Some Things You Can't Control

01: Forgetting And Regretting

It's not exactly a secret that James has had it in for Cassidy for a while now, which has only ever understandably complicated matters between himself and Jake.

          As the two boys continue to bicker, I push my hands in between them, placing my palm on either of their solid chests. Neither of them takes a step back to allow my intervention, causing me to groan frustratedly.

          "Cut it out," I say sternly. "This isn't the way to go about things. What's a fight going to solve?"

          "His face," Jake growls.

          "Wow, amazing comeback right there. I'm thoroughly wounded, Anderson," James says drily.

          Clearly, the point of my speech has been misunderstood.

          I sigh, directing my attention back to Jake and James. "Just quit the shit, guys. James, leave now, before it gets any worse." He doesn't budge. "I wasn't kidding."

          James holds my intense gaze for a few seconds as though contemplating whether to take my advice or not. Eventually, he sends me a small nod and proceeds to take a step back, scooping his bag up off the floor. After one last glare at Jake, he turns on his heel and leaves, his buddies Grant and Jordan falling into step with him.

          Realising that they're not going to get a show after all, the crowd surrounding the scene disperses; my friends and Cassidy's friends are the only ones to remain behind.

          Slowly, Jake turns around to face Cassidy, his shoulders slumped at a loss of what to do.

          "How could you?" Jake's voice is laced with disappointment, his green eyes seemingly unable to comprehend her participation in such an action.

          "Jake, it was all James, I swear," Cassidy tries, slowly stepping towards him and encasing his arm in her perfectly manicured fingers. "Please, you have to believe me."

          "He didn't push himself up against the lockers, Cass," Jake states blandly. Cassidy, at a loss for words, doesn't respond, staring at Jake with her wide blue eyes. "That's what I thought," Jake mutters, bending to retrieve his backpack from the floor at a painfully slow pace.

          It's clear he has taken the time to think his next words through.

          "I don't think I can do this anymore."

          "Jake, don't do this to us."

           "I didn't do this to us. You did, when you decided to kiss him."

          "He initiated it, don't you understand that?"

          "What I understand is that you made no move to stop him, and that means everything."

          Jake locks eyes with Cassidy for a few moments. His gaze is consumed by hurt; hers is budding with potential hope. Looking down at his feet, an almost-imperceptible shake of Jake's head confirms the worst as he removes her hand from his arm.

          It's written all over his face: their relationship is over and there's no going back.

          Jake backs away from Cassidy, slowly, as though preserving these last few moments in her presence. When he finally succeeds, he directs his attention to me.

          "Eden, I need to talk to you for a few moments," he says quietly, eyes darting around at the small group of familiar onlookers, "alone."