New Friends (con't)

[Jules]

Cassie Kohl

I smile wistfully as I watch Sam and Lilly pull away from my house. When I get back in the house I finish the rest of my homework and put my books back in my bag and set it by the door. I whip out my phone, text Eli, telling him he's free to come over now, then rush upstairs to have a shower. It's 7:00 by the time I'm finished and when I walk out of the bathroom in my lime green, oversized towel, Eli is leaning against the wall waiting for me.

He smiles in a sly way, looking at me in just my towel. I giggle, suddenly self-conscious and wag my finger at him but beckon for him to follow me to my room. Just as we cross the threshold of my room, Eli closes the door behind us and sweeps me off my feet so fast, I've no time to even begin to protest. He kisses my forehead, looking deep in my eyes and smiling so wide and genuine, I've no choice but to grin back.

He kisses me, hard and demanding, yet gentle at the same time. I return his passion and soon I find myself being set down on on my bed. Eli's eyes are questioning, eager, but not at all pressuring. I move to the centre of the bed, keeping a hold on my towel and beckon for him to join me. He does so, quickly, and my hands shake as I unbutton his shirt. He sees my shaking hands and brushes my hair away from my face with an endearing look upon his face. I kiss him fiercely as I unbutton the last of his shirt and take it off. He throws it on the floor, an air of excitement and longing surrounding him.

Just as he pins me to the bed, ready to remove my towel, the house phone rings. At first, I ignore it and pull him to me, intent on solidifying our relationship tonight, but the ringing persists and my patience runs out.

"I'm sorry, I should get that," I say to Eli, hurrying to my desk to grab the phone and clinging to my towel at the same time.

I answer the phone in the most polite way possible, trying not to let my irritation of my ruined moment show through. The voice coming through the receiver is not one I recognize. It's professional and polite, but curt and to the point.

"Is this miss Cassandra Kohl? It is? Hello, miss. I'm so very sorry to disturb you during this dinner hour, but I have urgent information regarding you parents." I stand up a little straighter at the mention of my parents and I can feel my brow creasing. I prompt the man to continue as Eli sees the worry in my face and stands up beside the bed.

"It seems there has been an accident. The train your parents were on derailed unexpectedly over the South River. The cause is still unknown, but a full investigation is being carried out as we speak. I'm sorry, miss... there were no survivors."

My mouth suddenly goes dry, my breathing becomes shallow, and my heart is beating so wildly, I'm positive the man on the phone can hear it. I lose my grip on the phone and my towel, and as I feel my legs give out under me, Eli is lightening fast. He's by my side catching me before I hit the ground. I can see his mouth moving, but no words are reaching my ears.

My parents are dead. They're not coming back. Their faces, happy and gleeful, are swimming through my mind's eye. That's when I begin to cry. Tears stream endlessly down my face and I clutch at a panicked Eli. He has the phone now, and I can see him arguing with the man on the phone. When he hangs up the phone he looks frustrated, but his expression changes when he looks at me. He holds me close to him with tears in his eyes that make the situation seem all the more real. That's when the screaming starts. Relentless, unfaltering, ear-piercing screaming. Then everything goes black.[/blockquote][/font]

[meggosassy24]

Sam -

I wake up the next morning with a forboding sence of dread for the day. Well, this can't be good, I think. I walk into my bathroom and brush my teeth. I put on a black shirt and some jeans and prepare for the day ahead. I whip out my phone on my way to Lilly's room and text Cassie.
Hey. Carpool today?

I close the phone and knock on the door. Lilly runs to the door and whips it open her hair wild. "Uhm, Lil are you okay? We have an hour to get ready for school." I laugh as she relaxes.

"At my old school it started an hour ago." She explains. I look at the time, 9:00, there school started at eight! We don't go till ten!

"Wow, anyway, do you want some breakfast? I'll get the wall to make pancakes?" I goad. She laughs and nods as we both go downstairs. I punch the buttons on the wall once we are insode the kitchen and then sit at the bar. I look at my phone, no messages. I wonder where Cassie is. I text Eli.

Hey, where is Cassie, she hasn't texted me back?

A few minutes later I get the reply. Sam, Cassie's parents died, she won't be at school. I need you to help me, please come over.

I relay the message to Lilly. "Listen, Lil, I'll drive you to school then I' going to Cassie's. Ill pick you up after school." She nods and doesn't fight back. Half an hour later we jump into the car and go to school. Later I am at Cassies house. I knock and a tried Eli comes to the door and lets me in. I smile and head up to her room.

[Jules]

Cassie Kohl

I awaken several hours later in my own bed, clothed in a pink tank top, pink pyjama pants and matching undergarments. My first thought is who dressed me. Eli is the only one I can remember being with me before everything went blank. I'm surprised that he had the restraint to actually dress me. Don't boys normally undress, not dress?

After this thought, reality sets in and I'm stricken with a deep sense of sadness. Waves of pain ripple through me and it's all too much. In a split second, Eli is next to me, holding me and cooing softly in my ear. Then, exhaustion takes over and I'm back to sleep.

The next time I awaken, Eli is speaking to someone on the phone. His tone is business-like and he's pacing the floor. Every so often, he gestures with his hands, but before I can pick up any words, more exhaustion rolls over me and I'm flung back into the darkness.

This time, darkness doesn't last long. Nightmares assault me, relentlessly. Visions of the train wreck, my parents holding onto each other as they plummet to their inevitable death... At this point, I'm all but begging for the darkness to envelop me. These images are more than I can handle. Thankfully, I wake up not long after.

Eli is nowhere in sight, and I start to panic. I sit up and everything spins. I wonder how long I've been asleep. I hear a knock at the door downstairs, but this only brings fear to me. Who could this be? more bad news? I can't handle this.

Just as my mind cycles through every terrible possibility, Sam comes through my bedroom door, Eli in tow. I don't think I've ever been so happy to see someone in my life. I'm weak and can't move much, but I outstretch my arm to her.

"Sam...!" I croak, hoarsely.[/blockquote][/font]

[meggosassy24]

Sam -

I run onto the bed and hold her5 as she cries into my shoulder. She falls back to sleep and I lay her down. Eli tells me everything that went on the night before, I nod slowly and get her wall to make her a smoothie of fruit. I bring it upstairs and ask her to drink some.

[Jules]

Cassie Kohl

Suddenly, Sam's beside me and I collapse into tears. Before I know it I'm knocked out again. This time when I awaken both Eli and Sam are in the room. Sam has a glass of something in her hand. If I know Sam, it's something beneficial for me. She's asking me to drink some, but I refuse. I have no energy and I just can't make myself drink it. Besides, if my parents aren't allowed to live, then why should I? Life isn't fair.

Then, like the good boyfriend he is, Eli's at my side, taking the drink from Sam and forcing me to drink it. I take a small sip from the medium-sized purple straw. My sip turns into gulps when I realize how thirsty and hungry I am. Eli coos softly to me as I drink.

When I'm done, I feel slightly better. I turn to Sam who's sitting on the edge of my bed.

"So you know?" I ask Sam. For some reason, I feel embarrassed. I no longer have a family, and she does. What will she think of me now? What am I going to do now?[/blockquote][/font]

[meggosassy24]

Sam-

"Yes, of course I know hun." I smile apologetically. I look at the half full glass and coax some more down her throat then clean up. Eli follows me and stops me before I can come back upstairs.

"Sam, what is she going to do?"

"Well, she is eighteen, she won't have to move out, but I don't think she is ready to move. This is way to difficult for her. Maybe she can come and live with me for a while. Let me call my mom and we can move her today."

"Thats so great. I thought that was best." JHe says.

I dial and ask my mom and she just says a hurried yes, and hangs up. Geez thanks mom, love you too. "Yah she can move in for a while." I say. We both go back up and I start to pack most of her clothes into a suitcase inside her closet. I pack while Eli holds and reassures her. I roll my eyes at his unhelpfullness, but he is a guy. Then I think of Ander and throw him a quick text to tell him whats going on. Cassie wakes up and stares at the suitcase.

[Jules]

Cassie Kohl

I lapse back into sleep after drinking whatever it is that Sam brought me. The nightmares continue, but they're starting to become something I don't hate. They allow me to see my parents again. I try to look past the fact that, in the nightmares, they're always plunging to their deaths. At least this way I won't forget their faces.

I slowly drift awake, and when I fully open my eyes, there's a suitcase in front of my desk. I stare blankly at it, not really comprehending what it means. I look at Sam and her face says it all. I shake my head, slowly at first, then more adamantly.

"No! I'm not leaving. I'm not leaving!" I repeat, over and over again.

Eli and Sam both attempt to calm me down, but I'm not budging on this. I whole-heartedly refuse to leave this house. Even for the shortest while. This house is all I have left of my parents. This house is all that makes them tangible anymore. And I'll be damned if I'm going to give that up just so people can keep an eye on me. They can stay here for all I care, but I'm not leaving this property.[/blockquote][/font]

[meggosassy24]

Sam-

"Hunny, you have to leave. I won't let you stay here. I know that you wnat to stay here, but you need to move. I need to you come with me, or I will make you." I give her a smile that says, DO WHAT I SAY or else tee hee hee. She stares at me.

[Jules]

Cassie Kohl

I can see that Sam is adamant about me going home with her, but I'm set in my decision. I look to Eli who is sitting beside me. His brow is creased with worry and I realize that he's in on this too. That traitor! The hurt is evident on my face now.

"Oh, sweetheart..." Eli says softly, seeing the expression on my face. Tears fall from my eyes yet again and I turn away from him. I'm alone in this. Of all people, I would have thought my boyfriend would have supported my decision. "I think it's what's best right now, Cass. You know I love you and I only want what's best for you. Please. Do this for me?" Eli pleads, turning my chin so I have to look at him.

I look in his eyes and I know that it's silly to be mad at him right now. He's all I have left aside from Sam. And I can see that he's scared, too. "Three days, and I'm coming back here. That's it. Three days." I say turning to Sam as I state my final decision.[/blockquote][/font]

[meggosassy24]

Sam-

A sad mile comes to my face and then I finish packing her stuff. I walk into her bathroom and grab some makeup, for the funerol, and some other things. I grab her old blanket then go into her room and throw it in the bag. I tell Eli that i'll put this in the car. When I come back up Cassie isn't in her room. I run down stairs and then catch her in the kitchen.

"Cas, what are you doing?"

[Jules]

Cassie Kohl

After I've given my final decision, Sam finishes packing up the rest of my things. She's dashing around in a whirlwind of movement. It's making me dizzy. I lay back on my pillow, a million thoughts running through my head. I hear Sam talking to Eli about something, then they're both gone.

I brave the chilling air outside of my cozy blankets and attempt to stand up. The first two times, I fall back down, too unsteady and dizzy to stand, but, as they say, third time's the charm. I venture slowly out of my room, trying not to think about anything at all, because if I do, I know I'll end up tearing down the already unstable wall I've built inside.

As I walk toward the stairs, I pass the hallway mirror and catch a glimpse of myself. My hair is ratted and plastered all over my head, my eyes are rimmed with dark circles and my cheeks look pale and sallow. I give an experimental poke to my cheek, as if to make sure it's really me I'm looking at. Disgusted, I turn away and go downstairs. I venture through the den, family room, and dining room. Lastly, I find myself in the kitchen.

I lightly graze the countertops with my fingers, remembering the last time my parents were here and had dinner with Eli and I. We were so happy. It was the first time in a long time that my dad had actually made it for dinner. I think back, trying to remember if I was polite, kind, and a good daughter. Did I make them proud?

I look over to the table where the fruit bowl sits in the centre. From afar, it looks ordinary, but when I move a little closer, I see the corner of a piece of paper sticking out from under the bowl. I rush over to the table as fast as my little feet will carry me and pull out the small page.

My mother's neat scrawl adorns the page.

Cassandra, while we're away, don't forget to water the plants. We've left the number for Rae at the salon in case you need something. We'll be back on Sunday, no later than 11PM. Have fun, but be responsible We love you with all our hearts. Love, Mom and Dad.

This must have been left early Monday morning, when they were leaving for their trip. I didn't spend much time in the kitchen that morning, so of course I wouldn't have gotten this. Just seeing my mother's handwriting is enough to bring tears to my eyes. Knowing her thin hand and perfectly manicured nails touched this paper last... I clutch the paper to my chest, resisting the urge to sob outright.

That's when I hear someone come to the kitchen doorway behind me. I blink back any evidence of tears and quickly fold the paper into a small square, tucking it in between my pyjama pants elastic and my hip bone.

"Cass, what are you doing?" Sam asks, quizzical.

I turn around and walk towards her as I say, "Nothing. Just nothing." I climb the stairs to my room to grab a towel for a shower, mumbling something about being right back.[/blockquote][/font]

[meggosassy24]

Sam-

"Okay, well be back soon, we have to go soon to get you settled." I smile. I walk into the living room and fall on the couch effectively crushing a sleeping Eli.

"Ahh, hell. Sam, what the -" He yells.

"What, I din't know that you were there." I laugh a little and he bursts out laughing. We arec both crying at the hilarity of the situation. When we finally stop Cassie is standing in the doorway.

[Jules]

Cassie Kohl

I shower and dress within ten minutes. When I'm done, I put together a small bag with my phone, iPod and other things. I clutch it close to my chest, looking around my room. It's a bit of a mess, but I don't clean it. I'll do it when I get back.

I can hear laughing downstairs and it feels like forever since the last time I laughed, or even smiled genuinely. Suddenly, I'm irritated at the sound. It seems that everyone around me can find happiness in something, but I'm left to suffer. I can't stand the sound any longer.

I make my way downstairs, effectively containing my anger because I know it's irrational. I feel like I'm not even in control of my emotions any more. I stand in the doorway for a few second until Eli and Sam notice me. I can tell by the look on their face that I don't look happy, but I don't care. I'm just trying not to snap.

"I'll be in the car, Samantha," I say in a tight, curt, voice. I don't believe I've ever used her full name before, but right now seems like a good time.

I turn on my heel and walk out the front door without glancing back.[/blockquote][/font]

[meggosassy24]

Sam-

Cassie walks out of the room, and Eli and I both stifle laughter, not at her but just at life. I say goodbye to Eli and then he esccorts me back to my car and then I get in. He kisses Cassie on the forhead and then I drive away.

"Cassie, whats up with you today? I mean you seem so angry at us. I just fell on Eli, thats why we were laughing." I smile at her.

[Jules]

Cassie Kohl

I get out to the car and throw my bag in the backseat with my other things that Sam packed. I cross my arms and wait for Sam to come out. She does a minute later and gets into the driver's seat. Eli kisses my forehead but I can't handle it right now. I give him a weak smile that doesn't reach my eyes and turn away. I watch him walk back into my house.

Sam's now asking me what's up with me. I can't even begin to answer her without yelling. I grit my teeth and say,

"Oh, I'm sorry. Forgive me. My parents have just died, I'm being forced away from my home, which I clearly don't want to leave, and my best friend and my boyfriend can somehow find the will to laugh when all I want to do is die. So, forgive me for assuming I could be anything other than pleasant and happy, Sam."


I snapped. And I know. She knows it. And even though it was exactly what was on my mind, I feel slightly bad for saying it. Nonetheless, I needed to vent to someone. Neither Eli nor Sam know what it's like to lose both parents. They just can't understand. I barely understand.[/blockquote][/font]