Cassie looked both of them in the eye and noded. That's all she could do without sobbing. After turning around, she walked fast to her car and drove away. She knew neither of them would follow, he could see it in Tommy's eyes that he was still confused and but it was the fact that Sean kept his look on the floor and with his shoulders down that cut Cassie to pieces.
Would she be able to put the pieces back together? This felt even worst than any other breakup, heartbreak or pain she felt before. When anyone else called her a whore, it never reached her heart. But Sean was different, she loved him and felt deeply for him. Him calling her that... after everything she'd told him... it broke her.
She took a week off school, she could afford it because when she attended she had all perfect grades and aside from a few missed days after being around Mother a lot, she also had great attendance. She spent that week lost in love stories that had been put in paper for her to enjoy over a hot bath and room service. The one thing Cassie thanked her long lost father was the big bank account he left to her name before disappearing. She was basically set for life, even if she decided to live like a trustfund baby. She didn't, she had taken it the smart way and invested it so it grew and she could leave it to whatever charity she decided before dying.
There weren't many things Cassie knew for certain, but some of those were:
- Cassie was never going to have children
- Cassie was never giving money to Mother
During that week she also had to change her number. It was obvious the guys were going to reach out once she didn't show back to the appartment on Saturday. It became more difficult with Sean's Mom because Cassie loved that woman, so after changing numbers she wrote to let her know she was safe and would be coming to dinner the following weekend. She cancelled last minute of course, but they did meet for a coffee the Sunday before Cassie returned back to school. It was actually her who convinced Cassie to go back, reminding her that whatever had happened wasn't worth risking her education.
And apparently her return was known because the two men she wanted to see less of, that she tried very hard to put off her system during her "detox week", were waiting for her.
- Cassie, are you okay? What happened? You never came back on Saturday and then your number came back as disconnected and I didn't know anything about you. I thought the worst had happend! At least until Sean's Mom said you were coming back to school today - that was Tommy for you, all rushed and worried but at the same time confused and all over the place - sorry... hi - he said shyly.
- hi. in case you didn't take the hint, we are good and I'm okay but you can stop pretending to give a fuck and go back to your group of friends. stop with the act like you give a shit about me, I don't need it. I've been fine on my own, I'll still be fine on my own.
- hey, doll. it's been a minute, you been partying without me? - Noah reached them and put an arm around Cassie like it belonged there.
- please stop calling me doll, you don't deserve me. you didn't deserve me before either but I'm tired of it already so please, just stop. leave me alone - she finished with a sigh.
- after what you did to her, you have some nerve showing around her with us close by, asshole - Sean was strung like a wire, silent until then. Cassie could see the anger in his eyes, eyes she thought knew well. But then she remembered why she no longer wanted to know those little details.
- none of you should be around me anymore. I'm late for class, move - she said pushing around the 3 boys looking at her.
- hey Cass! - Allie was waving at her from a small opening at the school stairs.
- leave me alone, please. I have nothing to talk to any of you - walking while waving at Allie - Allie! wait up, let's go together
She didn't need to turn around to know that Noah would be amused that she no longer had her friends for protection, Sean was fuming and Tommy was still confused. She no longer cared. She cared, of course but fake it 'till you make it, no?
That week felt uneventful what with no other encounters. She could feel Sean's eyes on her whenever they shared a space, she could hear Tommy's almost words to her whenever they crossed paths but Noah was mostly our of her life. It felt too perfect almost. Almost.
Friday came and another volleyball practice with it. She had Allie glued to her side whenever they had practice, since she found Cassie under Noah on th verge of being raped. So she and Allie went to get a protein shake before practice, went to Allies house to get her practice bag and where parking at the sports center an hour before practice so they could take some extra time for warm up.
- hey, I was thinking that we should go to whatever party is thrown tomorrow - Allie was trying to be casual, Cassie could sense her nervousness though - we deserve it, Cassie. this week has kicked my ass and I'm not opposed to letting go for a while. what do you think?
- I think if you need a driver, I can let you use my Uber account and you can even give whoever you are taking a ride too. I'm not in the mood for a party, to be honest
- since when? where did party girl Cassie go? you've been acting weird this year, ever since Noah broke up with you, to be honest...
- sorry to disappoint but just because I have a reputation it doesn't mean it's real. and Noah didn't break up with me, he cheated on me multiple times until I decided enough was enough. can we not talk about that, please? and I don't want to talk about any reminder of my reputation either, please
- yeah, I know, that was very rude of me. I just think of you as my best friend and wanted to go with you. I'll tell the girls in the team if anyone wants to tag along... - Allie had sadness painted in her eyes, even if she turned to hide it from Cassie. And because Cassie hated to cause negative feelings in people she cared about she took Allie's hand
- okay, we can get ready at in my hotel room, while we drink some champagne and eat something. that way you can borrow whatever you want to wear, we have some quality booze and eat lots of greasy stuff and not get drunk. I'll have a car for us to go and wait there so we don't have to wait to leave whenever you are ready
- OMG CASSIE I LOVE YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! - Allie jumped on Cassie and almost took them both to the floor but Cassie was strong and took a good stance when she saw Allie flying to her.
- hahahahaha don't be so happy, it takes a lot for me to get drunk and I don't plan on staying too long at that party. if you want to stay, just let me know who you'll be with once I leave, okay?
- nah, I'll leave with you and we make it a sleepover. how does that sound? - Allie's eyes were shiny and Cassie could tell she was excited about this plan.
- sure thing. I'll make us safe, you make us party
Cassie didn't know yet but she shouldn't have gone to that party. She should've stayed home that night. But she felt the burning turn to ashes already and that gave her a sense of confidence that hadn't been there since Sean wasn't around anymore.