This choice: Repercussions from lunch time. • Go Back... Lunch passes as usual with Beth spilling more gossip than you think could possibly happen since first period. She then starts about last evening's study session and the games played with the little metal strip on foreheads. Your eyes flash at that and retrieve those memories that you skipped through so quickly this morning.
Sure enough, Beth brought a mind strip, and everyone placed it on their foreheads watching it fade in and then back out. It didn't work on Cassie, though. It just fell off even when she leaned back. Since she was the last to try, they figured it was broken and no one cared. It must not work on golems or masks.
You change the subject quickly after finding out where Beth got the mind strip: found in an envelope in her locker and put it back there this morning. She promises to retrieve it and give it to you later. At least it wouldn't have any of your memories, and those it captured wouldn't include what happened with Cassie since they went before her.
The discussion then turns to spying results, but no one has seen anything unusual with Lisa today. You manage to ramble on about Chelsea getting Kowalski to switch Will's seat. That sends everyone onto the latest about the prima donnas. Chelsea let it be known that those not staying in line will be dealt with severely. Rumors on who she is out to get focuses mainly on Cindy Vredenburg. Seems she has been too consumed with grief over her sister's death that she hasn't kept up adequate performance in the cheerleading practice. There's even a pool on who Chelsea has picked for her replacement.
Cassie's emotions on this are quite strong, and you decide to give some comfort to Cindy. You are about to go seek her out when Will and Caleb come by.
"Hey. Mind, we join?" the golem tentatively asks.
All the girls look to you figuring it's your call after the scene you did before school.
"Maybe. If you can behave." you reply as firm as you can without emotion even though Cassie's persona really wants him to cuddle up right here and now.
The Will-golem takes the chair next to you, but keeps his distance. There's a little nervous small talk and eventually you're enjoying conversation with Caleb. You miss the bantering back and forth you two used to do and almost drop out of character until you realize that you've slid your chair over to Will and are rubbing knees under the table.
If there is only some way you could let Caleb in on this. It would be like old times and adventures. If only you are sure it'd be safe.
By the time the next-class warning bell rings, you're holding hands with Will, and you both kiss before heading off to the afternoon's classes.
As you go, you see another of Chelsea's spies, Gloria Rea, but figure there's no more classes with Will that they can try to split you up.
~ ~ ~
Sixth period is the Phys Ed exam. Some dipshit school board member pushed through that all kids need exercise and should be tested just like any exam. Unfortunately, instead of a multiple-choice exam, Westside had decided that it needs to be a real physical exercise test. Fortunately, they picked something simple: running around the track for time. After the first year, they got chastised for trying to make everyone do it in the same amount of time which wasn't practical. So now everyone is tested at the beginning of the year and just have to be faster for each test. Even the football linemen are smart enough to lazily jog in September so they don't have to exert themselves for any of these tests.
Cassie, being short, is never happy with this since it normally takes her a while to make it around, but she always puts forth a strong effort. However, there are some girls that think this should be more like roller derby, pushing and shoving to slow each other down and cause a low grade or force a do-over due to too slow a time.
Today is no different. You are with a few other smaller girls coming round the last curve when several idiots ahead begin the usual jockeying to slow each other down. As your group gets closer, more bumping takes place finally forcing you to the side where you trip over the edge, and slid forward into one of the puddles left from the sprinklers. It almost felt like you are guided there. By the time you are up, everyone else is finished and into the lockers.
"I'm sorry, Cassie, but falling down doesn't excuse you from meeting the test. The best I can do is let you go again, either now or after school."
You don't have time after school. You have to get over to the university and switch with Melody after picking up a new mask at the clubhouse.
"I'll go again, now. I only have study hall last period today." which you hoped would give you more time to prepare. You also had to do it because Cassie's parents would freak if she comes home with a D in anything.
~ ~ ~
There is no gym class next period, and the locker room is empty when you come in sweaty, wet and muddy. Throwing your soiled clothes on the floor by your locker, you head to the showers. Cassie's fastidiousness was too strong to ignore not cleaning up before dressing and heading out.
Coming out of the shower, you are greeted by the cheerleading thugs and the self-crowned princess herself holding a towel out. You back up a bit and cover yourself with your hands by Cassie's basic shy instincts.
"I think we need to have another talk about playing, but you should dry off first." Chelsea commands.
Very gingerly you reach for the towel still trying to keep covered and growing more frightened by the second. Embarrassed you turn your back. Chelsea just sits and waits while Kendra and Gloria block your way around to your locker and any exit even if you had the courage to run naked out of here.
When Chelsea thinks you had taken long enough, she nods, and the two whip the towel away and hold your arms so you can no longer cover up. Initially you struggle, but stop as Chelsea speaks.
"It will be a lot easier if you relax. We just brought a few toys here we want to show you." she explains calmly with a real air of superiority and indicates a small duffel bag on the floor. "Also, there's no need to gag you if you stay quiet, BUT ... we will if needed."
With that Kendra goes over, picks up the duffel, dropping it on the bench in front of you while Gloria holds your arms back. All of them are much bigger than Cassie, so there is really no hope of escape. You take a couple deep breaths still feeling warm from the shower, but your emotions have your heart beating fast and your body shivers from not knowing what they are about to do.
~ ~ ~
It is a good fifteen minutes before you stop yourself from crying after they left. Cassie's emotions overwhelmed you when they pulled the first thing out of the duffel. Her persona took over, and all you could do was be a spectator from inside her head. Somehow you are saved from anything more than just having her pubics shaved when you ask if they are working for Lisa Yarborough since she was also trying to break you up with Will. They almost froze before hastily grabbing their stuff and leaving. It was just too weird, but relief just left you drained and crying.
Finally, back with some sort of control, you pick up all the hair, every last one, and put them in your purse. Cassie's all consuming personal hygiene is so different from your own, but it nags at you constantly unless you follow through. You have no idea why she wants to keep all the hairs instead of throwing them away, but you do it.
~ ~ ~
By the time you're composed and dressed, the last bell of the day sounds. You quickly exit through the outside door and head into the parking lot abutting the locker rooms and where your truck is parked. You want to meet up with Will, Caleb and Lisa and find out the truth. After half an hour though, Lisa never shows. Caleb and your golem are getting restless, and Caleb is getting suspicious. Maybe it's time to let him in on this, although you don't have much time to get to the clubhouse, explain everything, and make it over to the university to meet Melody.
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