Half a World Away

24 - Cassidy

Silence.

It was so strong and loud it was deafening. A single tear rolled down Cassidy's cheek, which she wiped away quickly.

The morning dragged on slowly. Cassidy lay in bed watching her phone. Dean left for work and Jasmine returned ready for the beach.

"Are you still in bed?" Jasmine interrogated Cassidy with hands on her hips as she stood in the doorway.

Cassidy rolled over and just looked at her friend glumly. She didn't feel like talking or dignifying it with a response.

"You can't wait around all day for him to reply," Jasmine explained, "Let's go to the beach and relax.

Cassidy moved to sit on the edge of her bed and let out a sigh.

"I can't go out there," Cassidy exclaimed bewildered by Jasmine's suggestion, "What if there's photographers out there waiting to take a photo of me again doing something stupid?"

"You won't do anything stupid," Jasmine stated to placate her. "What's really worrying you?" Jasmine sat down beside Cassidy.

Cassidy's phone started to ring, looking down at the device in her hand she saw Paul's name flash on the screen. She rejected the call, the last thing she wanted right then was to talk to her brother, who had probably seen the news by now.

With a deep breath Cassidy attempted to explain her feelings, "I feel as though I'm torn between two different guys, who are the same person. One I have had months of talking to, getting to know him on a personal level, someone I really felt I could start something with. The other is talented, kind and good looking but is very much in the public eye, my private life would never be private."

Cassidy's phone sprung to life once more. She rejected the call again.

"Your private life would only be as public as you want it to be," Jasmine interjected, "Many celebrities have successful private lives away from prying eyes."

"I'm not even in a relationship with him and in less than twenty-four hours I've been in the news twice," Cassidy rebutted.

Again, Paul interrupted her thoughts by ringing Cassidy. This time she answered.

"What Paul?"

"Cass," Paul's voice was etched with concern, "It's Dad. He's in the hospital. They think he had a heart attack."

The phone clattered to the floor as Cassidy felt a wave of terror flood over her.

Not caring who saw her, Cassidy gathered her phone, keys and purse and rushed out to her car, leaving Jasmine behind at the unit. Trying her hardest to not break any speed limits, but also driving as fast as she could, Cassidy rushed to the hospital to join her family.

Jogging through the corridors of the hospital, she saw Paul slouched on a waiting room chair as she approached the ward her father was in.

"Where is he?" Cassidy asked breathlessly, coming to a stop in front of her brother.

"He's in with the doctors," Paul explained, "Mum's in there too."

"What happened?"

"He was getting breakfast when it happened, Mum called an ambulance, one of the neighbours rang me," Paul recapped the morning's events.

"Why didn't you call me sooner?" Cassidy complained, she may not enjoy Sunday night dinners, but that did not mean she loved her family any less. She still cared greatly for them and the fear of losing her father knotted in her stomach.

"We've been a little busy," Paul argued standing up to face her, "And from what I've read online, you've been a little busy yourself."

"Shut up," Cassidy spat in defence, "You don't know what you're talking about."