✓ | FLARE, warren peace

chapter ten

Over the course of a few weeks, things naturally progressed between Warren and Cassidy. They had eventually made their relationship official, finding that the transition was almost seamless. The dynamic between them mirrored their friendship, with the added benefits of something more.

At school, Warren and Cassidy maintained a subtle display of affection. They often interlaced their legs under the tables in the cafeteria and leaned against each other when reading books outside after finishing lunch. They found contentment in the moderate level of public display, eschewing more overt gestures like holding hands or kissing excessively, preferring instead to avoid drawing unnecessary attention from others.

Warren and Cassidy kept their intimate moments between themselves, and it suited them just fine. The rest of their freshman year had unfolded as they had anticipated. The taunts and sideways glances from their peers had stopped entirely. However, a faint sense of trepidation still lingered, but they felt confident in their ability to handle any situation.

During summer vacation, Cassidy found herself working alongside Warren at the Paper Lantern. Although her grandmother had initially objected to the idea, Warren and Cassidy managed to persuade her that it was a step toward becoming more independent. Eventually, her grandmother accepted their argument, and the couple reveled in the opportunity to spend even more time together.

Cassidy's new job at the Paper Lantern became possible because Warren's aunt, Jubilee, recognized her knack for conversation. Jubilee believed that Cassidy would excel in customer service, and her prediction turned out to be spot on.

Warren often teased Cassidy about her ability to charm everyone they met, jokingly expressing concern that someone might steal her away. But for Cassidy, working alongside Warren fulfilled a missing piece in her heart. The void left by her parents slowly started to fade as she found happiness and a sense of belonging with him.

But her blissful moment was shattered abruptly when her grandmother approached her with unexpected news.

Sitting nervously in front of her grandmother, Cassidy fidgeted with her thumbs and bit her lip anxiously, sensing that something significant was about to be shared.

The atmosphere thickened as her grandmother spoke, her voice laced with a mix of sadness and resignation. "Cassidy," she began, her words hanging heavy in the air, "there's so much I wish I could have done, but this may just be the extent of what I can."

Cassidy fought back the tears, trying valiantly to keep her emotions in check and hold herself together. Though the news was sudden, she had a nagging feeling that her grandmother had been aware of it for quite a while. But the reality of the news was bittersweet for her. Despite being good news to most, to her, they were still the only parents she had.

Cassidy's voice trembled as she responded, her words reflecting a mixture of resignation and lingering hope, "I suppose, deep down, I always knew this would come to pass. But a piece of me still wished they would change, Nana."

Fiona gazed at the lone photograph of her son and daughter-in-law, a remnant from happier times before their descent into moral decay. The image captured a joyous moment when they discovered they were expecting Cassidy. "Sometimes," Fiona murmured, her voice tinged with a hint of wisdom, "no matter how much time passes or how much we hope, some things simply remain unchangeable."

Cassidy leaned back against the chair, closing her eyes as a wave of sadness washed over her. Just a week ago, her summer vacation had been filled with joy, but news of her parents' fate had now cast a shadow over it.

With her parents locked away in a maximum-security facility, Cassidy realized she would never be able to visit them, and her grandmother had been barred from doing so as well. Though she had never sought them out before, she had harbored a faint hope that once she graduated she might have the opportunity to see them. Now, that possibility was shattered, leaving her feeling a profound sense of emptiness.

When she mustered the courage to share the news with Warren, he did exactly what she desperately needed. He wrapped his arms around her and let her tears flow, offering silent comfort and understanding.

Warren stood by Cassidy, providing unwavering emotional support as she cried. He held her tightly, not trying to find words to ease her pain, but simply allowing her to express her emotions without judgment.

He knew that words couldn't erase the pain, but his presence and silent embrace spoke volumes. In that moment, Warren became Cassidy's rock, a pillar of strength amidst the storm of emotions she was facing.