The door clicked behind me and I let out the breath I was holding. It didn't appear as if my dad was awake. Although my relief didn't last long. The light flicked on in the living room and my dad was sitting in his Lazy boy staring me down.
"Okay before you go ballistic," I start in an attempt to calm down my clearly furious dad.
"Ballistic would be an understatement Cassandra."
He never uses my full name. I gulped taking a step towards him.
"What was I supposed to think when Jake came home rather early without you? Then you didn't answer any phone calls I made." He sighs sounding more disappointed than angry.
"Dad I'm sorry."
Then as if he was an actor who suddenly couldn't keep character anymore he busted out into laughter. "I should take up acting. Put Brad Pitt out of business. Or Shia Labeouf. Or maybe both."
I took a seat on the couch next to him, "So you're not mad?"
"No sweetheart. Granted I was a bit worried. But I'm glad you're finally being a teenager and living!"
"I've been living my life fine dad."
He simply shakes his head, "Living does not include sleeping, going to school, and then coming home everyday."
"I'm fine." I argue. Truly sometimes I wish I could live a little more but that can be what gets you killed.
"Sweetheart I know you've been through a lot in the past few years between your mom and Allison. You can't let that hold you back. They would want you to keep moving."
A tear rolls down my cheek. Dad never brings up Mom and I've never brought it up around him because I thought it'd hurt him too much.
"I'm going to go to bed," I looked away from him as I got up.
"Cassie-"
"Goodnight Dad," I took off up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
I shut the door to my room, which was adjacent to my dad's, locking the door behind me. I kicked off my tennis shoes tucking them back under my bed. Today has definitely been rough. Going over to my window I peak out and see Jake's light off across the street. I wanted to talk to him about Garrett but right now I'm supposed to be angry at him. "God I suck at emotions," I gripe falling onto my bed. I melt into my covers trying to obtain any warmth.
Maybe he'll answer his cell phone.
I reach into my jacket pocket where I'm sure I tucked it and find nothing but a piece of lint. In a second I've popped up and I'm patting myself down looking for my phone. Now dad isn't going to be happy for real this time.
"Where in the world did I put it," I mumble to myself as I think about where it might be. I remember it falling out as I got into Garrett's car. I picked it up and slipped it into his varsity jacket pocket! The jacket I gave back to him before I got out of his car. Smooth Cassie, real smooth. I won't be getting my phone back until at least Monday.
All my thoughts are just going to have to wait until morning.
That also means having to interact with Garrett again. Although he was nice tonight I still couldn't do that to Jake or Allison. I go over to my dresser and pick up the picture frame holding the picture of the three of us our first day of freshman year. It was taken by Garrett.
I set the frame back down, face down because sometimes things are better left unseen.
The morning sun streams through the blinds I left open last night. I find it hard to pry myself from the comforting warmth of my bed. Glancing over at my clock I see it's seven thirty the usual time that I get up. Deciding on being semi productive with my Saturday I take a brisk shower to wake myself up and get rid of the Friday night smell.
"Cassie a-," My dad yells from the first floor pausing, "-a friend is here to visit you."
Payton isn't stupid, she wouldn't come over here when she knows I'm mad at her. Meaning the only other person that would come so early would be Jake and I don't really want to talk to him.
"Can't you just tell them I'm sick," I yell back putting on a pair of shorts and a shirt.
"I would but they're already inside," He yells back. There's a knock on my bedroom door.
Well there's no escaping now I guess.
I shake my head and rid my wet hair of any tangles before opening the door. There stands Garrett dressed in sweats and a plain black shirt. He opens his mouth but I slam the door shut.
Only I managed instead to smash his foot.
"Holy shit Cassie," Garrett recoils grabbing his probably aching foot.
I open the door the rest of the way before helping him limp over to my bed while repeatedly telling him that I'm sorry.
"I just came to return your phone like a nice person and all I get is a broken toe," He gripes sitting on my bed.
"Well sorry I didn't expect you to show up at my house when my dad hasn't laid eyes on you in God knows how long. You probably gave him a heart attack you know. God the nerve of you and your blown up head you think everything is about you Garrett Strong, that the whole world revolves around you. News flash. It doesn't."
"We both know that isn't all my fault. I've been practically banished from this end of the street," He glances aroud my room. "Everything's so different now," He whispers.
I fold my arms across my chest sitting in my desk chair. "Everything's different now Garrett."
"I know you think I'm the biggest dick in the world, and what you just said proves it, but like I said last night I want to change that. I want to go back to the way we were before."
"Garrett I don't think that's possible."
"If you'd just give me a chance."
I open my mouth about to kick him out.
"Please."
I've only heard him say that one other time.
Red and blue lights were flashing surrounding a car in the far parking lot. There's yellow police tape blocking the mass of students from going any further. Jake and I glanced at each other before our eyes found Garrett at the front trying to get past. We hadn't spoken to him since he'd broken up with Allison two weeks ago and now I see him tears streaming down his colorless face as he begged the officer, "Please." Over and over.
I let out a long sigh closing my eyes and nodding.
