9 Chapter Eight: Little Steps

After the hectic flood of a day's work, people were usually drawn to their comfortable beds and pillows, almost like the feathery objects were a Siren in disguise.

While most would succumb to the sweet Siren's song, Cassidy would fight tooth and nail not to follow its words. Because while others thought of their bed as a sanctuary, sometimes even a latibule, Cassidy thought of it as nothing but a broken record playing each of her worst memories on repeat.

The once Clinophile would now spend her nights busying herself with schoolwork and Youtube; only choosing to sleep on nights when her body could no longer function without rest. This was why even though for most people getting up in the morning was a challenge, for Cassidy, it seemed like a blessing.

Ironic how that changed simply due to a reappearance of the notes. For today, she didn't feel like retreating from her bed regardless of her blaring alarm.

After her recovery at the hospital, when Cassidy had come home Alexandra had insisted on watching over her at night, Cassidy's behaviourism causing the older girl slight discomfort.

Each night the teenager would thrash, turn, scream, pant, and wake up in a cold sweat, but that wasn't the worst part. No, the worst part was when she still thought she was captive due to waking up with her head against the bedsheets.

That was when she would unleash an untamed beast, memories blurring the line between the past and the present, as Cassidy screamed while she was awake. It wasn't until her sister's familiar face or her bedroom's walls came into her line of sight that Cassidy would calm down, dissolving into a pool of tears with promises not to sleep again.

Her mother had taken to telling her different quotes or phrases each time such a thing happened. The one that stuck with her the most, the one Cassidy recited in her mind each time she awoke from a nightmare, happened to be an original one her mother had impulsively said.

The greatest inspiration you can ever have is to know that you are an inspiration to others. Every day you awake and step you take is an inspiration to thousands of others, for if you can do it, so can they. I don't know your pain, Cass, but they do, and they want you to rise above it. When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive; to breathe, to smile, to enjoy, and to love. Think of what a privilege it is to be free.

Usually, Cassidy wouldn't be drawn to such a quote, but a lot had changed over the past year, her mind and preferences being no exception.

People could see it in the little things, how she chose to braid up her hair rather than leaving it open, how she would go out of her way to ignore flattering dresses and revealing clothing, and the simple decorations on her bedroom walls compared to Cassidy's previously vibrant room.

And most importantly, how she surveyed every inch of her room before she left it to accompany Alexandra in the car.

After her little flashback frenzy two days ago, Cassidy had become a little worse for wear, and if there was one person who would notice, it would be her sister. So it didn't surprise the teen much when Alexandra finally decided to interrogate her.

"Why have you been so gloomy lately?"

The sixteen-year-old opened her mouth to shrug it off as nothing, but one stern gaze from her sister sent that thought sailing out the window. That was the annoying thing about older sisters; they seemed to know what the younger going to say even before they tried to say it, and took delight in vexing the younger sibling.

"Just another flashback, I'm fine, Alex."

The sentence caused her boisterous sister to still in her seat and send her a reassuring gaze.

"At least the flashbacks aren't as frequent as they used to be."

Cassidy allowed herself a slight smirk as she gazed at the finely grazed grass and recently decked bushes of their neighbourhood, assuming she wouldn't have to mention the note.

"But I know it only affects you when the episode is particularly disturbing, and that only happens when something triggered such a memory. So you must be delirious if you think I'll accept your 'I'm fine'"

Alexandra skillfully parked her car right outside the school's gates before turning to Cassidy as she grasped her bag.

"I'm not going to push you to tell me what happened. But, I do think it's fine time you try and move on a little. I know how anxious you get the second you sense someone near you, and even though caution is welcomed, you're going to eat away at yourself if you continue."

Cassidy knew she was right, but she couldn't help the stiff nod and sour mood that came along with her sister's words. A month wasn't long enough for her to just get over everything. A sigh escaped her lips as she glanced at the looming gates of Briston High.

"I'm trying, Alex."

That made her sister sigh as she encouragingly squeezed Cassidy's palm, making both of them smile lightly.

"If you want I can try to make some time after my classes."

She persistently shook her head at Alexandra's suggestion, aware of how important her extra lessons were.

While Cassidy was a more practical person who dreamed of working as a reporter or journalist, Alexandra had started attending the performing arts college in St Briston in hopes of scoring a position at the dance institute working with music videos and movies.

It was a wishful and risky career path, but Cassidy believed in her sister's skill set, and sincerely thought Alexandra could become a famous dancer. But for that, she had to dedicate her time to college rather than Cassidy's problem.

"We can just do something this weekend."

She tried to hide it, but Cassidy caught the relieved sigh Alexandra let out as the brunette skater exited the Cadillac. Cassidy didn't mind, she understood how important college was.

"Cassidy!"

The brunette girl turned, serene blue meeting garden green.

Valerie Henson was an enigma in herself. She had smooth skin with small freckles sprinkled about like confetti. Her eyebrows curved in swooping arches over her eyes and her small button like nose complimented her mediocre forehead and blunt chin.

These features would not turn heads, or make anyone look twice; they were normal, plain even. But her eyes were another story.

They were like the stars with the way they drew you in to explore the swirling emotion held in their depths. The deep green pools were expressive, the moss green and splash of golden telling a different tale each minute. Even then, it wasn't what drew people to her.

No, her protective mama-bear personality and constant drive to look for the good in people was what made her a people magnet. Cassidy guessed that's why they got along so well the other day. She was an ambivert who oozed crackhead energy when you got to know her, and Cassidy was there every step of the way to make sure Valerie didn't hurt herself.

As the Hawaiian girl drew closer, Cassidy realised she was pulling along a brunette boy with her. He had touselled brown curls, light hazel eyes and a sharp nose, along with a dimple on his left cheek. The peculiar boy would have looked fairly cute or anime-like if it weren't for the vexatious gazes he was throwing at Valerie.

"This is Cameron Vanderbilt. A dorky guitarist who's somehow one of the best on the track team. And Cam, this is Cassidy or Cass."

They both nodded at each other before the three of them walked into the school, heading to their first class of the day.

"So, I heard you skate?"

Cassidy simply nodded, only emphasizing when he asked to do so.

"I use rollerblades, I tried the skateboard but it's not my type. What about you, which guitar do you play?"

The question seemed to brighten his smile as Cameron replied.

"Acoustic, although I have been experimenting with the classical one."

It was clear Cameron was passionate about his music, which was why Cassidy continued asking questions as they walked to form class.

She would've said the day passed by uneventfully like the past three days at school, but that would've been a lie.

It wasn't too rowdy, not even close to it. In fact, the day had gone by pretty nicely.

Cassidy had met Raina and Timothy, the other two additions to Valerie's friend circle. At first, Cassidy was hesitant to open up to everyone, but around their fifth lesson, Cameron had cracked an awful joke in the middle of the hallway that had all of them giggling through the entire class.

That was enough to have her be comfortable with her new friends, even though they would take some getting used to.

The five of them had a grand time together, someone was always cracking a joke, flirting, or arguing with a teacher. The light-hearted, laid back atmosphere made the brunette skater feel better than she had in weeks.

They all gathered together around Raina and Cameron's lockers, once again giggling over one of Valerie's pathetically corny jokes. Raina was the only one who kept quiet, sifting through her locker as the others waited for her to gather her books.

Raina was a polite Hijabi girl who adored painting and basically anything to do with art and had drawn several doodles of Cassidy during their lunch break. Much like her Raina was very invested in school and they bonded over their various interests and favourite subjects.

Timothy, on the other hand, was the complete opposite and a lot like Valerie.

With tousled blonde strands, sky blue eyes and a good build he was the epitome of a jock stereotype and lived up to the expectation. Some said you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but Timothy Dupont completely suited the cover he painted. All except for one thing; he was kinder than the cliche jock, and didn't believe in high school stereotypes or cliques.

"How about we all stay back and do the physics homework together?"

Valerie excitedly agreed to Timothy's suggestion, turning towards Cassidy for her answer.

"Sorry, but I can't."

The blondes whined at her reply, muttering how it wasn't a big deal and she could get to know them better, but Cassidy was persistent with her decision. Alex didn't like knowing about her plans last minute, so if she wanted to stay back she would have to tell her sister at least a few hours before the end of the day.

However, Cassidy couldn't help but admit she felt a little sad to leave so soon. She hadn't felt so alive and free in a long time, and subconsciously a group of friends was all she needed to feel a little better. But she wasn't the only one who could stay longer.

Raina and Cameron's parents seemed to have the same rules as Alex which allowed the three of them to get to know each other better as they awaited their rides.

"Why aren't your parents okay with it?"

Cameron shrugged at her question, simply stating they were a little strict. Raina, on the other hand, seemed to have other reasons.

"They have something planned."

The kind Hijabi seemed slightly awkward after her reply and rushed to her mother's car as soon as it entered the parking lot.

Cameron smiled awkwardly at Cassidy, quickly changing the subject until his driver arrived. As soon as his driver pulled up to the door Cassidy realised she had forgotten her library book in her locker and had to make a mad dash to retrieve it.

As she grabbed onto her book, a piece of paper with a familiar black border fell out, its surface completely blank save for a neat sentence written onto it.

Rosemary Park, 9 pm.

Her decision was clear and certain the second she read the note. If he wanted to meet her at any point, he would've done so during the first round. It was a trap, and she wasn't going to fall for it so easily. She knew he wouldn't cause any severe damage for her defiance. He liked to play his games, and she was his favourite victim.

The playground pieces scattered around the west side of the park softly creaked and moved along with the wind, all except the swing. It didn't move due to the slight momentum provided by the chilly night wind, it moved due to the weight of its inhabitant.

Suddenly, an iron-tipped boot struck the ground directly in front of the slide set, a tall figure clutching a sledgehammer following after it. The teenage boy occupying the swing glanced up at him, his hand releasing a silver chain with an upside-down cross with a blue crystal embedded into the centre.

"Did you really think she would show up?"

The blonde boy seemed confused at his question, abandoning the hammer to face his companion.

"Isn't she supposed to be scared of you?"

The brunette boy shook his head, standing up and stretching out.

"The girl's got a backbone and a brain, she isn't just going to come crawling at our whim when we've never asked her to do so before."

While he wasn't satisfied with the reply, the blonde boy just nodded and lifted his hammer before returning to his car, waiting for his companion to come in before replying.

"She has to be more than just smart to jump the next obstacle."