Cassie's Crush by Fiona Foden

un-dumped him, but thought that might not go down too well.

Sam showed up with a grey and white mongrel called Kevin who wasn’t in the appointments book. “I just thought, um, if you don’t mind, you could give me some advice on his coat,” he said, trying to coax him into Mum’s van.
    â€œSure,” I said. “No problem.” Kevin was yapping and straining on his lead and definitely wasn’t keen on going in a pink van with poodles painted all over it. Can’t say I blamed him. As Sam was having no luck at all – it was as if the dog hardly knew him – I had to pick up Kevin, give him a reassuring cuddle and carry him in.
    I placed him on the grooming table and gave him a good brushing all over. It only took a few minutes and I wasn’t going to charge Sam for that. “He’s fine,” I told Sam. “We’ve got special conditioner I could use sometime to make his coat softer, and his nails could do with clipping … want me to do that now?”
    â€œYeah, great,” he said eagerly.
    I grabbed the clippers. Kevin sat obediently while I snipped away. “Does he want a French manicure?” I asked.
    â€œEr, I don’t…”
    â€œJoking,” I sniggered, and Sam grinned.
    I lifted Kevin down from the table and gave him a biscuit for being so good. “All done,” I said.
    â€œEr, right. Thanks.” He delved into his pocket and brought out his wallet.
    â€œOh, you don’t have to pay me for that. It only took about two seconds.”
    â€œYou sure?” He smiled again. “Thanks, Cass.”
    â€œIt’s fine, honestly. I enjoyed meeting Kevin.”
    It was true, I realized as I clipped his lead back on and led him out of the van. I’m getting used to Sam’s visits. It’s nice hanging out with a boy who doesn’t make my heart start hammering furiously, as if it’s going to burst right out of my chest.
    â€œI, er, s’pose you’re going to Marcia’s party?” Sam said.
    â€œYes,” I replied, “but Marcia’s mum isn’t to know.”
    â€œWhy not?” he frowned. “You’re her best friend, aren’t you?”
    â€œYes, but … it’s complicated. I burnt her mum’s top with the iron and she seems to think I’m a bad influence.”
    â€œGod,” Sam exclaimed. “That’s a bit of an overreaction, isn’t it?”
    I paused, not sure how to explain what’s been bothering me these past few days. “I don’t think it’s just about that. Marcia’s mum … well, she’s different to my parents. I think she thinks we’re a bit, y’know…” What was the right word? “Weird” sprung to mind.
    Sam shrugged. “So … what if her mum sees you? She won’t make you leave, will she?”
    â€œNo,” I said, grinning, “’cause I’m going to be incognito.”
    â€œWhat as?”
    â€œEr … I’m still working on that.” I decided not to tell him about my Venus flytrap idea. Don’t want Ollie hearing about it and the surprise being spoiled. “Are you going?” I asked.
    â€œMarcia hasn’t invited me.” Sam bent down to fiddle with Kevin’s studded collar.
    â€œOh, of course you can come! She probably just forgot. I’ll ask her if you like—”
    â€œS’all right.” He straightened up and looked at me.
    â€œCome on, you’ve got to come! It’s going to be brilliant. You don’t even have to dress up, not if you really don’t want to…”
    â€œThe thing is,” Sam said, “if she’d wanted me to come she’d have invited me, right? So it’s OK. I won’t be going.”
    â€œBut…” I tailed off. Sam was looking straight at me, and I noticed that his eyes are a startling blue. Like, zingy blue – as blue as the