Mind Games

Chapter 4 - Cassie

The 14 year old dark haired girl looked across the class at her crush.

Ryan was even more withdrawn these days.

She often thought of going up to him and starting a conversation, but he was always so reserved. She wasn't sure how he would react.

The only one she saw him hang out with was Ned.

Ned was her pal. At one point he had introduced her to Ryan. But Ryan had just smiled shyly and looked away.

After that their conversations extended to "Hey" as they passed each other at school.

But she observed him every moment she could.

The sunlight that caught golden hints in his thick brown hair, his intense dark eyes, that cute cleft in his chin. And most of all, that rare smile that lit up his face.

She wished he would smile more. But he always kept to himself. Always doodling in his notebook. His head lowered.

As they walked out of class for lunch break, she impulsively decided that she would speak to him today.

He was sitting by himself at a table. His mind was focused on the sketch he was scribbling into his book.

When she walked up to him, he jumped a bit and instinctively covered his sketch with his hand.

Cassie pushed her dark bangs out of her eyes.

"Hey." She said brightly. "Done with lunch?"

Ryan looked at her blankly. "Yeah." He said shortly.

"What are you drawing?" Cassie asked persistently. She was a little hurt by his cold, abrupt tone, but she wasn't willing to give up.

"Nothing." He said, defensively.

"Okay..." Cassie said, awkwardly.

Ryan looked up at her impatiently.

Cassie felt at a loss for words.

"Okay... catch you later." She said hesitantly.

Ryan just nodded.

He bent his head down again, intent on his sketch.

She turned away for a second. Then, on impulse, turned back and glanced at his notebook.

She could see flowing hair, a cute round face and beautiful wide eyes.

He was drawing a girl. His pencil strokes almost caressing the paper.

Tears prickling at her eyes, she walked away.