A miserable Thursday night and Casey just wanted to go to bed. However, she couldn't escape the dinnertime even when her mother was in a surprisingly good mood. In fact, Nora ain't an example of a stable person.
"...That's sounds great, Lizzie! Let me know when the next game came. And well, who knows, we might call Howard to watch it too? You seems like him so much!"
"Fine to me, mum." The younger sister agreed while Casey mixed the food on the porcelain plate. Is that a beet puree? "And maybe, can I start judo as well? After soccer on Wednesdays and Fridays? I mean, we've been here for six months... and there is this championship..." Lizzie doesn't look at Nora while she tries to negotiate it.
And, yes. The Macdonald family had been living in Kitchener for exactly six months.
At that rate, they would probably explore every single town in Ontario territory. In addition, of course, driving the entire human resources department crazy. Doesn't matter how many fruit baskets her mom sent to the central office and to her boss each month, period.
All because of Nora and her turbulent relationships.
Before this town, Burlington. But only for 11 months. Until Tom didn't handle the jealousy crisis. And before that, Owen Sound. This address lasted 2 years and Casey became friend with two twin sisters (and their family still send a Christmas card). But Elliot was a total jerk – besides, the engagement ring was pretty ugly in Lizzie's opinion…
Oh! And first of all: Brokeville. The very first city they chose after her parents' divorce and the one that started her mother's obsession: always dating someone, no matter what. Desperately.
"I don't know, sweetheart... Don't you think it's too soon for so many appointments? What about the swimming class? You started it two weeks ago!"
Casey heard Liz begs beside her. "Please, please, please!"
"What? You planning another change already?" The oldest said dryly, talking for the first time. Nora gave her the evil eye and turn back to Lizzie, who was pouting.
"I- Alright then. I guess it's not a big deal." She said, apparently surrendered and put some potatoes on the plate. She looked up again. "Now what about you, Casey? Everything ok? At school?
"Just fine,"
Nora sighed.
"Are you sure? Because–"
"Everything great, mom. Same as always. "Casey didn't want to look impatient. She was trying hard not to be grounded this time.
Casey just wants to go to the room and read her email box...
"Honey," Nora took her daughter's hand gently. "Please, start to relax. Do you remember what the psychologist said? I know this change was unexpected, but hey, it's all right now. You don't have to be in a defensive mode anymore, okay?"
Casey felt like she could cry (and yell) so chose the words carefully. "Okay, mom. I'm sorry. I just want to stay in a place for real, you know?"
"That's fair enough, dear." Nora dropped the hand. "What do you think about bringing your friend... Keyla? No, Kayla? Come to dinner tomorrow?"
"I don't hang out with Kayla anymore..."
"Oh! I didn't know. Sorry. With whom are you hang out instead? You are so quiet lately,"
"Mary and Claire from English class."
"Uh, Case?" Lizzie caught her eye. "Weren't they the ones who were mean to you?"
Casey settled herself uncomfortably in the chair looking away. "Ah! You know the teenagers... But they are nice, really."
"Wait… I think I remember them. At parent's day at school. Aren't they kinda ...? "
"The girls are just great, mum. But hey, and the dessert?"
"Ah! I almost forgot! Did I mention I bought two pies at Howard's bakery after work?" Nora got up. "You need to try the blackberry one, absolutely– "
Yes, ma'am. A million times.
"I dreamed about the vanilla cannoli box he sent us the other day..." Liz said while helping the dishes.
"Well, actually he promised me on weekend he'd come here to teach me how to do all of them!"
"Hold on. What you saying!?" Casey almost dropped the jug of juice she was carrying on. "You wouldn't, hm, hang out and sleep at his place like always, mom?"
"Not this time. I feel like an irresponsible mother for not being here with you girls... And you taking care of Lizzie! It's just not fair."
The girl held back the urge to scream in frustration. Everything was just too perfect.
"I'm going upstairs." Casey said quickly running to the first step.
"Casey? Casey! And what about the dessert?" Shouted Nora, but she was already slamming the bedroom door.
Her bedroom. Recently redecorated to match your new lifestyle.
She walked to the computer immediately. As Casey suspected, there were new messages. Her cell phone was confiscated for a month after the last serious argument with Nora.
From: clairefwilliams_
To: casey-macdonald
Hey C,
On Saturday you have to sneak out earlier. at 11 pm Carlos and I pick u up.
Heard the entire CD I loaned you?
See ya. Can't stand chat here. xx
From: m_ary0195
To: casey-macdonald
C tmw we have to do that damn asgmt, need an A, BIT?
Also I'll check ur clothes to the party, Claire hated that dress last time. x
From: dennismacdonald_lawfirm
To: casey-macdonald
My little girl,
Sorry the delay. I miss you too. 15 days from now in Toronto and you can call me.
Save the next holiday with me, okay? Great to know that you all are well,
Lov u kiddo. Dad.
Casey finished the emails and turn to the speakers. The song was not quite pleasant for her, but the girls insisted on all week. The underground bands have been making a lot of noise at school lately and apparently everyone there likes and played over and over at the parties she attends now.
She bumped her hand accidentally over a pile of her old records and sighing she picked them up and looked right at the pop singers on the covers. She used to love dance around the room with those earworm songs. But not now.
Then, she remembered that she needed to hide all of this. Mary was going to do that assignment with her at home. Her new friends cannot see this pink-girly stuff.
To her dismay, she started cleaning up.
The old CDs, the classic books she loved, the lilac teddy bear, the picture frames... Everything in a box. The clothes she used to wear were to push to the bottom of the closet.
The only thing left was her diary on the bed. Casey made a mental note to put it in the sock drawer after to write this evening.
Hoping she wasn't forgetting anything, Casey notice the first time today the dark blue she covered the walls and sometimes gives her a headache..
She closed her eyes for a moment and sat in the computer chair again.
After a busy day class, as arranged, Casey and Mary arrived at the Macdonalds' house. Liz had practice until later and Nora always step by to say hello to Howard at the bakery.
Casey made sandwiches for two and went upstairs with heavy books. She started flipping through one of them and taking her notes.
"Wow! What a room, C." The blonde girl (now with some parts of the hair in black and green), walked through the door and pulled out crumpled papers, giving them to Casey. "Here," and turned in the speakers. "Just copy this, we need choose your outfit for Saturday, eh?" The obnoxious song has started and Casey try not to care meanwhile saw Mary open the closet, dropping mountains of clothes on the floor and on the bed.
"What is this?" The brunette began to read the capricious handwriting with a frown. "Bernie's assignment. I convinced her to give it," Mary shrugged and laughed but then she scowled at the tank top she was holding up.
Casey rolled the eyes. She started to pretend to copy and, thanks to God, she had already done half of the task yesterday and could finished it in time.
Without cheating.
"That's it. What do you think?" Mary asked pointing to a ripped-jeans-short and a black sweater. "And don't worry. I'll lend you my white converse."
"...Okay." Casey got up to change the clothes.
"Looks good! Drew will like it."
"Drew?"
"One of Carlos' friends. We know you and Damien didn't get along, then let's try this one."
A chill ran through all Casey's body as she remembered Damien and how bad kisser he was and how he smelled cheap lotion.
"But why that?"
"You know how annoyed Claire is when she doesn't made couples at parties with her boyfriend's pals! I'm glad Greg and I are getting along. Like, very well."
"I hope Drew is nice..."
"Ah, they all are. I don't think anyone will be that high this time. "She blinked and Casey wanted to die. "What's wrong, C?"
She swallowed.
"Nothing," Casey took a deep breath. "So Mary. About the assignment presentation..."
Casey was now figuring out that the constant headaches she had has nothing to do with her new room. Spending hours in front of the TV in the living room until cannot pick anything else to watch.
Lizzie arrived after Casey had taken a strong sleeping pill and lay on the couch.
"Case", the little sister gently shaked her. "Come on, it's late." Casey opened her eyes then.
"Hey Liz,"
"Mum left us a note and some food." Lizzie, now Casey can tell, was still wearing her soccer uniform.
"Were you training until now?" She frowned at the little sister.
"No, she forgot to pick me up there and didn't answer the phone. So Matt, the assistant, walked me back... "
"My goodness, Liz! How- "Casey jumped up and she could see the dark night through the window.
"I hope you are not mad at me,"
"No! Absolutely not! I mean, what the heck is going on? Where did she go? I didn't even see her at home today! And how she didn't answer the phone?"
"By the note, she hurried to an organic farm with Howard and maybe didn't want to wake you up…? May it's a great opportunity to him?" Lizzie asked with a little frustration.
"Yeah. Of course," She snorted back.
Then, Casey led her sister into the bath, she took the dirty clothes to the laundry room, put the leftovers in the microwave and as usual when their mother disappears, they sleept together in Liz's bedroom. Her last thought was how they could be so out of control (since ever). She blamed the lack of awareness of her mother and all the men in the world.
Casey could easily (and prefer) live in her medieval books, thought. And cut some heads along the way.
He walked in and put his heavy coat on the hanger. George expected a quiet house just because it was past ten o'clock that Friday night. Instead, he found his middle son watching a talk show and his youngest daughter running down the stairs towards him.
"Daddy, you here," Marti jumped at her father for a hug.
"Hey, kiddo!"
Angela, the babysitter girl, came down the stairs behind the little girl's trail and she didn't seemed quite friendly. And he didn't notice but the teenager's arms were full of abstract drawings and her shirt fueled by Mati's vomit.
"Good night, Mr. Venturi." Angela took her jacket and started putting on her shoes while mechanically said: "Hope you had a lovely night. I took my money from the cabinet as usual. Have y'all a great weekend. Bye. "And then she quick out.
"Uh, goodbye...?" George replied late.
"Hey dad, sit and tell me in detail how terrible your date was." Edwin pointed to the seat on the couch without taking his eyes off the television.
"Edwin, please." George left Marti and walked to the kitchen. He changed his mind and turned to his son again. "Where's Derek?"
"Truman? Sam?" Edwin shrugged and he looked at his father for the first time. "But seriously dad, tell me about the night. I really prefer it. Much more interesting than the ads." George sighed. "That's what, fifth or sixth so far? Did she have a mustache this time?" Ed was hanging on the recliner with an amused face now.
George just rolled his eyes.
"Go to bed, okay?" Edwin waved and returned his attention to the screen. "As I said: go to bed, Edwin!"
"Pretty bad, eh? Okay, okay. I'm going…"
Yep. Totally 'The Perfect Man' vibes. Hilary Duff is definitely my childhood queen!
It's a slow romance, guys. So, be patient. The love/hate thing is the best part and I need a proper background. lol