Prologue: Guess Who's Back?
'Tim!'
No answer. Jessica knew her son wasn't sleeping, she could hear the sounds coming from his room. Gun sounds and the occasional swear he thought wasn't all that loud.
'He's playing those stupid games of his again, I swear that's all he-', Jessica thought under her breath. It didn't usually bother her that much that her son spent most of his free time playing games alone in his room. Well, except when she actually needed him to do something, then it bothered her a lot. 'TIM!'
The swearing upstairs stopped for a brief moment, but then started back up.
'Oh he heard that one, the Jacobses next door probably heard it.' Jessica let out an annoyed sigh. She had really hoped Tim would have come down by now, as she really didn't want to repeat their almost nightly argument that she knew the whole block was gossiping about. 'Witches, every one of them.' she muttered under her breath. 'Timothy Clair Jones, if you don't answer me this instant, I am switching the Wi-Fi off! You hear me, mister?'
The swearing once again stopped for a moment, but instead of resuming as before, it was followed by loud rustling, hurried footsteps and the sound of a door being forcefully flung open.
'WHAT!'
'Oh, so you can hear me then?'
'Yeah I can hear you, you old hag, whaddaya want that's so important?'
'Don't you speak to me like that, young man! You may be 18 but while I'm paying your bills and putting a roof over your head you'll address me with respect. Now get down here, I need you to run to the store for me!'
'It's past nine, Mom! I've got school tomorrow, gotta go to bed soon.'
'Oh, don't you give me that! You're going to stay up until half two playing whatever game you're playing this week, moan in the morning about being tired and then fall asleep in class again and get sent to detention! Now come down here this instant or the internet goes!'
She had him there. She knew it, he knew it too. Damn it, Tim muttered under his breath as he slammed the door shut. 'I'm gonna get downranked again for this stupid shit.' He dug into the pile of clothes on his bed to find a pair of pants to put on. 'Come on... shorts? Nah, too cold. Come on... Jeans? Nope, they don't got a belt on them. Ugh...' Tim grunted as he dug deeper and deeper into the pile until at last he found a pair of trousers he was satisfied with.
'TIM!' came his mother's annoying sounding voice from downstairs.
'I'm coming, I'm coming, let me put some pants on! I'm not running to the store naked!' he said as he finished getting dressed and opened up his door.
The brief silence while Tim was comign down was almost uncharacteristic for the Jones' household, especially when both Tim and Jessica were in there at the same time. If they weren't busy arguing, they were almost always trying to drown the other one out with loud TV or videogame sounds. Still, despite their constant bickering, Jessica did really love her son and she knew it was a sadly inevitable part of growing up. Lost in her thoughts, she was interrupted by Tim's annoyed grunt.
'Ahem. So what is it that's so important that I need to get from the shop at this hour?'
'Well, I need you to get- Timothy!' Jessica was began telling her son what she needed, but was shocked when she turned around to see how he'd dressed. 'You can't go to the store in those pants, they're filthy!'
'Yeah, yeah, they have a stain-'
'A stain? They have nothing but stain!'
'Well why don't you wash them better next time then? Plus who's gonna care what I'm wearing? I'm running to the store late in the night, not going to an interview!'
'Alright Mister Stainpants, now listen carefully as I don't want you to forget anything. First, get some coffee as we're all out and I have a busy day. Oh, and some sugar. Next, get a carton of eggs and a bottle of milk. You can buy yourself whatever you want if there's any change left.' Jessica handed her son a $50 note and small piece of paper. 'And last, I need you to buy the cake on this note.'
'Cake? What do we need cake for, there's no occasion-' Tim froze as he read the paper. He recognized the name. He couldn't really pronounce it as it was in French but he knew it was an amazing cake. And not a cheap one. 'Mom, this is ridiculously expensive! What do you even need the cake for? Is someone coming over?'
'Oh no, no one's coming over.' Jessica paused for a brief moment, seeing her son's puzzled face. 'Would you relax, it's not for us. I didn't have time to cook anything up today, so you're going to buy that cake and bring it to the new neighbors that just moved in down the street.'
'New neigh- Oh come on! Really? You want me to run to the store this late so you can impress some people stupid enough to move to this shithole of a city? Great fucking plan, Mom!' Tim threw his hands up, flinging the money and the note away.
"Don't you speak that way to me, mister, or I'll-'
'Or you'll what! What are you going to do? In fact what were you going to do after you sent them a cake? Become best buds, have brunch on Saturdays?' Tim cupped his hands in front of his face as he paced around the room. He finally stopped near the dining table and looked back at his mom with a stern look on his face, and spoke out with a low, soft voice. 'It's not going to happen. Stop deluding yourself, Mom. The whole block hates us. You've heard what they call us. These new people are gonna be just as bad as all the others.'
Jessica was taken aback by her son's tone of voice. She had expected more shouting, but he just sounded so sincere, so... accepting. Defeated. Yet she had to composed herself and spoke back up.
'It's not like that, dear. You can never know with people. There used to be some great people here a few years back-'
'Bullshit, the only good people in this whole block were Cassie and her mom. No one else!'
'Well, you and her got along splendidly, didn't you?'
'Yeah, and then the rest of the assholes here bullied them away, and they moved! I'm not bringing cake to just another couple of assholes like the rest of them!'
'Well of course you aren't. But these ones aren't like the rest.'
'Oh yeah, and how are you so certain they aren't?'
'Well...' Jessica intentionally trailed off as she leant on the kitchen counter. She was savoring the moment and wanted to drag it out as much as she could. 'What would you say if I told you that our new neighbors are actually old neighbors?' she said with a subtle smile on her face.
Tim stared back at his mom for a few brief moments. Jessica could almost picture the cogs moving in his head. It amused her and made her feel almost giddy for when her son finally figured out what she meant. When Tim finally looked up at her with the widest open almost sparkling eyes, she knew he'd connected the dots. What followed was the highest pitched yell she'd heard in her life. The Jacobses next door definitely heard it too.
'CASSIE"S BACK!?' Tim practically jumped backwards in surprise. If there was ever a jump of joy, that was it. 'Ohmygodwhydidntyou-' Tim ran over to his mom and embraced her in a brief but very deep hug. 'Wait, I have to run- Oh no, no, I can't go in these!' He turned to run back up to his room but was interrupted.
'Nuh-uh, store closes in fifteen, you're going in those.'
'But they have stains! I can't go like-'
'They have A stain,' Jessica toyed with her son who was almost panicking, scurrying all over the room. 'Plus, it's not like you're going to an interview, right?'
'Funny, yes, sure, uhh ok, yeah I'm sure she wouldn't mind. Would she? Maybe she would-'
'Dear...'
'Right. Store. Bye!'
'Aren't you forgetting something?' Jessica chipped in as her son was nearly out the door.
'Wha-? Oh crap, the money! And the note!' His mom handed him both. He swiftly took them and bolted out the door. 'Thanks, Mom!'
--------------
Tim was covered in sweat as he hurriedly walked back from the store. He had tired himself out sprinting there, but he'd managed to catch it just before it closed, annoying the clerk who just wanted an early night in. Thankfully, Tim had been incredibly quick in there, too excited to sit still even for a moment. As he started the walk back towards Cassie's house, the excitement had slowly began turning into anxiety.
Tim had dreamt of the moment many times but now that it was finally happening there were a lot of questions bubbling up in his mind. How was she doing? Had she changed much? Was she here to stay? Would they even get along like they used to?
Tim took a brief stop to refocus himself. All those questions would be answered soon. There was no need to worry. He decided to instead think back on all the fun times they'd had together as he continued on his way.
Tim and Cassandra had been friends from the moment they first met. They were both three years old when he had used a stick to chase away a dog that was barking at her. From that moment on Tim was Cassie's hero, her shining knight as she teased him. They had grown up to be inseparable, to the point both their moms had to tear them away from each other when it came to go home. Some people that knew them thought they would drift apart as they got older, but others were adamant they'd stay together. The latter were correct.
As puberty hit, both Cassie and Tim began seeing the other in a different light than before. Friendship turned to feelings and it wasn't long before they inevitably began dating, at the very start of their teens. Both were incredibly happy together, but Cassie was just a bit happier, for the boy she loved not only loved her back but accepted her.
Cassandra Elaine Smith was born with a rare genetic mutation that had caused Cassie to be born with both sets of reproductive organs fully functioning. While doctors were concerned for any unexpected complications growing up and had advised surgically removing one, her mother, Lara, was having none of it. She's my special little girl and you are not touching her, was all she ever said in response to any doctor who consulted her on what to do.
Still, even with her mother's adoring care, Cassie had a very sheltered upbringing, having to hide her condition from other kids and adults. Tim was the first person she had ever told her secret to, and much to her surprise and relief, he hadn't run away or thought she was a freak. Instead, he'd called her special, just like her mother had done. From that moment on Cassie knew she'd be with him forever. And when her childhood crush turned into a teenage relationship, she knew she was getting there.
While puberty had only reinforced their love for each other, it had hit them both quite differently. Tim hit an early growth spurt, eventually winding up to be 6' tall. He didn't bulk up too much, but was definitely toned and in-shape. Cassie on the other hand practically remained the same. Her mother had began to worry that perhaps the doctors had been correct at birth, but never voiced her concern, as despite no visible changes, Cassie was still a healthy and happy girl. At fourteen she measured 5'1". She was so happy when she gained that one inch of height at the start of the summer that she had thrown a small celebration with Tim. A celebration at which they first consummated their love.
The night seemed to last forever, and at the same time it was all over so quick. In more ways than one. The next day, Tim had left for summer camp. The two were both in tears, as this would be the longest they'd ever been apart since knowing each other. But Tim had managed to get himself into the camp thanks to his outstanding prowess in swimming, and Cassie wanted to support him as best as she could. Teary-eyed, Tim had boarded the bus and left for summer camp, knowing in three months he'd be back together with Cassie. He never would have imagined otherwise.
Upon his return from the three longest months of his life, Tim was hit in the face with the worst news he could have imagined. Cassie and he had always been bullied while growing up, as many kids do, but they had always found comfort in each other and never paid it much attention. With Tim gone for camp, however, the billying on Cassie had reached new heights, and to protect her, her mom had them move away. When he had heard the news, his heart had sunk. It had been the defining moment in his teenage years. Overnight, he'd lost all the excitement about coming back, and about continuing forward. He'd lock himself in his room for hours at a time, with nothing his mom trying succeeding in getting him out. The swimming he was so good at? He stopped attending. His weight dropped low, almost dangerously so. In his darkest of times, his mother had forced him to go to therapy, as she couldn't bear to watch her son in such a state. He'd hated her for it, and he'd hated the therapist but it had worked out. He wasn't the same bubbly and joyful kid as before, but at least he was eating again, and coming out of his room.
Tim stopped in his tracks. Shaking his head he tried to force the sad thoughts away. He had to. He was right in front of Cassie's house. He took a step towards the door, and with it, he felt as if his throat was closing up. With each next step, the anxiety and tenseness worsened. The walk seemed like an eternity. What if his mom was wrong? Or if Cassie didn't really remember him? Or if she had moved on? He raised a shaking hand, hovered it near the doorbell for a second, swallowed the most difficult he's ever swallowed, and pushed it.
The wait at the door was sheer torment. For the first few seconds, no sound could be heard from inside. Tim was practically frozen in place, part of him doubting anyone was home, while another wanted to desperately just run away. Yet anxiety gripped the boy, and he could only wait stuck outside the door. A few more agonizing moments passed before the first sounds were heard coming from the inside, slow, irregular thumps, as if someone lazily coming down the stares. Then the downstairs lights came on.
The sounds of the footsteps slowly grew louder as they neared the door. Tim's anticipation almost made it seem like every step he heard was resounding over and over in his mind. It was becoming unbearable, when suddenly the door opened wide. And then... nothing. It took Tim a moment, and a moment far too long, to click that the last time he had seen Cassie, she had been nearly a full foot shorter than him. He managed to barely lower his gaze to meet her eyes before he was tackled to the ground.
'TIM!' came an ecstatic, high pitched yell that more than matched his earlier scream when he'd found out the big news. The block definitely heard that one. Before he'd had a chance to compose himself, Tim felt a small, gentle hand cup the back of his head and pull him into the most passion-filled kiss he'd ever experienced.
He melted. This was exactly what he'd dreamed of for four years, and then some. He had no doubts left, this was the Cassie he remembered, but somehow better. The way her lips moved, how her tongue explored his mouth and clashed with his own tongue felt otherworldly. Purposeful. Hot. Without thinking he wrapped his hands around her, pulling her as close to him as he could, and to his surprise found he couldn't pull her in as close as he used to. In his kiss-crazed stupor it took him far too long to realize why that was. In the precious few moments he wasn't consumed by pleasure from Cassie's unwavering onslaught on his lips and tongue, he felt the almost pillow-like softness of her breasts pushing into his chest. So Cassie had changed more than he expected.
While Tim was completely fine with the kiss lasting forever, he knew it had to eventually end. At least, much to his pleasure, once it did end he was met with her warm smile and warmer yet look. The moment they locked eyes, it seemed as if time stood still. both staring at the other as if not believing the realness of the other. What was just a few seconds felt like ages before Tim finally broke the silence.
'Hey, Cassi-' he was interrupted by another high pitched squeal from her, loud enough to make sure that whatever households on the street that weren't woken up before were now wide awake. Cassie immediately dived back on him, this time planting brief warm kisses all over his face and neck, her hands roaming all over him.
'Tim...' she managed to stammer out in between kisses and pants. 'You're...' she was finally slowing her frantic pace down, ending the rapid kisses with a strong yet warm hug, placing her head right beside Tim's. 'Here.'
Yeah, I'm here, he thought to himself. He wanted to speak out but honestly, he really didn't know what to say that wouldn't ruin the moment. So he just hugged her back and savored the moment.
It would not last as long as Tim had hoped, as barely moments into the hug an annoyed and angry wail resounded from somewhere down the dark street.
'HEY! KEEP IT DOWN OUT THERE! SOME OF US ARE TRYING TO SLEEP!'
'We should probably go inside.' Cassie giggled as she finally got off Tim and offered her hand to help him get up.
'Yeah, we probably should,' he replied as he took her hand and hefted himself up. 'Hey, if you'd like I brought...'
He stopped mid sentence as he saw the ridiculously expensive cake he'd sprinted to the store to get all smushed into pieces on the ground.
'Cake?' Cassie chipped in, giggling.
'Yeah...'
'Come on, we'll have cake some other time.' Cassie gripped his hand as she led him inside.
It had been 4 years since Tim last entered Cassie's house but it felt like just yesterday. Sure, some of the furniture was missing, but he figured it was getting delivered soon. The old blue couch was still there though, still the central most fixture in the wide living room.
As Cassie led him by the hand towards the couch, Tim finally managed to get a clear look at her. She'd grown her hair out longer, almost halfway down her back. Still the same dark auburn color though. He hadn't managed to get a good look at her breasts but he had felt them pressed against him and even from behind her he could see them spilling out the sides of her white tank top. Despite that, it really didn't look like she had put on any weight and still had her tiny lithe frame. A frame completed with what Tim could only describe as the ,ost perfect butt he'd ever seen. Despite her new assets, she still seemed like the same girl he knew from four years ago.
Finally, the two reached the couch and Casie let go of Tim's hand, only to push him down on it. He was almost giddy with excitement for what was to come next. Instead, Cassie just sat down next to him with an amused look on her face.
'Careful there, Tim, you might burst' she giggled.
As he turned around to face her, Tim was for the first time with the full on display of her cleavage, and promptly lost all semblance of thought. If his mouth hadn't dried up immediately he woul most likely have been drooling.
'It's rude to stare, you know.'
Tim managed to snap out of his fixation and nervously looked back up at her.
'S-sorry about...'
'Would you relax, I'm messing with you,' Cassie pouted at him before raising a playful eyebrow. 'Besides, I like it when you look at me like that'
She was playing with him. Tim knew she was playing with him. He couldn't decide yet if he liked that she was playing with it, or if he loved it.
'Still, sorry about the staring, it's just that you're actually here, Cass, and, like, you're the same but you've changed so much!'
'I know, right? Turns out I was just a late bloomer is all.' She tossed him a playful look, knowing full well how much he was struggling to meet her gaze.
"Well, you certainly bloomed a lot.'
Silence. Tim's mind was racing. 'Why did I say that? What's wrong with me?' he thought to himself, desperately wanting to hit himself for his stupidity. Lucky for him, Cassie, broke the silence with a hearty laugh.
'That was smooth there, my shining knight.'
"Oh no, please not that name again.'
'Why, don't you like the nickname I gave you?'
'You gave it to me when we were three! And it's not even the right term!'
'So...?' Cassie said as she twirled a strand of her hair between her fingers. This felt more like their normal conversations. The ones they'd had their entire lives.
'Ugh, no, no. I'm changing the subject.'
'Whatever you like, my knight.' she giggled as Tim gave her an annoyed look. Cassie really did miss getting on his nerves like that.
'Anyway, childish nicknames aside, you're back! I mean, I can't even count the times I've dreamed this would happen!'
'You have, have you?' Cassie teased him before dropping her voice low. 'It's a shame I'm only back for tonight.'
The color drained from Tim's face. He felt like a clump was stuck in his troat and looked like he was about to burst into tears.
'Oh my God, I'm so sorry!' Cassie exclaimed as she swiftly pulled him in for a hug. 'I was joking, honestly!'
Tim had just had the biggest scare of his recent life. Through long deep breaths he barely managed to get a few words out.
'Don't ever do that again. Please.'
Cassie let go of the hug and looked him directly in the eye.
'I won't I swear, I'm really sorry!' Cassie apologised. She watched as Tim wiped a few budding tears from his eyes before she raised her eyebrow at him. 'I know something to make you feel better though.'
Tim just looked straight back at her, throat still dried up. He was almost angry with her, something that he never thought he'd be.
'Look, I'm sorry, okay, I took it too far.' Cassie apologized once again. 'Buuut, can you guess who just transferred schools and is starting in your class tomorrow?'
Tim's face lit up just as fast as it had greyed out a few moments ago. His heart started faster and faster until it seemed like it would burst out of his chest.
'Holy... You're not joking again, right? Please tell me you're not joking!' He leapt up from the couch with the excitement of a little kid getting a brand new toy.
'Nope...'
'Oh my God...' Tim was pacing around the room, his excitement so great he could barely contain it or even express it. His arms flailing around aimlessly, not knowing what gesture to make as he was lost in the sheer euphoria of the moment. 'This is great! This is absolutely great!'
'I hope you realize that means you're walking me to school tomorrow.' Cassie chimed in as she amusedly turned to follow TIm's frantic pace around the room.
'Forget tomorrow, we should celebrate this right now!'
'If only you hadn't dropped the cake...' Cassie teased.
'Screw the cake...' Tim cut her off as he turned towards her, swiftly got back on the couch and, before Cassie could say a word, pulled her into a kiss.
This took her by complete surprise. In the years she'd been away, Cassie had found out she was usually the dominant one. She'd get her way with whoever it was she was with, and play with them as much as she wanted. But this, this was different. She knew she was good at pushing people's buttons, but she hadn't thought just how good Tim was at pushing hers. She felt like she was melting in his touch, feeling his hands move all over her body until one finally settled on her thigh and the other on the back of her neck.
How long the kiss lasted, none of them knew. Or particularly cared for that matter. Part of Cassie wanted to turn the tables on Tim and be back in her better known control. She lifted her legs and wrapped them around his back pulling him closer, while at the same time took the hand he had on her thigh and brought it up to her breast. If Tim noticed it, he didn't seem to mind.
Finally, Tim broke the kiss, only to start kissing down her neck. Cassie let out a low moan.
'Ohmygosh, what is he doing to me? I never moan.' she thought as she bit her finger.
'Hey Cass...' Tim asked before going back to working on her neck, slowly going downwards.
'Yeah?' She took the finger out of her mouth and brought her hand to join her other one at the back of his neck.
'Can I... ask you... something?' Tim stammered in between kisses.
'Mhmm.' That was about as much an answer as it was just an expression of pleasure from Cassie's side.
'Have you... uhh... bloomed everywhere?' Boy, that had sounded a lot better in his lust-filled, stupid little head.
'Have I... nghh...' Cassie let out another soft moan before she realized what he meant.
'Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god,' Cassie's thoughts raced. In the heat of the moment she'd nearly forgotten. 'He's asking about my dick! What do I tell him? Do I...'
Tim's slow progress downwards had reached her breasts, and he was now planting kisses on each one in turn.
'Mmm...' She let out another soft moan, trying to compose herself. 'Why am I worrying so much about this? I've done this before!' She thought to herself, trying to steel her resolve. 'But what if he doesn't like it? Oh my god, how do i...?'
'Cass?' Tim stopped his onslaught of kisses and looked straight up, meeting Cassie's gaze. Seeing him like this gave Cassie the reassurance she needed.
'Have I bloomed... everywhere?' She cocked an eyebrow at him. Tim was begining to really like that eyebrow. 'Maybe.'
'Is that a maybe yes, or a maybe no?' he said as he got closer to her face, never breaking eye contact, until he was close enough to feel her hot breath on his skin.
'It's a maybe it's a surprise for you to find out on your own.' Oh no. What if that was too forward? Cassie stood staring back at him, trying desperately to control herself and not burst from the anticipation.
Much to her relief, Tim closed the distance between their lips, locking the two in yet another passionate kiss. This one was far shorter than the previous one, but just as amazing for both.
'Surprise, huh?' he said as he broke the kiss and looked back at her. 'So you wouldn't mind if I were to...' he slowly started lowering his hand from Cassie's breast. 'spoil it?'
Cassie giggled. 'Your dirty talk really needs work, you know.'
'You can help me practice that.' His hand was nearly there. Cassie should have been afraid of what he'd think, but looking into his eyes made all fear melt away. Almost there, just a few more inches...
'Dear, are you still up?' a loud feminine voice resounded through the house. 'Can you come help- Oh. My. God. Tim?'
In their lust fueled haze, Tim and Cassie had been completely oblivious to the sound of the door opening and Cassie's mom coming home. The two of them looked up from the couch, half-hoping that they had just misheard and no one was there. But no, there she was, standing at the door - Cassie's mom.
'Uh, hi Mrs Smith-' Tim stuttered out before he was interrupted.
'No, no, no, none of this Mrs stuff. I know I haven't told you this in a few years, but you call me Lara. Understood?'
Tim nodded,
'Good. Now come up here and give me a hug.'
As much as he didn't want to, Tim clumsily got off the couch and approached Cassie's mom. He had to keep his hands in front of himself so she would not see the boner he'd gotten from the up-until-a-minute-ago make out session with Cassie.
The hug was brief but deep. Tim was glad to see Cassie's mom, of course. He just wished she hadn't interrupted them. He also wished he didn't need to try extra hard to make sure she didn't notice his erection when she embraced him.
'Look at you, you haven't changed a bit!' Lara said as she released the hug. 'I wanted to surprise you tomorrow but I guess your Jessica let the secret slip early, didn't she? How is she doing these days, by the way?'
'She's, uh, she's fine. Works a lot.'
'Same old Jess. She's gonna work herself to the bone, that one. You're lucky to have a mother like that, you know?
'Y-yeah...'
'So what brings you-' Lara took a peek over his shoulder to see Cassie sitting up on the couch with her arms crossed in front of her. "Oh my, I didn't interrupt anything, did I?'
'Uh, no, no, ma'am. I mean Lara.' Tim was trying desperately to form a sentence but he knew full well Cassie's mom was aware of what the two had been doing. 'We were just catching up.'
'Really now? Well don't let little old me stop you!' Crap. She'd completely trapped Tim. His eyes scanned the room for something he could think of before stopping on the clock. It was nearing 10 pm.
'Uhh actually I was just about to leave. You know, school tomorrow and everything.' Tim stuttered out, hoping Lara would believe him. Or at least, let him out of the trap easy.
'Oh, that's a shame. I would've loved to catch up with you as well.' Lara responded in an almost comically fake tone. She wasn't buying it, but the boy in front of her looked like he was about to pop from the pressure. 'Maybe some other time, then?'
'S-sure. I just need to get the-' Tim stopped himself as he picked the bag of groceries. 'Oh no...'
'Is something wrong' Lara gave him a concerned look.
'Mom wanted me to get sugar but I completely forgot. Ugh and the store is closed. Uhm, Mrs-'
Lara.'
'Right, sorry. Do you happen to have any sugar I could borrow?'
'Sure it's-' Lara was interrupted by Cassie, who had until that point sat on the couch pouting. She had stood up, gotten closer to Tim and deftly pulled him into a deep kiss.
A few short moments of pure pleasure for Cassie and Tim, and mild annoyance for Lara, the kiss ended.
'How's that for sugar?' Cassie quipped.
'Lord help me, I've raised a comedian.' Lara interrupted as her daughter shot her an annoyed, almost angry look. 'There's sugar in the leftmost drawer in the kitchen. Take as much as you need. Back door's open, if you want to get home faster.'
'Great, thanks Mrs, err, I mean Lara.' Tim blurted out before ending the embrace with Cassie. 'See you tomorrow, Cass. Night!' he practically ran to the kitchen, scooped up some sugar in a cup and bolted out the back door.
Cassie and her mom stood still for a few second, neither of them moving or speaking. Finally Cassie broke the uncomfortable silence.
'Mom, why did yo-'
'Cassandra Elaine Smith, I can not believe you.' Lara's tone of voice lowered, turning from the bubbly excitement when speaking with Tim to stern and serious. 'We haven't been back even a day and you're already up to your old tricks.'
Cassie's face turned bright pink in frustration. She knew what her mom meant very well, and it angered her greatly.
'It's not like that, mom!'
'Don't lie to me, young lady, we've barely moved the beds in and you're already thinking of breaking the boy!'
'I wasn't! I'd never do that to him!'
'I told you, don't lie to me. I saw full well where his hand was headed. What do you think was going to happen when it got there?'
'I don't know, but we were going to work it out!'
'Bullshit.' Lara crossed her arms as she began moving around the room. 'Let me tell you what was going to happen. He was either going to get completely terrified and bolt out the door...'
'H-he wouldn't! He loves me!' Cassie spat out, her voice getting lower and less angrier with each word. Almost accepting what her mother was telling her.
'Or you would've done like you always do, and fuck his brains out and completely ruin the boy.'
'N-no. NO! I wouldn't! I love him! I...' Cassie was barely holding back her tears. She sat back on the couch, holding her face in her hands.
'I know you do, honey, but that's why you can't force this on him.' Lara sat down beside her daughter and ran her fingers through her hair as Cassie leant on her mom's shoulder.
'Come here, sweetie.'
'But what do I do then, mom?'
'You have to be honest with him dear, and ease him into it. Don't use him like you use your other toys.'
'He's not a toy!' Amidst tears Cassie managed to throw a weak, but angry elbow at her mom. It barely connected, but it got the point across.
'So don't treat him like one then'
'I don't... know how.' Cassie stuttered, almost ashamed to admit it.
'Well...' Lara pulled away slightly and sat up straight. Cassie took the hint and also stood up, turning to face her mother. 'If you really love him, and I know you do, you're going to do your absolute best to learn, won't you?
Cassie wiped the tears from her eyes as she looked at her mom. It took her a split second to process what she had just been told before throwing herself at her mom and hugging her.
'I will! i promise!'
'Don't promise me, dear, promise yourself.'
Cassie pulled back from the hug and nodded.
'Good. Good. Hey Baby, did you unpack everything in the basement like I told you to?'
'I did, yeah. Why?' Cassie suddenly blushed, her cheeks turning bright red. 'Oh my God, mom, I swear I wasn't gonna use them on Tim!'
'What? No, no, sweetie, I know you weren't!' Lara laughed upon seeing her daughter's embarassed blush. 'I, however, have someone I'd very much like to use them on.'
'Wha- Mom, did you pick someone up?' Cassie asked almost in disbelief. 'All this talk about barely moving in and you're just as bad as I am!'
'Don't patronize me, young lady. At least I know my audience.' Lara snapped back, but quickly relaxed her tone. 'You're welcome to join in, if you want. I'm certain you'll enjoy him' She got up off the couch and walked towards the door.
'No thanks, just keep it do-'
Lara opened the door and asked her mystery companion to enter. 'Eric, dear, sorry for the wait, you can come in now.'
No. Way. Surely not, Cassie thought. There were loads of Erics in town. Surely her mom hadn't brought back...
'Cassie? Washboard Cassie? Holy fucking shit you've changed!' Her mom had actually done it. Eric Cavalone. The one person behind much of the bullying in the entire town. If there was ever a person that exemplified the jock stereotype, Eric was that person, and then some. Annoying, cocky, football-playing asshole. But he took bullying to such a great extent that the only reason he always got away with it is that his father was principal of the school. 'Damn, looks like the old nickname don't work anymore, you finally got some tits!'
'Eric, dear, I just need to get a few things from the basement and I'll be right back. You wouldn't mind keeping Cassie company, would you?' Lara gave a sly wink over her shoulder as she left. Eric returned the wink, not knowing that it wasn't aimed at him. Thankfully Cassie had seen it too.
Eric deftly jumped over the couch to land near Cassie. He wasted no time wrapping his arm around her, then accidentally, as he liked to call it, letting his hand rest on her breast. Worked every time.
He began making small talk, or bragging, or talking sports. Cassie didn't care, nor was she paying him attention. She patiently waited, considering her options in her head until she heard her mom come back up the stairs. At that moment she turned to Eric and put her finger up to his mouth to shush him.
'Say, Eric,' Cassie gave him her by now trademarked raised eyebrow, beneath it a playful gaze hiding her menacing intentions. 'you wouldn't mind if I join you and my mom, would you?'
Beep. Beep. Beep.
The alarm resonated across the room. It was the third one in the last ten minutes, so Jessica had no choice but to get up. She groggily stood up barely keeping her eyes open. God, she hated Mondays.
She lazily got out of bed and went on with her all-too-well known morning routine, Shower, coffee, work. But first, wake Tim up, as he had no doubt stayed up late last night and would oversleep. She made her way towards his room and knocked on his door.
'Honey, get up! Time for school.' she forced herself to not sound as tired as she felt. No answer, nor any sound came out of the room. Typical.
A second knock followed. Again, no response. It was going to be the hard way, as usual.
Jessica slammed the door open, knowing full well her son would jump out of bed from the noise. Instead, much to her surprise, she found the bed already empty. Looking around, a small note on his desk caught her attention, and she moved over to pick it up.
'Got up early. Meeting Cassie. Coffee ready downstairs.' Jessica clenched the note and brought her hand to her chest. She had her son back.
Tim, meanwhile was waiting inside Cassie's house for her to get ready. Her mom had just left so he had managed to avoid another awkward conversation with her.
'Alright, I'm ready!' came Cassie's voice from upstairs, followed by her quickly descending to meet Tim.
She'd worn a completely plain T-shirt and jeans. On anybody else, they would look uninspired and simply fine at best. But in Tim's eyes, she made them work. And she looked hot doing it.
'You're staring again.' Cassie stuck her tongue out at him as she took his hand.
'I know.' He felt her tugging at his hand.
'Come on then, you can stare while we walk, we're gonna be late otherwise' Cassie quipped back as she lead him on their way towards the school.
'Hey Cass?'
'Mm?'
'What happened to your couch? It was fine when I left last night.' Tim had noticed, and it was indeed hard not to, that the blue couch that he'd practically grown up on, had had its legs broken and cushions taken out.
'Oh, it broke last night. Must have gotten too old or something.'
'Shame, I liked that couch.'
'The couch or what happens on it?'
'Hmm...' Tim feigned deep thought, even bringhing his hand up to his chin. 'Definitely the couch.'
'You ass!' Cassie shouted out as she playfully elbowed him in the kidney.