Where Do We Go From Here?

Callie decided to catch a ride with Mike since I had to head in to work. Tony promised that when his step father comes home from work then he’ll meet me at my house. Until then, he’s on Rosie duty. I walked into the store to find Charlie with the new girl—the store decided to hire extra help since it’s getting close to the holiday season.

“Verity, this is Bliss. Bliss, this is Verity.” Charlie introduced us.

Bliss was a tiny girl with stick like arms and legs. She had dimple piercings and her pixie hair cut was dyed completely black, which contrasted greatly with her pale skin. I had about a good six inches over her height, which made me seem like a monster compared to her petite frame.

“Hi Bliss, nice to meet you.” I greeted kindly.

“Hi.” She reciprocated with a timid smile.

Charlie smiled. “Bliss will be shadowing the both of us for the next foreseeable week just so she gets the hang on how we do things around her.” She explained.

I nodded. “Okay.”

“So, Bliss” Charlie began “What brings you to San Diego?”

“Needed a change of scenery. You can’t imagine just how boring it gets when you live in Wisconsin.” She answered.

“You came all the way from Wisconsin?” I asked.

“Yeah, I got accepted into SDSU next semester.” She nodded.

“I guess a congratulation is in order.” Charlie smiled. “I go there too.”

“Cool.” Bliss smiled. “Maybe I won’t be a complete loser on my first day there.”

“Oh, you’ll be a loser no matter what.” Charlie joked.

I smiled as I watched these two tease each other back and forth. I knew Charlie was a lesbian, so she was just feeling out Bliss—so to speak. I was thankful that a group of girls walked in, that way I can leave Bliss and Charlie alone.

“Hi, welcome to Urban Wreck. Let me know if you need any help.” I greeted, trying my best to sound friendly.

The multi-colored hair girl looked up at me and said “I was actually looking for the black combat boots—the one with the thick soles.”

“Oh, they’re right over here.” I said while leading them to the shelf in the back of the store. “They’re actually on sale.” I smiled.

“Perfect. You don’t suppose there’s a size 7 available?” She asked.

I reached up and grabbed two shoe boxes from the top shelf. “These actually run small, so if the 7 feels uncomfortable the 7 and a half should fit perfectly.”

“Thanks.” The girl said before I headed back to where Bliss and Charlie were shamelessly flirting.

“So how are you and Tony doing?” Charlie asked once I got to the counter.

I smiled. “We’re official.” I replied.

Charlie squealed. “Oh, that’s so cute! Are you gonna do him?” She asked with a knowing smirk on her face.

My eyes widened while my face flushed crimson. “Charlie!” I hissed in embarrassment.

“C’mon V, you need to give up that V card someday.” She teased.

I rolled my eyes at her. “It hasn’t come up so I haven’t given it much thought.” I answered honestly.

Charlie laughed. “You know I’m just messing with you right?”

“Yes, I do. Now cut it out.” I replied with a small laugh.

The rest of work carried on with an ongoing volleying of teasing and sarcasm, something I quite enjoy from work. Driving home, I blasted Atlas Genius, a group that Callie got me hooked to listen to. I was singing along to “Don’t make a scene” when I pulled into the driveway. My parents were home along with Jason. I was eager to meet his girlfriend, since during his last visit he couldn’t shut up about her. I walked into the house only to be bombarded with the thick smell of beef. I knew very well who was cooking because my father usually cooks beef on Sunday’s when there’s a game and my mother hates to deal with the cooking process of beef. I walked into the kitchen to find my brother wearing an apron sporting ruffles alongside the trim and oven mitts on both hands while bending over to check on the meat through the small window on the oven.

“Very manly.” I commented with an amused tone.

Jason shot upright. “I’m just trying to make tonight one she’ll never forget.”

“What’s the special occasion for you two?” I asked while hopping onto the stool next to the counter.

Jason smiled while pulling a small, black velvet box. I gasped while my eyes went wide. “You’re proposing tonight? Jason, you’ve only known her for a few months.”

Jason waved me off. “When you know V, you don’t need more than a few months.”

I stared at my brother, blinking with disbelief. “I’m sure Cassandra is a nice girl, but do you think it’d be smart to propose to her on the night mom and dad are just meeting her.” I pointed out.

“V, I don’t expect you to understand. What Cass and I have, it’s unexplainable. She’s the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.” Jason sounded so absolute and so resolved that I was loss for words.

Jason wasn’t always like this either. He never cared for serious relationships which made me think that Cassandra just might be his happily-ever-after. However, my practical and reasonable mind couldn’t see it fit to marry someone after only knowing them for a few months. I mean, that’s hardly enough time for a thorough credit check.

“As long as you’re happy.” I commented softly as Jason took out the steaks from the oven. “Need any help?” I offered.

“You can probably set the dining area.” Jason replied.

“Okay.” I smiled before grabbing out the plate set from the cabinet.

I decided to bring out the nicer silverware we owned since this was gonna be Jason’s big night. Arranging them to perfection, I then went back into the kitchen to bring out the glassware. My parents owned a nice collection of crystal glasses. I was trying to be supportive of my brother since he rarely takes relationships seriously.

“This looks perfect.” Jason commented upon entering the dining room.

“Thanks. Anyway, I need to talk to mom them because I sorta invited Tony over and since I’m grounded I’m not sure how well it will bode over with them.” I replied.

“Grounded? For what?”

“I skipped school on Tuesday then came home past curfew.” I begrudgingly answered.

Jason laughed. “You ditched?” He asked incredulously.

“Haha.” I fake laughed sarcastically. “Long story short, I am now grounded for a week.” I summarized.

“I’m sure mom and dad won’t mind having your boyfriend over.” He teased.

I couldn’t stop the prominent blush and smile from creeping on my face. I left Jason in the dining room to venture into the living area where my mother, father, and Jason’s girlfriend (Cassandra) were gathered on the couch, looking through old family photo albums. I cringed because there wasn’t a cute picture of me. None. At. All.

“Oh Verity, this is Cassandra—Jason’s girlfriend. And Cassandra this is Jason’s youngest sister Verity.” My mother introduced when she noticed I entered the room.

I smiled at Cassandra. The first thing I noticed about her was the way her eyes resembled ice caught in a winter’s storm. Her skin was rather pale and her hair was a type of blonde that you knew couldn’t be mimicked with any form of hair dye. She had an ethereal look about her face that I couldn’t help but think of Galadriel from Lord of the Rings.

“Nice to meet you.” I smiled warmly while extending out my hand to her.

I thought of how Tony’s family went straight for the hugging upon meeting my for the first time, and wondered if that’s what I should so with Cassandra. However, my delayed thought-to-action gesture rendered me to stick with a simple handshake.

“Your brother has told me wonderful things about you.” Cassandra smiled, showing off her pearly whites.

“Really? Well, he is taken away with you.” I reciprocated.

Cassandra blushed in return. Maybe they really do love each other. I thought to myself.

“Cassandra was just talking about how she went to Princeton after graduating high school.” My father commented; an obvious hint for me to pick at her brain about what campus life was like there.

I sighed before saying “I may have invited Tony over to dinner. I hope that’s okay.” I offered a sheepish smile upon saying this.

“Sounds wonderful.” My mother smiled while my father looked a little wary.

“I know I’m grounded and I’m sorry I invited him at the last instant, but I just wanted to spend Friday night with him.” I said in a hurry.

God! I sound like one of those teenage girls that I never wanted to sound like. I cringed internally.

“It’s fine, but I do wish you would have given us an earlier warning.” My father replied.

“Okay, so I have something else I wanted to bring up.” I stated, glad that they weren’t upset over the fact I invited Tony over.

My parents, along with Cassandra waited for me to carry on. I felt nervous for a few seconds, wondering if I should even bring it up now. I saw the envelope in the mail and I hadn’t opened it yet since I already knew what it was going to tell me, but I had it in my back pocket. However, I just hope my parents would be alright with what I was about to say next.

Notes

Last update for the night.

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Thank for reading <3