Chapter 24 Chapter 24
Cass slipped into the house with quiet footsteps, sunlight just beginning to warm the front windows. She still smelled faintly of Lena’s vanilla shampoo from the long hug they’d shared before she left. The night at her best friend’s place had steadied her. It felt like stepping out of a storm for a few hours, long enough to breathe again.
But the moment she entered the kitchen, everything tightened inside her.
Her mother was waiting.
She stood by the counter with a mug of coffee cupped in both hands, shoulders drawn in a way that looked almost defensive. Her face wasn’t cold, but it held a seriousness Cass hadn’t seen before. Not anger. Not disappointment.
Something quieter. Something searching.
Cass paused by the doorway, unsure whether to speak or retreat.
“You’re back early,” her mother said, her voice controlled but not harsh.
Cass nodded. “I didn’t want to be late for school.”
Silence stretched, thick and awkward. Her mother seemed to be studying her, trying to decide how fragile Cass was… or maybe how fragile she herself still felt.
“You should have called,” her mother said finally. “Not because you needed permission. Just so I knew you were safe.”
Cass lowered her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
Her mother didn’t sigh dramatically, didn’t lecture, didn’t throw the usual guilt. Instead she set the mug down and leaned her hands on the counter as if grounding herself.
“You have been carrying everything alone,” she murmured. “And I let you. That was not fair.”
Cass blinked, shocked. Her mother rarely admitted anything, especially not when things were tense.
“You don’t have to explain where you go,” her mother continued, “but don’t disappear from me, Cass. I’m still your mother. Even if… even if I haven’t felt like one lately.”
Cass’s throat tightened.
Her mother lifted her chin slightly. “I’m trying to do better. I need you to try with me.”
The words hit harder than anger ever could. Cass felt a strange ache in her chest. They were both tired. They were both hurting. And for the first time, it felt like her mother was stepping toward her instead of away.
Cass swallowed. “I’m not shutting you out on purpose.”
“I know,” her mother whispered.
They looked at each other for a long moment. Something fragile passed between them, something new. Not healed, but trying.
Her mother straightened. “Go get ready. Breakfast is on the table.”
Cass managed a small smile. “Thank you.”
Halfway to the stairs, her mother called her name again.
“Cass.”
She turned.
“You’re allowed to be happy,” her mother said softly. “Even now.”
Cass didn’t know why those words made her breath catch, but they did. She nodded, blinking rapidly, and hurried upstairs.
In her room, she changed into a soft sweater and jeans, quickly brushed her hair, and slipped her books into her bag. When she grabbed her phone, a message from Lena was already waiting.
Wake up, woman. Do not leave me alone with these Monday demons.
Cass smiled.
Already dropped off. Be there in five.
Lena texted back instantly.
You better be. I need emotional support and free gossip.
Cass shook her head, amused. Even after one weekend, Lena had carved herself into Cass’s life like she had been there for years. Loud, dramatic, chaotic, but fiercely loyal. The best friend Cass didn’t know she desperately needed.
Cass took another steadying breath, headed downstairs, grabbed a slice of toast, exchanged a small smile with her mother, then left for school.
The parking lot was alive with noise when she arrived. Students swarmed like restless birds, some rushing through assignments they forgot to do, others gossiping in clusters.
Cass stepped out of her car and tightened her grip on her bag.
She spotted Lena immediately. Her friend was perched on a bench near the entrance, waving frantically and yelling her name like they hadn’t seen each other four hours ago.
“There you are,” Lena said dramatically as Cass approached. “I almost died of loneliness.”
Cass snorted. “You survived.”
“Barely.”
Lena looped her arm through Cass’s. “Now hurry. We need to enter together. It gives us power.”
Cass laughed. “You’re ridiculous.”
“I am correct,” Lena added proudly.
They walked inside side by side. Cass felt lighter with her there, like she finally had someone who made the hallways feel survivable again.
But there was something else too.
A new notice board near the office. A new sign-up sheet. A new list that hadn’t been there last week.
Lena noticed Cass staring. “What’s that?”
Cass squinted. “Tryouts…?”
Lena dragged her closer.
A bright poster read:
Student Council applications open.
All grades welcome.
Leadership meeting today after school.
Cass stared at it, heart suddenly fluttering with something unexpected. Curiosity. Maybe even interest.
Lena nudged her. “Why do you look like you want to join and faint at the same time?”
Cass hesitated. She didn’t know why it pulled at her. Maybe she was tired of feeling powerless. Maybe she wanted something of her own. Something not overshadowed by Marvin or rumors or humiliation.
“I don’t know,” Cass murmured.
“Well,” Lena said with a grin, “if you want to try something new, I’ll stand next to you. Even if you trip on your way to the meeting.”
Cass rolled her eyes. “I’m not that clumsy.”
“You tripped over air last Friday,” Lena reminded her.
Cass groaned. “Please shut up.”
Lena laughed loudly, earning a few glances, and Cass felt warmth bloom inside her.
She wasn’t alone anymore.
And maybe this week would bring something new.
Something better.
She just didn’t know that Marvin Woods had already decided it wouldn’t.
And neither did she know that Jace, leaning against the staircase further down, had seen her reading the poster and felt something shift inside him too.