Chapter 34

"All together now: Women don't cause sexual harassment, harassers do"-Kirsten Powers.

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The sun beating my back is not what is making me sock in sweat, It's the stress. That is something I am feeling these days, stress and anxiety. I am at the second day of my transformation, but Justin is yet to make his moves. Based on his recent phone calls, we gathered he is gathering data about me. He has gathered a lot about me, but he didn't do anything about the information. Isa said he is making sure I was worth the chase, and we need to give him time. But it has already been 24 hours since he figured I am single and ready to mingle. I thought he would corner me or something in Justin style this morning, but he never came. He didn't have my phone number, he did not attempt to say hello and my insides are disturbed.

"It's because you are a woke fashionista. He might think this is a phase, and you might flip to nerd mode." Isa's voice rang in my head. But I don't get it. How can he think that I will change in my past form? I am a celebrity now,a nd active on social media, posting and sharing more moments in the past few days than I did in my entire life.

We decided it was getting frustrating with every minute that he is wasting, so we should give him a push. That's why I am standing in the middle of the playground under the scorching sun.

"What up?" I heard Matthew's voice, and for the first time his voice soothed me. I was afraid he might not fall for this trick. I texted him to meet me here as a perfect bait. Isa is inside her car, which is not parked very far, giving her a good view of the scene. Now only one person left to complete the mission, and he didn't grace us with his presence-Yet.

"Cassi," Matthew said, confused. "You called me here."

"Yes." I stuttered, my eyes elsewhere desperately searching for 'him.'

"I know why you called me." Matthew took two steps towards me. My stomach sunk.

"You do?" I cracked out, my heart beating.

"Ya. You wanted to ask for my forgiveness." Huh. His audacity! What did I do bad enough to ask for his forgiveness? It's him who should be sorry for tormenting me all these years. I kept quiet, not to aggravate him or agree with his idea. His ego is already stinking this palace, I can't contribute more to it. "But I won't forgive you that easily."

"Really?" I asked sarcastically. He didn't catch it at all.

"Ya," he licked his lips, getting in my personal space. Now I am worried. Isa is a bit far. Before she run to get here and save me, he might do something that will forever haunt me.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Don't pretend you don't know. You have been wanting me for forever." In your dreams I wanted to shout. "Now you are wearing a short dress to get my attention," he held my wrist firmly. "You succeeded, you have my attention now, Cassi."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, trying to pry my arms from his grip.

"Cassi, Do you think I am stupid?" He asked. I do think he is stupid, like really stupid. "Why else would you ask me to come to an empty place in the middle of the day?" The gravity of his words started to sink slowly. The area is silent with no single soul in sight. If I shout, there is a minimum to no chance no one will hear me.

"Let go, you bastard." I shouted. In the midst of it all, my phone pinged, stopping both our movements.

'Justin is here.' It was from Isa. I sighed in relief. I heard crouching of shoes and caught blue T-shirt from my peripheral vision.

"How dare you!" I shouted, alerting Justin. "You are sick,'' I said. My phone pinged again, a code we talked about if I got Justin's attention. "Do you think I would be with you?"

"Cassi," Mathew was cut off short by my slap across his face. Take that you psycho!

"Don't come near me." I warned. "I am not interested in any man in this school." I added so Justin doesn't get the wrong idea. "All of the boys in this school are dirt. I hate all of you. That's why I have never dated anyone because all of you are beneath me." I kicked a pebble for good measure.

"Do you think you would fool me by calling me here?" Matthew's face contoured to confusion.

"But you-" I cut him off again.

"Stay away from me Matthew if you know what's good for you. You don't want to mess with me. You don't know who I am." With that, I whipped my head and made my way to Isa's car.

"You are sick!" I heard Matthew's voice. Maybe I am sick.

"What now?'' I asked as soon as I opened the door. Isa smiled at me.

"That was a great performance btw. It looked intense from here." I felt proud of myself. "Justin saw everything. Did you say what I told you to say?"

"Yes. I said I don't date anyone from this school, all of them are beneath me, and I am dangerous"

"Great."

"But how would this be any good? Won't Justin stay away from me?"

"No, he would not. You are a challenge now. A cute girl who is not interested in dating anyone. He wants to change your mind. To be the hero by making you fall in love with him. Besides, you are dangerous, making his game more fun. Men like Justin think that, Cassi. They are deprived." I nodded, getting her point. We sat in the car for a few minutes. I don't want to go inside the lunchroom. "Don't over think." Isa consumed.

"I am not." I said, bringing my phone to see my notifications. Many people are following me each day to the point I couldn't keep up. I shouted.

"What the hell, Cassi!" Isa removed her headphones, to stare at me like I am someone from a horror movie.

"See this." I gave her the phone. "Is it real?" I question, closing my eyes.

"Ya, Cassi. Told you this would work." She smirked. Justin Black started to follow me. I have never thought that was possible. "Don't." Isa took my phone. "Don't follow him back."

"Why?" I wined.

"He is a dirt on your shoe remember. You won't show anything special towards him." I pouted while nodding in agreement.

"Now, we go to phase two,'' Isa said, ticking this plan off the notebook. Phase two of the plan is the scariest but since this worked, I have no doubt that would work too.

I arrived at home when the sun was about to set. My parents' cars were already parked outside. Since my mom's outburst yesterday, I haven't talked to them. I still greet my dad, but my mom is still on my blacklist, and I won't talk to her until she asks for forgiveness. She may have the right to give opinion, but she has no right to call me names.

"Hello Cassi," my dad said, and I returned it with a tightlipped smile. What a fascinating thing that my parents came home early now that I need them out of my way, and they were never home when I actually needed them.

"Hello." I addressed both of them. I went to the kitchen, and brought the salad I prepared yesterday. Good thing my mom is not against my diet, or I would have started world war three in this house.

"I am going to bed." I announced, stepping on the staircase.

"Amelia," my dad said, sternly.

"Cassi," she called out, and I faced her, boredom etched to my face. Her soft expression turned displeased when her eyes landed on my short dress.

"Save it,'' I said, running to the sanctuary of my room. I had a long day. I need to scrub Matthew's hands off me. I am too tired to deal with my mom.

***

"Remove it." Isa ordered, tugging my jacket. I wore a gray yoga set. The clothes are like a second skin to body. Isa has done minimal makeup on my face. Furious blush coats my cheeks to give the illusion I have been working out when I refused to exercise.

"I can't get out looking like this." I argued.

"This is how women exercise. Don't exaggerate." She said and took the jacket from me. The only thing I found comfortable was my snickers. My hair is pulled from its roots by the tight ponytail and the cloth is as I have said not flattened. "Now go." Isa said. I left the car, crossing the road to stand at the corner of the building Justin workout at. Today is the day me and Justin meet after 4 years of waiting. I will talk to him today.