26. Chapter 26
Icouldn’t sleep. Can’t fucking eat, or breathe right for that matter.
Can’t focus, won’t stop shaking, so I’m sitting in my class in the afternoon completely numb and haven’t paid attention to anything my tutor has been saying.
All I can do is worry about the video he tagged me in early this morning.
I looked at my phone for any notification from Cassie, but he never replied, other than the message that came through at the same time I sent him the photos of the real me.
@Inkedreaper: I’ve met someone. This is over.
Seeing as I was on my phone I could see we sent the messages at the same time, so it wasn’t a response to me revealing myself.
No, he’d not replied to that at all. He’d not even acknowledged the fact I told him I loved him.
Waiting all night, nothing came through, until my phone blew up over the video he tagged my account in.
The comments were wild, followers demanding we make content together, asking if we were dating in real life, but also people telling me I should be scared.
I’m terrified, because this wasn’t like Cassie at all, but I also respected the use of a Scream four quote.
I revealed my true identity and then got an ominous public call out, telling me I need to make a run for it.
Were we over? God I’d fucked this all up.
In the video he was covered in blood–hopefully fake–rubbing it into his chest as a red light flickered behind him.
Suddenly he lunges forward and takes the camera, his position menacing, dominating and angry. Really fucking angry.
My tutor concludes the class and I immediately stand up, legs shaking and nervously I knock my phone onto the floor. The screen lights up as it lands on the carpet, but I don’t have any notifications. Cass hasn’t replied to a single one of my texts or calls, or messages on the thirst trap account.
Shoving it into my pocket, I trail out of the auditorium with everyone else. I don’t know if it’s my lack of sleep, shot nerves or the veil being thin on Halloween, but I’m so jumpy that when Grace calls out my name, I slam myself hard into a wall outside.
“Fuck!” I rub at my arm, shooting a glare over my shoulder like it’s her fault.
Moving around some of our class mates, she catches up to me and to my horror, she walks next to me as we leave the building. “Big plans for Halloween?” She asks, super chipper, like we’re best friends and her ex boyfriend is not my current–well, he’s my current something if he doesn’t kill me.
“Sure. Something like that.” I lie, because I have zero plans. I was going to stay in and have a movie marathon with Cass.
“Look,” she pulls at my arm, wanting me to stop.
“I know we’re not exactly close, but despite everything I’m really happy for you and Casper.
” As she says his name, I swear I see a flash of dark curls walk past the glass wall of the library, but when I whip my head around, he isn’t there.
“What he did at the party was so brave. He saved Faye and Mason's life. Casper is quiet and shy, I didn’t know he had it in him. What I wanted to say is just be careful with him. He’s flighty and a little prudish–I know you love dark romance, so maybe hide the books and don’t suggest trying any kinks.
” She laughs, like she’s giving me some really good advice.
I don’t laugh along, in fact I don’t even give her the benefit of the doubt.
I’ve completely had enough of her interfering.
“Grace, politely fuck off. Yes it was incredibly brave of Cass, but you clearly don’t know him at all, because that's exactly the man he is. He’s brave, kind, funny, outgoing, not quiet or shy.
Sexy, supportive, intelligent and the best sex of my entire life.
He’s not a fucking prude, you’re just impossible and never shut the hell up to let him actually get to know you.
Did you ever listen to him at all? Take anything in or ask him about his life?
You didn’t know his dream is to be a vet on his best friend's farm! He knows cows, and you don’t deserve to know cows, or him.
Don’t ever assume to know him or me, because you don’t.
I love him, so kindly or rather not so kindly, leave us alone. ”
Storming off without looking back at her, I push out into the cold afternoon and the further I stomp towards home, the more my mood swells and becomes even more bitter. Fucking Grace. The fucking nerve.
I pass the entrance to the park and swear I see a shadow in all black, but when I slam to a stop and look again, no one is there.
Chills run down my arms, making all the hairs stand up on my body.
I swear I’ve seen Cass all day, but I think my mind is playing tricks on me.
I thought I saw him standing outside my first class, but when I looked it was just another gym-bro.
Again when I looked out the window in the cafe at lunch, I thought he was across the street.
In the library I thought he was lingering in the stalls when I got a book on my reading list, and again just now outside the auditorium and now park.
I feel fucking crazy, but clearly I’m just shook that he may have threatened me publicly now he knows my identity.
Was it a threat? He did say I should run.
Making it to the front garden gate, I scan down the street, seeing nothing, not even a passing car.
Sighing, I push it open and head down my front path, only to stop when I see something laid on the doorstep.
I put out a Halloween mat yesterday ready for trick-or-treaters.
On top is what looks like a teddy–a plushie like what Cass bought me, and as I get closer, I see it’s the ghost from my room, the one which says ‘boo’.
The one that was in my boo basket and definitely was on my bed, with my other plushies the last time I saw it.
It’s shredded to bits, stuffing ripped out of the chest and spilling all over the pumpkin themed door mat.
My tongue feels thick in my mouth as I crouch to finger at the tuffs of white cotton, before snapping up, looking all around me.
No one's here. Cass’s form isn't going to appear out of the bush like Michael Myers.
Gathering up the mess off the floor, I use my key to get into the house and rush in like I'm under attack.
Micah is sitting in the living room, applying glitter to his blonde curls and he's adorning elf ears.
He already looks like a tiny cherub, so the entire thing is giving Elven.
He jumps at how loudly I collapse into the house, slamming my backpack onto the table and discarding the ruined gift into the bin.
“Miles, are you alright? You scared me.” He calls outs and after I catch my breath, I fake a smile, pretending like I am not shitting my pants. “I'm fine, just fell a little coming in, sorry. Have you seen Cass at all? Has he been here today?”
“No, no. I’ve been at the studio this morning, but I haven’t seen him.” He replies quickly, resuming an intense focus on painting glitter into his hair.
Narrowing my eyes, I watch him for a few more minutes, my intensity growing.
“Hey, why don’t you come out with us tonight? Or do you have plans?”
My heart dips, because I’m starting to realise this silent treatment might mean it’s truly over. “I don’t anymore…Sure.” I sigh, now annoyed I need to pull some sort of costume out of thin air.
A little topic sensitive, but I went with the ghostface mask and a plain black hoodie.
My cargo trousers have lots of loops and hanging belts attached, but feeling the part is far from my priorities.
I could be wearing a bin bag for all I cared.
We’re at a party with all of Micah’s dance friends and they’ve gone all out to decorate their space as a haunted house.
It’s amazing, a massive A for effort, but the moment I think I see a tattooed hand snake out of the shadows, I flinch back and frantically look around for Cass again.
Rushing towards the draped fabric covering one wall, next to the table with all the drinks and food, I pull it back but no one is there.
Snapping my head around, I rip the damned ghostface mask over my head and try to get a better look into each darkened corner.
He’s not here, I’m just going insane with the absence of him. Rubbing my fingers into my eyes, I squeeze them shut and try to get my shit together.
“You don’t look well Miles, maybe you should go home?” Micah appears in front of me, wearing an open black shirt and tight horse riding pants. He’s covered in golden glitter, looking like some gothic elf and it suits him well.
“Yeah, you’re probably right. You’ll be ok on your own?”
His laugh comes out like a waterfall, his mood a lot lighter than it has been in weeks. “I’m a big boy and these are my friends! I’ll be fine. Have a good night.”
I frown, wondering how I’m going to have a good night miserably alone, but I still dump out the drink I never touched and leave the party.
The burning stench of Grace's uni digs still lingers on my street as I fling open my front gate, the wind blowing a gust of the smell with it. Remembering my blow up earlier with her just adds to my foul mood, on my favourite day of all days. Well, it’s no longer going to be my favourite!
I’ll pick a more obscene, unique day that I’ll never let a guy ruin for me.
Like national pizza day, or international bat appreciation day.
That's like in April–no one celebrates anything else in April, it’ll totally be my own thing.