How far would you go to fit in?

"Don't!"

"Listen, this isn't happening to you. You’ve no reason to be worried!"

“How can I not be worried knowing that my best friend could die tonight? All this, just to prove that you’re “cool enough.”

“You haven’t got the slightest idea of what I’ve been through so don’t you dare come skipping in being the hero.”

“I’ve been affected by this just as much as you have! Who helped you with dare #3? Who did you come to when you burnt yourself during dare #6? ME.”

Silence.

"Promise you won't go through with it?"

Silence.

"Promise."

And with that, I left.

That conversation took place three months ago, we haven't spoken since. Cassie and I were best friends, "joined by the hip" is what the teachers used to say about us. Being so close, we never fought. Not once. Not ever. That is, until high school.

On our way to our first day of school, Cassie and I stopped dead in our tracks when we noticed the “populars” ahead of us. As I attempted to pull Cassie along, she whispered “I’m going to be one of them.” The “populars” were made up of six beautiful boys and girls but they were heartless, the whole lot of them. Rumour has it, they murdered someone.

“Why them? They’re disgusting.”

“Why not them? They’re perfect.”

Double science and extended maths dragged for what seemed like forever. When the bell finally rang for lunch, I met up with Cassie by the water fountains.

“I’m trying today.”

“Trying what?” I gargled.

“I’m going to try being one of them.”

“Good luck. It’ll be like trying to join a très exclusive club.”

“We’ll see.”

Cassie finished getting her meal and was coming towards the table that I’d reserved when she froze. She was looking at the “populars” and they were inviting her over. Trouble. She slowly walked over and they talked, they laughed, they teased. I knew what was going to happen next but did I react? No. I stayed where I was, paralysed. Gasps filled the room. They’d chopped all of Cassie’s hair off saying “it will look better, trust us.” Cassie dropped her tray and ran out, tears racing down her cheeks.

The next day, everywhere Cassie went, eyes followed in pity. Lessons flew by quickly and it was lunch again all too soon. This time, she approached them, fearless.

“Listen guys, I want to and should be in this group of yours.”

“Prove it.” They said simultaneously.

“Then they dared me to jump the electric fence!”

That was the sixth dare this week. Cassie came over instead of going home because she was terrified of anyone else seeing the severe burns on her legs. These dares started out harmless but now they were plain ridiculous; she’d been burnt, cut, bruised and chased by the police too many times for a fourteen year old girl. Why is she acting like this? To prove that she is “cool enough” to join the beautiful people. Who’s daring her? The “populars”.

“How many more of these dares are you going to have to do until you realise that they’re doing this for their own entertainment?”

“They’re not! They’re just testing me. Just wait and see, I’ll be accepted.”

“Doubtful. What’s your next dare then?”

She then explained how she was to climb up to the highest diving board, at the leisure pool, after hours, and jump off with there being no water in the pool. Told you they were ridiculous.

“They want you to kill yourself?”

“No, god Skye! Why can’t you just be supportive and tell me that it’ll all go as planned and I’ll survive?” I don’t need your pessimism.” Cassie flung open the door and left, heading to the pool.

The lightning flashed me warningly, the thunder rumbled in disagreement, rain splattered my face trying to force me to head the other direction but all I could think of was trying to get to her. And there, on top of the highest diving platform, stood Cassie with the wind in her hair and terror in her eyes. I sprinted up the dozens and dozens of stairs until I was standing just behind her. She was somewhat in a trance; her body was present but her conscience wasn’t, an empty vessel.

"Don't!"

"Listen. This isn't happening to you. You’ve no reason to be worried!"

“How can I not be worried knowing that my best friend could die tonight? All this, just to prove that you’re “cool enough.”

“You haven’t got the slightest idea of what I’ve been through so don’t you dare come skipping in being the hero.”

“I’ve been affected by this just as much as you have! Who helped you with dare #3? Who did you come to when you burnt yourself during dare #6? ME.”

Silence.

"Promise you won't go through with it?"

Silence.

"Promise."

And with that, I smiled, hugged her and left.

I was asleep when Cassie called my mobile. I didn’t pick up.

The next morning, I was awoken by my phone vibrating. I stumbled around. I found it. I picked up. It was Cassie’s mum.

Cassie had broken our promise.