He frowns, but I turn and walk away.
There’s no point dwelling in the past.
I can’t let it influence my future.
I’m done.
It’s still earlywhen I pull into my driveway.
I open the front door and step in.
“Cassie,” Mum calls from the living room. “Come and tell us all about it.”
I close my eyes for a moment.
Shit.
I’d hoped to sneak in without a fuss.
I turn and step into the room. Dad’s glued to the television and barely looks at me—he won’t interrogate me about tonight—but Mum sits, knitting needles poised with an expectant look on her face.
“How was it?” she asks.
I shrug. “Fine.”
She tilts her head and pats the couch beside her. I sigh and flop down onto it.
“Only fine?”
“I don't know what else to say. Everyone was all dressed up, and the principal’s speech wasn’t popular because he stopped the dancing to give it.”
She laughs. “I can imagine. Who wants to listen to that in the middle of a party.”
“I danced with Patrick.”
Her eyes light up. “You did? I hope that means things are good between you.”
It was Mum’s shoulder I cried on when Patrick pulled away. We’d been joined at the hip for so long, I had no girl friends to depend on.
“I’m not sure, but I don’t think he’ll be with Vicki for much longer.”
“Really?”
I nod. “He didn’t sound too happy. But I don’t know. I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Mum squeezes my arm. “It seems like he’s coming to his senses. That’s way overdue.”
“Maybe.” I shrug. “All I know is that in a month’s time when school is over, I’ll never have to deal with the drama again.”
Why do I feel like those are famous last words?
2
PATRICK
My girlfriend is a duplicitous bully.
She used to be all sunshine and rainbows with me, but I never liked the side of her that gossiped.
