It's My Life

Chapter 8 - Friend or foe

The next two weeks were full of study, preparing for college to start, though I didn't need to do any reading, I did so anyway, to fill my days. I also did my school shopping, notebooks and, on a whim, a laptop. I also purchased a printer that would connect to my laptop so I wouldn't have to access Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, I wanted to be disconnected from everyone. Naturally I tried to shop when people were scarce, shopping at all-night stores. I still hadn't told Tabby that I was starting college, though we had spent more time together over the last fortnight. It was hard keeping up the pretence of doing a gap year, I had to remember my lies, though with my memory that wasn't hard. I still felt as though I was betraying my best friend, and other friends as well, but it was something I had to do. The hardest part though was being around Brad, and I think he realised that too. He never asked me where I was travelling to, or how long for. He just acted as though everything was fine. Every now and then though I'd catch him watching me, and it made me feel uncomfortable.

"I can't believe I'm going to be a college student starting tomorrow." Tabby said, rummaging through her closet. It was the Sunday night before college started, and I had agreed to stay for dinner at the Thompson's residence. Dinner was still a good thirty minutes away, so Tabby was looking for the perfect outfit for her big day. She was starting fashion journalism the next day, and I knew she wouldn't rest until she had found the right outfit. I had agreed, without really paying attention, to the last five outfits.

"Your mind is elsewhere, Cassi. You know I need your input." Tabby said, and I looked up at her.

"You don't need my input. You know that whatever you wear you're gonna be a huge hit." I replied. She beamed.

"I know, but it's still valued." Tabby said, selecting an elegant but casual-looking pants suit and moving it to the hook just inside her closet door. I nodded.

"I like that one. I reckon that will knock their socks off. Did you have orientation?" I asked, keen on getting her to talk about her experiences. She nodded.

"It looks absolutely amazing. I wish you could come to college with me. We'd have so much fun." Tabby said, and moved over to the bed, flopping on the pink coverlet. I laughed.

"Oh yeah, I could probably fit inside your suitcase." I quipped. Tabby sighed.

"I wish you could. It's going to be so weird without you around. I wish you were going to college this year instead of next year. I won't even be able to compete against you." Tabby whined. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. For all of her smarts and good looks, sometimes she was a whiny child.

"I'm sure you'll find other adolescents that will beat you like I can." I said, trying to make her come out of the funk she was suddenly in. She snorted with laughter.

"That's not likely. No one is as good as you, and no one will beat me." Tabby said. I grinned.

"There you go. Challenge accepted, right? Make me proud." I said. She nodded and sat up slowly.

"Still isn't going to be the same." Tabby said softly. I wanted to hug her, to tell her, but I felt that that would be a giveaway. I stood up to head to the bathroom to wash my hands before dinner, and Tabby pottered around her room, making sure her bag was ready for her first day. When I returned from the bathroom we headed downstairs. Cook was finishing the last bits of cooking, and Bad and Jenny were in the dining room setting up.

"Cassandra, tell me you're going to come and visit from time to time." Cook said as we entered. I smiled to her.

"Of course I'll come and visit. You cannot keep me away from your cooking that long." I said. Cook smiled and hugged me.