Friends?

"Friends?" Chris asked Cassie, looking at the 4 girls and 2 boys that just walked over to their table...

The group of 6 teens didn't seem to emanate any malice or bad intent towards Cassie, and it was quite hard to understand why Cassie was feeling a bit awkward and troubled while the other 6 were totally normal in approaching.

"Cassie! I didn't expect to see you here!" the girl with blonde hair who seemed to be in charge, greeted cheerfully, "These are your siblings you talked about?" she pointed to Chris and Cathy.

"Yes," Cassie replied softly, her voice a little troubled and disgruntled to see her classmates here.

"Ohh! Why didn't you tell me that you had such a handsome brother?!" the blondie asked in excitement, looking at Chris with imaginary stars in her eyes.

"Hello! I am Sophia, Cassie's classmate," Blondie introduced herself to Chris.

"Hello," Chris nodded, his actions a little cold and unwelcoming since he didn't know the relationship between the group and Cassie. Which seemed a little 'tight' anyways.

"Ah, yes..." Cassie replied meekly to Sophia, her hands acting fidgety.

"I see, well, we will find ourselves another table then, bye!" Sophia sensed the unwelcoming and cold behavior they were receiving, so she bid them farewell and went away to sit at another table.

"What's up? Why are you acting so weird?" Chris turned towards Cassie after the group of teens left.

"Yes Cass, what happened? Are they mean to you? Trouble you?" Cathy also asked worriedly.

"Ah, no... they are my friends..." Cassie murmured meekly, "But, I distanced myself from them..."

"Why?" Chris tilted his head, why would someone distance themselves from their friends?

"They... are from richer families..." Cassie averted her eyes, ashamed to say such words to her hardworking siblings.

Hearing her words Cathy gave Chris a sad glance, understanding the problems Cassie was facing.

Unlike those who had grown a little older and base friendship on human nature, not wealth. Younger teens go through the age of puberty.

They like to flex and show off. Among the kids who loved materialistic things, Cassie suffered from low self-esteem. She had no option but to distance herself and cut herself off from the others.

Chris closed his eyes and sighed, he understood Cassie's pain and troubles, and actually, if it was him, he would have behaved the same as Cassie.

"I see," Chris sighed, making Cathy look at him weirdly, 'What's with that response? Console her, you idiot!' she shouted in her mind.

Cassie looked at Chris, hearing him speak.

"I understand, the things you did, it's normal," Chris smiled and patted her head.

'That's it?' Cathy grimaced at his pathetic consoling while Cassie forced a smile on her face.

"Sophia!" Chris however, unexpectedly, suddenly called Sophia who was sitting a little far away.

The customers all around looked over at the source of the sound, but, none seemed to let out a peep because some sensed Chris's high profiled demeanor while others simply ignored it.

"Me?" Sophia smiled brightly and ran over to Chris's table, why wouldn't she go if such a handsome man like Chris would call her?

"Me and Cathy have some work to do, why don't you guys add Cass to your group? Is that okay?" Chris smiled warmly, completely contrasting the cold look he had before.

"O-Of course, we asked her to join many times before, but she always denied!" Sophia glared at Cassie who had a shocked and bewildered look on her face.

"Haha, from now on she won't deny it, take good care of her, okay?" Chris ruffled Cassie's hair and winked at Sophia, of course, he was just teasing.

"Y-Yes, come Cass!" Sophia blushed and tried to pull Cassie away, but Cassie didn't budge from her seat even a little.

Chris saw her unwillingness to go and Sophia's confusion about it, feeling that he needs to smooth things again, he opened his mouth.

"Soph, I will send her after we are done eating, cool?" Chris smiled and gently removed Sophia's hand who was trying to pull Cassie.

"Ah, okay!" Sophia shrugged and went back to the table as if nothing had just happened.

"What was that, brother?! I was so surprised!" Cassie shouted, soft enough that it won't disturb anyone and loud enough that Chris can take the hint of her emotions.

"You distanced yourself earlier doesn't mean you need to be an outcast now aswell. Go to your friends, you don't need to distance yourself anymore." Chris smiled and patted her.

Cassie's eyes widened, and a warm feeling generated from within her. She gulped her saliva and her eyes teared a little.

"Umu," she nodded softly keeping her one hand on Chris's hand and smiling brightly, Cathy also smiled at the heartwarming scene and didn't interrupt, although she really wanted to join her siblings...

"Bon appetit," the waiter came up to the table and kept some dishes on the table. Giving a polite bow, he left as quickly as he came.

Though his interruption was small, the heart-warming scene was already broken and Cassie giggled nervously, making Chris chuckle at her flushed expressions.

"I will give you some money and, no need to act miser, have fun!" Chris took out his purse and stuffed 5 100$ bills in Cassie's pockets.

"Whoa, have fun, Cass," Cathy chuckled in shock seeing the amount Chris just gave away, 500$ to a kid for fun? Wasn't it too much?

"I-It's too much, brother," Cassie pushed the money back shyly.

"It is," Chris nodded, "That's why I am giving it to you. You need to learn how to use money effectively and conserve it aswell, you know,"

"I didn't think of that..." Cassie widened her eyes in shock and jumped at Chris for a hug, "I love you, brother!"

"Love you too, my sweet lil sis," Chris chuckled and hugged her lightly, then pushing her away, he gestured for her to eat.

Cathy pouted getting ignored by the two, only until Chris stuffed a meat chunk in her mouth with a grin.

...

"I-I am nervous," Cassie muttered, fidgeting her fingers, Some cleanly eaten dishes were kept on their table.

"Why nervous? They won't eat you up, you know?" Chris laughed and pushed Cassie away to Sophia's table.

With uncertain steps, Cassie slowly moved towards Sophia's table, her shy nature acting in its full swing.

"Well, what have you reserved for us?" Cathy grinned at Chris with a wink after Cassie left.

"Hehe, you are quick to catch on, lets's hit the bar, the kids are out!" Chris smirked and headed left the eatery after paying the bill.