The moment she opened the door she was taken into a tight embrace and she could feel the calming fragrance of aunt Amelia wrap around her and for a while she allowed herself to soak in the fragrance and feel the motherly love.
"I am so sorry for your loss Cass" she exclaimed.
"Please come in aunt Amelia" she invited them in.
Lucas also wrapped his arms around her kissing her forehead.
"Cis" he mumbled in her hair. Lucas was in his 20s, In fact he had turned 20 only a few months ago and usually stayed at Boston, Lucas was also her childhood best friend and protector. He protected her like a big brother and when he was around he wouldn't let a single scratch come to her. Cassandra remember how much she had cried when Lucas left for Boston and how much she waited for the part of year when he would return back to Springfield.
She left his embrace and the three of them settled on the very couch she was sitting yesterday when she was told of the horrifying incidents of her current life.
"We are sorry for stopping by so early but me and Lucas were really worried about you. You refused to come home last night and we could not even think of how much pain you must be feeling being here alone. We even called you a couple of times last night but you did not pick up" Amelia ranted holding her in a loving embrace.
"I'm sorry for worrying you, I was asleep" she answered.
"You are not staying here anymore. I do not know what argument you put forward in front of mom that she agreed to let you stay last night but I am not allowing you to stay here another second." Lucas exclaimed angrily.
"I am fine Lucas" she answered.
"You are a terrible liar Cass! we both know that you did not even get an ounce of sleep last night. your eyes are bloody red and your nose looks like a tomato. you can pretend to be as strong as you want but you need to know that it's fine to feel grief especially after what you have gone through and I'm not going to allow you to stay here at this very place where you lost everything" Lucas answered.
"I'm not leaving this house especially when this is the very place covered with the memories of people I love the most and I have lost considering the fact that I do not even have long with this house" she answered.
"You two can have that argument later, right now we are going out for breakfast!" Amelia answered.
"I don't feel like it aunt Amelia!" Cassandra replied.
"That was not a question Cass! Go get ready" Amelia ordered.
********
The next 2 days passed in absolute blur and Cassandra didn't even realise when she found herself dressed in the black dress that did not even fit her well considering that it belonged to her mother, as the priest mumbled prayers praying for peace for her parents as they were shoved down the ground in a coffins.
She was standing there in Lucas embrace, Beside her who is Aunt Amelia, Uncle Miller, Amanda and Ethan. There was also one person that she wasn't very used to.
Her aunt Audrey.
Her aunt Audrey was a far cousin of her father, who lived in California. Cassandra only knew of her existence because there was a photograph in her bedroom where the two of them were standing on a beach. Cassandra barely a toddler as aunt Audrey held her in her arms smiling at her.
She had remembered her father mentioning her aunt on a few occasions, Apparently aunt Audrey's husband suffered from a deadly disease because of which he was always in the hospital bed and since they stayed at California and Audrey had to pay a huge amount to pay his medical bills, she hadn't visited them in last 16 years.
Cassandra didn't even had the courage to ask her how she had managed to drop by this time but maybe visiting someone when they were alive and visiting someone when they were buried in a coffin were two completely different scenarios.
She had dropped by next day after her parents death.
Audrey had very politely declined to say at the mansion with her and was staying at the hotel.
Once the rituals were done, Amanda and Ethan left for their own houses but not before giving her a kiss and asking her to be strong.
She got into Uncle Miller's car and they drove to his house with aunt Audrey.
All of them are settled on Uncle Millers couch quietly as Uncle Miller bought glasses filled with juices.
"What now?" Cassandra couldn't help but ask.
"You are juvenile Cici! Which means that you cannot stay here all by your own and also because your house is being captured by the bank tomorrow. According to the legal custodial rights, you have to stay with your aunt Audrey" uncle miller answered.
"You can come and stay with me at California Cassandra, You will love California and it will be a great change to go away from Springfield" Aunt Audrey replied.
"Springfield is my home" Cassandra spat angrily.
"Forgive me for being so inconsiderate! I did not mean that Springfield is not your home I just mean it would be good for a change to go to another place and what do you have left in Springfield anyway" aunt Audrey asked.
"I don't know! The only house that was the living memory of my parents is being sold by a bank. I do not have a roof on my head, no food on my plate, I do not even have any funds to support my living but I have a Springfield, Uncle Miller, aunt Amelia, Lucas, Amanda and Ethan and that's all I have left right now aunt Audrey" she replied angrily.
"I think I will excuse you guys right now but I am leaving tomorrow so if you want to come with me Cassandra feel free to drop by" aunt Audrey replied taking a leave.
*****
"You might have been a little too aggressive to your aunt Cass!" Aunt Amelia exclaimed once Audrey had left.
"I am sorry Amelia I just don't know what to do anymore I have spent my entire life here at Springfield and I cannot even think of shifting to California With aunt Audrey especially when I barely know her." She answered.
"I get that Cass! It's all too hard on you" aunt Amelia exclaimed.
"You can stay with us Cass! I mean Lucas's room is empty And as you said to your aunt Audrey Springfield is all you have left and it's just matter of fact of a year, your senior high then you will be leaving for another place for your further studies" Amelia exclaimed.
"I do not want to trouble you any further aunt Amelia, You have been very kind to me last few days and helped me out thoroughly but..." Before Cassandra could complete Amelia cut her off.
"Your mother and I were best friends just the way your uncle Miller and your father was. I have always loved you like my own daughter Cassandra and I will not let you be forced to leave Springfield just because you do not have a place to accommodate. I cannot assure you that I can give you that extravagant lifestyle like your parents provided you with but this is the least I can do for you" Amelia exclaimed pulling her in an embrace.
"Thank you Amelia! That's very kind of you" Cassandra mumbled.
"Come on it's late afternoon and nobody is done with the lunch yet let's get some food" Amelia exclaimed.
Once the lunch was done it was around 4 PM.
"I think I will leave now!" Cassandra mumbled picking up her phone and car keys starting to walk out.
"Leave! Where to?" Amelia asked.
"To home" She answered.
"Cassandra" Amelia mumbled.
"Just today aunt Amelia! From tomorrow it won't be my home anymore" she answered So Amelia kissed her forehead and let her go.
******
Cassandra looked around her now empty house that won't to be hers anymore after tonight. The bank was selling most of the things of the house in order to compensate their depth. She had managed to pack a little of her belongings and some of the memories of her parents into stack of a few boxes at the entrance of the main door.
This was probably the last time she was ever going to sleep in this house. She roamed about in the house aimlessly that was once hers But she ended up finding herself in front of the same room that she had lost her parents into. The nightmare was still fresh in her memory but this was the only place that gave her the feeling that her parents were around even if they were in the monstrous form, But it felt so much better to know that they were around them to believe that they weren't so before she knew it she found herself crawling in their bread hitting her head on the pillow and waiting for the nightmare when she realised that she did not want to be alone today anymore.
It might have been a good idea to invite aunt Amelia or Lucas with her if not and Audrey whom she owed an apology. Before she even knew it she found her vulnerable state calling Amanda.
When Amanda did not pick up after a few rings, She called Amanda's mother.
"Cass dear! How are you? I am so sorry for your loss" Amanda's mother asked.
"I am better now Mrs. Williams! I actually wanted to speak to Amanda and she isn't picking up her phone" Cassandra exclaimed.
"I am so sorry dear but I am out of town right now and Amanda is home alone so I suppose she must be sleeping or something why don't you drop by?" Mrs brown asked.
"I'll do that! Thanks Mrs. Brown" she exclaimed.
"Of course Cassandra! please take care" Mrs brown replied before hanging up.
Cassandra suddenly realise that it would be a great idea to drop by Amanda's house and probably invite her to stay with her tonight even though it was it 8 the night.
Before she knew it Cassandra found herself locking the doors and walking towards her car as she switched it on and started driving towards Amanda's house. She and Amanda had a few arguments before her parents death, after that she was too broken to communicate with anyone and Amanda had dutifully stayed by her side like a good best friend without saying anything but the sort of vulnerability she felt right now she needed someone to be by her side and Amanda sounded like a good option.
She couldn't avoid the sinking feeling she felt in her stomach but she consoled herself telling that it was probably because the house was going to be taken away from her tomorrow.
When she finally reach Amanda's house she could see a car parked outside the door and it made her freeze. It was Ethan's car.
No no no no no
She Mumbled in her head, This was not happening. Her boyfriend was not cheating on her with her very best friend especially after she had lost her parents only two days ago.
But the sinking feeling only rose as she walked towards the door. She did not have to ring the bell because she knew where Amanda kept the spare key. She pulled out the spare key from the vase beside the window and open the door.
The house was dark and quiet but Cassandra found herself walking towards Amanda's room and the more closer she got, more dreadful voices she could hear. For a moment she wanted to turn away and run as fast as she could but she knew that it was not going to do her any good. She kept consoling herself that once she would walk inside the room she would realise that all this was a joke or a prank and everything would be normal.
But the voice is only made it worst, Amanda's moans were loud and clear.
She kept chanting 'Ethan' loud and loud.
When she opened the door, she saw a scene for another nightmare.
Amanda was on the bed, completely naked. Her hairs were wild on the bed, her ankles at the beds edge and her legs wild open. Ethan's mouth was between her legs, he was on his knees but his clothes were still except for the T-shirt she had gifted him last thanksgiving that was lying on the floor and her hand held his hair tightly pulling his strands and moaning his name.
Cassandra's opening the door made a loud noise that resulted in the two of them looking at her. Ethan quickly got on his feet and started pulling a T-shirt to wear, even Amanda started covering herself as the two of them started apologising But Cassandra did not even wait for a second to hear.
If she could bear the death of her parents two days ago in the most cruel way, she definitely could bear her boyfriend and best friend cheating on her.
********
Cassandra dropped the last of her stuff into her and Audrey's car before turning to look at the Miller family. And Audrey stood by her car looking at Cassandra.
"You can go and have a goodbye" she told Cassandra.
Cassandra first walked towards Amelia as she embraced her.
"Thank you so much for whatever you have done for me in these last few days I shall never forget your kindness" Cassandra thanked Amelia.
"You can still stay here sweetheart Springfield is more to you than Amanda and Ethan and their infidelity towards you" Amelia said in a soft voice.
"I know aunt Amelia! But this is the end of my journey here at Springfield and I think it would be best for me to start anew in California because as long as I stay here I will never be able to forget the infidelities of my parents and my best friend and Ethan" she exclaimed.
She then went to Uncle Miller and shook his hand. The man patted her back lovingly just the way her father used to do when he had to say that he was proud of her.
Lucas was not very pleased of her decision of moving to California. He might as well had broken Ethan's nose when he realised what Ethan and Amanda had done to her.
"You take care of yourself little kiddo and if you ever find yourself in trouble I am the person you should call" Lucas mumbled wrapping her in his warm embrace.
"I will do just that Lucas" she smiled kissing his cheek as she settled in the car waving at Miller family.
Once in the car her aunt started the engine but not before pulling her fingers into hers.
"I know that you have gone through a lot lately Cassandra! First you face the terrible loss of your parents and if that wasn't enough then you realise that you have lost everything you called as your livelihood, then I be totally inconsiderate of your feelings and offer for you to come with me and leave the place that you referred as home but you want to hold to this place and realise that this place has nothing more than coups of infidelities and now you have to live with the person you call as aunt but you barely know. But there is one thing I can assure you Cassandra! I will try my very best to keep you happy" Audrey smiled at her.
"Thanks aunt Audrey! I appreciate it" she mumbled pulling on the earplugs for the long journey.
******
The journey to California was long and Cassandra found herself drifting in and off sleep with her earplugs on. There was a lot she had to worry about but maybe it was the exhaustion of last week and the lack of sleep that was getting to her as she slowly drifted off to sleep.
Her aunt had woken her up once between the journey to have some food and once they were filled with their lunch, Her aunt started driving again and she found herself drifting off to sleep.
When they finally reached California it was around nighttime and Cassandra was still fast asleep as her aunt drives into the town towards her house. Just when her aunt finally parked the car in front of her house she lightly shook Cassandra to wake her up.
"Cassandra! please wake up, we are here" her aunt mumbled. Cassandra give out a few mumbled words before finally opening her eyes and slowly stepping down the car when she realised that the seat beside her was empty.
"Please help me with your stuffs" aunt Audrey asked as she picked up a few boxes and left a few for Cassandra and started her walking towards her house.
When Audrey said that the two of them were shifting to California Cassandra wasn't expecting a huge mansion like horse at Springfield but she was definitely not expecting this house. It was the most minimal house she had ever seen, there was fencing around but the grass was overgrown at places and her aunt had not worried to trim it off.
Trying to keep the judgement of her face she picked up the left boxes and started walking inside. Dropping the boxes inside the interior of the house was even more minimalistic than the outside. There was nothing more than a couch and a table in the main room and you could call the room anything but clean.
The kitchen was a complete mess with grocery items scattered on the counter, Same was the case with the refrigerator when she pulled out a bottle of cold water and drank from it.
"I know it's not very much like your house but.." Audrey started explaining but Cassandra cut her off.
"You have a nice house Audrey and yeah it's in a little mess but I guess you left in a hurry when you got the news and did not get time to fix this" Cassandra smiled.
"Yes indeed! Thanks for understanding. Let me show you your room so you can freshen up while I'll order some takeout for the dinner" Audrey said before guiding her upstairs towards a room.
Audrey stopped in front of a room and opened the door. The room was probably one fourth of the size of her room back in Springfield, There was a single bed pushed into the wall at a corner with a study table right opposite to it, adjacent to the study table was a little closet and a door beside it which she assumed led to the bathroom.
"It's a little empty since my roommate moved out but you can decorate it to your personal liking" Audrey mumbled.
"It's a nice room! I will quickly freshen up and then come and help you setting up the plates" Cassandra smiled.
"Sure dear" Audrey mumbled before leaving.
The room felt like it was not opened since years, So Cassandra quickly opened the window that was on the wall just beside the bed and allowed some fresh air to flow in and get away with the rusty smell of dust.
Once done that she grabbed a pair of night suit from her bag and walked inside the washroom which was very minimalistic, At some point she wanted to groan at the situation until she realised that right now she was not the princes of Springfield, who owned the huge mansion. she was a homeless person and Audrey had taken her in so the least she owed to her was to be grateful.