Chapter 5

Class ended and as I'm gathering my stuff, I feel a tap on my shoulder.

"Hey, so I was wondering if you wanted to hang out sometime? I don't really have any friends here and it would be nice to explore the city." William asks.

I hesitated, not sure if being alone with him was a good idea. I gave in and nodded my head with a small smile.

"Why not. I don't have much to do anyways. It sounds fun." I said, hoping to ease his nervousness a bit.

It was like sun itself shown through his eyes how much they brightened just from me saying yes. It was cute.

"Great! Then I'll let you know what day works best for me." he said, brightly.

"Sounds good. I'll see you tomorrow William."

"Oh call me Will. William is a mouthful."

"Okay then, Will. See you." I waved goodbye and walked out of the class.

I practically skipped to my locker to put my books away when my mood was ruined almost instantly.

"Hello Cassandra. I haven't seen you pretty much all day. Were you avoiding me?" he said, that usual conceited glint in his eyes.

"No Chris, you aren't important enough to waste that much energy on." I said, intentionally trying to hurt his feelings. He only smirked at me, clearly unfazed by my verbal jab.

Oh great, he's in his playful mood.

"Now, about going to that cafe, would you like to ride with me?"

Shit, I forgot I agreed to meet him after school.

"Didn't I tell you to just meet me there at 4?" I asked, trying to figure out how to delay the inevitable. I didn't want to be near him any longer than I needed to.

"Yeah, but we're here now so we mind as well go. What's wrong Cass? Scared I might bite?" he winked at me. Oh gosh, I didn't want to be around him for even 30 seconds, nonetheless long enough to have a full conversation.

I just rolled my eyes and sighed. I really couldn't get out of this.

"Okay Chris, lead the way." I said, already drained from being around him.

He smirked and turned around, heading towards his car.

I never really looked at his car, but it was nice. A red 2014 Nissan Altima. It seemed passed down but in good condition. Better than my little beat up Toyota Corolla at least.

I'm grateful for my car, don't get me wrong. I just wish I had a better condition car.

"After you Milady," he said playfully, waving me to get in. I just rolled my eyes and gave him a forced smile.

"Chris I just want to get this over with, okay? No games." I said, irritation already settling in.

"Okay okay. So grouchy."

"I'm only like this because your presence irritates me." I said, hoping to hit a nerve. I didn't. He just chuckled and shook his head.

"You sure are a piece of work."

I just gave him a blank stare. I wasn't going to entertain him any more than needed.

Chris finally goes to the driver's side and starts the car, but makes sure to give me his infamous smirk before backing out.

The ride to the cafe was short since it was only 10 minutes from our school. I made sure to turn the radio on immediately so he wouldn't have a chance to talk to me about anything.

We finally get to the cafe and its almost completely packed.

"Well, guess we'll just have to do this another day. See ya." I said, trying to make a run for it.

I didn't get far though. He grabbed my arm before I could get out the door and pulled me back towards him.

"There's an open table right over there. Why don't you grab it before someone else does?" he said.

Dammit. So close.

I just gave him a closed lipped smile and nodded my head. Just my luck, right?

He stands in line and orders for the both of us. I'm not too picky so I just had him order whatever he wanted for me.

I sit down at the corner table and watch the people walk by outside. Although this town is a little small, it was always so full of life. That's something I loved about living here, but it IS a small town after all, meaning I knew almost everyone around. That's a bit hard to deal with when everyone knows everything.

After a few minutes, Chris comes walking over. He ordered me a chai latte and a black coffee for himself. Yes, I drink coffee at 4 in the afternoon. Sue me.

I took my coffee with a tight lipped smile and looked back out the window, waiting for whatever was to come out of his mouth.

"So Cassandra, I-"

"Don't call me Cassandra, Chris." I cut him off. It seriously annoyed me when people called me by my full name. Only one person was allowed to do that.

"Okay sorry Princess, won't do it anymore," he smirked.

"That either." I countered.

"Okay, I get it. Anyways, we're here to talk about you being part of the game."

"Okay and what about it? I thought I made it clear already I don't want anything to do with it." I said. I'm pretty sure I made myself clear the first hundred times I said no.

"See, that may be true, but that's not how this works. It's almost like tradition for us guys. And, well, you're one of the very few girls who hasn't been seen not even with one guy. What's the deal with

that anyways?"

I just looked at him for a second, trying to wrap my head around why he thinks my romatic or sexual life is any of his damned business.

"First of all, why is that any of your business? Second, I'm more focused on important things rather than some dumb jocks I'm never gonna see again after I graduate. Besides, what makes you think you or any of your friends are even worth my time?"

He looked at me, taken aback by my jab. And then the little playful glint he always has in his eyes vanished. The look he gave me was cold. I almost shivered from his icy stare.

"Look, if you won't do this the easy way, then we can play that game. I just hope you're ready for me little Cassandra. You'll be begging to be with me after I'm done." he said it with finality. He was really serious about this.

"Yeah, sure Chris. Whatever helps you sleep at night. Anyways I have more important things to deal with so I'll be going." I get up and almost barge through the doors I try to leave so fast. And then I realized it.

My car was back at the school.

Shit

Now I have to walk all the way back to school to go get my car. I start the hike back to school when a black Honda Accord pulls up next to me.

"Hey, need a ride?" Will says. He flashes me a breathtaking smile. I stood shocked for a few seconds before I shake myself out of my stupor and nod.

"Hop on in." he says.

I hop in and we take off.

"Where ya off to?"

"Back to school. I need to get my car before I go home."

"Wait, why didn't you just drive home from the beginning?" he asked, a confused look on his face.

"Oh, well I had to go talk to someone and I just rode with them. Which was a dumb idea I know haha." I said, hoping he wouldn't try to pry too much. I don't know why but I didn't want him to think Chris and I had anything going on.

"Mmm, well as long as you're all good now." he says. Thankfully he didn't pry anymore. We pulled up to the school a couple minutes later and I bid my goodbyes.

I hopped in my car and drove home, ready to just relax in my own space.

I finally got home and jumped in the shower, thankful for the warm water to help me destress.

Once I was done showering, I fell on my bed and went straight to sleep. This day was stressful.