“BEEP, BEEP, BEEP…” Cassidy’s alarm clock screeched loudly. Cassidy sat up in bed in a zip. What was I dreaming about? Oh yeah. Never mind. He is not even worth thinking about. I have to get ready, even if that dream makes me feel safe and… don’t go there. I’m up!

Cassidy shot out of bed and ran into the bathroom. After showering, brushing her teeth and hair, and putting clothes on (You know the whole shebang), she decided to go out for a drive. Cassidy looked over at her alarm clock. It was only 6:00. Good I can go out for a drive and maybe even go to the lake, I bet it would be beautiful right now. Cassidy hopped into her car and sped off, with her almost nonexistent parents being the way they were, they would again neglect doing their job of keeping tabs on Cassidy.

She smiled as she sang along with songs on the radio on the way to the lake outside of her town. When she got there she realized that the beautiful lake was just what she needed. She grabbed a blanket out of her trunk and laid it out on the grass.

Cassidy opened her eyes and realized she must have fallen asleep when she felt a hand grazing up and down her face. She felt so content, and then she hazily realized that she was about to let her sleepy self get groped by a man because she felt CONTENT. She knew it was unnatural to be awake before 6:00. Her eyes flashed open. Creepy, much?

“Corbin? What are you doing here…and what were you just doing?” How weird is that. I just having a dream about…Never mind what I was dreaming about. WHY IS HE HERE? If he is stalking me…

Corbin looked surprised by Cassidy’s alertness. She guessed that Corbin did not realize that people do tend to wake up when their faces are being touched. “I don’t know, I was here just to you know think, and then I heard some snoring, and you have some blood on your face, from a bug or something, so I wiped it off.” He said dejectedly. And then, a little defensively, he said. “What’s with the interrogation anyway? I mean, why were you sleeping here?”

Cassidy so didn’t have time for this. “This is my place. It…Never mind I have to go.” She trailed off. She should not have to explain herself to Corbin. She absentmindedly rolled the blanket from beneath him and headed towards her car.

She then noticed that Corbin was not making any moves towards a vehicle. In fact, her vehicle was the only one in the small, gravel lot. As bad as their history was, she still could not just leave him there with no way of getting to school.

“Corbin, you need a ride don’t you? Typical.” While having the best interests at heart, she could still be icy if she wanted to.

“Thanks.” He said when she said he could ride with her.

“Sure. Just please don’t bug me, play with my radio, or distract me while I’m driving.” She told him pointedly, just waiting for him to deny that he had done those things in the past.

“I won’t.” he said.

As they drove off, she glanced at the clock; school was starting pretty soon, so she had to hurry. As she sped down the county road, Corbin started asking her questions.

“Did you mean any of the things you said in that e-mail you sent me the other night?” he asked her.

She glanced at him quickly, “what did I say about bugging me?”

“I’m just talking to you and answer me. Did you or did you not mean what you said in that e-mail?” He asked again more harshly.

Cassidy sighed. “Yes, what I said was sincere, unlike the ridiculous note I found on my car the other day.” She said quietly.

“I meant what I said but I don’t think you meant what you said.” He stated.

“Why would I say it if I didn’t mean it? I have no reason to lie to you. Plus, unlike you, I’m not trying to sugar anybody else up for my own benefit.” Cassidy replied.

“I’m in a bind so what? We would’ve become friends again eventually, that is, if you would put your ridiculous walls down.” He said.

“What walls? I have no idea what you are talking about. Can we just please sit here in silence? You are starting to tick me off!”

“Who doesn’t tick you off? And you know exactly what walls I’m talking about Cassidy. You’re just pushing me away because we used to be friends until you lost me, and you don’t want to lose me again.” He stated softly.

“First of all despite what you might think, I have moved on, and secondly, maybe I’m pushing you away because I don’t like you!” She roared.

“I know you try not to think about me when you are awake...” He paused thoughtfully. “But what about when you are sleeping?” He asked her in a tone that irritated and scared her.

Cassidy glanced at the road and almost cried out. She had been so caught up in their argument that she hadn’t realized how recklessly she was driving. She had been driving like she was heavily intoxicated.

“I believe your exact words were, ‘Corby, please don’t leave.’ ”

Was he making fun of her? It wasn’t her fault that the only way she would fall asleep properly was if she dreamed she was in his arms. It’s the only way she felt safe because of her home life. How could he make fun of that?

“Please stop. Just stop.” They both knew she was not just talking about his comments.

Her shoulders and neck were tense as she drove them to the high school. When she arrived to school, she pulled up along side the sidewalk and waited expectantly. He looked a little bit confused but exited the vehicle quietly. As soon as the passenger door was shut she was gone. She put on her sunglasses and just drove. She could be counted as truant for all she cared; there was no way she was going to school that day.

After she drove for a ridiculously long time, she felt composed enough and decided to go somewhere familiar.

So she drove to the library and lost herself in her homework. After that, she pulled out Ms. Tart’s absurd love journal.

Dear Love Journal,

Corbin stalked me this morning, and I was annoyed. And as a hopeless romantic, you would probably think it was sweet… I don’t have to tell you that I didn’t think it was sweet. Well anyway, after that I gave him a lift and he tried to have a deep meaningful conversation, and ended up insulting me. There is no way I could have a romance with a guy like that, even a meaningless one.

-Cassidy