A Dream, a Song, and Some Awkward Moments: X Factor Fanfiction

Chapter 9: A Heartfelt Phone Call

A/N 

Hi!!! I really hope you like this chapter!  It's heartfelt and made me all sad and happy at the same time to write!

So I think for the next chapter, we're gonna need 2 VOTES.  THAT'S TWO VOTES.  I believe in your ability to click on a button that says "VOTE" guys.  You can do it.  I believe in you.

Have a fantastic day, and pretty soon I'll have another update! 

Thanks!!

Katie.  :-)

Interestingly enough, Chase and Arriana are locked in a kiss while they're sitting on Arriana's bed.  It doesn't really surprise me.  It was bound to happen, but I was gone for about two minutes.  When I left Arriana was out like a light.

I clear my throat loudly to make my presence known, and sure enough, an extremely startled Chase looks at me looking like a deer in the headlights.  I chuckle a bit, but at the same time I try to keep a straight face.  It doesn't work very well, and soon I feel a huge grin growing across my face. 

At this point, the intoxicated version of Arriana has fallen back to sleep, and Chase's face reddens.  He looks nervous as he runs a hand through his hair and says tentatively, "I'll... ummm... just be going then."

He gets up from Arriana's bed and begins walking to the door.  Before he walks out though, he turns on his heel and goes to cover up Arriana with a blanket and take off her shoes.  In my mind I am dying of adorableness.  He smiles at her a bit, and then he makes his way out again, waving a quick goodbye to me at the door.  I follow him to close the door behind him, and when he's walking down the hallway, I call out:

"Night, Chase!" I had no idea it was possible for someone's face to get that red, but his did.  He looked at me and waved shyly as I laughed.  I close the door behind me, and the rest of my evening consists of showering and sleeping. I want to be as awake as possible for tomorrow, and it's going on two in the morning when I finally crawl into  bed and switch off the light.

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When I wake up, It's only about eight, but my phone keeps ringing over and over. I try to ignore it, but the tone incessantly sounds, giving me no choice but to pick it up.  I answer groggily, "Hello?"

"Cassie!!!!!!!" I hear through the phone. 

"Aaron!" I whisper-shout, as Arriana's still fast asleep.  "How are you?"  I don't think I've heard my big brother's voice in over a month. I've missed him terribly.

"I'm pretty good. I had an odd fifteen minutes this morning so I thought I'd give you a call.  I miss my Cassie."

"I miss you too, Aaron."

"Did I wake you up?" He asks me.

"Yeah," I sigh, longing for that extra half hour of sleep that he interrupted.  This is better though.  It's nice to hear his voice.

"Good."

"Good!? What do you mean, 'Good?'"

"I mean good. As in, 'I'm you're older brother and I love bothering you' 'Good'"

"You're such a freaking dork," I say, but I'm still smiling, completely caught off guard with this call.

"So how's the competition going? I called Mom last night and she told me everything you told her.  Met anyone? Any guys I need to beat up with my military strength?"

"Idiot. And yeah, everyone's nice for the most part." My mind goes to Macy, and then I add, "But some people definitely act like they have something up their butt, so they're not to amiable."

"I bet."

I go on to tell him about my song choices and how worried I am about the competition.  I mull over whether or not to tell him about Nate's little escapade with Melanie for a moment, but then I decide to tell him, because getting another opinion would be beneficial.

"That dick!" I can hear him shout on his end of the line.  I hear a couple voices around him asking what's wrong, but he just waves them off.  "When I get back home I'm gonna beat the absolute shit outta him. God..."

This is what I love about my brother. He's always been my protector.  Being 4 years older than me made him very protective. At times overprotective, but I knew it was all out of love.  I always loved that we weren't the typical siblings. He was always my protector and my best friend rather than a rival whom I hated.  We're still that way, even though I haven't actually been in his company since last Christmas. 

"Maybe you should, Aaron. I would love to see that. Actually, Bobby actually got a few good punches in first, though."

"Jen's Bobby?"

"Yup"

"Always liked that kid."

We both laugh for a moment, but then the conversation takes a serious turn.

"Cassie?"

"Yeah?"

"I just wanna let you know... My job is risky, and you know that..."

I can see where this is going, but I don't say anything. I swallow down a lump that's forming in my throat.

He continues, "It's risky, and there's always a chance that something could happen to me... and I just want you to keep following your dream. This competition. Anything in the future, just keep going, whether I'm there or not, okay?  My dream is to serve the country and do some dangerous shit. I'm living it. And you need to live yours too okay?"

At this point, some tears have pooled in my eyes. I swipe them away quickly, and say, "Okay Aaron.  I will. No matter what."

"You promise?"

"I promise, dork." we both chuckle a bit, both a little off kilter fromt he serious turn this conversation has taken. 

I hear someone talking in the background, and then Aaron tells me, "I've gotta go, Cassie.  Send me a letter about everything that happens, okay? I want to know everything.  Good luck today, Cass."

"Thanks, Aaron. I love you so much."

"I love you so much too, Cassie. Tell Mom and Dad and everyone I say 'Hi' . So long!" He says before the line is cut off.  I set my phone down on the bedside table and fall back into my bed.  I wipe away the other tears that have escaped and let out a sigh. 

I need to get this dream on the road.