The Dragon Breathers (Re-Vamped)

Chapter Three

Cassidy had steadfastly ignored all of Holden's texts the entire weekend, sticking to her vow to stay away from them. And not just because of Holden's impertinence; Cassidy always wanted to learn more about herself but the more she learned, the more she realized that that world wasn't really her world. She was born here, she lived here, she had friends and family here; any family she had in the other world most likely wouldn't even accept her because of her human blood.

It was Wednesday. Cassidy was hanging out in the school's library with Grace and Tyler for their free period, both excusing her for her abrupt exit on Saturday. Cassidy felt pain spike in her stomach as she tried to distract herself with a book. It wasn't working. The pallor of her skin returned and her hair was limp; Cassidy could feel a headache coming on.

"Cass, look! Those boys are hot!" Grace giggled to the Faery, pointing out the window. Cassidy reluctantly follow her gaze and saw a gaggle of girls crowding around a bench in front of the school. She squinted to see the boys and her eyes widened. What the hell are they doing here?! Cassidy pushed away from the table and scurried to the library's exit. She made it out of the school, stomping towards the posse.

She forcefully pushed through the crowd of girls, earning a few catty glares, until she stood in front of them. "What are you two doing here?" Cassidy growled. She rolled her eyes when they both smiled brightly at her, the girls swooning loudly over them.

"Hey, Cassidy. We were wondering how long it would take you to come out." She glared at Holden when he spoke. Axle added in, "Didn't you get Holden's text? Took you forever to notice we were here." Cassidy chuckled derisively at their comments. The girls began to disappear once they realize they no longer had the boys' attention; they shot Cassidy envious looks as they walked away. Cassidy paid them no mind.

She crossed her arms, shifting her weight to the right foot. "I was ignoring you for a reason!" Cassidy said. "I'm done. With all of this. It's not for me."

"Of course it's for you," Holden scoffed. "It's what you are. Look at you! You're starving yourself just to prove a point."

"I'm not even that hungry," Cassidy denied, an embarrassed blush high in her cheeks.

Axle sighed, "Little or a lot, Cassidy, it makes no difference. Continuing on like this will cause your Faery to die."

"Great, then. Fantastic. Let it die," Cassidy retorted. She was sick and tired of this; maybe if it died, she wouldn't feel so horrible all the time. "I'll be completely human. That's perfect."

"No, you'll be dead. You can't survive with half your body chopped off, essentially what you'd be doing," Axle said firmly. Cassidy groaned, "Oh my god, that's bullshit!"

"Cassidy? Are you ok?" Cassidy looked over her shoulder and saw Grace and Tyler standing beside her. Cassidy didn't know what to say, her mind stalled as she realized she was dying. She was killing herself. "Yeah, I'm fine," she said, trying to keep an even tone.

Tyler nodded, his eyes trailing over her shoulder. "Who are they?" He asked.

"Nobody," Cassidy said. A hand shot past her head, "Oh, I wouldn't say nobody. Hi, I'm Holden and this is Axle." Arrogant prick. She watched as Grace and Tyler both shook his hand briefly. Tyler's eyes lit up in recognition, "OH, Holden? You're Cassidy's sort-of friend, right?"

Cassidy heard a chuckle close to her left ear before two tattooed arms wrapped around her, squeezing her tightly. "Oh yeah," Holden said with a smirk. "We're best buddies now."

Don't kill him. Don't kill him. Cassidy repeated in her head as he lay his chin on her head. Axle grinned in amusement, "And you are?"

Grace smiled shyly, pointing at herself and Tyler. "I'm Grace. He's Tyler. It's nice to meet you."