Don't Stand By Me (COMPLETE)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

KIARA

August 3rd: 14:23

I was on edge, insanely and irrevocably anxious in my own skin, and it wasn't even about Charles' progressing decomposition; though that fact didn't help ease my discomfort. What was really pushing my buttons was the fact that Cassie was avoiding me, which was a red flag in itself because being able to do that in a tiny RV filled to the brim with seven people. That alone meant you had to be actively avoiding someone. And I had no idea why. Anytime I went near her, she somehow disappeared, off into a random corner making conversation with anyone else; even Pearl, who was delighted with the company.

She was gone when I woke in the morning, which was my first surprise of the day. I thought we had finally gotten somewhere, shared a meaningful night together. But it wasn't meaningful to her, clearly. As she decided to ditch me before I woke and spend the day with Pearl.

From the moment I had woken up, Violet plastered against my back and snoring softly in my ear, I had noticed Pearl and Cassie were practically fused together. Whispering in the corner, making jokes and poking fun at each other. Pearl, while still handcuffed, appeared to be settling in nicely, seeming at ease with Cassie and Elvis at least. It left an unsettling feeling in my stomach, a heavy weight which I could only chalk up to jealousy. Which was juvenile and pathetic, I was well aware, but I couldn't help it.

I really liked this girl. Like really and somewhere along the way I had convinced myself that maybe she could maybe even feel the same way. The lingering touches, the holding hands, the soft smiles, it meant something to me. But clearly not to her, I noted bitterly, watching her jab Pearl in the side playfully. That's when it hit me, the reason Cassie had been acting differently; Pearl. From the moment the other girl had shown up, Cassie had become reserved around me, shying away from my touch and ignoring my glances. Because she was interested in someone else - that someone else being the absolutely gorgeous and rich blonde heiress who looked like she stepped out of a fashion magazine.

Our conversation from the previous night made even more sense as I watched them interact. She liked Pearl and she was making it blatantly obvious. Even though we had slept together, all she wanted was Pearl. At least I knew where I stood with her.

It was a horrible feeling - jealousy - and not one I had ever felt about a girl before. I didn't consider myself a jealous person but the sight of Pearl's hand on Cassie's arm made me want to rip it off. To avoid looking like a psychopath - and so we wouldn't be dragging a second corpse around - I moved to the front of the RV, slumping into the passenger seat, staring out of the windscreen.

"And who pissed in your cornflakes this morning?"

"Them." I muttered, signalling my head back towards the two girls who were giggling together.

"I think it's nice to see them both finally opening up." Violet noted, hands tight on the wheel, "They both seem to be properly relaxing."

"Whoopty doo." I rolled my eyes, arms folded.

"I can't tell if you're hungover or if corpse fever is getting to you."

"Corpse fever?"

"Corpse fever, murder madness. Whatever you want to call it. I'm not a therapist but this whole situation has got to be doing something negative to your brain. It's certainly doing something to mine."

"Oh you mean like banging an FBI agent?"

"I'm not banging- I am not even going to dignify that with a response." Violet turned her nose up but I could see a slight smile playing on her lips, "Speaking of banging-"