Time Is The Key To Everything

Chapter 3: Hunting Trip

Author's note: This chapter is in Cassidy's POV.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sun rays danced upon the window sill of my room as I sat at my sewing desk. I wove the threads in and out of the fabric in silence. I had always loved sewing since it gave me a reason to lock myself away. I could sit in my room and no maids would usually disturb me, giving me time to think clearly.

Since Paul's birthday party a few days ago, emotions had pried themselves out of my heart. It was true. I still loved him and that would never change. Even after we were torn apart, I had never let myself forget him. But then there was James.

James and I had been friends before I even met Paul. I knew he had a crush on me because, well, he made it obvious. As much as I wanted to give him a chance, I always seemed to shake him off. I guess I just have always thought of us as only friends.

When the three of us were kids, we pretended we were the three musketeers. At that time, Paul and James actually got along. Paul found it hilarious that James thought I was a guy. I just shrugged off and let James believe whatever he wanted. Though, I suppose when James realized I was actually a girl was when our trio broke apart. Now, Paul and James hate each other's guts, basically because of me.

I was pulled out of thought when I accidentally pricked myself with the needle. I cursed and paid more attention to the costume I was making. I sewed on three more silver stars before tying off the needle. I held up the costume to examine it. I smiled at the finished work and couldn't wait for tomorrow morning.

During Paul's party, I was talking with Faizan and agreed that we'd make him Halloween treats again this year. I loved Halloween because I could dress up in my favorite witch costume. This year, I had decided to make a matching wizard costume for Paul because he usually didn't dress up. I really hoped he would like it.

I folded up the finished costume and pushed it to the edge of the sewing table. Exhausted, I plopped myself on my bed and unhooked the locket around my neck. I held the necklace in my hands for a moment, examining the golden chain and heart-shaped locket before opening it up.

On one side of the heart-shaped locket was small clock that still kept on ticking. I was surprised that the battery had lasted so long since I had found the locket half buried in the earth many years ago.

On the other side of the locket was a small picture of Paul playing the piano. He was smiling while playing a sweet melody. I remembered when I had taken the picture and was glad I had found it back at Lake Balaton when I had dropped it during our picnic.

Suddenly, I heard a knock on my door. I quickly shut the locket and clipped the chain back around my neck. I walked over to the door and cracked it open.

"Oh, Miss Cassidy! So sorry to disturb you, but someone is at the door waiting to see you." The young maid explained.

I grinned and thought perhaps Paul was coming to visit me. I thanked the maid and told her I'd answer the door in a few moments. I shut my bedroom door and rushed over to the mirror. I quickly brushed through my hair and fixed my dress. After a few minutes of fussing over my appearance, I walked down the stairs to greet whoever was at the door.

"Hey Cass." An all too familiar voice greeted me.

"Oh, uh, hi James. What's up?" I asked him.

My heart dropped as I was slightly disappointed. I felt stupid for thinking that Paul would actually come to visit me so randomly. After so many years, I still wasn't exactly sure what he thought of me.