The stars that had been twinkling before now seemed like they were laughing at me. The nice breeze now seemed cold. The night sky seemed darker and drearier.
I should have known. I thought he was just nice, talking to me and inviting me to hang out with his group. But I had been wrong. Cassie was right. Why would he go for someone like me?
“She’d better be glad I didn’t pound her either,” Carmen added. “Well, I feel like leaving, what about you? Let’s get back to the hotel.”
“I want to talk to Brian first,” I said. “Maybe… I mean, Cassie lied before…”
Carmen looked at me.
“I know, wishful thinking. But still, I don’t want another misunderstanding that could cost me everything with Brian…” my stomach hurt just thinking about the chance that Cassie might be right. I had seen the looks on their faces.
“All right, come on,” Carmen agreed. Her anger fading away and her sensible side reappearing.
~Brian’s point of view~
“So the bet’s true?” Michelle asked, looking at Nick. Her expression sought for him to tell her no. But he just nodded. Looking guilty.
“Cassie, how could you?” I yelled. “You don’t even know what you’re talking about…”
“What? You didn’t have a bet that involved Carmen and August? They had a right to know,” Cassie said. “Besides, now neither of you have to fight over everything anymore, we can forget about the pawns and get back to our group. The park’s still open for a little while longer, lets…”
“What? August wasn’t a pawn! You were just jealous and wanted to get back at her,” I screamed at her.
Cassie looked past me and suddenly her expression changed. “You’re right. Look, I’m sorry. I guess I misunderstood you.”
Suddenly, her hands were around my neck and she pulled my face towards hers. Before I knew it, she was kissing me. My mind swirled with thoughts. Outrage, sadness for August…. I pulled back as soon as the shock wore off.
I looked at her questioningly, my face red with anger. She just pointed over my shoulder.
When I looked I saw Carmen standing shocked. And August standing hurt. Her eyes filling with water. She just stood there, our gazes on each other. She was in disbelief, too. I felt like my heart was ripping in half. Ripping slowly, just to give me more pain.
She looked like that was happening to her, too, which just made my pain increase.
“August,” I called again, she turned and started walking away. Carmen following her. They were heading for the entrance.
I wanted to punch Cassie right then. I know some people say it isn’t right to hit a girl. But that’s discriminatory. Anyone who could be so cruel as Cassie had revealed herself to me deserved it.
But I didn’t have time. I had to rush after August. She had already been swallowed by the crowd. I rushed over, having a hard time getting past a group of kids. The park was closing soon, and a lot of people were trying to beat the crowd out.
And all the people trying to beat the crowd were causing a crowd. I was getting discouraged when I saw the back of her head. I started running as she neared the gate.
I managed to follow her all the way to the monorail, my heart pounding in my chest. ‘Once we’re on it, she’ll have to talk to me. She won’t be able to leave the compartment until the monorail reaches the next stop.’
I ran up into the station, seeing her get on the train. I was getting nearer when someone stopped me.
“You’ll have to wait until it comes around again,” the employee informed me.
I ignored him and ran towards where she had gotten on. That’s when the doors automatically closed.
I stood facing her. So close, yet so far away. I watched as the monorail left the station. Even though she was out of eye sight, I could still see the expression that had been on her face when she had seen Cassie kiss me. It was etched in my mind, and I didn’t have an eraser.
I had said that if anything had tried to hurt her, I’d do whatever it took to protect her.
I didn’t know that that something would be me.
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Twenty
Drowning
Frick's Fairytales