A THRIFT SYSTEM

chapter seven

My mind thud heavily with only one thing.

I needed to find Cassie Kline before any word of me taking her to the prom gets to her.

I clinched to the book in my hands, my eyes scanning the school garden, parking lots and even the girls gym just to find her.

"Have you seen Cassie?"

"Do you know where Cassie is?”

"Please are you friends with Cassie?"

I let rumbling like an idiot as I bumped into students.

One after the other, they all claimed the didn't know her. It was like Cassie never exist in the school.

I was about losing hope when I bumped into a girl coming from the cafe.

The hot chocolate fell all over me and I yelled in pain.

" I am sorry, I didn't see you there." I said immediately trying to help get the cup from the floor.

I got up without looking and tried to dust my jackets. "That won't come off easily you know.

"She said finding my behaviour amusing.

"I will probably go and wash it in the male's toilet. Can I get you another one?" I finally said lifting my gaze to meet her and at that moment.

I froze.

"Cassie Kline." The word sprew out of my mouth.

The girl I have been searching for, disturbing myself for half an hour.

Here she was, standing right in front of me with a smile as beautiful as she looked.

"Yes. You see surprised to see me."

Cassie said back immediately.

I stuttered a bit and for a moment, I didn't know what to say. I just stood there look like an idiot. I wanted to say the word but my heart was beating too fast that I can't think of what to say to capture this pretty flower in front of me.

"Okay. If you don't now what to say then come find me when you do."

Cassie said walking out of my front.

"Be my prom date!" I shouted making all he students looked at me.

" Is he stupid?"

"How can he ask, Cassie Kline to be his date?"

"He thinks he is now the face of the school since he could pay a few buck to settle his tuition fees.”

"I am sure his mother worked more than five shifts to be able to pay that amount of money."

" I am dying to hear what she had to say to a pauper like Pontius."

I could hear their harsh words but it doesn't matter. My life was on the line for this and even I could give the last cash in the account to make sure she said yes to me.

"What did you say?" Cassie said with a smile walking back to me.

"Wow! She is going back to him. Do you think she is going to accept his proposal?"

Cassie walked up to me and stood right in front of me.

"I want you to be my prom date. Will you do me the favour of accepting my offer?" I said again and this time, I bet should could see my heat beating through the leather jacket I wore.

Cassie looked around the cafeteria and could see alot of gazes were on them. Dating me or should I say, saying yes to my proposal was definitely going to degrade her.

But then I saw Jeremiah and Layla walking towards the cafeteria. My heart almost exploded.

I knew what I did. I had lied to Layla that she was my date and now I was just wooing her.

Cassie looked at Jeremiah and for some weird reason, I could see the anger in her eyes. The hatred and the way she looked at him.

"And what is my gain from all of this because I know one thing is certain.

You are not doing this to humilate Jeremiah and Layla but I need to know what I stand to gain by partnering with you." Cassie said as she fixed her gaze on me

"I can give you whatever you want. You just name it." I said slowly. Hoping, praying that she said something I could be able to do or perhaps afford.

"Twenty thousand." Cassie said without looking at me.

My heart beat fast, I know a lady like Cassie doesn't joke around and it is not everyday you get an opportunity to speak with someone like her.

"Twenty thousand what?" I asked, my gaze fixed on her lips.

"Twenty thousand dollars." She said again and looked at me. " If you are going to ask me on a date then you. need to know you are going to be paying the price for it." She said immediately.

I knew it was not about the money. Perhaps, she was trying to test me to know if I could afford her. I let out a smile and pressed my phone.

I went to my bank app and immediately pressed the amount that she requested for.

"Can you give me your details." I said immediately passing the phone across to her.

For a moment, Cassie had my phone with her gaze fixed on me." Is this some kind of joke? Are you toying with me now?" she said looking at me.

"Can you just put in your details, Cassie?" I said again.

I looked around and noticed they were still looking at me.

The student.

People wonder what was going on between us and I was sure Jeremiah and Layla were surprised too but I was not going to give up till I get what I wanted.

Cassie passed the phone back to me and I pressed the last money in my account.

"Sent. Please confirm." I said back at her.

Without another word, Cassie dip her hands into her pocket and brought out her phone. As she pressed, she had her eyes on me and when she finally see the alert of the money I sent, her face went pale.

"Did you just.." She stuttered trying to find her words.