Cassie & Blair's POV
Blair
The morning passed in a blur of ringing bells and shuffling footsteps echoing down Westbridge's pristine hallways. Blair sat by the window in Literature, her head leaning against her palm, as sunlight streaked across the polished floor. Her school uniform clung to her like second skin—pleated navy skirt, crisp white shirt tucked perfectly, a deep blue blazer stitched with the school crest. Today, she'd added a soft black headband that pulled her hair away from her face. It was simple, but clean. Classic.
She didn't feel like herself—at least not the version she used to be back home, running through track lanes barefoot with Amanda screaming behind her. This new version of herself was still forming. Quieter, more observant, more... put together.
When the bell rang, she stepped into the hallway, scanning for Maddie. But Maddie had gym. Blair glanced at her phone—no reply. She felt it then. That slow, awful dampness in her lower stomach. Panic tickled her chest.
She made her way to the bathroom, slipping inside quietly, trying not to make eye contact with anyone.
That's when she saw them.
Cassie. Mary. Grace. Judy.
Of course.
Cassie stood by the mirror, tossing her honey-blonde hair back into place, lip gloss gliding smoothly over her pout. Mary was complaining about a chipped nail, Grace was fixing her collar, and Judy laughed too loudly at something that wasn't even funny.
Blair tried to turn around, but Cassie caught her reflection in the mirror.
"What's with the weird look?" she asked, her tone not sharp, not soft. Just… curious.
Blair hesitated, gripping her bag. "Um... do you have a pad? Or a tampon?"
The entire bathroom stilled.
Mary arched a brow. Grace and Judy turned. Cassie, to her credit, blinked once—then reached calmly into her handbag and pulled out a sealed pad.
"Yeah," she said, crossing the room and handing it over like it was no big deal. "Here. You good?"
"Yeah," Blair said, grateful, slightly embarrassed. "Thanks. I just—didn't expect it. I've got a track tryout after school."
Cassie raised a brow. "You do track?"
"I used to." Blair clutched the pad tightly, glancing toward the stalls. "Trying out today."
"Huh," Cassie muttered. "Didn't mention it."
"It was kinda last minute," Blair replied.
Cassie gave her a look—half interrogative, half impressed. "Well, try not to bleed out before your big debut."
"Noted," Blair said dryly.
Before Blair disappeared into the stall, Cassie gestured lazily to the other girls. "Blair, meet Mary, Grace, Judy. My girls."
Blair nodded politely. "Nice to meet you."
Mary gave her a once-over. "You're taller than I imagined."
Judy hummed. "I like your headband."
Blair offered a polite smile before slipping into the stall, heart pounding from the strange calm of it all. Not cruel. Not fake. Just... strange.
Cassie
She didn't know why she came.
After school, her ride pulled up to the Westbridge sports field, and she just... stepped out. Her blazer was slung over one shoulder, the sunlight catching the subtle gloss on her lips. She walked across the grass like it was a red carpet, ignoring the stares that followed her.
Cassie Quest didn't do sports tryouts. She didn't sit on bleachers unless it was for a boy. And she definitely didn't make appearances at running events.
Yet here she was.
"Is that Cassie Quest?" someone whispered.
"Did she come to watch her step-sister?"
"No way."
She spotted Maddie first—gorgeous, as usual, her long ponytail swaying behind her as she stood near the field. Their eyes met for a second, just enough to twist something in Cassie's chest. They hadn't spoken in months, but something still lingered.
Of course she'd still be pretty. Of course she'd still be sweet.
Cassie slid into a seat on the opposite row, casually brushing invisible lint from her skirt, pretending not to notice Maddie's surprise. She didn't wave. Maddie didn't either.
And then Blair came out.
In regulation Westbridge gym kit—navy shorts, fitted white sports top, sneakers. Her headband still in place. Hair pulled back. She looked... annoyingly composed. Who looked cute in gym wear? Seriously.
"Good luck," Maddie whispered to Blair.
Cassie watched the way Blair nodded, almost shy, then took her mark on the track. Her expression was focused, calm. The whistle blew.
And she ran like the wind.
Cassie's heart did something unexpected. It lurched.
People clapped as Blair crossed the finish line—first. No contest. The coach nodded, writing her name down immediately. Blair doubled over slightly, catching her breath, hands on her knees, flushed and glowing.
Cassie stood. She didn't even realize she was standing until the applause started dying down.
She adjusted her skirt, her face unreadable, but inside she felt... proud?
God, she hated that.
Blair
Blair grabbed her gym bag and slung her backpack over one shoulder, her face still warm from the sprint and the adrenaline rush that followed. She was walking toward the exit when she saw her.
Cassie.
Standing by the path, arms crossed, looking like she didn't quite know why she was there.
"Cassie?"
Cassie raised a brow. "Hey."
"You came?"
"I figured, you know..." Cassie shifted slightly. "You said something a while ago about trying out. Guess I wanted to see if you still had it."
"I wasn't sure it'd happen today," Blair admitted. "If I'd known, I would've told you this morning."
"It's fine," Cassie said, rolling her eyes like it wasn't that big of a deal. "You crushed it, by the way."
Blair gave her a small smile. "Thanks."
They walked toward the parking lot side by side, an awkward kind of silence forming between them—less cold, more unsure.
Maddie jogged up behind them.
"Hey!" she said, smiling. "You killed it out there."
"Thanks," Blair said.
Cassie glanced at Maddie once more, something unreadable passing through her gaze. Maddie noticed but didn't say anything.
"You need a ride?" Cassie asked her.
Maddie shook her head. "My driver's already waiting. But thanks."
"Thanks for waiting," Blair told her, hugging her gently.
"Anytime."
Maddie gave Cassie one last glance before turning away.
Cassie and Blair walked the rest of the way to the car in silence.
But it wasn't an uncomfortable one.
Not today.