• Chapter 1: Reverie
    Goodbyes and Prom:

    My Mother used to say “when the going gets tough….well...fight back!” “Oh Jane….” my father would say politely. My name is Cassandra Rosa Collins and I live in Ohio in a little town called Exordia. When I was just 6 years old, my mom left to go re-join the military, it was the most confusing and probably one of the saddest days of my life, and ever since then, things really changed. Not having my mom around for 3 years, was insanity! But, my father insisted it was just business. Just business!? I was freakin’ 6 years old!, I had no idea what he meant by that, let alone what the term “Just business” was. My mom would miss out on all the things I would accomplish, the rest kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, and maybe 3rd! Too bad she didn’t come home until the summer of 4th. When left, she hugged me tight and told me she loved me and that she was sorry for having to stay there longer. I told her that I missed her too much for her to stay any longer. That made her ball out her eyes in tears. I would never understand why she did the things she did while I was so young, but I would soon. When I turned 14 years old she had to leave again. Little did I know that this would be for good. “Mom, you said you wouldn’t leave again! Why are you leaving now?” I asked her. “Cassie,” She started. “I have to do this, its my job!, and your old enough to understand that this is for your own protection, and everyone else’s!” She exclaimed. I looked into her eyes in up most sadness. Then she turned her scowl into a sad, sweet smile and gave me a big hug. “ I promise you,” She started to say. “When your older, you’ll understand completely that I’m doing this because I love you, your brother Josh and your father” , she finished. I looked into her eyes in a half cry and nodded slowly that I understood. She finished hugging me to hug Josh. “Come back soon Ma, alright?”, he said. He was two years older than me, so he tried to act like he was all brave and such, be we all knew inside that he was a bigger baby than me, and a lot closer to mom. When he was six, mom would watch old war movies with him and inspire him into all the action. He would always ask, “Why are those men hurting the others, I thought they were good guys?” Mom would laugh and reply “They are sweetie, and they’re hurting them because they’re stopping them from hurting their families.” He would just stare up at mom confused and say “Oh, well they’re doing a good job right?” Mom would stare at him and say “Yes Hun, yes they are.” She would gaze towards the ground in deep thought of something. Probably something she knew and he didn’t, not till now. After she hugged Josh, she walked in front of dad and smiled at him. “So”, she began slowly, “this is it huh?” My dad let out a big sigh, and replied. “Yeah, I think so…” Then they kissed, and they hugged one last goodbye. The goodbye of our lives. Once they were through we walked her out to the car. She got in while we stood by the door and watched. She looked up at us after strapping herself in and waved goodbye while trying not to let herself cry again. We all waved goodbye, she pulled out, and that was the last I saw of her, ever again. Almost 1 year later on the rainiest night of the year, my dad got the call, that changed my life. The call that mom was killed in battle. They said that she was taken hostage at Omega City in Minnesota, and after many months of searching the soldiers gave up. That night was the worst night f my life. I locked myself in my room and balled out crying the whole night. 1 week later, it was my 15th birthday it was so hard trying to get over it, but in the end I could barley make it through. Two years later, I was 17 and a senior at Exordia Community High School and was trying to make the best of things including the prom I would have to go to. I woke up to my alarm clock that and dad yelling to me to wake up. I had my own car and license, and my best friend Gina did not, so I had the lovely responsibility of picking her up in the morning for school. “Let’s go Cassie!” my dad yelled. “You’ve got to get Gina!.” I grabbed my things and headed downstairs. “I’m on my way!” I replied. When I got to the door, dad snuck in a quick hug good-bye. “Have a great day” He told me. I walked out the door and said “I will!” I got into the car and started it up. I pulled out and made my way down the block and around the corner to a street light. I had no Idea why they would even think to put a street light at the end of my block! I turned the light when it turned green and drove down a few more blocks till I got to Gina’s house. It was the 2nd to the last house on her street. Which ironically was called “Collin St.” I pulled into her driveway and got out. I walked up to her front door and rang the bell. I looked around anxiously at their front porch, everything was so worn and outdated. Her mom must not have taken much interest into the décor of it. Gina’s mom was very old fashioned. She was one of those people who felt that the right way, is the only way, and if nobody ever matched up to the right way, the weren’t here taste. Other than that, she’s a decently kind lady, she always had on a big sweet smile when I came over to see Gina, she always made the BEST cookies! And she always like to give advice to me and Gina if she could. A few moments later, she came to the door with that same big sweet smile I mentioned. “Well good-morning Cassandra!” she gleamed. “Are you here to see Gina?” she asked. I looked at her and nodded. “Um, Yes mam, were of to school.” I replied. She smiled like I had offered to take here to Disney Land. “How wonderful” she said. “Ill go see if Gina’s dressed yet.” she left me at the door and went up their stairway and towards Gina’s room. I waited a moment or two then saw Gina and her mother walking downstairs towards the door. “Ok I’m ready” Gina said to her mother. Her mom hugged her goodbye and guided her out the door like she was a sick person at a hospital, or a really elderly person. We got into my car as her mom stood by the doorway and waved goodbye. I smiled and honked the horn. She smiled back and looked like she had laughed at that. We drove of. “So Cas, Gina began to say. “You all set for prom?” I made a repulsed face and pretended to gag. “Don’t remind me.” I told her. “I have a dress, and everything!” “So what’s the problem?” she asked. “I’m just not so sure about this whole “prom thing” just yet.” I mean I have a date and junk, I just don’t know if this is my territory.” I explained. She looked at me like I was some sort of alien from mars. “Are you kidding me!?” She screamed. “Cassie, you are TOTAL prom material!” “Of course it’s your territory!” she yelled. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you won queen.” she added. “What!?” I exclaimed. “Don’t even talk like that Gee, if I make prom queen, ill leave the country!” I said. “Oh come on Cas, this is really important to me!” She said. I frowned. “Could you at least TRY to take this seriously?” she asked. We pulled up to another red light and as I slowed down the car, I tried to consider the possibility of being prom queen. I pictured, gagged, done. Gina rolled her eyes. We turned our heads towards the light as it turned green and kept on driving. Our town was really creepy sometimes. It looked like something out of Beauty and the Beast. Old and French. “Well you gotta be psyched about your date, Chad Loren!” Gina continued. “Major King material!” I sighed. “I guess, but I guess ill just have to wait and see.” I implied. She looked at me and smiled. “Your right Cas, do what you like.” She said. I smiled back. “Thanks Gee.” I said. A few moments later, we were pulling into the school parking lot. “So are we gonna rendezvous for lunch?” Gina asked. “Not today.” I told her. I’ve got a big test in English and I have to go to a prom committee meeting.” I explained. “Yikes!” she replied. “Well good luck!” she said. “Thanks Gee!” “Ill call you later.” I said. We both got out of the car and started to walk up towards the building. When we reached a flight of stairs we said our goodbyes and went our separate ways. I rushed down the front hall towards my locker to pick up my English text and then of to homeroom, Spanish. Ugh! How I hated Spanish! It was not only a difficult class, but one of the most embarrassing. 1st semester my x-boyfriend Kyle, was gonna meet me for a romantic lunch, unfortunately he didn’t get the memo I had detention in my Spanish class with probably the rest of the ENTIRE class! When he came in serenading me, the whole room burst out in laughter! I was mortified! The minute class was over I ran for the girls room and hid there for the rest of 5th period. Now they all call me Juliet and say things like “Hey Juliet, wanna kiss?” or “Hey babe, you hot for me?” Unbelievably embarrassing! I tried to switch to French but it was too late into the school year to even try. I closed my locker door and headed for homeroom when my phone rang. “Hello?” I answered. “Yes hello this Veranda and I’ve got something to say.” The voice was really nasty and a little frightening. I had no idea who this Veranda girl was, but I had strong intentions to find out. “Excuses me!” I replied aloud. “Who do you think you are!?” I demanded. “Oh excuses me!? I’m Chad Loren’s new date to prom, and I just thought id let you down before you get any bright ideas to pick a fight you wont win!” She yelled. “What!? screamed. “It WOULD be a bright idea to challenge someone stupid enough to threaten someone in school!” “Tell Chad good luck with the b***h!” I barked. I hung up. What a mess, not only do I have to find a new date before tonight. Now I have to deal with this new “Veranda drama” Ugh! Why cant I just finish high school and leave the face of the earth like normal chicks!? I put away my phone, walked into class and sat down at my desk. I couldn’t stop thinking about what I was gonna do about prom. Who was Veranda? How did she know who I was? Why did she hate me? And what would she do if I should up at prom? Is she lying about Chad? I’ve gotta know! Before I could even think, class started and it started out with my teacher calling me up to present my Spanish report. I was so focused about Chad and Veranda I didn’t even realize that the end of my report was missing! Of all things to happen! Now I had to figure something out and fast. I started to read. “My project is on how Spanish came to the Americas. In ….-…..” about 5 minutes later I reached the end and had to make up my own ending. “In conclusion I started. I kept looking at the clock hanging above the door. 2 minutes till the end of class. If only I could stall the for two minutes.