Chapter3

Alexander paid for their crepes and was about to go back to where Cassiopeia was, when he saw her fall. There are a few things that scares him, and one of them is seeing Cassiopeia unconscious. He dropped the food as he run towards her, his heart beating loudly with every step he takes.

As soon as he had gone to her, some people have already gathered around them. “Cass… Cassiopeia. Love! Wake up!” he pats her face softly hoping she would just wake up. Someone walked towards them and started checking on Cass. When the woman started checking for her pulse, Alexander pulls her away from the stranger.

“I’m a nurse don’t worry. How about we take her somewhere less crowded where she can lie down.” He didn’t know if he should follow her orders, but Alexander lead her to Cass’s house and lay her on the bed who’s still unconscious. The woman checked her body to see what’s wrong with her. “Is she sick?” the nurse asked without looking at him as she continued to check up on her.

“Yea” Alexander trailed off not really trusting her, she could be a murderer.

“May I know her illness?” he contemplated whether to trust her or not, as he didn’t answer, the woman stopped what she’s doing and looked at him straight in the eyes. “I’m here to help your… girlfriend, okay? So, if you want her to wake up, you need to cooperate with me. Now, may I ask again what’s her illness?” the nurse said getting a little irritated. She doesn’t even know what’s gotten into her for helping them, maybe this could be a trap to lure her and steal.

He raised an eyebrow at her attitude, “How will I know you’re not some crazy murderer or what.” She closed her eyes and pursed her lips, getting pissed at him for treating her like this.

“My name is Jane, and I’m a nurse at the community hospital, and if I am a murderer, like what you’ve said, I should have killed you the moment you’ve welcomed me in this house. Do you want my help or not? cause I’m a very busy person, I don’t have all day for this.”

Alexander huffed giving up, “She has a heart cancer”

She seemed to stop for a second and looked at him, “Why are you telling me this just now?” He pretended he didn’t hear her and looked at Cass’s sleeping form. He didn’t know what will happen to her, “is she going to be okay?”

“When was the last time she took her medicine?” he didn’t know the answer to that but it’s definitely not this morning.  “Uh… last night?” Jane made a ‘tsk’ sound and checked on her pulse. She faced Alexander and let out a tired sigh.

“She was supposed to take her medicine awhile ago. I think, since she was exhausted at the park, her heart couldn’t take that exhaustion and she collapsed. Alexander nodded in understanding, “she’s going to be alright don’t you worry.” Jane said with a soft smile.  Alexander looked at Cass hoping for her to wake up.

 “I don’t want to lose her just yet…” he whispered close to tears as he caresses her face, “well I’m sure she’s a strong girl and she’ll make it through. Anyway, she’s fine now.” Alexander began to take some money on his wallet, but Jane stopped him.

“You don’t have to pay me; I only did my job.” She said softly, and he looked at her in surprise. He didn’t understand why’d she won’t take the money, Jane noticed his confusion and laugh quietly.

“I didn’t do anything silly! I just checked up on her if there’s something wrong.” He was taken aback at that; how could she not accept it? He was rude and been giving her a hard time awhile ago.  He still tried handing her the money, but it was no use.

Jane left after that, and he sat down beside Cass’s bed. She did it again, scaring him like that. How many times did that happened? And those times felt like torture to him. “Please stop scaring me like that.” He whispered…

***

“Bus fare… what else? Food expense…” I jotted down my expenses and started doing my resume. I needed to find a way on how to make money because I felt bad at relying on my mom and Xander.

After I’m done with that, I went to gather my things before going out. Just as I closed the front door, I saw Xander approaching. “Hey, I was just about to check up on you. Where are you going? I sigh, this was supposed to be a secret from him.

“I was going to find a job.” I muttered looking anywhere else but him. He didn’t talk or make any noise and I can’t exactly see his reaction.

“So… I better go… now”

I was about to walk away when he grabbed my arm, I closed my eyes waiting for his lecture. “You don’t have to do this you know?” he said softly. I opened my eyes and looked at him, instead of an angry face, all I saw was pure disappointment.

“I have to.”

He shook his head releasing my arm. “What would your mom feel if she’d known this?” Okay that was a low blow using the mom card on me. “I’m doing this for her” I said with a little bit of uncertainty, why do I feel like it’s a bad thing to do in the first place…?

“She only wants what’s best for you, and that is concentrating on your story. Don’t worry about the money, I told you, you can count on me.”

Well, I don’t think I have a choice on this one, So I nodded, and we go inside my house.

I sat in front of my desk while he lay on the bed, “you can continue working on that.” I grabbed my pen and began reading where I left off. After I was done, I stared at the paper for a few minutes trying to continue.

When I realized I couldn’t write anything, I faced Alex who was busy on his phone. “I can’t think of anything to write!”

He raised an eyebrow in question, I sigh in annoyance. “I’m having a writer’s block.” Of course, he won’t get it. I didn’t get it back then either, not until my grandma explained that. “A writer’s what?”

See? He doesn’t get it.

I stood up and sat beside him grabbing his phone. “Writing block. It means my mind is blank at the moment and can’t think of anything to write.” I opened his phone to see what’s keeping him busy, and I can’t help but grin at the thought forming in my head, as I began typing.

“Uh uh, that grin again, what are you typing? Please… don’t do anything reckless.” He pleaded, I shushed him and pressed send before giving the phone back to him.

“Bryan’s asking if you wanted to go to his party and I said yes.”

He groaned and glared at me, “You know how rowdy his parties can get, that’s the reason why it is well known for.” I nodded. Of course, I knew that already. It’s just that I’m just bored, and I want some motivation for my story.

I pushed him out of my room and slammed the door before he can say anything. I started looking at my closet for clothes. “Give me an hour to prepare and we’ll head out.”

I picked up a black mesh dress and my high cut converse, I let my hair down into waves and apply minimal makeup. I stare at reflection on the mirror, I know I don’t usually look like this, and it is a bit uncomfortable, but I don’t want to look stupid in front of Xander’s friends. I saw him at the living room playing on his phone. “I’m ready, come on.” He looked me up and down, “Are you sure you want to wear that to Bryan’s party?”

I looked at my outfit and frown, “why? Is it ugly?”

He didn’t answer me as he muttered something to himself. Okay… maybe I outdid my outfit. “I … I better go change I think…” But he grabbed my arm again, he always does that. “No no, It’s fine. It’s just that there’s a possibility that some boys will try to flirt up with you, and that won’t end good with me.”

I felt myself blushed and looked at the ground. “So… I won’t change then?” he shook his head and smile, his hand sliding from my arm to hold my hand.

“It’s fine, it’s just me overreacting.” I grinned at him and nodded. “So, let’s go?”

As we parked the car, I can already hear the loud music booming from the house. We got out and saw some people passed out at the front porch. Maybe it’s not really okay to go to this party… I should’ve listened to Xander and just sleep away my writer’s block… But I think it’s too late to back out, as Xander dragged me inside Bryan’s house.

The smell of sweat and alcohol filled my nose making me regret more for coming.

Some of Xander’s friends approached us and went to asked him to drink, but he tried to deny and said something about watching me and I felt myself blush again. “I’m not a kid anymore Xander. I can handle myself.”

How embarrassing that is for his friends making me look like a baby. Xander still wasn’t convinced, and I know he’s debating whether to leave me or not. I rolled my eyes and pushed him. “Go. Have fun, I’ll stay right here.” He pouted at me and gave in.

“Stay right here, I’ll be back.” I nodded and gave him an encouraging smile that means I’ll be fine. Well … hopefully. I’m not a fan of parties, I preferred staying home inside my own little bubble, writing.

As Xander leave, I stood there in the living room awkwardly, not knowing what to do. Then I saw some girls gone out the kitchen, holding some red cups. I’m a little thirsty myself so I went to head there.

Some couple started making out on the counter and I avoided them as the guy tried to touch my butt while kissing the girl. Ugh. What a pig.

After I got myself a drink, I went back to my spot a while ago hoping for Xander to come back… but no such luck, he wasn’t there, so I stood there awkwardly again holding my cup. Who knows what’s in this cup, but I’ll look like an idiot holding it, so I took a sip.

I saw a guy walking towards me, but I ignored it. Taking another sip of my drink, he stopped in front of me. He’s not from our school, cause his face’s not that familiar to me. Our school’s so small that you’ll know almost everyone there

“Hello.”

I looked around looking for someone he’s trying to talk to. It couldn’t be me, right? He laughs a little, “I’m talking to you.” My eyes widened at that. I took another sip of this mysterious drink and winced. How can someone enjoy drinking something like this?

“Uh… Hi?”

I closed my eyes in embarrassment. Seriously Kaia?! I’m really not much of a social person but even a kid can talk more smoothly than that. Good job for making yourself look like an idiot now.

As I looked at him again, all I saw was amusement all over his face, clearly enjoying my discomfort. “I’m Jake.” He said holding out his hand, I looked at it and shook his hand.  “Kaia.” He looked around and back at me. I take another drink nervously.

“Why is a girl alone at a party? You do realize it’s pretty dangerous right?”

Of course, I knew that, but I didn’t want Xander to be held back, he’s not my baby-sitter. “I have a friend; he just went to get another drink.” He didn’t seem to believe it for a moment but shrugged. “Okay, I’ll just accompany you until your friend shows up.” He seems okay so I just let him, it’s less awkward talking with him than being by myself.

He told me that he’s from the school that I wanted, and his friends from my school invited him there.

Since I felt comfortable talking with him and I’m almost done with my drink that I felt so drunk, I told him how I’m writing for a contest at his Uni and how It’s really impossible to study there because of money.

After talking, he stood up to get another drink, but the drunken old me told him to just dance. I grabbed his arm and pushed him to the dance floor. I felt so lightheaded and carefree to be awkward as I danced in front of him. “You’re drunk already.” He said softly, I ignored him and dance away.

Who says I’m drunk? It’s just one cup. I wonder where Xander had gone to…

He’s probably drinking his ass off with his friends or he’s talking to some chicks. I don’t even know what I’m still doing in this party, I should be finishing off my story in my room Instead.

I stopped dancing and Jake looked at me with concern, “Are you okay?” the moment he said that I started crying, his eyes widened not knowing what to do. “Please stop crying, let’s go sit down.” As he leads me to our seat, someone shouted, “what did you do to Kaia?!”