Someone Different || Post Malone

18

After stepping out, Cassidy realized she had taken a 25 minute shower. The water was just starting to get cold as she finished up. Most of it was her just standing under the hot water with her eyes closed.

She couldn't get the image of her mother laying in the hospital bed out of her mind. She had only hoped that Brandon didn't resent her for not getting to see her as well. They hadn't really talked much about .. it.

She got dressed in some leggings and noticed that Kelsey grabbed Austin's Metallica shirt that he'd lent her months ago now. She smiled as she grabbed it and threw it on before walking downstairs. She heard some hushed speaking, but didn't think anything of it assuming Kelsey was possibly on the phone.

She turned the corner into the kitchen and burst into tears as she saw Austin leaning against the counter.

"Hey. Hey, I'm here." He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and let her catch her breath."

"I'm so glad you're here. I'm so sorry i didn't call .. or anything!"

"Woah. Stop. That doesn't matter. Kelsey called me. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. Dre already made the call to cancel the last week of shows. This was way more important.. he wanted me to tell you that you can call him for anything.. Alex too. He wanted to be here, but I told him I needed to go alone." Austin spoke softly.

"God." She exhaled as she stepped back. "I don't even know what to do. You guys are the best. And you.. I love you so much." She looked through heavy lashes.

"I love you too babygirl. I'm not going anywhere. I'm here to help."

Cassidy called for Brandon to come upstairs, thinking that Austin would raise his spirits a bit. He walked into the kitchen and smiled.

"Hey man." Austin spoke first and pulled Brandon into a giant hug. "I'm not kidding, if either of you need anything please tell me." He pulled away and Brandon nodded his head.

"Thanks man. I'm glad you're here."

"Me too." Austin smiled.

x

Later that afternoon, Cassidy's Aunt Maggie and grandmother on her mothers side came to the house. They came to help make arrangements, sort things out with the lawyer, and figure out where to go from here.

While this was happening, Austin was by Cassidys side. And when she needed some space, he would give it to her. He would go outside to smoke and play around on his phone, or he'd go find Brandon and they would play call of duty together. Austin had really grown to care for Brandon like his own little brother. The whole situation killed him. Brandon was so young. He didn't deserve to go through something like this.

It was about 4:30 when the women had finally felt like they made a dent into everything needed. They made an appointment with a funeral home, they got in touch with her lawyer. And the only real thing they needed to talk about was Brandon.

"So Cassidy, I have been thinking. I'd love for Brandon to come live with me.." Aunt Maggie spoke up.

This took Cassidy by surprise. She didn't want Brandon to live with anyone else. She didn't want him to feel like he was being pulled away from his family.

"Oh. Uh, I honestly haven't put much thought into it just yet. But I'm not opposed to letting him live with me and Kelsey. We can transfer him to a school in the area." Cassidy began to bounce her knee as she sat on the couch next to Austin. He just has noticed because he placed his and on her leg and gave a gentle squeeze.

"Well you girls are so busy. I just thought-" Cassidy was getting really agitated.

"Aunt Maggie, i appreciate it but I would feel better with him living with me.. he's only got one year left. I already promised him that he's not going anywhere and I'm Sorry but I know that's what my mother would want as well." Cassidy exhaled, not realizing she was holding her breath.

Her aunt didn't say much after that. She quickly changed the subject and went over the plans for the service and the rest of the week.

She leaned against the door after watching them leave and closed her eyes. Austin chuckled as he walked up to her and placed a hand on her cheek.

"You're doing a great job babygirl. I want you to know that." He smiled.

"Thanks." She sighed. "Lets go sit down. I wanna talk to you about something.." they found their previous seats in the living room.

"So, before this happened, Kelsey has been bragging about moving to LA with Eric once tour was over. She'd been trying to convince me to get my own place out there and maybe start my own shop or something." Austin didn't say anything, but Cassidy could see the excitement in his eyes.

"Wait. Are you moving to LA?"

"I think so. Well. I'll have to Brandon too, but I think he would be up for a change in scenery."

"Move in with me." Austin blurted out.

"Aust. What? No! I have Brandon."

"So! I have plenty of space. Look, I love that kid like he's my own brother Cass. He's a great kid. Hell text me randomly and we just talk and shoot the shit.." he sat up and grabbed her hand. "I'm serious babe. I was going to ask you once tour was over too.. the distance was killing me. I miss you." He placed a kiss on her cheek.

"Okay. Call Brandon. Let's tell him." Austin opened the door to the basement and called him upstairs.

"Hey dude come here." Austin motioned him over.

"Okay. With everything going on. I think it's safe to say we need to get out of here yea?" Cassidy spoke up.

"Yeah. Moving is gonna suck. All our memories are here. But I agree." Brandon looked around the living room.

"Okay. Well. How would you feel about moving to LA. With Austin?"

"Really?? What about school??" They could tell Brandon was already excited.

"You can finish senior year out there. Once everything is finalized here, we'll sell the house and we can move in."

"I'm in!" This was the happiest Brandon had looked in days. He got up and went back down to his room and Cassidy just looked at Austin.

"Thank you."

"Nonsense." He pulled Cassidy close and placed a kiss on her forehead.