HAVE MERCY!!! ch.5 (part 2) Wake Up Sunshine

Katie's Recapped POV

His lack of answer gave me all the information that I needed. Cassie still didn't know. She didn't know that Tom was madly in love with her. She didn't know where we were going. She didn't know that we were all having silent conversations about her.

She didn't know what was going on, and it was killing her.

"Wake Up Sunshine"

Cassie's Present POV

I finally had given up on trying to get one of them to answer my begging and pleading, and even all the threats and blackmail I used to help me-none had worked. I just realized that I was still holding Tom's hand. I looked back at him. He was staring out the window sadly; I'm guessing that he's angry that he's left in the dark too. Well, at least I'm not alone.

I smiled to myself and let go of his hand. I wiped my hand on my jeans-Tom's hand was extremely warm and it was perspiring. I wasn't disgusted or grossed out, in fact, it was cute; I only wiped my hand because it was getting rather uncomfortable.

I put my hand back waiting for him to grab it, after ten seconds he realized that I was offering my hand back, he took it and held it as tightly as if he would never let go. There was the tiniest hint of a smile in his eyes, but I didn't see it on his face. I started to close my eyes. I was thinking about life, and waiting for sleep to come whisk me away and rescue me.

I had that out of body experience again. I looked at myself sleeping, and Tom staring sadly, yet dreamily out the window. I saw Matt and Mickey all cuddled up-a perfect Kodak moment! *3 cheers for blackmail* I saw Katie and Paige who were in deep discussion, but I couldn't make out any of the words. My mind started to drift further and further away from reality. The only real thing I knew was the hand tightly holding mine, and the trust I had that he would never let go.

Tom's POV

Cassie's breathing was quiet and deep. She tossed and turned in her sleep, but her hand was always in mine. I tried to take it out, but she squeezed it in her sleep. I don't know how to tell her everything. I know she loves me, but it's not the same, and I don't want to hurt her. I would also really love not to hurt myself either. To make myself vulnerable to rejection, to see her eyes filled with pity or disgust.. I shuddered.

I moved the hair out of her face and grabbed my pillow from the back and laid her head on it. She whispered in her sleep, but I didn't catch what she said. It looked like Brandon did though; he looked back in the sun visor mirror at her, then at me. He didn't look angry, but curious.. and bewildered at the same time.

I wanted so desperately to know what Cassie had said. I wanted to ask B-Real, but knowing how he is with Cassie, he wouldn't tell me the truth.. He has stopped numerous boys from dating Cassie, most came to him for advice first (because he's the closest to Cassie) and Brandon either tore them down, lied to them, or scared them. He couldn't really stop how I felt for her. Sure, it created some tension, but we're best friends, and nothing-not even his sister-could get between our friendship.

Two hours later, we pulled up to a gas station in the middle of nowhere. Nate told me to wake everyone up, then he stepped outside to fill the van. Everyone had fallen asleep but him and me. I nudged Mike who was sitting next to me cuddled up with Matt. I laughed, "Get up!" They stirred and realized who the other was holding, and jumped up. Matt and Mike quickly both said something 'manly' and they each woke up Paige and Katie. Brandon had already run inside to use the bathroom, and Matt and Mike quickly followed.

I quietly whispered in Cassie's ear, "Sunshine," she jumped and tossed in her sleep-like she were having a nightmare. "It's okay, there's nothing to be afraid of; I'm here." She sighed calmly in her sleep, then her eyes fluttered open. She turned to see me, and she smiled. When she blinked tears rolled down from her eyes, and soon they wouldn't stop.