For Her Protection

CASSIE-3

Chapter Three

I scoff, push him away, and walk back in the living room. Elijah comes trotting down the stairs, "God, I feel so much better!" I grab my blanket and sit back on the couch, preparing myself for this akward coversation. I hear Stefeno chuckle as he leans on the doorway between the living room and the kitchen. He acts as if he didn't just call me a w***e. I don't know why it bothers me so much. You would think I would be used to it by now.

I'm comfortable and confident in my body. I work hard staying in shape. I may show it off, but not in a slutty type of way. I make sure I'm covered where it counts. Plus, he is in my house. I should be able to be dressed however I want in the comfort of my own home. It's not like I knew they were coming over. Even then, IT'S MY HOUSE! Besides that, why is it bothering me so much? I know I'm not a w***e. You have to be sexually active to be a w***e. And believe me, none of that is going on.

I may dress a certain type of way and I may act all confident and possibly flirt with guys here and there, but what a lot of people don't know is, I'm actually still a virgin. Yep, I'm twenty-three years old and still have my virtue intact. I spent my entire school career just focusing on making good grades. I went to parties, but I was always safe. I have rules for myself and I'm very strict with them. Some would say I'm a prude, but I promise I'm really not. I just hold myself to a higher standard.

My mother always taught me to have self respect. She always made sure I knew my own worth. And maybe, in the back of my mind, I held these standards for her. I didn't want to disappoint her. I wanted to have the fairytale love and save myself for my husband, but maybe I keep to that to honor her memory. My mother was an amazing woman. Anyone who ever met her would say the same. She loved everyone and everyone loved her. I think I do the things I do and act the way I act for her. I just miss her so much and seeing my brother again reminds me that she is gone. And it reminds me how him and my dad abandoned me. It reminds me how angry I truly am at them. And how heartbroken I truly was. But, I would never let that get in my way. I'm FINE on my own. I have my Aunt Clara. She's all I need.