𝟏𝟓 | 𝐂𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

                                    

                                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
 
꧁꧂

    With the sound of the bell ringing, (Y/N) began packing up her bags after a rather boring chemistry class, breathing out a sigh of relief at being able to escape the stifling classroom. The girl from last period that had been glaring at her for talking to Jay was burning holes through the back of her head, her scowl having not once disappeared.
    (Y/N) groaned internally.
    Why is she even pissed off at me? I'm literally his almost-step-sister. Anything else would just be weird.
    Maybe she doesn't know that though? 
    Whatever... 
    It's not my problem if she wants to be a bitch.
    Pulling out her perfectly crafted bento—a lunch that Takeshi made and prepared for all of his children and what Miranda was now learning how to make—whilst glancing around the crowded cafeteria that contained most of her step-brothers and no Eun-ji, she decided that she would be eating somewhere that was a little quieter. Limping out of the doors and toward the equally crowded courtyard,  she then traveled toward the more secluded parts behind the school.
    Sliding down the wall and sitting down, (Y/N) took out her food and began to eat, sleepily staring out at the looming buildings behind the trees that surrounded the school.
    Wow...
    It's not even lunch and already I want to go home and take a nap.
    "First Mikael and his crap... and then Jay and his weird fan girl or whatever..." she let out a slow exhale as she rested her head against the wall. "What a day... and I've only been here for two weeks."
    "I warned you, didn't I?" A low voice suddenly asked her, startling her.
    Turning her head, she met Cassius' hazel eyes, her own widening since she hadn't even noticed him sitting there. His legs were propped up with his arms resting on his knees, looking completely at ease as if he were exactly where he should be. He had a slight smirk on his lips as well, making her think that he was mocking her in a way.
    "What are you doing here?" She instead questioned as she turned away from him. "I thought you'd be in the art room?"
    "Everyone always swarms in there during lunch to try and find me," he scoffed as he ran a hand through his shoulder-length white hair. "And I hate such noisy people."
    (Y/n) blinked.
    Wow...
    I've never seen him look this pissed.
    "You dislike crowds?"
    Cassius glanced at her again before looking away, not even bothering to answer her.
    Rolling her eyes since it was clear the conversation wouldn't continue any further, she ate her lunch in silence as he did the same, not caring that they weren't alone anymore. It wasn't long though before she noticed him glancing at her out of the corner of his eye, wondering what he wanted since earlier he had made it clear he wanted silence.
    "What?" She finally asked.
    "To be honest, I'm quite curious about you even though I don't really want to be," he murmured, resting his cheek against his fist the longer he stared at her. "Even though you didn't notice me, I've seen your interactions not only with Ashton and Mikael, but with Jay and Haru, too. Such... interesting relationships, don't you think? And not to mention Kai... now that was one I didn't expect."
    "Huh?" Her brows tightened at his words. "What do you mean by that?"
    "You don't know?" He chuckled, his eyes curving upward, as if amused by her question. "Well, it makes sense. You've only been here for a few weeks, so how can you know?"
    (Y/N) bristled.
    What is he even talking about?
    Is he talking about Kai?
    Or the others?
    And what is it that I don't know that is so amusing to even him?
    "Well, I guess this is what happens when you don't listen to me," Cassius continued, his hair ruffling in the soft breeze that suddenly flew past them, highlighting his pale complexion and striking eyes. "You still talk to them even though I warned you against it? Still talk to me? I've already seen that you can handle Ashton and heard that you can handle Haru and Mikael, but still... is this really how you want to continue living?"
    (Y/N) swallowed as she turned her way, her fists tightening when already knowing the answer to such a question.
    Sure, she loved her mother.
    But she was miserable.
    Not all the time, but when with Ashton, Haru, or Mikael, she felt horrible.
    They didn't want her there.
    They never did.
    Jay seemed to be indifferent to her presence, both Takeshi and Kai seemed to welcome her, and she didn't even know where she stood with Cassius since he acted so strangely around her.
    It wasn't enough.
    "It's not like this will be forever..." (Y/N) finally answered as she looked up to stare rigidly into Cassius' eyes. "...and I want my mom to be happy. I can deal with the others for now. If it escalates, though... then of course I'm not going to just keep quiet. Even if it hurts..." 
    She stopped.
    Cassius raised a brow.
    Yeah...
    It's not gonna be forever.
    "Anyway..." she sighed as she began to pack up her bento, not noticing how intently Cassius was staring at her in that moment, allowing the corners of her lips to tilt upward ever so slightly. "...it may take some time, but sooner or later, they will come to realize that I don't give a fuck about any of them. And then they'll leave me alone."
    Flashing him a small smile, she limped away, leaving him speechless.
    Then he gave a brief laugh.
    Pressing his hand against his mouth and tilting his head, he stared out at the trees with intrigue flaring in his eyes. Sure, he knew that (Y/N) was intense when she needed to be, but this was something else.
    Hm...
    Maybe this won't be as bad as I thought.

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
꧁꧂