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Sept 19, 2019 9:40:59 GMT
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Post by Nu on Sept 11, 2017 8:41:05 GMT
She had sat in the waiting room for the remainder of the day alone and by the time Elena came out, Cassidy was worn out. All Elena's test results were only going to be back from the lab next week. Cassidy went home with Elena feeling emptier than she did coming in.
Cassidy knew she shouldn't be so dramatic. He was just being himself. He had stayed far longer than she expected so his exit shouldn't have surprised her. But the feeling she got waiting for Elena alone was hard to shake.
The next few weeks, she avoided seeing him. When they crossed paths, she made the very unsubtle choice of turning around and walking the longer route. When they had class together, she chose the farthest seat from his and was the first person to leave. She was being a child, she realised that but for some reason, she had depended on him, and he had disappointed her.
It didn't, however, escape her attention that Will had become the only person she would contact on a regular basis. The sad disadvantage of being the daughter of her father was that it was more difficult to discern whether people were friends with her because they found her interesting or because they found her lineage interesting. Will somehow became the only person who spoke to her without any real concern of her last name.
Which was a huge problem when, on top of finding out that Elena was sent to the hospital for permanent stay, her school work had multiplied and say what you will about being alone with plenty of work to do, Cassidy found herself overwhelmed and in need of a warm body to hold.
Naturally, the first person she reached out to was her father but business in Hong Kong superceded her need for his fatherly warmth. Finding that she had nobody else on campus to turn to, she swallowed her pride and went to look for Will.
Knocking on his door, Cassidy was already on the verge of tears. She was tired from her schoolwork, she was scared for her cousin and she felt a crushing loneliness that threatened to consume her. All she needed was someone who didn't see her as a meal ticket. She knocked the door again and found her hand shaking as she held back tears. "Please open up." She whispered, her voice cracking under the pressure of her tears.
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Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
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Post by Trix on Sept 11, 2017 15:01:45 GMT
The dead, but never mourned The last few weeks had been anything but easy. The drug therapy was doing nothing to keep him sane. He constantly felt doped up and dazed, but they said it seemed to be working. School was a blur and while he was heavily drugged, he couldn't miss any classes without a viable reason. Will was not about to tell his professors of his illness. Word would spread and he wasn't keen on a school wide pity party. Least of all if it got back to the one person who he'd grown to somewhat adorelike. While Cassidy had been pointedly ignoring him, she was the only thing he was ever acutely aware of.
They'd be walking in the direction of each other and she would turn on her heel and take a longer route the class. He'd sit on one end of the room and she'd sit on the other. They never came into contact with each other and he never attempted to text or call. He knew he should apologize. He knew he should do a lot of things when it came to her, but it was better for the both of them if she understood what kind of person he was. He yanked her back and forth with his attitude towards her and now it had to stop. But he missed her. He missed the way her nose scrunched when she was angry and he missed her venomous accusations that were honestly more correct than he'd ever admit to her.
His senses had dulled, his monster practically sedated never clawed its way out anymore. He felt like he was just hovering above his body and hating every minute of this lack of life he had now. With classes over for the day, he found himself where he usually was, laying in bed and staring at the ceiling. Beside him sat a book as per usual, but he hadn't touched it since the drug therapy started. He couldn't focus on the words, his eyes constantly blurred over. Today he contemplated removing himself from the drugs completely. He was sick of not feeling anything. If he was going to die anyway, he wanted to live his life acutely aware of the pain and the suffering he was putting himself through. At least that was better than the haze he was living. There was a knock at his door and he lulled his head to the side to look at it for a moment.
Gabe was on a trip, had been since Will's hospital visit, and he wasn't due back so soon. Will had no other friends, so he was thoroughly considering ignoring it. There was more knocking, persistent, but quiet. He thought he heard someone outside, but it was so muffled he could have been imagining it. Finally, he decided it was best to give someone a verbal beating than just laying lifeless in bed all day. He rolled out of bed, sweatpants hanging loosely as he stood and opened the door. Just before he could say anything snarky, he looked down at the broken girl in front of him, "Cassidy?"
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Post by Nu on Sept 11, 2017 18:47:30 GMT
His appearance only added to the crushing pain she was experiencing and without a word, she moved forward, slid her arms under his, around his waist and buried her face in his chest, sobbing quietly. Her shoulders shook as she started to wet his t-shirt. She noted how easily her arms wound around him and sobbed even more.
She honestly didn't know what's going on with him and it terrified her. They didn't know each other the way she thought made them friends and she wanted them to, just so he would confide in her. She wasn't sure how much of a relief it would be for him but he needed to know that she was here. And that thought terrified her even more.
This was the guy who blew her off so many times before and yet here she was, seeking comfort from him. What did that say about her? That she was a cliche. Choosing to want someone who didn't want her back. She was a statistic.
Somehow, that didn't stop her from hugging him even tighter.
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Sept 17, 2019 4:43:32 GMT
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Post by Trix on Sept 11, 2017 19:00:25 GMT
The dead, but never mourned Will did not handle crying well. He wasn't a crier and he didn't know anyone who was. The last time he had comforted someone crying, it had been his baby sister ages ago. While every nerve in his body ached to comfort her, he didn't know where to start. Of all the people he had expected at his door, he never could have prepared himself for this situation. Cassidy was the strong one, the one who took no shit from anyone and constantly had her ducks in a row. To see her so heartbroken made him nauseous because he knew he had a part in it. Someone she loved was sick and he'd left her to deal with it all on her own. It was a good thing he already hated himself because this would have tipped him overboard otherwise.
She didn't say anything, but she stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his waist. Will panicked. She would be able to tell that he was still sick, that something was wrong with him. She'd be able to feel how malnourished he was getting. But mostly he panicked because he was getting exactly what he wanted after treating her like she was nothing. Cassidy's uncontrollable sobbing scared him, but instinct washed over and he wrapped his arms around her, resting his hand on the back of her head. Just as he had thought, her hair was smooth and silky beneath his fingertips. He gave her a slight squeeze, not knowing what to say to get her to talk to him.
Will kept one arm around her, stepped back into his room and closed the door to not make a spectacle of the situation. He reached back and pulled her hands away from his waist, settling for keeping them in his own as he knelt down to look at her. He released one of her hands to brush the hair away from her face and tilt her chin up, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left like that. I'm sorry, Angel. Please don't cry." Will's heart hurt and it was the first real sign of feeling that he'd had in weeks. His shaky thumb brushed the tears on her cheek and he squeezed the hand that remained in his.
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Post by Nu on Sept 11, 2017 19:51:54 GMT
When Will moved away, she almost whined and asked for him back but when he knelt down, Cassidy saw something in him change. It was subtle and when he used his nickname for her, there was no derision as it usually did. She lost it right then as she got down on her knees and sobbed.
She wanted to stop, she really did. Every fiber of her being just wanted to feel nothing but having him there, having him be gentle with her was too much.
"I just..." she started before her words were stopped by the hacking sobs. "I couldn't..." she tried again before shaking her head and covering her face with her hands. She felt so stupid crying in front of Will over really stupid things. Other people had other things to worry about but she thought loneliness was too much.
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Post by Trix on Sept 11, 2017 20:03:23 GMT
The dead, but never mourned Will watched her crumble and he thought he might die. She struggled to tell him what it was that she wanted to say and he tried so hard to understand her. Through her sniffles and sobs and hands, there was no hope to understand what she was getting at. All he knew was that she was upset and that was enough for him to drop the asshole act for the time being. He could only be so cold for so long and despite how he tried to act unfeeling, he knew he cared about her. He would go as far as to say he wanted her to be happy even as hard as he tried to keep her from being happy with him.
He sat on the floor beside her and he considered what he should do next. She was so small, he often forgot how much shorter she was from him because her attitude was often so much bigger. Will reached out for her again, this time much more willing to hold her now that he had accepted that for today things could be different. Maybe she'd forget everything or she'd pretend it never happened because she wouldn't want him to remember her crying. Whatever the way, he was going to be real with her for as long as she was here.
Pulling her into his lap, Will stroked her hair gently. He made soft comforting noises and kept her close. Will knew he was bony and uncomfortable, but he tried to forget how sick he was for the time being. "I'm here, whether you just want to cry for a while or you want to talk, I'm not going anywhere this time." He'd regret the words later, he was sure, but for now he let them hang in the air.
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Post by Nu on Sept 11, 2017 20:16:58 GMT
Both somehow didn't meet her fancy for drastically different reasons.
His reassurance only served to make her cry harder, though this time, there was no sound. She just shook in his arms, occasionally punctured with sharp intakes of breath.
She didn't know how long she just stayed there but her eyes were starting to hurt and she could barely look out of them. She was hiccupping by the time she extracted herself from his lap, but staying close. She needed the contact, she wanted to hold on to something so she didn't feel like floating away.
Her hand found his and she pulled them to her lap, cupping it in both hands. "I'm sorry." She whispered in between hiccups. "I didn't know where else to go." With her head hung low, her hair drew over her face like a curtain. "I just wanted somebody to hold me. It's so stupid." She tried to laugh but it just turned into a sob.
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Post by Trix on Sept 11, 2017 23:21:13 GMT
The dead, but never mourned Will sat there with her for a while, he stroked her hair, her cheek. He couldn't get enough of her. And while he was heartbroken by the tears that wouldn't stop coming, he was glad that it gave him an excuse to get close to her. He wasn't sure he ever would before, but now that he was, he didn't ever want to be far away again.
When she finally started to pull away, he didn't protest, but he felt suddenly very cold. She took his hands and he watched her, still afraid that she might go into hysterics again. Cassidy apologized and he frowned, "No, don't. Don't apologize, you didn't do anything wrong." She lowered her head and he couldn't stand not seeing her face. This strong, beautiful woman in front of him was not the type to just hang her head in defeat. He couldn't help but think about what he'd been doing to her since they first met. How he had been jerking her around like a rag doll and thinking that she'd bounce back fine because she was strong and that's what strong people did.
Will sighed, "It's not stupid, luv. What's stupid is thinking that I'm worthy of being the person you run to." He squeezed her hands and closed his eyes. Here he'd always thought they were different, that she was given everything while he got nothing. But she was as lonely as he was. She was lonely because of her name, where he was lonely because he pushed people away. "Why do you pick me? Every time, no matter what I do to you."
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Post by Nu on Sept 12, 2017 2:05:38 GMT
His reassurances were met with a small, weak smile and she tried to compose herself. She brought her shirt up and dabbed at her sore eyes and wiped at her nose before pulling out a packet of tissue from her bag to properly wipe her nose.
Will's question was one she had actively avoided thinking about for a while now but being presented it now, she couldn't hold back the sob that escaped her throat. "Would you believe me if I told you that you're the only one who talks to me anymore?" She gave a short harsh bark of laughter.
She sighed and shrugged slightly before looking up at him. "Everyone seems to think that I'm my father. And when they realise I'm not even close to as charming as him or can provide a direct line to him, they close me off. But you don't even seem to know who my father is. I needed a connection like that. I can put up with a lot of bullshit coming from you as long as you talk to me. And that's sad, I know." She sighed once more before shaking her head. "And somehow, along the way, I started liking our banter. You challenge me in ways nobody else does. I mean you make me strive for perfection all the time despite you being so...fucking annoying." She laughed and shook her head. "I'm sorry. I'm rambling."
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Post by Trix on Sept 12, 2017 4:01:34 GMT
The dead, but never mourned Her answer to his question made him angry. This woman in front of him had only ever been rude to him as far as he'd seen, by every fault of his own. She was smart, she was kind, she obviously got along well in social settings. To believe that no one would speak to her outside of himself was just ridiculous. She looked up at him as she began to explain and with each word, he grew more frustrated. Everyone wanted something from her. Worse, they expected something. And here he was, not giving a shit about her name which was probably the best thing she had.
Will processed the information she gave him willingly and he glanced up at her when she began diving into what it was about the two of them that made her happy. Despite his frustration, he smiled when she laughed because he could fully understand what she meant. Everything she had said mirrored the way he felt. He liked their back and forth arguing, the snappish comments and the no fucks given attitude. And she made him strive to be on top of his game each time as well. As funny as it was, they both pushed each other in ways they both needed. But he wanted someone else to be that for her. Someone that was strong and lasting. As he looked at their hands together, he frowned again. He was not strong. And he was not going to last much longer.
"A name is just a name. Your father's name should not be the only name people tie to you. You're you. Stubborn, irritating, impossible and so goddamn intoxicatingly you," Will spoke quietly as he stroked her face. "I would rather argue with you than anyone else," He laughed a bit before sighing. "And while I don't think I'm worth your efforts, if that's how others look at you, they definitely aren't worth it."
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Post by Nu on Sept 12, 2017 4:13:02 GMT
When he echoed her thoughts, a little sob escaped Cassidy and she wondered when she would stop crying. And when did Will become so...eloquent? And charming? Was this why their project went so smoothly?
Her green eyes moved up to look at him as he spoke and she could feel her heart beat quicken. She leaned into his touch, maintaining their eye contact. Her lips quirked into a smile as she realised that Will liked her too. He didn't just tolerate her. He genuinely had feelings for her.
Her hands pulled his so she could kiss the inside of his wrist. "They aren't." She whispered before looking at him one more time. Quietly, she moved forward and captured his lips with hers.
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Post by Trix on Sept 12, 2017 23:58:16 GMT
The dead, but never mourned Will's whole body went rigid once her lips touched his. He wouldn't say that he had never kissed a girl, but he hardly thought it count for something back before he manifested. He hadn't even hit puberty yet, girls still had cooties, but it was a dare and he wasn't the type to back down. Not even then. This was very different from that kiss. Cassidy was much older and much more complicated. He wanted to kiss her, but he also felt as though he should push her away. It felt too right, too comfortable. The fact that she hadn't pulled away yet just proved that there was something wrong. Was he taking advantage of her sadness? Or was he about to make it worse?
His hand cupped her cheek and he was the first to pull back. "You shouldn't have done that, Angel," Will sighed, resting his forehead against hers. His words didn't come across harshly, but more as a plea. The closer she got to him, the faster he fell and the more cliche he felt. Boy pretends to hate girl, but actually ends up loving her. Every romance novel had something like that. Every romance novel had the untamable one, the unlikely lover. Someone trying to change them. Except she wasn't trying, she was only succeeding.
Will pressed his lips to her forehead, then to her cheek and the corner of her mouth. It was terrifying this sinking feeling he got in his stomach, like he had a trap door beneath his feet. He stroked her hair and shook his head, "What am I going to do with you?"
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Post by Nu on Sept 13, 2017 4:05:42 GMT
Somehow, as he kissed her face, she felt that it was all going to end sooner than she wanted it to and it left an aching feeling in her stomach. She leaned into his touch and chuckled inaudibly at his rhetorical question.
For a moment, they stayed where they were and she wanted the moment to freeze just there. But she knew she had to go. She knew she didn't want to be kicked out by him, not after that intensely romantic moment so she was the one who pulled away, and consequently got to her feet.
"I should go." She said softly, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear before finally taking him in properly. "Will...I..." she stopped herself from asking what she really wanted to ask for fear of getting an answer she wasn't prepared for.
She approached the door, ready to leave. "I hope you get better."
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Post by Trix on Sept 13, 2017 4:55:01 GMT
The dead, but never mourned Despite how much he wanted to prolong this exact moment, he knew, he could feel his own fuck-up coming from a mile away. Something was going to backfire. He was going to say something thoughtless or he was going to get that unshakable need to push her away. When in the reality of the moment, he didn't want to speak and he didn't want to move. He was keen on keeping her as close to him as possible for as long as they could stand it. Their relationship was full of ups and downs in extreme ways. The extreme high they were currently floating in was about to be met with an extreme low.
And when she pulled away, his stomach clenched hard nearly making him gag. She was ready to go and his whole body deflated. He hadn't said anything, he'd barely done anything. Maybe this was some sick payback for leaving her at the hospital? Will could feel the panic rushing through him and causing a sharp pain in his chest. It was like nothing happened between them. And maybe nothing had. He was vindictive and full of vengeful thoughts, but he never expected something so spiteful from her. Causing herself to get all worked up, just to break him down and tear it all away? That was a different level for her.
She approached the door and his brain scrambled for something to do. Let her leave? Pretend she didn't exist again? Or keep her and make sure she never left him alone? Before she could reach for the door, he strode up behind her and placed his hand firmly on it, his other arm wrapping around her waist from behind. He rested his forehead against the back of her head and took a deep breath, "Please don't. I...I know I have no right to ask this. And if you insist, I'll let you walk out. But please... please stay with me." His voice was soft, breathless. His fingers trembling. As long as she stayed, the panic would go back into the depths. He couldn't be left alone like this...not after everything. "Please, Angel."
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Post by Nu on Sept 13, 2017 7:27:19 GMT
Her hand was almost closing in around the door handle but his warm body gave her pause, making her shiver slightly as her hand gripped his arm around her waist tightly. Her breath hitched in her throat as she listened to his words, taking them in like water under the hot Sahara sun. She found herself desperate for those exact words in that order from his mouth. Her heart quickened at his nickname for her.
She turned in his arms, leaning back against the door as her eyes roamed up to meet his. One hand moved up to cup his cheek, stroking his much too defined cheekbone. Her eyebrows furrowed in the middle before she pulled his face down so she could press her lips against his once more, this time the urgency was difficult to mask.
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