7 CHAPTER 7

C A S S I D Y

"You nearly what?!" Elouise screamed over facetime as i explained to the girls what had happened between me and Jake.

"Would you keep it down. Jakes room is right next door" I exclaimed, a blush falling onto my cheeks.

"How could you not tell us as soon as it happened!" Holly smiled. I know that Holly has been routing for Jake and I since the beginning. Sorry to let you down Holly, but i don't think that will happen.

"Well I kind of had to carry on bowling in the awkwardness, but I called you both as soon as I got home" I explained.

"Well how was it?" Holly smirked.

"It was awkward. Like I thought he would kiss me, and then its like something in him clicked and he pulled away almost disgusted" I mumbled.

"What a.."

"Don't finish that Elouise. Jakes room is right next door remember" I cut her off before she could finish.

"Do you like him Cassie" Holly pried.

"I mean, I guess he is attractive from certain angles. I just, I don't know. Its probably just a feeling that I will get over soon enough"

A bang on my bedroom door tore my attention away from the girls so quickly that I think I gave myself whiplash.

"You alright Cass?" Elouise asked confused by my sudden loss of attention.

"I could have sworn I heard someone bang on my door" I replied.

"Probably Jake listening in to our conversation" Elouise laughed. If only I knew how right Elouise was at that moment.

"Anyway, mall after school tomorrow girls" Holly said, changing the subject away from the awkward events of today.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world" I smiled.

"Yeah that's because you are a shopaholic Cass" they both laughed.

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The mall was surprisingly busy for a Wednesday afternoon. Everywhere I looked there was people. Like come on, don't some of you have jobs to be at. It was like watching everyone rush around to get their last minute Christmas shopping, only it was September.

"Why the hell is the mall so busy" Elouise asked what we had all been thinking.

"God knows" Holly answered, but I couldn't concentrate on what they were saying. My arms were covered in goosebumps, the feeling of eyes burning into the back of my head strong. I turned around, searching everywhere for anyone who looked as if they were watching us, but I couldn't see anyone who looked suspicious.

"Earth to Cassidy" Elouise brought me out of my thoughts by slapping me across the cheek.

"Was that really necessary" I turned to her with a straight face.

"You were spaced out. I called your name 5 times and you never answered" Holly laughed.

"Sorry, I thought I could feel someone watching me. Must of just been my imagination" I replied, still watching my surroundings.

"Honestly Cassidy, no one cares what we are doing, i mean look at how busy the place is" Holly tried to reassure me.

"Yeah you're right. Let's just shop and forget about it" I smiled at the girls and started to walk over towards Victoria Secrets. Lets hope this feeling goes away and quick.

We shopped for well over two hours but the the feeling of being watched still lingered. I was constantly looking over my shoulder for whoever it could be that was constantly watching me. At one point I could have sworn that I saw Aiden, but quickly brushed it off when i looked back again and nobody was there.

"Cassidy, seriously we can leave if you want" Elouise pulled me out of my thoughts once again.

"No, no it's fine. It just still feels as if someone is still watching and following me" I muttered.

"You know, i have been feeling as if someone is watching me for the last ten minutes" Holly whispered.

"I think i found out person" Elouise growled and pointed to something behind me. My eyes went wide as i took in who it was. I knew i had seen him earlier. Aiden stood on the other side of the of the food court with his signature smirk plastered on his face. My blood ran cold as images of that night ran through my mind.

"Why the hell is he following us" Holly asked under her breath.

"Probably to piss off Jake and Josh" Elouise spat. "I'm calling the boys" she added. I couldn't say anything as i stood there in shock.

"Cass?" Holly tried to get my attention but it was no use. I stood still, completely unable to move. The noise around me seemed to disappear, almost as if i was under water.

"Elliot, could you come and pick us up? Aiden has been following us around for the last two hours and i honestly think Cassidy has gone into shock" i heard Elouise on the phone. No matter how much i or either of the girls tried, i couldn't move. I was frozen, staring into the eyes of my worst nightmare. I don't know how long i was stood like a statue before Elliot was shaking me with full force.

"Cassie!" his voice finally broke me out of my state of shock.

"Elliot?" i whispered.

"Cassidy, Michael is waiting for you in the car". Elliot must have noticed my hesitation as he carried on, "Go. We've got this". I knew Elliot was just trying to calm me down, but i still didn't want to leave his side. After a long minute i finally started to walk towards the exit to get to the car.

"Running away again Cassidy" Aiden shouted after me. I stopped in my tracks at the sound of his voice. Turning around i was met with his disgusting, smirking face.

"Leave her alone Jones" Jake shouted at Aiden. Since when did Jake stand up for me? And more importantly, when did he get here?

"You become her protector now or something" Aiden sneered at Jake. "I mean, that's fine, if you want my sloppy seconds" Aiden laughed as he stared straight at me.

"Say one more thing about Cassidy and i swear i will not hesitate to beat the crap out of you" Jakes hands quickly formed fists and started shaking. He took slow steps towards me until he was blocking me from Aiden's view. This is strange.

Elouise and Elliot looked at each other after studying Jake with looks of confusion. So i'm not the only one who has caught onto Jakes strange behaviour.

"How cute, Jake has a crush on his soon to be step-sister. Does your Mommy know about this Davis". Jake started towards him, but i grabbed his arm and pulled him back before he could get far. He turned is head to look down at me, a frown etched onto his face.

"Please Jake, just leave it. He's just trying to get under your skin. Don't let him" I whispered to him. It seemed to have worked because Jakes body relaxed. Well that was until Aiden opened his big mouth again.

"Hey Cassidy, before you go, why don't you come over to mine tonight. You know, finish what we started" he chuckled. Not even the Hulk could have held Jake back after that comment. Jake charged at Aiden, his fist in the air ready to give it to Aiden.

Oh Jake, what have you started.