A/N: This chapter also turned out longer than expected…sorry it wasn't published sooner, but I think I kind of make up for it. Happy readings.
Casey hums contently to herself as she comes down the stairs and walks into the living room. She can't stop thinking about the conversation she actually had with the other girls at lunch, and that she was actually invited to attend some sorta of social function. These types of things just don't happen to her.
She sees her mother sitting on the couch, flipping through several papers once again, and she doesn't quiet know how she's going to be able to ask her mother if she can go to Alex's sleepover, let alone try to convince her to let a go in the event that she says no.
"Hey, Mom can I ask you something?" Casey asks sitting on the couch next to her mother.
Charlotte puts down her papers and turns to her daughter smiling. "Oh course sweetheart."
Casey nervously averts her gaze down to her suddenly wringing hands. "Um…well, a friend is having a sleepover on Friday, and I was wondering if I could go…if we aren't doing anything."
Charlotte sits in silence for a minute as she analyzes her daughter's facial expression. She isn't sure that she actually remembers Casey asking for her permission to go to something, and it makes her wonder if it's ever happened at all."
"Uh…well, what's her name? Have I met her?" the elder redhead asks, not sure if she would know the girl anyone.
Casey shakes her head and still stares at her hand. "No, but her name is Alex Cabot…."
Charlotte once again sits in complete silence and stares at Casey with an expression that is a mixture of shock and confusion.
"When you say Alex Cabot do you mean Cabot as in…"
"She's the president's daughter…" Casey adds on.
"And she is going to your school?" her mother says confusedly.
"Yeah, I don't know why though. But she invited me and some other girls over. Can I go?"
"…do you really want to? I mean, I've never seen you actually mention…anyone like this, or wanting to go somewhere."
Casey blushes but shrugs off the comment. "Yeah I…I just…I think I want to go. Can I? I don't have to if you don't want me to. I can stay here and help you with the girls and everything else that you might need."
Charlotte chuckles and shakes her head at her eldest daughter's dedication to their family. Even if they don't have a lot, they still find a way to get by, even if it means having to literally take care of one another.
"Casey honey, if you really would like to go and play with your friends I am more than happy to allow you to do that. I would worry about never meeting these people, but I am pretty sure you will be in very good hands." She says nicely.
A wide smile spreads across Casey's face and she hops off of the couch in excitement. "Thanks, Mom, you're the best." She exclaims, happily giving her mother a kiss on the cheek.
Charlotte smiles and watches as her daughter happily disappears up the stairs. She's just glad that Casey has actually made what she can call 'friends'. It's good for her, and definitely something she needs; especially with the rough time they're going to go through.
The End of The Week
"So I'm totally glad that you guys can come over later, I'm really excited." Alex says as she and Kim walk to lunch seeing as she once again hasn't seen Serena all day.
"I'm excited to. It'll be fun hanging out. Hey, have you seen Serena? This is like the second day in a row she's been gone." Kim asks curiously as they make their way through the halls of shuffling students.
Alex shrugs her shoulders as they round another corner. "I was just about to ask you the same question. I mean, I think that I saw her this morning, but other than that. I haven't."
"Bet Abbie got her to skip class…she seriously, needs to fucking wake up." Kim mutters, shaking her head. "Is she going later?"
"Yeah, she said that she was. I don't know…maybe she's around here somewhere and we just haven't seen her."
Kim nods her head, and the two of them continue to walk down the hall. They are almost to the doors when they almost literally run into Amanda and Connie who look like they've done something.
"Why are you looking like at us like that?" Amanda says calming her breathing and grinning.
"Because the both of you look like the cat that ate the canary, what have you done?" Kim asks, eying her two friends curiously.
Connie and Amanda simply exchange looks at shrug their shoulders as if to say that they haven't done anything at all.
Alex snickers at the silent exchange between the three, and she wonders just what her two friends have gotten themselves in to that they aren't willing to share.
Moments later, Casey walks through the same door and up to the group of four with a worried look on her face.
"I just walked through the parking lot. Please tell me that the two of you have nothing to do with what just happened." The redhead says, staring at the two smug looking girls.
"We have no idea what you're talking about." Connie says putting her hands in the air innocently, all the while trying to hold in her laughter.
Alex shakes her head and walks around the group. "What ever it is, I hope it doesn't end up getting anyone killed." She says as they move towards the door.
Before anyone can even open it, a very angry looking Abbie storms in followed by Serena, Olivia, and a few other girls from the soccer team.
"Which one of you flatted my tires, and don't play stupid, because I know it was one of you." the brunette shouts angrily.
No one says anything and the action succeeds in making Abbie's anger rise. Her glare shifts to Alex and she takes a patronizing step towards the blonde.
"What are you smiling about, princess? Something funny to you?"
Alex takes a step back and shakes her head, not wanting to be involved in Abbie's temper tantrum, in any way.
"I have no idea what you're talking about. So I would appreciate it if you stepped off." Alex says firmly, determined not to let Abbie intimidate her.
Abbie steps closer once again, getting into Alex's personal space. "Oh yeah? What are you gonna do if I don't? Call daddy and have him fight your own battles?" she says through grit teeth, her hand clenching into a tight fist.
Casey sees everything unfolding and she swallows thickly. She doesn't know why or what compels her to do so, but she steps in front of Alex, succeeding in putting a barrier between the blonde and Abbie.
"Leave her alone Abbie…she hasn't done anything to you." she says with as much confidence as she can muster, which in reality, probably isn't a whole lot.
Abbie raises her eyebrows and snickers at Casey, of all people, trying to defend someone. "Oh wow…I'm real scared now. Get a clue, because I'm most definitely not afraid of a poor nobody who doesn't matter. I don't have time for this. C'mon girls."
The still fuming athlete shoves Casey hard to the floor before she storms down the hall with Olivia and the rest of her team following her. Serena glances at her friends and shrugs before she hesitantly follows her girlfriend.
After everyone is sure that Abbie isn't going to come back for anything, Alex reaches down and helps Casey up to her feet.
"Are you okay?" she asks worriedly, taking note of how hard Casey fell.
Casey shrugs and rubs her slightly sore arm from her fall. "Yeah…it…happens often, I kind of have gotten used to her or anyone else shoving me around."
"Oh…well thanks for defending me…" Alex responds nicely causing Casey to blush the color of a tomato.
Kim raises her eyebrows at the exchange between the two, but refrains from saying anything about it. She actually has wondered why Alex has suddenly taken such an interest in the shy redhead, but it's something that she deems to bring up at a later date.
"So did you guys actually let the air out of her tires?" Alex asks turning back to Amanda and Connie who have begun a small conversation between themselves.
Amanda nods her head and shoves her hands in her pockets. "Yeah…it's kind of a long story why, but she said something and I wanted to get back at her. So Connie here suggested that we let the air out of her tires…it was actually pretty funny…except her pushing you like that Casey…sorry…"
Casey simply shrugs and begins wringing her hands nervously. She doesn't know why she got this fuzzy feeling whenever Alex thanked her but it's a feeling she knows she's never really felt before and it's almost slightly uncomfortable.
Later
"Did I really have to get sniffed by a dog?" Amanda mumbles as she and the rest of the girls follow Alex down a long corridor. They all can't help but gawk at all of their surroundings, none of them ever having been in the White House before.
"Yes…I told you, it's all security clearance. They want to make sure you guys aren't potential threats or whatever. Country rules, not mine." The blonde says shaking her head.
"So you like…live here, all the time?" Connie asks, still a little in shock from the massive size of the White House on the inside.
"No…she only vacations here…" Kim responds sarcastically causing Connie to roll her eyes.
"Yeah…it's me, my father, my mother, and my grandmother. But, my grandmother is away visiting family, and Mom and Dad had to be in Utah for something…I didn't exactly ask what for…I don't really care." Alex says nonchalantly.
Casey follows behind the group admiring in silence. She really does feel like she's out of place, being in such a place like this considering her family and economic status.
She wonders what it's like for Alex to constantly live in a place like this with powerful diplomatic parents and 24/7 protection against any kind of threats.
But at the same time, she wonders what kind of relationship that Alex has with her father. Is it the perfect one where he will do anything and everything for his little girl, or is it like the relationship that Casey has with her father…he just isn't there.
"This is my bedroom…" Alex says leading the girls into her room, laughing to herself as she sees the looks on all of their faces. She knows that it's only because they've come to the realization that her room is probably three and a half, if not four times the size of a normal bedroom.
"Oh my god…." Casey whispers wide eyed, just like everyone else.
"So yeah…I sleep here…" Alex says awkwardly not really knowing what else to say. She knows that this is bound to be a very interesting evening.
Once they've gotten settled, everyone can't help but notice how dangerously quiet Serena has been the whole time. Come to think of it, she hasn't said anything since school.
"So you're just gonna ignore us the whole time…" Kim says, becoming extremely agitated with Serena who hasn't said anything all afternoon.
The blonde shrugs and continues to text whoever it is she's so engrossed in conversation with on her phone.
"Serena you're being ridiculous." Alex states, wondering what exactly the problem is.
Amanda sighs exasperatedly and flops on the floor. "You really are. So we let the air out of her tires. Big deal."
"It was unnecessary, petty, and rude." Serena says firmly, finally tearing her eyes away from her phone.
"As if half of the things she does aren't. You shouldn't be dating her anyway." Connie mumbles.
Serena's eyes flare in anger and her mouth drops open in disbelief. "I can go out with who ever I want to. Abbie wants to be with me, and I want to be with her, so we are dating. You're probably just jealous anyway Connie."
"Guys let's not fight…" Casey says quietly, hating conflict in general.
"No, let her say what she has to say." Connie says, glaring hard at the frustrated blonde. "Tell me Serena? Why exactly am I jealous?"
"Maybe because I'm actually capable of dating someone? Because the most popular girl in school wants to go out with me, and not you? I think those are pretty valid reasons for you to be jealous." Serena shoots back, venomously.
"You guys really should stop…" Alex mumbles, only to have her suggestion fall on deaf ears.
Connie scoffs and laughs bitterly. "Oh yeah, I'm totally jealous because I'm not dating a girl who only wants me so she can have sex with me. Yeah, you caught me Serena, I'm real jealous…."
Serena blushes and crosses her arms tightly over her chest. "You're wrong…she doesn't want that from me. And it's not any of your business anyway. Why don't you just fuck off, and worry about your business and stay out of mine." And with that, she angrily storms into the large bathroom, shutting the door behind her.
The remaining five girls sit in complete silence wondering how long Serena plans on staying in the bathroom. Knowing her though, it could probably be all night.
"You really shouldn't have said that…" Kim says looking to Connie who simply shrugs her shoulders.
"I don't care. She was asking for it, and I don't feel bad about anything either." She responds simply. Oh yes, it is going to be a very long evening indeed.
Later
Later on into the evening, the girls have settled into a small circle on Alex's floor to talk about the things that teenaged girls talk about. One of their most interesting topics being talking about their first kisses, how old they were, and so on and so forth.
It isn't until they're laughing about something that Alex notices Casey's absence. She silently excuses herself from the giggling trio and makes her way across her bedroom and over to her balcony.
She steps out on to the patio balcony and finds Casey quietly leaning on the railing, glancing out at the view that they have over one of the large yards.
"Are you okay? You haven't really said much, and you're so quiet I didn't notice you left. What's up?" Alex asks, copying Casey by leaning on the railing.
Casey shrugs and shakes her head. "I'm always quiet. I just…don't really fit in well with anyone. Like, what you guys talk about and stuff…I just don't fit in."
"We can find something that you like to talk about. I'm sure there are a lot of things you like." The blonde says perkily.
Casey simply shrugs again, her gaze still transfixed on the yard. "I just…don't fit in. It's always been like that. No one really likes me, and I wouldn't say that I have any friends…"
"Hey, I like you. I think you're a nice person and I'm sure the other girls do too. And I can be your friend and I'm sure they will too. You are capable of having friend's Casey…it's not scary…"
"Yeah well…like I said two times already, I don't fit in. And having friends won't stop people from picking on me, and I'll still have glasses, and I'll still be that nerdy underprivileged girl that everyone laughs at because she can't afford the new latest designer Converse or whatever…Nothing will change that…"
Alex does say anything, and it actually hurts her a little at what Casey has to go through on a day to day basis. She just doesn't understand why kids have to be so cruel.
"So…tell me about your family then…" Alex says, wanting to know a little more about the shy redhead.
Casey sighs and runs her fingers through her hair not sure where to start. "Well…there are five people in my family; Me, my mom, and my three little sisters. My dad kind of walked out on my mom right after my youngest sister was born and he refuses to pay anything so we're kind of struggling. My mom also lost her job a few days ago so I don't really know what's going to happen at this point…"
Alex raises her eyebrows and she feels a tugging at her heart. "That's horrible…I'm so sorry…um…how old are your sisters?"
"Lindsey is eleven, Hanna is seven, and Cassie is five. They're all pretty much a handful, but I love them anyway." Casey says shrugging.
Alex nods her head and a small smile ghosts across her lips. "Wow…three little sisters…I guess I wouldn't understand since I'm an only child. I do wonder sometimes what it'd be like to have siblings. It gets kind of lonely here sometimes…"
"So do you just like…stay here? If so, that really does sound boring and lonely. You must not have a boyfriend or anything…not that you can't get a boyfriend, because you're like…super pretty but…because of your dad and…stuff." Casey stutters miserably, hoping that she isn't starting to blush.
Alex giggles at Casey's nerves, and she actually finds it kind of cute. "I understand what you're saying…no, I don't have a boyfriend, but I haven't really looked for one. I guess I'm just not interested in guys like that."
"So…you're interested in girls?"
"I dunno…maybe. I just know that when Danny Lancaster kissed me when I was seven, I didn't exactly enjoy it or anything. Not only because seven is just an awkward age, but I guess I just didn't like it. Plus, girls are much more interesting to look at than guys…far prettier. Have you ever kissed anyone?"
Casey shakes her head vigorously at the question. "It's not really that big of a deal to me…but no, I haven't."
Alex's eyes widen and her mouth falls slightly agape. "You're kidding. But you're like…sixteen!"
Casey simply shrugs, trying to dismiss the subject. "Doesn't matter. It really doesn't surprise me that no one wants to kiss the dorky girl with glasses or anything. It's fine…"
"Haven't you ever wanted to kiss someone though? Just to see what it was like?" Alex asks curiously.
"I dunno….maybe…it's not really a…feeling I'm used to…" Casey responds awkwardly.
"But you've thought about it?"
"Sure…I don't know…I just…haven't actually done it."
Casey watches as Alex seems to be thinking long and hard about something. She swears that her heart stops completely when she sees Alex leaning closer to her, and seconds later, she feels a pair of soft lips on her own.
Completely unsure of what to do, Casey blinks awkwardly and finds herself completely unresponsive as Alex kisses her. It's a weird feeling that she has never felt before and she isn't exactly sure if she likes it or not.
Moments later, Alex pulls away and grins at a wide eyed, blushing Casey. "Well…now you can say that you have kissed someone." She says winking before walking back into her bedroom.
Casey stands stock still and she isn't sure if she's even breathing at all. She just knows that she's seeing stars and there is this weird tingly feeling on her lips from where Alex's lips where just moments before.
'Alexandra Cabot just fucking kissed me…The president's daughter just kissed me…ME...Holy Fuck…'
Awww ain't that cute….Lol, leave a review?