Blank Girl - (Book One)

Chapter 1 - Creepy Cassie and Mongrel Jack

Cassandra Black

I brushed my hair, not even bothering to check it. It was tangle-free and that's enough. There were probably stray hairs, but oh well. I went to the base of my bed and grabbed my clothes for the day. I always laid them out the night before. I'm really just not a morning person, so it makes the whole process easier. Honestly, if I could get away with just curling up on the couch all day, I would.

I pulled on the jeans and a hoodie then slipped on my reliable DC's. My stuff was already packed so I grabbed my backpack and my duffle and headed towards door.

"Forgetting something?" A familiar voice sounded.

"Jack?! You scared the crap out of me! How long have you been there? You didn't watch me change did you?"

"Gross, no. Besides, the door was open. If you're worried about peeping, you should close it." He snorted. "Curtains too. Prepubescent Tyler from next door just ducked his head down."

"That little jerk."

"You can hardly blame him for your oversight. I just came up to check on you and it's a good thing I did. You look like something the cat coughed up."

"Brilliant, thank you for that." I rolled my eyes as I slipped my sunglasses on. "Look, I don't care. I don't need to impress these people."

"You don't need to do anything, but they might make your life less of a hell if you at least put in a little effort."

"I'm not having this conversation. It's too early in the morning and we have a bus to catch."

"Just don't say I didn't warn you..."

He was always like this. Honestly he had better things to worry about than my social life.

The walk to school was relatively uneventful. I almost got hit by a car when I tripped on the curb, but Jack helped me right myself in time. Really, I should be more careful. Everyone gets lost in their own little worlds. I can't expect others to drop everything just because I'm far clumsier than the average 17 year old.

I managed to get to the school entrance on time and sent my mom a text to let her know I got to the bus safely. My mom is an E.R. surgeon, so she's not home very much. I still try to keep her in the loop though. Last thing she needs is to be worried about me when a patient is bleeding out on her table.

"Ugh, Creepy Cassie is coming after all." I heard Lauren Asterfield, the Class Representative talking about me. "Haven't they put her out of her misery yet?"

"Ew, I know and she even brought that Mongrel Jack with her." And that was her best friend Megan Lawson, vice-captain of the varsity rowing club. "Like, get put down already."

That's right, I'm "Creepy Cassie" and "Mongrel Jack" is my best friend. We've had those names since freshman year. I always figured the teasing and bullying would all go away once they found a new target to ridicule, right?

Wrong. I am definitely on the most hated list in school. Does it matter that these girls used to be my friends. That we had teatime in my back garden or pool parties every summer since we were seven?

Of course that was before everything changed. Really, I can't let it rile me.

I do wish they'd stop making fun of Jack though. He didn't do anything to deserve it and he's been an amazing friend for the last three years. He's smart, loyal, honest and very sweet (when he wants to be). He's really only aggressive when someone else starts something. We have the same sense of humor and the same (mostly) laid back attitude. I just want to protect him as much as he protects me.

Like the time those girls put green dye in my shampoo after gym class. I didn't even know I was walking around school with green, well everything... Whatever dye they used got everywhere. My hair, my face, my hands, down my back and across my shoulders. I wasn't just Creepy Cassie that week. I was "moldy" and "the hulk" and my personal favorite "the green faced monster." What did Jack do? He brought me a tub of vanilla ice cream, gave me the remote and we fell asleep watching reruns of Golden Girls (Betty White is my hero...)

"C'mon Cass." Jack nudged me towards the bus. It reeked. The fumes coming off that machine made me want to puke. I held my breath and headed for the door.

Mrs. Swanson cleared her throat as I went to get on the bus. It really is a disgusting noise if you think about it. Mucous catching and dripping. Gross! "Are you sure you wouldn't rather your mother drop you off at the camp dear. You and Jack would be much more comfortable."

"Sorry, Mrs. Swanson, my mother is a bit busy saving lives to drop me off at summer camp."

I didn't mean to snap at her. It's not like I enjoy being rude and sarcastic, but it almost like an instinct. Honestly. It's hardly surprising that her reply was full of venom. "Fine, just sit in the back and don't bother anyone!"

I nodded my head and walked past most of the class. Thankfully, they seemed to be giving me a wide berth today. And wouldn't you know it... I tripped on the step leading onto the bus. I ignored the sniggers behind me and willed myself to not rub my shin where I'd hit the metal step. I hiked my duffle higher up on my shoulder and made my way to the back of the bus. I know I was supposed to put my duffle in that compartment under the bus, but that wasn't going to happen. Last thing I needed was to get it stolen by one of those girls and spend the next three weeks with only the clothes on my back.

I threw the duffle onto the window seat and heard a low grunt. "Oh wow, I'm so sorry!"

"I get that I'm the new kid, but I didn't think I was actually invisible." He laughed good-naturedly.

I stuck my hand out. "I'm Cassie, and I really am sorry."

"No worries." He took my hand and shook firmly. "I'll just put your duffle under the seat."

"Thanks." I smiled and motioned to my best friend. "Oh and this is Jack."

"Oh cool, my name's Greg."

"It's okay if we sit back here?" I asked.

"Yeah, there should be enough space. It's a three-seater."

"Thanks!"

This new guy seems really nice. Maybe this summer camp won't be completely horrible after all.

-

Author's Note -

I've dedicated this chapter to Story_Hunter14 who found this story within just a few hours and promoted it on www.wattpad.com/story/60426832-story-hunter-weekly almost immediately. I'm so thankful for this positive feedback. Please follow and support new authors!

What are your first impressions of Cassie?

Cover Art thanks to YoursTrulyMaryZ!

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