Don't Call Me Cass

Chapter 2

 

 

 

We caught a flight at the butt crack of dawn the next morning. After I had cried into my parents embrace and told them in as few words as I could that Jason and I were over, they let me go to my room to grieve in silence. I stayed wrapped up in my covers, replaying the last year and a half in my head. After the first three months, it wasn't as great as I had thought it to be in my head. I was constantly having to check with Jason for everything; May I go to the game this weekend, can I cut my hair, may I see a movie with Rachel? I had wrapped my brain around this silly idea that I was happy being treated like s**t. Staring at my suitcases I was suddenly glad to get away. It was time I figure out who I really was. I had no idea and everything in my room screamed Jason. I went to sleep that night, eager to arrive in Bodega Bay come tomorrow.

My head bounced lightly against the backseat window of our rental car. My eyes were shut and I was in a foggy in between. I had one ear bud from my iPod stuck in my ear while the other listened to the excited chatters from my parents.

"Oh isn't it beautiful? Smell the air, it's so clean..." I knew my mother had her nose out the window like a dog, minus the flapping, slobbery lips; so I hoped.

"Cassy, darling, we're here." My father reached back and shook my knee. I pretend to wake from a deep sleep, stretching and peering around me. I took in the tiny house, paint peeling from the window panes and door. The garage door was wooden and folded up in once piece as my father inched the car closer. I took in the view from car. You could see the beach, the very gloomy, rocky beach. There were a few kids running towards a receding wave then screeching as it came back towards them. They continued this game as my family unpacked, the squeals and laughs echoing upwards.

"You can go pick you're room honey, your father and I will finish unpacking the car." My mother handed me my make-up kit smiling at me so delicately as if I'd just been told I had terminal cancer. I might as well take advantage of her codling. I walked into the house and a musty smell hit my nose, causing it to curl up as I sneezed. I entered a gloomy, deep purple room. The bed was plain white sheets and there was a chair in the corner. I could see the waves crashing just above the window sill. I sat on the bed and pulled out my cell phone. Two whole stinking bars of service. Even if I did want to contact someone, it looks as if I'd be texting. I rummaged through my purse and pulled out a pack of gum. A small, crumpled piece of paper fell to the bed. I grabbed it, observing the neat scribbles inside.

Austin 255-8333

I flipped my phone open and punched in the number. My thumb hesitated over the send button before I snapped it shut. I flopped back on my bed just as my mother walked in.

"You want to take a nap sweetie?" I gave the the thumbs up and curled up, facing away from her. I heard the door shut behind her and I flipped open my phone again. This time I typed out a text message
Hey. It's the girl from Pete's Pizza.
I stared at the words for a split second before clearing each word. I tried again.
Hey Stalker, you said if I needed you that you were just a call away
No, he'd probably ask why I wasn't calling. I didn't want to delve straight into my personal life so soon.
Hey Austin, it's Cassidy from Pete's Pizza. What's up?
Quick, to the point and not needy. I hit send. My heart pounded expectantly, waiting for my phone to vibrate. I tapped my fingers on the bed. I flipped my phone open, just in case. I threw my head into the pillow. What was wrong with me? Why was I so nervous over a text message? My thoughts ran around in my head and my whole body jolted when my phone started to vibrate. I flipped it open.
Hey! I was hoping you'd call...or text. I just got off work. What about you?
Uh-oh. Should I tell him where I was? Explain why I was here? I might as well get to the point, before he asks...

I typed out the longest text message I ever had. My thumbs were actually sore and had started to cramp a few times. I waited around 10min before he text back.

Wow. I'm sorry, that really sucks. But you know, Jason is a jerk and you do deserve better. I hope the beach is nice at least.

I laughed. Hardly, it's dark, gloomy and the water looks cold and uninviting. & I'm not so sure I deserve better. W/e

Cass, get real. I've watched you at Pete's. You're nice to everyone. Sarcastic and brutally honest but nice.

I sighed. he sure was insistent. Don't call me Cass. I hate that, makes me sound like the fish's cousin.

K, but I still like Cass. Ne-way, you wanna go out sometime? When Ur home I mean?

My eyelids were glued to my eyebrows. He was ballsy too. My thumbs hesitated over the keys. I was cursing on the inside, the answer should be no. Who ever dates their stalker?

Cass?

I punched back Sure before I could let myself re-think. My mom knocked on my door and softly let me know that we would be going out to dinner in a few. Austin, I gotta go to dinner. I'll text you later.

Alright, I'll wait for you Cass

Don't call me Cass.

Cass:)

I stomped my foot in frustration as I got off the bed to get dressed. What an impossible boy. But I liked him, he didn't seem to care what others thought. I had just remembered I'd seen him before, around school or around Pete's. He never was with any friends, always listening to music or writing. I thought of the way his hair fell into his eyes when he leaned over his notebook...whoa, wait. Where'd that image come from? I guess I had paid more attention to him than I realized.

My parents and I went out to a nice place called The Tides. The food was delicious and the view was alright, even in the foggy gloom that had rolled in. My parents did most of the talking while I sat lost in thinking up times I had seen Austin. If I thought hard enough, I could place him in almost every scene. Somewhere, always part of the background yet there. I'd wondered if he always had lived in the background why he was stepping forward, claiming part of the stage light and letting himself be known to me. And why me? Was I approachable? I know I didn't appear to be to most people, I tend to scare them off with my glares and sarcastic remarks. Yet he seemed to ignore those. The more I thought about Austin the more I became frustrated, mainly because I wanted to know him more.

Reviews

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I like the interplay between Austin and "Cass". Her not liking that nick name, yet at the same time feeling kinda flattered by it.
I think that at this point...a little more discription about the parents and what's going on with them, while this is all happening would be good. I felt that their actions kinda got left out.

The last couple of paragraphs, while Cass is pondering this Austin character.... It felt kinda rushed. I might suggest lengthening it a bit....really looking into Cass' emotions and thoughts about this new person and what if any lingering feelings on her ex are.

Just my opinions...*smiles*

Keep up the good work!

Tara M Stone