For A Brief Moment

Chapter 8: One of those days

It had been about three weeks since it all began. Elijah and Cassie had a tutoring session for two hours every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. They found out they had more in common than they first thought. They enjoyed books and storytelling and even shared a similar interest in movies. They hadn't seen each other much in the hallways or in the dining hall, but they attended every session as if they had never been apart, continuing old conversations and more constant teasing from Elijah. He often analysed her body, making sure there weren't any new bruises, which luckily there weren't. If Cassie had to explain it honestly, she would have told Elijah that her dad hadn't hurt her as much recently because Sebastian was home, and she tended to stick by his side when he was home, but sometimes Sebastian wasn't there, and she would feel her fathers rage in one way or another.

It was Friday morning, Sebastian and Cassie were eating breakfast at the table when their parents stumbled down the stairs with two suitcases. "Where are you two going?" Sebastian questioned.

"Your mother and I are going on a little weekend getaway," Richard said, in an unbothered way. "We've left some money on the table and some phone numbers in case of an emergency."

"Cassie, sweetie, if you wouldn't mind, could you do some grocery shopping, either today or tomorrow," Karen asked politely, giving Cassie a big hug.

"Of course," her voice was muffled from the hug. She pulled away and stared at Cassie for a moment before going to hug Sebastian. Richard stared at Cassie as she stood there. She wasn't going to hug him; she would have to be forced to do that.

"Help me put the bags in the car, Cassie." He commanded. She picked up Karen's bag as she and Sebastian spoke. She walked out to the car as her father opened the door. They both placed the cases down in the trunk of the car before Cassie reached to close the door. As the door echoed shut within the morning mist, she turned to walk inside. Before she could get passed her father, he grabbed her wrist. "If you dare for a second bring that boy over or do anything even remotely out of character, I will find out, and I won't be as lenient as I was last time, you hear me?" he whispered into her ear. Her eyes clouded with tears as she hesitantly shook her head in agreeance. He threw her twist out of his hand and walked over to the driver's side of the car. Karen walked out and saw the expression on Cassie's face, her wrist gripped in her other hand. One of her hands was wrapped in a small bandage.

Clueless about the situation she had misread she looked a Cassie and explained, "it's only three days, we will be back in no time." She walked to the passenger's side and got in, the car immediately began to roll down the drive, and Karen waved goodbye out the window, as they entered the road, driving off into the distance. Cassie stood, lost in her own thoughts for a moment before she saw Chrissy at the end of the drive, she waved up to Cassie who smiled lightly, turning to grab her bag from beside the door.

"Bye Sebastian, don't forget to lock up." She rushed down the drive to Chrissy, crashing into her arms. Chrissy gave her a small squeeze back, completely baffled by the sudden embrace. Once she pulled back, she saw the tears in Cassie's eyes, she didn't ask questions, she simply pulled her back into a hug. Not only did her dad threaten her that morning but he also argued with her the night before, one broken glass and deep cut later, and they went their separate ways. No one knew the reason for his sudden outbursts of anger, and why they were targeted toward Cassie. Sometimes there is no reason.

It was going to be one of those days for Cassie.

First period, science. Second period, maths. Third-period music; then lunch. Lunch rolled around and Cassie did not want to be near anyone. She went outside to a bench that sat on its own, she pulled out a book and began reading it, she didn't want to eat, she didn't want to talk, she just wanted to escape the real world for a little while. Small footsteps approached her and shadowed her book. She paused for a moment still not looking up but after a moment she met eyes with her shadowy cloud. "Can I come to the party?" Dylan questioned. He had a small smile on his face, but it soon dropped when he saw she was clearly confused.