To Live Is To Fight (#2)

Chapter 1

I straightened out the blue graduation dress and fixed the slightly out of place hat. Looking around for any familiar faces, I fidgeted on the rope that dangled off my graduation hat, trying to shake the nerves out of my system.

'Bravo, Case. You're able to street fight like you're cycling but you can't even walk with your back straight and a confident look in your face in these heels,' my conscience chided me.

I sighed, my brain's right, this is stupid. Get a grip, Case.

It was like ever since I left that hospital, everything in my life fell apart and everything that I've planned perfectly was shredded. I was no longer the same Cassandra. After everything's that happen, from being the small little girl who was lost in this world to that girl who fought through life, I have been reduced to simply being that girl who's trying to survive.

My mind decided to wander off to the previous night where I had the out of schedule phone call with Preston.

"What happened? Is he alright?" I asked without greetings, as usual. Preston's voice was terse and I heard the tension in it, different from his usual calm tone when we have this weekly call.

"It's bad, Case. We don't know where he is anymore. At first, Cali realized that he wasn't in his bed most of the time after a week of coming home. Then, I was on night watch to see for myself and he's been sneaking out almost every night lately and now, he ran from home."

I sucked in a breath, sitting on the edge of my bed with my elbows resting on my knees. This isn't part of the plan.

"I plan to find him and I will. Don't worry about it, he's going to be alright," Preston's voice was heavy with worry and I could hear how tired he was.

"Thanks for keeping me updated, Pres. I owe you," I sighed, my shoulder sagging even further.

"You owe me nothing, Case. You did the right thing. My brother's going to be alright, don't worry," with that, he ended the call and I threw myself onto the bed.

"Did I really?" I asked into the empty room.

I made this decision thinking that he'll go back to his normal life routine before he met me. I cut all ties to keep him away from all the danger. I knew it wasn't fair on him because I did it without his acknowledgement but it was for the best.

I would be putting everyone in danger if I have stayed.

The family moved to the other side of the town that was an hour away from where I was and of course, Adam moved schools so I didn't have to see him every day or have the need to dodge him in the halls every minute.

Of course I visit once a month to meet up with the kids, Jerry and Preston but I made sure that Adam was staying over someone's house. It was for the best.

'Is it, really?' my conscience bit. My will to stay away was slowly crumbling down to ashes and I could feel it being sucked into a void that was growing in size.

I kept chanting that this was for the best, it was for his safety, just to convince myself and hang on to that thread that's keeping me from reaching out towards him but doubt was catching up with me.

Nothing makes sense anymore. What is wrong with me? He's just a guy; just a guy.

'A guy that you love,' my conscience reminded and my finger gripped on a pillow to stuff my face against and muffle my groan. Dammit.

I'll just visit. Straight after the graduation, I'll get Preston to convince him to have a guy's night with his friends and I'll meet up with the kids and spend some time.