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[Xwft]

Parents:

Let’s just say Cassie dad didn’t care one bit about what the boy had to say. For all he cared about was not paying for another injured child's medical bill. An ‘accident’ or not it cost him heaps and he couldn’t keep throwing money at the problem in hopes it would be fixed. He made up his mind and wasn’t about to change it. Not easily at least. However Cassie's mum never fully saw the reason in doing what they did, especially not to her baby girl. All she needed was some time and she had been promised that this whole taking away power thing would be temporary and painless. That promis had quickly been broken. She didn’t exactly know what was right or wrong at this point but she was willing to hear both sides of the argument and then do whatever it took to make her favoured side win.

They both managed to stay quiet for about thirty seconds. However when James finished the first line Mr Jackson already had formulated a counter argument.
“Now slow down there boy you need learn the definition of better. Better means making the problem go away and that’s exactly what we are doing. And a note for next time what you think is not what this whole school thinks. To be honest I don’t care what you think I…”
“Stop!” Cassie mum cried glaring at her husband. “At this current moment we don’t care what you have to say. For Goodness sake just let the boy talk and maybe he will say something important.” She snapped nodding at the boy, telling him to continue.
She loved her husband but at some point she go very sick of his stubbornness. Sometimes she could see where Cassie got it from. He couldn't’ blame it on the poor girl when he gave her that trate and never taught her what to do with it.

For the rest of the time the boy talked they couple stayed silent. Cassie father with the usal judgmental look on his face. Cassie mother was much more placid trying not to scare the boy away being she was agreeing more with him then her own partner right now. She had heard what Cassie said about him. In fact she had gotten quite a few messages about this boy and even one sent by school computers with Cassie whining about him taking her phone. Cassie mother knew she was going to the kids center today, she just didn’t quite think it would turn out like this. She also knew the challenge the boy set himself. Her challenge to make Cassie good for a week. To teach her all the pollite skills she lacked. It was a brave move for the boy. But you could make her daughter do anything if you took away her phone. In fact she currently sided with the boy willing to place a bet that he could turn Cassie into a better girl. However before she could speak up her dear husband cut her to the chace.
“Not a chance boy. We have been living with Cassie for many years now we know all too well that you can’t change her without adding a bit of force.” He said getting slightly annoyed by the boys pleading voice.
Who did this boy think he was, he wasn’t magic nor was he any match for his disgraceful daughter.
“Now come on darling.” Cassie Mother cut in. “I say we give this boy a chance. Either he will change her or she will change him, either way though I believe he can change or daughter likely for the better.” She said putting her own argument forward.
“But we can’t take the chip out so soon. I said I would test it and make sure it worked. Beside she will just go back to causing trouble, if this was really an accident then what will stop her doing this again?” He questioned seeing the look of understanding cross his wifes face. “Beside, like he said we don’t know this boy why should be trust him, he could make this all worse.”
He had a point, what would stop Cassie accidently doing this again. She trusted this boy but who much did he trust her own daughter.
“Maybe we can make a deal.” Cassie mother said continuing before her husband could cut in. “We stick to the plan keeping the chip in Cassie. But she has most of a week here still so maybe if James here can convince us in that time that Cassie can be trusted then we can let her stay.”
“Mmm… I suppose if this boy really thinks he can do it.” Cassie dad said clealry giving in.
His wife had a point. This boy could stick his head on the chopping block if he wanted as long as it didn’t change their plans.
“At the end of the week we will personally come collect Cassie herself and see if anything has changed. If not we will continue with the original plan. If she has we will sort something out. That’s my final deal.” Cassie dad said sternly pulling out his phone to make some call.
Mrs Jackson knew it was his way of ending the conversation. She looked towards James a soft smile on her face. This was the closet to a victory they would get.
“OK James dear, you have just under a week to change my daughter. I have faith in you.” She said. “However I suggest you leave before he changes his mind.” She said glancing at her distracted husband. “Good luck.”

Cassie: ((oh yes this will be very fun!))

Cassie sat fiddling with her ring, mindless turning it on her finger while she waited for the results of James’s ingenious idea. Ian sat silently beside her watching but not saying anything. What was there to say. Beside despite neither of them admitting it Cassie knew both of them were trying it listen in. Trying to catch snippets of the conversation going on behind the door. However she heard nothing and eventually gave up changing to fixing up her smudged makeup instead. She used about fifty wet wipes to take off all the makeup and tear tracks. Finally she got it all off and set to replying a simple coat ignoring the look Ian was giving her. She always had makeup in her bag, even if it was something little. Pulling out a small pallet of silver eyeshadow she dusted a small amount on her eyelids. With a touch up of blood red lipstick, no surprises it being her favorite colour to wear, Cassie considered her little makeover done. It was simple yet effective and now it didn’t look like she had been brawling her eyes out, which was a bonus.

Now at this point Cassie didn’t think anyone would be coming down this hall any time soon. Nor did she think that anyone who did came would be there for James. Cassie had long since dismissed the idea of James Parents coming. Truth be told Cassie didn’t know better. She had just assumed that whoever was looking after James, not knowing he didn’t have actual parents, wasn’t coming. To be fair she was rather relieved about that being she didn’t want James being dragged into this if he didn’t have to be. However he seemed to insist on being right in the middle of things despite Cassie’s efforts. Either way, Cassie was not prepared for another person to join them. She had been busy studying her ring for the hundredth time she jumped upon hearing someone say her name. She looked up stealing her nerves as her cool turquoise eyes met that of the new arrivals. Instantly she didn’t like this guy. He was a few years older than her at best guess, he called her Cassandra which she highly disapprove of and he was glaring down at her as if he wanted to strangle her.
“Good you got my name right! Gold star kid of week.” She said flashing him a grin with her blood red lips which she found most relevant at this time.
Calmly, Cassie stood to her feet digging her nails into her palms to stop her shaking. Thanks to her heels she stood nearly as tall as him making it harder for him to glare down at her. With a perfectly painted nail, Cassie tucked a few loose strands of hair behind her ears, matching the new boys glare.

“Now may I asked who do you think you are giving me orders?” She asked taking a step towards him making sure to over emphasise the click of her heel. “Cause, in case you didn’t realise, I don’t take orders from anyone. Especially not from boys like you.” She said once again closing the gap between them.
She kept her icy gaze on his, her new application of eyeshadow shimmering in the halls light making her bright eyes seem colder. “And i’m pretty sure James can decide what’s best for him himself. He doesn't need some upstart like yourself telling him what to do. And fun fact nor do it.” She snapped back.
She wasn’t about to let this boy push her down. She had learnt you hold your ground or die trying and that exactly what she was going to do. Beside she was sick of taking people's rubbish. She had her world torn down around her she wasn’t about to sit still and watch the last foundations crumble. And if that meant fighting to the bitter end to keep James by her side then so damn be it. However her dear cousin seemed to have other ideas.


Ian:

To think that Ian was going to sit their watching his cousin take all the hits was preposterous. He watched the new boy with glare anticipating his next reaction. Cassie had already acted and was busy back talking him but Ian had a feeling this wouldn’t end well. In case Cassie had forgotten she didn’t have her powers meaning she had lost her biggest advantage in talking people down. Blackmail. Without being able to pick peoples brains she had to fake even more of her confidence. It could fool others maybe, Cassie did have years of practice, but Ian saw right through it. He also saw the little tolerance this boy had for people like his cousin. All those facts piled together made his next action sound slightly more reasonable. Doesn't mean it was smart… but he had some reason behind.

Bolting to his feet Ian shoved the new boy away so he could slot himself between him and Cassie. He didn’t care how rough he had been. In fact this freak deserved it for bossing his cousin around. Despite being a few years younger Ian wasn’t about to stand down. If this boy really wanted a fight then so be it. Who know maybe both him and Cassie could get suspended at the same time. Wouldn’t that put shame to the family name.
“We don’t care who you are or what you want so I suggest to leave real fast.” Ian growled hearing Cassie make an annoyed noise from behind him yet she stayed where she was.
Clearly she decided letting him take the hits would be best. She couldn’t fake her fearlessness but Ian didn’t need to fake it in the first place. Years of draggings oneself up rocks with no rope made you extremely confidence in yourself. Besides, what’s the worst he could really do to Ian?

[Max]

If anyone thought that James actually knew what he was doing, they were very wrong. He had absolutely no idea why he had thought to be so brave and barge into the room like he had. He knew that his brother would be furious with him. It wasn't his job to get involved with Cassie's life, especially if it could cause trouble for him. If it had been Theo in his position, he wouldn't have even entertained the idea of talking to Cassie's parents. Unfortunately for James, he was not his brother and as a result he was stuck in the room facing off with two obviously powerful people over the rights to the safety of their own daughter. The odds were stacked against him and from the looks of it, it wasn't going to get any better.

He was studiously trying to avoid looking at Cassie's father because he looked twice as scary as her mother did, but eventually his gaze was forced up to the other man. If he was going to win this argument, he had to prove that he was strong enough to handle Cassie for all the trouble she caused. Just because he wanted to win the argument though didn't mean he could and the second her father shot back with another argument, he was at a loss for words. To his surprise though, as he was desperately trying to come up with something to say, Cassie's mother spoke up. Watching them argue back and forth, James looked like a fish watching a tennis match. His cheeks were puffed up slightly in concentration and his head moved back and forth as the couple argued amongst themselves.

"Thank you. Thank you so much. I promise you that Cassie will be a whole new person when you get back." He grinned widely, the nervousness in his system flowing out like water into the ocean. He didn't need to be told twice to get out of the room and after profusely thanking both parents (although his thanks were obviously directed towards Cassie's mom) he sped out of the room like a Cheetah on speed. The second he was out the door though a spike of nervousness shot through his stomach again.

Leaning back against the heavy wooden door of the office, he ran a hand through his hair and forced himself to take a deep breath. Changing Cassie wasn't going to be easy. In fact he wasn't sure at all that he wanted to change her too much. There were parts of her that he liked that no one else did. He still wanted Cassie to be Cassie by the time the week was over, if he could change her at all. She was a stubborn one. He just hoped that the pressure of losing her powers forever would put her a bit more into the actions of becoming a better person. Taking another deep breath he tried to fill his lungs, which felt like they weren't getting enough air no matter how hard he tried to breath. Sliding down next to the door he put his head in his hands and tried to calm his speeding heart. He was so preoccupied that he noticed none of what was happening with Theo and Cassie just a few meters away from him.

Theo:

In Theo's opinion, he had every right to boss Cassie around. She was responsible for all of this and he was totally correct in wanting her away from his little brother. All this trouble was going to ruin opportunities for James and plus it meant that he had to miss a shift at the restaurant he had finally gotten a job at. Theo couldn't afford to miss shifts and he had only come because he had found out that the police were involved.
"I'm James's brother and guardian, so I think i'm well within my rights to tell you what to do around him." Theo replied coolly, glaring at her with his dark eyes. It was funny that he and James identified as brothers. They had no blood relation and they looked nothing alike. James was pale and clean while Theo looked more like a ragged alley cat, his features darker with caramel skin and almost black eyes. They were opposites, but that made them the perfect Ying-Yang for each other.

"James is young and he doesn't know what's good for him. News flash darling, you're not good for him." He replied dryly, as though he didn't care, but his hands were in tight fists at his sides. In Theo's deference he was only trying to do what was best for James, even if he was going about it quite wrong. Theo was much too young to be raising someone else and he wasn't very good at it most of the time. He was about to say something else when he was shoved back by the boy who had been with Cassie. Theo regarded him with a dark look, analyzing the other boy's abilities. After assessing, Theo was sure that he could beat the other boy. He was younger and while he looked extremely strong, Theo had a lot of fighting experience. A lot. There was only one problem. James went to a magic school. These kids could do things Theo could only imagine, if he could even do that. For all he knew this kid could kill him with a snap of his fingers. Even though logically he should have at least tried to calm down after realizing that, Theo wasn't a logical person.
"I'm family, you two don't matter in his life. So maybe you should run along. Go play dollhouse with someone else, someone who isn't my brother." He said before shoving Ian back. If this kid was going to kill him for that, so be it. Theo lived for his brother even though it often didn't seem like it. If he couldn't protect James, there was no point in living at all.

His muscles were tense like a cat and his gaze flicked from the principles door to Cassie and back to Ian. He finally realized that if he got into a fight here, he was going to ruin James's life at this place. He could get his brother kicked out of the school. That forced him to calm down finally. Taking a step back from Ian he ran a hand through his hair, which was funny since unbeknownst to him, James had just done the same thing. They had similar nervous ticks that James had picked up from Theo throughout his life.
"Just stay away from him." He hissed softly, looking half feral with his messy hair and wild eyes.

[Xwft]

Ian:

Ian grumbled not liking this Theo dude. He was extremely glad that James was nothing like his ‘guardian.’ If he was Ian would be reluctant to let Cassie hang out with James. Not that much could affect Cassie it was as if she couldn’t be influenced by others. She already had her set ways and nothing could change that, not even her family. Until now that it. Powers were something you couldn’t tamper with, they were built into someone, they were part of the person. However Ian would worry about Cassie’s power incident later. Right now he was busy with getting rid of Theo. Even if he had to wait until James came to deal with his guardian that was fine as long as Theo left.

“Well good to know you have faith in your brother.” Ian bit back as Theo said James didn’t know what was good for him.
True, them teens were… temperamental but that didn’t mean they couldn’t make up their own mind. And this boy thinking they couldn’t was pushing all of the wrong buttons.
“And how about you boss someone around who actually cares.” Ian retorted not caring if this dude was the legal owner of James or not.
However what Ian didn’t expect was a retaliation. He stumbled back into his cousin as Theo shoved him hearing her let out a shocked yelp. Now Ian tried to dodge his cousin but of course that only made it worse. He managed to get his feet under him but not after he heard Cassie let out a soft pained whimper as he stood on her. Ian growled turning to face Theo a murderous glare in his eyes. This freak had just crossed the line.

Ian’s powers weren’t made for harm, there wasn’t much they could do in the way of hurting people. However being able to control others movements gave him a lot of power and Ian was certainly in the mood to test it out. Ian connected to his power which wasn’t exactly hard being his power was already straining to get out. He let it out feeling the power flow though his body. Once in full control, Ian imagined a wall, well more like a box. Strong and completely stopping Theos movement. Then with one flick of his fingers Ian created the wall. Telekinesis wasn’t only to make things come to him, it was also able to stop things coming to him.
“Now what ay?” Ian asked raising an mocking eyebrow.
This was why you didn’t mess with a magic user when you weren’t one yourself.

Cassie:

What Theo didn’t know was James was having a bigger impact on Cassie then Cassie was on him. Cassie herself barely notice the change but it was there. She didn’t just go with James cause of her phone, there were other reason there to. She wasn’t full sure what but… there was something there that if James had asked she would have gone phone or not. And Lilith, she cared for that girl more than she thought she could. She had asked herself the question, the same question over and over but her answer never seemed to change. If she could trade her life for Liliths would she? Everytime the answer was yes.

Now Cassie wasn’t one to let other fight her battles but truth be told she didn’t feel like fighting right now, If it was just her and Theo she likely would have given in ages ago if it meant he left her alone. Though her dear cousin seemed to have other ideas and Cassie wasn’t about to complain if he got a bit hostial. She was to caught up in her thought to comment anyway. However that’s what lead to her tripping as Ian fell into her. Maybe if she had been paying more attention she would have managed to get out the way or at least keep her balance but, at that point of time, Cassie had other things on her mind. So instead she let out a startled yelp as Ian fell backwards into her cause her to fall ungracefully over her own feet. She winced as her head connected with the ground. Her wince turned into a whimper as she felt Ian stand on her leg before getting his balance. It was at this point that Cassie once again stopped paying attention, focusing more on her damaged self then what Ian was doing. Bad idea yes, but old habits die hard. Because it hurt like heck. Nothing broken, thank gosh, but that didn’t stop it being painful. Also now her head throbbed more then it had been, she could already feel the bump forming on her head. Great… just great.

It took awhile for Cassie to pay full attention to what was going on around her. Thankfully it didn’t take her long to join the dots. She recognized the use of power when she saw it. Whatever Ian was doing it was something to do with his powers. He had been pushed far enough that he was willing to use them. Now Cassie didn’t know the extent of his powers like she probably should. However Cassie knew that most powers at this school could be used in harmful ways, she was just one of the unlikely ones that got one that seemed to love hurting people. Cassie had no idea what Ian was doing to Theo nor did she really care for Theo. He was stuck up seeming to want to control James but… He had a point. And the more Cassie thought about it the more she realised he was almost correct. She was messing up James’s life, she probably should be with him but… It was his choice now. Cassie tried to keep him out of this but he kept coming back and she couldn’t help that. That is what Theo needed to know. she had a feeling James like him and wouldn’t really want him dead. Ultimately it came down to whether she liked James or Ian better, who would she rather stand up for. Truthfully she knew the answer straight away.
“Ian.” She rasped shocked at how weak her voice had become. “Ian.” She tried again a little louder this time, enough to make him glance at her though he quickly looked back to Theo.
Fine. Cassie thought moving to a better position. If he won't listen I will try something else. With shaking feet Cassie stood gripping Ians arm as balance, now that made him look at her.
“Cassie?” He questioned watching with shock as she moved past him putting herself between Ian and Theo.
“Ian don’t. Please don’t make the same mistake as me.” She said not particularly wanting to say more.
Ian knew what she meant and if he didn’t then they had a problem. Thankfully Ian seemed to see the logic in her words seeming to release his hold over Theo despite not looking happy about it. Cassie breathed a sigh of relief glad she didn’t need to do any more convincing. She turned to Theo still blocking Ian for reaching the older boy. Of once in her life she left herself mostly open. Cassie never went into a situation without a backup plan. Even if it was fully relying on other people or in this case James. She had no idea where he was but almost hoped he would come soon to help.. Defuse this situation. Once again old habits die hard. In the rules of this school it was his turn to make a move, she just wondered what it was.

[Max]

Theo knew that he could take on this kid. He could feel his anger bubbling over and he knew better than anyone that anger is the best way to win a fight. Once the total rage took over, Theo could hurt anyone he wanted too. Except James. No matter how angry he got he could never hurt James. His brother was the one exception to all of his rules. But Ian on the other hand was someone he wanted to hurt. Cassie too. Like most boys, Theo had grown up with the rule to never hit a girl but after going to live with the Wolves, he completely gave up on that idea. He had no qualms about hurting Cassie if she tried anything. He called it equality, but really it was just an excuse to get into a fight with anyone, no matter what their gender.

Before he could throw a punch though, he felt himself freeze. He could most his fingers slightly and his facial muscles but other than that he could move much more than that.
"What the hell did you just do?" He growled but there was fear in his voice. The whole idea of fighting someone with supernatural powers finally came crashing down on him. He hadn't understood to what extent these kids could do things but now he understood. He felt like there was a wall around him, stopping him from taking another step towards Ian. The first wave of fear began to wash over him. This was one fight he wasn't going to win. It wouldn't be the first time he lost in a fight but this time it was different. This time he didn't know how much power this boy had. For all Theo know, Ian could snap his neck with a flick of his finger.
"Let me go." He said, wide eyed as he tried to move against whatever was stopping him. If there was one thing Theo feared more than anything, it was being trapped. He had always been a little bit claustrophobic and not being able to move his arms and legs made him want to scream. Ian didn't know it but he had managed to pull on Theo's greatest fear with his power.
"Let. Me. Go." He repeated, his breath coming a little faster now as the panic set in.

When Ian finally let him go, Theo practically fell forward in surprise. Catching his balance before he toppled into Cassie he watched the two kids with a panicked look on his face. He wanted to kill the boy but he had quickly figured out that fighting with him was not a good idea.
"Are you guys alright?" Theo spun around to see James coming down the hall with a perplexed look on his face.

The conversation with Cassie's parents had left James even more pale then he usually was (which was saying something) and he had his arms crossed protectively over his chest. He stopped a meter short of the group and looked at them with worried eyes. He didn't know exactly what had happened but none of them looked happy. Ian looked like he was about to explode, Cassie looked hurt and Theo looked like he was about to have a panic attack. James knew Theo better than anyone else in the entire world and it didn't take him long to connect the dots. Theo had obviously tried something and the results had not been good.
"Theo. I think you should get going. You have work right?" He asked gently, putting a hand on Theo's forearm. He was surprised to feel a slight tremor going through his brother's hand.
"Yeah. I'll see you around Jem." Theo replied darkly and disappeared down the hall. He couldn't get out of this place fast enough.

[Max]

((Sorry I totally forgot about this!))

[Xwft]

((Lol alg I just glad u back XD How you been?))

[Xwft]

Cassie watched everything unfold from there. Ian stiffened under her grip while he was still glaring at Theo. Where Cassie’s new spout of pleasantness came from but he was working in the favor of Theo more than her own cousin. Now Cassie wasn’t one to care for others. In fact she only cared about herself until James came along and messed with everything. Now she was here defending the bother of the boy who messed up her life against her very own cousin. However he could see the fear written planing on Theos face. Cassie wasn’t one to read faces, she just read minds. However in this case she couldn’t read his mind and his fear was quite bluntly written on his face. So it wasn’t very hard to notice. As Ian let him go Theo stumbled forward narrowly missing running into Cassie which just made Ian let out a low threatening growl as he tugged Cassie further behind him. Thankfully James came to the rescue. Or what she hoped was the rescue. He came trotting down the hall looking like a lost boy on his first day. His arms folded protectively over his chest. For a reason far more worse than the squabble going on out here.

Cassie still clung to Ians hand as James dealt with his older brother. Ian snarled like an caged animal as if Cassies hand was keeping him in captivity. Cassie watched as James’ brother dashed away as if he couldn’t leave fast enough. She breathed a sigh as Ian relaxed slightly more under her grip as Theo disappeared for sight.
“Ian… You can leave now.” She rasped shoving him in the direction of the excit.
“Cas…”
“Ian.” Cassie replied firmly her voice finally returning to its usual self. “I’m fine trust me. Leave.”
Ian looked at her almost accusingly before his gaze flicked up to James. He stared at James a long minute before pulling his wrist from Cassies grip and striding past her. On his way out he seemed to deliberately run into James muttering the words.
You better take care of her Before sauntering away down the corridor like he owned the place. But gosh help anyone who was on the receiving end of his wrath. Cassie just hoped that he didn’t go in search of Theo. Cassie also knew that wasn’t the last she would see of Ian. She knew he would come back likely to make sure she was ok. Hopefully that wouldn't be for a few hours though.

Now they were alone, the two rowdy boys gone, Cassie finally turned to James. She noticed his uneasy stance, the stance many got when they saw her coming their way. Yet she failed at noticing the way he had gone more pale or the way he seemed…. Confused. As if he was physically present but his mind was galaxies away. However now they were alone, now that Cassie didn’t have the weight of the world on her shoulders, her old self stated to rise up. Rolling her shoulders back, Cassie turned to face James properly.
“I see you survived the wolves.” She said untying her hair before starting it into a waterfall braid.
She winced every time her hand brushed the chip in her neck but that was just another problem added to her list of things to sort out.
“Did they say anything helpful? Actually dumb question i’m surprised my father didn’t rip you to threads.” She said bitterly finishing off her simple braid and flicking it over her shoulder so it cover the bruised and blood crusted chip.
Cassie refused to let anyone know of her inability to use her powers. As soon as they did everything would fall down. Yes she was leaving this school in under a week but she was determined to hold her rank as Queen B until her last dying breath.

It probably seemed that Cassie was lashing out at James. The way she turned away from him in one graceful move. Grabbing her handbag, Cassie flung it over her shoulder turning her dark turquoise gaze to James. It wasn’t really James she was mad at. At this point Cassie was mad with the world. Mad with herself. All her worry and weak thoughts were gone replaced with anger. However hints of sadness threatened to claw its way through. She was mad because of her weakness. She acted as if all these problems didn’t matter but inside they threatened to tear her apart. Her powers were gone, she had to leave school. She was being stripped from her rank and form everything that she once loved. Worst of all she had to leave James. Why that hurt her Cassie didn’t know. Why she even cared for the goody two shoes boy that only provided more of a problem for her. If she hadn’t been so content with staying with her then she wouldn’t be in this position in the first place. Yet she couldn’t bring herself to leave. And now she was here standing in front of him a chip in her neck and nothing but a dozen problems she needed to sort out. Problem with this was James was the only one left to receive her anger.

Cassie stared at James a long while, saying silent while she chewed on her lip. Her mind spun with everything that had just happened in only a few hours.
‘I’m sorry James I…” she stopped, fighting the tears that brimmed around her eyes. Now was not the time for crying. “I’m just not in the mood.” She said pushing past James and striding down the hall leaving James behind.
She stormed passed everyone as she headed towards her dorm. She still held her head high, chin up as if nothing happened. She snarled at anyone who tried to get close despite how shattered she was inside. The Queen B never acted weak. She always had everyone under her thumb and Cassie wasn’t about to let her hold slip. Not for James not for anyone. James had caused this, James had started this because without him her life would be perfect. She wouldn’t be second guessing herself and she wouldn’t be in this damn mess. Part of her knew James didn’t deserve any of this but she needed someone to lash out at and James just happened to be the victim.


Throwing her dorms door open Cassie stormed in slamming the door behind her. She flopped down on her bed taking a shaky breath. Resting her elbows on her knees, Cassie made a crown of her hands on her forehead. Now she was alone, now no one could see her was when the reality of everything cashed in on her. Reaching over Cassie grabbed a old work book of hers and started ripping through the paper finding great satisfaction in the ripped bits of paper that fell around her. Why was it her? Why did this have to happen to her? Why couldn't she just be left alone? Getting bored in ripping paper Cassie stood, dragging herself to her feet and trotted to the mirror sweeping her long hair back she studied the chip. Webs of black spread from the blueish purple center stretching up into her hairline and down past the hem of her top. Getting a water bottle and a clean bit of fabric, Cassie slide her top over her head so she could get a better view of her wound and the full extent of it. Turns out the web of black only reached mid shoulder blades before fading into nothing. Now it wasn’t the webs that hurt. Cassie poked at them all she wanted and nothing happened. It was only as she touched the ship itself that it actually hurt. To bad that was where most of the blood was. Using the mirror as guidance, Cassie started carefully whipping at the blood wincing every time the cold fabric came in contact with her sensitive skin.

[Max]

James wasn't listening to their conversation at all. He felt like his brain was moving through molasses. He knew that he should be thinking about something, but it wasn't working. He watched Ian's mouth move and Cassie's eyes narrow but he wasn't really listening to them. Instead he turned away and stared long and hard out the window. He could see Theo there, rushing to his motorcycle. He had taught James how to ride on a motorcycle a few years ago, even though he was too young. It had been the scariest, most exhilarating thing in the world. Leaning his head against the glass he watched as Theo fumbled for his keys and then paused only to take a deep breath and then start the engine. James didn't want him to leave. He needed Theo to help him figure out what to do, about Cassie, about her parents, about everything really. James had always looked up to Theo for advice, even though half of the time Theo's advice was very wrong. Regardless of whether or not he was right though, he was the person James loved most in the world. Like any kid, going to boarding school meant the occasional bout of homesickness and now James could feel that more than anything. Seeing Theo had released something in his chest, like he had been holding his breath and seeing Theo reminded him to breath out again.

He spun around again as Ian walked by him. He saw the warning look on the boy's face but it felt like his head was full of cotton and he couldn't really process what that look meant.
"Oh. Yeah." He mumbled softly. He wanted to go see Theo. He wanted to go home. There wasn't much home to go back too, but he just wanted to be back with his brother where things were simpler.
"They said like, I could, like, change you, I guess." He winced at how stupid he sounded but the words couldn't seem to form properly in his mouth and his tongue felt slow and heavy.
"You're mom seems nice." He added stupidly. She hadn't really been nice, she had just been a lot nicer than Cassie's dad. Although it really wasn't that hard to do. James wondered vaguely what it must be like to live with someone like that. Maybe it was alright. A lot of people probably thought that living with someone like Theo would be horrible but it really wasn't. He felt like Cassie's dad was different though, he was more than just mean, he was calculatingly evil.

"You're not what?" He asked slowly, unsure of what she was saying. Her expression looked angry and he struggled to understand why. When he finally did, his face crumpled like paper. He knew it was his fault. If he hadn't brought her to the center none of this would have happened. If he hadn't meddled with her life then they wouldn't be in this mess. She would be happily living her life and he would be happily living his. But he had really thought that he had been doing something good. He thought that he could make her good, kind. He had succeeded for a while. He couldn't forget her face with the little kids, painting their faces she had really looked happy. And they had loved her so much, he had thought that everything was going well. But in reality he had just ruined it all and he didn't know how to fix it. It was perfectly understandable that she was angry at him. More than just angry, infuriated. But some part of him had hoped that she would still want to be his friend despite it all, that they could figure it out together.
"I'm sorry Cas..." He pleaded. His expression was shattered and he looked like he was folding into himself. He wanted to disappear forever. It would probably be better for everyone if he just did.

But he needed to know for sure if she wanted him out of her life. So instead of running away he slowly followed her back to her dorm. He knew he should give her some time to calm down so instead of just barging in after her, he sat down by the door, pressing his back against the wall. To his annoyance tears had risen into his eyes again and he brushed them away quickly, sniffling softly. He was going to figure this out, he had to. He just sat there for a long time, head in hands. Not thinking about anything really, just sitting there listening to the dull hum of the lights.
"Cassie?" He finally called out, getting up and leaning against the door.
"Look if you never want to talk to me again... I get that and I'll stop talking to you... or seeing you...but I can fix this. We have a week, I'm going to fix this Cas." He called out through the wooden door.

[Xwft]

You are a monster Cassandra, and we are just trying to stop others being hurt by you.
The words echoed in her head, spinning in an endless loop as she stared at herself in the mirror. The cold unfeeling voice of her father accompanying the words. Cassie had been called a monster before. Before, she had thrived in the insulted relishing the fact that she was feared. Fear controlled people and if she was fear itself she would have the world at her beck and call. But now those words stung. Why this time was different Cassie had no idea. They repeated in her head bring her endless torment. Cassie's knuckles whitened as she gripped the edge of the desk fighting her own tears. Her thoughts were a mess, nothing made sense and she hadn’t even started sorting through everything. Yes she was alone, where no one could hear her scream. But what was the point of crying into a pillow? Cassie never found comfort in it. What comfort could a bunch of fabric give anyway? When younger Cassie would go to her mum letting her help. Letting her dry her tears. But as the years went on Cassie cried alone quickly finding pillows couldn’t hold all the tears she had. Slowly she started just not….. So once again all her tears were there they just had no idea what to do now.

Finally it just all got the best of her. Letting out a frustrated curse, Cassie raked her fingers through her hair pulling slightly more harder the necessary in hopes to silence the noise in her head. Cassie could sort though the thoughts of at least three people all at the same time but she couldn’t even deal with her own? Grumbling another string of curses, Cassie released her hair for it’s death grip striding towards her ensuite. At least her father let her keep that. Turning the dial on the shower, Cassie turned the water to practically scalding. Steam quickly clouded her vision as water tumbled to the floor below. In rhythmic pattern of water hitting the title below drowning out all her thoughts. The heat burnt her bare skin as she stepped under the stream but in a way it felt nice. It distracted her, turned all her attention on the hot water than to her her burning world.

Cassie had no idea how long she stood there letting warm water fall against her back turning her skin red thanks to the heat. Yet none of it mattered her. She was blissfully unaware of everyone and everything, even James who sat right outside her door just waiting. She was quite contect where she was even if she was using all the hot water. So be it. After what they did to her she says let them suffer a bit. Even if it was just having lack of hot water for a hour or two. In fact Cassie wasn’t planning on moving any time soon until she heard voice call to her. One she recognised instantly even though the rush of water. His voice was soft, sad as if he was the one suffering and not her. Anger spread through her only to be covered by something more pleasant. Relife, tranquility, love? No, nothing. She felt nothing. James didn’t deserve anything of what she could give him. None of what she almost wanted to give him. Cassie let out a frustrated sigh hating how her peace was broken by only a few simple words from that ridiculous boy. Her mind once again being sent into a whirlwind of motion and thoughts. Flicking the water off, Cassie wrapped a towel around her tying it up so it didn’t slip down before heading towards James.

Leaving wet footprints as she walked, Cassie strode towards the door flinging it open with a bit more force necessary. Her glare was deathly as she stared at the broken boy in front of her debating how to proceed.
She didn’t want to leave James waiting out here not wanting people to see him waiting by her door. Then again did she really want him in her room? Though she knew she didn’t want to stand around dressed as she was. Not matter what she chose she had to do it fast.
“You shouldn’t have come,” she hissed not knowing whether she said that for herself or him.
Without really knowing why, Cassie grabbed his arm and pulling him inside slamming the door before anyone could see much.
Her gaze fixed on him, he boy now standing in the middle of her room seeing the raw emotion on her face. Yet she still started for a beat to long before turning away with a snarl. “Don’t look,” she said right before a smirk spread across her face. “Well….I mean unless you want to.”
She knew James had a lot more dignity than others but a little bit of tormenting was fun. Beside James deserved. That’s what she told herself anyway. Part of her knew she was wrong. James wanted to help. Though that small part of her was very quickly over ruled by everything else. Everything the denied anything she might have once felt for this boy. Cassie stayed silent as she dug through her draws pulling out a new set of clothes. To be fair she wasn’t sure what to say. She hadn’t heard James properly over the rush of water but she was aware he said something about, fix, week, leave, and the name only used by a few. Cas. Then again those words gave her a pretty good idea on what he wanted.
“Why are you here, James?” She asked now at least semi dressed, well in her underclothes at least. It both a slightly attempted to taunt James and cause this was how she did things. “You shouldn’t be here it’s only going to make matter worse and you know it.”
Keeping herself busy Cassie glided past him making sure to put some distance between them.
“Don’t worry i’m slightly modest now,” she muttered tucking her hand to her side in a clear action to stop their hands brushing as she stepped passed him.
In a smooth well practised motion, Cassie swept her hair while she plugged in her hair drier with the other. James’s arviel wasn’t going to interrupt her normal routine despite how he played with everything she felt and even would feel.
“Ok better question,” she called flicking the drying on letting the wind run though her hair. She winced as the hot air touched her wound but she ignored it. So be it. “What are you planning on fixing? How are you planning on fixing anything. Being you never seem to make things better you just make it worse. Everytime James. Everytime something has gone you have been there. Coincidence or not i’m not sure but whatever the reason you are here it better be good. I suggest you speak now before I regret my decision to let you in.” Cassie snapped her bright eyes flicking towards him, glancing at him though the strands of hair the flick into her face.
Some of what she said was true. He had always been there. Whether it was his fault she wasn’t sure. In fact she felt more like she just didn’t want to blame herself. Gosh, Cassie hated emotions. Hated not knowing what to feel. What on earth was this strange boy standing in the middle room doing to her?

[Max]

James didn't think that Cassie was actually going to open the door. He knew that she was a stubborn person, and after living with Theo for his entire life, James knew stubborn people intimately. One of Theo's favorite tactics was the silent treatment. He and James shared a room, so it wasn't exactly easy to not talk to each other but Theo seemed to be a master at it. He would either ignore James every time they were in the same room or he just wouldn't come home. He had enough "girlfriends" that he could sleep at someone else's house every day for at least two weeks. There would really be weeks where James didn't see Theo at all if his brother was mad at him. Usually it was over something extremely trivial, like James losing something or saying the wrong thing in front of the wrong person, but Theo got riled up over the smallest things sometimes. He just needed time to blow off steam though. The difference between Cassie and Theo though was that Theo needed to talk to James. They were brothers and best friends, so even if he didn't talk to James for an entire week, eventually he would come back because he simply couldn't live without being able to talk to James. It was like he would explode if he couldn't explain what was going on in his head to James once and a while. Cassie though had other friends, she didn't need to talk to him. So, he was surprised when she opened the door.

He flinched back slightly as the door was tugged open with a fierce tug and made a loud thumping noise as she threw it open and it hit the wall of her dorm. He actually took a step back when he saw the look on her face. He had been terrified when he was talking to her parents and yet now his heart was beating faster than ever. In such a short time, Cassie had come to mean a lot to him. It wasn't unusual for James to feel so strongly about someone he hadn't even been friends with for that long. He was an open book, he threw love around without a care because he had so much love in him that he didn't have to worry about losing too much of it. The result was that James had good friends, but he also got attached to people very quickly. Especially people like Cassie who were funny and beautiful and it seemed that she was extremely kind when no one was looking.

Having always been a sensitive boy, her glare was enough to make him want to just turn away again, she obviously didn't want to see him. But he steeled himself up and just looked back at her with his sincere ice blue eyes. He didn't try to apologize with his gaze, or say anything with his look, he just looked at her completely vulnerably. It was her choice about what she wanted to do with him now. He did break her gaze for a moment to look down a the towel she was wearing before his cheeks flushed slightly pink. He didn't know why seeing her in a towel made him so flustered, but it felt wrong to be looking at her just in a towel. Eyes wide, and cheeks flushed, he made a surprised squeak when she pulled him violently in the room. When she told him that he shouldn't have come he expected her to slam the door in his face, but instead she had pulled him into the room. That meant there was hope for him. She wanted him to be here.
"What?" He asked, his eyes turned wide as saucers when she started to tease him. What had previously been a slight dusting of pink across his cheeks turned into a full on red blush. He blushed so hard that even the tips of his ears turned red. He had never seen a girl naked before, which was surprising considering how many girls Theo brought back to their apartment. Turning away as fast as he could, he squeezed his eyes shut. It made no sense to close his eyes as he was already turned away from her but it was just an extra measure of safety.
"Oh-uh...no." He muttered lamely at her offer to take a look while she changed. He blushed even harder, if that was even possible. If his face got any hotter he would probably burst into flames, which was hard considering his ice powers.

He turned around when she told him she was clothed before immediately turned back towards the wall with a horrified expression on his face. He had thought that she meant she was dressed. Like fully dressed, like pants and a shirt and stuff, not just underclothing. But noooo, he could see every curve and way more skin than he had ever seen in any of her outfits. What made it even worse, was that she was so pretty. Clearing his throat nervously, he slowly turned around again, careful not to look at her. He glanced at the floor and then the walls and then a photo she had on her desk, and then her hair drier, just trying not to look at her or her skin. He felt like a total idiot.
"Uhm. No, don't, I'll talk... I have an idea." He stammered out before she kicked him out again. He didn't really have an idea, but he could make something up. He was still too flustered by her lack of clothing to really think properly.
"You need to join student council." It was a stupid idea, he knew it was but it could help. The elections were in four days for school president. If she became school president than the school would need her even more and might petition to get her powers back. Her parents would also see that she could be responsible and smart. Of course he would probably do all the work but whatever.
"You need to become school president. I'll help you campaign and stuff. But if the school needs you then you're parents can't pull you out! You're too important." He gave her a wide smile, trying to help convince her.

[Xwft]

Cassie was genuinely one of delicacy, everything she did holding some form of grace but that rule was completely shattered at James next statement. Cassie snorted in a very unlady like way. She doubled over, resting her head against the basin, a weird coughing laugh spilled from her lips as she choked on her own air. Gripping tightly onto the sink, Cassie reached out turning off the hair drier and letting her choked laughter fill the silence. Stands of wind whipped auburn hair fell across her face sticking to her lips. What the heck was James on about. Her, school president?! Two words she never thought would be put together. She had always been the Queen B she never needed to be officially ruling the school cause she already was. She was running the school in best way in fact being she didn’t need to refer anything to the principal or any higher ups and make sure it was ok with them. She could do whatever the heck she wanted and no one could stop her. Though now without her powers she was nothing. She couldn’t convince anyone to do anything, no blackmail, no threats, and how could you rule a school without fear? People hate those goody goodys, the teachers pets, the ones that always got the best cause they knew the answer to 1 + 1. Cassie already told herself there was no way she would fall that low. If she had to leave she was going to leave in style.

When her laughter finally died down, Cassie turned to James wiping tears from her eyes.
“You want me to do what?!” She asked biting her lip to suppress another giggle. “That’s the dumbest thing I have heard all day. And I thought my dad insulting me was bad.”
Without another glance at James, Cassie turned her attention back to herself and dealing with after shower necessities.
Swiping the hair from her lips and peering into the mirror, “Oh gosh,” she muttered to herself wondering what the heck her life had just come to.
Opening the cabinet next to her, Cassie scanned the vast amounts of products it contained. Moisturizes, perfume, and other skin creams and scent things. She was fully aware of James stand behind her. How he looked everywhere but at her his face a bright red thanks to her little torments. That was part of the reason she was taking so long, and the fact she refused to let James stop her do anything. After careful deliberation, Cassie selected a few things from her cabinet placing them beside her. Rubbing the condensation from the mirror, Cassie pulled her hair back before squirting out little pearls on her finger tips and applying it to her face. As she worked her eyes were always turned slightly towards James her bright eyes watching his every movement mostly just out of curiosity. She had shutdown what she guessed was he only idea in a fit of giggles so she was interested in what he would do next. Would he try again or learn to keep his mouth shut and leave? She was starting to regret inviting him in, he wasn’t doing her any favors his presence being more off putting then helpful right at this very moment.

Her mind spun as she rinsed the honey and hazelnut scented cream from her face leaving her skin smelling faintly of sweet nuts. Yes she had dismissed his idea real quick thinking it the dumbest thing she had heard, but James wasn't dumb. He wouldn’t have come to her with that idea if he didn’t think is possible. But….. could it be possible. Before she could have second thoughts she spun around blurting out the question.
“How would we do it? She asked her gaze quizzical. “And for the love of gosh please just look at me I ain’t going to bite your head off and how is this different from a bikini?” She packed a little heat into those words being James was the first and only male that refused to look at her bare skin. She admired it but it also drove her mad having him look at everything but her.
“Anyway there is no way anyone would vote for me, only my friends would and out of that only the ones who like me,” she said taking a few steps towards him finally done everything she needed to until she picked out an outfit. “Without my power I won't be able to convince anyone to vote for me being nothing is making them…” She stopped her words trailing away in thought. “Unless…… James you’re a genius!” She cried her eyes lighting up at her thought. “They have no idea that I don’t have my powers, as long as I play like I do they will still feel as if the have to help me. I’ve never lost my rank it’s only been made harder hold.”
Cassie grinned long and slow her whole demeanor light at the thought of maybe she could stay, maybe she could get her powers back for real, if her acting skills were good enough which they always were. She stepped closer to James strangely aware of how close she found herself to him. She was close, within touching distance now yet it didn’t matter her. A strange feeling over came her, pulling her forward. More question spun in her head like why had James even helped her? she had done nothing for him yet he acme to her knowing how bad her temper could get and still tried to help. She had ruined his life more then he had ruined hers and yet here he was refusing to leave her alone. How could she repay that?
“James you’re honestly a bloody genius,” her voice was low, sweet in a weird sort of way, “and a life saver.”
Without a thought she took a step, closed the distance. She reached up cupping his cheek with her hand her thumb brushing along his jawline. This wasn’t her first rodeo, this feeling, these actions were normal to her. They only thing that seemed to change was who it was. In this case it was James. Which seemed to feel different in a way, James wasn’t like the others and she wasn’t sure how or why but she kinda liked it. Softly without a second thought, Cassie pressed her lips against his, softly, feather light. She noticed the cold hint to them thanks to his ice powers yet was strangely unfazed by it, liked it in a way.

It was only a few mere seconds later that she pulled back, not far she could still feel his breath on her bare skin, but far enough that she could look at him see his reaction. Her eyes scanned his waiting for some hint of reaction for what she just did. Did he approve or did he hate her now? Her eyebrows furrowed together slightly as she processed her actions. Why exactly had she done that? What exactly had motivated her to do that she wasn’t sure yet she wasn’t quite regretting it.
“Well, that just happened,” she said the corner of her lips turning up in slight amusement.
She was now all to aware of her lack of clothes and how close she now stood to him something she hadn’t cared about in a very long time. In fact she could almost pin it as nervousness, that is if she wasn’t so used to it.
“Anyway that was slightly... off topic,” she said moving to step back so they could get back to the matter at hand, "what now?"
The slightly more pressing matter of Cassie had no powers, was about to be forced to leave the school and now had to run for president of the school she currently hated while dealing with what the heck she had just done. Fun times.

[Max]

He hadn't been expecting a good reaction. After all, it was Cassie he was talking to. She took people's ideas and tossed them around and then shredded them before even considering them. He knew that about her, so he hadn't exactly been expecting her to suddenly just agree with him. Despite that, he wasn't expecting her to choke. She sounded like what the stray cat he used to feed sounded like when it was about to spit up a hairball. For a moment he was really worried that she was choking on something. He hesitated for a single second before taking a step forward... and then she realized that she was laughing. That horrible sound coming out of her mouth was laughter. It was so unlike anything he had ever heard coming from her that he was seriously shocked. Once he got over the shock though, it began to hurt a little bit.

James was a kind person, he was naive and he was innocent but eventually he got the point. He had tried to help her so much. He didn't always realize just how kind he was to other people because that's just who he was. But by now he had realized that he was kind to Cassie. Something about her made him want to help. So, he did. But he was at the end of his rope. He had tried everything with her. He had been kind, he had been patient and she had done nothing but scorned him and laughed at him. Didn't she realize how hard he worked to make other people happy, to make her happy? But instead she just laughed, again and again. So, he was done. It was tiring being this nice, although she wouldn't know that.

This time, he looked away. Not because he was embarrassed by her clothing, or his mistakes. But because he knew that the anger on his face was obvious, as was the hurt. The fact that his ice blue eyes sparkled in the dorm room light. He didn't want her to see how weak he was. He wouldn't let her beat him. Theo would have been proud of him. For even just thinking about standing up for himself. Because James had never been good at that, he was a push-over.
"If you don't want help, I won't give it to you." He said softly. No matter how angry he was, he was still soft spoken. His anger was a snake coiled up rather than a grizzly bear swiping sharp claws. His eyes were full of regret when he finally looked at her. He was sorry that she didn't want help, that a beautiful girl was going to go to waste because she was so stubborn. James had seen enough people waste away like that, it hurt him to see the same thing happen to her.

With that, he turned to leave. He couldn't manage it anymore. It was all too much too fast and even James ran out of kindness eventually. He didn't have all the answers, he didn't know how it was going to work. He had just figured that he could try. But if she didn't want his help, then it was her loss. The smell of hazelnut and honey reached his nose and he paused for just a moment. Cassie had always smelled amazing he had just never known what she smelled like. Now he knew what it was. Funny how he just noticed that but he would probably never see her again after this week. It seemed like a waste.
"I'm sorry that I ruined everything." He murmured, about to leave. But her words stopped him. A spark of hope glimmered in his eyes and he spun back around to look at her. Maybe she wasn't a lost case. Maybe she had just needed some time to figure it out. James hadn't fully lost hope in her though and he was eager to hear what she had to say. He hadn't really wanted to leave. She was his friend after all.
"I guess i'm not as stupid as I look." He joked quietly, giving her a smile. He was always quick to forgive. Especially someone like Cassie. Theo had always said that it made him a wimp. but James thought that it was a virtue. It meant that he could keep friends more easily.

"Oh." He suddenly let out a soft breath of air. Not really a word, just more the sound of air being let out in a little gasp. She was suddenly closer to him than she had ever been before. He could feel the heat of her body by his. James was hyper sensitive to body heat and heat at all because of his ice powers. Due to the lack of his own body heat, warmth effected his body more than anyone else's. He shivered slightly under her touch. His eyes were looking at her, but they were wide with apprehension and a little bit of fear. He had never kissed a girl before. Maybe when he was 8 or 9, back when things were simpler. But his life had thrust him into a tornado of worries and issues and he had never had time for girls, so he had no idea what he was doing. Luckily it seemed that he was allowed to follow since Cassie knew what she was doing. Her lips against his was the most foreign feeling in the entire world. His cheeks blazed red and he looked like strawberry shortcake by the time she pulled away.

His heart was beating a mile a minute in his chest and he took the tiniest step back before the most hesitant of smiles appeared on his face. Like a stunned deer stumbling around on his feet he brought a hand up to his lips with a shocked expression. He sort of wished that she had kissed him for longer. It had felt nice.
"Yeah that just happened." He replied before suddenly laughing softly.
"I can't believe you just kissed me." He said with a wide smile. He was no longer nervous, but he felt like he was on cloud nine.
"Kissing guys like me is probably bad for your reputation." He joked before winking at her and then after glancing at her for permission, sitting on the chair by her work desk.
"We have to make you look... community oriented but still fun." He instructed her, smiling like the sun was glowing just for him that day, and maybe it was. Because Cassandra Jackson had kissed him, and he had wanted her too. Even though he had never really realized it.
"And then we have to do this." He smiled again with a boyish look on his face, stood up and kissed her again. Just a quick kiss but he felt pretty good about being so forthright with her.

[Xwft]

((Sorry it took so long I had a hard time coming up with something to write for Cassie))

Surprisingly Cassie’s reaction was extremely similar to James’s, she just did a better job at hiding her shock. She had kissed so many guys before, she had started it, had continued it she had played every role when it came to romance yet... something about James felt different. She wasn’t going to be all sappy and say true love cause like heck that existed but it was something more than a one night stand kiss at a party to impress friends. That was the type of kiss she was used to, only having a few longer lasting romances with boys who ended up breaking her heart. There was her problem again, James was nothing like that. He was friends with everyone and tried his hardest not to break any hearts. So in this case Cassie had no idea what she had just done. Because of this mild confusion her brain wasn’t exactly sending the clarest signals to the rest of her body and she didn’t trust herself not to do something she would regret. So she just stood there, waiting her brain swimming with thoughts. In a way she thought James would run, flee from her room, to curse her name, to hate her. Though none of those things happened.

Cassie's laughed at his next statement. This time it was a sweeter sound like the soft melody of birds on a summer's day.
“What can I say, i’m full of surprises today.” She giggled her laugher matching his own.
She felt herself relax as James accepted her actions. In fact by his reaction he seemed to more then just accept it. Cassie had gotten good at reading people's reactions as well as their minds and James was currently glowing. Enough so that Cassie felt like a child, those innocent relationships you build up at the age of five. Yes her and James were so much older than five but it felt the same. Except they weren’t so much of innocent actions anymore.
“Sit wherever you like it’s not like you haven’t seen everything, it’s not exactly private.” She replied simply her gaze following him but not yet moving herself, she wasn’t really sure were to move to.
For once in her life Cassie wasn’t hundred percent sure what to do. Should she move towards him, away from him she actually wasn’t quite sure. James was just so different and without her little mind reading ability she was at a total loss. Though at his next question made her first worry seem small. She hadn’t thought about the aspect of things. In this case Cassie had acted on impulse and desire choosing to deal with the consequences later.
“Not if they don’t find out, not that I plan on letting them stop me if they do.” Cassie said simply through a playful gleam entered her eye “Plus you will probably find them questioning will end worse for them then for us.”
A threat and not a empty one but it wasn’t to James. In his case her words were more of a promise. Just like before she when she refused to bring James down with her she refused to let anyone threaten without answering to her first. Once Queen B always Queen B.

Finally Cassie turned away both to hide the blush she failed at keeping down and so she could get some actual clothes on. Beside James was attempting to explain what type thing she should wear being Cassie had no idea how to dress presentable. Well she could do presentable but not exactly they type of presentable you would want to have kids see. Being Cassie had a habit to wear more skin then fabric.
“Wait,” Cassie said spinning around on her heel, “is this not community oriented but still fun?” She asked sticking a pose that showed of the fact she was basically not wearing anything in case he hadn’t realised. “Cause I mean this is what people wear to the beach so community oriented and it’s still fun. Depends on your definition on fun but still.” She shrugged a cheeky grin playing on her face. “I mean I don’t see you complaining.”
As he stood her eyes followed him, curious as he moved towards her. She didn’t even bother reacting to his next comment before he kissed her. Now it was Cassie's turn to be shocked. Her kissing him was one thing but having it the other way around, now she wasn’t quite expecting that. Oh how she wished she knew what he was thinking, what was he thinking about this whole them being together thing she didn’t even understand herself. Though for once in her life Cassie decided to focus on one thing at a time, focus on the present. No big scheme needed plotting, her extra thought were just that. Extras. By the time she made this decision James was already moving back away from her. The opposite of what she wanted
“Mm no, not so fast,” Cassie hummed taking a step towards him bring their bodies closer together catching his lips and bring them back to hers.
Her hand threaded around the back of his neck, the tips of her fingers burying themselves in his hair. Threads of electricity pulsed through her body at his touch a strange sensation but one she welcomed, one she craved. Slowly her kisses became more demanding. Her lips searching as if she was trying to find something in James trying to lose herself in a world where it was only them. A world were things were better

Eventually Cassie did pull back bowing her head so it rested against his chest, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. And then we have to do this. James had asked for this.... in a way not that she regretted it. Though logic had now taken hold which probably would be for the better rather than the worse. Many replies built up on tip of her tongue, all of which made her cave into her desires. He want to get lost. If this was anyone else but James maybe she would let it happen but something told her there was a line and she should cross it, not yet, not now. Instead she let out a soft laugh lifting her again.
“Not bad. For a newbie.”
She grinned giving him another quick kiss before pulling back already hating the choice but promising herself later.
“Right, community oriented but still fun got it,” she said going back to flicking through her closet looking for some summer dress. Cute yet formal which is likely the closest Cassie would get to community oriented cause for most of her life Cassie didn’t give a damn what the ‘community’ thought about her. Thought today was a time for new developments as she discovered. Pulling out baby blue summer dress, Cassie studied it. T was knee length, actually had shoulder straps though there were meant to worn down on her form arm the skirt was simple the top being a mix of fabric and lace. Cute yet community. She pulled it over her head adjusting it so it sat right around her shoulders before spinning to face James.
“Good enough?” She asked doing a few spins the fabric fluttering around her. “I deem it fine,” she said gripping the edge of her closet to regaining her balance. “So now i’m actually dresses, now what?” she asked knowing exactly what her next action would have been if she didn’t have some restant.
This is James not some random you meet and a party she told herself let James choose for once you don’t have to be in controlShe sighed annoyed at herself as she folded her arms behind her.
“Do we just go out and talk to people now cause I can do that?”

((So how do we want to rp this once we done here? Cause we could actually Rp some of it or we could time skip to like the last day before the student president is announced. Also do we want a happy ending?))

[Max]

((It's okay!))

James tilted his head like a curious puppy with a continually surprised look in his eyes. Of all the people in the world, Cassie seemed to be the most worried about her reputation. In fact, her entire life at this school seemed to depend on what other people thought of her. But here she was telling him that she would defend him if anyone thought anything bad about them being together. It made him happy that she was willing to threaten her own friends for him, although he didn't want her to hurt anyone in order to protect him. He knew that there had to be a way for all of them to be friends. He knew that it probably wouldn't be easy to bring him into her friend group because they hung out with totally different people. James hung out with almost everyone and he could have been popular had he wanted to, but he liked to hang out with the outcasts just as much as anyone else, which was why he had never quite been considered a "popular" kid. James was always willing to meet new people though and he would certainly try his best to impress her friends, even if they didn't even know that they had kissed.

It did hurt a little bit when Cassie said "Not if they don't find out." Did that mean that they were going to have to keep this a secret? What even was this? Did that mean that he couldn't tell any of his friends about it? Did a lot of people keep their relationships secret? James hadn't been in any teenage relationships so he had so many questions. None of which he wanted to ask Cassie. He didn't want her to know just how hopeless he was when it came to knowing things like this.

He also didn't want her to know why he hadn't been in a relationship for so long. It hadn't been for lack of interest. James was a nice boy and he was relatively good looking, plenty of his peers had shown interest in him and he had returned the feeling. There had been a student in his English class that he had been totally into, but he had never approached them. Not after what had happened when he was younger. No one knew about that. Not even Theo. For a long time, they had lived with about 7 other guys in the basement of a building. It had been pretty okay, it had been warm and as clean as an apartment can get with 9 boys living in it. People came and went. One guy would get a better job and move out to start a better life and someone else would move in. Always the optimist, James had tried to make friends with everyone. One guy though, Mark was his name. Well, he took a liking to James.

At first it had seemed perfectly normal, if not better. Mark would take James out for ice cream (he had only been around 12 at the time) or they would go to the skateboard park while Theo was at work. James had spent most of his childhood alone since he didn't really go to school like other kids did so it was nice to have someone like Mark pay such attention to him. James would wait with excitement until Mark would come home and they would go out together. The learned so much from him, how to skateboard, how to skate, what clothing was trendy and what wasn't. But eventually Mark became just a little bit too fond of James. James hadn't told anyone about that one night... Mark had disappeared a few days later. No one knew where he went and James had never wanted to find out.

Perhaps it was that memory that made him suddenly gasp for breath when Cassie began to fiercely kiss him. He suddenly had to pull away from her, sitting back down abruptly on her bed. He smiled feebly at her, glad that she couldn't read his mind anymore. And then feeling guilty for feeling glad about it.
"Yeah, that looks great." He said breathlessly, taking in a deep breath of air to try and feel like his lungs were working again. She looked better than great, but he couldn't focus now.
"Um... we... yeah we talk to people... and um... yeah." He said lamely. Getting up abruptly he gave Cassie a distracted smile and ran a hand through his hair.
"I have to go... get some stuff ready I guess..." He then shot out of the room like an arrow, turning down the first hallway he could find so that Cassie wouldn't follow him.

((I feel like we should RP James with Cassie's friends? That could be interesting, like she's spending so much time with him for the election that they eventually approach him? Also... I dunno... either could be interesting... sorry i'm bad at decisions.))

[Xwft]

It wasn’t a scornful looked at crossed Cassie face, nor could it be put into the category of confused or annoyed. It was more of a curious tilt of the head her eyebrows knitting together in a weird blend of annoyance and confusion yet her eyes reflected a speck of… pain. She hadn’t failed to notice how James went from being cocky and happy to just shutting down. Was it something she had said? Something she did? She would say maybe she pushed him to far by kissing him again like that but she had never seen a boy react like this. She knew James was an odd case, not quite the romantic type, and let the fact that he pushed her away slide. But now he was stammering, seeming to look everywhere but her.
“James wh…”
She was cut off as James scampered past her with no more than a lousy excuse saying he had to get 'stuff' ready.
“James!” She cried stalking after him but he had already disappeared around a corner. “Son of a…” Cassie huffed putting a bit of thought into then cursing his name anyway. What was he going to do? It wasn’t like he was here to hear it. Cassie cursed again before heading back into her room slamming the door behind her. And here she thought James actually cared. But clearly something stopped him that was clearly more overpowering then her. Yes Cassie had the thought that maybe it was something she had done but… The thing about playing the villain is that you never pick on yourself. You never just announce all the things you did that are suspicious. No you try throw shade on others and let them look at you without your help. If they really care, if they really think you are to blame, they will join the dots, if not they won't. However Cassie wasn’t exactly sure what to do when she was meant to be suspecting herself but also defending herself.

Time skip till next day ((Doubted Cassie would bother going after James at this point))

The gossip from the cafeteria was loud, a familiar noise though, one Cassie learned to like. Now usually she would read minds and get her best gossip and blackmail from conversations happening while people ate. However of course this time she was unable to do so and it was mildly unsettling. Of course no one knew she couldn’t and Cassie wasn’t planning on telling anyone about her little…. Mishap with her parents. As long as no one knew she couldn’t use her powers she would still be queen B. She would still be threatening. And as long as James didn’t mess things up. He had trusted her last night but it had seemed to change drastically and now Cassie almost feared he would do something. So she had deliberately avoided him for the whole of this day, just keeping her respective distance until there was a reason to actually interact. Beside she had a lot of catching up with her friends to do.

The usual talk was passed along, announcements of new dates, whining about teachers, tears of break ups, complimenting outfits. Which Cassie wore the same dress she had picked out yesterday. The baby blue lace summer dress. However she had paired it with simple golden and black eye shadow, a touch of colour on the lips some blush, bronzer, foundation and she was set. But more importantly then what she was wearing the talk was about welcoming Cassie back and giving a very thorough investigation about what exactly happened yesterday. A thorough investigation where Cassie lied, smiled and pretend nothing happened. A little hassle with teachers but she sorted it out. Wasn’t that close enough to the truth? It seemed to be so cause her friends left it be discussing other things and thankfully not bring up James once. That was until some genius decided to pick a fight. She had clearly noted Cassies little ‘called to the principal office’ indecent and decided to challenge her about it. How much she really knew Cassie wasn't sure but for once Cassie was actually unnerved by how much this girl knew.

Cassie looked up as a small brunette walked up to her table in the center of the room flanked by two of her friends.
“Can I help you?” Cassie asked not even looking at the girl while she picked at her suspiciously coloured pasta.
“Cassandra Jackson am I right,” the girl said more of a statement then question.
Cassie bristled at the use of her full name. Ain’t no way anyone got away with calling her that never had and never will this girl wasn't special. She hear calls from her friends as they felt the tension in Cassie knowing this brunette had just made a mistake.
“You got a problem?” Cassie swiveled around to face the girl, Same age a bit smaller then Cassie yet she had a determine set to her face, under the extremely smug smile.
Delicately, with a very precise amount of flare, she stood standing the same, if not taller, then the brunette and her two buddies.
“Don’t like your full name do you not, Cassandra.” The Brunette replied inspecting her nails completely unfazed by the queen B standing in front of her.
“Not that that’s anything I would tell someone like you.” Cassie hissed back feeling the eyes of her friend behind her, urging her on and being ready backup. Though they knew this was a fight Cassie had to win alone. Those who didn’t know the inner workings of the school would think this was a usual cat fight but everyone else knew it was so much more than that. This was a battle of power this foolish girl picked.
“Mm interesting, pressure points are always helpful. Now,” she started looking up from her nails to meet Cassie bright turquoise gaze, “I'm going to cut to the chase I have a deal for you. You trade your leadership over to me or else James...”
Cassie was quick, to quick. The feeling of her hand raising and connecting with the girls cheek was a motion all to familiar. All noise in the cafeteria dropped to a deathly silence all eyes turning towards the two girls. The brunette straightened up slowly a red welt forming on her cheek where Cassie's hand had struck.
“Cassie.” She heard one of her friends whisper behind her worry edging into her voice but Cassie was only focused on the one in front of her.
“Short tempered ay.” The girl grinned wide and, like a predator eyes prey. A look Cassie hated. “Sore topic to talk about isn’t. James that’s his name. Cute boy, you already tried to claim him as your property didn’t you? Making sure no one messed with him but he didn’t like it, did he.” The girl smiled, more statements, saying things as if she knew everything.
Cassie stood ridged how did this girl know about James and most of all why was she bring it up now? Now Cassie said she would defend the whole her and James things but, standing here in front of everyone with this little bart pulling on every string she could find while knowing full well James had just walked out on her with no explanation, Cassie started to question her words from last night. She had also said she would try to get school president but here she was in a scrap with another girl seriously wanting to beat her head in. However, for some reason she doubted that would end good for popularity points. She could hear the whispers of the room was they discussed what was going on. Her friends sat behind her and she knew some of them were thinking of getting up to end this squabble but were holding back. They too being surprised to hear what the brunette was saying. She knew the brunette was trying to provoke a reaction. Problem was Cassie wasn’t sure what reaction she wanted. Aggressive, Passive Aggressive, for Cassie to reveal everything or did she just want a word fight?

((I am terrible at choices to too lol. Ooo yes cause the whole school will question what in the world Cassie is doing. Well I might have cut to the chase a little in this reply but I had many direction I could go on Cassie reaction so i’m going to see what dare James dose cause that will affect with Cassie dose :-) ))

[Max]

James hadn't seen Cassie since last night. Well, he had seen her (it was hard not to when she was sitting there looking like some princess) but he hadn't gone up to talk to her. He was too afraid to. He didn't know what he would say to her. Nothing could really explain his actions last night. He just hoped that maybe she thought he was really nervous about his first kiss or something. He knew that he was a little bit quirky and all so maybe he could get away with something like that. He also figured that she didn't want to talk to. They had been having a moment, together in her dorm room and he had just bolted from her. James had learned from living with his explosive brother that sometimes it was better to just leave people alone when they were angry. That way they could internalize what they were feeling and eventually he would go up an apologize.

Despite having tried to put her out of his mind, James still found his thoughts drifting back to her. It was almost as though she was using her mind-powers to shove an image of herself into his mind. He knew that couldn't be true though, as she no longer had her powers.
"-James?" A voice brought him out of his daydreaming and he found one of his friends peering at him with wide brown eyes. James hung out with a strange collection of people. He was the glue of the group and as a result, people who normally wouldn't get along did when they were with him. The boy currently looking at him like he had grown a third eye was named Jason. He was relatively popular, basketball captain and quite the athlete. He was sitting next to Angela and Ryan who were both hopelessly shy and preferred to keep their noses in their books. Somehow they had all become friends along with a few other outsiders who didn't really fit in anywhere else.
"James, were you listening to anything I just said?" Jason asked with an eye-roll. Vaguely James tried to backtrack and remember what his friend had been saying, something about his boyfriend. Something about a fight and Valentine's day... he really couldn't remember. Jason just scoffed and went back to his food. Cafeteria as always was notoriously bad, and he just pushed around some soggy broccoli around on his plate before leaning back and asking Angela about the new book she was reading. James watched his friends talk and joke around but his mind was still faraway, thinking about a girl who was only a few meters away from him on the other side of the cafeteria. Suddenly Jason was looking at him again and tapping his shoulder with a wild look on his face.
"Finally some entertainment! Fight!" He grinned and James twisted around in his seat to see... Cassie. Fights weren't uncommon at school and with magical students, they hardly ever ended well. But this wasn't a fight of talent, it was a fight for power. Ryan peeked up over the edge of his book to watch the argument.
"Isn't that the girl you hang out with?" He asked quietly enough that only James could hear.
"Yeah..." James let out a long breath, counting his options in his head. He didn't have to stop this, it was between Cassie and that girl, he didn't have to stop the fight. He could just leave and pretend he had never seen it. But he knew that he had to stop it. This girl was threatening his friend... someone who he wanted to be more than friends with. Plus, he had promised Cassie that he would make sure she didn't get kicked out of the school. Even if she hated him now, he had still made that promise and he couldn't break it now.

His chair scrapped loudly against the floor as he pushed it back and strode towards the two girls. He could feel the prickly of his friend's eyes staring into his back.
"Is there something wrong here?" He asked politely, but firmly. His heart was beating a mile a minute, he had never done anything like this before. He was terrified and his cheeks turned red in a dusty blush as he saw so many people watching them. He was trying to be brave but he couldn't help but glance back at Cassie to see her reaction, if she was alright with him doing this.

[Xwft]

Cassie had always had the upper hand in battles of ranks. She could see people's minds, read their darkest secret and exploit it. She knew her little ‘losing power’ mishap might affect things but she never thought it would be by this much. She thought if she kept up her facade of nothing being wrong then maybe nothing would be wrong. She would make it through this week, become school president and be restored to fame and glory. Clearly she was wrong. Clearly now she had crossed the line into being evil she had to stay there, she couldn’t go back. She once thought James might have actually helped. Way before she hurt that young girl way before any of this. That maybe he would have succeed in making her ‘good.’ But being evil just seemed to run through her blood and unless she wanted to bleed it out there was no way to get rid of it. Yes she had been avoiding James today ‘cause he left her last night BUT she had refrained from any blackmail or snarky comments to anyone. She had even managed to kept her mouth closed, not back talking teachers no matter how much they deserved it. She thought she had been doing well. But no, no trouble always had to catch up, karma always came and this was the world's revenge on her.

“What more do I need to say Cassandra? Are you not yet convinced?” The brunette said that innocent smirk on her face like she knew she had won.
“Convinced on what? That your worth my time cause my opinion on that fact will never change.” Cassie replied, battle of wits it was.
She would try keep it that way but no guarantees. Harming people wasn’t in her best intentions though the red welt on the side of the girls face was a clear giveaway of the length Cassie was willing to go.
“So brutal i’m so offended! But you shouldn’t be insulting me cause i’m your last hope aren’t I? We all are.” She opened her arms wide gesturing to everyone, all the eyes turned towards them watching their Queen B break. No she wouldn’t break, she couldn’t
“School president, am I right,” she said dropping her voice low for only Cassie to hear. “Brave move. A game of how much of the school would be willing to put more power on your shoulders. My guess is not much.”
Cassie only just refrained from lashing out, how did this girl know so much, why was she even trying to break Cassie. What was their to gain but rulership, to be the new Queen B.
“Ah, ah, ah no violence dare Cassie that won’t look good. And trust me there is a lot to gain though the title Queen B it would go very well with on me don’t you think?”
Cassie tensed slowly dots joining in her head… She had spent so long as the only one defence coming naturally yet…. Of course she had dropped it she didn’t see the need to have it.
“Your…”
“Oh look here comes your knight in shining armor.” The burnette interrupted holding up her hand to signal Cassie to shut up, a move that made Cassie’s blood boil but the brunette was correct, James couldn’t help but poke his nose in.

Cassie spun on her heel to face James, the baby blue skirts spinning out with the speed. Fanning her long legs but now wasn’t quite the time to be marveling at Cassie's beauty. She raised an eyebrow expectantly.
“A problem? You…”
This was Cassie's turn to interrupt. Whatever the brunette had been saying was clearly meant for only their ears being she said it in a whisper but Cassie didn’t want to hear it.
“What do you want James, if you think now is the time for excuses you are wrong.” Cassie snapped her glare sharpening at the pale boy in front of her, her attention momentarily turned away for the burnette.
She saw the blush that coloured his cheeks but refused to find it cute. Not this time, not when he was meadling unnecessarily in her business. However... part of her knew that once again he was trying to help. That was the thing with him was James. He was so good, so innocent yet was determined to help when Cassie was determined to keep him out of trouble. Ever since they had meet Cassie had just dragged him into her world of wars, battles and blood baths. This time she hoped he would stay out but as always James wanted to help even when she didn’t require it. It got to a point when his help wasn’t actually helping. With the smug smirk on the burnett's face Cassie knew she had gotten exactly what she wanted upon James’s arrival. Leverage.
“James!” Chirped the brunette loud enough for everyone to hear this time.
Her hand reached out brushing down James’s arm drawing his attention to her and away from Cassie. A direct attack, one that made Cassie stiffen almost wanting to pull James back to her. To pull him from this fight and keep him safe yet moves like that wouldn’t win this. Nothing could pull James from this mess which he had thoroughly entangled himself in. A mess she had started.

“Why don’t u introduce us?” The brunette said sweetly pulling Cassie from her thoughts. “My names Lexa Griffins and you’re James, am I right?” She took James’s hand shaking it but she lingered, refusing to let go.
Her smile was sweet, a mask that all others saw, one that said everything was ok but her gaze was deadly. Cassie stiffened growled, forcing her own sweet smile.
“I’m pretty sure you know us already, we are kinda hard to miss.” Cassie commended a barb, meaning to tempt Lexa into acting but she just stood still unflinching her dark eye reflecting death.
“James, I am surprised you are here I thought you didn’t like Cassie? Do you still care?” She asked but her tone said she knew the answer. Whatever it was Lexa knew with a simple look in his mind. Though that question, a test. It wasn’t what Cassie had thought. No Lexa didn’t want James herself, she just wanted to use him. Use him like a much loved toy then throw him away and that, that stung. Shifting her positioned slightly Cassie moved so she stood just in front of James, putting herself between him and Lexa even if just by a smidgen. A simple move, one of a girl who wanted to be close to her opponent. Though the ones who knew her best saw more, saw how Lexas action tore at her and the talk was going around. She heard whispers, as they discussed her moves asked why James, was it really James, what had happened and why now. All in all they were deciding her fate, talking about whether to welcome James into their ranks or kick her out with them. Though they weren’t her problem right now, no she had bigger things to deal with before her ranks in school. And currently her draw of attention was the smug brunette in front of her. A problem mere words weren’t going to solve no longer. Her hand twitched her manicured freshly painted nails curling into themselves. How easy it would be, grab the girls hair and pull, unbalanced her, drive her head into the corner of the table. It would doom her to be kicked out but it would be her last stand. Her fingers flexed it was a simple move, She wanted to, she was going to.

[Max]

The baleful look the brown haired girl had on her face was terrifying. She looked like an eagle, ready to pounce on him if he said the wrong thing. But despite the girl's angry face, she was no where near as scary as Cassie was in that moment. James glanced at her carefully from under his snow-white eyelashes. She looked so beautiful. He couldn't help but notice it. Obviously he had noticed that she was good looking before, it was hard not to. She was the kind of beautiful that couldn't be ignored. But before that kiss, it had always been an observational thing. He knew somewhere in the back of his mind that she was pretty, but now it was a concious thing that he saw. She had kissed him, she had wanted him. This beautiful girl, who could kiss anyone she wanted, has kissed him. He had never seen her in the skirt she was wearing. It made her look younger, more like a teenage girl and less like the queen of a colony. He didn't like it more on her, he didn't like it less either, it was just a fact. She looked different in that.
"I just wanted to help." He said plaintatively. Didn't she understand? He just wanted to help, he wasn't here to make excuses. His ice blue eyes looked even brighter against his pale skin today. He was wearing a blue shirt, almost the exact same colour of Cassie's ironically enough.
"I-" He was unable to finish his sentance, as the girl interupted him with a bright smile on her face. She looked like a barbie doll, but a barbie doll ready to attack him if that was even possible to imagine.
"Yeah... yeah i'm James." He stammered, letting her shake his hand.

Whereas Cassie understood social situations like these, James was entirely lost. For a moment he regretted getting up at all to help, but after that one moment he shook that thought out of his head. He was her friend, whether she liked it or not and friends helped each other.
"Of-of course I care." He mumbled, eyes narrowed and stormy with confusion. What was she talking about? His mind worked double time to try and figure out what Lexa was talking about. Why did she think that he and Cassie were no longer friends?

Suddenly a picture came into his mind, a memory. Him tearing down the hall in a dead sprint, trying to get away from Cassie, to go somewhere she couldn't find him. That hadn't been her fault though, he still liked her and cared for her. It had just been in that moment that things had been moving a little too fast. He had needed air and space and time, but he hadn't thought anyone had seen him that night. Maybe he had been wrong. He watched Cassie step in front of him, a simple move but a protective one none the less. He felt like he was watching this all from another the body of another person. He couldn't stop it, he just stood there like an idiot watching Cassie face off against this girl. He could practically see what Cassie was thinking, as though he suddenly had mind powers too. She was going to hit Lexa if he didn't stop her, he could just tell.
"Cas." He said softly, and then all of a sudden he was back in his body again.
"Cas. Leave it be. She's not worth it." He grabbed one of her hands, pulling her back towards him.
"You're better than this Cassie. You're wonderful and amazing and beautiful. You don't need to fight her." He regarded her with a soft look, hands encasing hers, cold as always.

His gaze flickered up to Lexa for a second and the soften in his eyes disappeared almost completely. It was all so complicated. He just wanted things to be simple.
"Leave her alone Lexa." He told her with more anger than he had ever expressed in probably his entire life.