Befriending Cassie Ch. 04

-All standard disclaimers apply. This story is complete fiction. Any similarities to anyone living or dead is a coincidence. Both main characters are 18 years old at the time of the story. Any character's involved in any form of sexual activity are 18 years old at the time of said activity.

**Trigger Warning**

This story centers on a character that was the victim of long term sexual abuse. The author DOES NOT condone sexual assault or abuse in any way, shape, or form. Likewise, this story is not intended to glorify or promote sexual assault or abuse. The focus of the story is to follow our female antagonist as she learns to rebuild her life and relationships. Due to the nature of her backstory, there will be instances where her abuse will be described or discussed. If this bothers you, please do not continue.

My focus tends to be on the characters, their relationships, and the story. I don't write quick jerk-off stories. In fact, there may be no sex at all in some chapters. If all you are looking for is a quick way to get off, these stories are not for you.

I'm relatively new to writing and look forward to positive feed back.

Thanks for reading.

I arose before my alarm the next morning. I was in a fantastic mood. I had finally broken through Cassie's defenses and felt like I was on the path to becoming real friends. But it was more than that. The only way I can describe it is that it was like the same feeling you u have when you first start dating someone. Anxiously awaiting the next time you see them. Waiting and hoping that your phone goes off from them texting you. It's like being on cloud nine. Of course, the thought was completely silly. We weren't dating. We were barley becoming friends. I mean, neither of us thought of the other one as more than that. Did we? My heart skipped a beat when my phone went off indicating I had a text. I quickly grabbed it and smiled when I saw it was from Cassie.

"I see your light on. You up?" she messaged

"Sure am. Good morning." I replied.

"Morning. You riding the bus again?" she asked.

"Sadly, yes." I said adding a crying emoji.

"Wanna, I don't know, walk to the bus stop together?"

"Absolutely. Meet you out front in 10 minutes?"

"Ok." she answered.

I scrambled to get dressed as quick as I could. I threw on a pair of jeans, a button up shirt and my letterman's jacket. I quickly brushed my teeth and combed my hair then threw on my shoes and socks before grabbing my backpack and bounding down the stairs. I don't even think it took me five minutes to make it from my room to her front walk. I paced outside waiting and finally heard her front door open. As she stepped out, I couldn't help but stare. She was dressed in a black leather skirt that came halfway down her thighs. her legs were covered in red fishnet stockings. She wore a black jacket that covered a t-shirt with some death metal band's logo on it. The outfit was completed by black knee high platform boots with several metal buckles. It was the first time since I met her that I remembered seeing her in anything but baggy jeans. Her raven black hair was pulled back in a pony tail and her eyes were accented by black mascara and eyeliner. There was something else different. Instead of her standard black lipstick her lips were bright red matching her stockings. I couldn't stop staring. She was absolutely beautiful.

"Something wrong with your eyes?" she asked a somewhat icy tone in her voice.

I shook my head and tried to act casual.

"Um, no. no, sorry. How are you this morning?" I asked.

"I'm on my way to spend an hour of torture in the ride from hell just to spend eight more hours trapped in a teenage cesspool." she responded.

"Ummm, ok." I replied a little taken aback by her statement.

"Sorry." She said, her tone softening a bit. "Not much of a morning person."

"Really. Gee, it doesn't show at all." I said smiling.

"Smartass." she said with a slight grin.

Cassie had an armload of books. I reached out and started to take them.

"Let me help ya out there." I said.

"I can carry them." she said.

"Really, I don't mind."

"Fine." she said. "Suit yourself."

As I took her books I noticed the sketch pad on top. It was the same one I would see her drawing in when I would meet her during lunch.

"Are you an artist?" I asked.

"Something like that." she replied.

"Cool. Id love to see your work."

"No, I don't think so. I don't let anyone look at my drawings." she said somewhat defensively.

"Not even your mom?" I asked.

"Especially not my mom." she said.

I thought that was a bit strange but decided not to press the issue.

We boarded the bus when it arrived and made our way to an empty seat in the middle.

"You can sit with me if you want." she said.

"Glad to." I said smiling.

We sat down. Her sliding in with ease then me wedging my oversized legs in next to her. As the bus pulled away Cassie leaned her head against the window and fell asleep.

I saw Cassie a couple times throughout the day. I made sure to say hi. She would say hi back, but in a way that seemed as though she was uncomfortable with our interaction. Soon enough it was lunch time. I didn't bother going to my normal lunch table but rather headed straight out to the picnic table. I made sure to grab a slice of the strawberry cheesecake on my way past it. I found Cassie at her normal table drawing in her book.

"Hey there." I said cheerfully

She slammed the book shut and looked up at me. I sat the cheesecake down in front of her then took a seat across from her.

"Are you trying to make me fat?" she asked flatly.

"Oh I don't think there's any worry about that. You have an amazing body." I kicked my self for the last part of my statement.

She looked at me doubtfully for a second before reaching for the cake.

"You don't have to do this you know." she said taking a bite.

"Do what?" I asked.

"Sit out here with me."

"Do you want me to leave?"

She looked at me for a second before quietly responding. "No. I guess not."

"Good. I do have a question though. Am I bothering you by talking to you? You seemed a little uncomfortable when I've said hi in the hallways. If I am, I can quit. I don't want you to be uncomfortable."

"Its not me I'm worried about." she said meekly. "Aren't you worried about what your friends will think about you for associating with the school freak?" Her eyes wouldn't meet mine. The tone in her voice bothered me. She seemed small and frightened.

"Hey, Look at me." I said softly adding "please" so it didn't sound like an order.

Even through the black eyeliner, I could see that here eyes were rimmed in red and that she was on the brink of tears.

"First of all, like I told you yesterday, you're not a freak. There's nothing wrong with being different. It's what makes you special. Second of all, I don't care what people think. I don't pick my friends based on their popularity. Anyone who knows me knows that. Besides anyone claiming to be my friend who questions who I choose to associate with really isn't much of a friend, are they?"

"You mean that?" she said, a tear running down her face. I reached out to wipe it away, but she recoiled so instead I handed her a napkin from my tray.

"Absolutely. You said yes to being my friend and now you're stuck with me no matter who's around." I said smiling. "So, are we good?"

She wiped the tear away and nodded smiling weakly.

"Good."

The rest of lunch was spent chatting about different things. What classes she had, how this school was compared to her old one, and so on. I didn't see her again until we boarded the bus for home. We made our way to our seat as we had that morning. As the bus departed Cassie once again tilted her head over and fell asleep. This time however, it was on my shoulder instead of the window, She didn't ask. Just did it. I didn't say anything, just let her.

Late that night, just as the night before, my phone went off.

"Good night."

"Good night beautiful"

This time she replied with just a smiley face emoji.

Saturday morning I was in the back yard cleaning up the deck for a cookout we were having that evening. "Good morning." I heard Ms. Davis call from next door. I walked over to the fence that separated our yards.

"Good morning." I responded.

"Hey let me ask you," she said smiling "can you walk on water and turn water into wine?" she asked.

"Huh?" I responded confused.

"Well, you seem to be quite the miracle worker. Cassie is the happiest I've seen her in a long time."

"Oh," I said blushing slightly. "I told you, all she needed was a friend."

"Well you certainly seem to have been right. I do need to warn you though," she said her tone turning serious. "It's true that this is the best I've seen her, but, don't be surprised if she backslides from time to time. Unfortunately the kind of trauma she has suffered can cause her emotions to be a bit of a rollercoaster."

"We will take it a day at a time. I just hope she knows she can talk to me if she is having trouble."

"She might. She seems to have developed quite a bit of trust in you. Just please don't do anything to betray that trust. It would destroy her. I know it's not fair to put all that on your shoulders, but its the truth."

"I wont. I promise. And you didn't put anything on my shoulders. I did it myself willingly."

Ms. Davis just smiled. "Ok then. See you tonight."

"Yes ma'am."

A few minutes later my phone went off.

"I see how it is, you can talk to my mom but you cant text me good morning? I'm hurt." the text included several crying emojis.

My heart sank "Oh shoot, I'm sorry I didn't know if you were up and didn't want to wake you." I replied

"Uhuh. Sure. I see how you are."

"No please, really, don't be mad." I pleaded.

"Relax. I'm fucking with you you dumb jock." she replied adding a string of laughing emojis.

I looked up at the Cassie's bedroom window and saw her looking out it laughing.

"Not nice." I sent her adding a couple angry faces and smiling up at her window.

"Whatever." she said.

By the time I read the message and looked up she was gone. I smiled slipping my phone in my pocket and returning to my cleaning.

It was typical of the cookouts my parents hosted. The whole neighborhood was there. Everyone was laughing and talking. Drinks were flowing and there was a table of food a mile long. My dad was manning his station at the grill while my mom fluttered about being the perfect hostess. I was playing my normal role as well. Politely talking to my parent's friends, constantly answering the question "So how's the team looking this year?", and refilling coolers as needed. Nothing was any different than any other cookout. Never the less, something felt off. I found a quiet corner and fished out my phone texting Cassie.

"Hey" I sent

"Hey." she replied.

"Why don't you come join us. I could use some help dealing with the grown ups." I said adding a smiley emoji.

"Not really a party person. Sorry. "

"I get it. Mind if I come hang out over there? I could use the escape."

"Don't think Mom would be cool with it."

"And if she said yes?"

There was a long pause. I was worried I had overplayed my hand.

"Um, yea. Ok."

"You sure? I don't want to intrude."

"Nah. It's cool."

"Ok."

I quickly found Ms. Davis and asked her permission. She was a little hesitant but I assured her I would be on my best behavior.

"I have no doubt about that. Ok. That's fine. Tell her I said to leave her curtain open."

"Yes ma'am. Thanks."

I found my parents next and received permission to bail on the party. I stopped at the buffet line on my way out and selected what I thought to be the best selections of the covered dishes piling it all in a make shift "to go" plate.

A few minutes later I was standing at Cassie's front door debating over whether to knock or just walk in. After a minute or so the door opened and Cassie stood in front of me wearing a pair of jean shorts and a black tank top, her hair up in a bun.

"What are you doing?" she asked

"Um, well, I wasn't sure if I should knock or not." I said slightly embarrassed at how silly the statement sounded.

"Oh good lord. Just get in here you weirdo." she replied rolling her eyes.

We made our way up the stairs and to Cassie's room. I couldn't help but notice her ass and legs as they traversed the stairs. "Stop it." I admonished. "What?" she said. "Oh, nothing." I replied quickly ashamed of myself for how I had looked at her. Her room was pretty much what I expected. Dark decor, death metal posters on the walls. There was a bed covered with black covers, a dresser, and a desk in the corner with a desk lamp on it.

"I brought you some food. Thought you might be hungry. It's the best of the best of community pot luck dishes." I said

"I knew it. You are trying to make me fat." Cassie said

"Stop it. I told you, you're perfect."

"Whatever." she said with an eyeroll.

"Oh, and your mom said to leave your curtains open." I said making my way to the window and pulling back the black and purple window coverings.

"Of course she did."

Looking at the bed I spotted a brightly colored stuffed unicorn laying on the pillow. I reached over and picked it up

"AWWWW, hoowww cuuuttee." I joked hugging the stuffed animal tightly.

Cassie snatched it out of my arms.

"Do you really want to get thrown out so soon?" she asked displeased.

"Sorry, my bad. Just messing with you." I said with a grin. This just elicited another roll of the eyes.

Cassie's desk was scattered with books and papers. I walked over looking at them.

"Whatcha got going on here?" I asked

"Ughh. Homework from Mr., Jordan."

"Ohhh yeaaa. He can be tough." I looked down at the balanced chemical equation problems on the worksheet.

"These don't look too bad." I said honestly.

"Whatever. They're fucking killing me." she replied sounding frustrated.

"Well, I actually did pretty good at these. Would you like some help?"

"I guess." she replied.

Cassie took her seat at the desk and I stood behind her leaning on her chair. One by one I walked her through the process. Slowly she began to get the hang of it and when she got the first one completely on her own I was excited for her.

"There ya go, I knew you could do it!" I said reaching down and grabbing her shoulder. She immediately flinched pulling away from my touch. I realized that I had made a mistake and quickly pulled my hand away and back to the chair. We were halfway through the worksheet and she was really doing well. After several minutes Cassie reached up and took hold of my hand placing it back on her shoulder. She didn't make a big deal out of it and I just let it happen. It was my first lesson in physical contact with her. Over time, Cassie would become more and more accepting of my touch. It was never done in a sexual manner, rather the simple touch friends sometimes share. The catch was, she had to know it was coming. Any unexpected touch, no matter how minor would cause her to jump and pull away.

After about an hour we had knocked out the dreaded assignment. I was pleased to see that by the time we were through, Cassie actually seemed to be able to complete the equations with a certain bit of confidence.

"Thank you." she said standing up from her chair and stretching. Her shirt rode up exposing her firm, pale belly. Despite my best efforts, it had an instant effect on me.

"No problem. You did great." I told her honestly trying to distract myself.

Cassie looked at the window.

"I bet she's looking up here right now wondering what's going on." she said mater of factly.

"Nahhh. She's probably too engrossed in the party to worry about us." I said knowing Cassie was probably right but taking the opposite stance for fun.

"Uhhuh." she replied a disbelieving look on her face.

"Ok, tell you what. We'll go stand by the window and if she looks up here in less than a minute, I'll drive you to school everyday when I start driving again."

"And if she doesn't? What do you get?"

"If she doesn't, you have to ride to school with me when I start driving again." I said smiling.

"You're not very good at this betting thing are you?" Cassie said looking at me.

I just shrugged my shoulders.

"Ok, fine." she finally said. With that we walked to the window and surveyed the scene below. We quickly spotted Ms. Davis and it wasn't even thirty seconds before she looked our way. We waved and she waved back before turning back to talking to my mom.

"Oh well. Guess I loose." I said feigning disappointment.

"Whatever. Dumb jock." "Cassie said elbowing me in the ribs. "Doesn't matter. Mom wont let me do it anyway so you wasted a bet."

"We'll see about that." I said.

For the next couple hours we just chatted. Nothing in particular, just talked.

Cassie tried several of the items I had brought her and I filled her in on the backstory of who had brought each covered dish. Finally we herd Ms. Davis come in the front door.

"Hey kids. How's it going." she asked.

"Good." Cassie responded.

"Did you finish your homework. "

"Yea I did. Cody helped with it."

"Good. Thank you Cody. Now, I think its probably time for you to head home."

"Yes ma'am. I should help my parents clean up. Hey, by the way, I was thinking. I've been cleared to start driving again on Monday. Would it be ok if Cassie rode to school with me in the mornings? I have practice in the afternoon so unfortunately she'd still have to ride the bus after school. At least until football season is over."

Cassie shot daggers at me. I looked at her and just grinned

Ms. Davis thought for a second. "I think that would be ok. I'll talk to your parents tomorrow and make sure they're ok with it."

"Great!" I said heading for the door. Glancing back at Cassie I could see she had a dumbfounded look on her face.

"I'll see you latter Cas. Goodnight Ms. Davis."

I hadn't even made it to my own yard before my phone went off.

"What the fuck was that?" Cassie asked

"What?"

"My mom NEVER lets me ride with ANYONE. How the hell did you talk her into it?"

"I don't know. You were there for the conversation. Guess she just likes me." I replied punctuating the response with a giant grinning emoji.

"Whatever."

It only took about an hour to help mom and dad clean up. When I was done I headed upstairs and took a shower. When I walked back in the room I dropped my towel. I was standing there totally nude looking for clothes when I noticed a missed text from Cassie.

"Thank you for the help tonight."

"Sorry, Just saw this. I was in the shower."

"I know, I can see you."

My eyes immediately shot to my window in mild panic. To my relief the curtains were closed. My phone went off again.

"Bet you nearly broke your neck checking if your curtains were open." followed by several laughing emojis.

"Not nice." I responded adding a smiley face.

"Whatever. Like I said, thank you for the help."

"No worries. Listen, I didn't mean to spook you when I touched you. I didn't mean anything by it. It wont happen again."

There was a long pause.

"No, you're fine. It wasn't you. It's just a thing. I'll get over it."

"Ok. I just don't want to do anything to make you uncomfortable"

"Stop worrying you dumb jock. You're fine. I'll tell you if you do something wrong."

"Oh I have no doubt you're capable of that." I replied adding a scared face emoji.

"Whatever. (eye roll emoji.) Goodnight."

'Good night beautiful."

I woke up late the next morning. It didn't happen often, but when it did it wasn't unusual for me to sleep until near ten o'clock. I rolled over and grabbed my phone right away. There was already a text from Cassie.

"Good morning."

"Good morning. Sorry, just woke up."

"Lazy ass (smile emoji) "

"Whatever." I responded with her usual response.

I made my way down stairs and found my mom washing the last of the dishes from the night before. Dad was drying the ones in the drainer and putting them away.

"Morning sleepy head." Mom said cheerfully.

"Morning." I said grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and an apple from the counter before sitting down.

"Mel stopped by this morning. Said you asked her about driving Cassie to school in the mornings."

"Yes ma'am. I figured it didn't make sense for her to have to catch a bus if I'm already driving." I said trying to be cool about the situation.

"You two seem to really be hitting it off lately." Mom said.

"We're just friends. That's all."

"According to Mel you're her only friend."

"Maybe for now. I'm sure she will make more."

"Maybe." Mom said joining me at the table. "Mel was telling me you've had quite an impact on Cassie. She said you've really helped her adjust to the move."

"I guess. Like I said, I'm sure she will make more friends soon enough."

"Well, either way, I'm proud of you. Its very sweet of you befriending her like you have."

"It's no big deal." I said. The look Mom shot me gave me the impression that she knew better.

"Well Richard, what do you think?"

"About what?" Dad said clearly not paying attention to the conversation.

"About Cody driving Cassie to school. Keep up with the conversation" she said throwing a towel at him.

"Oh, that." he said easily dodging the towel. "It's a big responsibility having someone ride with you."

"Yes sir. I know." I assured him.

"Well, I'm ok with it if your mom is."

I looked at my mom anxiously waiting for her response.

"Well, I guess it's ok. Just be careful."

"Thanks Mom I said standing up and giving her a hug before heading back up stairs to get dressed.

I couldn't wait for Monday morning. The thought of having more time alone with Cassie made me happy. I tried to convince myself that it was because it would give us more time to build our friendship. In reality I couldn't deny that I was beginning to have deeper feelings for Cassie than I was ready to admit.

I have to admit that we got more than a few looks when we pulled into the parking lot on Monday. The drive had been pleasant. Our conversations were becoming easier and more relaxed. I could also tell Cassie was more than happy to not be on the bus. We parked and got out. Cassie thanked me and headed into the school.

"I can walk with you." I said.

"No, its ok. Besides, I'm pretty sure you have some explaining to do." she said pointing to the confused looks on the faces of my friends.

"Ok. Well, I'll see you at lunch."

"Ok." she said before walking away.

"Bro, what the fuck?" Mike Keller, one of our defensive linemen asked walking up to me. I could tell he was voicing the same question the rest of the crowd had.

"What?" I asked.

"What?" he said incredulously "Like what's up with the mistress of the dark riding in your car? Did she like put some kind of spell on you or something?"

"Cassie is my friend. She lives next door and I didn't think it was right for her to ride the bus. That's all there is to it. Does that answer meet you guys approval?" I asked eyeing the group.

"Bro, its just that she's such a freak!" Mike said.

"Mabey that's the point." Charlie Walters said. "Shesss aa freaaakkkk!" he said acting like he was fucking an invisible girl from behind.

One glare from me shut him up.

"She's a friend." I asserted. "She's new in town and she's having a hard time adjusting. She's actually really nice when you get to know her. If any of you have a problem with that then you have a problem with me. Any other stupid questions?" I asked my annoyance starting to show.

David Green, the team's center, stepped up next to me. He was a monster. 6'8' and well over three hundred pounds. He was intimidating at first glance but once you got to know him he was a teddy bear. He was also one of my most loyal friends.

"Yo, If Cody says she's cool then she's cool." he said draping a massive arm over my shoulders. "Anyone got a problem with that?"

No one in their right mind would argue with David. Just like that, everyone suddenly decided that there was no issue at all.

Over the next few months Cassie started to become more comfortable with the morning routine. Eventually she quit running off strait to class and actually began hanging out with me in the parking lot. She never strayed far from my side though. It was amazing to me how someone who had been so overtly aggressive towards me in the beginning was now almost unbearably shy. I didn't mind. I took it as a sign that she was starting to shed the anger and hate that had plagued her for so long.

Mike was the first one of the team to welcome her to the "Fam" as he called it.

"Yo little sister," he had said introducing himself, "I'm Big Mike. Any of these muscle heads mess with you you come to me. I'll bust their heads wide open."

Despite his huge toothy grin, Mike was still a bit intimidating.

"Ummm, ok." Cassie had responded staring at Mike wide eyed.

Lunches were still spent on the back patio with Cassie. I had come to really enjoy that time alone with her. It gave me a chance to check up on her and see how her day was going. I was thrilled to see that slowly but surely Cassie was starting to come out of her shell a little at a time.