Dark's Descent (5 page)

The Charlie Competition Begins

      “I want a cell phone!” Cassie blurted out at dinner. Susan and James shot each other a look. “What's this sudden interest in a phone?” Mr. Smith asked. “I wanna keep in touch with my friends.” Cassie answered innocently. It seemed like everyone in her grade had a phone but her.

      The only reason she hadn't gotten a phone yet was because her parents had assumed that she didn't want one, because she never asked. In order to act parent-like, Susan looked at her daughter, “Are you responsible enough for a phone?” Cassie nodded excitedly.

      “Okay, then, let's go!” Susan exclaimed, getting up from the table. In all honesty, she really wanted Cassie to have a phone. That way, Susan could lengthen the leash without losing control. Susan was heading out the door, when Cassie stood up.

      They decided to take a cab to the local electronic store. There, they picked out a phone with ease, and had Cassie on the Smiths' phone plan in two minutes flat. The first thing they did afterwards was visit the Myers house. Cassie popped in and ran up to Charlie's room. Charlie was lying on his bed when she ran in and scared the living daylights out of him. “Guess what?!” she yelled, making Charlie roll out of bed. “Ooh, are you okay?” Cassie giggled. Charlie nodded and stood up. “What's so important?” he asked, rubbing his head. Cassie held up her phone and smiled.

      Charlie grabbed his phone. He couldn't wait for the day when he could have Cassie in his contact list. Taking a picture of Cassie, he made a new contact and gave her the phone for her number. Cassie eagerly typed in the digits. Cassie then gave her phone to Charlie.

      “It's off.” Charlie stated. Cassie looked at her feet, “They never told me how to turn it on.” Charlie laughed and showed her how. He then put his number in her phone and took a selfie for the picture. Cassie sniggered when Charlie took more selfies, admiring the camera quality.

      Cassie was secretly saddened when Charlie stopped filling up her phone's memory.

      While Cassie and Charlie were hanging out, Stella was in the middle of her hair appointment with the famous hairstylist, Devé Déon. “Is it as smooth as silk?” Stella questioned. “I know I'm a world-renowned stylist,” Déon admitted, “but hair takes time!” Stella groaned and had her assistant check to see if the lab got anything with Cassie's hair.

      “Good news, Miss Sanders,” Mr. Celtics snipped, “the cosmetic company came up with an overnight hair remedy with that sample that can be sold to make millions!” Stella squealed, “Good, now gimme some!” Stella jumped down and followed her butler, leaving Ms. Déon alone with her thoughts.

      An hour later, Stella had Cassie Hair Treatment thoroughly rubbed into her hair. This will have Charlie grappling at her feet! The treatment was a liquid, gold in color that shined in the light. The cosmetic team scraped dried hair products residue from the very bottom of the hair. That's when they saw the DNA. They took the hair products and made an exact copy using a secret technique. By doing so, they were able to produce a whole gallon of hair liquid. Geneticists then took the DNA, and replicated it as well. The sample was unique, with extra instructions for hair-coding. By amplifying the instructions, and mixing it with the hair liquid, they made Miracle Hair. In order to test it and still get it to Stella in time, they used experimental time travel technology to go forward and test the product for ten years. They then went back to 2011, with the finished product. Unfortunately, the tech burnt out on the way back, so no more timely manner.

      Stella went to bed that night with happy thoughts.

      The next morning, Cassie got up to a text message from Charlie that read, 'C u @ scool'. Cassie giggled, and texted 'C u soon!'. Cassie skipped around to get ready for all of the learning. She got ready, grabbed her cardboard cutout of the number 6, and ran out the door.

      Stella woke up with a smile. She felt her hair. Luscious. She had breakfast in bed and went to the bathroom to get ready. If she was going to see Charlie before Cassie, she was going to have to be fast.

      Charlie dawdled outside the school, waiting for Cassie. Then, he saw it, a big, pink glittery cardboard cutout of the number 1 flying towards him. Stella dropped it down, revealing the most beautiful, blonde hair he'd ever seen. Hair-whip, hair-whip she went, showing it off. Charlie just stared, and stared, and stared.

      Twenty minutes later, Cassie ran up to Charlie, still mesmerized by Stella's stellar hair. By now, Stella had been holding Charlie's hand for about nineteen minutes. Proud as a peacock, Stella turned to Cassie and teased, “Hi Cassie! How was your morning?”

      Stella actually spent twenty minutes herself, sitting at her vanity, brushing, and petting her hair. It was hypnotic. Stella lost track of the number of people who ran into poles, walls, or other people while looking at her hair on the way to school. Some guy rear-ended a taxi!

      She loved it too, long, flowing blonde hair that gleamed with every move. When Cassie had the best hair in school, Stella was a close second. Now it was vice versa. Charlie finally snapped out of it and saw Cassie scowling at him.

      “Hi!” Charlie yipped to Cassie, “Did you see Stella's hair?” Charlie stuck his foot in his mouth.

      Yeah Cassie noticed her hair! How could anyone not! She wasn't going to blame Charlie for getting lost in that silky smoothness. She had to take a double-take at first. You know, the kind of double-take that takes five minutes. Luckily, they all got to school early. Cassie studied it, and wondered how? A few times she reached out to touch it, but she stopped herself. She snapped out of it when she saw Charlie twirl it. It was when she shot him a look that he noticed.

      “I mean,” Charlie stuttered. Cassie shoved him playfully and smiled, “Whatever.”

      Stella wanted to scream! Charlie would be hers at the end of the day, if nothing went wrong.

      No, no, no, no, no, no, no! Charlie was not falling for the enemy! Cassie would lose it! He needs to do something fast, it was only the second day of middle school. He needs to reject her!

      Cassie knew Charlie was in a bunch, he was too nice to reject her, even if she told him to. Stella was popular, so even if he was mean enough, they would be exiled. Forever, a couple of despised geeks. Cassie wasn't going to let that happen! But she didn't want Stella to get him.

      What if another girl took him? One who wouldn't kick Cassie out of his life. She knew it! It was time for Charlie to get a girlfriend.

My Sweet Baby

      Evangeline sat in her tower, and for some reason, she started to recite a chant.

How could this happen to me?

That stupid, now dead, king!

He took my newborn, Cassie,

And then, sent his son, to buy a ring!

My sweet baby,

How could this have come?

My sweet baby,

And now, I'm done!

They think they've seen the last of me,

They think I'm not coming back,

They speak of me, and disagree:

Boy, she never had anything to lack!

But my sweet baby,

Never in my arms again,

My sweet baby!

Turning out to be without a sin!

She should've been nasty,

Most definitely bad,

Kicking over the royalty,

And then taking all that they had!

Oh, my sweet baby!

Growing up to disappoint!

My dear sweet baby!

Never known to make her point!

      “I've had it!” Eva screamed, throwing a chair at her mirror.

She never got to ask,

'Mommy, how do I be like you?'

I MUST FINISH THIS TASK!

AND GET HER BACK TO-

She walked forward, and said “Take control of this petty place.”

OH WITH MY SWEET BABY!!!

COMING OUT OF THE BLUE!!!

WITH MY SWEET, SWEET BABY----

THERE'S NOTHING I CAN'T DO!!!!

      When she cut out, she threw a fireball out the window. Hopefully, she hit someone.

Sky

      As if it was destiny, Cassie bumped into the perfect match for Charlie on their way to class. Letting Charlie continue walking, Cassie stayed behind to help the girl.

      She had brown hair, and light blue eyes. Her skin was as white as snow, and she reminded Cassie of a fairy tale. “I'm so sorry,” the girl with the glasses and freckles apologized, even though Cassie bumped into her. “You don't have to apologize,” Cassie admitted, “It was my fault.” The girl just shook her head and handed Cassie her books. “Here you go,” she offered. Cassie thanked her and asked her name.

      “My name Skyler Gledhill, but most people call me Sky.” she answered, “What's yours?” Cassie introduced herself. “Do you know my friend Charlie?” Sky nodded her head, “Of course! Everyone does, he's on the list of the Top Ten Cutest Guys in school!” Sky sighed, “He's number 1 in my eyes.”

      Cassie couldn't believe it! Was there anyone in school who didn't think he was attractive?

      “How would you like it if I introduced you?” Cassie offered. To her surprise, she shook her head. Sky warned, “He's taken, so I have to keep my distance. Haven't you heard of 'Chella'? It's Charlie and Stella's ship name.”

      Cassie corrected the innocent girl. “Trust me, Charlie's single.” Cassie explained, “You want to meet him?” Sky nodded excitedly, “If you could get Charlie to notice me, we'd be best friends forever!” Cassie smiled. This was going to be easier than she thought.

      After a short chat, Cassie found out Skyler had English, math, study hall, band, and lunch with Cassie and Charlie. “Find us at lunch,” Cassie invited, “and 'Chyler' will be the next big thing for the next fifty years!” Skyler squealed silently.

      Cassie ran into homeroom at the last second and sat between Stella and Charlie making google eyes at each other. There's no way Cassie is going to let that happen. Mr. Braddock took attendance and the announcements came on. Pledge, news, and lunch. Cassie didn't listen. Her brain was busy with her Charlie plan, Garrett Sowards, and Stella's hair.

      Meanwhile, Stella was counting down to lunch, when Charlie should make his move. 'Chella' forever.

      'Chella for never, Chyler forever' Cassie thought.

      After Mr. Braddock finished attendance, he assigned everyone a locker and lock, and complimented Stella, “Nice hair.”

      Everyone put their stuff in their lockers and got what they needed.

      Stella brushed her hair. She still couldn't believe it! It was if the Miracle Hair was magic! Stella felt her phone vibrate. She got a text from her Daddy. The text read 'MIRACLE HAIR IS SELLING FOR A MILLION DOLLARS PER TREATMENT, ROYALS EVERYWHERE ARE BUYING OUR PRODUCT, WE ARE GOING TO BE BILLIONAIRES!!!!' Stella smiled. Sharing with foreign people for billions of dollars wasn't that bad. She imagined her and Charlie traveling the world. Paris, Madrid, Venice! Mrs. Stella Myers had a nice ring to it.

      Cassie took the extra notebook from her locker and wrote the words 'Operation Middle School' inside. That notebook will be Cassie's official planner to make sure she thrived.

      They got to Miss Hartenburg’s room and put their numbers on their desk. Cassie saw Sky sitting directly behind Charlie. She was staring at the back of his head. Cassie laughed.

      Miss Hartenburg scooted to the front of the room with miles of string hanging from her. “Everyone gets a string to make your number wearable,” she announced with excitement, and proceeded to give everyone yarn.

      Once everyone was wearing their numbers, Miss Hartenburg picked five students to come to the front. She picked Cassie, Charlie, Skyler, Rose, and Jimmy, giving her the numbers 6, 9, 8, 3, and 7. Putting them in that order she said “69,837.” Miss Hartenburg walked to behind Rose and put her hands on her shoulders. “What place value is Rose in?” she asked. Will raised his hand, and after being called on, answered, “Rose, number 3, is in the tens place.” Miss Hartenburg smiled, and nodded, “Correct.” She asked the same question with everyone else. Once she was out of numbers, she switched some students out and made the number 67,352,097 and did the same thing as before.

      When Cassie was allowed to sit, she whipped out her notebook and flipped to the second page and wrote a note to Charlie.

      'You are going to have a girlfriend by lunch, turn around and trust me.'

      When Charlie was on his way to his seat, Cassie slipped the note into his hand.

      Why did Cassie hand him a note? He turned around like the note said and saw a smiling face. “Hi!” she greeted, “I'm Skyler.” Was Cassie setting him up!? If that made her happy, then he'll take it! The girl was adorable, so it wasn't that big of a sacrifice. He smiled and gave Cassie a thumbs up.

      Stella watched as Charlie flirted with the nicest girl in school and growled.

      The next few classes went in a similar way, Charlie flirted with Skyler when he could to impress Cassie, who was trying to make sure Stella didn't become 'Chella'.

      Cassie pulled Charlie to their regular table and called Skyler over before Stella was able to sit. Stella blew in Cassie's face and stormed off, leaving Cassie with Charlie and Sky.

      “So, Charlie,” Cassie began, “Do you have anything to ask Sky?”

      What was he supposed to ask her? Charlie panicked inside. If he messed this up, not only would he disappoint Cassie, but he would definitely fall for Stella, and who knows what would become of his and Cassie's relationship?

      Seeing Charlie's panic face, she continued, “Maybe you should start dating a smart girl, to get your brain running.”

      Sky was getting fidgety. Was Cassie really getting her a date with Charlie Myers!

      Charlie got it! “Sky, would you want to go on a date with me?” Sky nodded excitedly, “Yes, Charlie, I would love to!”

      Cassie clapped, “Why don't you to have a picnic in Central Park. I'll pack it!” Charlie agreed and held Sky's hand, making Sky all loopy.

      From that point forward, Cassie tried to keep them together, while Stella tried to break them up.