!" Adam gasped as Cassie bumped into him, emerging from the halls and out the front doors of the high school.
"Sorry!" Cassie said, backing away to face him. Her arm tingled slightly where it had pressed against his back.
"Oh, hey, it's all right," Adam said, turning and recognizing Cassie. "I was hoping to bump into you anyways, so I guess the literal interpretation works."
Cassie tried to laugh, but it came out instead as an exasperated sigh. She still felt awkward thinking about Tuesday night.
"Sick of Spirit Week already?" Adam asked, grinning knowingly.
"Why do people do this?" Cassie moaned. "And why does it make them want to stay at school after it's over, clogging up the hallways and putting up even more decorations for their class? The game's tomorrow, what's the point?"
"It's a sick thing, Spirit Week," Adam said, trying to compose his face to look as serious as possible. "Makes people do things they're not proud of; things no self-respecting teenager would be proud of."
Cassie genuinely laughed this time, brushing some stray hair out of her face and starting to walk toward her car with Adam. Apparently whatever had happened between them on Tuesday night had been left there. "Seriously," she agreed, then felt that familiar lump return to her throat. She tried to swallow it away.
"So I take it you're probably not planning on going to the game and the dance?" Adam asked, leaning against the front of Cassie's car.
"Probably not," Cassie repeated, the corner of her mouth curling into a small grin. "Why? You're not, are you?"
"Not without someone to go with me and hate it just as much as I do," Adam said, returning the coy grin. "What kind of person do you take me for, Cassie Blake?"
Cassie forced her smile to stay on her face. God, she had missed this. This almost felt like flirting with Adam again, making plans to go to a dance together, enjoying their final year of high school together…things they should have been doing if it weren't for that stupid curse.
"Well, I hope you find someone then," Cassie said, reaching for the door handle. The lump in her throat was throbbing now, that feeling before crying, but without any tears. She couldn't do this…how was this just so easy for Adam?
"I was hoping you would," Adam said, his expression frozen in place as he waited for Cassie's reaction.
Cassie turned to face him, a look of shock on her features. Her heart was pounding and her mind was racing. Did he really just ask her on a date? Did that mean he wanted to try things again? Did he know that the potion had never worked on her? Was this their chance?
"Just as friends, you know," Adam added, his expression slightly nervous as he continued to study the stunned look on Cassie's face. "So we won't miss out. Not as a date."
Not as a date. The words pierced Cassie. The lump suddenly shriveled up, and she was left feeling lightheaded and dizzy.
"Oh," she managed to chirp out, her voice small and higher-pitched than usual. "Just as friends. Well, yeah…in that case…sure…" The words were spilling out of her mouth, and she didn't seem to have any control over them.
"Great," Adam smiled. "I hope this still gives you enough time to pick out a dress."
"Yes…a dress…" Cassie mumbled, reaching for the car handle again. "Well, I should go get that now…you know…well, okay, bye," Cassie said, scrambling into the car.
Adam looked slightly confused, but waved and patted the front of the car as Cassie backed up.
Her eyes were stinging, but she felt like she was too shocked still to produce any tears. Her muscles were tense, but her limbs felt loose, like she was free-falling and waiting for the impact. Nothing happened, though, and she remained suspended in the whirlwind of confusion and self-imposed denial.
Cassie didn't seem to see anything on the drive home, which should have scared her, but instead she just parked the car, wandered inside, and sat at the kitchen table, staring out the window and trying to figure out what had happened and how she felt about it.
Faye stood at her locker, glaring at the crowds moved past her, decked out in CHHS gear. Three nights and five fights later, she had resorted to giving her mother the silent treatment, and was still not any closer to changing the rules.
"Diana," Faye said, snatching the girl's arm as she moved past her locker. Diana stopped, giving Faye a somewhat suspicious look.
"I've never liked that expression on your face, you know," she said. "The answer is no."
"You didn't even hear the question."
"Doesn't matter. The answer is still no," Diana said, tugging herself out of Faye's reach.
"Are you going to the dance tomorrow?" Faye asked.
"Not even," Diana laughed, halting in her escape, and turning to face Faye. "Why? Did you decide to go with Melissa?"
"No," Faye responded. "I don't even think Melissa is going. She told me Troy asked her, but that she told him she's just not ready for a relationship just yet. Enjoying the single lady thing, or something like that."
"Who is Troy?"
"Exactly what I would like to know. Apparently he's a Junior. I haven't met him yet, though." Faye tossed her dark hair over her shoulder. "So you're not going to the dance?"
"No. You're not either. No one is."
"Adam and Cassie are."
Diana hesitated. Faye was studying her for her reaction, and made no effort to hide that. Diana made no effort to mask her reaction.
"Together?"
"Together."
Diana felt her lips press together slightly.
"You know, I am going to the dance," Faye said, generously sparing Diana of the conversation she would have normally gone after. "I'm just not going with Melissa."
"Who are you going with?" Diana asked.
"Well, I'm going with Jake. But as far as my mom is concerned, we're going together." Faye looked matter-of-factly at Diana, her expression almost daring the girl to challenge her.
"I just told you I'm not going, Faye," Diana sighed.
"I was thinking we could do a Cloaking Spell to get Jake and Grant in," Faye said in a whisper, leaning closer to Diana. "How fun would that be?"
"I'm not doing magic with you," Diana whispered back, trying to make her voice as firm as possible. "But…I will go with you to the dance."
"Really?" Faye asked, her expression bright and surprised.
"Why not?" Diana shrugged.
"Is this because of Cassie and Adam?" Faye asked slowly, arching an eyebrow and grinning mischievously. "Want to keep an eye on them?"
"I don't care about what they do," Diana spat back. "Adam and I haven't been together in months. He's allowed to do whatever he wants. I just…want to have some fun."
"Well, perfect!" Faye cooed. "I'll be at your house tomorrow at 4 to get ready." She waved good-bye and sauntered down the hallway, satisfied with how much easier that conversation went than she had planned on.
Cassie stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom, trying to tame an unruly wave. Adam was supposed to be here five minutes ago…did he change his mind?
The doorbell answered that question for her, and Cassie moved as quickly as possible from her room, down the stairs, and to the front door. There was an equal sense of excitement and dread as she did. She had gone back and forth between wanting to put no effort whatsoever into her outfit in order to send the signal that she had no desire to try to impress Adam, and wanting to look as stunning as possible to try to win him back.
When she opened the door, their expressions as they looked at each other revealed that the second route had been the right choice. Cassie felt her heart skip a beat as she looked at Adam, who was wearing midnight black slacks and a light gray button-up shirt with a satin, pale-blue tie to match Cassie's dress.
"Wow," Adam breathed, looking at Cassie. "You look…amazing."
She had chosen a knee-length, light blue spaghetti-strap satin dress, the same shade as her eyes. It hugged her hips and thighs, but was loose through the bust, with crystal beading around the edge that was softly glowing in the faint light from the setting sun. Her hair was wavy and in a messy up-do, revealing her silver earrings. She was wearing light gray pumps, and had on a crystal bracelet.
"Thank you," she said, smoothing out her dress. "You look…great."
Adam beamed, and opened the door a bit wider for them to leave through. Cassie's heart felt like it was going to pound right through her chest. She fought the urge to kiss him, and instead walked deliberately to his car.
The ride was somewhat awkward, with some strained conversation and nervous laughter. They had passed on dinner with Diana, Faye, and Jake, and instead were going straight to the dance. Cassie was grateful for this decision once she felt how tight her stomach felt. How did she think she was going to get through a whole evening this close to Adam?
Once at the high school, Adam escorted Cassie inside, looping his arm around hers. The fabric of his shirt felt warm and light against her bare arm, and she wanted to lean into his side, rest her head on his shoulder. Instead, her posture was unnaturally stiff, and she tried to focus on the sounds coming from inside the gym.
The entire room was vibrating with an upbeat pop song, and about a hundred sweaty bodies moving to the beat. Some hovered on the outskirts, hesitantly trying to build up the courage to ask someone to dance, and others who had arrived without dates hovered around the refreshments table, sipping on punch and munching on a cake boasting of their victory against Seaview.
"So glad you could make it!" Faye exclaimed as she sauntered over to Cassie and Adam, pulling Cassie out of her daze.
Faye was wearing a very short scarlet red form-fitting dress, built through the bust as a corset and then clinging to her hips. Her high-heeled black ankle booties and black crystal jewelry set off the contrast between her dark hair and light eyes, and she looked absolutely delirious with victory.
"So I take it Jake is around here somewhere?"
"She cloaked him in," Diana said somewhat disapprovingly as she walked over to them. Her dress was an eggplant purple, strapless and ruched through the bodice, before flaring out at the waist with elegant folds and ending just above the knee. Her chocolate brown pumps made her exude elegance.
"You look beautiful, Diana," Adam said, smiling at her. Cassie felt her heart drop. Diana did look beautiful. And she was the one Adam probably really wanted to be with tonight.
"Thanks," Diana said, smiling slightly. "You look great yourself…and great dress, Cassie. It really sets off your eyes."
"Oh, yeah," Cassie said, voice somewhat strained. "It was just the first thing I saw—"
"Well, it was an excellent choice," Jake said, appearing from nowhere and looping his arm around Faye's waist. "Job well done."
"Hey, you look a little old to be a student here," Cassie said in a mock-serious tone, placing her index finger and thumb on her chin, jokingly studying Jake. Everyone laughed, which brought a lightness to Cassie's spirit. This was exactly like it was supposed to be…their Circle, enjoying high school together, her and Adam together again…Maybe things could get better.
"So shall we dance?" Adam asked. Cassie felt her heart flutter before she realized that this question was directed more at the entire group.
"Of course!" Faye said, grabbing Jake's hand and dragging him out onto the dance floor.
Cassie smiled feebly as she let Adam guide her and Diana, wishing she could just change her mind and go home. What was she doing here? Why did she think things had gotten better? The three of them danced together as the music continued to blare, and Cassie felt like she was still on the verge of tears.
Faye and Jake were in their own world, dancing closer and closer as the music intensified. Adam moved stiffly and awkwardly, but Diana seemed to be enjoying herself, letting go of some of the anxiety that had encased her since she returned to Chance Harbor. Cassie tried to let her thoughts focus just on the rising beat of the music, but couldn't take her eyes away from the space between Adam and Diana. Was she being paranoid, or was it becoming smaller and smaller?
The beat died off suddenly, ending the song. Diana stopped moving, panting and smiling. There was a trace of sweat along her hairline.
"That was so much fun!" She exclaimed, a wide smile on her face. The soft notes of a piano filled the gym, signaling a slow song and the need to pair off. Adam looked awkwardly at Cassie.
"Mind if I have this dance?"
Cassie turned around and saw someone standing behind her. He was tall, with a lanky but built frame, like a runner. His hair was sandy-blond and cut close, showing off his dark blue eyes. He smiled at her. She felt like he was probably attractive, just not to her.
"Oh, uhh…" She turned around, and saw that Adam had already moved closer to Diana, as if assuming Cassie would automatically accept the dance with the handsome stranger. Frustrated, she turned back to him.
"Sure," she said, a little too firmly. He grinned, placing his hands on her waist.
"I'm Parker," he said.
"Cassie Blake. I don't think I've met you before?" She studied his face. There was something about it that was so familiar, but she couldn't place him. Maybe he was a Junior?
"No, we haven't met before," he said smoothly. "Which is too bad. I've always wanted to know my big sister."
Cassie hesitated a moment, standing still and staring at him, wondering if she heard him correctly. In her two-second pause she had waited too long, and he had moved one arm around her waist firmly while the other hand covered her mouth. She tried to scream through his hand, but even the slow song was too loud. Parker started to walk her off the dance floor, and Cassie's heart began racing. She screamed again, kicking toward Diana and Adam as Parker swiftly moved. Her shoe fell off and slid into Diana.
"Cassie!" She exclaimed, breaking away from Adam.
Parker moved into a sprint, his tall frame basically carrying Cassie's short frame, dodging confused couples as he parted through the sea of bodies. He kicked down the gym door, racing into the hallway and toward the cafeteria.
"Cassie!" Adam shouted from behind them, and the sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway. Parker turned the corner, pushing through the door to the cafeteria and then immediately ducking around the corner, hiding behind the serving counter.
"Don't make a sound!" Parker commanded as he removed his hand from over Cassie's mouth. She tried to scream, "I'm right here!" for her friends to hear her, but instead nothing came out. Her eyes grew wide as she realized the command hadn't been an order to her, but a spell. As he retracted his palm and peered over the counter at the group who had just barged in, Cassie felt faint as she recognized the Balcoin symbol glowing on her hand.
"Cassie!"
This time it was Jake hollering. He flipped over one of the tables by the door, and yelled her name again.
"They came in here!"
That was Faye.
"We need to do a Locator Spell!"
Adam.
"No."
The voice was weak and soft, but Cassie recognized it as Diana's. Parker continued to keep one arm over her as they leaned against the cool metal, and Cassie began to panic at the immediate refusal to help her.
"What do you mean no?" Jake shouted. "She's in danger! We have to!"
"I'm not doing magic!" Diana yelled back. "Let's start looking! She's in here somewhere!"
Jake let out a strained grunt, and there was the sound of another table being flipped.
As footsteps headed over to the counter, Parker glared at Cassie, and signaled for her to move around the corner with him. Terrified, she obeyed, keeping her eyes firmly on the glowing symbol on his hand and thinking of the pain she had induced on the intruder last weekend. Was it him? As the pressed her hand against the cold tile floor, she could feel the comforting heat of her own Balcoin symbol.
The two moved behind the industrial refrigerator, and Cassie saw Diana and Adam looking where she had just been.
Cassie tried to scream for help, but, again, nothing came out. Parker glared at her furiously, and Adam started to turn around, a determined but desperate look on his face. They were going to leave…
Cassie acted quickly, grabbing a pot from the counter across from them. Parker lunged at her, but she used her smaller size to duck away from him, and threw the pot in front of where Adam and Diana were. They turned around, and saw Cassie's silently yelling face. She was running toward them, with Parker behind her.
"Cassie!" Adam yelled, grabbing onto her hand and pulling her away from the counter.
"Water boil, water—" Parker began yelling a curse, but Diana moved her arms in front of her face, yelling.
"NO!" She shouted, and the orange Balcoin symbol blazed on her hand. An amber bubble surrounded her, and then exploded, sending Parker flying backwards as if he had just been shoved by something powerful and heavy. The bubble smashed into Adam as well, sending him flying across the sleek stainless steel counter.
Diana stood, stunned, as Parker got back onto his feet and growled, charging at her. The bubble built up around her again, her face terrified and confused.
Cassie began choking, and Diana and Parker both turned to look at her. Parker tightened his fist, and Cassie's choking became worse. Parker smiled more broadly, revealing his small teeth. He began chanting under his breath, and Diana's protective bubble began shrinking as Cassie's choking became worse.
"Take his movement, take his voice," Jake began chanting, stepping between Parker and Cassie. Faye and Adam immediately joined him, standing nervously in a wall in front of her, chanting the spell.
"Diana!" Faye hissed. "Say it with us!"
Parker had begun shrinking back, his voice sputtering until it disappeared, and then collapsing onto the ground. Faye, Adam, and Jake began chanting in a firmer tone, some hope and strength regained.
Parker was attempting to squirm away, his movement seriously impeded, but still managing to fight through the weak power of three unbound witches.
"I can't," she squeaked, clutching the hand that was burning with the Balcoin symbol. Her whole body was trembling.
"You have to!" Jake shouted.
"I can't!" Diana screamed. With that, the concentration was broken, and Parker managed to leap away, darting past them and through the doors faster than any of them could run. Jake immediately sprinted off after them, but his speed was visibly less than Parker's.
"What the hell!" Adam shouted, turning to face Diana. "Why wouldn't you help?"
"I don't do that anymore!" Diana shrieked back, her face now red with rage. "You know that!"
"Cassie could have died!" Adam yelled back.
"But she didn't! Because we're always there to save her back, aren't we?"
"What is your problem?"
"You guys!" Faye interrupted, stepping between them. She had never had to take on the role of mediator before, much less between an enraged Adam and Diana, and the three of them immediately recognized the uncomfortable roles they had adopted.
"I have to go," Diana mumbled, ready to break away, but Faye grabbed her wrist.
"You can't be selfish like that," Faye said firmly.
"Oh, you would be the one to know all about that, wouldn't you?" Diana hissed, pulling her wrist free and storming out of the cafeteria.
Faye and Adam stared at her, dazed, and then turned to look at Cassie.
"Are you okay?" Adam asked softly. Cassie tried to say something, but her voice was too soft and sore…but it was coming back. Instead, she just nodded.
"Who was that?" Faye asked. "Was he…"
Cassie nodded, and held up her palm, displaying the glowing Balcoin symbol.
"Diana," Cassie managed to rasp. "Her magic…it was her dark magic."
Faye's eyes grew wide and Adam's jaw dropped. They stood together in the resonating silence of the cafeteria, the music from the dance a distant humming as they felt in the shockwaves of the powerful magic that had happened around them a few minutes earlier.