Cassandra Thompson is the step-cousin of Jason Hogart. When meeting and getting to know Emma they never make the connection that they're talking about the same person. Cass only knows Jay as Jason or Ty short for Tyler his middle name (couldn't find a middle name anywhere and didn't want to use mikes name lol also didn't know jays dad's name so basically made it so they both have the name Jason and dad goes by Jay to the family since he was the first.) Emma never says Jay's last name when talking about what happened with him. Cass calls Emma E because when they're together they're Cass-E.
I do not own Degrassi or any of its characters.
(Emma)
I can't wait for tomorrow. I'd been away all summer at this environmentalist camp for future representatives and tomorrow was the first day of grade 11. I met this super cool girl Cass, this summer. She said she'd be starting tomorrow at Degrassi too. She left camp early to move in with her cousin, she said. We got super close over the summer. She was telling me all about what was happening to her at home with her parents and how her stepmom was making her feel uncomfortable. She said she never touched her but when her dad wasn't there, she'd make weird comments about her body and how much she'd be worth on the streets.
I wish she didn't have to go through that, but I knew how she felt. I told her about the Jordan situation and the shooting and the whole Jay thing and my brief spiral with my eating disorder. I told her about how even though what happened was bad between us I still had feelings for Jay but knew I'd never be able to have him, not with him still being with Alex and the fact that Sean would kill us both and everyone would think he was taking advantage of me again. I even told her about how even though Manny was my best friend, sometimes I was so jealous that every guy I ended up liking she just went after them and took them from me.
That's how I found out Cass was gay, or rather pansexual as she called it. She said she never had to compete with anyone when the whole world was there for the picking. She really became my best friend this summer. She helped me work through the left-over issues I still had with everything from Sean to Jay, the shooting, all of it. It might have only been two months, but I feel like I've known her my whole life. I feel kind of bad to think about it but she's kind of replaced Manny in my life, not that I still don't consider her important to me, but I don't think we'll ever be as close as we were. At least not without talking first and even then, I'm not so sure.
As I'm getting my stuff ready for school tomorrow, I hear a ping on my computer.
Bluebox08: Hey E. Can we meet out front of school tomorrow? My cousin wants to drive me to school. He's saying he'll feel better knowing I got there safe and sound lol.
Treez4lyfe: Cass! Yeah, we can. Your cousin sounds like such a sweet guy. I can't wait to meet him tomorrow!
Bluebox08: he's a big softy when it comes to me. We're not even blood-related but he's looked out for me my whole life basically. When I told him what was happening at home, I swear I thought he was gonna kill his aunt and my dad. He yelled at them for hours then told my dad to pick me up early from camp and that he was taking custody of me. I'm kinda bummed at how easily my dad just signed off on it. It's like he didn't even care as long as his wife didn't leave him.
Treez4lyfe: I'm sorry Cass. But at least you're out of there and before anything happened. Trust me, you don't want those scars physically or mentally.
Bluebox08: yeah, I know. Ty's yelling at me to go to bed lol you'd think I was 5 not 15 lol I'll see you tomorrow, E. Night!
Treez4lyfe: Night Cass see you tomorrow.
As I turned off my computer, all I could think about was how excited I was to see Cass again. Having eyes on her will make me know for sure she's ok.
(Jay)
"Cass. Bed. Now." Jay yelled to his cousin. This was weird as shit. It's like overnight I became a parent. I wouldn't change a thing though. When Cass called and told me what was happening, I knew I had to get her out of there. I've done a lot of shit in my day, but I'd never consider the things my aunt was. And for her dad to just let it happen. I've known Cass since she was 5, she's like my sister. Since she told me I'd been debating about adopting her just so that she'd be safe. I only got temporary custody, but I didn't tell Cass that. I didn't want her to worry about anything other than getting the hell out of there. She's a strong girl but there's only so much she can take.
"Ok, ok I was just making plans with my friend to meet up tomorrow morning since you won't let me walk with her."
"Seeing how you never said who this friend is until I meet them there's no walking with anyone."
"God you're such a dad now, I told you to call her E." she says laughing at me as she closes her door.
"E is a letter, not a name." I yell at her.
Maybe she's right, I am a dad now. Who'd have thought Jason Hogart would only need a kid to grow the hell up?
(Cass)
"Ty come on I don't want to be late and miss her" I yell. Emma was planning to show me around the school before it got crazy in there. She said it could be like a zoo and would be even more so since it's the first day of school.
"I'm coming god you make it sound like you'll never see her again if you don't get there now." He grabs his keys, and we head out the door.
"Look she's my best friend and the only other person I'll know here besides you ok I want you guys to get along as she'll probably be here a lot." I tell him.
"Is she a friend or…" he starts
"Jason she's just a friend. She's hot and all but not my type." I stated, with an unamused look.
"Didn't think you had a type with the whole the world is my oyster thing" he teased.
"Just because I could care less about gender doesn't mean I don't have a type." I tell him glaring.
"Ok, ok geez" he said throwing his hands up.
"Besides your more her type anyway. She was telling me about this guy she had a thing with last year. She met him at the ravine you hang out at. Anyway, she said some things happened and long story short they're not together, but she wants them to be. But something about her ex would not like it at all, well everyone apparently. I told her to go for it this year though." I say looking out the window.
"Cass, what does she look like?" He asked me sounding nervous.
"First time you've asked me that, why do you sound so nervous all of a sudden?" I asked him
"Cass what does she look like!" He asked a bit more demanding.
"Geez no need to yell, she's got blonde hair and brown eyes. You couldn't miss her honestly; she's always protesting something" I say laughing.
"Fuck" he says.
"What's with you? What do you know her?" I ask him
"It's Emma isn't it." He says gripping the steering wheel tighter.
"Yeah, why Ty? What's going on?" I ask him.
"Cass she was talking about me. I'm the guy from last year at the ravine." He said, running his hand across his face.
"Ty, what do you mean it's you? Look I know you've done some dumb shit but really, no protection?" I yell at him hitting him in the stomach.
"Ow, I know I fucked up with her. But wait, you said she still has feelings for me, that you told her to try again with me. So, I have a chance, right?" he says starting to get that dumb smile on his face.
"Well now she's going to think I knew this whole time. Since when do you go by Jay anyway?" I ask him.
"Since I came out here to start over. Look you gotta talk to her for me." He begs me.
"Drop me off here I'm walking the rest of the way." I demand.
"What no way Cass." he tells me.
"Look if I show up with you before I can explain we'll both be in the doghouse you know how Emma is." I tell him.
"Yeah, ok fine we won't have contact until then." He says to me a bit defeated.
"Don't worry as soon as I see her, I'm telling her." I tell him.
I get out of the car and start the rest of the walk to the school. Once I get there, I see Emma on the steps looking around. I race over to her.
"E! I missed you like crazy" I yell to her.
"Cass omg! I thought you were getting dropped off where's your cousin?" she asks questioningly.
"Yeah, so about that I found out something this morning and I had him drop me off a bit away from the school. I needed to talk to you before your brain went down the wrong rabbit hole." I tell her hoping she doesn't freak out.
"What about?" She asks.
"So, this Jay guy right, it's um, well it's Ty I didn't realize we were talking about the same person until I was talking about you again this morning on the way here. And he actually put two and two together."
'Wait Jays your cousin. Impossible there's no way. Jay is rude and mean and a bully and Ty isn't like that at all. Wait how did you not know."
"Back home he never went by Jay. We all call him Jason or Ty. He said when he moved here that's when he started to go by Jay. I also kinda let it slip how I told you to try again with him. He wanted me to talk to you but well knowing everything, don't feel pressured to. I honestly care more about your happiness than some jerk-off." I tell her nonchalantly.
"But that jerk off is your cousin." She reminds me.
"Details E, details." I say as we laugh and go inside the school.
(Emma)
As I'm showing Cass around all I can think about is the fact that Jay is her cousin and the fact that he likes me too. This was not how I was expecting this year to start. This whole time I thought that being with him was out of reach but in reality, it wasn't. Well except for the fact still that there's his best friend Sean my ex and Alex his curent girlfriend still. She'd kill me but if he wants me then there's nothing to worry about right?
"Earth to E. You're doing too much thinking right now. Let it go for now and think about it later." Cass says to me rolling her eyes.
"Emma!" We hear and I turn to see who it is.
"Manny!" I yell back.
"Hey! How was your summer?" She asks
"Really good. Meet Cass Degrassi's newest student." I say introducing Cass and Manny. I've told Cass a lot about Manny, Not all good things but i really needed to vent and for Cass to see the whole picture of the issues me and Manny have had. I know im not the perfect person I try to pretend to be, but sometimes i need a jugement free zone to vent to and well Manny's never been that for me.
"Hey Manny, I've heard so much about you, but E failed to mention how much of a morning person you are." she says a bit sarcasticly.
"Wait I thought you just met? How'd you hear so much about me already." she says a bit dumbfoundly.
I can already see the problems these two are going to cause me.
"I met Cass this summer at camp. We really hit it off." I say quickly trying to diffuse the tension slowly building.
"Yeah, out of the park." Cass says. I turn and glare at her and she gives a me a what look. Cass is many things but dumb is not one of them. Shes skipped a grade for goodness sakes. She knows exactly what she's doing right now with Manny and im just really hoping Manny isnt picking up on it.
"I see. Well, we should have lunch together. Catch up." Sh says crossing her arms. Damn it she did pick up on it.
"Yeah, see you at lunch Manny." I say quickly grabbing Cass's arm and head towards Dad's class.
"Really Cass. Could you have not started with her on the first day." I say.
"Hey she was the one sizing me up. I never back down from a fight. I can call Tony for you if you need proof of that." She tells me grabbing her phohne from her pocket.
"I do not need you to call your nex gang memebers t confirm if you back down from a fight or not. Manny isn't someone in a rival gang Cass. Shes not going to fight the way you do. Just try to not get into it with her." I beg Cass.
" Fine, I wont start with her but if she starts im finishing it." Cass says.
We turn the corner and stop in front of the Media room.
"Alright, here's our homeroom Cass, and that's Mr Simpson aka Dad." I say laughing.
"Hi Mr. S I'm Cass. Me and Emma met this summer." She tells him.
"Oh, Cass hi. We've heard a lot about you. I hear your cousin goes here." he says to her.
"Um, yeah and I'm finding out he doesn't have the greatest of reputations here." She says scratching the back of her neck.
"What's his name?" he asks.
"Jason Hogart." She says.
"Ahhh, yes, well hopefully you can help him with that." He says laughing.
"You think we can get our schedules before everyone starts piling in dad?" i ask him.
"Oh yeah here is yours Emma, and Cass short for Cassandra correct?" He asks.
"Yeah, last name Thompson." she says
"Found you here you go. Sit wherever guys." he tells us.
I walked Cass over to my usual spot in the middle of the room. Just as we're sitting down getting comfortable in walks Jay. He spots us and sits next to Cass.
"Morning ladies" he says as he sits.
"Ugh you saw me less than 15 minutes ago dad." Cass says to him jokingly.
"Yeah, well seeing as you didn't want to be seen with me walking in now's the only time, I can say hi. So E, that's one I wish I thought up. Though I think I like GP better." he says with his signature smirk.
"Well, I'll have to say I like Ty better than Jay." I throw back.
"That's reserved for Cass only." he tells me.
"So is E." I say to him.
"Okay definitely can feel the sexual tension here and I'm getting uncomfortable with it." She says sinking in her seat a bit.
"Cass!" we both say.
"What it's true. Look why don't you two work this out after school. I'd say lunch but we have plans with Manny." Cass says rolling her eyes.
"Your friends with Slutos now too?" he laughs.
"Don't call her that. You have no idea what she's been through." I say getting mad.
"Yeah, but I do E and honestly, I'm not looking forward to this lunch today." Cass tells me.
"Ugh I know but even with everything she's still my friend." I say exsaperated.
"I know E. Just don't let her bring you down again. Every time she gets in your head and your left feeling less than when you're not. If she was half as much as the friend, you claimed she was she would have changed a long time ago. I'm not saying drop her just be careful." Cass says and turns back to her computer.
Just as then the bell rang and everyone started to pile in the room, I saw Manny, JT, Tobey, Liberty and unexpectedly Sean.
"Just what I needed." I hear Jay say under his breath.
"Don't even worry about him." I find myself saying looking over at Jay. He looks back at me with an intense look at first which slowly turns into his usual smirk. I smile back. Even if later, we can't work this out at least we can be civil for Cass.
"Gag me now." I hear from Cass and I start to laugh. Manny comes to sit on my other side followed by Sean next to her. As he walks pass, I feel his eyes on me. I force myself not to look up at him. After the shooting he went back to Wasaga. Didn't even say a word to me and it seems he hadn't planned on saying anything about coming back either. I get needing to get away to process but I at least thought we were friends he could have at least said goodbye. I know it's selfish for me to say it, but I needed him, and he wasn't there. No one was really. Not until Jay and Cass.
"Yo Hogart." Sean says
"Sup" Jay says back looking down.
"Alright guys settle down and listen to the announcements." Dad says.
I start to focus on that when I get a ping in my messages.
J. hogart: so, you wanna ride with us after school?
E. nelson: yeah ok.
J. hogart: cool. Um can we not tell Sean anything until we figure this out first.
E. nelson: you read my mind. We both know he'd flip but honestly it has nothing to do with him. This is between you and me and oddly enough Cass lol.
J. hogart: glad we're on the same page. It's crazy she talked about you all summer and I never realized she meant you.
E. nelson: I know what you mean…. what if she knew and was just messing with both of us.
J. hogart: doubtful. Like she said everyone back home calls me Jason, so she'd have no way of knowing unless you said my last name. Simpson is looking this way. TTYL.
I looked up to see dad looking between me and Jay with this weird look. I know after last year Jay is not his favorite person but he's going to have to deal with seeing him around for Cass at least. The bell for first period rang and me and Cass noticed Jay hang back.
"I'll see you ladies later. Gotta talk to Mr. S." Jay says.
We looked at each other and then back at him and nodded and headed of to first period.
I hope everyone is enjoying so far. I have a good protion of this story write already just going through and adding in some proper puncutaion. I already know exactly how this story is going to end and have already started planing the part two for it. So please stick around and tell me what you think.