~Chapter 3~

~Chapter 3~

    Casandra walked along with an uncomfortable nagging in her chest. She hadn’t really been fair to Mark, and she felt horrible about it. Yet at the same time she really didn’t feel like she had any other options. She had her own agenda, and that meant no time for anything else.
    “You look sad.”
    “Mark what don’t you get about leave me alone?” Casandra turned and her voice stuck in her throat.
    The guy smirked and let out a small laugh. “Stalker ex-boyfriend?”
    “No,” She finally managed to say.
    “So that means you’re single?”
    “Are you hitting on me?” Casandra asked the stranger in disbelief and annoyance.
    “Well you are beautiful.”
    “Back off.”
    “Aw, come on now, loosen up. Like I said, you looked sad. I’m just trying to make you smile,” He said with honesty ringing through his voice.
    “I don’t smile. Who the hell are you?”
    “The name’s Alic,” he replied. “and you are?”
    “Casandra.”
    “Well encantada Casandra,” Alic said giving a small bow.
    She looked at him confused. “What?”
    He laughed. “I said I was delighted to meet you Casandra.”
    “The feeling isn’t mutual.”
    “Well that’s not very nice.”
    “Oh well.”
    Alic raised an eyebrow in question. “Just why exactly are you being so rude?”
    “Because you’re some random freak that came out of nowhere, at night I might add, and started talking to me.”
    “Well I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t ask you out for a drink,” He said winking at her.
    “Even if you did, I wouldn’t be able to accept. I’m not of legal age.” Casandra said, turning around and started walking off.
    Quickly Alic was by her side and easily matched her pace. “Does that mean if you could, you would accept?”
    “Not a chance.”
    After walking silently for a few minutes Alic stopped. “So tell me Casandra. Do you truly hate me, when you don’t even know me?”
    She stopped and looked him in the eye. “I never said that.”
    “You indicate it.”
    “So sue me,” Casandra muttered weakly in her defense 
    “Are you like this to everyone?”
    “You ask to many questions.”
    “I’m curious.”
    “It’s of no concern to you.”
    “Just answer the question Casandra,” Alic said, his voice sounding aggravated.
    “If you really must know, then yes. I’m like this to everyone.”
    “So it’s not just me then. That’s good to know.”
    “Alic, why would it matter to you if I hated you or not? It’s not like we’re ever going to talk again.”
    He met her gaze and said seriously, “I would like to.”
    “Well I don’t think tha-” she immediately stopped talking and shock filled her face.
    “Casandra?” Alic’s face look worried.
    “Your eyes. They’re red.”
    “Contacts.”
    “What?”
    “Relax, they’re just contacts. All of my friends have the same ones.”
    Casandra shuddered involuntarily .
    “What’s wrong? Are you cold?” When she didn’t answer he shrugged out of his coat and draped it over his shoulders. “Casandra?”
    “No. It’s nothing.” She finally said quietly.
    “I don’t believe that.”
    “I just really hate red eyes.”
    “Why’s that?” He asked.
    She took a rugged breath. “Now that’s really none of your business.”
    Alic still looked curious but kept his questions to himself. Instead he reached into his pants pocket, pulled out two slips of paper, and handed one to her. “Here.”
    Casandra looked down and the slip in her hand. “What’s this?”
    “One ticket of admishion for a Halloween party. A place to dress up, dance, party and just have fun.”
    “I can’t accept this.” She started to hand it back.
    “Please Casandra. I want to see you again.”
    “But-”
    He held up his hand to silence her. “It’s all I ask. Now I’m sorry, but I really must be going. It’s late, and I’m hungry and I highly doubt you would like to join me for dinner. I will be thrilled to see you at the party, but if you don’t come, I suppose I will understand.” With that he turned around and disappeared into the darkness.
    “Wait,” she muttered feebly, but he was already gone. She shook her head and looked at the small slip of paper again. Alic was a very weird guy. Did she trust him enough to go to this party? The real answer was no, she didn’t. Yet at the same time there was something about him that made her curious. She had mildly enjoyed talking to him.
    Suddenly Casandra didn’t want to be alone. Making up her mind she took a deep breath and turned in the direction of the field she was in earlier that day and set off at a jog.