The morning sun spilled through the blinds, dragging me from sleep with an annoying persistence. I groaned, tossing back the sheets and swinging my legs over the side of the bed.  My body ached liked a two-dollar whore on a Saturday night. Every muscle cringed, every ligament felt torn. The pain was inevitable, and I loved of minute of it and yet, there was no trace of Cassie’s usual stiffness from pushing herself too hard.

 

I caught my reflection in the mirror across the room and smirked. Long, blonde hair fell around my shoulders in loose, tousled waves. Cassie always had it pulled back tight, like she was afraid of looking too good. What a joke. I ran my fingers through the strands, fluffing it up a bit. There was potential here, but that cutesy, innocent look needed to go. It was time for an upgrade.

 

I strode to the closet, yanking it open with a sneer. Pastel dresses, jeans without a single rip, shirts that screamed cheerleader and sweetheart.

 

Disgusting.

 

I rifled through them, finally pulling out a plain black dress and a pair of dark shorts. The dress was too formal for my taste, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t be fixed. I grabbed a pair of scissors from the nightstand, snipping and tearing at the fabric until it looked more like something worn by someone who wasn’t afraid of the dark. I slid the makeshift top over my head, pleased with how it fit snugly against my frame, showing just enough without giving it all away.

 

Cassie’s face in the mirror looked different when I was in control. A little sharper, a little more dangerous. I reached for her makeup bag, sweeping on dark liner and smoky shadow that made my blue eyes look like ice. A swipe of bold lipstick sealed the deal. I smirked at my reflection, giving myself a once-over.

 

Yeah, that was more like it.

 

Strolling into the kitchen, I pulled open the fridge, eyeing all the pricey, pristine crap. Protein shakes, organic greens, fruits lined up like they were on display at a farmer’s market.

 

I wrinkled my nose.

 

Of course, Cassie didn’t have anything decent to eat. I dug around until I found a small container of yogurt—better than nothing. Peeling off the lid, I hopped onto the kitchen bar stool, digging into the creamy mess with a smirk.

 

A loud knock on the door made me glance up.

 

“Yeah... Come on in,”

 

I called out lazily, not giving a damn who it was. The door creaked open, and Colton stepped inside, still wearing last night’s clothes. He looked like hell—eyes tired, face drawn tight, like he’d been up all-night thinking too hard.

 

He paused when he saw me, eyebrows knitting together like he’d just walked into a stranger’s house.

 

“What the hell are you wearing?”

 

I gave him a slow, wicked grin, licking the spoon before tossing it into the sink.

 

“It’s called style. Something Cassie’s been seriously lacking.”

 

He hesitated, eyes narrowing as he looked me up and down, like he was trying to piece together what the hell had happened to me overnight.

 

“Did... something happen?”

 

I raised a brow, unbothered.

 

“You mean other than saving your ass last night? Nah. Just decided it was time for a change.”

 

Colton didn’t seem convinced, but he didn’t push it. Instead, he rubbed his hand over his jaw, looking like he wanted to say something but didn’t know how to start. I just smirked, letting him stew while I leaned back against the counter, daring him to question me again.

 

He looked me up and down and just shook his head. He opened the fridge grabbing a bottle of juice, and took a big drink, staring at the floor.

 

"I think I messed up last night, after you left."

 

 

What else was new I thought to myself, but for the shits and giggles of it all, I leaned forward from the counter and gave him a sarcastic smile. 

 

 "Oh really?  What more could the prodigal son do?"

 

Looking confused, Colton whispered. "Why are acting so weird?"

 

He went to lean against the countertop. "This is not a joke. You of all people know how hard it has been since... you know. I just felt lost last night, and it was just this one time."

 

Trying to pull off the "concerned" baby sister was getting harder, even for me. Cassie’s presence is draining fast, and I can feel her slipping further into the shadows. What am I supposed to do—pat him on the back and tell him it'll be alright? I’m not the cheerleader type.

 

All I could think to say was, "I'm not acting weird—you are."

 

I nudged his shoulder with a playful bump, feigning the carefree little sister act, but my mind was spinning. Who was this mysterious “you know”?

 

Felt lost?

 

 Please. Colton’s been lost since the day he was born. It’s a wonder he found his way over here at all.

 

My curiosity burned, but I kept my expression casual. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was hiding something. Something big. My instincts were screaming at me to dig deeper.

 

"Did you do something that could cost us the spot at the PPV?"

 

 I snapped, raising a brow.

 

"I... WE didn't work that hard just for you to throw it all away for some powder!"

 

I moved closer, peering at his face for any sign of residue or something that would explain this little confession of his. If he was on something, I’d find out. I wasn’t about to let him ruin everything just because he couldn’t keep his shit together.

 

He leaned his head back palming my face in the process.

 

 "Damn sis not so close, I can tell you haven't brushed your teeth yet."

 

He took a few steps back and sighed.

 

 "Remember that girl with the sign last night?"

 

 

Ah, yes..the infamous match distractor,..NOW we are getting somewhere.

 

Of course I had to huff into the cup of my hand.  My breath was not that bad!

 

 I giggled inside; I had an idea of where this was going.

 

 "Awe...Did my brother get his feet wet for the first time."

 

 I playfully applauded him.

 

"Look at you go..finally becoming a man." 

 

I sat back on the stool once again, swiping the juice from in front of him.

 

 I guess Colton really did decide to "snap her ring" after all.  Was it really that easy to do?

 

 I smiled still looking over as his head was still hung low.  I smirked.

 

Talking about a girl and her needs..

 

I too was feeling a bit, 'hungry'. 

 

I wonder who was on the roster at the gym today.

 

Colton looked at me with a surprised, sad and broken expression.

 

"Really Cas? That is what you have to say? Just go to hell!"

 

He looked as though his heart had dropped to the floor. He walked to the door, bumping into Kami on his way out.

 

She greeted him as she stepped inside, but he did not say anything, he just slammed the door on his way out. Kami looked confused.

 

"What have you done now Cassie?"

 

 Kami walks in placed her bag on the kitchen counter.

 

I just sat there and shrugged my shoulders.

 

"Hell, if I know.  He basically tells me that he got a piece of ass last night and then chews my ass out over it.  Like it's my fault.  Why is he being such a tit bag?"

 

Kami sighed, pulling up the stool next to me, sitting down.

 

"Look Cass, I've kept quiet for months now, allowing you the time you need to heal and move on from Damon.  But this ‘act’ you're performing has got to stop.  Just because Damon walked away without a word, does not mean you have to hurt your brother over losing Sasha!”

 

Here eyes were growing colder the more she spoke.

 

“As close as you three WERE..How could you be so inconsiderate to his feelings?  To Sasha's memory!"  

 

Accident?? Sasha??  Who was this Sasha, and Damon..how do I not know about this?  I needed answers, I was going to GET answers.

 

"I'm sorry, Kami..it's just I have lost so much of myself these past few days, it's like I am not myself.  I will go to Colton..." 

 

Kami snapped her head and gave me a huge disappointing look. 

 

"NO!!.. leave him alone, he's been through enough, you both have!  That accident you two had really messed him up.  Just think about it, how would you feel if you had someone you loved ripped away from you never to be seen again?" 

 

Kami scooted the stool back and stood looking on in disappointment.  But something inside curled my stomach.  a pain so inflicting. I stood immediately and threw the empty bar stool across the room and fell to my knees screaming.  I felt a burning sensation in my chest.. it was Cassie.. She was definitely trying to crawl out from somewhere.  I heard her yells; I felt her screams..and all I could do was bang my fists onto the floor like a mad man. 

 

From the bellows deep inside, Cassie's rage exploded and I….

 

I was gone.