Seventeen || BajanCanadian/ASFJerome

Chapter 9

Mitch's POV

She looked up at me, her eyes instilled with grief and apologies, but I wouldn't accept them. Without knowing what to do, I darted into my own room and locked it. I tried going over in my head our conversation, trying to find what would've motivated her to harm herself like that.

*Flashback*

We were screaming down in the kitchen. I heard the front door open and someone walk in, but I was focused on Cassie. I told her my secret. A mistake I realized. I saw hurt in her eyes, but I didn't understand why. She screamed in confusion and ran. My thoughts rambled on before they finally caught up and I ran up after her.

*Flashback over*

I had to ask her, but not now, I just simply couldn't face her.

Cassie's POV

He ran down to his room and I didn't stay put long enough to hear his door shut. I pulled down my sleeves again, concealing everything. I then proceeded to change and go outside for a walk. After almost an hour, I sat down on an empty park bench. The sun was setting and there was no one around. I relaxed and pulled my knees up to my chest and closed my eyes. Not a minute after they were closed did I begin to cry. I cried for everything. I cried for Mitch and his love, for Carlee and our friendship, for Jerome and his dumbness, for me and my belief that someone loved me.

My eyes darted open when I felt a warm hand on my back.

"Mitch?" I turned around.

"Well, I guess I'll just leave then so you can wait helplessly for your dream boy." It was Jerome

"Wait, how did you know? I questioned. He had said waiting for my dream guy.

He walked over and sat down, beginning to explain himself. I snuggled a bit closer to him and he wrapped his arm around me. I was cold and he was warm. I told myself it meant nothing.

"I started paying close attention to you in eight grade, just your personality was interesting." He began.

"I started watching the way you looked at Mitch. The truth is I was actually was smart and I still am, I just play dumb, well, sometimes."

That shocked me, but he continued like it was nothing.

"So I had time to notice things, my good grades kept me out of deep schoolwork pressure. You just seemed.....happy whenever he was around. I've known you liked him, and I knew he liked Carle-" I immediately cut him off.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I snapped.

He backed up a little, but didn't let his arm leave my back.

"Cassie, I am truly sorry. I just never thought about it. Besides, could you have done more than what you could right now?" He replied.

"I guess." I sighed.

I snuggled up closer as the sun drifted behind the trees. I didn't know what to do, I just needed someone. Right now, that someone was Jerome.

Jerome's POV
(finally)

The breeze was nice and all, but I could tell Cassie was cold. She shivered and huddled closer up to me. I imagined this meant nothing. She drifted off into a light sleep. I told myself no, no, no she is your friend. Ignoring my thoughts I leaned down and kissed her forehead. I carried her to my car and back to her house. I laid her down on her bed. I was walking out of the room when I heard her whisper.

"Stay" she whispered "Please"

Obeying, I kicked my shoes off at the foot of her bed and let my jacket drop to the floor. I climbed into her bed and she snuggled up close to me. I felt secure against the steady rise and fall of her chest against mine. I kissed her one last time on the top of her head before I drifted off alongside her.

The next morning Cassie was still against me, asleep. trying as hard as possible, I slowly got out of the bed, threw on my jacket and shoes. I had no work today so I just walked downstairs and scanned the cabniets. I ended up making pancakes. This house was like my home. I was going away to a University for a while, so we all planned to have me move in when I got back. Carlee was down first.

"Um...hey Jeorome. What are you doing here?" she asked.

"Would you rather me answer that and not have any pancakes to serve?" I responded, trying to hint a joke.

"Whatever."

She took the breakfast plate and grabbed a second one for whom I supposed was Mitch. He didn't like getting out of bed so sshe brought one up with her for him sometimes. Cassie was down not long after.

"Pancakes, Madamoiselle Cassandra?" I asked in a joking manner.

"Why, how lovely. Of course, I appreciate your generousity." She replied, taking the joke.

"Hey" she started, but in a more serious tone. "I....um...thanks...for last night."

"No problem." I smiled.

I went back to my joke in an attempt to avoid the awkwardness.

"Will that be 2 or 147 pancakes for you, miss?"