The Oracle

Chapter 15

"The Winter Formal has been a tradition since it's inception," Professor McMullen spoke. Behind her, Mr Finch was tinkering with an oversized record player. "On Christmas Eve night, we gather in the hall for a night of well-mannered frivolity," McMullen said. "Now, I expect each and every one of you to put your best foot forward; and I mean this literally because the Winter Formal is first and foremost... a dance."

Cassie felt a tingle of excitement run through her, and beside her Patricia Pef gasped and clapped her hands together. Cassie couldn't help but imagine her at the formal, dressed in a long lilac dress that she always loved, dancing with Justin.

She shook her head. Justin wouldn't want to go with her... She knew that he wanted to go, but not after their last conversation about it. She shot him down completely, and Cassie could only imagine him being uncomfortable over the situation.

~

Cassie rushed towards the Chemistry classroom - her last class of the day. She rushed into the classroom, moments before the bell sounded. She took a seat in her normal spot near the back, next to Patricia Pef.

Professor Flinnigan stood at the front of the class, waving a hand for silence. Flinnigan was a tiny man, who usually rocked back and forth on his toes to get a better view of the class.

"Now, class, pull out your books and turn to page 208," he said, though he was barely heard over the voices of the students.

Cassie didn't pay attention at all as they took out her notes on the nucleus. Though she tried to listen, her mind kept on drifting off to thoughts on how useless it all was. Ever since she got the knowledge of her death, she found most activities pointless. Her grades drastically dropped and she never usually paid any attention during class. She tried to change her outlook on school, but it was proving to be harder than she thought.

Before she knew it, Professor Flinnigan dismissed the class. Cassie wanted to smash her face into the desk for not paying attention, yet again.

Cassie met Justin and an unfamiliar face outside the chemistry classroom. She hadn't expected them to be there, since they had ICT the same time she had chemistry, though she didn't want to argue with it. "Hey Justin. Who's this?" Cassie gestured to the lanky red head, standing next to Justin.

"Oh, this is Dean. I meant him in ICT."

Dean opened his mouth, showing how crooked his teeth were. He needed braces badly as no one could ever tell if he was smiling or not. Cassie took it as a smile. "Justin here needed my help during ICT. Couldn't even run a simple software." He chuckled. Is that an Irish or Scottish accent?

"I can to." Justin said defensively. "Anyway, I thought you should meet him."

The trio made the rest of the way to the locker room in comfortable silence. Justin's hand brushed Cassie's softly, sending goosebumps up her bare arm. She glanced over at him through her peripheral vision. He was looking at her hand, a small smile barely visible on the corner of his mouth.

~

It was after school and most of the students had already left for home. Cassie took a seat on one of the bus benches, pulling out her book. The bus stop was empty - apart from a few first years - which she was thankful for. She just needed time to herself.

After a while, the first years left, leaving Cassie alone with her thoughts. Though that didn't last long. She put down her book as Justin took a seat next to her.

"Where's Dean?" she asked, though it came out much harsher than she intended.

Justin shrugged, "I dunno. Probably already home."

They sat in silence for a while. Cassie scanned through the last few pages of the chapter she was reading before closing her book once more.

"Cassie," Justin spoke quietly, nervously. He played with his fingers, avoiding her eyes. He was nervous, which was very unusual for Justin Helgnerberg.

"Yeah?" Cassie said as she set her book down.

"I was thinking..." said Justin. "Maybe we could... would- would you like to go to the Winter Formal with me?"

Cassie couldn't help the 100-watt smile that spread across her face, "Of course I will. But I didn't think you would want to go cause of-"

"Good because I'm not going anywhere." He didn't let her finish as a smile was plastered on his face.

She chuckled and leaned in to kiss his cheek, but cheek wasn't what she felt underneath her lips. She pulled away to see Justin staring at her with a cheeky smile on his face.

"I'm looking forward to it," said Justin. He leaned in and planted another soft kiss on her lips.