CHAPTER 8

There was a parting within the crowd on the dance floor, through which Cassie weaves her way, instantly dancing faster to the loud music. She throws her head backwards and balances her hand on her hips. She can suddenly perceive the strong smell of the joint and a presence around her, so she opens her eyes to see Alex standing in front of her. She smiles at him, takes the joint from him, puffs it, passes it back and eases back into her dancing, this time aware that Alex is just beside her. She could feel him close to her and she liked how he wasn’t going anywhere.

She feels his muscular hands snap around her waist, and she tilts her head as he pulls her towards himself. He grabs her hands as she spins around letting go while he does a moonwalk. He looked like he too was enjoying the loud music. Cassie turns around, giving him her back and letting his both hands find their way around her waist as she begins a slow wind.

She spins around again and looks across to where they were sitting, to find Aaron staring at her and Alex. The corner was dimly lit and she could only see the silhouetted figure, she couldn’t tell what emotions he wore on his face, but he looked like he was enjoying the view. Cassie is pulled back into an embrace by Alex, who holds her close to him and places his forehead on hers; before she has time to process the next thought, he’s lips where on hers.

Cassie was startled by his actions, but she liked it nonetheless. Everything around her suddenly became insignificant compared to the feeling of his lips on hers. It was brief, yet mind blowing and all she wanted was more.

“Cassie” She hears Aarons voice, resounding as if he was a few yards away from her, but yet, still close enough for her ear drums to hurt.

“Cassie” his voice echoes again, this time with a reverberation, forcing her to finally open her eyes

“You good?” Aaron asks, observing her closely from where he was sitting.

She glances around quickly realizing she is still seated on the bean bag, with Aaron beside her and Alex nowhere close

“Huh? Yes, I’m good” Cassie responds sitting up, trying to figure out what had happened

“Looked like you zoned out deep” Aaron says, with a mischievous smirk on his face

“I didn’t, where’d Alex?” She asks, her eyes searching through the dancefloor and corners quickly

“Rest room, before now beer’s been a problem. It doesn’t augur well” Aarons tells her

“Oh” Cassie mutters under her breath. She takes in a deep breath and raises her head up to see Alex walking towards them.

What the hell was inside the joint Alex gave her, she wondered? was she just hallucinating? Did all of that dancing never happen? For how long had she zoned out?

“Hey! You’re awake” Alex says, taking his seat

“She zoned out really good” Aaron teases, giving her a wink

“Stop it” Cassie says, trying to not look them in the eye

They try their best to hold it in but end up bursting out laughing.

“Shit!” Aarons says, startling both Alex and Cassie

“We should leave” he emphasizes “now”

“What?!” Cassie asks, turning to face him

“It’s almost 5:30” he tells her

“Fuck me” Alex says putting down his drink and getting up

“What’s the problem?” Cassie asks, now looking entirely confused

“Our dads Cassie” Aaron says, stretching his hands to help Cassie get up

“Did what?” she asks, adjusting her dress and picking up her purse

“We’re supposed to pick them up” Alex replies

“Oh my God?” Cassie exclaims, knowing how much her dad hated waiting

Mr. Adams wasn’t known for his patience. He would moan and make a fuss whenever he was made to wait, making sure to beat the topic on multiple occasions afterwards. Cassie dreaded the days he asked her to pick him up and Brandon was the only reason she showed up on time on the few occasions. Seeing the faces on the boys right now, it didn’t look like Alexander was a fan of waiting too, the perfect couple.

“Four Cassie, four” Aaron says walking towards the exit as if he was very familiar with Roger’s palace

“Shit, we’re dead” Cassie says, following the two men closely behind, before waving at Carl who was busy flirting with a red-head at the counter.

*************************************************

After explaining to their dads why they didn’t come to pick them up, an attempt that concluded in futility, the boys ended up having to make dinner in atonement. Cassie was thrilled with the punishment they had received; it was saving her from having to prepare dinner and giving her enough time to finish the romcom series she had started a few days ago.

After a few episodes, Cassie decides to go and see what the boys had been up to, plus, she was starving. She changes into a nightrobe and a pair of leggings, before heading downstairs.

“I’m hungry” she says loudly, leaning on the kitchen door

“So are we” Aaron replies, cheerlessly. He looked like he was on the verge of a breakdown

“Poor baby” Cassie teases, trying to hold herself from bursting out laughing.

The boys hadn’t been in their room to change out of what they had on, so they were still in the earlier outfits which was now smeared with spatter from the saucing process and soiled with condiments. Alex had multiple smudge stains on his shirt, while Aaron looked like he was literally playing in the pot of food. On one hand, Alex looked like the one who still had his sanity, while, Aaron on the other hand was already losing it.

“Okay fine, everyone, move aside” Cassie commands, walking into the kitchen and taking the knife from Aaron

“Alex, you should show him how to cut the carrots, you look like you know your way around a knife. When he has a grip on it, get the pasta off the burner, it should be just cooked okay” Cassie instructs, as she takes charge of the scene.

“Yes ma’am” the boys say in unison, after a brief moment of silence.

They had never had anyone tell them what to do, except their dad and it never had anything to do in the kitchen. She had taken them by surprise and they could only agree that she looked absolutely appealing while doing it.

“Done Cassie” Aaron says, almost like a little boy telling his mom that he was done tidying his room

“Let me see” Cassie says, walking towards him, placing her hand over his hand which held the knife

“Chop it a little more, gently, so you don’t cut yourself” She directs, still holding his hand as she moved his hand and the knife together

“Got it?” she asks, raising her head to meet his eyes

She was certain their hands had stopped moving and their faces where only inches away. Time seemed to slow down temporarily as they froze

“Yeah, I got it” Aaron says, his eyes still locked with hers.