Behind The Mask

Ch. 2

Blake's P.O.V

The ride home was boring. I had to take the bus since Josh was at football practice, so he wouldn't be able to give me a ride home for a while. But later in the school year we will both be in baseball together. Now that was my sport! I also liked soccer but I have always been a baseball player and fan. Even before I came to this foster home.

I walked inside the house and went into the kitchen to grab a snack. I grabbed a green apple and headed toward my room. I took a bite out of my apple and heard little foot steps coming toward my room.

"Hi Blake!" Cassie says behind the door. She comes into by room and sits in my desk chair.

"Hi Cassie. How was your first day of first grade?"

"Fine." She swings her legs back and fourth.

"Well, maybe tomorrow will be more interesting."

"It better!" She says with a giggle.

"I'm going to go downstairs now!" She says and hops off the chair and heads out if the room. She is truly a strange child, but she is a lot of fun.

I sit in the chair and take out my homework. It doesn't take too long thankfully because it was only the first day. I was going to work on Real World Solutions' homework but I didn't want to think about the past. I started to go deep in thought, thinking about my partner, Olivia. Her hazel green eyes captivated me.

How did she do that? I thought to myself.

When I was around others, I would wear a fake ego. I was still quiet and shy, but when I would talk to someone, I pretended to have this ego. I know, very confusing and contradicting, but it has always been a struggle to find my true self. An inner battle that no matter what, I always seemed to lose.

See! She is doing it again! Even the thought of her made her break down my mental wall.

Next thing I know, I hear those small footsteps running into my room. She comes in crying, running toward my arms.

"Cassie, what's wrong?!?" I ask her, protectively.

"He...he..."

"Who?"

"Frank! He is mad again and was yelling at me. He was saying things about my mommy and daddy." She is now fully crying her eyes out. Frank is the owner of the foster home. Him and his wife owned it together actually, but when she left him for someone else, he lost it. He started drinking every once in a while, to drown out his sorrow. I felt bad for him, with his wife leaving him and all, but he had no right to get drunk and yell at Cassie. Especially about her parents.

I heard that Cassie's dad wanted her mom to abort her, but Cassie's mom denied that she abort her child. She then left Cassie's dad. After Cassie was born, her mom realized that she wouldn't be able to fund for or take care of a child. I remember Cassie's mom walking in with tears in her eyes, but not once did she let one shed. She said goodbye to baby Cassie and left. I guess she thought it was just best. I believe that she couldn't have been more wrong.

"Cassie, stay here. I will take care of it."

I set her on the bed and walk out of the room. I go down the stairs and turn to go into the living room. I walk in and see Frank sitting on the couch. He seems....lost. Although, I don't want to provoke him if he is still mad. I step closer to the couch.

"Frank?"

He is still out of it. He doesn't even bother to look at me. I call him out once again.

"Frank."

He turns toward me. I can tell he has been crying.

"Yes?..."