“So,” Cassandra said on the bus to Cincinnati, “how are things?”
“Shut up,” Joe said, turning away from her, completely to the window.
Of all the people he could’ve been paired to sit with, it was Cassandra. He would’ve rather had a pissed-off Alice next to him the whole time instead of Cassandra. Alice was stewing in her own hatred next to Preston.
“Psst, Joe!” he had whispered earlier. “Wanna trade?”
More than anything. But the teacher had said, “NO TRADING.”
Joe hated that teacher. So he was stuck.
“I’m not too thrilled about this either,” Cassandra said. “I’d rather be next to Preston. He’s at least nice to me.”
“Because you haven’t RUINED HIS LOVE LIFE.”
“Joe, you’re fourteen. It can’t be ruined forever.” She glanced at Alice, who was glaring at her. “If anything, I saved it. From a neo-Nazi.”
“Hey, Cassandra!” Preston yelled from three aisles away, next to Alice. “Good one!”
“What?!” Cassandra yelled.
“GOOD ONE!”
“Thanks!” she replied, waving. Joe rolled his eyes.
“Oh come on. Be…” Cassandra searched for the right word. She smiled. “Be compassionate!”
Joe glared at her. “Just stop it, Cassandra. Just stop!”
Cassandra rolled her eyes. After a while, she turned around and said softly, “Sorry about your girlfriend.”
“What, that she’s a bitch?”
He said that too loud. Shit.
“What did you just say, Joe?!” Alice screamed.
“No, Alice, he was imitating me! He wasn’t being serious!”
“Why should I believe you?!”
Joe thought he saw Cassandra’s eyes flash red. “Fine. Believe whatever you want. See if I care.”
Alice switched her anger from Joe to Cassandra and muttered curse words under her breath.
“I did not mean that she’s a…a bee-otch. I meant for how I managed to get her all mad at you.”
Joe looked at her for a brief second, then turned back around. “Thanks. For apologizing.”
Cassandra nodded and they rode in silence.
In the back, Cary was yelling at Martin.
“No offense, but QUIT STALKING ME.”
“I’m not stalking you!” Martin defended.
“People are spreading rumors that we’re going to homecoming together! AS A DATE.”
A look of utter disgust came across Martin’s face.
“Yeah,” Cary said. “I’m never going to get a real date now. . .”
“Wait, wait, wait. You’re worrying about a homecoming date when we’re in a life or death situation?!” Martin hissed. “You need to get your priorities straight!”
“Excuse me, they are perfectly straight.”
“That’s odd, considering most people think you’re gay,” Charles said from across the aisle.
“Charles, please do me a favor and shut up.”
“But I’m so bored!” Charles whispered.
“How?!” Cary yelled as loud as humanly possible. “You’re sitting next to the hottest girl in school!!!” Oh crap, why did I just say that? he thought.
“You aren’t so bad yourself,” the hot girl in question replied, smiling.
“Why, thank you,” he said. “So I haven’t seen you around before.”
“Yeah, I’m kind of new,” she said, giving a goofy grin.
“Oh really? So what’s your name?” Cary asked, grinning back.
“Martina,” she replied.
Martina. Martin. Smartin.
Dear Mother of God.
Martin’s laughter echoing in his ear next to him didn’t help.
YOU ARE READING
The Call of the Others
FanfictionDid you like the cover? I tried, guys, I tried to make it cool... ANYWAY, this is about the gang we all know and love in the school year after the attack. There's a new girl named Cassandra, who's supposed to be me. I know that's kind of lame, so I'...
