As promised, the boys dropped them off at the boardwalk, leaving their bikes at a stand and then they were gone, molding into the crowd. Cass watched them leave, a brief look of panic crossing over her face, before a nervous smile took its place.
"Spill!" Erin squeaked, dragging Cass off towards a more secluded part of the place. This wasn't something she had prepared for, she was never good with giving details.
"We just messed around, that's all." Cass shrugged, trying to play it cool.
"Mmmhm, was it big?" Erin asked, a sly smirk crossing her face
"WHAT!" Cass yelled, her eyes opening wide and both anger and disbelief crossing her face. Erin started laughing and blubbering,
"Hahah… your face! … the look.. The horror..!" Erin was beginning to annoy her. Cass gave her an eye roll and crossed her arms.
"You didn't see it? Did you?" Erin asked, placing her hand on Cass' shoulder.
"No." Cass grumbled, not even realizing she was upset about that fact in the first place.
"There is plenty of time! And he's obviously very into you, and very uh, protective as well." Erin gave her a brief smile.
"Well that's an understatement." Cass mumbled, feeling her mood perk up from just the thought of him being so protective.
"Food?" Erin questioned, nodding to a hot dog stand
"God yes. I've never been so hungry in my life." So they started off towards the stand, each ordering 2 hotdogs. Erin applied mustard, ketchup, and relish (something that disgusted Cass to her core) while Cass just added ketchup.
As the 2 happily munched on their meals then lapsed into silence. Each lost in their own thoughts, staring out to the ocean.
"What do you say we go and try to find our troublesome boys?" Erin asked, licking her fingers free of mustard. Cass wasn't sure if she wanted to find them, mostly because she didn't know what else she would find. But Erin was demanding and usually got what she wanted. So they threw their remains into the trash can nearby and wandered onto the beach. They must have walked for 2 miles, seeing no sign of the boys. It wasn't until they got to a particular secluded spot that fear began to ice its way up into Cass' veins.
"Erin" Cass whispered
"What?" Erin whispered back, Cass knew Erin was just as scared
"What do you think we will find?" Cass wondered
"I don't want to guess. Could be worse than we imagined, or it could be nothing bad at all" Erin said confidently, raising her lips in a smile that was supposed to comfort chance. But no, it had no such effect. They had finally reached a place where no one was, and was about to turn back when they heard the faintest groan. It halted them in their retreat. They each looked at each other before slowly creeping forward. They made their way up a sand dune as quickly and quietly as they could, collapsing on the top to look over. What they saw, left Cass heartbroken.
Each of the boys had their particular flavor of the night, and each was obviously enjoying it. Cass didn't care about the other boys though, her gaze was focused solely on Marko, and the fact that he had a girls legs over his shoulders as he rocked deeply into her. It made Cass feel like crying, and screaming. But she did neither, she just watched. And Erin did the same from next to her, trying not to let the gasp and whimper escape. She was upset that Dwayne had found someone as well, but his sexual actions were not the only thing on her mind. Because all around the fire were bodies of boys she assumed were partying with the girls each of the guys had. The only sounds to be heard was the crackling of the fire, the moans from the girls, and an almost inaudible groan from one of the guys.
They watched for another minute or so, before each of them decided they had their fun, ending the lives of the girls all around. Then threw all of the bodies into the fire, like they were nothing. Each of them got dressed before Paul spoke,
"So you like Cassandra, huh Marko?" Paul joked, nudging the shorter blonde with his elbow. Marko shook his head
"Shut up man" Marko replied, doing up his belt.
"What I'm just saying, she obviously likes you!" Paul said
"I know. What girl doesn't?" Marko shrugged, and Cass wanted to vomit.
"That's your mate" David said, sending a glare to the younger boy.
"You don't know that. And even if, who cares? I don't do mates, or girlfriends, or anything of the sort" Marko waved him off, and Cass really wanted to get sick.
"So you don't like her then?" Paul questioned, confused
"Nah. Not really. She's just someone fun to play with" Marko shrugged again, and Cass had never hated anyone more.
Erin grabbed her friends shoulder hard, then began pulling her away from the scene. Cass said nothing, just followed blindly. Once Erin thought they were far enough way, she finally spoke.
"Cass I'm so sorry, he's such an asshole." Erin ranted, giving the other girl a sympathetic smile. Cass only nodded numbly, not feeling like saying very much.
"Let's just go back to the house and do some girly things ok?" Erin questioned, again Cass only nodded. Erin decided to pick up the pace just in case they ended their weird acts soon, Cass stumbling to keep up but not losing her balance completely. They had gotten to the house quicker than they had found the boys, and once in Erin locked up all the doors, and even went around to all of the windows for good measure. She then turned off most of the light, leaving only certain ones on so they weren't in complete darkness.
"Cass I have a feeling they are going to come looking for us. So I think we should just chill in my room since it's on the furthest part of the house. Ok?" Erin asked, already leading the girl up the stairs.
"Sure" Cass finally found the energy to speak and began to walk more on her own. Why did it hurt so bad? She hadn't even really known him. But she just felt this deep sense of connection with him, and maybe because he was just so different compared to her ex. But the words he said, felt every bit of the pain that he exes had.
"Are you ok?" Erin asked as they got into her room and settled onto the bed. Cass didn't answer for awhile, just picked at the threads on her comforter. Erin wanted to yell at her for doing so but didn't think the moment was right for it.
"I don't know. I'm hurt, but I don't know why." Cass furrowed her eyebrows "maybe because he was so different than anyone I've ever known" Cass mused aloud darkly. It was then that she looked down and realized she was still wearing his shirt. She almost gagged at the thought and immediately stood up, causing Erin to let out a small shriek of surprise.
"I need to change. I want this off. Now!" Cass cried, whipping the t-shirt off of her head and throwing it into the corner.
"Alright. Let's find you a new shirt, no lights though." Erin warned, leading the girl to her room. The hallway light let just enough light to filter into her room that Cass immediately found her suitcase and a shirt. She was lifting it over head when there was a pounding on the door. Both girls jumped and Cass dropped the shirt onto the floor. Neither girl moved, Cass didn't even think either of them breathed.
"Cassandra?" A voice called "Erin? You guys in there?" another knocking sound came. Erin and Cass exchanged a look before Erin pointed at the shirt. Cass scooped it up and threw it on, both girls tiptoeing out into the hallway, a board creaking under the weight. Both froze and the knocking ceased.
"Shit" Cass swore, pushing Erin to the bedroom, and her following immediately after. Only neither of them were quite graceful because the minute Erin's foot touched the carpet, she tripped over a throw pillow, causing the girl to stumble. And since Cass was coming in hot behind her, ending up tripping over Erin. The two falling ungracefully onto the floor and getting tangled together.
"I told you not to throw the damn pillows on the floor. There's a cabinet for them!" Cass seethed
"Sorry" Erin mumbled, but neither girl spoke because it was deathly quiet downstairs.
"I know you guys are in there!" a voice abruptly said making both girls tense. But neither of them were ready to admit that they were in fact home.
"Yeah! We heard you klutzes fall, or drop something!" That was Paul, most definitely Paul. Cass almost laughed aloud but thought better of it.
"Erin?" A voice questioned, a fist banging on the window to the right of them. Cass had met her quota of scares for the day, and Erin was in the same boat because they both screamed and then each slapped a hand to the others mouth giving each other wide eyed looks.
"We blew it!" Cass whispered, then she heard a sigh and a soft knock again. Cass pleaded with Erin with her eyes and the girl nodded, mouthing to stay here.
"Meet you downstairs!" Erin called, she gave Cass one last smile and Cass told her to be careful before Erin ran down the stairs. Cass silently sat near the door where she could hear the whole conversation. Erin took a few deep breaths before unlocking the door and swinging it open.
"Hi boys! What can I do for you on this lovely evening?" Erin questioned, keeping her tone light. Cass face palmed and felt like screaming at Erin. It was quiet for a few beats and then,
"Where is Cassandra?" His voice almost made her cry, she wanted to say right here! But she couldn't, she wouldn't.
"Oh! Uh, she is feeling really sick so she's laying down!" Erin answered, it was believable for the most part.
"What? Let me in so I can make sure she's ok!" Marko pleaded
"No!" Erin yelled, "I mean, she just ate a bad hot dog and just needs her rest, that's all. She'll feel better tomorrow!" She assured, it was quiet for a few moments.
"Well tell her I hope she feels better! Bad hot dogs suck, I would know. I swear they only throw those things in the fryer for a minute!" Paul said, and she immediately felt bad for lying to him. But then she remembered the dead bodies, and the blood, and the girls, who were probably only ashes by now.
"She won't tell her you said that" David remarked, what?
"What why not?" Paul questioned, voicing her thoughts.
"Because she's lying, Cassandra is fine. She's just avoiding us." David's voice held anger, but also a small bit of confusion.
"How can you be sure?" Marko asked, sounding every bit of confused she knew he looked.
"I agree with David" Dwayne chimed in, well fuck you too Dwayne.
"But why would she be avoiding us?" Paul sounded hurt and Cass closed her eyes.
"I don't know. Erin why would Cassandra be avoiding us?" David questioned
"Uhhh" Erin said dumbly
"Erin" Dwayne said, his voice firm but soothing.
Ah hell. They were losing this fight, Cass may as well pull up her big girl panties and take the heat. She gathered her thoughts and much like Erin had earlier she took a few deep breaths before descending the stairs. They all looked at her, and she was surprised to see mostly hurt and confusion in most of their eyes.
"Cass?" Marko whispered, and she realized it was the first time he had called her by the nickname, she also realized she didn't like it as much as her full name, not from him anyways.
"So you aren't sick?" Paul questioned
"No I'm not" Cass answered honestly.
"Then what's wrong?" Marko huffed, anger returning to his eyes, his stance one of an angry child. And it pissed Cass off to no end.
"Don't you dare come here angry!" Cass yelled, pointing her finger at Marko. For his part, he did look a little scared by the way his eyes widened, and definitely wasn't expecting her to yell at him. Erin backed up and gave her an encouraging smile.
"What the hell did I do?" he yelled back, mad at this stupid fight, and he didn't even know what they were fighting about.
"Don't play the victim, Marko, it doesn't suit you" she sneered, the pure venom that was laced with his name would have even the strongest of men cowering, but not Marko, no he was getting angrier. The other boys just watched, not really sure how to end the fight, and also confused on the fight itself.
"How was it? Think you were the first person she ever got off to, too?" Cass seethed, her eyes narrowing and her breaths coming out ragged. They all froze, and they all knew they had been caught. Paul looked sheepish and looked a little disgusted, which she was thankful for. Dwayne's eyes darted to Erin, who wouldn't look at him, no matter how hard he willed her to. And David didn't care, per usual. But she was the happiest about David, because he never claimed or acted any other way, and she respected that.
"I… how?" Marko tried to form a coherent sentence.
"Does it matter?" Cass asked, now feeling incredibly tired.
"Yes. Of course it matters!" Marko yelled, pulling at his hair.
"It doesn't. None of this does. You guys should go" her voice lacked emotion and Marko immediately wished she would go back to screaming at him, anything was better than this.
"Yes it does. It matters to me. Talk to me!" Marko pleaded
"I saw… we saw." Erin piped up, staring at Cass. Cass only nodded
"I didn't mean.. It didn't mean anything" Marko cried, willing her to believe him. But she barely knew him, so why would she trust him?
"Look. It's fine, we barely knew each other. And you live here and I don't it was bound to end anyways wasn't it? You can go back to your life, and I'll go back to mine! It's fine!" Cass finished with a nod, giving him a weak smile. Erin frowned at the girl and wanted to shake her, what was she doing? She knew that Cass liked him, why wouldn't she try?
"No. You don't mean that. You're just hurt. I'll make this up to you Cassandra, I promise. There's a reason you feel this so deeply, there is a reason you feel so connected to me, we're meant to be together baby." Marko said quietly, and Cass felt her anger flare up again.
"Why because we're 'mates'?" Cass laughed but it lacked humor, and Marko knew that he had fucked up. "I don't care what we are, or what we could have been. All I know is that I want you to leave, and I don't want to talk to you again. I dealt with enough wishy-washy shit from my ex to deal with it from you to!" Cass waved at them and turned on her heel, almost to the stairs when he replied.
"So you're punishing me for your exes bad behavior? I'm not him, Cassandra!" Marko yelled, wanting to run into the house and shake the girl, and hold her until she believed him.
"I'm not punishing you, Marko. I'm doing what's best for me. And funny you say that, because you're acting just like him." She replied blankly, "goodbye" she added before making her way up the stairs.
"Cassandra, please wait! Please!" Marko pleaded,
"Yeah he didn't mean it! He likes you!" Paul piped in, trying and failing to get the girl to turn around.
"Yes he did. And if he didn't, it's even worse that he lied to you guys and said it in the first place" she replied, rounding the corner and going into the bedroom, closing and locking the door behind her. Here she could cry alone, here she didn't have to be as strong.
"I'm sorry guys, but you need to leave" Erin said, and Cass felt bad because she knew Erin liked Dwayne.
"Will we get to see either of you again? Do you hate us too?" Paul questioned
"Neither of us hate you. And I'm sure you'll see us both around." Erin answered
"Please tell Cassandra I'm sorry" Marko asked, and his voice lacked emotion.
"I will. See ya guys." Erin closed the door and locked it, before running up the stairs and knocking on the door.
"Cass?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you ok?"
"I will be"
"Marko said he's sorry"
"I know. You don't have to avoid them because I am Erin, I know you like Dwayne."
"I know. But you're my best friend, and you mean more to me than he will. And if you don't want to be around them, then neither will I!" Cass smiled and was thankful for the best friend she was given.
"Good night Erin!" Cass called
"Night Cass!" and Erin made her way into her room.
That night, Cass didn't dream of Marko dying. No, she dreamt of him confessing his feelings, everything Cass had been wanting to hear from someone she cared about. She dreamt of a world where her and Marko could be together without all of the complications, and the lies, and the hurt, and then Cass realized she was having a nightmare. Because Marko would never admit his feelings for her, and she wasn't going to get to be with Marko in that way, and that scared her the most.