Staying Hidden

A Spark

At the party, Casen never left my side. And it wasn't even a rager party. Just him having some friends over--like he said. There was Joyce, Lincoln, and Kyle. Joyce had brown hair and blue eyes, really thin, perfect makeup, and totally girly. Lincoln was her other half. He was buff, blonde hair-blue eyed. He loved Joyce and you could tell. Kyle was a too cool for school guy. He had black hair and brown eyes. He was really buff too.

Casen's mom was really sweet. She made me feel like she'd known me forever. She checked in on us occasionally, but went to bed at 10 PM. It was midnight at the moment.

"So are you two a thing?" Joyce asked.

I shook my head. "Nope, just friends."

"So you let all your friends have their arm around you?" She asked.

"What?" I looked down and Casen's arm was wrapped around me.

"Oh, sorry," he retracted his arm.

Kyle's phone went off and he sighed. "Guys, Angela needs a story for the paper on Monday. What can she use?"

"I'll text her," Joyce said, whipping out her phone.

"Babe, what are you doing?" Lincoln asked.

"Smile," she snapped a picture of me and Casen. She started taking pictures all around and smiled.

Around one everyone started to leave. At one thirty, it was just me and Casen.

"Is your ride coming?" He asked.

"I don't have one," I shrugged. "I walk."

"Well, you're not walking at one thirty in the morning. You have two options. I can drive you home, or you can crash here," he said.

"It's late, so I think I'll just crash on the couch," I said.

"Okay, I'll get you some blankets," he said.

"Thank you," I said.

I put a pillow at the end of the couch and laid my head on it. I curled up and shut my eyes. Before I knew it, I felt a thick, warm blanket being draped over me.

"Goodnight, Vanessa," he said.

"Night," I mumbled as I drifted off to sleep.

~

"How much do you know about her?" Casen's mom asked.

"Not a whole lot, but I'm still getting to know her. So far, she's really great," he said.

"Why didn't she go home last night? What's her family like?" She asked.

"Her dad took off when she was little and she has two little sisters. That's all I know."

"Has she mentioned her mom at all?"

"Not really, no."

"Casen, I feel like this poor girl is neglected. Did her mom ever call her to see where she was?"

"No, I don't think so. Mom, I met her barely a month ago. Give me some time," he said.

"Okay, son," she said.

I hugged the blanket closer to me to shrink out of the world. The fact that my mom didn't care about me, the truth of it, really hurt. What had I done? I took a deep breath, opened my eyes, and sat up. I stood up and turned around to see Casen's mom and him looking at me.

"Morning, sweetie," she smiled.

"Morning. I'm sorry about not telling you I crashed here. I just--"

"Don't you even worry about it," she said. "Casen already explained everything to me."

I smiled and nodded.

"What time is your mom getting you?" She asked.

"Oh, my mom doesn't get me from places. I walk," I said.

"That's dangerous," she said.

"Not really. I've been staying at the dance studio what feels like forever because dance is my life. Mom knows I hardly go home," I said.

"The dance studio run by Mr. O'Connor?" She asked.

"Yes ma'am. He's awesome," I said.

"Well, that's not a far drive. What time do you want to go?" She asked.

"Oh, no, it's fine, really. I need the exercise," I smiled.

"You might as well let one of us take you. My mom isn't going to stop until you let one of us take you," Casen said.

"Whenever one of y'all wants to go, I'm good. I'm in no hurry," I shrugged.

"I'll take you," Casen said.

"Thanks," I said.

"Vanessa, are you hungry?" Casen's mom asked.

"No thank you," I smiled.

"I'm gonna go ahead and take her to the dance studio. Be back soon, Mom," he hugged her with one arm.

"Bye, son," she hugged back.

I averted my eyes away.

"Let's go," Casen said.

I followed him out to his car and got in the passenger side. The ride to the studio was short and quiet. I wasn't sure what to say. As he pulled up to the studio, I unbuckled immediately before I didn't have the energy to.

"Wait," he said as I opened the door.

I turned to look at him.

"We should talk more. Later, obviously, but--"

"Yeah, sure," I cut him off.

My body was telling me to go while my brain and heart told me to stay. I looked down and realized his hand was on mine. I went inside before I could feel anymore of the feels.