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“Is Cassie okay?” I ask softly. “I know we haven’t been the best of friends, but I’ve noticed the change in her, and she’s not here—”
Mark lifts a hand, and my lips press together to hold back the tide of words that threaten to overflow. Even as my step-father, he commands a room.
“Cassie came to talk to me about how she’s been struggling, and she’s done with her courses. Her finals have been finished for weeks, so there’s no real reason to stay here,” he begins.
I can’t help myself, and I whisper, “But we still have graduation.”
Mark shrugs, his fingers twitching just enough that I can tell he’s not as calm as he seems. This man has a tough poker face, because he has very few tells.
“She told me it was a piece of paper that she doesn’t need to be here to receive,” he murmurs, his voice thick with emotion. “My baby girl has talked about nothing except getting out of high school since prom. It’s as if she couldn’t stand the thought of going into those halls, sitting in classes day in and day out. Cassie told me she couldn’t stay here anymore, and she’s just not my baby girl anymore. Something’s broken inside of her that I can’t fix,” Mark whispers.
Tears start to slide down my face as I clasp my fingers tightly together.
I broke your little girl. It’s all my fault.
“So, I sent Cassie somewhere she’ll be able to get away, find some peace. It’s incredibly difficult to ask for help when you’re hurting, and you don’t know which way is up or down. I’m proud of her… I’m just really gonna miss her,” Mark mutters, standing quickly and walking inside.
I gasp a breath, leaning over as I hug myself. “Oh my God,” I whisper.
She couldn’t stand to be here anymore. I am also really proud of her for going to her dad for help, before she took matters into her own hands…again.
Except she doesn’t remember doing it at all.
Getting a hold of my emotions, I carefully wipe my tears. Pulling out my phone from my clutch, I check my makeup and see I didn’t fuck it up too badly. I’m late for the party now, but I honestly needed to know what was happening with Cassie.
She went home early today, and Mom picked her up from school. I got a text telling me that she wouldn’t need a ride. I wonder if my mom knows more details.
I doubt she’d tell me anything though.
Taking a deep breath, I look at the setting sun and walk back inside.
“I’m heading out,” I call out as I stride through the house.
“Bye honey!” my mom yells, and I hear Mark grunt a goodbye.
Cassie is his everything, and he’s the last person I thought I’d affect with my petty actions.
Grabbing my keys, I leave for the party. The drive is fast, but as the sun goes down leaving the world in darkness, I find my mood dropping. Great, now my excitement is shot, but I still need to make an appearance.
Christy’s parents are out of town, and they told her she could have a graduation party, as long as the cops weren’t called. As her best friend, I absolutely agreed to come.
I don’t understand, I was so excited to be here before I left my house.
Maybe I’m growing a conscience.
Sighing, I step out of my car, forcing myself to smile brightly.
As I walk up the drive, Christy squeals, darting down the porch to hug me.
“We are going to have the best night ever!” she yells, and I can’t help but chuckle.
Christy quickly helps me regain some of my lost excitement, and I bounce into the house with her. People hug me and smile as they come in, and Christy and Trish pull me into dancing with them.
Hours pass, but I nurse my drink.
Having to pee, I stand from the outside patio seat I escaped to when the heat inside became too much.
“You okay?” Christy asks, looking up from where she’s making out with someone.
