How Things Changed Forever.. PART - II

CH 34: Behind that Smile

Cassie and Laura had just wrapped up their project and had gone out for dinner at a fast food joint near her place. The place was slightly crowded than usual since it was a Sunday. They'd been fine, talking about a lot of things when Laura brought it up. "So, what do you think about Kai and Hillary?" She asked carefully, not meeting her eyes. Cassie just shrugged, not sure what she wanted her to say.

"Don't you think there's something odd about it at all? I just saw them walking side-by-side throughout the school two days ago." she pressed. "So what? They must have been discussing about the chemistry project. You know how much of a short notice this project was." she told.

Laura tsked with impatience. "Look, your boyfriend takes all six of the AP classes. He has a partner in all these classes. 

How many people's presence does he actually acknowledge in all of them? With how many of them have you actually seen him talk to besides the blade breakers? How many of them does he repeatedly bring up in conversations?

Cassie felt the tension in the air, thick and suffocating as Laura's words echoed in her mind. She knew Laura was pushing, but Cassie wasn't sure if she wanted to take the bait.

"I don't know Laura..." Cassie said, leaning back in her seat, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "Just because they were walking together doesn't mean there's something going on."

Yet as said that, Cassie felt a wave of unease sweep over her. The idea of her rival interfering in her relationship made her blood boil. 

She thought back to the time Hillary had won the state championship. The victory that should have been hers. Hillary had stolen that, just like she'd taken everything else after that.

"I trust him," she said instead, her voice shaking slightly with emotion she hadn't expected. "Kai's not like that. He's with me now. And I'm not going to let you or anyone else try to make me doubt him. I don't care what you think about Hillary or how you feel about Kai. It's not going to change how I feel about him."

Laura's smile tightened, but her voice remained calm, almost too calm. "You sure about that? Because when you're not looking, he's probably searching for his next catch. He did the same with me, why would you be any different?"

Cassie clenched her jaw, the bitterness rising in her throat. Laura had a way of twisting everything, making it sound like the whole world was against her.

"I mean it, Laura," Cassie replied, trying to steady herself. "I don't think Kai's like the others..." 

Laura leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing with a subtle edge of concern that almost felt too rehearsed. "Cassie, I know you want to believe that, but what about Hillary? You can't seriously trust her. She's always one step ahead of you, always getting what she wants, what you have. She doesn't play fair."

Cassie shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her mind running through all the times she'd felt Hillary was ahead of her. The state championship, the presidency of the Amity club, the the prefect position... it seemed like Hillary had a way of making things fall right into her lap. But still, the idea of her and Kai—she didn't want to think like that.

"I don't know... I really don't. I just don't like the way you're painting her out. Maybe she's just... trying to get along with people? Maybe she's not plotting anything at all!" She stuttered, the logic sounding weak to her ears too.

Laura let out a soft, almost pitying sigh. "I get it, Cassie. You want to believe the best in people. And maybe I'm wrong about some things. But I know girls like Hillary. I'm just looking out for you."

Cassie's heart felt heavy. She didn't want to doubt Kai, but the seeds of doubt were already taking root, and the more Laura spoke, the harder it was to ignore them.