The perfect storm in a quiet room

Chapter 20

If someone had told me that on the third day after joining a new school I would be having breakfast with my "new friend" before class, I probably would have laughed in their face and wouldn't have believed a word of it. Yet, here I am—sitting at a round glass table in Casy's kitchen; having scrambled eggs, toast and fruit for breakfast; chatting animatedly and laughing. 

We woke up at six in the morning and I was pretty tired. I barely slept last night. My mom's phone call, what happened with Casy and everything that happened during the day kept replaying in my mind. Sometimes I honestly wish I didn't think. I really wish I could give my mind a rest for a while, but I know that's impossible.

Once we got up, we went downstairs and sat at the table. I was waiting for Casy's aunt to show up somewhere, but she didn't. However, you can tell she was in the house earlier because breakfast was already set on the table as soon as we got downstairs, but then she didn't show up and I didn't want to ask Casy about that. 

"Did you like breakfast?" I'm asked with a smile by the company in front of me.

"Yes, of course. Did your aunt make it?"

She nods, but her look is serious and cold. Did I say something wrong? I don't really know anymore. You never know with Casy—everything I say seems to upset her or affect her in some way. Talking to her is like trying to walk through those X-ray rooms—one wrong step and it sets off a bomb or cuts your arm in half. Anyway, I'm going to let it go and pretend she's not upset and I haven't said anything that might affect her mood.

Minutes later we finish breakfast and are on our way to school. W both remain silent—she kept looking at the ground, head down, and I kept looking around paranoid that my mom would show up and see me. The last thing I want is to run into her.

Finally we are in front of the school gate. We walk in and who do we see? Leo, of course.

Casy's face wears a serious expression even more serious than before. Her cheeks lose her typical pink color and turn white, just like last night. What's going on?

"Hello, ladies," he says, winking his right eye.

"Hello... " I respond timidly.

"What do you want?" Casy asks without worrying about being nice to him.

"Hey, that's no way to talk to your friend, don't you think?" He says in a mocking tone as he approaches her and touches her ass shamelessly.

Casy doesn't say anything, but you can tell she's uncomfortable and doesn't like Leo's attitude  at all. Leo, however, doesn't pay the slightest attention to Casy's expression and grabs her by the neck and plants a kiss on her lips, as he pulls her body in and presses it to his. Casy tries to pull away, but Leo is stronger than her and grabs her ass and presses his... lower part against hers. Casy's expression instantly changes to disgust and suffering and I'm dying to do something to help her, but I don't know what to do. I can't bring myself to go over and interfere... I wish I was braver, but unfortunately I'm not.

Casy is still trying to get away from him, but she can't. Holy shit how strong this guy is... and he's barely 16! He clearly spends more time working out than studying. Gosh, I hate him.

Finally Casy manages to get away from Leo and he looks at her defiantly and grabs her wrists so she can't move. What the fuck is going on? Can't anyone see what's going on? Ten teachers were walking near "the scene" and nobody stopped to see a guy with his tongue all over a girl's face. What the fuck is wrong with these people?! God, I wish I was less shy and braver! If I was less shy, I surely would have already let someone know what's going on or pushed Leo away, but I know I would absolutely fail in that. At least I would have tried, though. Instead I'm here contemplating the scene, without doing shit. You're of fucking great help Hannah...

Leo moves a little closer to Casy and whispers something in her ear that, of course, I can't make out. Casy shakes her head from side to side, showing her disagreement to whatever Leo told her and he grabs her wrists even tighter. She frowns and winces. Leo opens his mouth to say something, but I have no idea what he says. Then he lets go of Casy's wrists and pulls his wallet out of his backpack. He pulls out a bill and puts it in the neckline of her polo shirt. Casy looks at him confused, she has a worried expression on her face and looks like she's going to scream because Leo covers her mouth and says something that, again, I don't get to hear. Then Casy looks around and her gaze meets mine. She quickly looks away and walks away with Leo holding her hand. While I stand there, alone, in the school hallway, trying to figure out what that was all about.

It seems like just when I can finally relax and stop worrying about some shit, something worse comes along and complicates things even more. Hugh!

It's impossible to stay always alert or worried about something. Why do so many things happen? And what the fuck did just happened!? I don't understand anything. I just want to rest—I don't care anymore to get answers to my questions honestly. It's all very complicated, difficult, mysterious, and I think at this point it's better not to know.