What Took You So Long

I'll be your lighthouse

I'll make it okay

When I see your monsters

I'll stand there so brave

And chase them all away ...

Cassy closed her eyes to feel the song even more. She can feel the cold-like emotion that surrounded her heart. "I know, someday, I will be someone's lighthouse.", this is what inside's Cassy's head. She hopes that someday someone will be in her life, take her hand, and run away with her.

"I will be waiting for you and be patience until the day that you come..." she can already imagine a scene. One day, they will bump to each other and feel that slow-motion effect like in movies.......

"Cassandra!" – this loud voice from a man ended her daydream.

Leon entered her room without even knocking. What an attitude really, he has? He has been so comfortable doing everything he wanted just because he is her childhood friend. She met Leon when they moved here 13 years ago. Since they are the same age, they became friends and inseparable at times, but this guy started to irritate her recently.

"Leonardo, don't you know how to knock?" she screamed showing her irritated face to him. If he is not just her friend for a long time, she will not hesitate to throw the glass on the bedside table.

"Cassy, stop! Don't give me an attitude today." Leon exclaims to her.

"Woo, so I am the one that gives you an attitude now? She said exasperatedly. She turned off the music. She lost her good mood already. "Leon, how many times do I have to say that please knock when you enter my room?" she said as she tries to calm herself down.

Leon just stared at her. He gave him a curious stare in which at the same time gave him an amusing look.

"It sounds like we are grownups. "Leon said in an apologetic voice. "I am sorry Cassy. I always forget that we aren't kids anymore."

She let out a deep sigh. Yes, Leon is too comfortable with her. "That's okay. What do you need from me?" she asks.

"I came here because I wanted to show you something and you have always stayed here in your room," Leon said. He looked around her room.

She furnished her room in pink, showing how delicate she is behind the tigress attitude she shows to Leon and the other people around her. This room is her shrine. This is where she imagines the beautiful story that God writes for her. Different plots come into her mind every time.

Again, she let out a deep sigh. To end the conversation, she stood up, "Okay, let's go." She said to Leon.

With that said, Leon grabs her hands and took her outside.

"Aunt Lisa, we will just be going out." He said to her mom.

"Alright, just ensure she will be back by dinner," Lisa responded without even looking at them. That shows how comfortable her family is when she is with Leon.

Leon covered her eyes with his hands and guided her walk. She gasps her breath when he removed his hands from her eyes. She is seeing a small, beautiful rose garden. Roses abound in this garden. She can tell that each one of the roses has different scents based on the fragrance she smells which truly captured her heart.

"You have been so gloomy recently, Cassy," Leon said in a soft voice. "We have been together since we were little kids and no matter how you shout and show irritation to me whenever I look into your eyes, it is as if I can still see a window of sadness in your eyes." He continues.

Silence.

Sudden sadness filled the atmosphere. Leon knows her very much. He might know her more than herself.

"Since that day, you never have been the same, Cassy". He said as he stares sadly at her. "I know that you love roses, so I planted them and promise myself to take you here when the flowers bloom."

She cannot speak. She cannot find the right words to say. Tears started to roll in her eyes. He is right, since that day, life has never been the same. She closed her eyes, and she can feel the pain inside her heart as if it is being squeezed.

She can't deny the fact that since that happened, she lost herself.

She thanked God, she got Leon by her side. Though most of the time, he pesters her, he's one of the reasons why she still able to dream and she laughs in every passing day.

Cassy sobbed. Leon took her head and rest it in his chest.

Why is she making everything hard for Leon?

Since that day that Dash broke up with her, she never felt the same. She finds it very hard to smile and understand the beauty of things.

How can she picture love so dark? Yes, she honestly admits. She is damn hurt the way Dash left her hanging in the air. He made her like a fool and play on her feelings. Is love just like a prank for him?

===

Dash suddenly woke up as the light enters through his windows. Someone raised the window blinds.

What time did he sleep again last night?

"Dash, get up. It's almost 1 pm and you are still in bed!" her mom Samantha said. "What time did you come home last night?" she continues.

"I am sorry, Mom but I am not sure what time." He spoke.

"I know you are already grown up, but you shouldn't be abusing yourself going out and coming home late." Her mom said as she stares at him with concern. "Your father is not happy at all with the night activities you are doing."

He stood up and started to fix his bed. He knows his mom tries to calm herself down. He is already 18 but they still wanted to treat him like a baby.

"Don't worry mom, I am just with Nathan. We didn't go out. We just stayed in his room and played Xbox." He said to calm her down. He stared at his mom to whom he got his expressive eyes.

"That's good then. Finish that quickly and go downstairs to eat. I have cooked your favorite food." Samantha said as she closed the door.

Tomorrow will be Monday again and there are lots of things that need to be done in school. Yes, he might be going out with his friends and come home late but he still does his best in his school to make his parents proud. Though he admits that he always wanted to get what he wants.

He finished his bed quickly and ran downstairs. While going down, he can already smell the fragrance of the delicious meal that his mother prepared for him.

He cannot ask for anything. He is blessed to have his parents.

He went near the table and started to get food and fill in his plate.

His dad came into the kitchen, and he greeted him happily.

" Hi, Dad! Please join me.", he said.

"I have already finished, Son." Damian said." How are you? You came in late last night."

He smiled. " I am okay, Dad. Nothing to worry about. I am a grown-up now and I surely know how to take care of myself. Besides, I am just with Nathan, we didn't go out just played Xbox in his room." He explained.

This is why he loves his parents and doesn't want to disappoint them. They love him so much as their only son, but they never insisted anything to him and give him the freedom that he wanted.

He finished his food and went up again to his room.

Staring blankly in the ceiling as he goes back to his bed, Dash is surprised with his thoughts. He is 18 but he is making the most out of his youthful years so his future self will thank him.

He is handsome and he knows that. Everyone that sees him says, he can have every woman he wanted. People mistaken him to be playing on a girl's heart but don't they know the word falling out of love?

Well, there are girls in school that give him letters. In short, they are making the first move. No one really catches his attention.

He let out a deep sigh. Why would at this moment he is thinking about his foolishness? He enjoys what he is having at the moment. Yes, she plays with girls but when it comes to his studies and parents he can say he is doing good.

He grabs his headset and put it in his ears and started to play a piece of music to turn away the nonsense thoughts in his mind.

Tomorrow is Monday so that means he needs to prepare his things for school. He reached for his school bag and check if all the stuff he needs tomorrow is in there.

There's a lot more to think of rather than girls. He is an only son, and he wants to ensure that he will not be doing anything that can disappoint his loving parents.

It is not a secret to him how he was conceived by her mom, and that it almost caused her life. He is forever thankful for all their sacrifices for him and that is why he will put his study as a priority. To finish his education is his one way to express his love to his parents. This is when he thought, no girlfriend, no problem. He can focus more on his studies and have flying colors in school that will surely make his parents proud.

Dash cannot help not to smile just having thoughts about his parents. So, for now, to all the girls around him, sorry but he isn't having a serious relationship.

Cassy lies in her bed and trying to rock herself to sleep. She is thinking about her childhood friend, Leon. His gesture today really touches her heart.

She can still vividly remember how he meets him 13 years ago when they moved next to them.

She stopped walking in front of a pale and thin boy and asked, "What's your name?".

The boy was startled. He looked up at her and she can obviously see how shy he is.

"I-m, mmm-y name is..." he utters.

"Hmnnn.." she tries to meet his eyes as she waits for him to say his name.

"My name is ... Leonorado but my mom calls me Leon.." he said in a shy voice.

"Hi, Leon! I am Cassandra and we are new here." She said happily. "Can I be your friend?". She innocently asked.

Leon was shocked.

" Is there something wrong?" Cassy asks.

Leon is still in shock and he doesn't know how to answer Cassy's question. Is she sure that she wanted him to be his friend?

"I am new here and I don't have any friends to play with. I can see you're alone so I guess we can be friends and playmates too." She continues ignoring his reaction.

"Can I be your friend, Leon?" Cassy asks again.

Leon recovered from the sudden shock he experienced. Of course, he wanted Cassy to be his friend! This is the first time that someone asks him to be their friend.

"Of course, but are you sure?" Leon said still in a shy voice.

"Yes, I am sure," Cassy answered quickly.

"What are you playing?" Cassy continues to ask him.

" I am playing cards. W-would you like to join?" he asked in a very soft voice.

Starting that day, Cassy and Leon became friends and together almost every day.

Cassy and Leon also went to the same school since they live next to each other, they always come to school and go home together.

But one day, Cassy learned why Leon is very happy when she asks him to be his friend but in a way that she cannot imagine...

Her teacher was sick, they were dismissed a bit early than usual. Instead of going straight to their house, Cassy will be going to Leon's room so they can walk together on their way home.

No teacher is inside the room. Her eyes widen when she saw Leon. Leon was pushed and stumbled to the floor.

5 kids are around him and it seems that they are forcing Leon to do something.

Leon is thin and he cannot do anything with these kids.

Leon though doesn't show any emotions. He just literally looking down as he clenched his fist. Obviously, he knows that he cannot do anything with these big kids around him.

"Thin boy, give us your allowance so we can buy a snack. We promise you that we won't be doing anything to you." One of the kids says to Leon.

Cassy recovered from the shock, walk inside the room and push one of the kids that try to bully Leon.

"And who do you think you are?" Cassy shouted to the big kid who asks to hand over Leon's allowance.

Leon was surprised. He didn't see Cassy coming in.

"Cassy, it's okay." Leon softly said.

"No, it's not. Obviously, these kids are trying to bully you." Cassy exclaimed.

"Don't you have your own allowance that you need to bully and hurt other kids?" she continues.

"If you won't stop doing this to Leon, I will assure you that I won't let this go and I will head to the principal's office and report you." Cassy confidently said. No trace of fear can be seen on her face.

Leon can see that the kids started to move, and he can see the fear on their faces.

"We will let this for now, but we will surely get back to you, ugly girl!" the big kid said.

"I will wait for that day then. "Cassy answered back not even bothered with the threat.

Cassy reached out for him and said, "Get up, don't let those kids bully you."

Then she walked out of the room.

While Leon and Cassy walk in their way home. No one dares to speak or tell a story like their usual end of the day.

Cassy portrays a blank face. Leon doesn't know what his friend thinks at the moment.

Leon stopped walking. He reached for Cassy's hands.

Cassy stopped walking.

" I am s-orry, Cassy", Leon sadly uttered.

"Why?" she asked.

"Because you saw me in that kind of situation." He responded.

"I can't say it's okay. You shouldn't be allowing those kids to bully you." She disappointingly said.

"We are friends and your parents love you so much but those kids who don't make any effort for you. Shame you and treat you like trash, why didn't you say anything about them?" she continues.

" I am sorry, Cassy. I cannot do anything; they are 5 big kids and what would a pale and thin kid can do against them?" he softly answered.

"Exactly!" Cassy exclaimed. "You cannot do anything against them, but you can at least let someone know so they can learn their lesson."

"You aren't alone. Now, I understand why you are so surprised the day we first met and when I asked you if I can be your friend. Do not let anyone do that again to you. Never let anyone look down on you no matter how you look like. If you want to be my friend, then learn how to protect yourself. Those kids deserve to be at the principal's office. Since when they started to do this to you?", Cassy asked Leon looking straight into his eyes.

Leon just looked down again. He is so ashamed that he cannot look directly at Cassy. She is the girl, but she is the one who protects him from being bullied.

No words came out until they arrived at their respective houses.

Since that day, Cassy protects Leon from the school bullies and now that they are already teenagers, it seems that Leon is protecting her. His gestures yesterday bring strange emotions to Cassy, but she doesn't want to think anything else. Leon is like a brother to her.

Though Dash is an asshole who just broke up with her without any solid reason, she doesn't know why she still hopes that one day, Dash will be back to her. Dash is known for his reputation of playing with girls, but she didn't believe this.

When Dash started to court her, she felt as if the luckiest girl in their school. Her heartbeat changes every time he's beside her.

She isn't a beauty but she can say that she has the charm towards boys but Dash is her first boyfriend that's why she cannot understand what happened to both of them.

Dash may have a reputation, but she can see the goodness with this man. He sees to it that he is up to date in his class and never to disappoint his parents. Their relationship is a picture-perfect relationship.

She suddenly stopped, could that be the reason? She asked herself. They have misunderstandings but for a couple of months being together there's nothing that they weren't able to work out.

Other people may say that Dash just played to her feelings but that isn't what she felt. No matter what other people say, she doesn't regret the relationship she had with that guy. She may be wanting to punch his face, but she cannot deny the fact that her heart screams for Dash.

No matter how much she is hurt now, she believes that it's not about how much you are hurt or how much you have suffered because, in the end, it's how much you have loved and how much you are willing to do for love.

Maybe with other people, they will start looking for someone else if they broke up with their loved ones but not her. It might be torture for her but she will keep loving Dash until her heart gets tired of loving him.

She wants to be free until the day that Dash comes back, and everything will be smooth for them and there will be no complications. Silly her, right? But she is hoping that heaven and earth will work together to help them fix their relationship.

Thinking of this made her feel persistent to wait at the same time, she must admit that she feels a bit lonely for herself. She felt shattered into pieces the day that Dash broke up with her.

It seems the rumor was true after all. It's so easy to break someone's heart for him.

He invested so much in my heart as if it's actually a piggy bank. He saved up there the love and happiness and then out of the blue, he smashed it letting it be broken into pieces.

How can she love so strong and selfless at this very young age?

She can't help but shook her head. She is like a fool. How can she still love Dash when he did nothing but hurt her.

She is like waiting in vain.

Still, she doesn't care, if she won't be fighting the love she has with Dash, she can feel that's harder for her. The more she pushes herself to move on, to more she finds it hard to do so. So, she will just let her heart love Dash until her heart gets used to being without him and the feeling will just go away. Let time decide and heal her broken heart.

Beee---e! Beeeeep!

Another Monday morning again for Dash. He was awakened by the sound of his alarm clock. He stared at the ceiling for a couple of minutes while doing his morning routine. He first raises his feet in the air and rolls his ankle gently. He did the same with his hands. This is how he starts his morning. He believes that doing stretching after a deep sleep could make the body feel better.

After a couple of minutes of doing some flexing, Dash gets up and started to fix his bed.

He took a shower and went down to eat his breakfast prepared by his loving mother.

He kissed his mom and dad before going to school. Yes, he is 18 and yet he can't help himself to show his affection to his parents.

"Would you like me to drop you in your school?" Damian asked.

"No, Dad. I can manage." Dash responded.

"Alright then," Damian said.

Dash gets out of their house quickly as he just noticed that the bus going to their school will be leaving in 15 minutes' time.

He walks as fast as he could going to the waiting shed. After a couple of minutes of waiting, the bus finally arrived. Fortunately, there is one more seat vacant for him. However, for some reason, there are books on it and the girl sitting next to it is sleeping.

"Sit down, Mr. so we can leave now." The driver said.

Dash doesn't know what to say until the driver noticed the books on the vacant seat.

"Hey, Miss!" the driver shouted expressing a bit of irritation. Dash understands since lots of students will be late if the girl won't move. Their arrival will be delayed.

"Mr. please wake her up or you choose to carry her books until we arrive at school. Everyone will be late if we delay this for another minute." The driver said giving him those options.

Dash grabbed all the books and sat down. He does not want to wake up the girl from sleep since it is possible that she slept late last night studying.

The girl suddenly laid her head down to Dash's shoulder giving him a full view of the girl's face.

God, this is Cassy!

She just looks like a typical schoolgirl but with soft and delicate skin. Since the girl is sleeping, he noticed how extraordinary her eyelashes are. Those are long and silken.

He thought that Cassy might get hysterical if she saw him. This is the first time they met after their breakup a couple of weeks ago.

Yes, Cassy is his ex-girlfriend. He just let the girl's head on his shoulder. He is being careful not to awaken her up and crossing his fingers that he can get out of the bus even before she wakes up.

Ten minutes later, they finally arrived at school and it's time for him to wake up the Cassy.

Instead of tapping the girl's shoulder to wake her up, Dash quickly gets out of the bus to avoid confrontation.

Cassy's POV

It took a couple of minutes before Cassy recovered of what happened and to her surprise, he was sitting beside Dash all along during the trip! That's asshole. He quickly gets out of the bus so he won't be hearing tongue-lashing words from her.

She just grabbed her book and went out of the bus. Yes, she feels hurt that she wanted to curse Dash and shove to his face that he is a man without balls.

It is as if her heart is being smashed on top of a thousand needles.

=====

What the! He said on his mind.

He has lots of things to do since they will be organizing their club today to recruit more members so they can get a budget for their activities.

He sat down, get his planner in his bag, and look at what is his schedule for today.

He is looking down his to-do list when a man walked inside the classroom with his head up high. He is tall for his age standing around 5'9 in height.

"Dash!" the guy shouted as he walks towards him.

"Hi, Nate!" Dash greeted him with a smile.

"Urgh! I hope I can see you next time talking with girls rather than reviewing your notes in this early morning" Nathan said. He is my best friend. They have been classmates since they are in nursery, and he treats him like a brother.

He just smiled at what Nathan said. Yes, he might be playing with girls but this friend of he changes girlfriends every now and then just like shirts. He isn't surprised though. Aside from having good looks, Nathan is also part of the school's basketball them so there are really lots of girls chasing him and wanting to get his attention.

Well, just like now, every girl is looking at her as if wanting to devour both of them. They treat them as if they are both gift for women.

"What are you up today, Dash?" Nathan asked him.

"Based on my schedule, I will be in the gym for the school club's activities. We need to recruit more members so we can ask for budget and start to hold activities." He answered.

"I see. We actually have a game this afternoon as well just in case you will get the chance." Nathan said to him.

"No problem, Bro. Don't you have any girls to cheer for you?" he said as he put a smile on his face. He doubts what he said.

Usually, when Nathan will play, the court is always full because of his girl fans.

Nathan laughs at what he said." I want you to come because I want you to meet someone!".

He can't help to shake his head at what his friend plans to do.

He set him up multiple times and it fails either he leaves the girl if she isn't his type or not to go to the place at all.

It's not because he doesn't want to have a serious girlfriend but maybe since he cannot fail his parents he is trying to hold of his heart.

As a guy for him love is a very powerful word that he cannot mistaken it for something else. He knows how powerful love can be and he doesn't want it to be a hindrance to his dreams. So he can play but not be serious at all.

Unlike typical playboys, Dash still dreams of a relationship with a girl he truly loves but not at this stage. That serious relationship has to wait until he reaches his dreams and made his parents proud.

At school, he was also given the name Mr. Perfect.

Mr. Perfect. Yes, everyone at school, his teachers, and schoolmates respect him because they thought he has everything a student should have.

A handsome face with a brain and a good attitude.

He cannot deny it since those are facts but naming Mr. Perfect is too much. He has his flaws no doubt. He is a playboy but he keeps his feet to be on the ground.

"Alrighty. I will be heading to the court to meet my teammates." Nathan said which interrupted Dash from thinking. "See you later, Bro".

He nodded without confirming that he will be watching his game. He feels that he will be busy with his club to show the existing members of his passion and dedication so they can encourage other students to join.

From being a playboy, he can be the student that can excel academically. So, he can say that girls don't just flirt with him because of his looks but he also has the brain. He flirts but knows his limitation and when to stop. Yeah, thinking of knowing his limitations, this is exactly what happens to Cassy.

He let out a deep sigh. It's a picture-perfect relationship. He knows how much Cassy has been hurt when he broke up with her, but he needs to do it.

He must admit that he was also hurt the way their relationship ended but as for him their relationship is getting too serious which is a kind of a relationship he doesn't want to be involved in right now.

He has dreams and plans he wanted to achieve. He knows how powerful, and love can do that's why he isn't willing to take the risk yet. He can flirt but he is afraid of commitment at his age right now.

He witnessed how love took over his parents' lives.

He witnessed a lot of people stop chasing their dreams because of this crazy thing called love.

He isn't ready to do that. He wants to chase his dream and make his parents proud.

Someday, Cassy will understand.

He didn't explain this much with Cassy as he knows that there will be no words and there's no easy way to ease a woman's broken heart.

He felt a pinch in his heart. He badly misses her. He misses the scent of her hair, the way she laughs, and her lips. He closed his eyes. "Stop." He said to himself.

He must stop himself as he might beg Cassy to come back to his life. Dash needs to have a lot of control whenever he sees Cassy just like earlier in the bus. He doesn't know what to say and feel when Cassy confronts him.