CHAPTER TWO
after party

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July 28th, 2022.

The after party had been fine so far, though it was very late. It was one in the morning and normally Cassie didn't like parties, but she had enjoyed herself at this one. She had been hanging out with Chandler for the most of the time. Which she didn't mind, she had been nice to her. Cassie was laying on the coach, as Chandler mumbled out another joke.

Though Cassie didn't laugh, it just kinda confused her. "What, not gonna laugh this time?" She looked over to see Chandler sitting up from her chair, she was giving her a look one that did make her laugh. Cassie sat up from the coach so she wasn't laying down. "No..." She chuckled as she took a sip of her drink to which Chandler rolled her eyes at.

"What, are you taking offense to that?" Cassie asked, titling her head. She placed her cop down as she looked to Chandler fully. "Yeah, full offense. You should apologize." Even though she said that, she really didn't sound serious. Plus, the look on her face told she wasn't actually hurt. "And how should I do that?"

She leaned forward, she thought Chandler was pretty from the start but now that she was so close... she realized so many things. She noticed how her eyes sparkled in the light, how Chandler's lips twitched up into a smile. Cassie noticed so much. Her eyes darted down to her lips before looking back up into her eyes. "Cassie..." Chandler mumbled to which made her title her head. "You're really pretty," she mumbled back, looking her in the eyes before her eyes went back to her lips.

"Is this okay?" She asked as she leaned forward, inches away from her. Chandler nodded, confirming she could. So, she did just that and kissed her. She felt Chandler rest her hand behind her neck, but than a voice was heard. "Cassie, your dad is calling!" The sound of Zaria yelling was heard which made the two quickly separate. Cassie cleared her throat, noticing how awkward it was now.

Then Zaria came into the room. "There you are. I've been looking everywhere for you!" Cassie rolled her eyes slightly, annoyed that she was intrutupped. "What did you need, Zaria?" She asked as she got up from the couch. "Your mom called, she said you weren't answering your phone and that she needs you to call her back." That made her slightly confused. Her das didn't usually call, she texted.

"Yeah, um, my phones dead... Is everything okay?" She asked, worry taking over as she forgot the moment that happened earlier. "I'm sure everything's fine, okay? Just give him a call back." Zaria had a small frown on her face, handing the phone to Cassie and walked out. She looked down for a second before grabbing her stuff and putting her jacket back on. "Cassie? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have—" She heard Chandler, remembering she was there.

"It's really fine but I um, I have to go, Chandler. I'm sorry." She mumbled and quickly walked out before Chandler could answer.

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She had found an extra room to call her dad. Cassie had locked the door just to make sure no one was to walk in. She quickly dialed her dad's number and held the phone to her ear as it ranged. "Casey?" As soon as she heard her dad use the nickname she was given as a kid, she knew something was wrong.

"Dad? Dad, what's wrong?" Her voice was panicked now and she started walking around the room, scared. "Something happened it's... your mom– she relapsed and–" Her heart dropped at that. There's no way that was actually true. Her mom had been fine, she'd been fine for years. So how did this happen?

She was quiet. She heard noise from her fathers line. "I don't– she said she was fine, dad... How is this possible?" Cassandra's hands were shaking, she couldn't do this now. "I don't know, sweetie... I'm so sorry but it's gonna be okay, she's back in rehab and– we're gonna be okay." 

She didn't know what to say. How could he be so sure? He said this when everything started and here he was saying it again. She shook her head when feeling a tear run down her cheek. "I have to go, dad..." Cassie mumbled before quickly hanging up.

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@chandlerkinney has
started following @cassiesantos !

@chandlerkinney
is everything okay?
i was gonna ask but you left
before i could and so then
i was gonna text but i don't
have your number.... so, i
thought here would be best!

@cassiesantos
is typing...
has stopped typing...

@chandlerkinney
cassie?

@cassiesantos
sorry it's just
kinda personal

@chandlerkinney
it's fine!
but do you wanna
talk about it?

@cassiesantos
not really

@chandlerkinney
that's okay, you
don't have too

@cassiesantos
i'm sorry for running
off after what
happened too...

@chandlerkinney
it's probably a good thing
it stopped when it did?

@cassiesantos
it is?

@chandlerkinney
we just met, cassie!
if anything were to
happen between us....
i would at least
like a date first

@cassiesantos
are you asking me out?

@chandlerkinney
i'm actually telling you
to ask me out.

@cassiesantos
would you wanna
go out for dinner...

@chandlerkinney
yes!

@cassiesantos
great, i'll pick you up
tomorrow at 8?

@chandlerkinney
sounds perfect

@cassiesantos has followed @chandlerkinney back !

____________________

She couldn't stop thinking of Chandler. It'd only been a couple hours since she asked her out but still... she already missed her. There was just something about her that captured Cassie. Then she remembered how she really didn't know much about Chandler besides the things Chandler said and Zaria said. She was right, them going out and getting to know more about each other was a good thing.

Then she also remembered she was gonna need an outfit for tomorrow, but there was everything with her family. She needed to take to her family more about this but she was in a good mood and she really didn't wanna ruin that. She was tired of wasting her time over them. So, she found herself pushing that away and then going to call a friend.

"Hey um, I have a date tomorrow and need help picking an outfit."

____________________

authors notes—
So.... family information on cassie.. and i wonder who she called! ALSO I KNOW IT HAPPENED A BIT QUICKLY BUT it kinds adds to the reason they go to shit...