Together Again

2

Cassie's POV

Two weeks after our anniversary, Richard and I decided to go out for a formal dinner. Although he said it was for our anniversary, I knew that is was just a distraction from his home life. His mother had been officially home for a month, nobody knew why she was back.

I saw her once, meeting her for the first time. It was awkward, as she had answered the door when I went over to Richard's to pick something up. She was older, with dark curly hair that matched Richard's perfectly. She was taller and skinny. Before I could talk to her, Richard came down and gave me what I needed, not wanting me to talk to his mother.

For the past few weeks, Richard has done everything in his power to avoid conversations about his mother, and has tried to keep me away from his house. Normally, whenever his father was out, we would always be at his house. Although the Cobras have their own hangout, he rarely takes me around there, not wanting me to get involved with the gang.

Soon, I heard the doorbell ring. Why would he ring the doorbell? He only does it when he is upset. He could easily let himself since he has a key to my apartment. I open the door, surprised that is was not Richard, instead his mother stood before me.

"Hi Mrs. Chambers," I stutter, not knowing what to say. Richard never told me that I couldn't talk to her, but I didn't want to make him upset. "What are you doing here"

"I just wanted to get to know who my son has been dating for the past year. I didn't get the chance to talk to you the other day when you came by the house." She said in a sweet tone. "Do you mind if I come in?" She asked while walking in already.

"I guess, since you are already in my house." I mumbled to myself. I put my hands together, thinking of what to say next. "If you don't mind me asking, how did you find where I live?"

"Oh, Chris told me. I tried to ask Richard, but he wouldn't tell me. I guess he doesn't want me to meet you."

"So Richard doesn't know you're here?" I ask, knowing the answer. He would be here soon though to pick me up, and he will not be happy to see her.

"No, he doesn't, I don't think he would be happy to see me here."
"Yeah, about that. He is going to be here soon, we are going out to eat to celebrate our anniversary." I say, hoping to get her to leave.

"I guess I should be going then, but I would really like to get to know you. Richard really seems to like you. Even though I haven't seen him in six years, I know that he isn't one to settle down. There must be something different about you." She says while folding her hands together.

"Why are you back?" I ask bluntly. I didn't want to ask, but it just slipped out. She looks at me shocked, then shakes her head.

"Aren't you a little forward. You don't even know my name and you are already asking me why I came back to my family." She says while walking towards the window. "It's Lilly"

"So, since I know your name, can I know why you're here?"

She sighs and shakes her head, walking towards the door. She turns around. "Do you really want to know why I came back?"

I nod my head anxiously. Before she can answer, I hear the door being unlocked. The door swings open, and in walks Richard. I take a deep breath in, worried about what is about to happen.

"Cassie, are you... What are you doing here?" He asks while pointing at his mother. He looks at me confused and hurt, like I had betrayed him for having his mother here.

"I just wanted to talk to Cassie, and since you wouldn't let her come over to the house, I just went to her's." She looks back at me, and then to Richard again. "I guess I should let you guys have your alone time. I'll see you back at the house Richard." Lilly says while walking out the door.

We both watch as she walks out, closing the door behind her. I walk up to Richard, taking his hand. "Richard, I swear that I did not ask her over her, you heard her. She came over here on her own. I told her that she should go but she wouldn't. She kept talking about how she wanted to get to know me."

He lowers his head, not wanting to make eye contact with me. "What did you guys talk about?"

"What?"
"What did you guys talk about?"
"She just talked about how she wanted to get to know me, and that I had to mean something to you since you have been with me for so long."
"Is that it?" He asked, finally raising his head.

"Well, I may have asked why she was here." I say quietly.

He lets go of my hand and takes a step back. "Why would you do that? I know why she is back, she wants something." His voice is raised.

"It just slipped out. What if she just wants to have her family back. Richard, what if this is your chance to have a normal family?"
He shakes his head while pacing around. "Cassie, that's not it. You don't know how it was before she left. It was better when she was gone. Her being back is only going to make things worse."

I stand there in shock, not knowing what to say. "I'm sorry." That was the only thing I could think of to say. He looks at me, and I see the hurt in his eyes.

"I don't think we should go out tonight, Cas. I, I gotta go, okay? I'll talk to you later." He says while walking out the door.

I run my hands through my hair, sitting down on the couch. "What the hell just happen" I said to myself. Why was he so mad? I didn't ask her to come over, what was so bad about us meeting?

As I sat there thinking, a horrible thought came across my mind. What if this ruins our relationship?

What about us?