Cremated Chains.

Chapter Twelve: Delight and Despair.

Cassidy had settled on a simple black knee-length dress with a portrait neckline and a corset-like top, the bottom flaying out in three layers of puffy yet soft lace. Her hair was set back in a simple fishtail using the top half of her right hair, the rest tied up into a high pony to form an elegant yet simple hairdo.

Finally, after a bunch of arguing, Alexandra had allowed her to put on a simple pair of ballerina flats while complaining her younger sister was a 'simpleton'.

Cassidy didn't care much about her sister's opinion and was focused on meeting her friends that afternoon. Raina had decided to drop by Valerie's house an hour before the rest of them would arrive, which was why Cassidy had to go with Alexandra.

As the Cadillac pulled up outside Valerie's villa, Cassidy couldn't help but admire the modern yet elegant white villa surrounded by cars and potted plants. The blonde's house seemed to take on a modern yet old theme, the house itself was made of metal and glass, but the furniture was wooden with chandeliers were placed periodically around the house.

The group of teenagers were required to stick to the basement, but Cameron and Timothy loitered around the living room, choosing to play video games and pool. She briefly greeted the duo before walking past the living room, lightly pushing the basement's door open.

When she descended the basement's steps Cassidy finally understood why they were supposed to stay there.

Lights of various colours were strewn across the ceiling as songs lightly played in the room. The couches and beanbags were periodically arranged towards the left side of the room to create space for a dance floor of sorts. The far wall was partially covered by a row of elegant white tables, each adorning various junk foods and sparsely any healthy delicacies, just how teenagers liked it.

It seemed the Hensons had dedicated their basement to parties and get-togethers and had furnished it accordingly. Cassidy had to admit she liked the place, finding it suitable for a family game night and house party depending on the lighting and music.

"Cassidy, you look great!"

Raina smiled lightly as she met Cassidy on the bottom of the stairs, pulling her towards the couch Valerie was seated on. The Hijabi had a black scarf, red crop-top and navy blue jeans on, her outfit varying from Valerie's green dress and black heels.

The two of them seemed to be setting up some sort of game as Cassidy joined them on the couch, surveying the colourful wheel and various objects on the table.

It took her a moment to catch on, but the brunette finally realized the game was one of luck.

Each player would spin the wheel and do something according to the colour they stopped on. If they decided not to do what was asked, then the player would receive a punishment. It was like truth or dare on a wheel, except the options were limited.

Valerie briefly explained the game's rules, mentioning the penalty could be anything whereas you could only make the player do something of your choice if they landed on the question mark. Cameron and Timothy wouldn't be joining them for the game as they chose to play video games with promises to head downstairs once the girls finished their game.

Cassidy didn't mind, in fact, she felt more comfortable around Valerie and Raina.

"So, who's first?"

Raina seemed to trap herself with the question as Cassidy and Valerie smiled at her expectantly, subtly nudging the wheel closer to the Hijabi.

She simply laughed at their implications and spun the colourful plastic wheel, smiling as it landed on one of the easier options.

"Tell us a secret."

The artist hummed at Valerie's words, leaning back in her seat as she thought of her various options. In the end, she settled on something surprising yet simplistic, a grin overcoming her features as she answered.

"I wasn't always a Hijabi. I became one last year, around the time we met."

Cassidy was surprised at the answer, attempting to picture Raina without her perfectly wrapped scarves and modest clothing. It was peculiar to think that she committed to her religion around the time her brother passed away, but Cassidy decided not to bring it up and instead spun the wheel for herself.

Rather than being nervous about her turn, Cassidy seemed to be enjoying herself as she waited for the pointer to stop. She was too excited about being with friends to worry about the possible outcome, after all, she hadn't had a day to relax around friends for a long time.

When the pointer finally halted on an option Valerie and Raina giggled at the result.

"Prank call someone."

Cassidy hummed at the result, unsure of how to proceed. There were two options available in front of her, she could either prank call someone Valerie or Raina knew from her phone, or prank call Alexandra from her friend's phone.

In the end, she decided against disturbing her sister and turned towards Valerie expectantly.

"So, who do you want to call?"

It had been an hour since Cassidy arrived at Valerie's house, yet it felt like an eternity. After they finished their games the five teenagers regrouped in the basement and casually talked while having lunch, loosely mentioning different situations and stories.

What transpired after that was something Cassidy frankly didn't comprehend.

Valerie wanted to have a typical girl's night while roping in the boys, but Cameron strictly disagreed. He thought they should have a movie marathon and relax for the afternoon.

Cassidy didn't know who's side to take, and simply sat back and watched as the girls and boys argued about what to do for the rest of the day.

At one point Raina too gave up in trying to negotiate a solution and joined the brunette skater near the beanbags, watching the argument unfold. Cameron and Timothy were persistent in their argument and eventually convinced Valerie to have a movie marathon as long as she picked the series.

Everyone seemed to be satisfied with the decision and decided to head upstairs to the TV room. Cassidy, however, had to make a quick detour to the bathroom.

The Hensons' house was small yet confusing, with several twists and turns and whimsical art pieces around every corner. If Valerie hadn't explained the route to the lavatory, Cassidy was certain she would have been lost in the house.

It wasn't too complicated, but the marble floors and white walls were what blurred the rooms and hallways into one.

Regardless of the confusion, the brunette skater found their house quaint and comfortable and located the bathroom easily.

She had to admit the house was perfect for the Hensons, with five bedrooms and a living room on the second floor, a kitchen, dining area and hall on the first floor, and the basement for whenever someone felt like calling their friends over.

Mr and Mrs Henson didn't spend a lot of time in St Briston due to their occupation as pilots, but they had certainly ensured their children didn't lack any facilities.

All except one basic need; human company.

With her oldest brother, Nico, moving across the city to work as a tattoo artist, and her second brother, Drake, working as an accountant, the house felt empty and Valerie was lonelier than ever. It didn't help that her third brother Miles scored a scholarship at a culinary and pastry school, which meant he wasn't around either.

Usually, she didn't let the loneliness get to her, and Valerie would spend her time training or talking to friends, but sometimes, mostly on the weekends, the bubbly blonde would feel disheartened by the lack of human presence around.

That was how Cameron came into the picture.

After the two of them had met through Miles, Valerie and Cameron bonded over the lack of parental figures in their lives and were usually found hanging out with one another at the park. Their friendship had grown into one closer than Cassidy had ever seen, and the two teenagers considered each other siblings in everything except for blood.

The brunette skater adored their friendship and hoped to get as close to someone as Cameron and Valerie. Unfortunately, she had to wait to form such a strong bond with someone from their group, but Cassidy felt like she and Raina could get as close.

She left the lavatory in a jovial mood, contemplating her friendships and current situation. However, something seemed wrong as the blue-eyed brunette walked towards the basement.

When the steel door finally came into her line of sight, Cassidy let out a horrified gasp and glared at the new addition to the door.

For a moment she briefly scanned the premise, ensuring no one had seen the note taped onto the door. When she was sure no one noticed it, the skater let out an annoyed sigh as she reached out towards the note, yanking it off of the door with newfound vigour.

Her good mood was ruined as Cassidy's blue eyes briefly skimmed over the words, her frown deepening with each line until she finally crumpled the note and tossed it into the open fire in the living room.

It seems you've forgotten our game, well, here is a reminder.

Just because it's been a while doesn't mean we've become kinder.

Bending the rules won't result nicely.

Do I have to remind you your mistakes are pricey?

Cassidy couldn't fathom how she was supposed to build a brighter future when her past persistently tainted her present.

Moreover, how was she supposed to save her new friends from getting mixed into her problems?