Tangled Fates

chapter eight.

C A S S I A

"Okay guys don't be mad, but I didn't come down for lunch because I was on the football field with Zaire." She puts her hair in a ponytail, leaving the front pieces out. "What?" I look up from my English homework and grab my phone to put my face closer to the camera. "Why are you just now saying something? I'm surprised you didn't tell us sooner." I say, putting my phone back down and picking my pencil up.

"The hell were y'all doing anyway? Cass for number 1, I got B." Soleil turns her paper towards the camera and I nod, looking over the question.

"Literally nothing, he was showing me how to throw a football which I obviously didn't care about..." She twirls her hair on her finger and I laugh.

"Cassia!" My mother calls me from downstairs.

"Coming!" I put my work down, and let my friends know I'll be right back. I walk down the stairs and I see Mr. and Mrs. Garcia. I instantly smile and go to hug them. Lorenzo is there too, but he's too busy on his phone. We talk briefly while they tell me about a celebratory event we'll be attending, my parents co-hosting. "That's amazing, Mr. Garcia. Congratulations."

"Thank you, my dear." I glance at Lorenzo and my eyes travel to his biceps. He's wearing a sleeveless jersey blue t-shirt with the number 22, stained with grass and dirt. It seems as if he's just returned from football considering the clothes. He goes through his hair a few times before he catches my gaze. Embarrassed, I avert my gaze to the kitchen counter which seems very interesting at the moment.

"Since Fresno is not too far from here, we'll be driving." My mom goes up to Mrs. Garcia and hands her a bottle of water and she thanks her. "What day are we leaving?" I say as I sit down on the couch next to my father. "Thursday, and the ceremony starts on Friday." My father puts his arm over my shoulder and further explains what else is happening. I listen, curious to hear more about it. "Oh, honey what about the Mercedes? Did you take it to Adam's yet?"

"Not yet, I'm going to get it tuned tomorrow." My dad replies, looking at his watch.

"What's wrong with it?" I ask. "That's the car we'll be taking, so I have to make sure everything is fine." My father says as he turns to me.

"What do you mean, that car only has two seats?" I sit up, confused. Where am I going to sit?

"I'm aware. You and Lorenzo will be going together." I scrunch my face up, and I look towards Lorenzo. Sharing the same face, he looks at his father. "What?' He laughs and looks at his parents.

"Pa, am I not going with you guys?" He puts his phone away and turns towards them. "Oh, we didn't tell you? We have to leave a bit earlier due to setting up the villa and making sure everything is alright, we don't want to stress you guys out with that. Cass, you'll be riding with Lorenzo and you guys can take whatever car you want." His mom adds on. I watch him as his jaw tenses, and he stops chewing the gum in his mouth.

I had to stop myself from ripping my hair out. I don't understand. Why am I in this position? I know I can never fully outrun him because of how close our families are, but it literally doesn't matter what I do. Whether I avoid his friends in school, or not sit anywhere near him in class he will always just find a way to pop up. Even his girlfriend. Whenever I see her face, it just reminds me of him. I can't even control it - an image of his face just pops up in my head. I don't think I can use the word hate anymore. Something stronger would suit my feelings towards him best.

"What?" I stand up, looking at my parents. Who came up with this stupid plan anyway? "That can't be possible. Let's be real, Do you really think he has the patience to drive us 5 hours to Fresno? I think it'll be in everyone's interests to go with our respective families." I say, looking at him and rolling my eyes. There's no way.