Cassidy's Pov - Saturday Morning's

September 1, 2018

Saturday morning came with a sense of dread. I don't know what triggered it, but it pulled me from my peaceful slumber. I wasn't sure what time it was, but from the lack of light shining through my window and the nonexistent movement throughout the house, I safely concluded it was either the middle of the night or the wee morning hours. I could've checked my phone to be accurate, but it wouldn't have helped my mood.

I wish the darkness could take away this feeling. I knew it was here for a reason, yet I didn't know why. Don't get me wrong; I'm used to this atmosphere. I had been around my people long enough to grow accustomed to it. Yet that familiar sour taste settles in when I can't figure out its reason. Maybe I should sort through my feelings. I had nothing better to do, and my mind was fully awake now.

I honestly expected my mind to crash after we came back yesterday. We've been on the go for three days, and I know it took a toll on all of us. I thought something was seriously wrong when my body started to go numb. Then I realized I hadn't had anything to drink. Unfortunately, I have no idea where I can find any. Ugh, such a pain. Luckily it won't kill me, and I'm sure Mom or Kayleigh will think up a solution. Otherwise, our first week at school will be one for the books

Sigh….

It's almost the start of the school year; maybe that's the cause of this feeling. I was never too fond of school. The effort to pay attention or do homework was not my thing, but the staring disturbed me the most. At Northride Technical, the students did nothing but stare at us. Sure, we were new students, but that got old after a month, yet the stares continued. It eventually got to the point where I became self-conscious. Ha, it's ironic my kind is supposed to be considered the most beautiful. However, there's a fine line between staring admirably and staring like a creep.

I'd prefer if mom chooses a school with a second or third-level building and a high student count. Yes, we'll be new, but maybe the students will find something else to grab their attention after a while. With everyone returning, there's bound to be some new faces. Ughh, I'm probably overthinking this, but I'm tired of the creepy stares. I'd feel more comfortable if everyone admired us from afar.

An exasperated sigh escaped my lips as I continued to lay in bed. Different scenarios of how the school year could go were still floating around my head, though some had disappeared. I could feel the dread lessening, the darkness consuming it slowly. A small smile graced my lips, and my eyes fluttered closed, a settled feeling now taking over. I knew closing my eyes wouldn't lull me to sleep, but a minute or two of resting the eyes would work just as well.

I felt lighter when I opened my eyes this time. The intense moments I had earlier were now gone with the darkness. A satisfied hum left me as the sun's rays danced across my skin. I couldn't feel the direct heat, but the slight tingle was enough. A sense of contentment washed over me as I grabbed my phone from its resting place.

Glancing at the time, I was happy to see that I had an hour to kill before getting ready. So after making myself more comfortable, I opened a game I had been playing lately. There was a tournament I wanted to play in today, and I only had this moment to tackle it before I got busy later.

I had just finished killing off the last player when I noticed the time; only 5 minutes left. Sighing, I gave myself an unnecessary stretch and slinked toward the bathroom. I was missing a few products, but I had enough to take a small shower and make myself decent. We were probably going shopping today, so I'll get whatever else I need then.

Feeling refreshed, I moved to my closet. We'll be running around town in this hot-ass weather, so I don't want to wear anything that'll be too much. Searching through my comfort section, I pull out my black ripped leggings and a dark purple crop top. That'll do for today. After a once over in the mirror, I grab everything I need and head downstairs. I had thrown my hair into a braid since I didn't feel like drying it completely, so I looked decent.

Kayleigh was already downstairs waiting when I entered the living room, but it wasn't surprising as her room was on the first level. We didn't have furniture yet, so I sat on the floor and made myself comfortable.

"I'm surprised your up early." She said, her attention now focused on me instead of her phone.

"I know, right?" I agree. "I've been up since sometime this night/morning."

"Really? That's so unlike you."

"Yeah, but it was interesting. I couldn't go back to sleep, so I closed my eyes. The darkness was comforting." I reply, smiling as I replayed the events from earlier.

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"I'll say I slept better than I did the night we left." She quipped, her head coming to rest on my shoulder.

"Yeah? I slept fine even with the atmospheric shift." I shrug my shoulders a little as I don't remember much from that night.

"You're a heavy sleeper, that's why, which is nuts considering how our brains work." Kayleigh sighs. "But then again, you have been dropped on your head, so that may be a defect."

I grimace and drop my shoulder, causing Kayleigh to hit the floor herself. She wasn't hurt, but I could feel her burning holes in me. Ugh, I'll pay for that later, but she deserved it. "Anyway, what's keeping everybody? Natalia should've been down here by now."

"I had to shit."

Slightly startled, I turned to see Nat getting comfortable in her chosen floor seat.

"Seriously, Natalia, no one needed to know that." Kayleigh scolds, returning to her original position.

"Well, Cassidy asked, so I answered."

"Which is very unlike you." I chime. There's been only a handful of times Natalia has ever answered a question about her whereabouts. She was secretive like that, but it was never a bad thing.

We continued going back and forth until Mom and Eve joined us. At first glance, it looked like we were arguing, but they quickly dismissed the idea, and mom let us know it was time to head out.

Remember when I woke up with that dreaded feeling this morning? I think I found out why; mom was the cause of it. We drove for ten to fifteen minutes before I saw the sign, Locksville School District. It all made sense now; my feelings toward education weren't the problem, but the process of picking a school was. Yet my opinion on the matter hasn't changed. I wanted the school to have more than one level and more than a hundred students attending it. I hope this school is better than the last one.

For the next hour, we took tours around some of the schools. Mom had scheduled everything before we left Portland, not that I'm surprised. Mom was a plan-ahead type of person and a bit of a perfectionist. However, I'm more surprised that there are people who want to give tours of a boring-ass building on a Saturday. I'm pretty sure they have other things they could be doing. But I won't complain since mom is serious about picking a good school. Our education is crucial to her.

When the last tour ended, the principal gave mom some packets and sent us on our way. Eve had asked what school mom would choose or liked best, but mom gave nothing away—simply informing us that we'll know on Monday, our first day. I wasn't looking forward to it, yet I was also optimistic.

"So, what's next on today's agenda?" Eve asks while settling further into her seat.

Clicking on the GPS, mom answers, "Shopping, the house needs furniture, and you guys need stuff for school."

It's been a while since I went shopping, so I am mildly excited. A while back, I decided to try a new style for the new school year, and today was the perfect opportunity. If I found enough inspiration, I could have a whole new wardrobe; honestly, that was the goal. I pray whatever style I choose is original and snags me a boyfriend.

"Your too young to have a boyfriend."

Huh?

"Nat, who are you talking to?"

"Cassidy." She shrugs. "What? You didn't hear her say she hopes to snag a boyfriend?"

"Honestly, I wasn't paying attention."

"That's what happens when you massage your temples for five minutes straight, Kayleigh." Eve chimes, rolling her eyes at the finger Kayleigh decided to give her.

"Stop it, you too, now back to you, Cassidy." Natalia sighs, her attention focusing on you once more. "Your too young, so no boyfriend for you."

I- the fuck? Who is she to decide whether or not I can have a boyfriend?

"I'm your older sister, you brat!" she scolds.

I groaned once I realized I had been talking out loud. Damn, I need to stop doing that.

The rest of the day was eventful. I don't know when it happened, but somehow mom got a u-haul to transport any immediate furniture we could take home. We filled the truck to the brim, yet we still didn't have half of the things we needed, only the necessities.

The car was probably the worst of all. There were so many bags from the stores we went by. Most were my sister's new clothes or random house decorations, while a tiny portion was my stuff. Honestly, I'm surprised we could afford all this, we weren't poor, but I doubt we had it like that, given how sudden this move was. The items themselves weren't expensive, not counting the electronics, but the bill piled together would make a broke person cry. But it was all needed; I didn't want to unpack everything, clothes were one thing, but the furniture was another.

I was exhausted. My body could handle a lot due to design, but I over-extended my body with the manual labor we just did. I wasn't the only one either; everyone except mom sat lazily on the newly built couch. Their groans echoed as the room was still somewhat empty. I wasn't a builder, and moving furniture was not my forte. Yet, I was swapping out fucking refrigerators and stoves. Not to mention I still have boxes upstairs that need assembling. Kill me.

This shit is ridiculous.

However, all I wanted to do right now was eat and then take my ass to sleep. Tomorrow required me to be mentally fresh; it would be another long day.

A muffled groan passed my lips as I fell on the couch, going unnoticed by those trapped in their current conversations. Not that I cared; the conversation wasn't anything I wanted to chime in on. But I did raise an ear when Eve mentioned our food; we still had another 10 minutes before we could eat. I was somewhat of a fat ass, so just those words alone almost had me drooling on the new couch. I would've gotten yelled at for it, but meh. Still, a mystery how I'm like this when no one else in the family is obsessed with food, animals included.

The smell hit me before I could register what was happening. The sweet smell of marinara coated in mozzarella, accompanied by bacon, Italian sausage, and fresh pepperoni, made my mouth water. So much so that I drooled on the couch. Mom will scold me if she sees that, but it'll be worth it. The pizza and the freshly fried buffalo chicken wings were like heaven, though I'm sure I wouldn't be allowed there; pay that no mind. I'm allowed to say it on limited occasions.

After scarfing down some slices and a few wings, I noticed the food tasted different. Maybe it was my tongue sensitivity, but the food was more pleasurable than usual. An extra ingredient? Yet I couldn't complain, and the food coma was starting to take over. So I excused myself and slumped to my room. Crawling sluggishly into bed, I let my body succumb to the darkness.