Thirteen

Cassandra

Spirit week in high school was supposed to be fun. For a week, you can dress up to match the theme of the day instead of everyday school clothing. Each day allows us, students, to have fun and be nerdy without having to worry about the repercussions. Though, for me of course, it didn't go as well as I had planned. No surprise there.

I finish curling my hair and add the final touch, the golden headpiece to match the dress. Today is a Disney theme, so naturally, I went with my favorite movie, Beauty and The Beast. I glide my hands over the sides of the layered ball gown and smile at my reflection. I chose not to eat for the last couple of days, hoping to fit into the dress a bit better, but with the zipper feeling as if it may blow at any moment, I guess it was no use.

I turn slightly to see the back, and to my horror, my back fat is oozing over the material of the dress, the zipper about to implode. I even put on a nude-colored tummy control undergarment, or in other words a fat sucker, underneath the dress; it didn't help my predicament much. I exhale as I take one last glance in the mirror before heading to school.

When I get out of Tarra's car, my eyes widen at the vast amount of Disney characters roaming around the campus. A smile forms from ear to ear as I spot the variety of dresses and costumes. I look over to Tarra and see that she is smiling as well, her rosy cheeks lifting. She looks adorable in her Megara costume and she has the perfect body for the tight, purple dress. Hercules was always her favorite film too; now she just needs to find her Hercules. Tarra walks off towards her locker as I grab my book from the back seat and begin walking onto the campus.

My eyes land on a blue and gold costume, making my caramel orbs nearly burst out of their sockets when I realize it's Crayvin, dressed as The Beast. My heart raced at the sight and then comes to a screeching halt when I notice the familiar golden dress standing next to him.

Faith Hover, oh how I loathe her. Is Crayvin seeing her this week? What am I saying? I don't care about him anymore, he's...

Suddenly his ocean-like eyes meet mine and I almost melt, reminding me of the first time his eyes had met mine. I internally scold myself for looking, but the damage was done instantly. His lips curl up and I snap out of it, watching as Faith grabs his hand and pulls him towards me. Her cheeks puff with anger as her eyes glint at me.

"Question for you, Cassandra. Have you ever seen Lion King?" Faith asks, smirking devilishly. As my eyes scan over her dress, I can't believe she and Crayvin dressed up as Beauty and The Beast. The image alone is enough to make me vomit.

I exhale at her ignorance, all the while avoiding the cold stare from Crayvin. I don't even have to look at him to know that his blue eyes are boring into me. I momentarily go back to two weeks ago when he was drenched in chocolate milk and I chuckle.

Faith huffs and folds her arms over her tiny chest, waiting for a reply to her snarky comment. "Yes, Faith, I've seen it. Who hasn't? What's your point?" I ask, my voice revealing how apathetic I am to her wicked attitude.

"My point is, maybe you should've reconsidered wearing a Belle costume. Pumbaa would've been a perfect fit for you, don't you agree, Crayvin?" I dare not to look, I know he must be reveling in this.

I silently let out a breath and raise my head to look at Faith. I told myself I was done with letting these people get to me, and I also promised to not let them see me cry anymore. I dig deep and find the courage and say, "Good one, Faith. Though, I have to ask if you've ever even seen Beauty and The Beast?"

Faith lifts her bushy brow and nods, her smirk slightly turning into a frown. "Hmm, interesting," I say, tapping my index finger against my chin. "See, Belle doesn't really wear makeup. In fact, I don't think she wears any at all. So, with that being said, I don't see how you truly look like Belle. You've caked on so much makeup, that if your beast here were to hit you in the face with a pillow, your face would imprint the sheet." I bring my hand over my mouth and am in shock at how my mouth got away from me. It's like my lips couldn't stop moving, rambling on and on.

Faith lets out a scornful laugh, making a small chill run up my spine. She releases Crayvin's hand from her grip and marches up to me, bringing her face mere inches from mine. She grits her teeth and scowls. "Watch it, Cassandra. You wouldn't want that zipper to burst."

I shake my head, begging my eyes to hold back the tears, just until I can reach the restroom. I turn around to walk away and I feel Faith flick the back of my head. I stop in my tracks, my arms stiff at my sides as I dig my nails into the palms of my hands. I close my eyes for a second before dashing off to the restroom where I let my tears fall into the sink.

I lean over the sink, my elbows resting on the counter, while I bring my hands up to cover my face. I feel a light tap on my shoulder and I lean my head back and exhale before looking at whoever just poked me. My eyes are met with Tarra's, her hazel eyes sorrowful.

"Let's go home for the day, sis." She says softly. "I heard about what happened. Faith is lucky her ass got to class before I saw her." Her voice comes out soft again, yet laced with rage.

"N...n...no. I can do it. I can't keep letting them destroy me, Tarra."

Tarra gives me a small smile, putting her hand on my shoulder. "I know. Trust me, you're one of the strongest people I know. But Sis, we need to go home to take care of your hair."

She pulls out her phone, snaps a picture of the back of my head, and then warily hands me her phone. I begin sobbing loudly as I observe the picture, bringing my hand to the back of my head and feel the pink gum Faith so generously placed in my black locks.

This day was the last time I had long hair. Though, once we chopped it off, shoulder-length hair seemed to suit me better and was much easier to contain, so it stuck.

"Hello! Earth to, Cassandra," Tarra teases, waving her hand in front of my face.

"What?"

Tarra chuckles, shaking her head as her hand that's holding wrapped fish lifts into my line of vision. "I asked whether or not you want salmon or chicken. So, which one?"

"Oh, sorry, Tarra." I look at the salmon in her hand and the chicken in the store's freezer. "Let's do salmon."

Tarra nods and places the salmon in the cart before we begin walking down another aisle. Grocery shopping was never my strong suit. Being short isn't fun when what you need is on the top shelf. I would much rather do the cooking and Tarra do the shopping but, there's no arguing with my sister.

"Is that who I think it is?" Tarra asks quietly.

I follow her eyes down the aisle and spot Miles holding a cantaloupe and examining it. Nodding, I look back to Tarra, who looks as if she's fawning over my Chief. "Yup, that's Police Chief Anderson. Looks like he's examining some cantaloupe."

"Well, he can examine my cantaloupes all he wants." Tarra's hazel eyes meet mine and I smirk, lifting my brow. Leaning over the cart and exhaling, Tarra says, "Fine, they aren't cantaloupes. Let's call them plums. Yeah, he can play with my plums."

I hold my stomach as I begin laughing uncontrollably.

"What? So I'm part of the itty-bitty-titty committee. Sue me," Tarra scoffs, nudging me with her elbow.

"Hello, Cassandra. Thought that was you." Miles greets, parking his cart alongside ours. I spot the cantaloupe he decided on sitting in his cart, ironically enough, next to a bag of plums.

I look over to Tarra to tease her and she subtly shakes her head, her cheeks a bright pink. "Nice to see you, Miles." Tarra clears her throat just loud enough for me to hear and I almost let out another laugh at her desperation.

"Miles, do you remember my big sister, Tarra?" I ask, stepping out of the way so that Tarra will be in his full view. His eyes glimmer adoringly as he looks at my sister.

"Wow, you're all grown up now," Miles says, his voice going up an octave. He reaches out his hand to shake and she meets it with hers.

Tarra's hand remains lingering in his when she says, "Sure am, I'm twenty-five now. It's great to see you, Miles. You take care of my baby sister here, promise?"

They are flirting. They are totally fucking flirting.

"I promise. It's good to see you too, Tarra. Beautiful as ever." I think I saw him wink as he says that last part. Judging by the growing redness on his face, I'm guessing that he didn't mean to say that last part out loud.

"Anyways..." I say, breaking up their moment. "We have to get going. I'll see you at the office on Wednesday, Miles."

Miles and Tarra finally break from the world's longest handshake and he then runs his fingers through his brown hair, his full lips nearly white from the nervous biting. "Yeah, Wednesday. Take care ladies," he says, and walks away, but not before he gives Tarra one last glance.

My eyes watch Tarra as her eyes follow Miles, waiting for her to notice she's been caught. Her eyes once again meet mine, finally, and she giggles. "What?"

I roll my eyes and laugh, taking the cart from her and pushing it towards the checkout. "Come on."

After putting the groceries on the belt, I step up to pay for the bill since it's my turn to pay. "Would you like your milk double-bagged?" The bagger asks.

I swipe my debit card through the machine and then look to the end of the belt to look at the bagger, she looks oddly familiar. "Yes please."

"Cassandra? Cassandra Porsse?"

I put my debit card back in my phone wallet and smile, thanking the clerk before looking back at the lady bagger once more. "Yes, that's me. And you are?"

She halfheartedly smiles, placing the last bag into the cart. "Faith. Faith Hover. We went to school together. My gosh, you look amazing. You lost so much weight," she boasts and then looks at my sister. "Hi, Tarra."

Tarra reluctantly smiles back and then begins to walk off with the cart towards the exit. My eyes scan the lady before me and I see her tag says, "Ask me for help. Faith."

"I remember you quite well, Faith. It's good to see you, take care," I comment and then elude to my sisters' side.

"It was good to see you?" Tarra asks, mocking my words to Faith.

"Okay, big ears. I was just being nice."

"Yeah too nice," Tarra adds and looks back at Faith. "You know what they say though?"

"What do they say? And who's they?" I ask, confused as all get-out.

"You can't build happiness on someone else's pain, because life is a boomerang. Hence, she was a bitch to you in high school because she was obsessed with Crayvin, talking about how she'd be a model and shit someday. Well, here she is and here you are. Let's just say, I know perfectly well who that boomerang hit back and I'm pretty sure it was the bagger back there," Tarra jokes, jabbing her thumb back at the store.