Lifelines

Chapter 7

Monday morning couldn't come quick enough. After the incident last night in my room with Carson I thought I'd die in my sleep from embarrassment. Of course he acted like it didn't affect him at all. He seemed to forget all about it and for that I'm grateful. I couldn't think of my best friend like that.

I quickly dressed, brushed my hair, and did my other morning duties before going downstairs and seeing another beautiful breakfast laid out. I wasn't too hungry and only grabbed a banana and parfait. Lucas and Carson came down only a few short moments later and soon we were out the door, on our way to hell.

The car ride was awkwardly quiet and it didn't help when Luke tried speaking. "I can feel the tension between you two. Anything happen I should know about?" He asked and I glared at the back of his head. "Nothing at all." I said through gritted teeth.

I noticed we had stopped in front of a house and was confused before I saw Austin running out and into the seat next to me.

"Morning!" He greeted chirpily. I mumbled a 'Hello' before staring out of the window again.

We stopped in front of the school and I got out as usual but realized everyone else was in the car. I was confused because the late bell was to ring in three minutes but they eventually came out of the car and Austin hesitantly held his hand out to Lucas. He looked around and back to Carson who gave him a reassuring nod. Luke then took Austin's hand in his and interlinked their fingers together. It was weird.

I'm not saying the fact that Austin and Luke are a couple is weird. I'm saying that it was weird to watch Lucas look so shy and...vulnerable. It was weird to not see Kara running up to him and throwing her lips onto his. I scanned the front campus lot for her and saw her looking over at Luke and Austin smiling. I always thought she was a good person.

As we walked into the school everyone's head seemed to turn towards the new couple and I literally saw jaws drop. Everyone who viewed Lucas Anderson as the football star and all-American student, now looked at him like he was a piece of day old gum stuck to the bottom of their shoe. I didn't notice the glare I was sending everyone until Carson bumped my shoulder.

"I guess we'll have to protect him together, huh?" He smiled and again I was staring at his lips. I shook my head of any thoughts and nodded dumbly at him. I looked back to Luke who's eyes were trained on Austin's that looked so loving. So kind. "Yeah." I finally answered, "We'll protect him."
                                  *****
"There are multiple reasons why we should limit the use of technology of teens today. The uses of laptops, cell phones, and other-" I was interrupted from writing my research paper when a book slammed down in front of me and a certain someone sat down.

"What do you want Dawson?" I deadpanned and gave James an uninterested look. James Dawson. The boy who broke my twelve year old heart. Not that I held a grudge or anything. He flashed one of his award winning smiles my way, "Cassandra Barnes. It's been too long." He winked and I rolled my eyes. "We have fourth period study hall together." I stated with disinterest and continued writing my paper.

He pulled the paper away from me and childishly held it in the air. "I'll give this back if you answer a question I have for you." He smiled and although this boy was a piece of work, I let him speak. "I hear Austin Swanson is having a party this weekend. I was wondering if you'd want to go together." He sounded so casual and his face was so serious.

I started to laugh. "Good one James. Real funny. Ha-ha." I said sarcastically and he looked a little hurt. "I'm being serious Cass." He put my paper back down in front of me and stood up. "If you didn't want to go you could've just said a simple no." He went to walk away but I felt bad. I didn't know he was actually being serious.

"Wait!" I called after him and walked over to him. I gave him one more suspicious glance. "What about Sandy? Why are you asking me? And why are you all of a sudden talking to me? We haven't spoken since middle school." I interrogated James and he looked at the floor guiltily. "I thought you wouldn't want to talk to me after what happened. I was a jerk, I know. Sandy and I weren't working. Turns out she was hooking up with Jimmy Reynolds behind my back. And why wouldn't I ask you? You're gorgeous." 

I felt myself blush. The most popular boy in school just called me gorgeous. Maybe going to a party with him wouldn't be so bad. He seems to have changed and he does honestly look sorry for what happened in middle school. I mean the past is the past. You can either run from it or learn from it. Wow, I need to stop watching Disney movies.

"Okay." I said, "I'll go to the party with you." He smiled and gave me a light hearted hug. I heard someone clear their throat behind us and turned to see Carson and boy did he not look happy.

"Dawson." He glared at James who threw an arm over my shoulder.

"Anderson." He countered back and looked down at me. "I'll catch ya later Cass. Can't wait for that party Friday." He gave me a wink and walked off.

Carson's eyes kept following him until he was out of the cafeteria. He sharply turned back to me. "What did he mean? What party?" His voice was bold and his knuckles were turning white from the way he was gripping the lunch tray. I'm surprised the poor styrofoam thing didn't break yet.

"There's a party at Austin's Friday. Are you okay Carson? You look a little...stressed?" I phrased it more as a question and he seemed to relax a bit. "I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be okay?" He sat down and opened up his food, stabbing his fork with it pretty roughly.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I asked worriedly again. He dropped his fork. "I said I'm fine! God, Cassandra." He snapped at me and got up, throwing out his lunch and storming out of the cafeteria. "I don't think he's okay." I said to no one in particular and left to find Luke.