BODYS ; M. MUNROE

CHAPTER TWO

★彡

CASSANDRA LET out an audible sigh of relief seeing Josh. She raised both her arms, waving them above her head. "Josh~!"

Josh turned to locate the voice, upon seeing Cassandra, Matt, and Ashley, he beamed, and was quick to open the gate, he pulled Cassandra into a hug when he reached her, patting her hat covered head. "Shortstuff, glad you could make it." He pulled back from her with a grin, always eager to mock Cassandra's height.

"Hardy ha." She replied, rolling her eyes; adjusting her hat as she did so.

"Are we the first ones?" Ashley asked, curiously. She looked around as she walked to the bottom step leading to the lodge door, she shuffled snow out the way with her boot, and sat down.

Josh shrugged, acknowledging Matt with a nod, and fist bump. "Guess so, but there are no prizes for joint first, sorry." He comically frowned.

Cassandra looked around them, then at the lodge. "Is there a reason we're freezing our respective genitals off out here?" She asked, marching on the spot to keep herself warm.

Josh laughed, then looked away sheepishly. "If I tell you, you're not allowed to make fun."

The girl tilted her head, and smiled, she missed seeing Josh laugh. "Okay, I won't, promise." She raised her hands in surrender.

He pointed to his left, Cassandra followed his hand, he was pointing at nothing, other than a pile of irritated snow, like something small had been running in circles and bouncing. "I was watching two squirrels eat, and got distracted..." He rubbed the back of his neck, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he smiled.

Cassandra bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from laughing, but failed, and let out a quiet giggle. "Sorry! Sorry! But that's just so cute!"

Playfully, Josh nudged Cassandra's shoulder, ready to scold her, but stopped, hearing the gate open, he looked over, and smiled. "Cochise! Finally!"

The two grade school friends grabbed each other's hand, pulling themselves into a hug. Chris, patted Josh's shoulder, behind him, Sam popped her head out, waving at the group.

Along with Josh, Sam had also helped Cassandra when it came to losing her sister, Sam was more active with her approach however, which meant the two girls would go on long hikes, and attend rock climbing classes. Cassandra was grateful for Sam, for how patient she was when she didn't want to keep going, for when she wouldn't get out of bed. Sam didn't have to do that, yet she did, and Cassandra would forever be in her debt.

"Sandra~" Chris said in a sing song voice, he saluted a wave to her which she playfully brushed off, hating that he called her that. "How ya doin'? We saw Will and Jess on the w- ow!" Chris rubbed his side, Sam had nudged him in the ribs.

Cassandra snickered, shaking her head. "Sam I'm fine, you can say his name, I have to be in the same house as him for the weekend, I can handle it."

"Yeah Sam." Chris said, mockingly, still rubbing at his side. "Your elbows made out of adamantium or something? Geez."

The girl's stared, confused.

"Like Wolverine? X-Men?" Chris groaned, tutting at the girl's lack of comic awareness. "Where'd Josh go, he'd find it funny." In a fake huff, Chris walked off in search of his friend, leaving Cassandra with Sam.

The blonde tilted her head, half smiling. "Seriously, you okay? I don't just mean about Will, but..." She sighed, taking a step to Cassandra. "Josh losing his sisters, I know you must think about-"

Cassandra looked down, and began to mess with her scarf once more. "Sam... I'm fine, tonight isn't about me, okay? It's about Josh and being there for him. I appreciate you asking, but I'm okay." Cassandra nodded to herself then looked to Sam, giving her a smile.

"Okay, if you're sure, just know I'm here for you." Sam smiled back, pulling the brunette into a hug.

When the two pulled back, Cassandra jumped seeing Matt right behind Sam. "Matt, you scared me." She said half smiling, shuffling back slightly.

"Sorry, Cass, I just wanted to have a quick talk?" The way he spoke made him sound unsure of his own words, Cassandra raised her brows.

"Yeah, yeah sure is everything okay?" As she spoke, the two began to walk toward a large tree, its trunk wide enough to hide them both.

Once there, Matt huffed, leaning against the trunk. "I've been thinking about the past year, and... I just wanted to say I'm sorry."

Cassandra's brows furrowed. "Sorry? Matt what for?" She knew what for, but she didn't want to outright say it.

"You're kind, not dumb, you know what I'm apologising for." He folded his arms, Cassandra pursed her lips to the side. "I've been a dick to you since you and Will broke up, and I shouldn't have been." He sighed, shamefully, looking down at his shoes. "I've known him for years, you know? Practically grew up together, just felt... Wrong to leave him, even though he fucked up. I'm sorry Cass, you know I don't hate you or anything, right?"

Cassandra stared up at Matt with a perplexed look, where had this come from? Did Ashley say something? Or was he feeling genuine guilt from his actions? He sounded sincere, at least, but she was still confused. "Of-of course, yeah, Matt... I never thought you hated me. You and Will are best friends, it makes sense." She blinked rapidly before looking away, moving awkwardly on the spot.

Matt exhaled with relief. "So..." He opened his arms out slowly. "We good?"

Cassandra rolled her eyes, snickering softly. "We're good." She stepped toward him, hugging him lightly.

As the two emerged from behind the tree, Mike had arrived, he was stood at the bottom step of the lodge talking to Sam, noticing Cassandra and Matt, he nodded at them both, Cassandra gave him a small wave, and shuffled over to stand behind him.

"And we're still standing out here, why?" Matt asked, looking at the rest of the group.

Ashley groaned, tilting her head back. "The stupid door's frozen, Chris is in there going all Mission Impossible to get it open." She breathed into her hands to warm her fingers up.

Quietly, Cassandra started to hum the Mission Impossible theme song, to her left, she heard a poorly concealed laugh, which belonged to Mike. "Something funny about my humming?" She cocked her head to look at him, annoyed with how tall he was compared to herself.

Mike shook his head, smiling. "No, no... I was just thinking about something else." He raised his brows playfully, and shrugged.

Finally, the door opened, and Chris stepped out. "Not to fret ladies, I have saved the day."

Suddenly, a black mass of fur zipped past Chris' leg, startling him, Cassandra shrieked, jolting, and losing her balance as it ran down the steps, and into the woods, she then froze, feeling a hand on her wrist.

"You okay?" Mike asked with a raised brow, his hand still on her wrist.

Cassandra blinked up at him before speaking. "I- yeah... Yeah I'm fine."

Charitable: Increased

Relationship with Matt: Increased
Relationship with Sam: Increased