Waiting For Superman

Who Do You Love

Author's Note: Hi Guys! I just wanted to add this in here to encourage you all to listen to the song I've attached above as a YouTube video. It was very much so the inspiration for this chapter: I listened to it (very loudly) on repeat the entire time I wrote this chapter. It's by one of my favorite bands, one of which I'm sure many of you have never even heard of. I'd almost encourage you to listen to it before or while you read, but after is perfectly fine, too! Without further adieu,  I present to you "Who Do You Love."

     "Cass?" 

      I blinked several times, my eyes focusing on the blonde sitting cross legged on the purple, fuzzy rug spread across the center of the room. Behind her, posters of her favorite bands and celebrities covered the bright white wall.

     "I'm sorry. Did you say something?" 

     "Cassie," Mia sighed, "I've said a lot."

     "I'm sorry," I whispered, my mind now focused on her words. 

     I had found myself thinking about Ryan almost constantly. I was thankful that it was summer, and I didn't have to worry about going back to school right now. I was sure that my mind would be completely unable to focus in class or retain any new information. I would be failing, for sure. 

      When I wasn't thinking about Ryan, I was thinking about Trevor. My mind wandered to him again now. I had promised him that we could hang out later that night, and I was wondering what time it was. I had been at Mia's for several hours, sitting on her bed while she stretched out in front of a magazine and read me all of the latest celebrity drama. A pile of torn out pictures sat beside her; they'd be taped artfully to the wall behind her to add to the collage that was forming. 

     Of course, I wasn't listening to any of the gossip, though. I was only thinking of what Trevor and I would be doing tonight and how I wished I could be planning an evening with Ryan instead. 

    "Cassie!" I blinked, shaking my head to refocus my attention. My eyes met Mia's; she was angry. "Why are you even here if you aren't even paying attention to me?"

     "Mia," I mumbled. "I just can't focus right now."

     "I can tell." She rolled her eyes. 

      "Hey!" I sat up taller, folding my arms. "I was there for you when you were crying so much you couldn't even talk. I'm sorry I can't give you my full attention right now. My best friend just died." 

      "Cassie." Her voice was quieter now, and she stood up, moving toward me. I stood up as well, holding my hand out in front of me. I didn't want her to touch me.

       "No," I growled. "I haven't slept in days. I haven't thought about anything other than Ryan and Trevor in days." 

       Her sympathetic tone was no longer there when she spoke next. Her hand rested on her hip, and she was shouting something about how it was unfair that I was so focused on Trevor. She needed me, too, she was saying. She was sad about Ryan, too. It was so hard for her to see me so broken. She missed her best friend. 

      I rolled my eyes, shouting back, "This isn't about you, Mia!" 

     "You haven't paid attention to me in so long!"

     "You're being so selfish!" 

      I had pushed past her and was halfway down the stairs when I heard her speak in response.