The Leap
Cassidy stepped out of the shower, wrapped herself in a large towel, wiped the steam from the mirror, and took a good hard long look at herself. Those bright blue eyes once full of happiness now stared back at her with a complete emptiness.
His name was Chris. Chris was her friend. The boy from across the street she used to run through the sprinkler with on hot summer days. He was also the very first boy to tell her she was pretty which made him the first boy to make her blush. Countless birthday parties, school field trips sitting next to each other on the bus, bike rides to the park. Memories full of laughter. He was her friend, but all good things with him now only exist in the past.
It happened at some random end of the year high school get together. Cassidy the wall flower had decided to take a leap of faith, stop observing the fun and finally become a part of it. Chris the social butterfly spotted her from across the crowded room. His warm smile quickly eased her nerves. He signaled with a head nod for her to meet him outside.
They went for a walk talking about upcoming college plans. He was going to do a couple of years at the local community college then maybe go to a four year school somewhere in the city. She was going down south to warmer weather to pursue a liberal arts degree. He smelled vaguely of cigarette smoke and beer, but as far as Cassidy knew he didn't dabble in either. Maybe the excitement of graduation was bringing out his curiosity in things just like it had done for her.
They were walking through the wooded area at the end of the culdesac when he kissed her. It felt all wrong. He was rough and forceful. And it didn't stop with the kissing. He started grabbing her. Cassidy pulled away and suggested they go back to the party. Chris explained that he had always found her pretty, this would be a nice way to say goodbye before she left. Cassidy stood firm and told him "no".
He didn't like that. Everything else happened so quickly. Getting shoved hard down onto the ground. His warm breath on her body. The tears that streaked her face. After a while she stopped struggling because it only made it hurt worse. It may have only been a few minutes, but it erased a lifetime of what she thought she knew. The worst part was that when he was done he began panicking. He begged her not to tell anyone especially his or her parents. He was so sorry, he didn't mean to, he didn't know what happened. Then he justified it that because they had known each other for so long it was only natural that it happened. Cassidy laid there silent, naked, bruised, snot and tears dried on her face.
Sometimes there are no words. Chris was her friend. Now she doesn't know who or what he is to her. Cassidy doesn't even know who or what she is to herself.
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