quicksand

"Does this mean we're breaking up?" Ella put Corky on the spot.

"What?" He had ridden his bike all the way to her house. He doubted he would have put this much energy into something like that. Didn't she get it? She was the only thing normal he had left. Mom was so doped up from the sedatives and what ever it was the doctors were giving her to calm down.

Cass could have cared less about him these days. He was in the daily grind with that new job of his and of course, Cory was all lovey with Joy.

"You know how I feel about you?" She squinted hard then hoping this wasn't gonna be drama. Couldn't they just sit in the cool lovingroom vegging out in front of the TV?

"No, I don't?" She looked at him all wide eyed as he followed her to her room.

"I'm sorry." He was kind of in a sweat here. He couldn't say if it was because of the ride or her just wanting to be into the drama. "Look, I haven't touched a cigarette. Just smell me. See what you think?"

She frowned at him, but then took a whiff of him. She came so close to his face, he thought it might mean a kiss. Or was that a test too?

Corky pressed his lips tight wonder what was next.

"What do you want from me?" He looked at her puzzled.

"I want you to come to a party with me." She eyed him then.

"A party?" He almost said  You know, I don't do parties. But he wiggled his lips slightly. "When?"

"Today."

"That's not much notice." He stared at her as he leaned on her doorway.

"Will you go?" She wanted to know as she kept hugging herself.

"Like this?" True, a black T-shirt and baggy shorts wasn't exactly impressive.

"I don't care." She shrugged.

Corky didn't want to fail at this, but he knew he would as long as they were meeting her private school friends. He guessed it was bound to happen, sometime.