Vertigo ((Casey))

[Esmeralda Mendez]

Ezzie frowned as she examined herself in the mirror. She couldn’t believe how much she had grown. She hadn’t grown in a good way, to be sure. Ezzie had barely gotten any taller, but her waist line had expanded to some extent. Working at the hotel, Ezzie barely had enough time to eat. She was constantly skipping meals to make her shifts. After she found Ethan and moved in with the Jacobs though, she ate like crazy. She ate all three meals a day, plus an extra two when she felt hungry. Ezzie couldn’t understand how she could gain so much weight so very quickly. It really didn’t make sense at all. She liked being skinny and she liked being pretty, but Ezzie wasn’t sure just how long she could keep it up. The press were all over her lately, and the fact that she was in school barely helped. Dumbledore did a very good job of keeping everyone but students and staff out, but the second Ezzie left Hogwarts, they were all over her once more. There were pictures of her everywhere, and the second Ezzie gained a pound, they knew about it. Ezzie shuddered, thinking back to last week when some sleez had sent a photo of her at school to the Daily Prophet, who immidiatley commented on her weight gain. She didn’t know who had done it, but the second she found out, she would make sure they regretted it forever. She didn’t like people staring at her all the time, commenting and whispering about how she looked or acted. She felt like a fish in a bowl, with some crazy little kid shaking her container so she rattled around inside. Just thinking about her life made her dizzy. It drove her crazy knowing that her life was spiraling out of control like this and there was nothing she could do about it.

Then there was that break-up with Ethan. She hadn’t even told Casey about it yet, but she was sure she knew something was up. Casey was smart enough to know when Ezzie was avoiding someone. She felt bad that she hadn’t been spending enough time with Ethan, but not for him. She did miss the gatherings they had every week with Casey, Carson, and Ethan. She could tell that Casey was finally starting to like Carson a bit, (after weeks of teasing and pressuring them both) and yet she refused to spend much more than a second with neither Carson or Ethan. She turned around and let out a small groan. “Casey!” She wined. Casey was just behind her in their dorm. “Look at me! I’m a monster! No wonder everyone’s been talking, I look disgusting.” She frowned as she turned around to face Casey. “Do you think you can pick up some lunch and we’ll eat it on the grounds or the courtyard? I really don’t feel up to people staring at my monster thighs.” This was only half true. She didn’t want to deal with all the stares, but what she was really trying to avoid was the unavoidable meeting with her new ex-boyfriend Ethan. She didn’t want anything to do with him right now. He meant nothing to her, not after the things she had heard. But, no one knew of her new single status yet, and she was planning to keep it that way for a while. Although, Ethan didn’t seem to care about their private life. He had already blurted (more like announced) the news to the girl that had started this stupid fight. Amber Hess was one of the most rotten Gryffindors she had ever met. In truth, she had never really met this Amber, but she didn’t need to meet her to know she was evil. She wasn’t even good looking! What kind of witch needed those stupid braces, anyway? She pushed the spiteful thoughts out of her head and concentrated on how she would get herself out of going into the Great Hall that day. “I mean, really! It’s a beautiful day out! Why not enjoy it?” This was a lame excuse, for Ezzie and Casey both knew it was very windy outside and the grass was damp and there were clouds hanging around all over the place from the rainstorm last night. She would have to do better than that if she really wanted to get out of eating in the Hall, that was for sure. There was no way Casey was buying any of this.

[Casey Allen G5]

Casey stared out the window. Wait, no. No. No! She didn’t like Carson. Then why was she thinking about him. She had just had some fun with him was all. Casey had other things to worry about. Her dad had just sent her new Eden lyrics. She had to focus on that. No boys. No Carson. Casey nearly groaned as she let her head hit her pillow. She stared out to the windy skies still lying down. She missed that day with Carson. She missed the fun in the water, but that day was gone and it didn’t mean anything. Carson thought so as well. Casey was sure of it. He couldn’t like her and she didn’t like him or at least she wouldn’t admit that she did. Casey looked down to the lake at this brunette boy by the water. Was that him? She sat straight up wanting to catch a look at him. She sighed and laid back down when she realized that it wasn’t Carson. Wait. What was she doing? Casey pulled her pillow her head. She liked him. She didn’t know why but she did. Casey had barely admitted it to herself, but she couldn’t deny the truth. She was sure that Ezzie had figured it out, but Casey wouldn’t tell her not yet. Besides, it seemed that Ezzie had her own problems.

Casey had her own suspicions as to what was wrong with Ezzie. Ezzie had been acting strangely and Casey had heard rumors, but Ezzie hadn’t said much about it. Casey had heard something about Ethan and that Amber Hess girl, but it wasn’t enough to believe. Still, Casey knew that Ezzie was keeping something from her. Casey was no dummy. Casey sat up nearly franticly as Ezzie called her name. She had been day-dreaming, as usual. Casey sighed and stood up. She walked over to her friend. “You’re not a monster and no one has been talking.” She pondered. “Okay, well that part isn’t true. They love to gossip about you, but it doesn’t matter. C’mon Ezzie. You’re beautiful. You always have been. Don’t let them bring you down.” She told her friend. Casey sighed. “You we can, but why bother?” She asked sighing. “Just put on something fabulous and some killer make-up and go to the Great Hall. You’ll look fabulous and everyone will be jealous.” Casey giggled. Who were they kidding. They both knew that Casey’s new body grudge wasn’t just about that picture that was sent to The Daily Prophet. Something was up between Ezzie and Ethan. Something big.

Casey eyed Ezzie. “Ezzie, it’s a windy, nearly raining day. C’mon. No more lies, remember?” She reminded Ezzie. “When you found out my secret we agreed that there wouldn’t be anymore more lies between us.” She sighed. “What happened with Ethan, Ezzie. People are talking about something. I’ve heard the name Amber tossed around quite a bit. What happened?” She asked again. Ezzie had to tell her before Casey would agree to eat in the crazy weather. Ezzie had to tell her, period. Plus, Ezzie ha been avoiding Ethan and Carson in the halls. When this happened, Casey had given Carson a wondering look, but he didn’t give anything away. Why was this being kept from her? Casey was sure that Carson knew. Casey wanted to talk with him. Spend time with him again. Was that even possible with what was going on with Ezzie and Ethan. After all, Casey was Ezzie’s best-friend and Carson was Ethan’s. Could they even hang-out anymore?

[Esmeralda Mendez]

Ezzie almost laughed as she saw Casey bolt upright when Ezzie called her name. Casey had just recently been staring out the window with that strange look on her face that told Ezzie (quite bluntly) that she was thinking about something…or someone. Ever since the day Ethan and Ezzie had set them up on that surprise date, She saw that look in her eyes. They had been watching some of it, but lost track of Casey and Carson after they ran off onto the grounds. (Ezzie and Ethan had been a bit distracted behind the knight in the corridor to notice them passing by.) All Ezzie knew about their trip to the grounds was that Caasey had returned very peppy afterwords. Ezzie could see right through Casey sometimes, but the downside to that was that Casey could often see right through her as well. Ezzie let her frown warm up into a smile for just a second. She could just picture the battle going on in Casey’s head. She really liked Carson, but she didn’t want to like him. She merely shook her head.

“You were thinking about someone, weren’t you, Casey?” Ezzie said with a knowing smile trying to change the subject a bit. Casey had just commented about how Ezzie was beautiful and skinny and she had everything going for her…blah blah blah. She’d heard it all before and normally would have smiled and blushed but somehow, she just didn’t believe it this time. She didn’t belive that she was still skinny after all that eating. She couldn’t keep acting like this. She couldn’t keep eating the way she did. But, she couldn’t stop eating either. Ezzie had grown to love food so much that she could never quit eating it altogether. She thought about a diet, but what good would that do her? Every piece of food that came in contact with her body was full of starches and sugars and calories and every other chemical that could ruin her body. She didn’t want any of it. There was no way her habits would go unnoticed either. There were always eyes on her, both by people she cared about and by people she barely even knew. Someone would eventually notice she wasn’t eating her meals. No, she had to find a way to eat what she wanted, but get rid of it later. Ezzie couldn’t really think of a way to do such a thing, but decided on letting the question lie there until an answer fell upon her. She shrugged it off in her mind and turned around to look at Casey. “So tell me, what ever did happen between you and Carson..hmm?” Casey wasn’t buying Ezzie’s little act. She immidatley said the words Ezzie had been hoping she’d never say. She’d mentioned her secret, and the night of Ezzie’s first performance. Casey and Ezzie both knew it was the one subject that had enough power over Ezzie to make her tell. She took a deep breath.

“Alright, I’ll spill. Ethan and I broke up the other day. It was about two or three days ago. He really pushed my buttons this time, Casey. He was flirting with that Amber Hess girl! And earlier on, I found out he was going out with another girl as well! She’s a muggle, who has been sending him letters for months. She knows his secret! I can’t believe he would do such a thing. But you know what, I’m going to put up with him. Today, everyone will know the truth about me and him. He can date that stupid Amber chick if he wants!” Ezzie felt her eyes water a bit, making them sparkle with sadness at the memory of the day in the Great Hall. She rubbed her temples, she was starting to get a headache. She wanted to forget she’d ever met Ethan Jacobs. She never wanted to see him again, but for Casey’s sake, she felt she was going to have to face him a bit more often. Casey was actually starting to like Carson, she couldn’t rip them apart now. Ethan and Ezzie’s relationship was the only thing that kept those two from drifting apart. She couldn’t let that happen to Casey. “I’ve been avoiding him ever since, but I think it’s time I faced him again. Besides, I know you’ve been dying to see Carson, and he’ll obviously be there as well.” Ezzie teased as she started to change into her Hogwarts robes. She hadn’t gotten out of going to the Great Hall, but perhaps it was for the best.

[Casey Allen G5]

Casey was staring out the window again. Well, she couldn’t help it. That had always been a habit of herself. “Huh?” Casey asked when Ezzie asked if she was thinking about something. “Umm, no. No.” She said stumbling with her words. Casey sighed. There was no way Ezzie bought that. Casey sighed. She couldn’t try and hide it much longer. Casey knew that. Ezzie wasn’t dumb. She could see right through Casey’s act and vice versa. Casey sighed. Her eyes kept drifting to the grounds. It was quite annoying actually. Well, Casey always had loved the outdoors. Being inside bored her. Casey sighed as she realized what she was doing. She looked back to Ezzie. They were both keeping something from each other, but Casey didn’t think that she was ready to spill her ‘secret’ just yet. Partially because she hadn’t admitted it to herself yet. Casey eyed Ezzie sternly for a moment. She kept avoiding the subject. Casey made a mental-note to figure out what she was up to later. She sighed for a moment, nearly blushing at Ezzie’s comment, but she stopped herself. No. She didn’t like him. No.

“Nothing.” She said abruptly. She tried to turn away but then she looked back at Ezzie. “We just went swimming in the Black Lake. My idea really. It wasn’t a big thing.” She tried to act cool but it wasn’t working too well. Casey sighed. She couldn’t hide this much longer, especially to herself. Casey sighed and eyed Ezzie. Casey knew that Ezzie had to answer now that Casey mentioned that night. Casey nodded when Ezzie agreed to spill. “Finally..” Casey muttered. She smiled a tad before eying Ezzie seriously. Casey listened to Ezzie intently. Oh no. Not again. Would Ezzie and Ethan ever stay together? For a second, Casey thought to Carson, but she let him slip from her mind. This wasn’t about him. This was about Ezzie and Ethan. And Amber?

Casey eyed Ezzie. She believed what her friends said, but Ezzie could over-react, Casey remembered the day that Ezzie and Ethan broke-up the first time. It was pure crazy. “Ezzie are you sure he was flirting? I mean, I’m on your side, but there’s a different between flirting and talking. Ex: Despite what you may think, me and Carson talk. We do not flirt.” She smiled a tad at the end and then looked to Ezzie. Why couldn’t Ezzie and Ethan stay together? Something about them seemed perfect. Casey just didn’t know what it was yet. “Okay, wait. Was he going out with this muggle when you guys were broken-up or when you were dating? If he dated her while you were with him, I’ll put a hex on him.” Casey said defensively. Casey was being level-headed about this. She usually was very determined and stubborn, but lately she had been better about that. “I can’t believe he told his secret..” Casey muttered. She had never told a muggle that she was a witch and not many people knew that she was Eden Sweden. It was just one of those things she wanted to keep to herself. It just was. Casey smiled a tad. “You don’t need him right now Ez.” Casey told her friend. Still, Casey felt like one day Ezzie would need Ethan.

“Don’t cry.” Casey said walking to Ezzie. Maybe, she should have been more supportive. But, she had to wonder if all of this was real. True, Ethan had a bit of a flirty-boy reputation, but Casey would like to think that he had changed since Ezzie. Maybe he had. Casey eyed Ezzie. “You should face him and I’m not dying to see Carson.” She nearly screamed. “He’s just a friend. I can have friend boys, I can.” She smiled a bit at her words. “Ready?” Casey asked as she headed for the door so that they could go to the Great Hall. Ezzie needed to face Ethan. She did.

[Esmeralda Mendez]

Ezzie laughed at Casey’s awkward attitude towards any mention of Carson McGreggor. The poor girl was determined to make herself believe that she didn’t like him, when everyone who had seen them around each other could quite obviously tell that they did. The two were perfect for each other, and if her relationships couldn’t be worked out, she had to make certain her friend’s relationship would. Someone had to be happy throughout all this mess of rumors, lies and secret relationships. If Ezzie herself couldn’t be happy with her life, she had to make sure her friends weren’t brought down with Ezzie and tangled up in the mess she was in. Things had to be better for Casey, and Ezzie knew from the bottom of her heart that Carson could do that for her. Carson was nothing like Ethan, no matter what most people said. He was much more down to earth and definitely much more mature. He could handle things like a steady relationship. He had goals and talent, unlike Ethan who only had money. Sure Ethan was nice, funny, attractive, and could skateboard better than most, but he was still the biggest most conceited jerk that ever walked the face of the earth. She knew that if Ethan became any more full of himself, he would explode in a mess of conceited and self centered pieces. Carson was different though, even though he would never admit it (and it’s never been put to the test) Carson knows how to treat a girl…unlike his friends. Ezzie would go out with him herself if it wasn’t for the fact that he was perfect for Casey. Casey refused to believe it, but Ezzie was doing this for Casey, not just for her own simple pleasure of teasing her about her single status…even though that was fun too.

Ezzie smiled as Casey told her about her evening with Carson. They had gone out to the lake to go swimming. That seemed so much like Casey. She was such an out doorsy kind of girl. Somehow though, she just didn’t think the night was as cool and casual as Casey tried to make it seem. There was more behind this story, and Ezzie made it one of her priorities to find out what had really happened there…but that would be later. For now, Ezzie had other things on her mind…like how she was going to get rid of all that fat. She simply shrugged off the thought as Casey glanced back out the window again…so that was why Casey kept glancing out at the Black Lake. Ezzie repressed a giggle as Casey turned around to prod questions at Ezzie about her break-up. She knew Casey was just curious, or else she would feel extremely irritated at all the questions she was shooting at her.

“Well, he was writing that muggle girl while we were dating and he did in fact tell her his secret. I can’t believe that guy. I don’t know where he gets off thinking he owns the castle. Just because he could probably afford it doesn’t mean he actually owns it. And trust me, it wasn’t just talking…and by the way, you and Carson may talk, but you flirt as well.” She smiled a bit and began to explain before Casey could interrupt. “Now I don’t mean the obvious flirting that Ethan’s got going on with every girl on the earth, but I mean the subtle non-verbal kind. The funny part is you guys don’t even know you’re doing it…But I’ll leave the subject to rest.” She said, throwing her hands up in the air as a sign of surrender. She got up and wiped the small tear from her eye. “Let’s go. I’m hungry.” It was true, Ezzie was hungry, but she didn’t want to eat. Just the thought of seeing Ethan again made her want to throw up. Then the thought came to her. She could throw up everything she ate. If she really ate a lot, she could simply venture off to an empty bathroom and make herself throw it all up later. It would be like she never ate at all. Ezzie smiled brightly. She had found the solution. Now she was ready to see Ethan again.