ꜱᴋᴇᴛᴄʜᴇꜱ

Chapter 2

First day and I'm exhausted. A recount of my day began with Maths class where we meet Mr Phillips who told me to introduce myself, and that is way out of my comfort zone.

"My-My name is Cassandra...Evans and I just moved here a month ago...from New York. I'm glad to be here." I stuttered, trying to calm down. Everyone was looking at me like I was that movie that never seemed to get boring, and right now, I just want to duck under my bed and forget about the monsters that live there.

"Thank you Miss Evans. You can please head back to your seat..." Mr Phillips said as I gave him a smile, thanking him inwardly for saving me and himself because I could have fainted in any given moment. It's happened before and that's why I can't assure anyone it won't happen again, this time.

His class was all about algebra and I can say, I don't like algebra. Trying to circle out 'x' and probably find out what happened to 'y' in the equation. The simplest thing I could just say is that it's a whole lot of work. Sometimes, I imagine how I pass Maths and I don't even have the slightest interest. 

Since it's first day and first class, I forced myself to stay awake for the rest of his class. Ellie also looks tired and eager to leave his class like I am but it seems she's more in that  than I am. The bell rings and yeah, I'm amongst the first to leave the class because I don't want anyone to notice me. I walk over to my Economics class where I'm glad I don't have to introduce myself...hallelujah. After Economics, I find myself in Biology class that I don't share with Ellie, lunch break at the cafeteria that I spend with Ellie, English and some other subjects that right now, not ready to think off.

Mum dropped me off at home before her shift, and currently, I'm in my bedroom sitting on my bed in hope of completing this English essay but, it seems I ran out of luck. My note is sitting on my desk and I'm watching it. I walk over to it hoping to get this done because homework are piled up. I can't get Ellie's words out of my head. It's like stuck in some kind of loop and I desperately need 'me time'.

I decide to call Vanessa. I walk downstairs, welcomed by the silence that I've come to love for the past three years. Mum and dad are still at work and as I said, I became used to it after that 'incident'. I reach out and pick up the landline and dial Vanessa's number that is kept close by. My parents call it the emergency phone book but who cares. It's ringing until...

"Hello?" She answers and I give a sigh of relief.

"Hey Vanessa, it's me, Cassie"

"Oh hey Cassie and how can I help you?"

"I met a girl today at school," I pause hoping to get a reply but she's silent on the other end and that's a cue for me to go on. "And she asked if I could be her friend."

"So what's the matter?"

"I'm scared of being hurt...or betrayed and I don't want to relapse under any circumstances."

"Do you trust her?" I don't get her so I ask her to repeat herself. "I said, do you trust her?"

"Yeah, I do"

"And you really want to be her friend?"

"Yeah but-"

"Cassie, I know you love your 'comfort zone'" I could just imagine her air quoting this part. "But it's necessary that you socialize like everyone out there. I need you to put on your big girl pants and tell her yes. I know you're afraid but it's a huge step for you that needs you to break those walls down, at every cost. Okay sweetie?"

"I hear you," I reply in a small voice.

"So whenever you're ready. Take your time, okay?"

"I will and thank you so much"

"I'm glad to help darling," I try hanging up when she continues. "Your mum told me about the dreams. How severe is it?" I pull a chair close to the kitchen island and explain everything to her and during this explanation, it just seemed like with every word, a weight was lifted off my shoulders and I think I really need it.

When she's done, I end the call and rush back to my room. I look back at the essay and I'm ready to do it. I sit on my chair and start writing. Who knew that talking with your therapist could help you get over things so quickly.

Next day of school and we're almost done for the day, just one morr subject and we're done for the day. My mum told me that she couldn't come pick me today, so it seems I may just take the bus home. I'd been looking for Ellie today but it seems she's been disappearing a lot. I'm just lucky when I find her picking a book from her locker. I stand behind her still excited to hold on to the news. The truth is that, I'm bad with surprises and that's probably why my mum stopped trusting me with secrets and rather told them.

"Hey!" I say from behind her and let me admit this, for a girl who looks like a model, her face is to die for. Next time, I'll be sure to get this on camera.

She places her hand on her chest and she's panting. "You scared me."

"Sorry about that," or not. "About your question yesterday, it's a yes."

"It is?"

"Yes"

"Oh my God, we're gonna be best of friends Cassie," she puts my hand in hers and finally speaks in the most fake British accent I've ever heard in my life. "....To class shall we go"

"Yes, we shall."

Ellie agreed to drive me home after fighting over the decision taking the bus home. It wasn't heated but she was really adamant on taking me home which I finally agreed to. Right now, we're on our way home and boy can Ellie talk. She's been on about her newest red flats. Flats? Red?

I could just sleep but I can't because I may not look interest but my ears are. So, I try giving her my undivided attention because, I'll soon be home in five...four...three...two...one...zero. And yes, we're in front of my house. I hurriedly grab my bag out of her car and head over to the front porch but not without giving her a wave. I look under the doormat and grab my key. I open the door and welcomed into the house. The lights weren't on meaning no one was at home at the moment. I'm dropping my bag on the kitchen island when I find a neatly folded piece of paper.

At this point my curiosity get the best of me and yes, I do open the paper. On reading the paper, my eyes widen and the cup of water in my hand drops to the ground.

'I am coming for her' 

He's back. I thought he'd leave. We thought he'd leave but no, he keeps coming back. Forgetting everything else around me, I pick my phone out of my pocket and call my mum.

"Cassie, anything the matter?"

"He's back!"

"He's what?" she mumbles under her breath words that I couldn't get.

"There...There's a...There was a letter on the kitchen counter and he's coming for me..."

"Do what we've said. Keep a low profile at all times. Got it?"

"Yes mum," and with that, the line goes dead. I'm still rooted in the same position. Scared. After three years, he's back, and this time for me. I'm speechless and my breathing becomes heavier as thoughts of that day run through my mind. I place my chest and my heart is beating so fast that I'm afraid it's going pop at any moment. I don't know what is going on but I find myself on the floor, holding my legs close to my chest and I'm sobbing my eyes out. This may just be it. The moment, I may just lose my sanity or...relapse.