Chapter 11:

When Cassia came out of school, she was surprised to see Alex leaning against a tree with his arms crossed over his chest, waiting for her. The button down shirt that was part of his uniform was partially unbuttoned, and his tie dangled uselessly around his neck. A smile spread across her face as she rushed down the stone steps and into his waiting arms.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded before pressing her lips against his in a firm kiss.

"I came to pick you up from school; I figured you wouldn't mind." Cassia slid her arms around his neck and swung back and forth casually.

"You better not mind Tiffany joining us, because I gotta pick her up from school."

"We'll go together, I don't mind." Their fingers laced together, and they walked down the street towards Tiffany's school.

While waiting for Tiffany, Cassia and Alex took a seat on a stone bench near the door. He slid an arm behind her and stole a quick kiss.

"So how was your day?" he asked.

"Alright, I guess. Long and boring, like every other day at school." Cassia turned and looked at him. "How about yours?"

"About the same." The bell rang, and a flood of screaming students rushed out of the building. Cassia stood up and scanned the masses for Tiffany.

"Cass!" Tiffany exclaimed as she ran towards her and threw her arms around her big sister's legs.

"Hey, Tiff. Come on, let's go." Alex got to his feet and grabbed Cassia's backpack.

"I think that some ice cream is in order before heading home," he said as he grabbed Tiffany's backpack from her.

"Ice cream?" she repeated. They began to walk down the street.

"Sure, why not, my treat."

"I don't know, Alex," Cassia said as she gave him a stern look.

"Please, Cass. Just this once. Can we please get some ice cream?" Tiffany pleaded as she dangled from her older sister's arm as if she was a jungle gym.

"Yeah, come on Cass." Alex leaned over and whispered, "I'll make it up to you, I promise." A sly smile played across her lips.

"Alright." Seeing that Tiffany was too busy celebrating, Alex grabbed Cassia's ass before continuing down the street.

Nearly forty-five minutes later, Alex, Cassia and Tiffany all headed back to the girls' apartment.

"You know, you didn't have to do that," Cassia told him as they walked down the street.

"You guys have enough on your minds, whatever I can do to help you forget, even for a little while, is my pleasure." She got up on her tiptoes and pecked him lightly on the lips.

"Well, thank you." Tiffany skipped ahead, completely oblivious to the situation behind her. She skidded to a stop outside their building.

"Come on, Cass, hurry up!" she called almost impatiently. Sighing, Cassia came up behind her and punched in the security code to get into the building.

"Are you coming up?" she asked Alex.

"Are you inviting me up?" Smiling, she took his hand and pulled him inside behind her and Tiffany.

Tiffany ran ahead and made sure to hold the elevator for Alex and Cassia. She bounced nervously as they went up to their floor. The doors finally slid open, and she ran down the hall to their door. Cassia and Alex trailed after her, taking their time. Cassia unlocked the door, and they all went inside.

"Shh, my mom might be sleeping," she told them. Tiffany wasn't listening; she was already on the couch with the television remote in hand. Seeing that she was fine, Cassia went to go check on Maureen. Carefully, she cracked open the bedroom door and poked her head inside. "Mom, you awake?" There wasn't any answer, but something didn't feel quite right. "Mom?" She went over and gently shook Maureen's shoulder. She felt bad about waking her up, especially when she was sick and everything, but she needed to do it for her own peace of mind. No matter how hard Cassia shook her shoulder, she wouldn't wake up. "Mom!? Mom!?" Alex appeared in the doorway.

"Cassia, what's wrong?" he demanded.

"I can't wake my mom. Call 911."