***
When Cassie entered her homeroom, she was met with the same stares Skye had encountered. She walked up to the teacher and handed her the paperwork she received from the office.
“Sorry I’m late. I’m Cassie Evans.”
“Oh, Cassie, that’s okay, it’s your first day. I know it’s hard to find your way in a new school. I’m so glad you came to join us. My name is Miss Sweet.” She then turned to the class and announced, “Everyone, I want you to meet Cassie Evans. She’s a new student at P’ville and I want you to make her feel welcome.”
“She’s welcome to sit by me,” commented a boy in the back of the room, as everyone laughed.
“Okay, class . . . that’s enough!” Miss Sweet said, as she clapped her hands a few times. “Please find an empty desk, Cassie. Any one will do.”
Cassie smiled as she walked up to an empty desk. Back in the corner of the room, she couldn’t help but notice Marabelle Fludge. Marabelle had a wicked smile on her face and Cassie now felt the famous cold chill run up her own back. She sat down, and as she placed her binder and notebook on the desk, her purse fell off her shoulder and onto the floor. The boy sitting next to her picked it up and handed it to her.
“Thanks,” said Cassie, as she surveyed his face. He was nice looking, but not remarkably handsome. He had a mop of ruffled, dark blond hair and his brown eyes peeked out through wire framed glasses. He was neatly dressed, but had the scattering of a two-day old beard on his chin.
“You’re welcome, Cassie,” he said with a broad smile. “My name’s Carston.”
“Oh,” was all she could manage. Cassie sat up straight and tried to listen to Miss Sweet, who was reading out the announcements for the day. She could feel the eyes of all the kids studying her and she prayed for the first bell.
Carston was softly singing Chapel of Love, as the bell went off, ending homeroom. Cassie looked up at him, as he stood next to her desk.
“So, you must have been at the picnic.” Cassie laughed as she stood up. “I don’t remember seeing you there.”
“Oh, I’m not surprised . . . but, yes, I was there. You were a little preoccupied with Christopher and Joshua, vying for your attention. I’ve never seen such obsequious behavior. It really bothers me they’re already branding you as their personal property and future conquests.”
“Yeah . . . well . . . thanks,” Cassie was stumbling for something to say, a little mystified by this strange, yet curious boy. “I don’t know anything about this school, but my first class is Science. Do you know where Room 125 is?”
“Of course, I do. May I show you the way?”
“Sure, but you’ll have to promise not to sing,” Cassie laughed, “I’m the one who’s supposed to be drawing all the attention around here.”
Carston smiled. “Yeah, I did notice that. But I’m afraid you’re in for a rather tempestuous day.”
“Yeah, I think your right,” Cassie paused. “That’s quite a vocabulary you’ve got there, but I’m not always sure what you’re talking about.”
“Sorry . . . I guess I’m not winning any points, trying to impress you with my intellect.”
“That’s okay. I like intelligent men. It’s nice to have someone realize I may truly have a brain for a change.”
They walked down the hallway, amid whispering girls and envious boys. Carston Forrester was his name and he had moved to Parkerville with his family a few years before. His father had been contracted for a special project. They talked about how beautiful the town was and how crazy the rules seemed to be.
“I guess I’m just a romantic, Cassie, but I feel that a man and woman should be in love before they decide to marry. This whole concept of catching a woman off-guard and claiming her as his bride really disturbs me. Where’s the romance in that?”
“Well, I’m all for romance,” she said with a nervous giggle, “but I have my heart set on college and a career in medicine. What about you?”
“I’m not sure, but my parents have their hearts set on Harvard, Yale, or M.I.T.” He gave a little laugh. “My dad’s a bio-chemist and they’d prefer I follow in his footsteps, but I don’t know, my first love is literature.”
“Carston, you really are a romantic and I have a feeling you’ll end up following your own heart.”
They finally arrived at Room 125 and Carston bid Cassie adieu. She stood and watched him walk away, smiling to herself.
***
The morning went pretty smoothly for both girls, and when the lunch bell rang, Skye hurried to the cafeteria to see if Cassie had first lunch, too. Her heart leaped when she saw Cassie waving to her from across the room.
“Cassie, oh I'm so glad we have the same lunch.” Skye placed her new books on the table and breathlessly sat down.
“Not as glad as I am. I was praying you would. I don’t know a soul in this place.”
“Oh, I need to save a place for Carol Jean. You don't mind, do you, Cassie?”
“Not at all, any friend of yours is a friend of mine."
Other girls from Skye and Cassie's classes joined them and they all became friends. Little did they know the Royals, who sat at their own private table on the other side of the room, were taking it all in and they weren’t very happy. Linda Williams, the leader of the group, called for a private meeting at the Parker House after school.
Carol Jean finally showed up a little late. Marabelle had cornered her on the way to the lunchroom and interrogated her about Skye and Todd. Carol Jean said Skye was a very private person and hadn’t shared anything with her. Marabelle didn't believe her, but Carol Jean was able to duck out from under Marabelle’s arm against the wall. She then headed for the lunchroom. Marabelle just glared after her and yelled, "I’ll talk to you later, C.J.!"
By the time she came into the cafeteria, it looked as if there was no room for her at the table with Skye and Cassie. She started to look around for a place to sit, when she saw Skye motioning to her. She was so relieved to see Skye had saved her a place. She put on a big smile and headed over to what would turn into the most popular table in the lunchroom.
***
The rest of the day went well, and by the time classes were over, Skye and Cassie had made their mark on Parkerville High.
Skye waved goodbye to Cassie at the fountain and they promised to call one another later. Skye and Carol Jean continued on home, laughing and chatting, oblivious to the boys who followed them most of the way.
They walked quietly by Todd’s house, but no one was in sight. Carol Jean could tell Skye was disappointed, but as they neared Skye's house, disappointment turned to dread when Skye recognized the truck in her aunt's driveway.
There he was, sitting on the top step of the porch, his face beaming as soon as he saw Skye.
“Is that who I think it is? Is that Mac?” Carol Jean asked, wide-eyed.
“Yep, that's him. And he’s not supposed to be here!”
Mac looked guilty as he stared down at his shoes.
“Skye, you've got quite a few guys after you, and you’re what . . . miserable about it? I don't get it. I just don't get it.” Carol Jean shook her head. She smiled at Mac, waved, and continued across to her own yard.
“Now, Skye,” Mac said trying to sound innocent, “you know I couldn't go another day without seeing you. Why it's been a whole five days . . . almost a week!”
Skye, seeming to lose all energy, heaved a huge sigh and walked up the walkway toward Mac. She reached the top step and he kissed her. There was no response from Skye, as she took it like it was punishment.
They both turned and walked over to the glider, to sit down and talk.
The Secrets of Parkerville Series - Book 1 - Chased Hearts Page 8
