Episode 2: Rebound and Glory: Southwest Cougars Freshman Year, #2

By Tamara Hart Heiner

Cassie's had her first kiss, and it left something to be desired. 
Namely, any real feeling. But now that she knows she doesn't like Josh any more, can she get out of this relationship without losing her social status with her friends?
And how does she know it will be better with the next guy?
For those who loved Gossip Girls and Pretty Little Liars, Cassandra Jones is the series to start!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tamark Books
• Release date: Aug 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393275374

Tamara Hart Heiner

Tamara Hart Heiner lives in Arkansas with her husband, four kids, a cat, a rabbit, and several fish. She would love to add a macaw and a sugar glider to the family collection. She graduated with a degree in English and an editing emphasis from Brigham Young University. She's been an editor for BYU-TV and currently works as an editor for WiDo Publishing and as a freelancer. She's the author of the young adult suspense series, PERILOUS, INEVITABLE, the CASSANDRA JONES saga, and a nonfiction book about the Joplin tornado, TORNADO WARNING. 

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

On the Inside

You had your first kiss!

Andrea’s shriek escaped from the tiny flip-phone speaker and filled Cassandra Jones’ entire bedroom.

Hush! Cassie exclaimed, still jittery from what had just happened. Only moments ago, her boyfriend Josh had planted a kiss on her mouth. While Cassie hadn’t felt anything sparking in her heart, she couldn’t deny how proud she was to have had her first kiss. I don’t want my whole family to know!

Tell me everything, Andrea breathed. How did it happen? What did he say? How did you feel?

Cassie’s mind reverted momentarily to that instant when Josh’s lips had brushed hers. She’d felt—gross. It had taken all of one touch for her to know she really, truly, was not interested in him anymore. Somehow she’d thought kissing would be more exciting, more fun, more exhilarating.

It was great, she lied. He surprised me. I wasn’t sure what to do.

Did he use his tongue? Andrea gasped.

Yes, Cassie said, suppressing a shudder. Not the first time he kissed me. But definitely the second time.

Oh, he shouldn’t have done that, Andrea said. The first kiss should be soft and gentle. Otherwise it’s a little weird.

Cassie felt a little bit better. Maybe it wasn’t her fault. Really?

Sounds like he was in a hurry to move to other things. Andrea giggled. Hey, I’m having a birthday party next week. Come?

Of course, Cassie said, tossing the thoughts of her failed first kiss into the back of her mind. It might not have lived up to expectations, but at least it increased her cool-factor in the eyes of her friends. She couldn’t wait to see them and play up the event for their benefit.

*~*

Andrea had her birthday party a few days later.

Come on in, Andrea said, holding the front door for her. You’re the last one here.

Thanks, Cassie said. She followed Andrea to her bedroom and was surprised when she walked in and only saw Janice.

Janice! She hugged the other girl, who she hadn’t seen all summer.

How are you? Janice asked, returning the embrace. How’s your summer been? Anything new and exciting?

About that. Cassie didn’t answer at first, instead turning to Andrea. Where’s everyone else?

Andrea shrugged. They’re all fake. I only wanted you two.

Cassie looked at Janice and Janice shrugged. Cassie exhaled and sat down on the bed, her heart pounding with anticipation. She’d expected to have a bigger audience, but this would have to do. Well, since you wanted to know . . . Josh kissed me.

What? Janice shrieked.

Tell us everything again, Andrea said. Both girls piled on the bed beside Cassie.

You’ve had your first kiss, Janice said, and Cassie thought she detected a look of envy in her eyes.

He came over for the Fourth of July, Cassie said. We went to Cara’s house and watched fireworks. Then he took me home. Right before he left he took me to the driveway and . . . he kissed me.

How was it? Janice squealed. Did it feel amazing?

If it were just Janice, Cassie thought she might tell the truth. But the way Andrea looked at her with a knowing glint in her eye, as if she suspected Cassie was a horrible kisser, she couldn’t. Yes. It was so amazing. I felt all tingly inside and thought I’d explode like one of the fireworks.

Oh, that’s so romantic! Janice hugged her pillow and fell back against the bed. You must really like him.

Cassie’s face warmed, and she picked at the bedspread. Yeah. He’s great.

What about you? Andrea raised her eyebrows. Were you any good? She smirked at her own brazenness.

He said so, Cassie said, lifting her eyes. He said I was a natural.

Well, that definitely means something, Andrea said. I think we need to watch a romance movie to celebrate. Come on, girls.

*~*

Cassie’s phone rang partway though the movie, and Cassie picked it up. It’s Maureen.

Andrea paused the movie. Don’t tell her you’re over here!

Of course. What would their little group be without the secrets? Hey, Cassie said, answering.

Hey, Cassie, Maureen said. Cara and I are having a slumber party tomorrow night. Want to come?

Yes, Cassie said, but her heart sank. She already knew her mom wouldn’t let her. Two sleepovers in a row? No way. I’ll have to ask my mom, though.

Just ask her right now.

She’s in bed. Back to the lying. She works early. All her friends knew Mrs. Jones worked the breakfast shift at Wendy’s, so that part would be believable.

Oh, right. Well, let me know. It’ll be so much fun, just the three of us.

So fun. I’ll call you back tomorrow. She hung up and sighed, wishing she could go. Cara was the one person she wanted to get to know better. But she was lucky her mom let her stay at Andrea’s, since Cassie was leaving again this Sunday for Camp Splendor and then a creative arts camp and wouldn’t be back for three weeks.

I don’t know why you want to hang out with her, Andrea said. Maureen is such a liar. And she just wants people to feel bad about themselves.

No, she’s not, Cassie said. Maureen’s so sweet.

You don’t know her, Cassie, Janice said, like she and Andrea were the final authority. Maureen will stab you in the back.

She’s worse when she’s with Amity. The two of them just feed off each other. They think they’re such a riot. Andrea rolled her eyes.

Cassie knew better than to buy into this. The girls must be fighting.

Cara surprises me, though, Janice said. I expect more from her, but then I hear about things she’s doing, and I realize she’s just as fake as Maureen and Amity.

Cassie blinked at her, hardly believing Janice would say that. Cara? Cara was the best of them all. She never lied and never made fun of people.

Yeah. Janice sighed. She’s changed since she made cheerleading. Already those girls are having an influence on her.

Hmm, Cassie said, not wanting to commit to the conversation either way. She hadn’t noticed any changes, but maybe she needed to pay more attention.

As if reading her mind, Janice said, You wouldn’t notice, Cassie. You only see the best in everyone.

Yeah, Andrea said. You’re the easiest person to be around.

Well, at least no one was mad at her. That was something. Cassie put the rest out of her mind and enjoyed the movie.

CHAPTER TWO

Boys and Girls

Just as Cassie expected, Mrs. Jones said no to having a sleepover with Maureen and Cara. Cassie concealed her disappointment, focusing instead on her upcoming week at Camp Splendor. She and Riley had decided to do the Roughin’ It camp, where they would have the opportunity to live in primitive camping conditions for a week.

Cassie was a bundle of nerves as Mrs. Jones drove her and Emily to Camp Splendor on Sunday. Cassie loved the Girls Club camp, but this year she’d only get to stay for half the time since she had an art camp that started midway through. She couldn’t wait to see old friends and sing all the songs. Camp Splendor was the one place on earth where she felt like someone important. Everyone here liked her.

Except Riley. The past two summers the girls had gone together, Riley and Cassie had fought the entire time.

And that was why Cassie was nervous. If Riley made this week miserable for her, she’d be so mad.

Mrs. Jones dropped Cassie off at her campsite first. Cassie waved goodbye to her mom and sister as they drove to a different campsite. Then Cassie dragged her bags toward the platform tents.

Hello, Cassandra! Skippy, a counselor from the year before, waved to Cassie. Great to see you here again!

Cassie grinned and waved back. All of the counselors took fake names for camp. Having the counselors remember her filled Cassie with warmth and pride. Can’t keep me away, she said. I love it here.

Rainbow’s your counselor again this year, Skippy said.

Awesome. She and Rainbow hadn’t gotten along the first year, but last year they’d done great together.

Cassie’s here! Riley flew out of the tent, followed by two familiar faces: Ashley and Tina, girls Cassie knew already.

Riley nearly knocked her over with her hug. Come on, there’s one bed left for you. Is it all right if Ashley and Tina bunk with us?

Sure, of course. Cassie put her sleeping bag on the remaining mattress and glanced around. She