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Chapter 43

Cassandra Campbell felt better. She was no longer the whore of the sophomore class, and there was no more Sebastian in her life. She was single with no intention of mingling. A series of suitors asked her on dates. All of which she declined, of course. She wasn't ready, and no boy in her school invoked the emotions she needed to want them. 

Cassandra didn't want another relationship. She didn't want a repeat of last time. The last time she broke up with Sebastian, she jumped into a new relationship. One she wasn't ready for, that blew up in her face. 

She was happy being single.

Happiness that had been going on for the last month.

She walked down the hall with her head high. Her chest bounced as she walked through the halls in the now much more comfortable February weather. The temperature was set at a cool high sixty, warm enough to abandon her sweatshirts and ugg boots. Now, she wore leggings and t-shirts with a hoodie wrapped tightly around her hip. Her bookbag was slung over her shoulder as she arrived at her eighth period.

She took her seat next to Bree. "Hey Bree," she smiled as she slid into her assigned seat. 

"Hey Cassandra," she commented without glancing at Cassandra. 

Cassandra didn't understand why she liked Bree. There were qualities about Bree that made it hard for people to approach her.  It was something about her monotone voice and straightforwardness that made Cassandra ask her to eat with her at lunch. A request that was met with a shrug and a new lunch partner in return.  Bree had friends, not a lot, enough not to warrant her being considered a nerd.

But she didn't care for them. They were only her friends because they played badminton together. Everyone knew this fact, so it wasn't a big deal when she stopped sitting with them to sit with Cassandra. 

"Guess who's having an amazing day," she smiled.

"I assume you?"

"Yes, and do you wanna know why?"

"Why?" Bree continued to draw an eye on her paper. 

"Because some girl was caught giving felatio under the staircase today, and I am completely out of everyone's train of thought."

"Wow, who was it?"

"Oh, some girl named Tallulah. Dumb name, right? But that doesn't matter. Bree! I'm no longer the whore of the school. Isn't that amazing. I mean, before, people would look at me like I would suck off their boyfriend in the middle of the hallways. Now, that's not the case. No one tightens their hold on their boyfriends when I'm around."

"Good, good. So, what does this mean?"

"I'm home free. I'm single, without a bad rep dragging me through the halls with a great friend," she smiled. "I haven't been this content since...since...ever."

Bree began to write her name on her paper. "I'm glad you're so content, Cassandra. Especially with my jacket around your waist that I want back, by the way." Cassandra eyed the jacket she wore around her waist that she received a week ago from her new friend Bree.

"Oh, this. I'll give it back tomorrow—promise," Cassandra smiled as she went back to her own assignment.

While Cassandra was elated about her newfound life, Sebastian was going through Hell. He stood against his locker and stared at the picture of Cassandra he refused to delete. She was kissing him on the cheek, all while trying to cover her face from the camera. 

"You're so damn boring," Malia groaned against the locker. "I mean, I thought since the two of you broke up. We would be like wild bunnies. Fucking everywhere possible. But, no. You mope around the halls like a lost puppy who lost its master."

"Shut up, Malia," he stated.

He scrolled through his phone as he continued to listen to Malia. Sebastian was no longer interested in sex with other women. His binge he delighted in after he first broke up with Cassandra was now a novelty. A lifestyle he did not want anymore.

He, after so long, still yearned for Cassandra.

The afterschool bell rang, making Malia jump. "Shit, I have to get to work. You'll be fine without me?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Sebastian muttered.

"Look in the mirror and ask yourself that again." Her eyes widen at a senior boy walking by. She quickly followed him and stuck close, walking out of the school. Sebastian mindlessly walked to the locker room.

"So, who are you guys taking to prom?"

"Well, Malia is my main choice."

"You and everyone else that has a penis." A series of laughs followed. Sebastian went to his locker silently.

"Well, I was thinking about that sophomore Cassandra." Sebastian's body stiffened.

"Whoa, really? Her? Isn't she with Sebastian?"

"No, they broke up like a month ago. She's free grabs, and have you seen her body? I could stick my di—"

Sebastian approached the group of boys. They went silent when they saw the anger seething through the boy with a balled fist. Sebastian knew Cassandra was gorgeous. Hell, he saw her every day to confirm it. There were parts of her that were even more gorgeous, and he couldn't bear to think of others know it too.

"Tobias, say another word about her, and you're head is going to be slammed against the locker," he seethed.

The locker room went silent. They eyed Sebastian as he went back to his own locker. He slid on his workout clothes and left the locker room. He ignored the chatter that was surely about him. He began to run around the court. He kept ahead of everyone with his chest out as he continued to run forward.

~

Cassandra belted out her last note earning her a well-needed clap.

"Good, I have some notes, of course."

Cassandra laughed, "of course you do. You always have notes. I wonder though, will there ever be a time when you won't have notes?"

"If you turned in Celion Dion or Beyonce overnight...sure. But don't you like notes? No notes mean you and I are done together."

She tapped her chin. "Hmm, not see you again? That sounds appealing."

"Shut up." Vincent began to pack his things. "Keep talking like that, and you're walking home."

"Really...you'll let a defenseless girl. Your star singer walk alone in the dark in this neighborhood?"

He smirked, "this neighborhood? This is the suburbs, and it's a ten-minute walk to your house."

Cassandra snorted, she had the option of walking home or taking the bus, but she enjoyed driving with Vincent. It was one of the things she looked forward to every day, in addition to talking to Bree. Cassandra picked up her bag, filled to the brim with homework she had been putting off.

Cassandra rolled her shoulder, indicating she wanted to leave. Vincent followed closely behind. The cold air broke, leaving the once thick coat weather behind. She zipped up Bree's jacket and got into the car with Vincent soon after. He exhaled his breath and stared ahead, not bothering to start the ignition.

He had a habit of it. It was when he could truly let out his anguish that was his life. His mountains of debt, lack of job offerings, and no one to seek solace with on Valentine's day.

"So, what are you doing for Valentine's Day?" Cassandra asked. She knew nothing of Vincent's declining love life. She knew of his brothers, parents, hopes, and dreams but not a lot about his love life. She often imagined it being full of women due to his good looks.

Vincent's looks were often described as vintage. He had the features of a 50's movie star. 

"Nothing, spending it alone."

"I can't imagine why," she commented. She turned her head to Vincent's, their eyes locked. "I mean, you're such a great guy and so good looking. I can't see why you wouldn't have a string of women."

Vincent's body temperature raised, prompting him to start the car. "Thank you." Cassandra turned her attention to the houses that passed by. "Hey, did you want to make some money?"

"That wasn't a weird question."

"I mean, let me explain. I know you won't be doing anything on Valentine's day, and I work at this really elite restaurant."

"Lucia's," she commented.

"Yeah, Lucia's, and we need a live singer. I said I had a friend who is a great singer. You'll be paid four hundred dollars, not including tips that you'll surely get if you do well enough. So how about it? Your first live gig."

"Sure! Yes! I would love to." Cassandra's body vibrated with her first performance. It had been an entire year since her last one. 

"Okay, do you have a dress?"

"Yes, I have a lot of dresses. Long ones, short ones."

"Red, a long one," he added. "I think you would look good in red."

Cassandra's pulled back her hair to hide her now rosy cheeks. "Then, I'll wear red then." The car stopped, and suddenly Cassandra realized where she was. She unbuckled her seatbelt and spared Vincent another glance. "I'll see you tomorrow, and I guess Saturday night too?"

"Yeah, I'll pick you up."

"I'll like that. Thank you."

Cassandra closed the car door and sped walked into her home. When the door closed, she leaned against the door. Her breathing was haggard as she thought of Vincent and the words he spoke of. Her legs quickened up the stairs. She ignored the smells of dinner and locked herself in her room. Her mind swirled with Vincent and her quickened heart. 

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