Don't Call Me Cat!

Chapter 17: Jared and Cassie

Hi everyone. It's Friday - and considering yesterday I thought it was Wednesday, it's a miracle I've reached the end of the week with my mind intact. I hope you're managing to keep on top of this story as it swings back and forth between two different storylines. I haven't made it easy either by writing Catherine in the first person and Cassie in the third person. And speaking of Cassie, she's back... so find out what happened after the audition with Jared! Have a great weekend and I hope you enjoy this latest chapter xxx

Cassie's phone vibrated in her pocket but she chose to ignore it. She was downtown with a group of friends, playing catch-up on gossip, fashion, relationships, and all things in between.

The coffee shop was packed and buzzing, even though it was early evening.

She sat with hands laced around her latte, enjoying the laughter and raised voices of her old high school mates. Over the years they'd shared everything: the heartbreak of relationships, teenage crushes, even the thrill of making out with some hot guy at a weekend party.

They had no secrets.

But there was no way Cassie was telling them about the audition and meeting Jared. She knew it would be the hot topic and that her friends' raised voices would end up broadcasting the details to surrounding tables.

No. This was strictly off-limits. Instead, she played the part of the listener to her friends' hilarious stories of romantic fuck-ups and alcohol-fuelled parties.

"So how's your acting going Cass?"  Leya had been her closest friend growing up and could tell when things were a bit off. She'd kept her voice low, not wanting to engage anyone else in this conversation. "You've been really quiet. What's the matter?"

Cassie loved their friendship because even when they were parted for weeks and sometimes months, they had each other's backs and instinctively knew when something wasn't quite right. And Leya had just called her on it.

"It's an audition I had the other day. It freaked me out a bit," Cassie admitted, not wanting to go into too much detail. But she should have guessed that the words 'freaked me out' would prompt an endless shit storm of questions from her bestie. And she wasn't wrong.

"I can't talk about it here Ley. Keep your voice down," she urged, promising to tell all when the two of them were alone.

Leya wrinkled her nose, knowing immediately that Cassie needed to talk but in private away from the madding crowds of the coffee house.

"OK, how about a girlie date night? Come over my place on Saturday. My parents are out and we'll have the place to ourselves."

"Sounds good. But please don't mention this audition!" Cassie made her promise she wouldn't say a word, even though she hadn't even told Leya any of the details. But she still didn't want anyone to think it was worth talking about.

"Anyway Ley-Ley," (that had always been Cassie's pet name for her) "I have to go now. I promised mom I wouldn't be home too late tonight." They hugged and said their goodbyes, promising to meet up on the weekend.

****

"Cassie!" 

Karen was yelling from the kitchen as her daughter opened the door. "Do you need food or have you eaten?"

"I'm OK. I'll grab something later if I'm hungry." 

Cassie dumped her bag on a chair and hugged her mom from behind.

"Did you and girls have a nice time then?" Karen turned around and kissed Cassie's cheek before carrying on prepping dinner.

"Yeah, it was great. What are you cooking?"