NOT THAT BAD

01: Just the Four of Us... And Kasen Halford

It's just the four of us now: Dean, Kyle, Mallory, and me sitting at our usual table for lunch. Well, compared to the beginning of freshman year, when our table seated five people. Compared to when Casen was still friends with us.

I'm unwrapping my sandwich when Mallie says, "Gabriella told me that Kade's going to the dance this year." In which the usual case would be that he's not.

"Really?" I say, surprised.

At the same time Kyle rolls his eyes, "Whatever. Asshole." We share a glance before turning our gazes away.

Mallie continues. "Yeah. So rumor has it," she trails off and gives Dean a quick, wary glance. She quickly leans in and whispers what she was going to say into his ear. Before I can make out anything she's already opening the lid off her salad.

"Ooh," Dean says like a gossip-crazy girl who's eating this stuff up.

"What?" Kyle and I ask at the same time.

Dean turns and whispers something to Kyle. "What is it?" I say, annoyed.

"Well rumor has it..." Mallory says.

"Kase is going to ask you," Dean finishes as if it's absolutely no big deal.

"You guys are delusional. He hates us, why would he even talk to any of us?" I say exasperated.

"'Cause he probably still has a thing for you," Mallory says matter-of-factly. "Duh, Tay."

"Well if he asks, he can stick his hopes and dreams up his ass," I mutter. I eat my lunch in silence while Kyle talks about his basketball game with Dean, and Mallory goes on and on about Leandra's new haircut.

"It's absolutely horrific," Mallory says with her fork perched between her fingers. "It's like she was going for a bob, but it's layered and she doesn't really have the face for it, you know?"

"Yeah," I agree mindlessly. The bell rings and I throw the paper that my sandwich was wrapped in away and we all go our separate ways. Mallory has Literature with Gabriella, Dean has Chemistry with Aaron Carver and Elizabeth Greene, and Kyle has gym with some of his teammates. I think it was sort of nice to have people outside of our little group that we're friends with.

I have English with Samantha Fallons, Jesse Aver, and "Kase".

I walk into class on time and take my seat next to Sam. Kase is sitting behind me, in Jesse's seat. I look around to Jesse sitting all the way on the other side of the room. I'm about to walk over and ask Jesse why he's sitting all the way over there, because I refuse to ask Kase why he's sitting all the way over here, but the bell for class rings.

"Okay class, does anyone have questions on last night's homework?" Mr. Drent says.

A girl with bright red hair raises her hand as a note falls over my shoulder and into my lap. Kase. I pick it up and throw it back on his desk. "If you're looking for someone else to hook up with, Callie is over there," I whisper.

Mr. Drent starts answering her question and writing on the whiteboard as another note flies over my shoulder. I ignore him and let it sit in my lap. I want to read it so bad but I tell myself it's not worth giving him the satisfaction.

"Just read one of them at least," he whispers, throwing me another one. I don't even bother to turn around and give them back and yell at him.

The teacher looks up, straight at Kase, and I avert my gaze to the wall. "Is there a problem?" He says, rearranging his glasses

"Not yet," he says nonchalantly. He doesn't drop anymore notes or try to talk to me again. I can hear him talking in whispers to his friends. We turn in last nights homework and we're given time to study for our test on Monday. When I hear him start talking to one of his friends again I look down at the note.