Running Through Rivers

Chapter Three

Chapter Three - Cassidy's POV

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I flew out of the class as soon as the final bell rang, having just wasted two hours of my life studying irregular French verbs. I hurried out of the language block and headed towards the front of the building. I met Ro and a few other girls by the school gates, and we began walking down the road, rolling the sleeves of our blazers up and ditching our ugly school ties. Ro even went as far as rolling up her skirt a few times, causing a bus full of sixth form boys to wolf whistle and jeer as they drove past. Ro just flicked them off. I rummaged in my bag for some bubble gum, offering the pack around as Ro complained about Ms Dupree.

"I mean, seriously, like, why won't she just let me express myself, ya know? I don't do plain hair. I can't even remember my natural colour! Maybe I should dye it multi-coloured. That'd show her." She mused, blowing a pink bubble and popping it with her tongue.

"She'd kill you," I stated simply. Ro grinned.

"All part of the fun, my friend, all part if the fun!" She giggled and hugged my shoulder, before trying again to interrogate me about Alex.

She soon got bored when I didn't give anything away, resorting to her mobile to fuel her gossiping needs. I bet she was texting Tiffany. Soon enough everyone had wondered off home, leaving us to walk down her street alone. As we neared her house I turned to her and nudged her shoulder to get her attention.

"Light brown."

"You what?" She raised an eyebrow as she started walking backwards towards her gate, mobile still firmly clutched in her hand.

"Your natural hair colour. You said you can't remember. It was light brown," I explained, and she grinned.

"And THAT'S why you're my best friend Cassidy Turner. My bloody gorgeous, short-arse best friend." She did an exaggerated wave and turned towards her house, jumping over the low wall into her garden. "See you tomorrow, Shorty!"

I rolled my eyes and continued walking.

As I rounded the corner I caught a glimpse of his tall frame, strolling along the pavement with his hands in his pockets, his headphones covering his ears. I ran up behind him, jumping onto his back. Austin yelped and staggered forward, catching himself at the last minute as we both almost toppled to the ground.

"What the heck are you doing, Cass?" He laughed, sliding his headphones so that they hung around his neck, and shrugging me off his back.

I gave him an 'I dunno' look, before pulling the headphones off his neck, ignoring his protests. "What crap music are we listening to today then?"

A violent burst of noise exploded into my ear drums, followed by a male singer rapping about how high he was. How lovely. I yanked the headphones off, returning them with a grimace. Austin smirked.

"How was footy practice?" I questioned, gesturing towards his boots, which were caked with mud and grass.

"Coach was complaining again, saying how slack we're getting. But, come on, have you seen my muscles?" He flexed his arms obnoxiously and I scoffed. "Even Soph has more muscles than you."

He grinned down at me. "I've got more than your boyfriend, though." I rolled my eyes.

I stopped dead at our gate as I heard a cry from inside the house.

"Shit, he's at it again." Austin put my fear into words.

I quickly opened the gate and rushed up the driveway, a few feet behind Austin who had scaled the fence altogether. He pushed open the door and I followed as he burst into the living room. We faltered in the doorway as Sophie turned around, sitting crossed legged in front of the TV. Dad was no where in sight.