Opposites Attract

Chapter 5

Rachel ^ (later in the story)

We just finished lunch, and Tina and I were walking to our last class (we had Science).

"Hey, wanna go out to the cafe and get some muffins after school?" Tina asked me.

"No, I can't. I'm grounded today, tomorrow and after tomorrow."

"What? Why?"

"Because I yelled at my dad about something dumb."

"What was it?"

"Well, my dad's getting to know someone - actually, no. He's going to marry some lady he knows nothing about."
I had a glum look on my face. Well that's what Tina said.

"Oh, wow. Your dad hasn't even been out of the house for years, how did he find this woman?"

"I don't know, he said that he "has his ways". I'm guessing he found her on a dating site or something. But the worst part  is... Victor's her son."

Tina stopped walking and stared with her eyes wide open.

"WHAT?!" The whole school seemed to hear her and they all stared at us.

"Haha, sorry people! Nothing to worry about!" She informed.
Everyone continued walking.
When we got to class, Tina started whispering all kinds of things to me:

"Hey, don't let him marry her"
"She's probably in it for the money"
"It's all a bribe"
"Try to talk your dad out of it"

She wouldn't stop whispering things like that to me. It was like she was the one stuck in that sticky situation.
It's going to be weird seeing Victor at school now. It's gonna be a whole new feeling.

~

After school finished, I was just about to approach the gates when I felt a tap on my shoulder.

"Hey, Cassie."

It was Victor.

"Uh... hi."

"Listen, you're against this whole thing too, right?"

"You mean about our parents getting married? Yeah."

"Well, I've got a plan to break 'em up. Wanna help?"

What kind of plan does he have up his sleeve? I'm a little worried, knowing what he could do considering what happened with Tina.

"I hope it's nothing too harsh but, sure."

"What do you mean by that?"

I raised my eyebrows, trying to give a hint.

"Okay, that whole thing with Tina was a big mistake. I'm sorry about that, it was just a way to let my anger out."

"Your anger? Were you angry about something?"

"N-no. Just, who cares? See you later." He ran out of the school gates, catching up to Carson.

What was he hiding?

~

When Damian and I got home, we saw Victor sitting on our couch and talking to dad. It looked like they were having a good time... unfortunately. That wasn't part of his plan, was it? I waved rapidly to them, but neither of them payed attention. Then finally, I said something.

"Hi, guys." Victor finally realised I was there.

"Oh, hi Cassie!"

Dad didn't say anything back. He was probably still disappointed in me. I didn't care much.

"So, I was just about to ask permission from your dad if you could come grab a drink with me at the cafe?"
He was talking to me, but he looked at my dad. He was actually asking him. I knew what his answer was gonna be straight away. And Victor was 100% going to tell me about his "plan" at the cafe.

"I'm terribly sorry, Victor, but Cassandra here isn't allowed to leave the house for 3 days. She's been grounded.

"Really, why - if I may ask?" asked Victor, politely.

"Let's just say she was being very disrespectful to me."

I dropped my bag on the floor and started. Damian quickly ran to the kitchen and grabbed a pack of popcorn. He put it in the microwave, and waited. Was this a movie to him?

"Dad, it was an accident, okay? I didn't mean to do it."

"I don't care. Go to your room." He said rudely.

"Hey, do some more scolding! The popcorn's nearly done!" said Damian.

"Shush Damian." Dad said.

"I'm very sorry, Victor, but Cassandra won't be available for now."

"That's fine, sir, but, why do you call her Cassandra? Do you prefer her full name?"

"Yes, I just find it more formal."

"Oh, okay. Well anyway, Mr. Reynolds, I've got to go." said Victor.

"Oh, please call me Daniel." My dad insisted.
But it would be weird if Victor called him by his first name.

"No, I prefer Mr. Reynolds."

My dad chuckled, and took a sip of his tea.
"Daniel."

"Mr... Reynolds." Victor felt embarrassed.

"Listen, son. I'd prefer you call me Daniel. I wouldn't like to think of you as a stranger."

"Okay... D-Daniel then. Anyway, I've gotta go. I'll see you soon!"
"Not" Victor muttered under his breath as he ran out the front door.

I opened my bedroom door and popped my head just out of the room. I let out a comment.

"Dad, you were a bit rude, don't you think?"

"Rude?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't you just let him call you 'Mr. Reynolds'?"

"Were you eavesdropping?" He raised his eyebrows at me.

"Ummm... no, bye dad!" I slammed my door shut, and flopped onto my bed. I didn't want to get even MORE grounded.

~

A few hours later, someone knocked at my door.

"Hm?"

"Uh, Cassandra. Can I come in?"

"Okay... I guess."

He sat next to me on my bed and put his arm around me.

"I'm sorry for saying that yesterday."

"Saying what?"

"That it's not your decision if I get married to Sam or not. I really should have considered your opinion."

"Yeah, thanks dad. And I'm sorry for yelling at you. I just felt so... pressured."

"Pressured? About what?"

"Well, I know that you and Damian both like her so much, and I'm the only one who doesn't. I just feel different around her."

"Oh. Well, what don't you like about her?"

I was really tired, so I didn't want to keep the conversation going for long.

"Uhh... can I tell you tomorrow after school? I'm really tired and I want to go to sleep."

"Yeah, sure. Goodnight, Cassandra."

"Goodnight Dad."