They were supposed to discuss how to get Cassie to talk to them again, but one of Sean and Tommy's friend insisted they come to this party, even if just for a bit. Tommy knew they had been moping around all week: Sean always on the verge of walking to her and getting her to talk to him like a caveman and Tommy almost talking to her but chickening out at the last second.
Instead, here they were, standing agains a wall with a plastic cup of something neither of them was drinking. They were still moping around, but at a party. The already said their hellos and made sure to take a lap around the place but they both felt they had to be looking for her, trying to help her make sense of the situation and starting back where they left off.
Sean was the first one to talk, even though the music was loud Tommy could hear him loud and clear.
- what are we going to do? keep waiting? I can't take it anymore. if she doesn't talk to me tomorrow, I swear... I can't take it anymore
- me either, don't worry. I already know where she's staying and her room number, got it from Allie yesterday. she also mentioned Cassie hasn't been the same but Noah hasn't been around her either so... sort of a win?
- sort of... from what I gather, you are okay with both of us going for her, no? if she wants to choose, we'll still be okay, no? I don't want to be with you but I'm more than okay sharing... if you get what I mean
- dude, I got us her location, I'm telling you about it and you still feel the need to give me that speech? I thought we were friends and you knew me. 'course I don't want my junk in you, it's all for her. and right back at you, don't expect me to give you mine either
- hahahaha the way you look so serious saying that makes me want to hug you just to see you uncomfortable
- yeah yeah... say what you want but... - they were interrupted by Allie's worried face popping up in front of them.
- hey, guys... umm... have you seen Cassie, by any chance? I went to the bathroom on the top floor and she was supposed to get us another drink but I can't find her - her eyes were all over the place and worried.
- Allie, what do you mean you can't find her?
- I mean she was supposed to wait for me in the kitchen with two cups of whatever and she isn't there. I left her there and made sure not to take long. I mean I have walked this party twice and still can't find her. I haven't tried looking in closed rooms because she didn't even want to be here so she wouldn't have gone with anyone else and not tell me - she started walking away so they followed her. But she turned around fast, all cloudy eyes and said - please help me find her. I thought I saw Noah when we arrived but I'm really scared. she didn't want to be here and I asked her because she's my best friend and she deserved to have some fun
- hey, Allie. let's find her and then you can hug her and we will all leave to get some fries, okay? - Tommy tried to calm her down but could start to see the panic in her eyes.
- where was she the last time you saw her? - Sean asked with the same growing panic - you said the kitchen but where? did she have two cups or was she going to get new ones? who was close to her? tell me everything you remember, Allie. tell me everything so we can find her
Allie told them everything and Sean somehow knew they wouldn't find her where everyone else was.
- how do you know? - Tommy asked.
- we were standing where she was standing and I saw a cup on the floor that had all the content spilt, most of it. that means someone dropped it and I'm not mistaken that was whiskey. Cassie drinks that and I haven't seen anyone else here drinking that. we have to find her, Tommy. find. her.
- we will, dude. we are going to find her and she's gonna have to listen to us
The three of them started pounding on every door they found locked, all of them opened with angry people yelling at them, mostly naked so you get the picture. That was until they reached a door that didn't answer.
They could hear ruffling and sounds but nothing that seemed too rough so they were about to turn to the next door but a crash sounded from behind the door. They looked at each other and nodded. Sean took a long breath and knocked his left side to the door to get it open. Which it did. And what they found inside was Noah on top of Cassie, her eyes almost blank but sort of open.
Tommy saw red, Sean was frozen in place and started vibrating but it was Allie who reacted faster and started screaming at the top of her lungs. That's when Noah turned around, his eyes revealed he was high as a kite but all over Cassie. She had her top ripped open, no bra and her shorts lowered to her knees. Noah had his hand on her center, his fingers still trying to remove her panties.
- GET OFF HER MOTHERFUCKER! - Tommy ran to the bed and forced Noah off Cassie, Sean right behind him.
- I will report you to the police, asshole. this is the last time you do something to her, DO YOU UNDERSTAND?! I will destroy you if you even get close to her. you can't get away with everything you do to her, you are paying this time - Sean took Cassie off the bed, throwing a blanket over her so they didn't have to navigate the party with her naked. He knew how this was going to go, she was still going to be trashed and it was all Noah's fault.
- I'm calling the driver, let's just go to the front and get in the car. she's going to want to go to the hotel - Allie reached for her purse and found Cassie's phone to text the driver while they navigated the party. She turned to make sure they were all together but he could see Tommy was still inside the room with Noah pinned under him. - Noah! come on, he's not worth it and Cassie needs us!
- you are being saved by the girl you hurt. consider yourself lucky because there better not be a next time. I will kill you if I ever see you close to her
They all left the party once the driver arrived. When they got to the hotel, Sean lead them to the room, Allie opened for them and Tommy ordered an array of things form the room service menue. Allie asked Sean to start a bath while she helped Cassie but he wouldn't let her go. So she went into the bathroom herself. Sean started talking to Cassie in a whisper, while he cradled her body and started rocking softly. Cassie still had her eyes open but they were empty, like she wasn't really there. Tommy could see a tear then. A single tear drop from her left eye and run down her cheek until it reached Sean's shoulder. That's when Tommy lost it and could feel all the strength leaving his body.
Nothing felt normal. Even though saving her was the right thing to do that night, he felt like he was too late. No matter what they went through that night, she needed to be saved and she didn't have anyone before. But she did now. Tommy knew this was just the start of whatever they were doing, but he wasn't letting go.