It's My Life

Chapter 10 - Time to fly (or swim?)

I lay on my bed, hearing the mobile ring, but didn't answer it. It was more than likely my mum calling, or Dad, having tried the landline and getting no answer they probably assumed I was out with friends. How I wished I was, but I needed to be alone. I turned over on the bed, thinking it might be Tom, or Tabby, though I had seen both of them mere hours ago, I wanted to just stay still. My skin tingled, telling me I needed to swim soon, but I still didn't want to move. The window was open, a light breeze came in gently, and I could smell the ocean. I closed my eyes, tears starting to fall, and prayed I could fall asleep and wake up to find the day hadn't happened yet, it had all been a nightmare.

"Cass? Cassi?" I heard, from far away, and opened my eyes to look up at my mum.
"Oh, Mum. What time is it?" I asked, stretching.
"Just gone seven. Dad's getting dinner ready. Are you all right? Didn't you win?" Mum asked. I sat up slowly and silently pointed at my desk where the trophy stood. Mum looked at it beamed.
"Congratulations! I knew you would win." Mum gushed. I stood up, my messy hair hanging down my back and I walked to the door, turning on the light. Mum blinked, then looked at me.
"What's wrong? You look so pale." She said. I sat down on my bed again, and Mum sat down beside me.
"I need to talk to you and Dad." I said. Mum winced as though I'd punched her in the gut, but nodded.
"After dinner then." Mum said, and then stood up, moving to the door, but as she passed through the doorway she looked back at me.
"Is it dire? Is it Brad Thompson?" Mum asked. I picked up my hairbrush and paused.
"I don't know about dire, but yes. It's about Brad Thompson." I said, and pulled the brush through my hair slowly. Mum left, and I could almost taste the fear emanating from her. I felt bad, but there was nothing I could do. Once my hair was tied back I made my way downstairs. Mum looked like she was about to cry, and Dad looked tight-lipped and strained, but we sat down to eat.
"Your mum says you won today. Well done." Dad said between mouthfuls of food.
"I did, yes. It was close between Tabby and I, but I won." I replied. Dad smiled slightly.
"That's great. Do you have plans for the rest of the weekend?" Dad asked. I frowned.
"Best to talk about that later." I said. Dad nodded and we kept eating, making small talk. Mum got up once she'd finished eating and put the cake back in the fridge, and we cleaned up in silence. After the dishes were done the three of us moved into the lounge room and sat down, and I took a deep breath.
"I am guessing that Mum has figured out what I need to say, and I'm sorry about all this." I said softly. Dad looked grave, but nodded encouragingly. Mum looked as though she were afraid to move or say anything for fear of shattering. I drew in another breath, steeling myself.
"Brad Thompson was at the bee today, supporting Tabby and her school. He came over to me afterwards and...he requested I go to his lab and offer for them to run a few tests. See why my blood is different." I said. Mum let out a soft whimper, but Dad's face darkened.
"And you said no." Dad said. I nodded.
"Of course, naturally. He didn't like that. I don't know what he knows, or who else knows too, but I think it's safe to say that the person who tested the  blood knows, and Brad's boss." I said. Mum sniffled, and Dad put an arm around her.
"So you think we should leave? Go someplace? What about our jobs, and school for you? As much as we'd love to get away, we can't just uproot suddenly. Brad doesn't know where we live, and I think two weeks and we can get out of here. If he tries anything at school let campus security know, on second thought might pay to do that anyway on Monday, just to  be safe." Dad said. I nodded, agreeing whole-heartedly. The next day I would find a picture of Brad and take it to school on Monday. My phone rang just then, making me jump. I looked down at the display to see Tom's name, and I smiled self-consciously. Dad saw it and grinned.
"Go and talk to him. Just be careful, okay?" He said.  I nodded and pressed the green button to answer the call.
"Hey Tom." I said, moving to the stairs.
"Hello, Cassi. I've tried calling you a few times, are you all right?" He asked. I lay down on my bed and turned on my lamp.
"I'm all right. Really." I said. I could almost feel his tension through the phone. I heard him sigh. "If you say so. I just felt...Never mind. You looked upset when you left the college today. I was worried about you." Tom said. My heart skipped a beat, and I felt love for him, and from him.
"I received some news from a friend that saddened me, and I didn't have the energy to talk, I'm sorry. Mum and Dad helped me when they got home, and we've had dinner." I replied. The phone rustled slightly as he moved.
"I completely understand, there's nothing to apologise for. Just please let me know if I can help in any way." Tom said. I smiled.
"I will. I have a few things I need to do alone, but I would be grateful for your support with other things." I said gently.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Tom asked, and I felt a salty tear trickle down my cheek. I wondered what he heard in my voice.
"I'm positive. Really." I said. We chatted a few minutes longer about the bee, then I said I was tired.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow, okay?" Tom asked.
"Of course, and see you Monday." I replied. Tom paused, and I could almost feel his indecisiveness. 
"Goodnight, Cassi." Tom said.
"Goodnight, Tom." I replied, and then terminated the call. I switched the phone off and put it on to charge, watching the green bars appear on the screen, then headed back downstairs where Mum had pulled out the cake again, and they both looked at me as I entered the kitchen.
"It'd be a shame to let it go to waste." She said, holding the knife out to me to cut the cake. I smiled and cut into the chocolate creation. Mum always knew how to cheer me up.