Chapter 16: Lockdown!

Lucas Crowell gave me a hug.

A hug.

That son of an idiot gave Cassandra Evans a hug.

I only had one response after Lucas refused to leave me.

A back handed punch to his nose. How convenient that he had rested his face on my shoulder. Lucas stumbled back a couple of feet, holding his nose. Julian and Cate gave me shocked looks. Cate got over it, quickly, but Julian stared at me.

I gave him a shrug. Lucas Crowell had asked for it.

"That was absolutely unecessary!" said Julian.

I gave him a I-don't-care look. Cate took a seat next to Julian. I think she was slightly afraid I might hit her. I probably wouldn't seeing as I was related to her. I didn't hit my family members even if I didn't like them too much.

"Ow," Lucas said, clutching his nose as he sat down next to me.

"Wow, you still have the guts to sit next to me," I said amazed.

"The things I do for you, Evans..." Lucas mumbled, shaking his head.

"Things you do to get hurt."

"It's okay. I can deal with you," he said, letting go of his nose which was surprisingly not bleeding. But then again, I never hit him that hard.

"You should apologize, Cassie," Julian said with a pointed look.

I rolled my eyes. "I don't use that term," I told him.

"Excuse me?"

"Julian, you can't make me say sorry to him. I was getting sexually harrased," I said stiffly.

Lucas and Julian both sighed. At the same time. Weirdos.

"How was a hug sexual harrassment?" asked Cate, giving me a confused look.

"It's sexual harrassment because it was without my consent. I did not want a hug. Just like you wouldn't want someone touching you wrong," I told her.

These people had a lot to learn. Cate raised her hands, clearly dropping the matter. Lucas was busy with his nose. Julian just stared at me.

"We'll talk about this later," Julian finally said, "I want to get on with what I had planned for today."

"The fact that Cate and I dislike each other?" I asked, trying to act casual.

"We have already gone over half of it, Cassie," sighed Julian. "All we need now is some communication."

"'Communication is the root of all good relationships,'" chanted Lucas. It was a quote our freshmen year Civics teacher often told us. Good man. Bad students in his class, though. Except me, of course.

"Shut up, Crowell. Let me get this over with and go home," I told him, annoyed.

Honestly, I was terrible at communication. I wasn't open about many things especially involving different relationships. For example, my relationship with Cate.

"What's there to talk about?" I asked Julian.

"First, I want both of you to pick out each other's flaws or things you don't like about each other," guided Julian.

Cate went first. "Well, nothing personal, Sandy," she began, "I really don't like your attitude, your hatred towards me, your...words. You say rude and mean things a lot. I really dislike how you became mean-er after he left."

She was referring to Brandon. I was dead silent. She had said honest things. I saw Lucas nodding his head along with her statements. Of course, they hated me. No reason to like me. Even if I didn't care, it still stung a bit hearing the truth out loud. And two out of three of my peers agreeing with it.

"Your turn, Cassie," Julian said gently.

I nodded. I didn't make much eye contact. "I understand, Cate. But I honestly don't care about all those flaws considering that's just the person I am. But anyways, let me get back on topic. I really don't like how you are a little attention seeker." Cate gave me a flat look. I continued, "Your own attitude bugs me. You are tolerable most of the time except for when I have to see you kissing up to the adults in our household. For example, with Petrina, Jimmy, Mom, Dad, etc etc. I don't really care who you kiss up to at school. But I really hate it when I am given pity glances for being your sister. The slut reputation of yours isn't much helping. I do wish many times that-" I faltered.

"That what?" asked Lucas. I didn't realize he was actually paying attention.

"Nothing," I waved it away. I just couldn't bring myself to say that I wished I didn't have her as a sister. It was downright childish and absolutely a ridiculous thing to say when you were almost an adult.

"What is it, Sandy?" Cate asked, narrowing her eyes at me.

"Nothing," I said firmly. I wasn't budging either.

"It's alright," said Julian, dropping the matter, "Now that you two have it all off your chest, I want you two tell each other the good things. Tell what you like about each other. Nothing materialistic like your cars or cell phones."

"Cate, I really enjoy my mornings when you decide to get a ride from your friends," I said, honestly.

"Hey!" said my sister, offended. "I really like it when I don't have to see you in the mornings."

I rolled my eyes. That was a mutual feeling. Julian butted in before I could have replied.

"Stop, that's not what I meant," he said, a little exasperated, but kept a patient smile on.

"I'll help, Julian," Lucas volunteered. Julian nodded for him to proceed. "So, I'll give you both examples. Cate, I really like how you are nice to people who are older and younger than you. With the exception of Sandy, of course. But you are only mean to her when she is mean to you."

"So true," she said giving him a charming smile. It took me some time to realize that this was Lucas Crowell. Cate was one of the founders of the L.C. Fan club. Obviously, she was going to act weird around him.

I rolled my eyes when Lucas gave her a wink.

"Anyways, moving on to Evans- the older Evans here, right now," he said looking at me with a smile. "Evans, I actually do like your attitude."

Everyone -including me- stared at Lucas. He just shrugged and further explained, " I mean yeah, you're awfully straightforward and rude, but it's better than being like every other girl in the school."

I didn't say anything. Lucas had complimented me, but it was nothing major. It was probably the thousandth time he told a girl she was different. Probably. Eh, most likely.

"Do you two get it?" asked Julian. He held my gaze until I nodded. Cate had agreed, immediately. I still had to process things in my cranium.

"Cate, I don't mind anything else about you aside from the flaws I mentioned earlier," I said tersely.

She rolled her eyes and replied, "Sandy, I have a little longer one." Then, she smiled, "But I'm glad to hear you like everything else about me." I just shook my head. She was getting excited like a little kid. "Anyways, so I was saying something. Sandy, I know why you are the way you are. It's not like I totally blame you. Brandon was a huge part of it." I was about to deny it but she continued, "Yeah, yeah, I know I know. Anyways, I really did like you more before you came into high school. Now, I just like it sometimes when you don't meddle in my business. Sometimes, I feel that you don't care. Other times, I need that space rather than a nosy big sister. Also, I like the fact that you are really intelligent."

"Someone has to be in our family," I muttered under my breath.

She grinned. "I know right. But yeah, some people -who have been with you in different clubs- asked me if I was related to you, and how you were really smart and a good leader."

I didn't say anything. Those people were usually the ones who knew me before Brandon's leave or they were like Avery. The special kids were most probably the kindest human beings. I was glad to have been a part of a club where they were supporting for better understanding of the special kids. They were definitely a better company than many of the regular kids at school.

"Evans," Lucas elbowed me, breaking my thoughts.

I raised an eyebrow at him, pointedly staring at my arm where he had elbowed me. "Do you want another punch?" I asked slowly.

He rolled his eyes and looked at Julian and Cate.

"Nice job, Cate," Julian commended with his signature dimpled smile. "Now, it would be prudent if Lucas and I gave you sisters some alone time...to simply talk."

"Yes!" I said in relief, "Please leave especially you, Crowell. Stop taking showers in your perfume."

"Hey! It's better than me smelling like an animal," he argued.

"So, you are agreeing that you take showers in your perfume?"

He gaped at me and got ready to deny it. I just turned my face away from him, dismissing whatever he had to contribute.

"You're mean," he mumbled.

Julian stood up with a small chuckle.

"Let's go, Lucas," he said gesturing towards some direction.

Lucas nodded and got up. I sighed in relief as both of them walked away chattering about who knows what.

The only problem was that now there was no one to guide us. Things were awkward between Cate and I. It was quite rare when we were together, not forgetting the fact that we always argued. Now, both of us were dead silent.

"What are we supposed to talk about?" Cate finally asked.

I shrugged. "I have no idea." Then I added, "why was Lucas with you?"

She grinned, "He met me when school ended and told me about coming to you and Julian."

"So, he isn't needed here," I stated.

"But he is nice to look at," Cate pointed out.

"Seriously?"

She shrugged. I just sighed at my younger sister.

"Sandy?"

"Hmm?" I wasn't really paying attention to Cate, anymore.

"I'm sorry." I gave her a surprised look. She wasn't really looking at me rather fumbling with her hands.

"For what?" I asked.

"For making you hate me," she said simply.

The sincerity of her words took me by surprise. I mean she was a rude, attention-seeker, spoiled brat, but I was related to her.

"Well, I don't necessarily hate you," I said not looking at her, " I just don't like your presence most of the time."

She gave me a flat look. "Are you trying to be nice?"

"That's nicest I'm getting," I replied.

"Okay, fine," she said.

I didn't say anything. We sat in comfortable silence as the boys met us again by the bench. This time, Lucas Crowell decided to put his hands around my eyes.

"Guess who it is?" Lucas said tightening his hands, so I couldn't see. Lucas's voice confirmed that it was him.

"If you don't move your hands this instant, I swear you won't be happy," I said as calmly as I could, but still managed to make it threatening.

"Jerk," I heard him mumble as he let go.

"I am ready to go home," I said standing up.

"What?" Lucas and Cate said simultaneously. Julian and I gave them confused looks.

"You two can feel free to hang around," I said, "Just keep the PDA minimum as seeing there are kids over there, playing football." Even though it was freezing cold, there were a couple of young boys tossing around a football.

Lucas gave me an appalled look while my sister seemed embarrassed. She probably wouldn't mind the opportunity to be with him.

"You're ridiculous, Evans. No offense Cate, but I don't like you like that," said Lucas slightly flushed. Cate was turning redder. They were acting like little kids not teenagers.

This was pretty funny. I cracked a smile at Lucas and Cate. Shaking my head, I waved goodbye and left. Julian stayed behind after telling me that Lucas was his ride.

"You're terrible," Cate said catching up with me. Her ears were bright red along with her face.

I just shrugged.

Not the first time I was told.

¤》¤《¤

"....Happy birthday to you!"

Cate blew out the candles on her enormous vanilla cake. Loud applause echoed through the room. Smiles illuminated everyone's faces giving a bright, happy air. Fake people, fake smiles.

I hated it. I walked away after all the cake eating, gift giving (I got Cate a Chanel purse because of her wanting it), and other drama.

It was true that things had improved between Cate and I in the past couple of days, but not with everyone else. Too many people from school were here. My best friend decided it was a great idea to go out of state this morning. She skipped school and didn't take me with her. Injustice, I swear.

And the party wouldn't have been that bad if Cate stuck to the original decorations around the house. But nope. Little Miss. I-want-my-way convinced our parents to hold a pool party. I have never been to our indoor people since three and a half years. Cate just wanted to show off.

Rich people issues.

"Hey Evans," said Lucas flashing me a wide smile. He wasn't wearing a shirt, just his swimming trunks.

I didn't have a problem because I didn't give a damn about anyone's body. But the other girls did. The ones who called themselves "normal." As if I were an alien. Idiots.

"What do you want?" I demanded in annoyance.

"Why are you so bitter especially today?" he asked furrowing his eyebrows.

"Why are you so annoying especially today?"

He grinned, "Nice answer. If only it had been a bit more original."

"Oh my god," I said in a high pitched voice like Cate and then dropped it to normal, "you think I care?"

"No, but now, it's Lucas one and Sandy zero points," he winked.

"Piss off," I said as I stalked off.

"Hey wait," he said following me. "You look nice."

I raised an eyebrow as we walked towards the outside of the cake cutting room. I was wearing a pair of jeans and a plain t-shirt that read: Lucas Crowell is An Idiot.

Not really.

It read: To be or not to be. I liked the quote. A little too much.

When I didn't say anything, Lucas continued, "But it's a pool party, you know."

"Your point being?"

Of course, I was aware of his point but I didn't want to make his life easy.

"You should probably be in...like...you know..a bathing suit," he shrugged.

"So I've been told. Ten times," I replied simply. Cate had told me to put on a bathing suit but I refused. Standing naked with a bunch of naked people wasn't my ideal dream. Probably my worst nightmare. Cate had told me I wouldn't be completely naked. But it was basically the same thing.

"And.." Lucas waited for me to proceeded.

We stopped inside the indoor pool area.

"And I don't give a damn."

His face was blank and then he gave me a wide grin. "Sandy Evans does what she wants," he mused.

"Took you a while to understand," I remarked.

His smile fell. "I am a bright child, you know," he insisted.

"Never said you weren't."

He didn't continue any further because he didn't know what to say. Someone called his name. He waved at them to tell he was coming.

"See ya later, sweetheart," he winked and left me.

I just shook my head at him. Sandy one and Lucas one. Damn, a tie.

"Hello."

I looked up to find Julian beside me.

"Wow, is it like a family thing? When one person leaves, the other one takes his shift?" I asked.

Julian gave me a confused look and scratched his head. Like most of the male population, Julian wore only swimming trunks.

"What?" he asked.

"Never mind."

"You aren't joining?" he asked gesturing towards the chlorine filled pool.

"Nope," I shook my head.

"Why not?"

"Why should I?" I retorted.

"It's fun," he shrugged.

"Sure," I snorted. I couldn't see the fun in being naked in front of me classmates and then jumping in the pool with them. Too many germs. I made a disgusted face.

"Cassie, you really need to try new things," he said in his I-know-more-than-you tone.

"I was kind of done after you talked me into talking to Cate," I shrugged.

"Cassie-"

The overhead speaker cut him off. Yes, we had a speaker in our house. It was a big place and on days where we had people over, the speaker was needed. "Petrina, please make sushi for dinner, today. Sushi." It was my Dad announcing in an objective tone.

I sighed. Petrina probably did, too. Sushi was pretty nasty. As I thought about nasty sushi, I felt like I was forgetting something.

"Wow, you guys have a little intercom kind of thing in your house?" Julian asked impressed.

"Apparently," I said casually.

"Are there announcements often?" he said looking at the ceiling.

"Nope, usually when we have guests over, or like a party, or when there is a lock- damn!"

My eyes widened. I realized what had just happened. The call for sushi wasn't something normal. It was a code word, if he said it twice.

I saw Jimmy running in my direction. He had probably just realized too. He pointed towards the left while I nodded towards the right and ran. Only two doors led to the pool area.

I ran towards the right door. Julian ran right behind me.

This was probably the first time I had been scared for real. As I reached the door, I didn't dare look outside. Well, I kind of saw an empty hallway.

I shut the door and pushed the red button to the side that had one letter on it: L.

Oh the L word or L words.

"What's going on, Cassie?" Julian asked pointing to the closed door and the button.

I ran a hand through my hair and sighed...half afraid.

Behind us, Jimmy shouted the most important L word to the crowd.

"Lockdown!"

And now, I was stuck with a bunch of naked, hormonal idiots.

Talk about birthday surprises.

On someone else's birthday.

¤》¤《¤

Author's note

Omg they are stuck! Cassie is stuck with a bunch of almost naked people!

Whatya think she is gonna do?

What about Lucas?

Maybe some sparks and romance when they are all stuck? ;)

Omg does anyone like sushi? I have heard mixed responses.

COTE

VOMMENT

For two updates (tuesdays and fridays). Haha I will definitely update EVERY FRIDAY! Tuesdays depends on you guys. Don't blame me. Don't you dare *innocent smile*