Needed Me

Chapter 1 - Cassia

             Being a teacher is not as easy as some say. Loud and naughty students, excessive demands from the principal, envious teachers, and many others. I can say that I'm already used to this shit, I even love to argue fiercely with the other teachers who get me wrong. In most cases, post-menopausal female teachers have something to comment on me, because of the immense envy that gnaws at them from the inside: they too would like to be twenty-four years old.
   As I walk past the principal's office I notice through the glass door the principal: a handsome guy in his thirties, with short hair in a buzz cut and dressed in a blue jacket with a white shirt. He was panicked, he fixed his shirt collar and then wiped the drops of sweat from his wrinkled forehead. Most of the time, Principal Nate is very calm and businesslike and we appreciate him very much for his dedication to the field. But sometimes he seemed to take off his mask. He was taking a break from being kind and gentle and holding back from unleashing his true power.
     I finally made it to the car, ready to go home to relax properly. I don't even put the key in the ignition properly when I get a phone call. I swipe right on the screen and a familiar voice soothes my ears.
   "Cassia, tonight we have a sleepover. I don't even want to hear a refusal."
  My best friend, Winter, was not used to refusals so when she said we were doing something, it was law. And rightfully so as I could use a little fun between the girls too.
   "How could I refuse you? I just don't want to waste my life at this age."
A muffled chuckle echoed through the phone. I leave the parking lot in front of the high school campus and put the phone on speaker while turning the wheel.
  "I hope your little brother won't be home"
Hunter wanted to show that he is a good boy but I discovered his true colors. Since he moved in with his sister because of a broken marriage, I've only met him three times and that was enough. He's a handsome man, I'm not going to lie. But that's not what matters in the first place. Of course, the first time our eyes fix their gaze on the appearance, and if the eyes like it then they have to share it with the brain. The heart, jealous of the brain, also wants to know. In the end, the brain decides that the heart must also see and learn the information. But she doesn't care a bit about the exterior. She goes inside the person, inspects the place, and then makes a decision. A decision that in most cases destroys you. God only knows how many tears I shed for the one I thought was the chosen one. Hunter is a little shaky on the inside. But he does not have a bad heart. He has a broken heart. That's a difference from heaven to earth.
   "You'll wear the pajamas with green stars. I'll wear the one with Moana and Tiana. And Aria will get pajamas for Christmas. These are the possibilities. Hello, are you still here?"
   I woke up as if from an installment to reality, almost panicked. My hand gripped the steering wheel.
   "Sorry. Yes, I'm still here . I was thinking."
   "Okay, I'm going to close now to make the preparations. You should be here in three hours."
  "Of course. You just know how punctual I am."

                      ◇◇◇

    I had arrived at Winter's house before Aria, and I brag about my punctuality all the time. Of course, I did not come empty-handed. I brought some chocolate muffins and some delicious blackberries. Winter welcomed me properly, taking off my coat and jacket.
   "Aria should be here soon too. Make yourself comfortable."
   I was already comfortable. When I went to Winter's place I felt safe and happy. I crossed the medium-sized hall, full of horror posters, and arrived in front of the living room, my safe place. I opened the door and instantly regretted it.
    "I don't have much left…. What the hell?"
   I could feel how the sandwiches eaten in the morning were tumbling through my stomach. They wanted to expand their territory upwards. I wanted to throw up. The image in front of me was more horrifying than the posters in the hallway: Hunter, Winter's brother, was shirtless and having magnificent oral sex right on the green sofa bed in the living room. On the round table next to it is a box full of condoms. A gloomy image invaded my mind. Hunter tucked the young lady's tightly held hair into a ponytail and pulled her onto the couch next to him. On the other hand, he took a pillow and fixed it in the intimate area.
    "What the hell are you doing here?"
I could hear hurried footsteps behind me. Winter walked into the living room with a big smile and a tray full of cookies. Her smile immediately paled and the tray slipped from her hand. The noise of the impact bothered me even more.
    "Hunter! I told you to go upstairs. Oh my God, Cassia please forgive me."
  I couldn't say anything. It was as if I couldn't find my words. My gaze moved from Hunter to the young lady who was licking her lips and caressing Hunter's chest.
   The doorbell rang, followed by three knocks on the door.
   -Oh my god, Aria came.
This situation was too embarrassing.