The Melancholy of Cassandra-Marie

(13)

 My feet are absolutely killing me. The music is too loud. My teammates are nowhere to be found in this mess of people.

I quickly make my way out of the townhouse's sitting area and to the coat room, trying not to groan in pain as my heels dig into the backs of my feet. I pull the door open and then shut it behind me, closing my eyes in hopes of shutting the cutting pain in my ankles out. My feet are swelling up, and I think it's safe to say that my legs have never hurt this much in my life.

"Well, fancy meeting you here." a smooth but familiar voice says. "It's been a while."

Angie Honorati stands before me, closing her signature red lipstick, and shutting the compact she was holding in the other hand. She places both into her Birkin, and gives me her full attention.

"How are you holding up?"

"I-I'm doing well." I stutter, moderately shocked that Louis' mother just appeared out of thin air. "How are you?"

"I couldn't ever complain." she laughs under her breath a little. There's a long pause between us. "How's the baby?"

"G-good." I stumble, trying to laugh a little because she's being casual. I pause. "A-are you mad?"

"It's your body. It's your choice, so there's no reason for me to be mad. If I feel anything about this, it's more just concern, honestly. I know you haven't disclosed how many weeks along you are, or who the child's father is, and that's fine, that's none of my business. How'd your father take it?"

"He... disowned me." I scratch the side of my neck, embarrassed.

"Oh, god. I am so sorry." Honorati says, not mentally present. She looks away, as if an idea suddenly came to her. "D-do you have a place to go?"

"I found a place in Greenwich, so not too far."

She just sighs, not sure what to say.

"You... you know my son's heart is broken, right? He's a wreck. I-I understand that your father wouldn't let you see him. He knows that too. We just... we don't understand why you haven't contacted us since then."

"I'm a mess, Angie. I'm just... such a, huge, disastrous mess. Y-your family and your son don't need someone like me in your life. It's better that I tackle all of this alone."

"It really isn't. When I was fourteen, my life got instantly better once I realized that I didn't have to deal with my problems by myself. So... please, just so you're aware, we still consider you a part of our family. I understand that your situation is tough, so do whatever you want to do. But know that we've been worried, and we care about your well-being."

"Thank you so, so much. I just can't put this burden on you. I've hurt your son enough."

"Well, alright then. But just remember what I've said. I care regardless of what you choose to do, or whether or not you are carrying my future grandchild." She picks up her Birkin and brushes back her hair. "I'm heading back out. Maybe I'll see you again. If I don't, then I wish the best to you."

The door shuts. I take off my shoes and start to pace in the closet, afraid that I've done or said something I shouldn't have. I look at my orange-haired, green-eyed reflection in the nearby mirror, and I see nothing looking back at me but a disappointment.