Merely Existing

Chapter 22: The Conflict of Hearts

Cassie's POV

"Friends..."

I heard her say that word, almost as if it was her first time saying it, as if she were testing it out. The word rolled off her tongue slowly and softly. A word had never sounded more beautiful. It was no longer a simple word, but more of a bewitching spell.

For once, her voice did not sound like it was imported from Antarctica, her gaze no longer made polar bears shiver and her face didn't look like a frozen sculpture. I had a feeling that if miracles were to happen, it would be now.

Then it really did happened. Just like my brilliant sixth sense had predicted. While everyone else was too busy gawking and having their minds blown, I swiped out my handphone, tapped the camera icon and captured that moment faster than I've done anything in my life.

Although I had accomplished a feat that would probably grant me the Nobel Peace Awards, I had also simultaneously ruined the moment. When the sudden flash swept her face, she erased her former expression to stare questioningly at me.

Those sinfully distracting silver eyes were staring at me and slowly ruining my life as I tried to get my brain to function again.

"I was, um, taking a...a..selfie," I explained, "But I forgot to turn the camera over..oops!"

Yeah, I would totally slap myself if I could. I bet even a five year old could make up an excuse better than that.

She obviously did not believe my lie, but she did not question it any further either. It was as if she was telling me it was okay if I chose to keep it a secret because she never really cared about the answer anyway.

I wouldn't lie, I was rather disappointed at her reaction. Relieved as I may be for not being busted, her utter lack of interest made me feel that the progress accomplished today, was far from satisfying.

It wasn't a minuscular progress, to say the least. In fact, it was a mighty great leap, if you'd ask me. It just....just wasn't enough. Or maybe I was getting greedier by the moment.

And maybe it wasn't just me.

The boys, now awakened from their temporary state of blankness, were staring at me like a miserly poor thief would stare at a diamond necklace. Or a starving lion staring at a fat sheep. Same difference really.

I nodded discreetly at them, hoping they would cool down and act normally for the time being. Thankfully, they got the hint.

"So, um, I'll just go pay off the bill," Vince said, smiling as he usually did. Only this time it seemed that his smile would literally split his face into two if it were even an inch wider. He took care of it real quick, and just as we were about to leave, the waitress from before scuttled over to hand us each a lucky charm.

"What did I say? Told you there was a lucky charm for relationships!" I exclaimed proudly, holding up the shiny golden object in my hand.

I saw Blacky observe the golden star shaped locket which was identical to what everyone received. I would bet good money that right now she was inspecting the chipped areas of the gold coating and thinking that it was nothing special, hardly effective and very much the utter blasphemy that only fools would put their trust in.

Not that it was surprising. However the fact that none of the boys were making any dubious or criticising comments about it was quite a miracle already.

That moment was still affecting their minds, still fresh in their hearts.

"It's pretty cool. And it would look even cooler once I'm wearing it," Vince broke the silence, providing us with his usual confident and slightly arrogant, pardon me, very much arrogant input.