The Misfits

Cassidy

Several days later, Cassidy was sitting with Gemma and Jaden at lunch. They were discussing ideas for prom attire, and on that Friday, Cass, Gem, and Myra were going to go dress shopping.

Jaden was undecided. Not knowing how he would be feeling that day, he was probably going to have to be prepared for both.

Prom was going to be held the following Saturday in the ballroom at the local upscale hotel. With eight people going, Jaden offered to drive half of them in the VW bus he owned.

Jessie and Frankie also offered, so they had plenty of transportation.

“I’m going to go with Frankie,” Gemma said. “If that’s okay?” she said, looking at Cass, who shrugged.

“I don’t run your life. It’s prom, I’m not going to be hurt if you want to go with your date. I think Jessie and his date are being generous as well. Maybe they can go together if Jaden doesn’t mind taking me and Myra and picking up Robbie.”

Jaden said, “No problem. There’s plenty of room for everyone actually. Just have him send me an address or directions and we’re set.”

“Okay. Oh, on that note, do you want me to come over this weekend? We can barbecue and go swimming. You can meet Myra, maybe have a sleepover,” Cass said.

“Your mom won’t mind?”

“Oh, um, I haven’t told her, but I don’t think it will make a difference. Not unless you’re caught fooling around with someone. And even then, well… I’m not sure how any of that would work, so…” She shook her head. “Never mind. It won’t be a problem. Just bring a swimsuit and whatever else you might need. Is there anything you’re allergic to, or don’t like?”

“Nope. What time?”

“Well, if you want to pack up for Friday, drive us home and come with us to shop after. Then spend Friday and Saturday with us. It’s up to you.”

“Make sure with your mom first?” Jaden asked

“I’ll ask tonight and call you.”

“Okay.”

“Did you see Beryl at school?” Gemma asked them.

Both shook their heads.

“She’s back and her knee is all wrapped up. She’s on crutches and everything. Wonder if she learned her lesson about trying to bully people?”

“Doubt it,” Cass said sadly. She really hadn’t meant to hurt Beryl that badly. If she was, that is. She wouldn’t put it past Beryl to make her injury out to be worse than it was for sympathy.

Beryl was trying to be the queen of the prom. Knowing her, she would be telling everyone how Cass broke her leg or something, so please, please make it better by voting for her for prom queen.

Lunch ended and Cass walked to her next class. She passed Beryl on the way, and the girl glared daggers at her.

Cass contemplated pushing a crutch to make her fall but decided she would be the bully if she did.

No one would know, but she would.

Cass simply ignored her and continued on, happily.

School ended and Cass met up with Gem, Robbie, and Jessie by the bus.

Robbie took her hand, and she didn’t object. She was getting used to it; maybe getting to like it even.

Everyone was surprised when Beryl showed up and pushed her way to the front, telling people she was injured so she should get preference.

No one pointed out that she did that before she was injured as well.

The bus doors opened, and Beryl and the cheer losers got on, followed by the rest of the students.

Cass had a suspicion that Beryl would try something, so she let the boys go first, following five feet behind Gem.

As if she was psychic, Beryl slowly slid her crutch out in the aisle to trip Cass.

When Cass got to the seat before Beryl, she pushed the crutch back in. It hit the cheer-loser next to Beryl in the face, then broke the window.

Cass froze where she was.

The bus driver got up, yelling about the broken window.

The girl next to Beryl was crying about what looked to Cass like a broken nose, and Beryl was yelling that Cass did it.

The bus driver stopped behind Cass, who said, “I was right here when it happened. There’s no way I could have done that.” She looked to both sides and the kids on either side confirmed Cassidy hadn’t gone any farther.

“Go on,” the bus driver said to Cassidy.

She continued walking and sat next to Robbie.

“What happened?” Gemma asked over the seat.

“Beryl was a little reckless with her crutches I guess,” Cass replied.

They watched as the bus driver got the bleeding girl out of the bus and headed to the nurse’s office, and then wrote up the incident report before starting to drive.

Cass talked to Robbie about Jaden driving them so both Gemma and Jessie could be with their dates.

Robbie had known about Gemma and Frankie but didn’t think it was his place to tell Cass. He was best friends with Jessie and had known his preferences, and had not judged him, so he didn’t have an issue with Gemma or Jaden.

He was glad to let Jaden drive because that would save them all money on a limo.

They talked about everyone going out to look at dresses Friday night and the sleep over.

Robbie knew Cassidy well enough to see that she was both excited and nervous at the same time. He took her hand, which was soft and warm, and squeezed it.

“Relax. Everything will be fine. You’ll see.”

“But… you haven’t met Myra. She can be… a little intimidating. Not to mention a little over the top.”

“Well, I could come over Saturday,” he said with a grin.

“Um,” Cass said thinking.

Robbie thought that made her uncomfortable, so he said, “Never mind. I didn’t mean to intrude.”

Cassidy’s eyes cleared and she said, “What? Oh, no. Actually, that might be a good idea. That way there are no surprises.”

Looking over the seat, she said to Gemma, “Hey, invite Frankie over on Saturday.” Then to Jessie, “You and your date can come too. Say noonish. That way we all get to know each other at least a little before we spend prom night together.”

“Don’t you think you should ask your mom first?” Robbie asked.

“I’ll talk to her tonight. She shouldn’t mind.”

“Well, should we bring anything?” Jessie asked.

Cass shrugged. “If you want. The usual barbecue stuff will be there: hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, etc. So if you want anything special or different, bring it. If not, then just bring yourselves, a swimsuit and towel. No pressure. If you can make it, great. If not, then no hard feelings. All it really is, is a break from studying for finals, but this is a perfect time for everyone to get together.”

“I’ll be there then,” Robbie said squeezing her hand.

When the bus stopped to let the girls off, Beryl had her crutches as far from the aisle as possible, as well as her injured knee.

Cass ignored her, but Gem looked over as she went down the steps. Once off the bus, Gem said, “Boy, she looked like she wanted to jump up and attack you. She doesn’t learn, does she?”

“Guess not. Although I didn’t mean to give the other girl a bloody nose, it really was Beryl’s fault. I feel bad, kinda, but it was accidental.”

“Don’t feel sorry. Those girls are all bad apples. They go around bullying so many people. Now a few are getting their just deserts. They don’t have to follow Beryl’s lead.”

“True,” Cass said, and their conversation ended as Harley came bounding towards them.

He went to jump on Cass, and she stopped him an inch from her. “Shame on you,” she said, rubbing his head. “You’re all dirty. Go get your ball.”

Harley dropped down and ran off to get his ball, coming back with it.

Cass played fetch with him the rest of the way home.

After dinner, she talked to her mother about having everyone over, so they could all meet.

“I don’t have a problem with it, but do you think it’s wise to put so many new people around Myra at once?” her mom asked.

“Mom, Myra’s different, but that doesn’t mean that deep down, she’s not still a fourteen-year-old girl. One that needs to interact with others unless she’s going to be a recluse the rest of her life. These are, for the most part, her peers. And this particular set are more understanding than most. So, if they accept her, it will give her the confidence to interact with others easier.”

Gwynne looked at her daughter. “When did you go and get all grown up on me?”

“I think I still have a long way to go to be as smart as you, mom,” Cass said, giving her a hug.

On her way up to her room, Myra was just coming out of the bathroom after her shower.

“My room when you’re done squirt,” Cass said to her.

Cass found Harley laying across her bed. “You little sneak,” she said going to him. She rubbed and he rolled so she could rub his belly.

“Police dog, ha. Nothing but a big baby.”

He whined and let out a little bark.

“And that didn’t make you look any tougher. But that’s okay. I know you’re that dog when you need to be.”

Myra walked in, dressed in a long nightgown, brushing her drying hair. “What did I do this time?”

Cass looked at the girl critically. “Close the door,” she said, and Myra did. “I don’t know, what did you do this time?”

“Nothing, I swear!” Myra persisted.

“Hm, okay then. Sit down and I’ll do that.”

Myra sat on the bed and Cass brushed her hair for her.

Myra closed her eyes, enjoying the feel and attention.

“So, about this weekend.”

“Let me guess, it’s off. I knew it was too good to be true,” Myra said.

Cass put an arm around her, pulling her back into a one-armed hug. “On the contrary my sweet. I think you’ll behave, and you’ve been good so far – mostly – so there might be four more people coming over Saturday. And Jaden might come Friday and spend the night both days.”

“Really?” Myra asked, excited.

Cass kissed her cheek. “Why do you always expect the worst?”

“Because until you came along, it usually was what usually happened.”

“Well, that’s changed, so you need to change you way of thinking,” Cass said. “So, I expect you to be on your best behavior around these people. Don’t judge them, even if they judge you. You need to be around more people, and this is a start.”

“And if they don’t like me? Or are afraid?” Myra asked.

“There will always be people like that. Ignore them. Stay away from them. Don’t let them take you to their level. Be bigger than they are. It’s usually their own short comings that make them act the way they do. Those people are always there, and I even have to put up with them. You’re smart enough to figure out ways to be the bigger person, even if it doesn’t feel right.

“If not, you might become the bully, and we both know we have the potential to be major bullies. But we don’t, you know why?”

Myra shook her head. Cass patted the girl’s chest. “Because we have heart. We know right from wrong.”

“But I –”

Cass stopped her. “I know you’ve got a big heart. How? That’s easy. You stood up to protect me, without knowing me. You didn’t have to. You only took only what you needed from stores and paid when you could. And you were scared, but you overcame it and agreed to come live with me and be my sister.”

Myra twisted around and hugged Cass. “I won’t let you down,” Myra whispered.

“I know. Now turn back around and I’ll braid your hair. I think pigtails today.

Cass finished one of the two when the phone rang. She reached over to her desk and picked it up. “Hey Jaden, I’m going to put you on speaker. I’m braiding Myra’s hair.”

“Okay.”

He waited until he was on speakerphone. “Did you ask your mom?”

“Yeah, and she’s cool with everything. Oh, and to get everyone acquainted beforehand, I invited everyone over for the festivities Saturday. I said noon, so if you don’t want to be included, you didn’t have to rush off.”

“The people well be hanging out with at prom?” Jaden asked.

“Yeah. Robbie, Jessie and his date, Frankie, and us. That way everyone can meet, and we’ll know ahead of time if there are any issues. Hopefully not, and we can all have a good time.”

Jaden was quiet for a few seconds. “So, there’s been a complication,” Jaden said.

“What?”

“Two younger cousins were going to spend the summer here with us and they ended school early. They just showed up.”

“How old?” Cass asked.

“Wanda is fifteen and Alex is fourteen.”

“So, bring them along. They can stay over too. That’ll give Myra someone her own age to do things with,” Cass said.

“Yeah,” Myra added.

“Problem solved. The more the marrier,” Cass said.

“They are a handful,” Jaden warned.

“Weren’t we all at that age,” Cass said.

“Just remember I warned you,” Jaden said, and Cass’s phone beeped.

“Call wasting, Jaden. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Bye,” Jaden said, and Cass switched lines.

“Cassidy,” Lyle said.

“Lyle! You’re on speaker. I’m finishing up braiding Myra’s hair. What’s up?”

“I talked to the police in California, and to the missing boy’s mom. You might be right. The police think he ran away, but after talking to the mother, he doesn’t strike me as the type to run away.”

“So, what do we do?” Cass asked.

“Nothing, since we have no leads. Well, that’s not exactly true. Just today a friend of Elias’ got an email. It’s pretty vague and I don’t see anything that points to him, but the friend swears its from the boy,” Lyle told her.

“Well, send it to me. I’ll see if I can figure something out.”

“Okay, let me know if you come up with anything and I’ll forward it to the police,” Lyle said.

“Will do. How’s Issy?”

“She’s great. She can’t wait for summer to get here, and she keeps trying to make it sooner.”

“And how are you and Maggie?”

“We’re good. Maggie misses you guys. I think she’s almost as excited as Issy that you’re coming. How’s Gemma?”

“Mean,” Myra said with a smirk.

“Knock it off, she is not. She’s doing good, and so is Myra here,” Cass said poking the girl in the sides, tickling her.

“How’s my dog?” Lyle asked and Harley chuffed.

“You mean my dog? He’s like his old master, getting older, but still hanging in there.”

“Hey, I’m not that old,” Lyle protested.

“Whatever. You take care of that little girl of yours and Maggie, and we’ll see you in a few weeks.”

“Alright. You guys stay out of trouble and take care of each other,” Lyle told them. “Don’t forget to let me know if you come up with anything.”

They said goodbye and Cass finished Myra’s hair.

“Sooo, TV?” Myra asked.

Cass looked over, then said, “I think Harley beat you to the spot tonight.”

“He can move,” Myra complained.

“You’ll be fine, not give me a hug and go to bed.”

Myra hugged Cass and started to leave. “Hey. Would you mind taking a look at the email from Lyle tomorrow? You’re better at that stuff than I am,” Cass said.

“Do I get something for it?” Myra said with a smirk.

“Greedy much? My love and admiration aren’t enough for you? Fine. Pre-sleepover, sleep over. Now go you little blackmailer you.”