A Graduation Gift

Cassandra was frozen inside and out, as though a bucket of icy water had been poured right over her head and chilled her to the bone.

Cloris's cutting words were like daggers to her heart, the pain spreading all through her body.

Rufus had been standing aside trying not to interfere in the sisterly fight. But as he saw Cloris get more and more defensive, he decided to step in.

"What do you mean, Cloris? What did Cassandra do to make you hate her so badly?" he asked, astonished at how quickly their argument had escalated.

Rufus had sensed that Cloris had been skirting around the real issue and he was curious to know what she was hiding.

But this was neither the time nor the place for Cloris to dive into it. After all, she wasn't about to destroy her reputation in front of so many strangers.

"You have no right to know!"

Cloris rolled her eyes, dismissing Rufus's incredulous questions.

"Then, who does have the right to know?"

Rufus persisted, his eyes fixed upon Cloris's stone-cold face.

"It doesn't matter. Not you, anyways," Cloris retorted.

She pushed him aside, dashing towards the door to the restaurant. Arthur hurried to pay the bill and rushed out after her.

restaurant, Cassandra was still standing in the same spot. Her hands were clenched into tight balls, her lips trembling slightly as she tried

she stood in the wake of her sister's insults. She felt like she might die right

Joel tried to slowly remove himself from the situation

it Lionel who got you out of

never trusted Joel, and the guy always seemed to find himself in the middle of trouble wherever he

he tried to dodge around Rufus to get to the door. Tiny beads of sweat were forming on his forehead and his

my question before you

go so easily and he stepped in

stole her design and sold it to someone else later. Thus, he needed to get

might have done to offend you but would you please let me go. I

Cassandra's design. But since he was long gone from

you sure that you've never done anything to offend

him that this man stood before him pretending to be innocent, one eye constantly darting to the door, trying to find

Rufus was talking about. While he didn't offend Rufus directly,

started to drip off from his forehead. His chest was constricted as he held his breath

left. She didn't want any part of whatever situation that was unfolding. Joel was left alone,

prison without so much as blinking my eyes. Look into

younger brother and with

opening, shot past Rufus with a speed as quick