Cassie reached into her notebook, pulling out the notes she had made a long time ago on the homecoming dance. It was a poor excuse, but she didn’t care, she was tired of hiding from these girls, tired of slinking through the halls like a leper. She handed the notes to Marcy, meeting her gaze head on.

“You asked me for these.”

Marcy took them from her, barely glancing at them. “That was a long time ago, things have changed since then.”

Cassie forced herself to smile at the small girl, trying hard to keep her temper in check. “I am well aware of that Marcy, but I am still on the homecoming committee.”

Marcy’s mouth parted, her eyes widened in fear as she glanced rapidly at the other girls. “Well uh, you know Cass…” Kara started awkwardly.

“You haven’t been to any meetings in the past two weeks,” Marcy interrupted hotly.

“I’ve been busy, but I’ll make sure to attend the next one. It’s today right?”

“You can’t be serious!” Marcy exploded, her leaf colored eyes narrowing fiercely.

“Oh, I’m very serious. You said yourself Marcy that I do have the best ideas, and we do want our senior year to be the very best dance that it can be.”

Marcy gaped at her like she had sprouted another head. “But…”

“It will be fun; we can catch up on all the gossip. It’s been so long, I can’t wait to find out what’s new and exciting in your lives.”

They shifted uncomfortably; everyone except for Marcy appeared slightly ashamed. Marcy looked like the top of her head was going to blow off. Her face had turned magenta, her eyes were narrowed fiercely. If they hadn’t been standing in the midst of a crowded hallway, Cassie was certain that Marcy would have launched at her.

Cassie grinned back at her, savoring in her anger. It was nice to have the tables finally turn, if even a little. She would never regain her social standing in the school, nor did she want too, but she was damn tired of skulking around. And she was damn tired of all the whispering.

Maybe if she confronted them head on they would back off. Yeah right, and pigs would fly, she thought with a sigh. But at least she was making a stand; she was sticking up for herself in some way. It was a small jab, but it was a jab.

Even before Marcy’s gaze darted behind her, and her eyes widened as lust blazed forth in them, Cassie knew that Devon had arrived. Her body had become so attuned to his, so in sync that she would know him anywhere, find him anywhere. She could feel the anger radiating from him, the protective urge that encompassed him as he moved across the hall. His hand landed on her shoulder, seeking to give her comfort.

“What’s going on?” he asked quietly, his voice nearly a growl.

“We were just discussing plans for the homecoming dance.”

Devon’s eyebrows drew sharply together as he glanced questioningly around the group. “Really?”

“Yes, there’s a meeting today, and since I haven’t gone to one in awhile I thought it would be a good idea to attend.”

He stared at her in disbelief. “Really?”

Cassie smiled at him, pressing closer to his side. Confusion radiated from him, but he didn’t say anything more. “So I will see you later,” Cassie said softly, keeping her false grin plastered to her face.

It was obvious that Marcy wanted to argue this point, but with Devon present she wasn’t going to say a word. Turning to Devon, Cassie slipped her hand into his, keeping her smile plastered on as she pulled him gently away. “What are you doing?” he asked quietly.

She waited till they turned the corner before her shoulders slumped and she relaxed against him. “I don’t know,” she admitted, confused as to what she had just done. She should have remained slinking through the hallways, trying to stay hidden, though it was impossible. Now she was afraid she may have just poked the bear. “I really don’t know.”

He heaved a sigh as he slid his arm around her shoulders, pulling her against him. “Are you really going to this thing?”

Taking a deep breath, she nodded as she bit nervously on her bottom lip. Though she had jumped before looking, she was committed now, and she intended to stay that way. Turning another corner Dani, Melissa, and Chris came into view by the cafeteria doors. “I am. It will be ok,” she muttered.

Devon quirked an eyebrow, a small smile twitched at his lips, but his eyes were still clouded with worry. “I suppose.”

***

Devon stood outside the door, leaning casually against the wall as he studied the slowly ticking clock. Though Cassie had told him to stay away, that she wanted to do this on her own, he was not going far from her. He couldn’t bring himself to; even through the thick double doors he could feel her distress and anxiety. He didn’t know why she had insisted upon this, but she was determined to go through with it, and there was no stopping her.

Shifting slightly he shot a look at the group of freshmen boys that scurried past, eyeing him wearily. He quirked an eyebrow, but paid them little attention otherwise. Chris came strolling around the corner, a towel tossed over his shoulder, his hair still wet from his shower. He was whistling as he walked, but tension hummed through him.

“How was practice?”

His whistling died off as he shrugged, pulling the towel from his shoulder. “Be glad when the football season’s over.”

Devon nodded, his attention turned back to the closed doors when Cassie’s anxiety clicked up a notch. He desperately wanted to go in there and pull her out. She would be infuriated with him though, and she was having a rough enough time without him adding to it. Chris studied the closed doors behind him as Devon shifted, his agitation growing. He was growing to hate the bitchy, cruel girls in this school. And he was not too fond of the lust filled, envious boys either that were annoyed she hadn’t chosen them.

“Not going well?” Chris rested his hand against the wall as he studied the closed doors.

“No.”

“I can’t believe she insisted on this.”

“I can.”

Chris snorted softly. “True. They almost done in their superears?”

Devon shot him a disgruntled look that Chris easily ignored. He turned his attention back to the room, trying to ignore the waves of distress pouring from Cassie. He couldn’t concentrate on what was being said if he didn’t block her emotions out. They were talking about decorations, debating whether or not to go with the crystal disco ball. Devon was hoping they decided against the ball, as Marcy declared that it was a necessity.

“I don’t know,” he answered Chris. “They’re discussing disco balls right now.”

Chris groaned as he rolled his eyes. “I hate those stupid things, they’re blinding.”

“Tell me about it.”

Chris grinned at him, using his fingers to bounce himself slightly off the wall. “Yeah they bother Cassie a lot too, give her headaches. She has to wear sunglasses around them most of the time.”

Devon frowned, withdrawing almost completely from the monotonous conversation within. Chris’s words had his attention far more than what color to use for the tablecloths. “She does?”

Chris nodded as he continued to bounce. “Yeah, the bright light hurts her eyes.”

Devon dropped his head, rubbing the bridge of his nose. There was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that he couldn’t shake. “How good is her eyesight?” he asked softly.

Chris shrugged negligently. “Don’t really know it’s definitely better than perfect, far better than anyone I’ve ever met before.” Chris eyed him for a moment, his eyes narrowed as he tilted his head. “Except maybe for you.”

Devon nodded, but he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something was wrong. That something was not quite right. That there was something about Cassie they were all missing. “I see.”

Chris stopped bouncing off the wall. “What’s wrong?”

Devon shook his head, stepping away from the wall as the conversation inside turned to dresses. Cassie’s boredom beat against him; he took that as his leave to rescue her. “I’ll be back.”

“Want me to come with you; those girls are like a bunch of leeches with you around.” Devon couldn’t help but grin at him. The kid had gotten on his nerves for a little while, but he was truly beginning to grow on him now. “Plus you might need some help with Cassie, she can’t be mad at both of us.”

“You would like to think.”

Chris chuckled softly as he wrapped the towel around the back of his neck, grasping both sides and pulling on it. “Lead the way.”

Devon pushed the doors open, stepping into the dimly lit gym. The group of girls was gathered at the far end, their heads bent close together, a pile of papers scattered amongst them. Cassie stood off to the side, leaning against the wall. Her head was bowed; her golden hair cascaded in front of her in thick waves. She lifted her head slightly when the door opened; her eyes were bright even in the darkened room. Relief radiated from her as she took a small step away from the wall.

Soft laughter drifted in the air as Marcy waved her hands in a wide arch. Bending down, Cassie grabbed hold of her bag, swinging it easily over her shoulder. The conversation stopped as their attention turned briefly to her before their heads snapped toward Devon and Chris. There was a collective inhalation of breaths.

Devon paid them no mind as he strolled past, eager to get to Cassie. He craved her touch like a man in the desert craved water. She reached for him, a sigh of relief and joy escaping her as his hand slid easily into hers. He saw no anger in her amused, twinkling gaze. Only love radiated from her as she stood on tiptoe to kiss him gently.

“I thought you could use a rescue.”

“I could,” she said softly. “It took you long enough to get in here.”

He grinned at her, brushing her hair gently back from her exquisite face. His fingers lingered on her silken cheek, caressing it gently as she turned into his touch. He pulled her closer, kissing her forehead lightly as he fought against all of the urges that sprang forth in him. He wanted to kiss her deeper, longer, forever. At the same time he wanted to sink his teeth into her elegant neck and devour her sweet blood.

He shuddered slightly, his hand tightening upon her. Though he knew he would never conquer his fierce need for her, he had hoped that it would not be as intense all the time. Just once, he would like to hold her, and know what it was like to savor in the touch and feel of her, without having to fight with himself.

Sighing softly, he pulled reluctantly away, gently rubbing the back of her neck. She gazed sadly up at him from under her thick lashes. Sometimes he wished that she didn’t understand him as well as she did. He knew that she saw into his soul, saw his need, and ached for his sadness and unending hunger. He wished that he could keep it hidden from her; he didn’t want her to shoulder any of his burdens.

But she did know him that well, and though he tried his hardest, he could not keep his burdens from her.

“Let’s go,” he said softly, eager to get her out of here and take her somewhere that she felt safe and sheltered. Somewhere that people could not hurt her any further.

“I’ll see you guys Thursday,” she called to the silent group.

Marcy’s mouth dropped, strange sputtering noises escaped her. “You can’t be serious!?” she squawked, shocked into letting her resentment of Cassie show in front of him.

“Completely.”

Devon shot Marcy a dark look as she continued to gape, those strange noises still escaping her. “But we don’t need any more help.”

Cassie grinned at her. “After the ideas I heard today, I would say you do.”

There was a collective inhalation of breaths. Cassie turned away, anger flashing across her delicate features. Pride bloomed through Devon as he pulled her closer, kissing the top of her head lightly.

CHAPTER 13

Cassie spent the next couple of weeks dragging herself to the homecoming meetings. She remained standing on the outside, any ideas she offered were immediately shot down. She had not expected any of them to be accepted, and she had not expected to be accepted once more, but she couldn’t stop herself from going and taking the abuse three times a week.

Her reception got colder every time she went, the iciness at school grew, but she continued to forge on. Continued to try and ignore it. Having Devon by her side was the only thing that kept her consistently going. Without him, she wasn’t even sure that she would be able to drag herself out of bed in the morning. Let alone drag herself into the school that despised her.

It was taking a toll on her, beating her down. She was tired all the time, but she had not backed down. She couldn’t.

“You look beautiful.”