Cassie (Book #1 of the "Cassie" Series)

Chapter #10: Pain in the Glass

A/N: I don't really know about people's sensitivity to descriptions of blood and pain, I mean I know I'm definitely pretty squeamish. I probably should just put a little bit of a warning just in case that this chapter does contain a description of an injury, so be warned if you're sensitive to that kind of stuff.

8:53 pm

After a fairly quiet drive, Ryan pulled up outside The Surf Hut and we made our way into the place. It was a cute little restaurant by the side of the beach, and the stage across from our table was set up ready for Hope and the band to start to play.

"What do you want to eat? It's on me." Ryan smiled, looking over his menu. I made sure to skim the menu looking for a food item that wasn't too messy to eat but also wasn't going to leave me with funky smelling breath. Not that I was expecting Ryan to kiss me or anything, but I can't imagine anything worse than if he actually wanted to kiss me but then just went in for the cheek because I had garlic breath. The trauma would probably cause me to never eat garlic bread again, and that'd be a shame because garlic bread is awesome, goddamn it.

"Can I have the smoked bacon and chipotle burger?" I asked sweetly.

"Of course. I'm gonna have the BBQ wings. I'll go up to the booth and order." he reached out and took my menu along with his and walked off. I sat alone and in silence for a minute before someone reached out and grabbed me by the shoulders.

"Boo, bitch." The voice spoke. I lifted my head to find Hope staring down at me smiling.

"Christ on a bike, Hope."

"Sorry, did I scare you?" she cackled. "Where's the hunk?"

"Ordering our food, why aren't you with your band?"

"They're setting up backstage. I see Shenice did you up nicely." Hope twirled a lock of my hair with her fingers.

"Yeah, she did. She would have loved to have seen you though."

"Meh, we can go together tomorrow, I'd love to see her too. That is if you don't wake up in Park's bed tomorrow morning." she laughed. I smacked her hand away from my hair and gasped.

"Don't even, oh my god! That's not happening."

"Hey, I'm just saying. You woke up on his couch before, stranger things have happened."

"I told you, NOTHING happened."

"Sure, Cassie. Sure it didn't. Heh heh heh." she winked and nudged my elbow. I shook my head.

"I can't believe I shared a womb with you." I scoffed. I turned back around and Ryan was getting back on his seat.

"Heya, Hope. Good luck out there tonight." he smiled. Hope brushed her bright red cropped hair behind her ears.

"Thank you, doll. And good luck to you too, this bitch is gonna run your card DRY! Auf wiedersehen." Hope waved and walked away laughing. I looked back over at Ryan who was fighting back laughter.

"She's just kidding. I swear." I waved a hand at him. 

"It's cool. Her humor kinda reminds me of my sister, except Hope has a soul." We both laughed and sighed. I wasn't the best conversationalist and Ryan tended to go quiet for a few minutes before coming up with a new topic of conversation. I never expected the popular boy to be so damn awkward, but it's strangely adorable to me? I'd probably feel uncomfortable if he was a big talker, but he's actually just a sweet, awkward boy who happens to be nearly six feet of just solid muscle. After our food arrived, Hope and her band took to the stage.

"Hey there, Surf Hut. Are we having a good time tonight?!" she called out. The bar cheered, and I made sure to call out the loudest. 

"I'm Hope, the lead singer. This is the beautiful Morgan on guitar, the incomparable Chase on drums, and the lovely Mateo on bass, and together we're Gardenpanty! Are y'all ready for a show?!" She called out. I cheered, eating my burger as she gathered up the band. The lights focused on the stage, and they launched right into a rendition of "Malibu" by Kim Petras.