"Cassidy! Let's go," I hear my mom yell. I quickly search my room for my backpack but groan when I can't find it. "Mom have you seen my bag?" No response. "MOM?" I run down the stairs to see her staring at a letter, teary eyed. I approach her carefully and lightly tap her shoulder. "Mom?" I whispered. She grabbed my shoulder and started sobbing. "Mom, what's wrong?" When she didn't answer I took the letter from her grasp and read it.
Dear Edwards Family and Friends,
I am very sorry to inform you.
Your loving father, husband and friend; Sergeant Paul Edwards, has passed away in honor of fighting for his country. We wish you and your family the very best for the rest of your lives. And we again, are sincerely grieved and are praying for you all every day. It was an honor serving with him.
I pulled my mom's hand off my shoulder and into my own. I wanted so bad to comfort her and tell her we'll be alright. But I couldn't get any words out. I slowly lifted her on her feet and into her bedroom to lie down. "I- I'm going to go call your boss. Okay?" She nodded faintly and slowly closed her eyes. "Oh and Cass?" She whispered, almost unable to be heard. "Yeah mom?" I whispered back. "You- You're backpack is in the box on top of your dresser." Smiling lightly she kissed my forehead. "You still want me to go to school?" I looked at her confused. "I need to be here. You're not well-"
"I-I'm sorry dear. I just- I need you to go out today. Get your mind away from all of this." She cooed, cupping my chin and pressing a kiss to my forehead. "But mo-," I started. "I don't want to hear any buts, you go on off to school now, take my car." She smiled and shooed me out. I went upstairs to find my bag, took my phone off its charger and hit the road.
I clicked the lock button on the car keys, wiping the tears that formed in my eyes. I slammed the car door shut behind me and headed off to the place I consider hell---Lakeside high school. The only good thing about this place is all the friends I've made here. Although, I don't really know why they all like me. In fact, I am one of the weirdest people at this school. But maybe that's why I get along with everyone here. I fit in with all of them. I don't think it's because of my looks or how I present myself though. I have long, straight, light brown hair and blue eyes and I belong to the drama club at school. And no, drama geeks aren't even close to what I'd call them. They're my soul mates.
I greeted everyone in the halls with a gentle smile and continued my way over to my friends. Paisley is the loud one, always coming up with crazy things for us to do. Everly is the practical one of our group, always wanting to do the right thing. And Ashleigh, I've never heard her say more than 10 words since I met her. And that was 4 years ago. "CASS!" I heard Paisley yell across the hallway before I was engulfed in a huge hug. "Hey, Pais," I laughed. I walked over to see Ashleigh and Everly. "How can you be laughing on a day as sad as this? You're leaving me!" She sighed. "Wait. That's today?! I thought you were leaving next week?" Everly questioned. "I said that last week Ev, today is the big day."
"You're still having a party tonight, right? Everyone here is planning on going." Ashleigh squeaked. Thinking of what I had found out earlier, I thought maybe that wasn't such a good idea. But I sighed in defeat as my friends all looked at me with pleading eyes. "Oh, um yeah of course. There's no way I could leave without saying goodbye to you guys."
I heard Paisley mumble, "I still don't get why you have to go." I walked up closer to her and sighed, "You of all people should know why I have to." I lightly patted her shoulder before the bell rang for class. "I'll talk to you guys at lunch. Okay?" With a small smile I headed off towards Chemistry.
Right as the bell rang I sat down in my assigned seat right in front of my teacher's desk and waited for him to arrive. Everyone started rambling around, switching seats to sit next to their friends, blowing spit balls left and right. The maturity here is immense. I picked up my bag from the floor and took out my iPod and journal until I was pleased with what song was on. I put my headphones in my ears and started writing. Songs, Poems, pretty much anything that can get my emotions out. I started tapping my foot when If I Were a Boy by Beyonce came on. "If I were a boy, even just for a day, I'd roll outta bed in the morning, and throw on what I wanted and go-" I sang. I snapped out of it when I was tapped on the shoulder. I smiled when I turned around and saw my best friend, Drew. "Mornin' Beautiful," He smiled, pulling the headphones out of my ears. Drew is the school's ladies man, the guy all the girls want. I mean don't get me wrong, he's attractive, but totally not my type. He's tall, muscular, has hazel eyes and curly dark brown hair. But that's what I love about Drew. He's not afraid to be cute with me, even though every girl wants him. "Mornin' handsome," I smiled back. "Mr. Woods isn't here yet?" He questioned, a huge grin spread across his face. "Nope," I said, popping the 'P'. "Late as always."
