⎯⎯ 𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

( 𝗅𝗎𝖼𝖺𝗌 , 𝖼𝖺𝗌𝗌𝗂𝖾 )

𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗲
where are u? i called thrice

𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘀
i'm out on a run

𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗲
couldn't pick up my calls?

𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘀
wasn't in the mood, i'd see u at
home anyway

𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗲
what if someone DIED, lucas.

𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗲
grow tf up

𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘀
ok

𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗲
get back by 10 i need to talk to
all of u

𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘀
k

𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗲
bitch

𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘀
not doing this today 🙏

𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗲
i hope u trip on ur laces

𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘀
thank u for all the love, will see
u at home

𝕬s Cassie enters the living room, her little brother's gaze flits up to her and she outwardly grimaces seeing him reclining on the couch beside their father while still in his sweaty workout clothes and a glass of orange juice in his hand.

"Gross", she examines his sweaty frame with a scowl and he sighs boredly.

"Mom wouldn't let me shower without drinking this", he gestures to the orange juice.

"It's fresh, mi cariño! You want some?", comes her mother's voice from the open plan kitchen and she quickly shakes her head, settling on the one-seater opposite the sofa her father and brother are occupying.

Cassie clears her throat, Lucas staring at her in amusement but she chooses to ignore him because this is important.

"I actually need to talk to you guys. Mom, can you get over here?".

"One minute!". her mom replies and she turns her attention to her silent father who still hasn't acknowledged anyone and is busy eyeing the newspaper in his grasp.

"Dad, can you put that down for a second?".

He looks over the frame of his glasses and upon realising that she's serious, releases an exasperated sigh placing the newspaper aside.

Adriana comes shuffling in, wiping her wet hands on the apron and perches on the arm of Lucas' side of the couch, waiting for her daughter to elaborate.

With all her family's eyes hot on her nervous expression, Cassie coughs into a fist and holds her hands together in her lap.

"I have an important announcement. But before I tell you what it is, I need you two", she glances at her parents, "to keep in mind that I am an independent adult and nothing you do or say will influence my life ever again".

"What did you do?", her mother leans forward in concern making Cassie huff.

"Nothing bad, promise. Nothing damaging to your reputation either, don't worry. I am . . . . making a change. I'm moving to Vancouver".

The only sound in the room is that of Lucas loudly sipping the juice as if in effort to dispel the sudden silence of the house.

"Vancouver?", Raul speaks for the first since she entered the room.

"Yes", she flicks a glance at Adriana's confused expression, "LA's just not for me anymore and when there was an opening at the Vancouver office, I applied and they sent me an offer a while back. I've finally made my decision to go".

"You never told us", her mom exhales in a tone that suggests she might be feeling a tiny bit betrayed.

Well, that isn't surprising.

"I didn't want to say anything until I'd decided on what I want to do".

"We could've helped".

"I didn't want the help, this was solely up for me to think and choose".

Her mother blinks, leaning back and looking down at Lucas who is contentedly staring into his now empty glass.

"You knew, didn't you?", she directs to her son and he shrugs.

"Wasn't my secret to tell".

"And there's another thing", Cassie jumps in before either of her parents could start overreacting, "I don't know the city that well right now, don't even have an apartment so Quinn has offered to let me room with him until I get everything sorted. He has an extra bedroom and his apartment complex has high-level security".

"Quinn? You'll live with Quinn?", her father blinks, "I could've helped, Cassie. Flown out there, met people I know and get an apartment and stuff. I can still do it, you know".

See, that's the thing about her dad. He can be very useful at times but it always comes with a cost, usually at the cost of her sanity. 

And does she want her parents meddling in this one big thing that she's decided for herself and is now ready to change her life for the better by also letting them know that she has absolutely no interest in their overbearing "help" anymore? At least not until she feels secure enough that their opinions and judgements would not make her want to rip her hair out?

"No, it's okay. I've got it all under control. You don't need to worry about it".

He looks skeptical but Adriana interrupts him.

"Well, at least you'll be closer to home".

There it is.

God.

Cassie plasters on a tight smile, "That too".

"You need to invite Quinn to dinner tomorrow night, I need to thank him".

"Mom, that is not at all—".

"Actually, yes. I do have some things to talk to him about, would be nice to see him after so long", her dad states turning to her mother, "When was the last time we saw him? Christmas, was it?".

Her mom nods, "He came buy with that pie Ellen sent, poor boy's been working so hard. We watch most of his games, y'know", the last bit of the sentence is said to Cassie who only hums in response.

Raul turns to his daughter, nodding in appreciation. 

"Invite Quinn".

Cassie purses her lips.

"Okay".

***
jack & quinn being confirmed for the four nations roster is giving me life