Two weeks later...
Monday! The day the students would always look forward to, just to hear a few gists and announcements from the principal. It was like the school was back to its normal vibes and guess what? Lily was back as well. Maybe that was why the school got its vibes back. When she was absent, things like bullying were hardly seen but now that she was back, it's going to take full wings.
Cassie had her hair down in waves. She wore a short elegant skirt and white t shirt. Her back pack was hung on one shoulder as she made her way around the highway.
"Ooh, Cassie is the real deal now." Stella gushed at how beautiful Cassie looked.
"Because she dressed like a doll?" Lily asked, slamming the door to her locker shut.
"She didn't dress like a doll because she ain't putting on make up. She is naturally beautiful, unlike you." Stella rolled her eyes.
"Why you!" Lily snapped but Stella laughed.
"I think she looks beautiful too. Boys will flock around her when the time for the school dance comes." Zeeva mouthed.
"They wouldn't dare! I have always been the one whom guys flock around when the school dance is near." She lamented.
"Says a girl who just recovered from temporary paralysis." Stella scoffed.
"Are you trying to insult me or what?" Lily asked.
"Take it however you like." Stella said and walked away.
"I'll so teach Stella a lesson when I become queen." Lily snapped, her gaze still lingering on Cassie.
"Why don't you teach her the lesson now? Must you wait till you become queen?" Zeeva asked.
Lily smacked the back of her head. "Shut up! Don't think I'm still on a wheelchair and can't do you anything. If you try rubbish with me, I'mma kîll you." Lily warned and walked away.
"I wish she was still paralyzed. Gosh! What a pain in the àss!" Zeeva exclaimed and followed her.
Cassie dropped her books in the locker, picking out the ones she would need that morning. She was about to close her locker when someone held it. She looked up and saw Asher.
"Good morning." She smiled.
"Morning Cassie. I need no one to tell me that you slept well from your looks. You look more beautiful today." Asher complimented her and she smiled.
"Thanks. I decided to look different today." She said.
"That difference is amazing. Gosh, you've made me fall head over heels in love." He teased but he actually meant it.
Cassie chuckled. "Thanks, Asher." She replied.
"We'll talk better later. I need to see my dad." He said and walked away. He passed by Kash who was walking over to where Cassie stood and purposely brushed shoulders with him, making the books in his hands fall to the floor.
Kash looked at him but he chuckled and left. Kash shook his head and bent down to pick his books by himself, then made his way to where Cassie stood.
Cassie sighed and closed her locker. She smiled, waiting for Kash to come and compliment her outfit. Kash came to stand in front of her and looked at her from head to toe.
"Why are you dressed like this?" He asked.
Cassie frowned. "What do you mean?" She asked with narrowed eyes.
"I told you not to wear short clothes like this. Is this why you didn't wait for us to come to school together?" He asked calmly.
"Not really. Aunt Maggie have been busy at the office these days. You know she is the manager so it has been really exhausting for her. She doesn't even have time to bring me to school anymore." Cassie frowned.
"Oh." Was his reply.
"And about my outfit, clothes should be worn. That is why they are bought. So, leave me to wear whatever I feel like to wear because it's mine!" She snapped and walked away.
Kash ruffled his hair. What had he said wrong this time? He only asked why she dressed like that. He didn't like the way guys stare at her if not, nothing would have bothered him about that.
Cassie went to the girl's bathroom to look at the mirror there.
"What exactly is wrong with my dress, huh? I dressed like this, waiting for him to compliment me but he ended up nagging at me. Asher complimented me but what did Kash do?" She huffed, staring at the mirror.
When she was finally done venting her anger on her own reflection, she stepped out of the bathroom. She fixed her hair before walking towards the direction of her class room. She saw Kash waiting for her at the door and hissed.
"How can he be a tsundere and still be good looking and attractive at thesame time?" She sighed, staring at him. "What am I saying? I am supposed to be mad at him!" She facepalmed and tried her best not to think good of him so that he wouldn't hear her thoughts.
"Hey Cassie."
She turned to the direction the voice came from and saw Jaden.
"Hi, Jaden. It's been a while." She smiled and he hugged her.
Kash, who was leaning on the wall not far away watching them almost fell. He exhaled and put his hand on his forehead.
"There is nothing going on! There is nothing going on!" He said to himself and entered the class.
Cassie hugged Jaden back in a bid to make Kash jealous, thinking that he was watching but when she turned, she didn't see him there any longer. She pouted and quickly disengaged from the hug.
"It's nice to see you again." Jaden smiled.
"You too. Where have you been?" She asked as they walked to class together.
"Well, I followed my dad to South Africa. He said he had lots of things to take care of there. He is still there though but I decided to come back because I was starting to miss school and most especially, you." He gave her that charming smile which made her giggle.
"It's nice to have you back." She smiled.
"You look so hot and different today. Believe me, I like it." Jaden complimented.
"Thanks. Some people don't like seeing me like this though." She muttered, remembering Kash. She realized that since she knew him, he had never complimented her or said something heartwarming to her. What the heck!
"Whoever thought that way is just being jealous. You're looking beautiful as always." Jaden smiled.
"Thanks." She smiled back.
They entered the class and Cassie sat down while Jaden sat beside her.
Kash was just looking at them. "Dude, if you like her so much, then talk to her." Diego said. He was about to touch Kash's shoulders but Kash stood up. He cursed under his breath. How was he going to pull this off if he isn't able to successfully place his hand on Kash.
"You won't understand, Diego. Just forget about it." Kash said.
"Alright, if you say so. Also, I think I have mastered my powers now so there isn't any need to train me anymore." Diego said.
"I thought so too. You improved a lot during the last training. You're a fast learning!" Kash complimented, his gaze never leaving Cassie and Jaden.
Diego smiled and nodded. He wondered if Kash was acting like that because he was Cassie's guardian and he cared or because he loved Cassie. If he loved Cassie, then he might likely have an upper hand since Cassie had become Kash's weakness. He had been able to learn a lot about Kash which means that he is ready to visit the library of magic.
The bell rang, signifying that the students should gather in the halls for announcements. Jaden stood up and held Cassie's hand. Cassie turned but didn't see Kash.
"Where could he be?" She muttered, much to the hearing of Jaden.
"Who? Your friend?" Jaden asked.
"Yes." She answered.
"We'll meet him in the hall then." He said, leading her to the auditorium. When they got there, the hall of the auditorium was already filled up. They stood at the back. Luckily, the podium where the principal stood was high enough for everyone to see and the sound system made it so that everyone would hear him.
Rayner climbed the podium, looking down on the immerse number of students gathered before him.
"Good morning, students." He greeted.
"Good morning, Mr. Rayner." They answered.
"I am sure you all slept well. I am always happy to stand before you all on Mondays like this. You all are looking very handsome and beautiful," He complimented and they acknowledged it with cheers and applause. "Alright. As you all know, next month is going to be jam-packed with activities; one of which is going to be the school dance..." He paused, waiting to see their reaction and as expected, he did. They started clapping and screaming.
He continued, "So, prepare yourselves for the month ahead. Start chosing your dates because the date would be announced sooner than you think!" He smiled and they continued cheering.
After the announcement, Jaden turned to Cassie. "I guess I'll be the first to ask you then." He said.
Cassie chuckled. "Someone already did." She replied.
"What? Is it your friend?" He asked.
"No. Someone else. You'll see him on that day." She smiled and walked away as soon as the students started leaving the hall.
Jaden pouted and followed her. He really wanted her to be his date but now, he is disappointed.
****
Rayner walked into his office and saw Asher waiting for him.
"What are you doing here, son?" He asked, sitting on the chair.
Asher sighed. "I thought about what you said and..." He trailed off.
"And what?" Rayner asked.
"And I'll do it."
.