Confrontation

The following week, I was happily eating lunch with Raiden at the cafeteria when Taylor, along with his friends approached our table. She sat across the both of us and looked me straight in the face. "Hi Cassie, how's it goin?" She flipped her blonde hair as if in a shampoo commercial, then she looked at Raiden and said, "Hey babe, you know, I've been missing you." She puckered her lips and blew him a kiss.

Raiden sighed loudly, "What now, Taylor? Just please, leave us alone."

"Grumpy, aren't you? Like I said, I miss you and I want you to come over at my house tonight. My parents will be out of town and you know what that means," she winked at Raiden. My stomach churned and I shifted uneasily in my seat.

"Why would I wanna do that?" Raiden asked. "Look Taylor, I don't know how mant times I have to tell you, but we're done and there will never be an us again." He snapped at her, the irritation in his voice is now apparent as he clenches his jaw.

"Oh, yeah...sorry. I just thought you might be done playing boyfriend to this one." pointing carelessly at me, then turning to me, "Don't you feel so special Cassie? Being the center of Mr. Patterson's worl, FOR NOW? You really think he's fallen for you, huh? Tsk, tsk, tsk, poor Cassie. You are just another notch in his belt" Making a sad face to mock me.

"I said cut it out, Taylor." I can see that Raiden is having trouble restraining himself. "Let's go Cassie, don't mind this lunatic."

"What's the hurry, babe? You scared I'm gonna tell her all about our bet? Ooops! Sorry, I didn't mean for that to come out. I really need to be more mindful of what I say around people." She covered her mouth daintily with her fingers and her eyes widening as if she was also surprised by what she said. With that, she got up and walked away with her friends laughing out loud. I can feel everyone's eyes on me, waiting for my reaction. I could not decide whether to run out or just sit here and cry. My chest feels like a boulder had been dropped on top of me and I know I will start hyperventilating soon. All I remember was that Raiden pulled me out of my seat and led me out of the cafeteria all the way to his car. It was all mechanical for me because the shock was just too much to bear. I wanted to scream at him and to cry but nothing was coming out, I cannot find my emotions right now. My biggest fear had been true after all. Finally I managed to look at him and I can hear him calling my name. "Cassie? I'm so sorry Cas. Talk to me, please.?"

I looked at him and I can see the concern in his eyes. Though right now, I'm not sure if it is concern or pity. He ran his fingers through his hair. "Are you okay?" He asked.

Finally, I had mustered enough strength to speak up. "I'm fine. I'll be fine." I answered as I took my hand away from his.

"I'm so sorry about that, Taylor can be a real bitch at times but that's just how she deals with things. I guess she just can't accept the fact that I broke up with her." He explained, still not addressing the real issue at hand.

"So, is it true?" I finally managed to ask, though I need to steel myself for his answer.

"What do you mean?

"Am I just another one of your girls? Was I just a bet? I'm glad both of you are having so much fun at my expense."

"Please, let me explain. I know this is all cliché and I'm not saying that you should believe me, but you'll know in your heart that I'm telling you the truth." He got out of his seat and knelt down in front of me as he took my hands in his again. "Please let me finish my story before you react, that's the only thing I'm asking you." I nodded. It seems that even when I'm supposed to be super mad at him, I can't say no.