-Chapter 21: One's Place in the World-

-Cassie-

School sucks. Like, royally sucks. I don't have many people to talk to; the teachers are dicks. I don't understand how anyone could like a place like this. The only thing that could possibly make this worse would be if I were the new girl. Oh, wait.

Today so far has been no different. I ran into a pole and bumped into three people on my way to my second period. Now, It's just before fourth period, and I'm just hoping not to slip on a banana peel or something. I wonder how this day can get any worse.

I get my answer when I see Rafe making a beeline for me.

"So, your names Cassandra." He said, putting his arm around me. "Glad to see you've been staying away from those three."

I knew who he was talking about. I tried getting away, but I couldn't move his arm from my shoulders. Needless to say, I am uncomfortable.

"Please g-go away," I say, trying my best to sound confident.

Rafe just laughed.

"What's wrong, kid, you scared?" He asked while positioning himself in a way that had me trapped against the wall.

"P-please m-move." I stutter.

God, why do I have to be so weak?

"And if I don't?" He asked.

I don't answer. I don't know what to say. However, part of me believes that he didn't want an answer at all.

He sort of chuckles. "If you fuck up, kid, I'll make sure to make your life hell."

If only he knew what my hell of a life is like.

"Rafe?" A familiar voice questioned. "What are you doing?"

I looked to see Jessica standing there with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face. He turned around and gave her some shitty excuse though I didn't stick around long enough to hear what it was because I ran as soon as he was distracted. I didn't stop running until I got to the nearest bathroom. I lock myself in a stall and catch my breath. I cover my face to muffle my breathing as I hear someone walk into the stall right next to me.

"You really can't catch a break can you Cas?" I jump as I hear a voice coming from above me.

I jump as I see Jessica looking down at me.

"Wha-what are you doing?" I ask in a mixture of surprise and shock.

"I just wanted to see if you were ok." She said as if nothing was wrong.

"Y-you do know how bad this l-looks right?" I ask.

"Not many people come to this one during class so I think we're good." She says, stepping down from the toilet she's standing on.

I unlock my door and walk out of the stall and find Jessica still here. For whatever reason, I felt a bit better after talking to her. Human emotions are weird. One moment I can be scared out of my mind and the next I'm calm as if nothing had happened.

"I guess we should get to class r-right?" I ask.

"I guess." Jess shrugged. "I'm just gonna ditch, it's already halfway done."

I look at her confused. How could the class president just ditch?

"Well see ya around," Jess said with a smile. "Be safe, and if Rafe or his loonies start to mess with you. Tell me and I'll deal with them myself."

I nod before exiting the bathroom and walking to class.