Page 29 of Stephan

*****

Stephan

“She never friggin' listens, Dad. I swear I’mgoing to strangle her.”

My dad chuckled and patted me on the back.“Give her space, boy. She’s been home for three days and you’vedone nothing but hover.”

“Do you know she told me she was going toschool on Monday? She chucked a fit that I have missed over a weekof school. Of course I wasn’t going to school while she was in thehospital or when she got home. Who would have helped her?”

“I’m sure your mother and I could havehe—”

“Dad, whose side are you on?”

“Er, yours, son.”

“Well tell Mum to stop encouraging her. Thetwo have gone off this morning and she didn’t tell me where.”

“I’m sure your mother is taking great care ofher. She told me she was taking Jade to have a spa day. Why don’tyou go out and see your friends. I think some time apart will begood. You’ve both been in each other’s faces way too much.”

I sighed, my dad was right. I’d barely leftJade’s side since the beating. “I do need to go see Cassie. Jade’sbirthday is less than a month away and I want to get everythingorganized.”

“It’s not exactly what I meant but if it getsyou out of the house and stops your pacing, I’m fine with it.”

*****

I’d called Scott because I didn’t have hissister, Cassie’s, phone number. They were both at home. I drovethere and Scott answered the door. “The others missed you at thegames. We lost today.”

“Sorry, man, but my girl comes first.”

“I understand.” His eyes narrowed and hesmirked. “Come in. Cassie is watching a movie.

I went into the house and to the back familyroom. Cassie sat on a huge L shaped sofa. She had tears runningdown her cheeks and tissues all around her. I looked to Scott inalarm. He waved his hand.

“It’s all your fault. You haven’t let her seeJade and she’s been blaming herself for not noticing anything withher grandfather. She thinks you won’t let Jade be friends with heror some shit. She’s been watching all these girly movies andcrying. I only let you in so you can do something and end thiscrap.”

I stared at my best friend shocked, he hadn’tmentioned anything about this to me. He hadn’t told me he waspissed at me either.

Fuck, I wasn’t good with this emotionalstuff. And right now I didn’t have the energy to deal with this. Islowly approached Cassie. “Um hi, Cassie.”

“Oh, Stephan, I’m so sorry. I should haveseen it. I mean, she never liked being home, I just thought shereally liked me. I’m such a bad friend. How bad is she? Am I notallowed to see her?”

“Cassie, I wasn’t keeping you from seeingher. I just forgot to ask you to come and visit. I’m here now toget your help for her birthday.”

“You’re not angry? You want me to help?”

“Sure. Look, why don’t we sort out herbirthday stuff here so it’s a surprise and then you can come backto my house and see her. She had a spa day with my mum.”

“She had a spa day and I didn’t get invited?”Cassie started sobbing again and I looked at Scott begging him tohelp me. He just gave me an evil grin. “Ah, um…I’m sure Jade wouldhave invited you…it’s just that…just that…it was a mother/daughterthing.” I waited, hoping I’d said the right thing.

Cassie sniffled and blew her nose. “Okay.Let’s get her birthday sorted out so I can go see her.”

I felt like a real douche. Not only was mybest friend pissed at me but I’d upset my girl’s best friend.

*****

I drove Cassie to my house and was surprisedat what we both came in on. Jade had the music on in the kitchenand she was dancing around as she mixed with a big cooking bowl. Mymum sat on a kitchen bench stool singing along, watching my girlsmile, laugh, and sing.

Not daring to move, I watched Jade. I’d neverseen her so happy. Her guards were down and she could sing. Myheart beat faster as I listened to her beautiful voice and I felleven more in love. She was gorgeous, her hair was down and flyingaround her, her eyes shone with life and love. I couldn’t tear myeyes from her even if I’d wanted to.

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