Running Through Rivers

Chapter Two

Chapter Two - Cassidy's POV

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As I hoped off the bus, Ro appeared next to me, linking her arm through mine as we walked towards the school gates.

Ro had a small frame, yet still managed to be a few inches taller then me, not that it was much of a challenge. She had a quirky personality and flamboyant attitude. I'd like to say that she'd been my best friend since I could remember, but that would be a lie. I'd known who she was of course; everyone knew who Ro was. However, she barely even knew I existed before last year, when Austin started hanging out with the 'popular' crowd. She'd felt the need to befriend me, not that I minded. She was quite nice once you got past the heavy make up, bright hair, and loud mouth.

"So. I heard you and Alex got pretty cozy the other night after the Eagles game." She nudged my shoulder and I felt my cheeks heat up as I remembered back to last saturday's football match. The Greyborne Eagles vs the Treehill Turtles, and we smashed them, if I do say so myself. Not that anyone was surprised. With a name like that even Treehill High knew they were beaten before the game had started. Ro was referring to after the game, when me and Alex who, like Austin, was also on the football team, had met up at one of the other player's houses for the after-party.

I didn't see why Ro was making such a big deal. I mean, it wasn't like we did anything. Sure, we kissed. A bit. Okay, a lot. But that was it. Of course, the rumour mill at Greyborne had been working overtime lately. Ro probably heard that me and Alex went all the way. And that I'm pregnant. And that we're engaged. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised. Not if Tiffany big-mouth, AKA the gossip queen of Greybourne, had anything to do with it.

I looked up as a loud voice boomed down across the courtyard from the second storey of the school building. Ms Dupree was leaning out of the window, her beady eyes focused on me and Ro as we stood amongst the throng of students.

"Rosanna Calnari, what did I tell you about dying your hair ridiculous colours?! Pink is NOT your natural hair colour, no matter how many times you try and convince me otherwise."

Ro cursed under her breath, before smiling one of her cheeky smiles and replying, curtseying dramatically to piss Ms Dupree off.

"Oh, sorry Miss. I keep forgetting, Miss. I'll dye my hair tonight, Miss."

Most of the sixth form were cracking up; they knew that Ro would just dye her hair an even more obnoxious colour, like electric blue, or bright orange.

Ms Dupree grimaced, then slammed the window shut.

"Bitch," Ro called, after she was sure the window was closed. The quiet courtyard erupted with laughter, followed by blurred noise as everyones conversations blended together.

Ro linked my arm again, this time leading me through the swarm of people and up the steps to the double doors. Pushing one open with her hip, she began to gossip about a girl in the year below, who apparently cheated on some guy with a teacher. I shuddered in disgust.

The bell rang, drowning out Ro's voice and causing a stampede of people to rush into the corridor. Somehow, I managed to tell Ro to meet in the Art wing at lunchtime before she was swallowed up by the crowd, and I headed towards my locker.

The annoying thing about being a twin is that people just assume that you want to be with your twin 24/7. By people, I mean the school, and by 24/7, I mean that almost every single class I had was with Austin. Now, don't get me wrong, Austin is a great guy and all, but the novelty of being a twin soon wears off when you end up with neighbouring lockers. Seriously? Do they actually think that we are so inseparable that even our books, sports gear, and lunch can't bare to be apart?! Me and Austin are close, but maybe my History book would like to sit in my locker without Austin's Chemistry paper calling to him from the other side of the wall. Hmm...