When things start to get messy

Cassidy's mouth dried almost immediately, as she finally felt the accusatory look on MJ face. He had set his gaze on her screen again, reading the content of her messages.

As a reflex, she took the phone away.

"Shit, MJ. You know what 'personal' means?" She scolded him. To her dismay, it didn't work.

"Yeah, but this is the first time you actually freak out when I do." He whispered angrily.

She pressed her lips together, averting her eyes to the TV screen.

"Well, forget about it. It's nothing."

The moment the words left her mouth, the moment her phone buzzed again. Her eyes darted towards it, making MJ choke a laugh.

"Can't you just tell your boyfriend we're watching a movie? It won't last the whole night, so he'll have you for himself in a few hours."

Cassidy slapped MJ's arm softly. "He's not my—" She sighed, frustrated, only making MJ laugh even more.

"What?" Isabelle popped her head out, wondering why they were laughing when they were supposed to be screaming their hearts out.

"Nothing." MJ said. "It's just that Cassidy have terrible priorities choosing."

Isabelle let the matter go, but made a mental note to ask later. As for Cassidy, she kept grumbling about it for a few minutes; refusing to pick up the phone again.

She was strong enough not to answer right away, and she was a pro at letting other waiting for her messages. This was no different.

Her determination only lasted ten minutes, though, when she finally had to reply as her hands were itching to do so. MJ made sure to laugh at her about it. He found it amusing, and he was a tease that wouldn't let a chance like that go.

And the texting wouldn't stop right there.

Even the next movie was practically playing in the background as she kept texting him about her random way of eating cereal: always grabbing 5 pieces at a time if the cereal was big enough. 6 if it was hoop serials.

She was having a good time talking about those random things, and even got the chance to know Kyle was actually very attached to Allen. She could tell by how pissed off he was because Allen stood him up today.

They were supposed to meet to play some CoD, but Allen never replied or even showed up. Because yes, he told her Allen had a spare key to his place.

Their relationship was more or less like the one Isabelle, MJ ad her had. Always showing up at their houses, staying there as long as they want. So she couldn't help but ask him about how the two of them got to be friends.

"A story for another time, sunshine" Was what he told her before telling her to go have a good time with her friends. "I already kept you long enough. Maybe next time we can watch a movie together."

After that, they didn't speak for the rest of the night; or even the following day.

Monday arrived, noticing something strange from the beginning. Isabelle seemed distracted, and was always looking around as if looking for someone. She supposed it was about Allen, as it was usual they met before each class.

She also looked out for Kyle casually skimming every face that showed up, but to no avail.

The first couple of classes passed, when Isabelle left the classroom in a hurry. She tried to follow her, but ended up loosing her in the crowd.

Cassidy walked around looking for her, until fifteen minutes later, she finally spotted her on the hall. She jogged to where she was standing.

"Still no luck?" She asked.

"No… I can't even find Kyle." Isabelle's voice trembled a little, unsettling Cassidy as well. So it was not only her who couldn't find him.

Cassidy nodded. "And that's weird. He's always peeking his nose everywhere." Seeing Isabelle's expression, she tried to lighten the mood, so she cleared her throat. "Relax, he probably just skipped classes because he was not in the mood. It's not his first time either."

Isabelle looked at her with guilty eyes, letting Cassidy know there was something she didn't know just yet. The red head's hazel eyes dropped to the floor, chewing her lower lip without mercy. "I haven't talked to Allen since Friday."

"You what?" Cassidy's voice came out louder than she expected. A couple of people around them turning to them, startled.

"He told me he was turning his phone off, and he would text me back later. But I've been trying to reach him since late that day, and my messages won't even turn in."

Cassidy's eyes were glued to her friend's face. She felt her heart stop for a second. NOW she was concerned.

"Something happened? Did you two fight?" She whispered, not wanting to catch any more unnecessary attention.

"No." Isabelle shook her head. "Actually, I thought it was the other way around."

Seeing Isabelle's fearful and confused expression, she made up her mind.

"Alright, I'll help you out." Cassidy walked backwards. "I'll call you if I find them, OK?"

Cassidy didn't wait for Isabelle's answer, when she had already started running towards the cafeteria. But even though she did run through the halls and even jogged outside in the backyard, she still couldn't find him.

She took her phone out and texted Kyle, asking where he was and if he had seen Allen, but even after several minutes, he didn't answer.

Right when she was walking past the front door, about to give up, she received Isabelle's message. The words she read made her feel cold inside her belly, the sudden rush of adrenaline making her run faster than ever.

Her best friend's sobs lead her to the exact place where she was: behind the gym court, hugging her knees like there were the only thing keeping her afloat.

Cassidy's body moved on its own, kneeling down beside her and hugging her tight. She stroke her hair softly, letting her cry everything she wanted. She knew Isabelle was not in the best shape to go back to class, and she couldn't take her home herself, so she texted MJ quickly, letting him know something happened, and he had to take her home.

She could only guess what happened, but it was obvious that Allen had something to do with it by how devastated she was. Her curiosity was killing her, but she would have to wait, as she didn't want to disturb Isabelle even more.

Time passed, and Isabelle stopped crying, having fallen asleep in her arms. She didn't know what time it was, but the bell hadn't rung by the time MJ arrived to pick up Isabelle.

MJ arrived ten minutes later, panting and covered in sweat, with a worried expression on his face. Cassidy knew little about the details, but the half sentences she could understand between Isabelle's sobs and mumblings. She didn't say a word to MJ about Allen, but she figured he suspected something, as his eyes were darker than usual.

After seeing him so worked up, she only told her about what Isabelle DID tell her: that she was not able to talk with Allen the whole weekend, and that she was worried about him.

MJ carried Isabelle to his mother's car —which he took without her permission— and waited for Cassidy to bring Isabelle's backpack; which was somewhere between the classroom and the gym.

After getting it and taking it back to MJ, Cassidy waved goodbye as the bell rang inside, her face turning sour and she glanced behind.

I'll be damned if they think they can get away with this, she thought. They better have a fucking good explanation, her voice roared inside her head.

As she walked back to the building and roamed through the halls, she spotted Kyle walking down the stairs.

Just like by instinct, her body sprinted towards him, pushing him the moment she was close enough; giving him time to barely watch his steps to not fall down.

"What the fuck?" She hissed, her stare digging holes in Kyle's face.