32.

I can't remember much after that. I must've fallen asleep in her arms...but I don't remember sleeping..and I don't remember waking up either.

I feel really energetic which is surprising because I always feel tired.

I shrug off those thoughts and get ready for school, this will be my first time back after 'the incident' and I'm really nervous.

I paused and frowned in thought. Usually everything feels so terrible..the depression..the misery..the crying..the anxiety..all those bad feelings that I barely notice and for once since that time so long ago, they're gone..

Why?

My thoughts were interrupted by a pair of arms wrapping themselves around me.

"Ready for school?" Quinn said cheekily.

My cheeks redden with embarrassment. "I-I guess.."

I'm nervous as to what would happen when I enter the school after what happened. Will they make fun of me? Point their fingers and laugh behind their hands? Or will they treat me with pity then go and whisper badly behind my back. Oh the whispers...I can practically hear them now..

'Look, there she goes, the girl who fainted just for attention!'

'Yeah, you're right, look how plain and ugly she is. Who does she think she is, fainting like that?'

'She should just disappear!'

And then once I leave the room, the room will burst into loud laughter. Their mouths so wide..Sound will come out. But I can and cannot hear them.

Quinn poked my cheek. "You okay?" She looks so concern. Maybe it's fake? My brain whispered darkly to me. I pushed it away. No...she wouldn't fake it, I'm sure of it! I'm sure of it...

So I explained to her the best I could while my brain seemed to burst with thoughts and feelings and anxiety. It's so difficult to think...Like mind is a broth constantly bubbling and moving as it's being being stirred slowly.

She listened with a thoughtful expression and said. "If they do something like that, then they'll have to mess with me!" She said with a confident smile.

My lips twitched upward. And the mushiness that was my brain seem to receded. I could think a little better.

Why? I thought. But why was I asking 'why'? I can't seem to remember...

She took me by the hand and guided me out of her house. Her hand felt soft and warm. I wanted to hold it for a long time, but too soon, we reached the school.

I pouted slightly when she let go of my hand. I almost made a whining sound when Gale called out to us. I stopped my sulking and stepped a little closer to Quinn. She didn't seem to notice...

"Hey guys," Gale said with a grin when he saw how close I was with Quinn. I gave him a little glare and he looked away innocently with a whistle.

"Hey Gale," Quinn greeted with a smile. "How's Cassandra?"

Gale nodded. "She's good, well-er- we're good,"

I've never seen him so... flustered before..

Quinn grinned then glanced back at me. She jerked her head towards the direction of the school. "C'mon, we got to talk to the principal before heading to class,"

I gulped, and nodded nervously. She took me by the hand again and I felt my stomach turn into mush and butterflies.

Just before we turned on the corner of the hall that leads to the office, she gave me a peck on the cheek.

"For good luck," She whispered with soft look in her eyes.

I blushed fiercely as I stumbled after her, my knees too weak to lift themselves up.