Free Being There by T.K. Rapp Page B

before turning to me in complete seriousness.
    “Cass, are you sure everything is okay? You would tell me wouldn’t you…if something was wrong?”
    “I’m good,” I assure her. I don’t want to stress her out, and if she keeps pushing, I may end up revealing more than I want to.
    “You’re right, I am tired.” I check out my watch to give myself a distraction, “Forty-five minutes, huh? Wake me when we get there?” She looks to face the road and nods. I hate lying to her, but it’s just something I have to do for now.
    Fortunately, my best friend doesn’t press me any further, and I appreciate it. I slink down into my seat, and once I get comfortable, I close my eyes and wait for sleepiness to overcome me. When I start to drift, Drew comes to mind again and I remember the graduation party that changed, almost , everything.

The Past: Graduation Affairs
     
    In the months that followed the infamous party at Rhen’s, I did my best to ignore the rumors about that night and the feelings that Drew seemed to have had for me. Things were still as normal as always, so I figured it was just Rhen putting his own insecurities out there, because it was all unfounded until graduation night. Rhen was throwing yet, another party, and this was the big one. Everyone had their own to do with their families, but the Class of ’07 was supposed to meet up for one last hurrah. I couldn’t have cared less about going, but Drew and Nev did. He called me that morning to make sure I wasn’t bailing out.
    “Cass,” he said in a warning tone, “You are going.”
    “Drew...” I huffed out in aggravation; “I don't want to go to Rhen’s party tonight.” I had no idea why it was so important for him that I show up. “No one will miss me if I skip it,” I reminded him, trying to convince him to let me out.
    “I’ll miss you if you don’t go. Come for me.”
    “I haven’t done anything to those people, but they think I’m a bitch thanks to Rhen, and I still have no clue why.”
    “Why? Seriously!” he raised his voice before verbally eviscerating me. “I don't know, maybe because you used to hang around these people before the breakup and never even tried to set the record straight about what happened. You never go around, so what should they believe? You act like you’re better than everyone else, or just maybe it is because you seem to have a perpetual stick up your ass. Take your pick.”
    “You can be such a dick sometimes, you know that?” I knew what he was up to; he figured if he pissed me off enough, I would go just to prove everyone wrong. What he didn’t realize is that I just didn’t care anymore. High school was over and I was heading off to Texas A&M where a new world would open up for me.
    “What, do you want me to sugarcoat it for you? Besides, it's not like I'm saying anything you don't already know.”
    “And why would I want to go, again? You just proved my point.” I reminded him in a condescending tone.
    “Because, today we graduate, and this party will be the last time you see most of these people. Go for me,” he pleaded. “Go for Nevaeh, she really wants to go, too.”
    “Fine, but I am not taking care of your drunk ass, so figure out who our DD is or we have to stay there,” I said exasperated because there was no way I was staying at Rhen’s.
    “Alright, I'll pick you up at nine and then we'll get Nev.”
    I was quiet for a second before I finally spoke up with a stern warning. “Don't make me regret this, D,” I paused again and huffed, "I'll see you at nine." I knew it bugged him when I called him by that stupid name and only used it to irritate the shit out of him. I had given him the name because even though I had insisted that he called me Cassi when we met, his favorite name for me was Pia because it drove me equally as nuts as when I called him D.
    “See you at nine, Pee-ah,” he spat out. I groaned as he hung up the phone, but I think I heard him laugh.
     
    After the