Cassy Santos : A Clash Of Eventful Birthdays

News Time

"Charlotte!", I called when we were alone in my room. Mel was downstairs watching the same movie she talked about last time. "I think I have an idea what the password might be" I said.

"You do?", Charlotte asked trying to hide her excitement.

"Yep. Just a minute", I said moving to my desk to get my school bag. I brought it to the bed,sat down and began searching for the note.

"What are you looking for?", Charlotte asked.

"The note. I think the password might be hidden in it.", I said removing all my stuff when I discovered I couldn't find it

"When was the last time you saw the note?",She asked as she flipped through pages of my book.

I thought for a while about her question. My mind has been really occupied by what happened at school that I have forgotten entirely about the note until now.

"That should be in class. I was going to show it to you when I met the principal", I replied after sometime.

"It might be in one of your books", Charlotte said searching but I wasn't eager to search again. My mind was beginning to tell me something that I don't want to believe.

I brought out the books I took to the library. My Chemistry textbook is one of them it's in my locker. When I couldn't find the note in others,I hoped it was in my chemistry textbook.

"I can't find it Charlotte", I said panicking. It was my turn to Panic. I told her my Chemistry textbook is still in my locker.

"Its alright Cassy. let's hope it's in your Chemistry textbook",She said calmly. I looked at her wondering how she could remain calm when her moms note is almost lost.

"What's going on here?",Mel asked when she noticed the silence in the room and my books scattered on the bed.

"Nothing Mel", I said with a smile as I arranged my books.

"Nothing and all your books are spread on the bed?", Mel said suspiciously.

"Is that a problem?", I asked in defense.

"Yes, it's a problem because Cassandra doesn't scatter her books and especially not on the bed",She said placing her hands on her hips and I kept quiet. Why did she know me so well?

"I am your sister Cassy",She said as if she read my thoughts.

"Mel ,I was the one that scattered her books. I was looking for something", Charlotte answered.

"Okay then. Cassy,dad is calling you downstairs", Mel said grinning from ear to ear. I knew that look,I just hoped it's not what I was thinking.

I turned to look at my wall clock and groan. Mel started laughing and Charlotte joined her.

"Its News Time!", They both exclaimed together. I threw myself on the bed. I hated news time. That's the worst part of my day. Its so boring having to sit down and watch all these political news and stuff.

"Tell him I will be down in some minutes. I need to tidy my room.",I said pointing at the books scattered on the bed. Mel left the room still smiling. Sometimes I think why she likes News time is because she enjoys seeing my reaction anytime she informs me about it or whenever we are watching it.

"You guys still do that stuff?", Charlotte asked as she helped me to pack the books.

"Never missed it for a whole year now",

Dad practically worships the news. What I don't understand is how he enjoys that boring moment. Unfortunately,all my family members are now caught up with his obsession to News Time because you dare not miss it. Not when Daddy is around.

"Sorry,we couldn't have a proper get together or better still reunion", I apologized.

"Funny", Charlotte said laughing."So what about the note?", she was practically freaking out.

"I will check my locker tommorow. I am sure it would be there",I replied.

We entered into the living room and moved to were Mel was sitting. Mom and dad were sitting on the same chair. They were both arguing about something the broadcaster was saying. We get to see that often so we didn't bother about that. Sometimes I think it was my dad that actually turned my mom into a political freak.

"What took you so long?",Dad asked not taking his eyes off the Screen.

"Sorry Dad. my room was in a little bit of a mess so I had to put it together before coming out", I apologized.

"Charlotte,we heard about what happened to your mom. So sorry about that",Mummy said to Charlotte turning away from the screen.

"Thank you ma", Charlotte replied smiling. I think she was beginning to let go.

"Hope you are doing very well?",Mum asked further.

"Yes ma",She smiled again.

"Anytime you need anything you can come to me. You are always welcome here.",My mom said and Charlotte nodded.

"Daddy can I go upstairs with Charlotte?,I can watch the news next time",I pleaded hoping he would say yes.

"Charlotte is practically family now so I think it's time she starts getting used to the things we do around here. So Charlotte will watch News with us and will always continue to do that anytime she's spending the night here", Daddy said still not looking away from the Television screen.

I groaned and everyone in the room began to laugh including Charlotte. Well, guess I am the only one safe from this news madness.

"Charlotte are you okay with that?", dad asked Charlotte. I was hoping she would object or say any other thing other than yes.

"Sure", Charlotte said. Well, that wasn't yes but still meant yes. I looked at Charlotte surprised. We used to be on the same part when it comes to News Time. She never liked it either.

Frustrated,I grabbed two pillows holding them tightly against myself. I just wished I had my story books or Mobile phone but news Time is News Time. You only get to watch the News. Funny enough it's the only boring time that I don't get to read one of my story books. Its a wonder how I still stay through this moment without running insane or freaking out.

***

"Hi ",I greeted Charlotte. I am searching for the note and trying to stop myself from freaking out.

"Haven't found it yet?", She asked opening her locker. I nodded.

"Leave that for later we are almost late for chem class", she said. I nodded again slammed my locker shut and off we were for chem class.

I noticed some students glaring at me but I was already prepared for that. Or so I thought because when we got close to the class,I stopped moving.

What was I thinking? how am I going to face everyone?

"It will be fine Cassy. You know it's not your fault", Charlotte said placing her hands on my shoulder. "Just ignore them and pretend nothing happened", she said.

Ignore and pretend?, that sounded so easy. But not when guilt is trying to eat you up. Its easier to ignore other people than to ignore your conscience.

"I wish this never happened", I murdered.

"I know. I wish same too", She replied. "Can we go now before we get late to another class?",

There was a huge crowd before the classroom and in the whole hallway. The whole place was unusually noisy.

"She's here!", Someone said and all attention shifted to us. Was expecting all eyes to be on me but to my surprise everyone was looking at Charlotte.

"Wonderful!", I muttered wondering if they found out she was the one that went to the principal's office. I wasn't planning on telling anyone that though.

"What did you do?",I asked

"Nothing. Well, apart from what you already know",She replied.

"Did you tell anyone?, I asked further.

"No", She responded and we continued moving.

There was even more crowd in the classroom the whole place was overcrowded like they were dragging for something.

"What's going on here?", I asked. Sue me, but I couldn't take it anymore. When there was no response and the people began to disperse a little still looking at Charlotte,I turned to find her glued to a spot. The color has completely left her face.

"Charlotte, what's going on?",I followed her gaze and it was my turn to stay glued to the ground.

"s**t!",