The Outcast

12- Lost

WHEN I WAKE my head is pounding like hell.

I sit up slowly, groaning as my head throbs harder and my vision blurs. The world tilts but I push it aside.

Where am I? What happened?

I swing my feet over the side of the bed I'm on. I'm in the schools sick room. Where you go when you feel ill and have to lie down. It stinks, a bit like hospitals do only... Less clean.

Weird.

I slowly rise to my feet, ignoring the pleads my body is giving me to lie back down on the bed. But I can't. I can't stand to be in here. I slowly stumble towards the wooden door and grasp the knob, twisting it slowly and poking my head out.

No one's there. Good.

I slip out, spotting my bag resting on a seat in the hallway. I pick it up, sling it over my shoulder and lean on the wall to catch my breath and wait for the ground to stop feeling like I'm in a roller coaster ride.

Why am I suddenly feeling so... light headed? Uh.

"Cassidy?" A familiar voice asks from behind me

"That would be me." I reply, rubbing my forehead

"You okay?" Jordan asks

"I'm fine. Why do you ask?" I lie, still holding my head

"Because you fainted and banged your head on the path. Sorry. I was too slow to catch you." He mumbles, rubbing the back of his neck, looking guilty

Oh. That must be why my head feels like it's been to hell and back.

"It's okay. No harm done..." I say, "I'd better go..."

I start backing up, towards the door but Jordan steps in the way, blocking my way out.

"No. You can't Cass." He says

"Why?" I ask

"Because... You parents are coming." He says

"Why the hell are they coming?" I ask

"Because Cassidy, you need help." He says

"I do not!" I yell angrily, "do you think I have a mental disability or something?"

"No... I just..." He stammers

"You just what?" I ask angrily

"Cassidy. You haven't eaten." He says bluntly

"Yes I have." I snap

"No, you haven't." He sighs, "Cass, I'm just worried you know?"

"No. I don't know." I snap, turning away, "I thought I could trust you. I thought you were my friend."

"I am. That's why I had to tell someone Cassidy!" He argues, looking slightly hurt

"No. Just... Piss off Jordan. Go back to your happy, perfect life and stay the fuck out of mine." I snarl, walking towards the door, ignoring the way the floor is tipping beneath me

"Cassidy, wait! You can't go!" He says

"Yeah? Watch me." I say, pushing past him, flinging the door open and then running out.

I keep running. Through the corridors, across the oval and out the front gates. I don't stop running for ages. I arrive at the park, puffing, red faced, dizzy and feeling faint.

Note to self: running with your school bag on; it sucks majorly and kills your back.

I sit on the swings, slowly rocking back and forth. The cool breeze blows the strands of my hair that have escaped my ponytail and it's still sprinkling down rain.