Cassie woke up lying against Kris. He was still dead asleep and she hoisted herself up and blinked a few times until she could understand what the clock said. She sighed when she realized it only said 11:34 a.m. She laid down and attempted to go back to sleep. After a few restless minutes she finally rolled over. She heard Kris sigh and he rolled over and put his arm around her waist. She let out a small giggle and he pulled her closer to him.

“Where do you think you are going?” Kris’s voice was thick with sleep and it made her laugh more.

“I can’t sleep. You go back to snoozing, I’m going to go find something to do.” He groaned before begrudgingly letting her go. He rolled over and was soon back asleep. Cassie got up and dressed and walked out of the room, closing the door behind her quietly.

Cassie trotted downstairs and saw her brother sitting on the couch. She walked up behind him and them flipped over the back of the couch, plopping next to him. He was reading a book and barely looked up at her, but she saw a faint smile.

“How are you, my dear big brother?” Cassie grabbed the book from his hand and read the title, then scanned the back. He raised an eye at her.

“And what does my baby sister want?” She laughed at his conclusion.

“I don’t want anything, brother dearest! We actually just haven’t sat down and talked for awhile!” He smiled.

“I’m doing well. How are you?” She flung the book onto the coffee table.

“I’m doing well, as well.” They went back and forth for about an hour talking about random things. During different points throughout their conversations, Aiden would notice a small item floating or shifting positions when Cassie would get especially excited about a subject. At one point, a mug Aiden set on the table shifted from one end of the table to the opposite seamlessly.

“I noticed you aren’t as explosive today.” Aiden tried to test the water carefully when talking about his sister’s emotions. She laughed.

“Yeah I know. I feel like I have an emotional outlet. I don’t know what, but you know what I mean, don’t you? Where you feel like everything is the end of the world for the longest time and then suddenly, one day, nothing bothers you anymore? That’s how I feel right now. It’s so exciting! It makes me want to go swimming or something!” Aiden smiled at her, but was still worried about what this might mean as far as her current situation.

The doorbell disrupted their talk. Aiden was surprised but he got up and went to answer it. Melody was waiting on the doorstep with two big burly men. She offered a smile to Aiden.

“Hello, Aiden. May we talk? Don’t mind these two, they just help me when I need them.” Aiden eyed the men but stepped back and let them in. Cassie stood up and gave a radiant smile to Melody.

“Hello, Melody! How are you? Can I get you something to drink? Or your men?” Cassie winked at one of the guys that was looking at her and he gave a toothy smile that sent a few shivers down her spine. Melody shook her head.

“No thank you, Cassandra. I just need to speak with Aiden and Kris if you don’t mind.” Cassie laughed.

“Well you can talk to Aiden, Kris is out like a light. I can go get him for you if you would like?” Melody nodded and so Cassie took to the stairs. She disappeared into Kris’s room. Kris came out of the room fully dressed after only a minute and came down the stairs. Cassie walked out of Kris’s room and stood at the railing and watched as they exchanged some words, then Kris guided them into the kitchen. Melody said something to the two men and they nodded and waited by the front door, looking like they were ready to fight. Cassie sighed and pulled out her phone and looked at it. She typed onto the phone for a moment before lifting it up to her ear.

“Hey, Mere! What’s up? So, listen. I was planning on going to the club tonight. I’ve been stressed lately and I am finally feeling like I’m catching the upswing of my week. Would you like to go to the mall and look at some clothes and go with me tonight?” She listened for a moment and watched the men prick up their ears it seemed. “Okay, cool. I’ll meet you at the mall in like 10 min? I’m just going to walk. It’s a beautiful day.”

Cassie hung up and then made her way down the hall, grabbed her purse from her room, and then shot a text to Aiden that she was leaving to hang out with Meredith and that she’d see him at the club tonight. She walked downstairs and past the two men camped out at her front door and started the short 10-minute walk to the mall.

Cassie waited by the waterfall in the mall for Meredith. She checked her phone to see if Aiden had messaged her back and she was slightly concerned when he didn’t yet. She figured whatever Melody and the guys were talking about that it must be important. She saw Meredith, but she had her back turned to her. Cassie walked towards Meredith and saw that she was on the phone. As she got closer she caught part of her conversation.

“Listen, I need to go. I’ll keep an eye on her and I’ll report back as soon as I can.” She hung up and turned around and almost ran into Cassie. She gasped and put a hand on her heart.

“What was that about?” Cassie pointed at her phone and Meredith looked down at the phone in her hand like she has never seen it before.

“Oh some kind of science project with a rat and stuff. Where do you want to hit?” Meredith pocketed her phone and Cassie shrugged. They just started to talk about nothing in particular and hit the shops closest to them and went through the racks.

“I think I’m going to start talking to Kris soon about the big future. I mean, basically we have been inseparable since I was 14 and things have been mega crazy lately and it made me realize that you only have one life, you know? Might as well make the best of it, and I couldn’t think of anything that would make me happier then being with Kris for the rest of my life.” Meredith stared off into space for a moment. She shook her head and looked back at Cassie with a smile before Cassie looked up at her.

“Good luck! You know how strong headed men are. Where are Aiden and Kris? Usually they follow you around like lost puppies.” Cassie laughed and shook her head.

“I didn’t see them after I called you. I just shot Aiden a message telling him where I was. Some woman that him and Kris work with or something showed up and they were talking about something top secret.” Meredith just nodded.

“What do they do for work? I don’t think I ever asked.” Cassie looked at Meredith and propped an arm up on the clothes rack. She let out an audible sigh.

“You know what, I am not really sure. It’s all top secret, like CIA secret or something. The most I know is that they hunt certain people down and I don’t know what happens after that. They can’t tell me anything and all that I know I had to gather on my own.” Meredith looked at her for a moment before sighing.

“Well, what if you found out your whole relationship was built on a secret that he didn’t think he could share with you?” Cassie thought a moment and then shrugged.

“I don’t know. If the whole relationship is built off of that secret then it never was real then, would it be? Like if he was keeping it a secret from me because he thought it would protect me, then it shows that he doesn’t trust me enough to handle the truth. I’m a big girl, I can handle the truth if you just give me a chance.” Cassie just shook her head and then went back to sifting through the clothing. Meredith just watched her for a moment while thinking before going back to looking through the racks.

“I don’t want to, stay another minute, I don’t want you to say another word, hush hush; hush-“ Cassie pulled out her phone and hit ignore. She rolled her eyes and laughed.

“Pussycat Dolls will never die with me. That was Kris.” She just about put it back into her pocket when the same ring tone started to go off again. She hit reject again.

Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen started to play on her phone and she hit reject and shut off their phone. She looked over at Meredith and laughed.

“I need a little girl time! So sick of listening to them! That one was Aiden. Whatever they have to say can wait until we meet up at the club.” Cassie walked out of the store and Meredith turned to follow when she heard a scrapping noise. She turned back around and saw as the clothing rack shifted and the scrapping noise followed it. She whipped her head back to watch Cassie sauntering out of the store. Meredith bit her lip and looked at the rack before walking out behind her. She pulled out her phone and sent a short message before placing it back into her pocket.

After a few hours of shopping, Cassie looked at the clock over the waterfall.

“Well, it’s actually getting close to 5. Do you want to go grab some food and then head to your place and get ready? We still have until 9 before the club even opens.” Meredith shrugged. They discussed for a few minutes where to eat before heading to the food court and just going their separate ways. They met back up at a table and set their bags on the floor before digging in.

“So,” Meredith began with her mouth full, “what’d the occasion to go out tonight?” Cassie shrugged and swallowed.

“I don’t need a reason!” Meredith laughed and then they ate the rest of the time in silence. They got back to Meredith’s place at 6 and then spent the rest of the time pulling out items that they bought. Cassie decided on a t-shirt with cut out shoulders and short shorts, while Meredith just wanted to wear a simple black dress out. They did their hair and messed around with makeup and just gossiped for hours. It was coming closer to the time that Cassie planned to meet up with the boys and she finally turned on her phone. She had many text messages after she sent Aiden that she was shutting off her phone. She checked the messages and a couple from Kris. They all said that they needed to talk and that it was important. Cassie looked at the time and just pocketed her phone since she knew she would run into them at the club.

“Are you ready? We can head out to the club now, if you want.” Cassie asked, looking over at Meredith and she laughed.

“Of course! We can show everyone how to dance!” Meredith smiled and Cassie stared at her.

“You alright? You seem like something has been on your mind tonight.”

“Yeah I’m alright! You know how I like to randomly think about stuff!” Meredith chuckled a bit, brushing Cassie off.

“Did you check on that rat or something?” Cassie asked before bending down and twisting her heel a bit into a more comfortable position.

“Rat?” Meredith stared off in space, confused.

“Yeah, that rat,” Cassie stood up and looked at her. “The one that you were talking about on the phone earlier?”

Meredith’s face registered. “Oh! I didn’t want to tell my partner on the phone earlier, but I…dropped it off at another group members house this morning as a favor.” Meredith was a little hesitant and then thought about it for a moment. “The rat needed more attention then I was willing to give today.”

“I see. Well! Then who cares about it? Let’s go! You want to just walk? Not that far. Only like 10 blocks.” Meredith shrugged and walked out of the door. “I just love the night air!”

“Me too. It’s beautiful out tonight too!” Meredith turned around to grab the door handle of the house when suddenly it slammed in her face. Meredith held her breath. She suddenly realized that Cassie was talking to her and she quickly locked the door and turned to face her.

“And then I threw a glass at them. I couldn’t believe I got that angry! But it worked. And they cleaned it up!” Meredith took a moment and tried to catch up but she realized she was talking about Kris and Aiden.

“Well, you do have them wrapped around your finger!” Cassie laughed. Meredith smiled and looked around and noticed how dark it was getting.

“Well tell me what you have been up to this week!” Cassie asked enthusiastically and Meredith looked over at her confused.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, what have you been doing this week? We haven’t really talked that much lately.” Meredith thought for a moment.

“Nothing really. Mostly I’ve been doing a lot of homework. You know, just floating in the sea of college. It never changes!” Meredith laughed.

“What do you mean?” Meredith looked at Cassie’s questioning glance.

“Oh. Well, I mean school. No matter where you go it’s the same thing.” Cassie laughed.

“That is very true!” Cassie looked and saw the club ahead. Meredith and Cassie got closer and could hear the pounding music inside and they waited in the line to get in.

“Hey!” Meredith and Cassie turned and saw Aiden running up to them. Cassie waved and Meredith smiled. Aiden shot Meredith a guarded look and she blanched. Kris was walking behind Aiden at a quickened pace.

“Were you guys waiting outside for us to show up? Talk about perfect timing!” Cassie laughed and looked at Meredith.

“It’s true. Almost spooky at your timing,” Meredith chimed in. Aiden shot her another look and she looked away.

“Actually, we were waiting. We need to talk to you about-“ Aiden began.

“Oh hey! Why don’t we do this like a double date!” Aiden just stared at Cassie, frustrated that she wasn’t listening. Kris walked up and put his arm around her waist. Meredith looked up at Kris and met his eyes. He stared at her and she stared back, trying to figure what he was thinking.

“I don’t think-“ Aiden attempted to gain control of the conversation again.

“How about you and Meredith become partners! I mean, obviously I know that you guys will disappear soon enough, but every girl needs her back up guy in case a creepy one comes along.” Meredith looked at Cassie with wide eyes and Kris shot Aiden a look. Kris shrugged and Aiden huffed.

“I wouldn’t mind you as my partner, Aiden.” Aiden looked at Meredith and she politely smiled. They stared at each other for a couple seconds.

“Whoh! Guys, we are way far behind!” Cassie turned and noticed a huge gap in the line from where they were standing, so she jogged off. Kris followed. Meredith turned and Aiden grabbed her arm. She turned and looked at him.

“If you don’t mind, we won’t get in any sooner just by standing here.” Meredith pulled her arm from his hand and trailed after them. Kris pulled out cash and handed it to the bouncer and motioned at the people he was with. The bouncer nodded and stepped out of their way. Cassie grabbed Kris’s hand and ran off with him while laughing. Aiden pulled Meredith off to the side.

“I don’t know what you are planning, but I don’t like it.” Meredith looked up at him and turned her head to the side.

“I don’t have the faintest-.”

“Vampire.”

Meredith turned white and just stared at him for a few moments. She opened her mouth to say something but nothing would fall from her lips. After a few moments she attempted to protest.

“Don’t try to pull that out. I know what you are and who created you. I want to know how much of your relationship with Cassandra has been because of your ties.” Aiden looked furious and Meredith straightened her spine and looked him dead in the eyes.

“Fuck off.” Meredith turned and Aiden grabbed her arm. She grabbed his hand and gripped it until she felt his grip falter. Quick as lightning, she twisted his arm behind his back. “Don’t mess with me or Him, Aiden. You will not win.” Her voice turned from shy to dark.

“You betrayed Cassie. I don’t have to mess with you guys. You will have to explain to her why you did what you did.” Meredith released and pushed him away from her. He turned back to face her and Meredith looked around him at the floor filled with dancers. She was able to pick out Cassie begging Kris to dance. He kept shaking his head.

“I did what I needed to do. Cassie is a wonderful friend but I did what I needed to do to make sure she was kept safe and sound. That is my job.” Meredith walked past Aiden and up to Cassie. Kris stiffened but Cassie was no longer looking at him. Aiden watched as Cassie pulled Meredith out onto the dance floor and they were dancing with each other. Men came up and asked them to dance and the girls still faced each other while doing their own separate dance off. Aiden walked over to Kris and touched him on the shoulder.

“Hey.” Kris kept his eyes on the girls. They never looked back his way.

“Meredith is stronger than she looks. She says that she’s doing her job of protecting Cassie and then walked away.” Kris nodded. He sighed and then looked back at Aiden.

“We just better do the job we came here for in the first place. If Meredith is really going to protect Cassie, then there is nothing we can do. We don’t have any position to execute her according to Melody. She’s not harming anyone yet.” Aiden nodded. He walked off to find their target and Kris scanned the crowd from his post. A few girls approached Kris but he turned them down without removing his eyes. Suddenly Meredith was next to him asking the bartender for a water bottle. Kris still didn’t remove his eyes from the crowd. Meredith took a swig from the water bottle.

“I’m assuming you and Aiden are on the same page then.” Kris noticed that Meredith no longer had the timid tone to her voice.

“I’m assuming you aren’t a threat to Cassandra.” Meredith laughed. She dropped the cap of the water bottle, bent to pick it up and then slid her arm up his leg as a stabilizer. She got close to him and put her mouth to his ear.

“Depends on how you see a threat.” She backed down and placed the cap back on and propped against the bar. She shook the bottle a few times. “I’m not a threat to her life, if that is what you mean.” She walked away from him without even looking back. He was confused because she wasn’t trying to seduce him as she walked away, so what was her plan? Kris watched as Meredith offered Cassie the water and she took it and chugged majority of it. Kris went back to watching the crowed, telling himself to concentrate at the job on hand.

Cassie laughed as her partner started putting his hands where they didn’t belong. She looked at Meredith and saw her lips moving but she couldn’t understand what she was saying. She laughed again and she wasn’t sure why. Her mind started getting a little foggy as she was heating up. She chugged the rest of the water but she still didn’t feel right. She mouthed ‘bathroom’ to Meredith and she turned and placed a hand on her partners arm. He let go and she walked towards the entrance where the bathrooms were on the other side. Suddenly someone grabbed her arm and she jolted. She looked and just saw it was Kris. His lips were moving but she stared at him blinking, not understanding what he was trying to say. She felt as if her vision was tilted.

“I’m going to go to the bathroom.” She grabbed Kris’s wrist and pulled it off before walking off. Kris stared at her with his brow furrowed. The music wasn’t that loud and she looked like she was stumbling and about to be sick. After a few moments she came back and walked past him and back to the dance floor where Meredith seemed to be fine. Kris went back to looking around. He saw a younger looking blond man in the corner with a woman. Kris looked around and saw Aiden upstairs on the balcony looking down. He motioned to where the man was. Aiden walked downstairs and they went up to the man and exchanged a few words with him before he let go of the woman and she slid to the floor against the wall. After checking her pulse, they walked outside.

Cassie closed her eyes and moved to the music, as it seemed to vibrate through her bones. She felt arms wrap around her stomach and pull her close to another body moving to the beat. She felt her hair being pulled off of her shoulder and she sighed and laid her head back against the person.

“What do you think of the lights?” Cassie thought she recognized the voice but her head was too foggy to really think about it.

“I like them.” After looking around at the lights, she closed her eyes again and kept grinding.

“I want you to think really hard about them, okay?” Cassie thought really hard and mentally looked at all the lights, trying to figure out what this person was talking about.

Meredith watched Cassie crinkle her forehead as the man behind her looked up at the lights. Meredith kept grinding against the stranger behind her and looked up. She saw the disco lights that the club placed in start to shift position and shake. She looked back and the man behind Cassie smiled at Meredith. Meredith nodded and excused herself from the man and walked towards the door.

“That’s good, Cassandra. Thank you. Do you want some water?” Cassie was confused and she finally turned around and stared at the man behind her. She blinked a few times as she tried to get her mind to concentrate long enough. He smiled back at her and suddenly she realized the darkness around him. She opened her eyes wide and turned and ran towards the bar. She knocked into a dancer and fell, bringing the other person down with her. The other man yelled at her and Cassandra just stared at him. She felt herself being lifted up by her arm and she heard apologies before she was pulled away. Just as they were getting to the exit, Kris and Aiden walked in talking. Aiden was looking at Kris and then Kris saw Cassie. He stopped and Aiden turned and looked from Cassie to the man.