Cassia smiled as she zipped her suitcase. The summer had flown by between getting ready for UNR, club events and getting Gemma and Jax used to the idea of her leaving. It was only three hours away but her and Jax had never really been apart.

"If I come visit, you'll show me all around that fancy campus and at least one good party right?" Jax asked as he lounged on her bed. His skills in helping her pack were limited to carry her things out to vehicles.

"I'll show you around but no promises on the party," Cassia said standing.

"This is it Jackson. We leave at 7 tomorrow morning please don't over sleep."

"I would never!" Jax dramatically placed his hand on his chest to Cassia's snort. Her brother was not a morning person. She pulled him up into a long hug.

"I'm gonna say it now 'cus tomorrow…" Jax paused clearing his throat. "I love you Cassia. You're my best friend and I'm gonna miss you like hell. But I know you need to do this. You always have a place with me ok little sister? And any jerk off who tries to fricken' touch you…"

Cassia gave a chuckle through her watery smile. She squeezed her brother tighter, this side of him was so much like JT. Pulling back enough to look at his face she gently wiped his tears.

"I love you too. You will always be home. I'm gonna miss you like hell too. Thank you for understanding and no worries on the boys. I'm not looking for anything right now. Besides, Uncle Tig got me a custom Bailsong Butterfly knife."

"Good, I'll get this out. Mom wants to take us to dinner," Jax said.

Cassia nodded knowing it was a small family dinner. She had done her best to follow Quinn's advice about Clay and it had worked well enough. Gemma had said they could call Clay what they wanted when it felt right. Cassia hadn't decided what to call Clay besides his given name; what would be right? Still in her thoughts she gave a small jump at the knock on her doorframe.

"Hey Sia," Clay said. He was the only the one to call her that. She guessed it was sweet.

"Hey…pop," Cassia tried. It was only slightly awkward. Clay beamed at her.

"You all set?" He asked fully coming into the room. Cassia nodded.

"I know the past two years have been hard, but we all made it through. You're a strong girl, just be careful. You have the charter in Reno, I already called Oscar. I'll give you a sheet for them. The other closest charter is the Nomads. You hear me?"

Cassia just crossed the room and hugged her stepfather. He held her close, and she could smell the cigar tobacco and oil smell that usually clung to him. Pulling back she gave him a smile.

"Thanks pop." Clay just grasped her shoulder and left.

Dinner ended up being a fun affair. They had gone into Lodi to Cassia's favorite Mexican place. Cassia laughed with her family as they reminisced over both her and Jax's childhood. Talk about her roommate, her major and the general buzz of being a college freshman. Cassia found herself wishing Quinn was here. She was already sad that he couldn't help with the move but he was up in Washington.

Collapsing on her bed that tight, Cassia's thoughts returned to Quinn. She was eighteen now. Did that mean their relationship would change? She wasn't one to date, but that was mostly because of Jax and Opie. It was exceedingly annoying to have both girls and guys come on to her to get close to Jax, Opie or the club. But college would be different, she would just be herself.

Again, what did that mean for her and Quinn? She loved what they had right now. And with no dating experience it was intimidating to date someone 15 years older than her. Quinn probably had lots of experience, and maybe wanted kids. What if he didn't want her to work at all? Well, she would write no matter what. That was important to her. She didn't feel one way or the other about children.

"Let it go Cass…you have him as a best friend," she firmly told herself turning over to sleep.

Cassia was leaning against her truck with a travel mug at 6:45 the next morning. Clay leaned beside her, giving the occasional impatient huff. Gemma had come down with a migraine so had already given her teary goodbye. Cassia had promised to call her later that afternoon. Jax was hurrying to finish his breakfast.

"Sia, that brother of yours won't get patched if he can't be on time," Clay teased.

"Maybe if you tell him that he'll hurry his ass up," Cassia teased back.

"I'm here, it isn't 7 and I'm riding with you angel," Jax shouted hustling toward them.

"Fine, but she has a good point," Clay said heading to his black Jeep Cherokee holding half her stuff.

The ride out was easy. Jax and her talked or argued over music. Her roommate was something they spent the last half of the ride muling over. Katherine Thomas was from Vegas and seemed nice enough when they spoke on the phone. They had at least been able to organize and split what they would need. Katherine was majoring in Hydrogeology, which Cassia had to ask what that meant. It was basically understanding the hydrologic cycle and managing water resources; Katherine wanted to work at the Hoover Dam.

"Please remember you have a girlfriend, even if she flirts with you. I want to have a friend that isn't club obsessed ok?" Cassia asked exiting for the school.

"Promise angel," Jax said knowing how important it was to her.

Cassia took her time navigating to the right dorm on campus. Manzanita Hall was busy but it seemed the craziest part of the morning was winding down. Clay pulled up next to her. Cassia gave a small smile at the kutte's they had on. It would be stranger if they had chosen not wear them, of which Clay wouldn't have allowed anyways.

Hopping out, Cassia gave a good stretch. She saw a check-in station. Turning she waved to Jax and Clay were she was going. Both nodded before starting the unpack process so they would be ready to go.

"Good morning, welcome to UN-Reno. Name?" A friendly upperclassman said.

"Cassia Teller," she said. It took a moment for the student worker to find her stuff.

"Here you go. Room key and temporary id. Your on the second floor, we have different dollies and bins to get your stuff. Orientation is at 8pm tonight in the lounges on each floor. Your RA will get you."

"Thanks," Cassia said quickly returning to start unloading.

They were almost done putting things away when Katherine arrived. She came in struggling with a backpack, suitcase and large pillow. Cassia relieved her of the pillow.

"Thanks Cassia. My parents are trying to everything in one of those big bins. Oh you got the beds done! Thank you!"

Cassia just shrugged. Behind her, Jax gave a nudge. He wanted to be introduced to the brunette.

"Katherine, this is my brother Jax and my pop Clay. Gentlemen this is Katherine Turner," Cassia said.

Clay extended a hand. Cassia could tell her roommate's nerves. If you didn't know him, Clay was a scary guy. Well, he was but Cassia knew now he could also be a teddy bear. Jax received no hesitation.

"Nice to meet you both," Katherine said turning to get her suitcase on the open bed and her backpack on the desk.

It was a few minutes of silence, Cassia putting the last of her clothes away. She was happy she was on the minimalist side. She was close enough she could change somethings out if she needed to. Plus there was a piano, tv, and ping-pong table in the lounge. She didn't need much besides clothes, school supplies, and a small boombox.

"Kathy dear, please help your father!" A voice broke the silence.

Cassia watched the little eye roll her roommate gave. If the voice was any indication, Katherine wasn't the closest to her mother. Clay took up residence leaning on the desk while Jax came to her side, his arm casually draped across. Classic poses of intimidation from them.

Katherine huffed in the room with another suitcase. Her father followed with another, and her mother came in with shower things. The man was on the short side but lean and well tailored. The woman was barely over 5 ft more on the plump side. In fact she reminded Cassia of Merriweather from Sleeping Beauty.

"Oh Kathy introduce us now, be polite," Mrs. Turner said. Another eye roll.

"Mother, daddy this is my roommate Cassia Teller. Her brother Jax and her father Clay. Clay, Jax and Cassia my parents: Bradley and Mary," Katherine said in a polished tone Cassia knew had been drilled into her.

Cassia extended her hand first. Bradley's shake was brisk and professional, while Mary's was sweaty and limp.

"It's nice to meet you," Cassia said wanting to wipe her hand on her shorts but refrained.

Jax extended his hand as well, then made Cassia hold in a laugh as he used her lower back to wipe his hand. That wasn't fair. Clay had yet to extended his hand, his was still assessing Bradley.

"Mr. Teller?" Bradley asked extending his hand.

"Morrow," Clay automatically replied.

"My apologies, it seems if our daughters are going to be roommates, friends even, we should be friendly," he said. Clay finally extended his hand.

"Ok, I'm pretty much done. We can tour the dorm or get some lunch to give you time?" Cassia asked. For whatever reason Clay was unsure of Bradley and she wanted to know why.

"That sounds good," Katherine said. Her mother went to protest but Katherine stopped her with a hand to her shoulder.

Cassia hustled out of the room. The next hour was spending touring the dorm and campus. They decided to have lunch off campus. During lunch all Cassia got out of Clay about Bradley Turner was that it was club business. Deciding not to argue at the moment, Cassia just enjoyed her time with her family.