• • •

"You can't change someone who doesn't
see an issue in their actions."

- Unknown

• • •

"He isn't all that."

I rolled my eyes at Cassidy as I handed her a pen. "Study."

The usual trio of Cassidy, Elenor, and I were situated in a cafè close to campus for lunch. It was a popular meeting spot for students and wasn't all that famous for it's meals but Cassidy wanted to feel the aesthetics while both Elenor and I wanted to study.

"You've seen him, haven't you, Elenor?" Cassidy turned to Elenor, her lined-eyes thinned into perfect lines.

Elenor shrugged her shoulders, stray hairs tickling the edges of her face as she examined the contents shown on the screen of her laptop. Finals week was about to begin and I could tell from the new lines on the girl's face that it was taking a toll on her.

"You said he was hot just a few days ago."

"See," I pointed to Cassidy with my pen, a smug smirk on my face.

Cassidy turned her glare to me now. "Just cause he's hot doesn't mean you should like him."

"I don't like him."

"Tris said otherwise."

"When did you and my sister become so close?"

"That's not what matters," She grunted unattractively. "What matters is that you're not sharing important pieces of information with your friends. Aren't you feeling betrayed, Els?"

Elenor shrugged her shoulders again, not bothering with a reply as she began to type and scribble on her notebook at the same time. I hummed as I watched her, impressed by her clean ability to multitask.

"I'm just helping him acclimate back into society," I lied, scribbling my own notes as I looked between my text book and my notebook. "He hasn't been back in Mercedes for years, Cassidy. This is his first Holiday back since he left."

"Doesn't he have friends for that?" She spat, crossing her arms over her chest. I sighed as I looked at her laptop that displayed a black screen, showing that no studying will be done by her unless I gave her the conversation she wanted.

"Why are you so worried?" I asked, dropping my pen in frustration.

Cassidy's face turned to me and I could see that look that I was all too familiar with. It was the same look she had when she first visited Governor's Hill, entered Mercedes University, and became my friend. Cassidy looked out of place.

"He's not your friend," She muttered quietly, watching me with so much concern in her eyes. "It takes years to become your friend, Tria."

"I know," I sighed, my hands itching downwards to adjust my skirt that was beginning to feel wrong on my skin. "But he's my friend, Cass."

I could tell that my answer didn't satisfy Cassidy one bit but she relented nonetheless, deciding instead to retreat back into her books. I sighed before returning to my own.

Our trio had survived many years of fights over boys and threats of separation so I knew that this small quarrel was only another addition to that portfolio. We will continue and besides, this was barely a fight.

I just didn't understand why Cassidy was so reluctant for me to be friends with Dawson.

'Does she want him for herself?' My eyes glanced over at the pretty blonde whose brows were knitted together in permanent worry. Her peach-glossed lips were pursed together tightly due to her previous attempt to bite her tongue. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a messy bun that only fueled the fantasy further, showing that despite the stress on her shoulders her beauty will still reign. I wouldn't stand a chance against her if it got to it.

"Oh my fucking gosh, Cassidy!?"

Our trio looked up at Helena whose hair was pulled back into a clean bun and was supporting the dior sunglasses that rested neatly on top of her head. Cassidy's predecessor was flashing a beautifully perfect smile at us but my eyes still caught sight of the girl trailing behind her, Amber Vaughn, heiress to Vaughn Publishing Co.

"Lena!" Cassidy gasped as she stood and gave Helena a greeting hug.

The two blondes looked like sisters as they embraced and I momentarily thought of something scandalous as they parted.

"Sheesh, you're looking better than me now," Helena gushed as she looked Cassidy up and down. "And unfortunately following in my footsteps, a Ledger, really? What made you decide to date him?"

"He's cute," Cassidy replied shortly while smiling at Helena. "He's also good to me, better than how Dawson treated you—actually, why don't you tell my friend, Tria, about how Dawson used to treat you in your relationship."

Helena's attention finally landed on me and a flash of recognition crossed her face as she smiled even wider.

"Ahhh, Tria!" She squealed, clapping her hands together while Amber fetched her a seat to sit on.

"Helena," I greeted curtly. From the corner of my eyes I could see Cassidy throwing me suspicious looks that screamed, 'What is going on, how do you know each other?'

"Cass is kidding," Helena chuckled, throwing Cassidy a fleeting smile. "Daws is great, always great. One time he sent me this giant bouquet of my favorite flowers—I think it was tulips back then? Anyways, the flowers were great, my mom was at my apartment then and even she thought it was great, the flowers I mean—she thought they were great."

I smiled awkwardly as Helena began to rant about how the tulips were perfectly symmetrical as if they were handpicked by a geometric professional. I could feel Cassidy burning holes on the side of my head so eventually I had to face her despite my wanting not to.

"How do you guys know each other?" Cass finally piped, eyes plated on me.

Helena chuckled once more, squeezing my arm and replying, "Oh, funny story babes, Tria and I met-"

"I wasn't talking to you," Cass sneered, daggers now piercing Helena's frame.

The innocent girl recoiled, her face contorting into obvious displeasure. "Oh my."

There was a moment of silence as everyone, including Amber who was gripping the seat she had brought over tightly, stared at Cass in shock. The outburst was out of the blue, but not unlike her.

"Cass that was mean," Elenor finally chimed, looking away from her laptop to scold Cassidy.

Cassidy ignored her, eyes focused on me. "Why haven't you been telling us this stuff, Tree?"

"I didn't think I had to," I replied in all honesty. My face showed all the mixed emotions I was feeling with all the accusations that Cassidy was throwing at me. Why was she being like this? The conversation had became sharp too fast to comprehend.

"You didn't think you had to tell your friends about the guy you're dating?"

"You're dating Dawson?" Helena gaped, staring at me in shock. "You work quick, honey."

"No, we're not dating," I corrected before anything got out of hand. Knowing Helena, words could be twisted in the blink of an eye. "Cassidy, why are you so worked up?"

"I just think you're being downright selfish," She cried out, tears welling up in her eyes now. I was gaping at her in complete and utter shock, the escalation of the situation putting me at a loss.

"How am I being selfish?"

"Guys that's enough." Elenor closed her laptop and went to grab Cass's hand, possibly to ground her back to reality. But the blonde was quick and pulled her hand away, wanting to relish in her misplaced anger a bit longer.

"No, Els." Cass was now standing up, bag in hand. "If Tria thinks we're going to allow for further disrespect in our relationship with her we might as well do the same-"

"Cass that's not what's happening here," Elenor begged, eyes furrowed in worry for her friend. "You're not thinking straight, please sit back down and we can talk it out."

"There's something you're not telling me." I was looking at both Elenor and Cassidy whom I could tell were having some sort of secret conversation with their eyes. Years of friendship makes you realize all the quiet conversations being held, like a link to one another's brains, and right now one was happening right in front of me.

Elenor frowned at me and shook her head. "Cass is just having a hard day-"

"Els, stop, please I just want to go home," She huffed, her eyes that wouldn't leave mine earlier now not even meeting them.

"Cass can we talk it out, please?" I begged, standing up from my seat as well, work forgotten.

"I can tell I arrived at a very bad time," Helena whistled while looking around for Amber. "I think Amber and I will just go."

"No, stay."

We all turned to the new voice that had joined us.

Marcus Ledger waltzed into the cafè, his face neutral as he approached his girlfriend who was glaring pitifully at him. We all watched as he grabbed her arm, pulling her out of the table and then whispering something into her ear.

A silent agreement followed and then both Marcus and Cass announced-

"We're going."

"Where are you going?" I huffed, annoyed with all the secrets.

Marcus smiled at me sadly as Cass turned away. "I have a race tonight, I wanted Cass to be with me for practice."

I looked at Cass now whose face was stained with tears that had fallen during her argument with me, if you could even call it that since most of the arguing came from her. I sighed and pursed my lips together, angered by this sudden disruption.

"No, Cass stays here," I commanded, glaring at the pair who now stared at me with shock. I never put my foot down when it came to these two, especially together I never butted in their relationship. But since I was planning to ruin it anyways, I might as well try new things.

"Markie I think it's best you stay out of their little fight," Helena advised, looking between the three of us awkwardly. I could tell that despite the tea she could get out of this scenario she didn't want to be caught in the middle of it. "It's a fight between friends, it's healthier if they sort it out on their own."

"Atria, look, Els is right, I'm not thinking straight and I should go home."

I gaped at the look of defeat that pictured on Cass's face. Not even a second ago she was ready to start bawling all her frustrations out but one word from Marcus and it seemed she was ready to give that all up. No, this was not how I was going to let the conversation end.

"You're the selfish one."

It was a statement I wanted to say for so long and I could tell from the lack of fight Cassidy was putting up that she believed it as well. Her only response to my accusation was a small frown of acceptance, she almost looked ashamed.

"For years you've avoided the topic of me having any sort of relationship with the opposite gender!" I cried out, my lips quivering from the onslaught of emotion that wrecked me. "It's unfair! I listen to all the problems you have but you won't even listen to mine! And when I'm just friends with a guy suddenly I'm the scum of the earth—it's crazy, Cass! When will you realize that none of these guys who come and go into my life will compare to our friendship?"

My outburst had Cass sobbing a new set of tears and Els came to her side to comfort her with a hug. I whimpered as Helena pulled me into one as well, whispering that it'll be okay in my ear.

"Can't you for once stop thinking that these guys will steal me away from you?" I sobbed, wiping at my face.

"So you're dating Marcus now," I hummed as I looked at Cassidy from across the table. A week had passed since Cassidy and Marcus came forward with their newfound relationship, a week since I experienced another heartbreak and betrayal.

"It just happened," Cass answered with a nonchalant shrug. Her eyes wouldn't meet mine which told me all that I needed to know. She was ashamed. She had done it again.

"I'm your friend," I whimpered now, hoping she'd just look at me because no matter what I yelled out she just wouldn't. Her blonde curls fell over her eyes and now a mask laid for me to see.

"You're my friend," She finally let out, covering her face with her hands as overwhelming sobs took over her. Marcus had to hold her up because of the weight that had unexpectedly lifted off her shoulders. "But Tree, I can't just act like that's all that I want from this-"

"CASSIDY!"

I jumped hard from Marcus' sudden outburst and a hushed silence befell the cafè as all eyes now rested on our group that had caused such stupid commotion. I bit my lip as I watched a docile look take over Cassidy's face, her lips relaxing and eyebrows back to their normal resting position. Her eyes, however, looked tired and defeated.

"I'm sorry," She apologized, grabbing Marcus' hand.

I watched in silence with the rest of the cafè as Cassidy rested her forehead on Marcus' shoulder, the tears finally falling as she whispered-

"I want to go . . ."

"But there's still class this afternoon-"

"Cassidy wants to go, Tria," Marcus snapped, his face contorted into a look I've seen father's give their children when their choices are final.

Helena squeezed my shoulders and whispered to me, "Let them go, honey, it'll be fine."

I pursed my lips and pulled at the end of my shirt, my fingers shaking as I muttered, "Call me later, okay?"

Cassidy nodded her head before Marcus and her exited the cafè, not looking back at us once.

Ding!

The bell on top of the door chimed as Dawson along with Teddy and Gavin entered the cafè.

The timing was perfect.

I watched as Cassidy, head hung down and tears streaming down her face, bumped helplessly into the tall stature that was Dawson Ledger. On instinct, the boy grabbed onto the blonde's shoulders before she could fall to the ground—pulling her close to his body.

Their eyes met and I watched as something shifted in Cassidy's teary eyes as she gazed up at Dawson. I pursed my lips as the boy uttered the words-

"Are you alright?"

"This is bad for you, right?" Helena muttered into my ear with a helpless hiss. I didn't reply to her.

She pouted and then rubbed my shoulders.

"Yo! Cass," Gavin greeted as he caught sight of the blonde. Then, he realized the tears in her eyes and suddenly the boy who could care less about a woman's feelings started caring. "Hey, you crying?"

"She'll be fine," Marcus huffed as he pulled Cassidy back towards him, glaring at Dawson. "We have places to be."

"What happened?" Dawson asked Cassidy, ignoring the dirty look his younger brother was giving him.

Cassidy's eyes glanced in my direction before connecting back with Dawson's, giving him enough clues to piece everything together. "None of your business."

"Cassidy," I called out, clenching my hands as I plastered a worried look on my face. Everyone's eyes turned to me but I didn't let them stop me as I said, "Just know that I'm sorry, alright?"

Cassidy didn't turn back and Marcus pulled her out the door before anymore chaos could ensue.

"That was intense," Amber spoke from beside me while plopping the chair she had retrieved next to Helena. "Here babe, I didn't know when was the right time to come here because of all the fighting."

Helena nodded her head in understanding before helping me to my seat. I ignored the concerned look that Elenor was giving me from across the table and instead busied myself by clenching crescent moons into my palms from the anxiety.

"I told you I liked Maxwell," I huffed, crossing my arms as I stared sharp daggers at Cassidy who laid casually on my bed.

She shrugged her shoulders, scrolling away on her phone. "He came to me and asked if I wanted to go to Burger King together, I don't see the big deal."

"You kissed him."

"He wanted me."

I had continuously ignored it throughout our years together. I had cherished the friendship we had built because I argued in my head that it mattered more than useless crushes, because I loved Cassidy Brown like she was my sister.

"Felix Hubert?" Cassidy chuckled as her and Elenor looked through his instagram page.

I was huddled in on myself, pouting hard as they laughed at his photos, the hormonal acne probably being one of the major causes to their amusement. I touched my own face and hissed as I felt small bumps beneath my finger tips.

"He asked you out?" Cass giggled as she showed Elenor another picture. "You can do better babes."

I swallowed hard clenching my jaw as I pictured all those times I had bit my tongue to prevent arguments like today. Cassidy, despite all the glitter and print she threw, was a bad friend when you really look at it. Every moment of torture when I would come to her for relationship advice only to either be reprimanded or teased for being 'naive' and 'clueless' with sugary words. I was over it.

"Atty, what happened?"

My head snapped up and met the eyes of Dawson who was looking at me with so much concern in his eyes that I could burst. I wanted Dawson Ledger, I had understood that already. There was nothing else in the world that I wanted so much as I did him in this moment.

But a voice inside me had awaken and it wanted blood.

"Daws, I know how to get Cassidy's attention now."

• • •

Oop, friendship is crumbling.

Lots of love
- T