These Nightmares

[Skykat]

Jess and I actually forgot we had this wrote.

If anyones still reading... enjoy!

Chapter Seven

The nerves had wrenched Cassie’s gut into a mess by the time Flynn yelled “Breakfast” and Cassie knew that she’d throw up anything she dared to eat. So instead, she busied herself by taking forever I the bathroom, attempting to hide under layers of foundation, years of pain that she still swore was evident on her face.

Each time her fingers grazed over the wound she’d inflicted upon herself last night, her tongue licked gently over her swollen lip, as she tried to remember the taste of blood in her throat, and tried to feel the pain she’d caused herself momentarily. It wasn’t until Sally called “Cassie” sternly from the other side of the door did she snap out of her trance and finally appear.

“What’s taken you so long?” She asked, her tone a mixture of desperation and disapproval. “You’ve missed breakfast, and if we don’t hurry,” She continued, giving Cassie her bag and chasing her down the stairs, “we’re going to be late!”

“I’m sorry…” Cassie began, only to be pushed through the hallway quickly by Sally, who continued to frown at her disapprovingly.

“You need to be careful you know, too much frowning gives you wrinkles,” Cassie muttered under her breath, still seething from the words Sally had spoken to her the night before, but Sally didn’t hear her as she reached to give Flynn a fleeting kiss before he ushered her out the door. Sally led Cassie over to the car, only to find Ric already occupying the front seat. She threw him a dark look, but only shrugged in reply, as she got angrily into the car, silently fuming about the nonchalant way he was handling their first day of school. Anyone would think he was almost happy about it, and Ric hated school!

As Cassie watched Ric smile broadly at Sally as she hopped into the car, she had to wonder what exactly this happy, perky body snatcher had done with her best friend – because she could really use him right about now.

The car ride was short – like everywhere else in Summer Bay, Cassie thought, the town was practically bursting at the seems with closeness, and Cassie’s nervous feeling was only heightened as she stepped out of the car, all eyes falling onto them. They were, after all, arriving with the vice-principle of the school. Subconsciously she tugged on her horrible blue and maroon dress, wishing she hadn’t let the woman who had adjusted it, Irene, was it, talk her into hemming it up an inch. She looked to Ric for support, as her stomach felt as if it were about to explode from the swarm of nerves attacking her insides.

But then, her hand was suddenly gripped tightly in his own, and she felt herself relax a little, locking up to see him grinning widely.

“Where’s your confidence?” He asked in jest as Sally motioned for them to follow her down the light concrete walkway. Cassie knew a challenge when it was given to her, so instead of melding into Ric’s arms as she would have done in any other circumstance, she met the various eyes that continued to fall upon them as they followed Sally into a hallway.

She instantly felt her body lift, her entire posture changing with the new found confidence Ric could always inspire in her, because at least with him by her side, she could pretend that she wasn’t completely terrified by being here. At least, which his hand in her own, she knew she wasn’t alone.

She felt him squeeze her hand gently, and breathed a sigh of relief, realising he must have felt the same way. Sally suddenly came to a stop in front of them, and in an awfully crowded hallway, she turned to address them.

“Ric, Cassie, I’m going to go and finalise everything with Mr. Hyde,” She said a little too loudly for Cassie’s comfort. “But I took the liberty of organising your timetables so you wouldn’t be late to your first class.”

“Thanks Sal,” Cassie heard Ric reply and Cassie felt like hitting him. Sure, thanks heaps, Cassie thought sarcastically to herself, just practically announce to the world that we’re living with you, that won’t make our first day difficult at all.

“It’s Miss Fletcher during school hours Ric,” Sally replied, her voice a little lower but firm and broking no argument.

“Miss Fletcher? Are you and Flynn living in Sin?” Cassie meant it as a joke but she was aware it had come out rather bitchily and the instant blush on Sally’s cheeks, the way her lips pressed into a tight line and the dangerous flashing of eyes confirmed that she certainly hadn’t got the joke.

“Mrs Saunders is my married name.” Her message was clear, as was the ring she twirled subconsciously around on her finger. “However I remained Miss Fletcher in school in order to avoid confusion so it’s Miss Fletcher during school hours. Understood?”

“Yes Miss,” Ric replied, instantly. “Sorry.” Cassie watched as Sally turned to look at him, her expression softening as she bestowed a smile on him. And suck of the year goes to Ric Dalby, Cassie thought, resisting the urge to punch Ric behind her back.

“Its okay Ric. Here’s your timetable anyway and yours Cassie.” She handed them both a small stack of paper. Cassie instantly took Ric’s from him and compared them.

“How come we have hardly any classes together?” Cassie demanded. Ric looked over at Cassie, surprised. He had always been a school year ahead of her but because he had fallen so far behind last year they were now in the same grade and had picked all the same subjects in the assumption that they’d be in the same classes. He felt his stomach lurch, dangerously. He hated school, hated it with a passion but he had been determined to try at it this year but with Cassie not beside him to help him through? Ric felt sick.

“Is there no way we could be in the same classes?” he asked, almost desperately.

“No Ric, I’m sorry the classes are practically full, we had to split you up to accommodate you,” Sally told him, Ric nodded. For the first time since he had made his decision Ric felt his resolve waver; how was he meant to survive school without Cassie’s help?

“You’re lying. You’ve deliberately split us up!” Cassie accused, venomously and Ric looked at her in surprise.

“Cass…” he warned, looking nervously around them, aware that several people were watching them curiously.

“Excuse me?” Sally turned to Cassie, her eyes blazing, ready to speak when a disturbance behind her caused her to look round.

“Move it,” A loud voice could be heard in the crowd and Cassie turned, following Sally’s gaze to see the blonde girl from yesterday, Matilda, shoving her way through. On the other side, Cassie was stunned to see, the brunette, Belle, pushing people aside too, as they practically raced towards Sally… Miss Fletcher.

“Miss Fletcher,” They said in unison, throwing a glare in each other’s direction.

“I’d be happy to show Ric around,” Matilda said, the sugary sweetness of her voice enough to make Cassie want to gag. Blonde sure has the innocent thing down, she thought sarcastically, rolling her eyes. She watched as Matilda fluttered her eyelashes at Ric, who winked back, causing Cassie to do a double take. Surely Ric wasn’t interested…

“But surely you’re busy with all the extra curricular activities you organise Matilda,” Belle replied, and Cassie almost wanted to applaud her. She’s got spunk, at least that’s something, she thought, but then backtracked as she saw how she looked at Ric too. “I’d be happy to show Ric around for you Miss. Fletcher,” Belle continued.

“Girls,” Sally cut them both off before they could continue. “I’ve actually already organised for someone to show Ric around. They’ve got far more classes in common, so I thought it would be easier for Ric if they showed him around.”

Cassie managed a smile to herself. She was seriously not happy with being separated from Ric in classes but at least he wasn’t going to be spending all day with the bimbo and the bitch, she wasn’t sure she could have stood that.

“Sorry we’re late Miss. Fletcher,” a voice came from behind her, and she turned and stepped aside, to reveal two males walking up towards them. Cassie noted they looked rather the odd couple, one dark, tall, bulky, reminding her oddly of Ric, except for the mass of unruly curls and the other having a much slighter build, and blonde haired.

“Someone decided to sleep in,” The blonde apologised, smiling at Ric, who smiled uneasily back.

“It’s quite alright boys,” Sally’s uptight voice responded, “Drew, Lucas, this is Ric,” She said, pulling him forward, her smile bright, real, Cassie thought, frowning a little, knowing that Sally would never smile like that while introducing her.

“Ric,” She continued, “This is Drew,” She motioned to the dark haired boy, “and this is Lucas, or Luke.” She motioned to the blonde who gave a wave in his direction.

Ric looked the two boys up and down, quickly trying to make up a judgement. The blonde looked familiar, he might have been the boy that he’d been watching yesterday in the surf, and the dark one, Drew, he looked cool enough, Ric thought, so happily walked over to introduce himself to his prospective friends.

They shook hands formally, clearly not up to the ‘manly, best mates, we can hug in public’ place, but Ric smiled at them, and they grinned back, and that was that. They began to lead him down the hallway, and Cassie moved to follow, but a soft hand on her shoulder stopped her. She turned to see Sally smiling a little, and the two scorned females now scowling at her.

“Cassie, you’ve already met Belle, but this is Matilda Hunter.” Sally smiled at them encouragingly, and they gave Cassie an uneasy smile in return. “I’ve arranged for them to show you around the school,”

“Explain to me again why I can’t go with Ric?” Cassie demanded, throwing her stormiest look in Sally’s direction, only to be met with groans from Matilda and Belle.

“Why on earth would you want to go with Ric Cassie?” Sally replied patronisingly, “You haven’t got any classes together, so how could being shown where his classes are be beneficial to you?”

Cassie’s jaw dropped, and she almost screamed in frustration, but Sally continued on regardless.

“No, Belle and Matilda are in your classes, so it would be best for you to become acquainted with them,” Sally finished, patting Cassie on her shoulder before walking down the hallway.

“Oh Cassie,” She called out, causing more people to stare, and Cassie felt her face heating up with embarrassment, “Meet me here this afternoon after classes and I’ll drive you home, okay?” Without waiting for a reply, she spun on her heels and walked down the corridor, and Cassie considered silently if fourteen was too old to throw a tantrum. But then she was suddenly reminded of the two girls standing behind her.

-

-

Ric looked between the slim blonde and the taller brunette as they dragged him through the crowded hallway. His mind was still reeling from being separated from Cassie, yet he couldn’t help but admire how people seemed to step aside for his two companions.

“You’re the guy Matilda met, right?” The blonde, Luke, his name might have been, queried as they stopped at the end of a row of lockers.

“Yeah,” Ric managed to blurt out eventually, despite wanting to keep his cool in front of these strangers. “You’re her brother, right?” He inquired, as Luke nodded, handing him a key. “Step-brother. This is your locker, next to Drew’s. You may have a hard time ever getting to it though,” He smirked, as Drew turned to throw him a look.

“Why’s that?” Ric asked, while mentally assessing the guys before him. Luke had a much slighter build than himself, his body obviously more attuned to the surf rather than the ring. Drew, on the other hand, had broad shoulders, strong, fighting arms. Ric couldn’t help but think he’d come from a background more similar to his own.

“Drew’s the local ladies man,” Luke commented, as Drew rolled his eyes at Ric.

“Don’t listen to a word Luke here says mate,” Drew smiled at Ric, as he moved aside for Ric to access his locker. “He just has it in for me because I can get more skirt than him.”

It was now Luke’s turn to roll his eyes, as Ric reached for his unnecessary books and threw them into the back of the locker, smirking at the two guys as they joked with one another.

“So,” Drew said as he leant against the locker, “Where you from?”

Ric’s body clenched for a minute, unsure of what the right answer to this question would be, considering his very short-term friendship with the guys. “Originally central Sydney, down North Ryde way,” He said, as they nodded in unison. “But we moved around a lot, basically you name a suburb in Sydney and I’ll have lived in it or around it,” He said finally, figuring vague was the best way to go. However neither Luke nor Drew were particularly interested in that part of the answer.

“We?” Drew asked finally, his face looking more than a bit confused.

“Yeah, Cassie and I, the girl I was with back there with Miss Fletcher. We’ve lived together for the past eight years of so now,” Ric grinned at them as they gave him a look. “Ah, its alright, after living with her for that long I feel as though I could take on any chick,” He said, earning grins from both his companions.

“You don’t live with your folks then?” Drew asked, and Ric shook his head in reply. “Nah, me either. They got sick of me and my ‘uncontrollable behaviour’ so they shipped me out here to my Uncles place,” Drew stated simply, as Luke laughed a little.

“Fat lot of good it did. He’s still uncontrollable, just in a whole different town,” Luke joked, as Drew pretended to hit him in the arm.

“All jokes aside,” Drew added, “This place is great, if you give it a chance,” Just as he spoke, Ric noticed in the corner of his eye, three unhappy girls approaching him. One however, perked up as she saw him, and ushered the other two over towards him.

“Hey Ric,” Matilda smiled at him, throwing some blonde hair over her shoulder, as Belle and Cassie rolled their eyes at her. “These boys better be treating you nicely, otherwise Mum will be having a go at both of them,” She giggled, as both Luke and Drew pretended to attack her, but rather launched into tickling her.

“Is she always like this?” Cassie groaned next to Belle, who could only nod, throwing out a gagging noise every once in a while. “He may be worth it though,” She sighed finally, eyeing up Ric from the side, drinking in every inch of his built body. “He’s definitely got potential.”

“I wouldn’t bother wasting my time with him,” Cassie spat out loudly, gaining everyone’s attention as she did so. Her eyes glared at Ric, who shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. “He’s only after one thing,” Throwing one final glare in his direction, Cassie spun on her heels and stormed off down the crowded hallway, leaving the group in a stunned silence.

“What’s her problem?” Luke asked finally, as all eyes fell on a still gaping Ric. He shrugged nochlantly as he leant back against the locker. “You know chicks, they’ll be pissed at you and you won’t even know why,” He joked, as both Drew and Luke grinned at him.

“Yeah man,” Drew said finally, “I know exactly what you mean.”

“Ugh,” Matilda groaned, as she inched herself away from Ric, “I guess we better go and find the ice-queen then Belle,” She quipped sarcastically, before turning to throw Ric a million dollar smile. “Maybe I’ll see you for lunch. Drew, Luke and I normally go to the diner, if you want to come?” She asked sweetly, as Ric felt his body instantly respond. He threw her a smile and a nod, as she grabbed Belle by the arm and walked down the hallway in search of Cassie.

“Well man,” Drew smiled, as Luke clapped him on the back.

“Well what?” Ric asked, finally getting a chance to shut his locker.

“You’re in,” Drew grinned as the bell sounded in the hallways.

“In with what?” Ric remained confused, he’d never been in a school long enough to make friends, only ever enemies.

“Just don’t hurt her, okay?” Lucas said, as he walked in step with Drew and Ric. “Because I like you man, and I’d hate to lose a new friend,”

“Hurt who?” Ric asked finally, a little exasperated by their word games. Ric wasn’t a man of words. He was a man of actions, and right now he had a couple passing through his head that he’d sure like to share with Matilda. And then, it dawned on him. Slowly, a sly grin crossed his face as Drew burst into laughter as they entered the classroom.

“Yeah man. She likes you,”

[kaciexox]

yay an update

that was terrific but i feel really sorry for Cassie

I like how Belle and Matilda are totally differnt and they both want Ric

Update soon

[I love music]

There are very, very fanfics that I can read after such a long gap between updates and immediately find myself immersed in the story again. Even tiny descriptions elevate this to a very powerful fic:

her tongue licked gently over her swollen lip

the town was practically bursting at the seems with closeness

the light concrete walkway

- instant pictures!

“Miss Fletcher? Are you and Flynn living in Sin?” Cassie meant it as a joke but she was aware it had come out rather bitchily and the instant blush on Sally’s cheeks, the way her lips pressed into a tight line and the dangerous flashing of eyes confirmed that she certainly hadn’t got the joke.

I loved this. That moment really summed up Sally and Cassie’s uneasiness with each other.

“Move it,” A loud voice could be heard in the crowd and Cassie turned, following Sally’s gaze to see the blonde girl from yesterday, Matilda, shoving her way through. On the other side, Cassie was stunned to see, the brunette, Belle, pushing people aside too, as they practically raced towards Sally… Miss Fletcher.

“Miss Fletcher,” They said in unison, throwing a glare in each other’s direction.

“I’d be happy to show Ric around,” Matilda said, the sugary sweetness of her voice enough to make Cassie want to gag. Blonde sure has the innocent thing down, she thought sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

Great scene. I especially liked “Miss Fletcher,” They said in unison, throwing a glare in each other’s direction.

“Why’s that?” Ric asked, while mentally assessing the guys before him. Luke had a much slighter build than himself, his body obviously more attuned to the surf rather than the ring. Drew, on the other hand, had broad shoulders, strong, fighting arms. Ric couldn’t help but think he’d come from a background more similar to his own.

I like the way Ric assesses his “rivals”!!! I’m amazed Drew is considered a ladies man, from what I’ve seen of him last time I watched H&A he just looks...um...scruffy. (Mind you, I never understood what people saw in Peter Baker either. Now Jesse or Scott Hunter on the other hand... )

“Hurt who?” Ric asked finally, a little exasperated by their word games. Ric wasn’t a man of words. He was a man of actions, and right now he had a couple passing through his head that he’d sure like to share with Matilda. And then, it dawned on him. Slowly, a sly grin crossed his face as Drew burst into laughter as they entered the classroom.

I really liked the way that paragraph was written.

Poor Cassie! Looks like things won’t be easy for her in Summer Bay. Well done on a great chapter!

[kase]

Hooray an update! I agree with ILM, even with the lack of updates this fic just draws you right back in where you left off.

“Where’s your confidence?” He asked in jest as Sally motioned for them to follow her down the light concrete walkway. Cassie knew a challenge when it was given to her, so instead of melding into Ric’s arms as she would have done in any other circumstance, she met the various eyes that continued to fall upon them as they followed Sally into a hallway.

Aww those two have such a history and connection. It feels like its been breaking apart a bit with the adjustments of Summer Bay but that passage and Ric taking her hand really brought it back. Despite all the changes, they still have this really powerful connection. The fact that Ric was so upset about not having the same classes as Cassie really highlighted the dependency they both had on each other. Even though Ric has warmed to Summer Bay a lot better it was good to see him needing her just as much as she needs him.

“But surely you’re busy with all the extra curricular activities you organise Matilda,” Belle replied, and Cassie almost wanted to applaud her. She’s got spunk, at least that’s something, she thought, but then backtracked as she saw how she looked at Ric too.

Hehe, Cassie sure has competition. I still can't see whether or not Cassie really does have feelings for Ric or if she is just completely protective of him. I love how Mattie and Belle have both rushed in on the 'spunky new guy', him being fresh meat and all. I can also see Cassie getting along with Belle quite well.

“I wouldn’t bother wasting my time with him,” Cassie spat out loudly, gaining everyone’s attention as she did so. Her eyes glared at Ric, who shifted uncomfortably under her gaze. “He’s only after one thing,” Throwing one final glare in his direction, Cassie spun on her heels and stormed off down the crowded hallway, leaving the group in a stunned silence.

“What’s her problem?” Luke asked finally, as all eyes fell on a still gaping Ric. He shrugged nochlantly as he leant back against the locker. “You know chicks, they’ll be pissed at you and you won’t even know why,” He joked, as both Drew and Luke grinned at him.

Poor Cassie...she really isn't fitting in well at all!!

Great chapter guys!

[sevenpuddings]

Yay for us still having readers!!

Kat & I would like to thank you guys SO MUCH for sticking by us even though we tend to add a chapter every two months meaning everyone (including ourselves) has to go back and read the chapter before hand to have any clue whats going on. But once more, thank you guys for wanting to keep reading this story, which I hope so much we will get around to completing some day!!

Thanks again!!

[sevenpuddings]

Another chapter, in the same month? Yes, Kat and I have been working uber hard, hopefully this story will run more consistently now. We hope you guys enjoy!

Chapter Eight

White hot anger flooded through Cassie’s body as she slammed her back abruptly against a wall in a deserted corridor and shut her eyes in the desperate hope that if she did, this nightmare would disappear. Of all the places she and Ric had been put, this just had to be the worst and it was all her fault.

Tears pressed at the backs of her eyes and her own thoughts, her hopes for this placement came flooding back to her. She had been so excited, so happy; so sure that this would be the place for them, the real family they had always dreamed of. They had been in some good homes in the past, with foster mums who had really loved Cassie. In fact, come to think of it, most foster mums had loved Cassie, it was usually Ric they didn’t want.

Not these two though. It was clear that these two wanted Ric; surfing lessons from Flynn, the smile of pride as Sally introduced him, they wanted Ric alright. It was Cassie they couldn’t stand, Cassie they didn’t want and the unfamiliar isolation crept over Cassie like a blanket. Why couldn’t Ric see what was going on? Why couldn’t he hate this place like he usually did, then they could be sent somewhere better but no Ric was too busy enjoying being the wanted one. Too busy flirting with the Barbie twins who showered him with attention. Ric had forgotten her already.

“There you are, why did you run away?” The real blonde Barbie dragged Cassie’s thoughts back to the present and she hurriedly blinked back any remnants of the tears that had pressed the backs of her eyes.

“Maybe because I didn’t want to be found,” she glowered at the two girls and crossed her arms tightly across her chest, refusing to look either of them in the eye but daring them to challenge her.

“Well don’t let us stop you. Do you think I want to chase you round school? I’ve got better things to do, your brother for example.” The look brunette Barbie gave Cassie a look of utter distain, as if she smelt really badly and Cassie opened her mouth to retort but Matilda beat her to it.

“I don’t particularly want to be stuck with you two either but we promised Miss Fletcher we’d show her around and besides, Ric has my name stamped all over him.” Matilda smirked at Belle and Cassie looked from one to another as they glared at each other with open amonosity.

“Thing is though Mattie that Ric’s more of a man than Lucas ever was and you simply wouldn’t be able to handle him.” Belle pulled open the door to a classroom but made no move to step inside.

“Whereas you with your experience of every guy in school would know exactly what to do, except that Ric isn’t going to want the school bike is he?” Cassie watched the retorts bouncing from one to the other and the expressions of hatred etched on both girl’s faces and for the first time Cassie realised that the two weren’t actually friends at all.

“At least I’ve actually had a guy. Run back to your group of wannabes Mattie, you’re batting waay out of your league.” Cassie found herself grinning for the first time as they shot insults at each other. She couldn’t wait to share the little exchange with Ric, he never had time for girls so was bound to find it as amusing as she did. An image of Ric’s smile as Matilda and Belle had made a play for him, flashed briefly into her head but she dismissed it, surely Ric knew better than to get involved with either of these two?

She opened her mouth to say so only to find that they had both headed into the classroom. Matilda was in the middle of a group of giggling girls who all seemed to be hanging on her every word and Belle was in the middle of a group of guys, flirting outrageously. Cassie stood at the door, watching them, her earlier amusement quickly diminishing as she observed just how popular the two girls were. Just for a second, Cassie envied them.

“You must be Cassie? I’m Mr Hammond, the science teacher. There’s a spare desk at the front and Miss Fletcher has told me all about you, please take a seat.” Humiliation at being singled out burnt in Cassie’s cheeks and she slumped down in the appointed seat, stonewalling the teacher and wondering how on earth she had actually wanted to be here.

-

-

“So how do you like Summer Bay High then Ric?” The lunch bell had just gone and Ric felt slightly more sure of himself than he had. His classes hadn’t been so bad, nobody had mentioned that he was repeating and being a grade lower than he should be meant he hadn’t found the content his usual struggle.

Drew and Lucas had proved to be good companions. Drew had literally moved people out of their seats so that Ric could sit between them in classes and Ric wasn’t surprised when people had obeyed. He was used to telling people what to do and have them obey him but what surprised him was how well people took it.

Ric had never had trouble getting what he wanted, a quick flex of his fists usually did the trick but Drew didn’t need to resort to such measures. Drew could order people about and they did what he asked with a smile and still liked him, he didn’t need to invoke fear. For the first time in his life Ric realised what the difference was between having power and having respect and he wanted the respect of Drew and Lucas more than anything he had ever wanted.

Lucas was the class brainiac, naturally clever, amusingly geekish and the sort of guy that Ric would have ripped to death in any of his previous schools. It wasn’t so much that he couldn’t get away with that here but more that he didn’t want to. Despite being the cleverest guy in the year Lucas was also liked and not just because he was friends with Drew. Lucas was a genuinely nice guy, fun to be around and had a cracking sense of humour. Drew for his part was a genuinely likeable guy, he had cheek and charm. He was the sort of person who breezed through life not caring what people thought and even the teachers seemed to fall for his patter, in between landing him in detention that was.

”Earth to Ric! Helloo..” Drew was waving a hand in front of Ric’s eyes, his trademark grin etched on his face, his hand ruffling his mass of unruly black curls in such a casual way. His eyes flickered to and from Ric, in between appraising whatever chick happened to be passing. “You still with us mate?” he teased.

“Sorry guys I was miles away.” Ric took a quick glance around the corridor, the lockers were all shut, the hallway deserted and ominously silent except for faint footsteps echoed against the whitewashed walls and the sound of laughter coming from outside. “Where did everyone go?”

Drew and Lucas both burst out laughing and Ric, who usually would have lamped them for laughing at him, found himself laughing along with them.

“To The Diner or Surf Club, where we should be. You don’t want to keep Mattie waiting now do you?” Lucas grinned goofily at Ric.

“D’ya know Luke I don’t reckon it’s Mattie he’s after, I mean Mattie’s nice and everything but she’s just that bit too pure if you know what I mean. I reckon Taylor is much more up your street, mate.” He landed a dig on Ric’s arm as they began to head out of the school.

“Who’s Taylor?” Ric fought the urge to rub his arm, even though it hurt. The guy dug hard but Ric wasn’t just about ready to let him know that. Drew and Lucas though were too busy sharing looks of amusement. “Have I met her?”

“You sure have, Taylor is his ex,” Lucas explained, gesturing towards Drew but still with his eyes primarily on Ric.

“She’s also his ex,” Drew added, gesturing to Lucas. “Her first name is Belle, she was in the corridor with Mattie earlier, the dark haired chick.” He was watching Ric’s reaction but it was Lucas who spoke up.

“Do you have to bring that up mate? Bout me and Belle?” Lucas was looking distinctly uncomfortable and Ric looked to Lucas for answers. “She cheated on me with my best mate,” he supplied, more than a little uncomfortably and Ric’s gaze turned involuntarily to Drew.

“Yea I know, not my proudest moment, I did really like her but its hardly an excuse, do we have to rake back over it?” For the first time Drew looked uncomfortable, almost embarrassed and Ric realised he had inadvertently stumbled upon something which both guys were still, in their own ways, dealing with.

“So Belle’s bad news huh? What’s Matilda’s story?” Ric asked in a desperate attempt to ease the tension and lighten the atmosphere. Drew’s eyes didn’t move from Lucas but the grin returned to his face.

“You need to ask superstud here, he’s the only one who’s so far managed to tame the ice maiden,” Drew teased and Ric was relieved when Lucas smiled, blushing slightly.

“I’d hardly call it that but yeah I was Matilda’s first boyfriend. It was a pretty innocent relationship though, we were just kids,” Lucas defended. “And this was before my Dad got with her Mum so no incest,” he added, interpreting the look on Ric’s face correctly.

Ric watched the two of them with amusement, admiring the easy friendship between them, the banter and the honesty and he realised with a start that he’d never really had a friendship like that. Obviously he was closest to Cass but that was different, more sisterly, not really the same as the friendship these guys had and Ric suddenly wanted to be friends with these two more than anything in the world.

“So the hot piece you live with, is she off limits or can I make a play?” Drew asked suddenly, bringing Ric out of his thoughts. Ric regarded his grin, the laughter in his eyes and felt his temper building in his chest.

“Sure you can have a go, it you want your face rearranged,” he deadpanned, momentarily stunning Drew and Lucas into silence. Damn, damn, damn, he cursed; his temper abating as quickly as it had risen. Why did he always have to lash out, it wasn’t like Drew had meant any harm. To cover he began laughing but even to his own ears it felt false.

“Don’t look so scared of me, it’s Cassie who’d rearrange your face if you upset her,” he added and was relieved when the tension eased from Drew and Lucas’s faces.

Drew burst out laughing. “So a non starter then? What’s the deal with you guys? She certainly seems a bit headstrong.” They were at the beach now and it was hard to get Ric’s attention as he gazed fascinated at the waves, still angry with himself for his typical loss of control.

“Cass has had it tough, she’s been through stuff that nobody should have to and it means she can be defensive, its just her way. She shuts down rather than let people get close but she’s a great girl, really funny and sweet and not usually this moody. I don’t know whats gotten into her here actually, she hates this place and I’m not really sure why,” Ric confided.

“She’ll grow to love it,” Drew assured him as Lucas nodded his assent. “Very few people can resist this place. It just draws you in and you never want to leave.”

Drew joined Ric at the fence, watching the surf and Lucas stood beside him. None of them spoke, none of them needed to, the beach, the surf, the sun, the blue sky.

Summer Bay spoke for itself and Ric was already well and truly drawn in.

-

Cassie twisted a strand of hair around her fingers mindlessly as her eyes stared coldly along the shoreline. Ric was there, with his precious Flynn, looking idiotic as they jumped from board to feet on the dry sand. His muscular figure was adapting far more easily to the movement than Flynn’s, yet she still could not tell why he was going along with this. Was pleasing Flynn and Sally that important to Ric. He’d never been a golden boy before, why was he bothering now?

Shaking her head, she stepped one foot gently onto the cool sand before a high-pitched giggle reached her ears. Her eyes snapped up and fell instantly on the petite blonde who was manically giggling as she inched closer to Ric. To Cassie’s disgust, Ric was revelling in this attention, rather than shunning her, as he’d always done before. Her eyes formed slits as she observed the flirtation with anger.

Who was this blonde bimbo to come into their life and **** everything up? To meddle with the way things had always been, the way things were supposed to be. There wasn’t supposed to be anyone else, Cassie thought, as she clenched her fists, there was just supposed to be her and Ric. Us against the world, Ric had always told her, as he pulled her to him at night, wrapping his arms around her, giving her safety.

But now a blonde who simply had to flick her hair over her shoulder to melt Ric into a puddle was threatening her world.

Seething, Cassie stepped further onto the sand, thinking that if she could get close enough she would wipe that little giggly grin from the barbie’s face. But she looked up only to realise that Ric and Flynn, along with their instructors, and those two friends who had taken Ric under their wing so willingly, had already stepped into the surf.

To further add to the horror of that afternoon, she then noticed Matilda sitting with Sally having what seemed to be an animated conversation about things Cassie could only dream of talking to Princess Pushy about.

Perfect. Just perfect, Cassie thought as she threw herself carelessly towards the ground. Matilda “I’m such a blonde bimbo barbie” was bonding with Sally “That’s Mrs. Saunders at school prude” and Cassie was on the outside looking in. Just as it always had been.

“Just like it always should be,” She muttered to herself, her eyes flicking between Ric in the surf, and the bonding of the bitches. “Lose or lose,” She tossed up lightly, throwing one more glance at Ric, before standing up and jogging down the lone stretch of beach. Its not like she’d be missed, was her final thought before she broke into a full run.

-

[kase]

Yayy, you're spoiling us that was a great update! I love the friendship between the guys and the rivalry between Mattie and Belle. I'm actually procrastinating at the moment instead of studying for exams, so I will review in a couple of days (Same thing goes for WCU Jess - you are working uber hard with updates!). Just wanted to let you know how great it was!! Keep up the good work guys!

[sevenpuddings]

Haha, as long as we know we've got one reader, thats all the review we need.

not that we'd say no to more I mean, YAY!

GOOD LUCK WITH EXAMS TOO!!

[kaciexox]

Yay,another update

That was brilliant... as always

Poor Cassie, shes so confused and insecure

I love Belle and Mattie in this fic, they're awsome, you write them so well.

Aww, Rics so cute, feeling protective of Cassie

Fantasic chapter

Please update soon

[I love music]

Still reading of course but haven't had much time for internet last night or tonight. Great chapter, hope to have time to review properly tomorrow.