Forever and Always His

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

                                Cassandra’s Point of View

                The walls were closing in on me. Everything was coming closer and closer towards me, and I couldn’t help but feel slightly claustrophobic. My hand flew up to my chest as I began to gasp for air. I found myself unable to breathe, eyes staring down at me. I leaned my back against the wall, no longer able to support my weight. My legs were feeling wobbly under me, rough pants escaping my lips. “I should go.” I said in a voice so low, I wasn’t sure if anyone could hear me.

                Riley’s eyes casted down at me with concern, and her lips parted slightly. I knew she was going to question me, and I just wasn’t able to control the pressure that was building up inside me. I narrowed my eyes, stealing a glance over at Max, who was avoiding any eye contact with me. My heart sank to the pit of my stomach, tears threatening to spill from my eyes.

                “I really don’t need you.” Max’s words constantly replayed in my mind, only making my mental stability worsen.

                Before anyone else got to utter a word, I pushed pass Riley and Everett, making my way towards the exit. I stumbled upon a few couples making out, muttering an apology as they stared down at me with murderous glares. A hot tear finally made its way down my cheek as I pushed through the front doors. A whiff of cold air overcame me, sending shivers down my spine. I collapsed at the driveway, my knees scraping against the concrete. I ignored the stinging pain at my knees, knowing that blood was gushing out of my skin at any second now.

                “Fuck, fuck, fuck!” I repeatedly cursed, burying my face into my palms.

                I didn’t know why I ever listened to Katie and followed her demeaning scheme. It was a spur of the moment and I just had to go along with it, or else my sister’s secret would’ve been exposed. I regret it now, and I would do anything to take back hurting multiples of people. Why should I protect my sister, who hasn’t even bothered to contact me since she did a hit and run on Everett’s mother? Celeste was a coward, and she could be dead for all I know.

                “Cassandra,” a voice that I grew to love whispered, “what are you doing out here?”

                I sniffled, quickly wiping away my tears with the back of my hand. I pushed myself off the concrete, trying to balance my weight onto my two feet. My knees were burning with pain as I turned around to face Max, laughing bitterly. “Nothing!” I lied. “I was just enjoying the fireworks. New Years Day fireworks are never as good as the ones that are up on Independence Day, but its okay! I love fireworks, nevertheless!”

                I must’ve sounded like a rambling idiot, because my lips were trembling the entire time as I spoke. Some of my words came out muffled, and I was almost a hundred percent sure that Max didn’t catch anything I said.

                “Cass,” Max sighed, keeping a distance between us. My heart began to beat against my chest at the sound of his voice calling my name, “you and I- we can’t.”

                I must’ve looked like a complete idiot right there and then. My lip was quivering uncontrollably, and black tears were streaking down my face. “Why not, Max?” I asked, letting out a bitter laugh. I was a complete and utter maniac. “I said I was sorry! I’m human, aren’t I?”

                “This whole time, you were using me, Cassandra!” Max suddenly shouted. “Don’t you even wonder how big of a fucking idiot I felt when I found out that what we had wasn’t even real?”