Oxytocin

V. G A I L L A R D I A

The next morning, Cassie noted how her bones ached from all the muscles she used while dodging a flying van. She glanced out the window, watching soft droplets hit the window. She closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying to noise of the soft pitter patter the rain made as it hit her window. She had grown to love her attic room. A big window sat right above her bed, allowing her to see and hear the rain. Getting out of bed, Cassie decided to skip her normal morning shower, and threw a tie dye shirt, which she tied up, off-white sweat pants and her normal white air forces. Staring at herself in the mirror, she decided her hair was not savable, and threw it up into a ponytail, then did her normal makeup.

Daniel at the table, Erica already gone, being called into work early. "Morning, sunshine." He said, sipping his coffee.

"Morning." Cassie mumbled, grabbing her water bottle, filling it with the remaining coffee.

Chris joined them after a few minutes, staring at Cassie. Cassie ignored him for a bit, before glaring at him. "What?"

He said nothing after a few seconds before replying, "Nothing. Just making sure your ok." He said.

"I'm fine. I didn't even get a scratch." Cassie replied. Chris just nodded, before grabbing his stuff, mumbling something about meeting her in the car.

"What's his problem?" Cassie asked, turning to her dad.

Daniel shrugged, taking a gulp of coffee. "He feels guilty. About not being able to push you out of the way." Cassie nodded, staring at the door.

"But I wasn't injured?"

Daniel shrugged. "You know how he is. Just give him a few hours." Cassie sighed, grabbing her bag, and following her brother out to the car.

***********

"Any luck?" Cassie asked, walking over to Bella, who was waiting by her truck. All of Mr. Molina's class had a field trip to the greenhouse, giving everyone an excuses to skip class. Cassie, unlike a lot of her classmates, was excited. She always loved the outdoors and flowers.

Bella didn't even need to asked, before grumpily mumbling a "No." A frustrated sigh soon followed. "The only thing I could thing of was an adrenaline rush. But, come on Cassie. We both know that was no adrenaline rush."

Cassie copied her friend, in leaning against her truck.

Before they could continue their discussion, Mike practically flew up on them. "Hey! Look at you, huh? You're alive!" He said, but only too Bella. Cassie got use to Mike ignoring her, and only talking to Bella, so she tuned the conversation out. A certain blonde came into her line of sight, and they made eye contact. Neither of them looked away. He stared into her green eyes, while she stared into his golden ones. It wasn't until Mike caught her attention, she finally looked away. "So, what do you think?"

Both Cassie and Bella looked at Mike, Cassie noting that Bella also wasn't listening.

"What?" Both girls said in sync.