42☽

⋆ Chapter 42 ⋆Avoidance

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                          Since winter formal, Cassie had gone through a low-grade depression. No one knew about it. Lexi could tell something was off with her but she didn't question Cassie. She knew that if she did it would just lead to an argument.

Arguing is all the Howard sisters seemed to be doing recently. Cassie felt like she was going crazy. She had no one to talk to. She couldn't tell Lexi what was going on because she knew she would judge her. Both Maddy and Adaline were not even an option. She had no one.

Cassie was trying to figure out what was wrong with her. She wanted to know why she seemed to get herself into these terrible situations. If she would just admit that she had a problem saying no it would solve half of her problems. Cassie would never admit it but she loved the feeling of being loved.

The blonde chose to blame her problems on everyone else. It wasn't her fault that she kissed Nate. It was the alcohol. Cassie knew it was wrong. But she was drunk. She wouldn't betray her friends like that.

Cassie told herself that she never would've said yes if Maddy and Nate were still together. 'Cause that would be unforgivable. Maddy was her best friend.

But what about Adaline? Cassie knew her and Nate were together. She tried to reason that it was okay because they were fighting that day. She thought they were broken up. However, deep down she knew. Cassie knew they were still together even though they were fighting. Besides even if they weren't together Adaline was still pregnant with Nate's baby.

It was the day before winter break was over. No one was excited to go back to school. Maddy and Cassie were on the phone talking about what outfits they were going to wear when the Perez girl brought up Nate.

"Nate sent me the sweetest text message this morning." Maddy smiled into the phone.

"Really? What did he say?" Cassie couldn't help the small pit of dread that began forming in her stomach.

"He just thanked me for helping get him to the hospital and for being there for Addie."

"That's so sweet." Cassie mumbled through tears.

"I know he's a horrible person, but I'm kind of torn." Maddy sighed. "At first I wasn't happy about him and Addie being together. But he's different with her. I really hope they stay together."

"Me too."

"Are you sure you don't want me to stay home with you?" Adaline asked for the millionth time. She was standing in front of her mirror inspecting her outfit while Nate watched from her bed.

"I'm sure Ads. I'll be fine." Nate chuckled.

"I know. I'm just worried for nothing." She sighed.

Nate got up from her bed and wrapped his arms around her waist. "There's nothing to worry about. If anyone should be worried it should be me."

Adaline smiled turning to look up at him. "Me and the baby will be fine. We're just scared to be away from you."

"We've been attached at the hip for the last couple of days. I'm surprised you're not sick of me already." Nate laughed.

"Oh we are." She smirked.

"For some reason I have a hard time believing that." Nate whispered in the brunette's ear. His lips slowly trailed kisses from her collarbone to her jaw. The boy's hands found themselves moving down her body towards the one place she wanted him the most.

Just as Nate's hand was about to slip down her pants she stopped him. "I'm going to be late." Adaline smiled innocently moving out of Nate's grasp.

The Jacobs boy groaned laying back down on her bed. "I don't get why I have to stay home until next week."

"Because you have a concussion. You need to rest."

Nate sighed rolling his eyes. He wanted more than anything to go to school witch Adaline. Nate should be there watching out for her. He was worried about Cassie letting something slip. She had already noticed the Howard girl's weird behavior.

Adaline Kingston was smart. And Nate knew it. He knew it was only a matter of time before Adaline found out.

Nate wanted to tell her instead of her hearing it from Cassie or finding out herself. He felt like it would be better if he told her. Then Nate could sit her down and explain everything to her. He would get her to understand why it happened and how much of a mistake it was.

"I'll see you later Nate." Adaline announced breaking him out of his thoughts. Nate sighed reluctantly as she picked up her backpack.

The Jacobs boy once again stood up from her bed. His muscular arms wrapped around her small frame as he kissed her temple. "I love you."

"I love you too." The brunette smiled standing up on her toes to kiss his lips. "I'll text you during lunch to see how you're doing."

It didn't occur to Nate that he had someone other than Cassie to worry about. His mind was so focused on Cassie that he couldn't imagine someone else might jeopardize his relationship. Nate was on edge as he watched the girl he loved get in Maddy's car and drive away.

"So how are you?" The Perez girl questioned after a few moments of silence. The were about half way to the school when Maddy decided to question her friend.

"Mads we literally talked last night."

"I know but something could have happened between now and then." The dark haired girl shrugged.

Adaline laughed shaking her head. "Everything has actually been perfect. Which honestly makes me nervous. It's like I'm just-"

"You're waiting for shit to hit the fan." Maddy finished for her.

"Yeah." She nodded. "And I feel bad because I want to be happy and enjoy that there's no drama but I don't know. I just feel like something really bad is going to happen."

"Well if something does happen, you know I have your back."

"Same here!" Adaline smiled getting out of Maddy's car. The duo locked arms as the made their way into the school.The Perez and Kingston girl's stopped at Maddy's locker before going to their first period class.

"Is Cassie supposed to meet us like she usually does?" The brunette questioned looking at the pictures in Maddy's locker. The dark haired girl was working on putting the photos of her and Adaline back up.

"I think." Maddy nodded. "I tried texting her this morning to see if she needed a ride but she didn't answer. I guess she got a ride with Lexi."

Adaline was about to respond but she was cut off by the blonde who just entered the hallway. Her eyes widened as she took in Cassie's appearance.

The Howard girl looked exhausted. She had the darkest bags under her eyes and her outfit consisted of sweatpants and an oversized hoodie. Cassie's outfit wasn't bad it just wasn't something the girl normally wore.

"Do you know what's up with Cassie?" Adaline asked motioning towards the blonde who seemed to be searching around the hallway for someone.

"What the hell is this bitch wearing?" Maddy shrieked. "I did not spend an hour helping her pick out an outfit just for her to wear that!"

The brunette rolled her eyes at her friend. "I was talking about the fact that it looks like she hasn't slept in 5 years."

"She was probably up all night sexting McKay." The girl shrugged shutting her locker. "I'll see you at lunch?"

"Yeah."

Adaline watched Maddy leave glancing one more time at the blonde. She wasn't expecting to meet eyes with Cassie but when she did she was even more confused. As soon as Cassie realized who she connected eyes with she took off in the opposite direction.

Adaline didn't understand why her friend was avoiding her. She also didn't understand why Cassie looked so drained. Maybe Maddy was right. Maybe Cassie was up all night texting McKay. And maybe Adaline was just being paranoid for no reason.

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Sorry for the long wait. Life has been a little crazy but here's chapter 42.

I also just published an outer banks story.

It's called Sunshine and it's a JJ Maybank fanfic.

If you're interested maybe check it out and let me know if i should continue writing it.