Our 3rd World

Chapter 20: Sad Cassie

Chapter 20: (Phil's POV)

*A Week Later*

Cassie was pretty upset over Rob's death. After his funeral, she crawled into her room and didn't come out for 2 days. I visit everyday to see if she's feeling any better, but she refuses to talk. Sadie, Dan, and Preston have all tried to make conversation with her, but her lips remain sealed. Leaving the silence to sink in. It's been about a week now, everyone thought she'd be less upset by now, but she really isn't. I continue to come over about every 2 hours. Preston understands my concern, but he's beginning to get annoyed. No ones getting anywhere with Cassie. She's letting the silence kill everyone slowly. I understand her what she's through. She's explained to me her thoughts about oblivion a lot and how she couldn't bear another death if it happened. Guess what? It did and now she has closed up. Preston says she constantly weeps at night, remembering everyone who has died. The emotional pain is to much for her to bear and now she has snapped.

So today I bring her some flowers and one of my favorite book series. My fingers rap on the door and I patiently wait. Preston says I can just walk in, but I feel awkward when I do. So, I knock instead. After a few seconds, Preston opens the door. "She's in her room, I've tried to talk to her, but all she said was go away" he tells me. I step into the cold apartment and head down the narrow hallway. The plastered walls close me in and trap me in between them and Cassie's door. I quietly knock and twist the door knob. Surprisingly the door pops open. I poke my head in and see Cassie wrapped up in her Adventure Time blanket. I walk over to her and smile. "Good morning Cassie" She glances up at me and the corners of her mouth lift up slightly. "Hi" she mumbles. Oh my gosh! She's talking! "I brought you some of your favorite flowers" I say handing her the bundle of pink and white plumerias. Cassie willingly takes them and takes in a whiff of their scent. "Thank you" she smiles. I nod my head and plop beside her. "How you doing? Are you okay?" I ask taking her hand. I squeeze her hand and she let's out a big huff. "No, I'm not okay" she sniffles.

I wrap my arms around her, comforting the both of us. Cassie let's out another sniffle and coughs. She explains that she has also managed to catch Mono (also known as the 'kissing' disease according to Sadie). Being that she had Mono, she's very tired and just wants to sleep all the time. "I just don't want to move or do anything that requires physical activities" she explains. I laugh and respond with, "You sound like Dan." Cassie cracks a smile and agrees with me. She lays her head on my shoulder and yawns. Poor thing. In under five minutes she's knocked out cold. I place her head on her pillows and pull her other blankets up, over her. "Sleep well, my love" I whisper, kissing her forehead. I'm just glad she's talking. I leave the book series I brought over next to her bed, then I exit the room. I find Preston sitting in the lounge watching Regular Show. "Any luck?" He asks, as I walk in. "Yes actually! She did speak!" I exclaim, taking a seat in Cassie's favorite chair. Preston gasps and asks what she's doing now. I explain to him that she's asleep and he sighs. "Asleep again. I swear she can't get enough of it. I feel so bad though. Contracting Mono must suck!" He huffs out of disappointment.

The two of us watch tv for a little bit, until Dan makes his way downstairs and over to the apartment. He let's himself in and steps into the room. "Mind if I go see Cassie?" He asks. Preston shrugs his shoulder and says "why not?" I know Rob's death really hurt him too, but he's staying strong. He knows Rob wants him to live a happy life, even though he's not around anymore. Dan gives Preston a thumbs up and runs off down the hall. I hear Cassie's creaky door open up as he walks in. A wave of jealousy washes over me, but it instantly goes away when Dan walks right back into the lounge. "She's out like a light" he mumbles. Dan takes a seat next to Preston and joins our tv watching session. Now we're pretty much waiting for Sadie. It doesn't take her long to get here. We all know when she's coming because she always manages to trip on the last step, making a large crashing sound.

"Hey guys" Sadie smiles, stumbling into the room. "Hello Sadie!" Dan returns her smile and tells her that Cassie is asleep. "What disease does she have?" Sadie asks. She sits next to Dan and pulls her knees up to her chest. I can literally feel their attraction for each other all the way over here. Anyway, "She has Mono" Dan says to her. Sadie glances at me and says "Phil!" with a smirk on her face. She chuckles and shakes her head. "Shame" was all she says. Dan shakes his head with her and I tell them to shut up. "No I did not give her the 'kissing disease', now please stop" I sigh. The two of them stop and smile at each other. "Well, if you guys wouldn't mind, I'm going to check on her" Sadie says, excusing herself from the room. She pops up from her spot and skips off to Cassie's room. We can hear her talk to Cassie and tell her she needs to wake up. Surprisingly, she walks back into the room with Cassie. "That my chair," Cassie frowns. She pokes me and continues to poke me until I scoot over, making room for her. She plops down beside me and lays her head on my shoulder. "Do you need anything?" Preston asks. Cassie groggily says, "Yes" and Preston asks, "What?" "Sleep. I need sleep."