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“…So, yeah. I went missing for a bit because of all that.” Cassandra said, having recounted the events of the past day to Nene – who was sititng next to her on the couch. She looks rightfully concerned about this, but doesn’t say anything yet. She was waiting for Cassandra to finish. “And now I’ve got the choice between sticking with the gang, or pulling a stunt like what was given to me. Honestly, I’m stuck on which one is the worse choice.” She added, crossing her arms.
“Cassandra, you can’t keep doing this. I get you’ve got a lot of street cred, but this is looking too dangerous, even for you.” Nene replied, finally speaking after Cass was done. “I spent a whole day worried abut your safety, and now I’m hearing you were offered to smoke someone.” She added, Cassandra averting her gaze. It takes her a few moments before she can reply, trying to get the right words together.
“Yeah, but… I feel like I’ve gotta carry this forward, you know?” She finally replied, turning back to face Nene. “My crew’s feeling pretty tough after that job, and I’m the only one who got contacted about it. The offer could be enough to keep us afloat for a while…” Cass added, trying to get an excuse for this. Nene wasn’t having it though, putting a hand on Cassandra’s shoulder.
“Cass, this isn’t about your crew or whatever the offer is. This is about your safety...” She said, holding onto Cass tightly. “You’re being offered to take a hit on a high-profile person. That’s leagues above your current lifestyle. And the fact someone tracked those dead guys to you specifically means there’s eyes on you now.” She added, Cassasndra letting her arms down as she lets out a sigh.
“I get it, it’s just… I need the respect, you know?” She said, hesitating to make a solid decision. “I do this, everyone’s gonna know and fear my name. The one who pulled off a job not many could. People would stop fucking with me and my crew.” Cassandra added. In response to this, Nene stands up to grab both of her shoulders now. Forcing her gaze to meet Nene’s, the two staring each other in the eyes.
“Cassandra, tell me. Say you pull this off. You gun someone down one more time, and people know who you are because of it.” Nene said, her tone stern. “The bigger your name, the bigger target you become. You’re trying to become Goliath without caring that a David could see you as the next job ‘not many could’. And you don’t want that.” She added. Cassandra was about to respond, but Nene beat her to the punch. “If that happens, what are you gonna do?” She asked. There was a moment of silence, as both sides hesitated to speak. Nene finds it in her to do it first.
“Your safety is at risk if you do this, Cassandra. Both taking this job, and still being a gang member.” She said, gaze still on Cassandra. “What will it take for you to get out of this life?”
“I’ve got a plan, I swear…” Cassandra lied, but Nene still didn’t believe her.
“Do you? Cassandra, tell me… What is your plan?” She asked. With that question, Cassandra’s nervousness finally hit a breaking point.
“I DON’T KNOW!” Cassandra yells out, shaking and scaring Nene a little. Seeing the reaction on her face, the redhead calms down. “I don’t know…”
Nene finally lets go of Cassandra’s shoulders, feeling like she’s gone too far. As she sits back down on the couch, she lets out a sigh. “Sorry. This is unproductive and unhelpful…” Nene said, looking around her apartment.
“Yeah… I’m sorry too. I got you all tangled up in this mess.” Cassandra replied, crossing her arms once again. She was worrying too much about the last part, of how Nene is involved now. Cassandra could take any and all hits, but she didn’t want Nene to take any for her. Not to mention the extreme stress she’d put her through, and-
“Maybe we shoul-“ As Cassandra was about to speak, Nene’s eyes lock onto something. Her CD collection, full of albums she likes.
“…Can I show you something I like? It’d be better than arguing about this.” She asked, standing up. Cassandra turns her head, curious.
“Wh-what?” Her panicked overthinking was stopped in its tracks, the question catching her off guard. “S-sure, what is it?” The redhead asked, as Nene scrolls through her CDs. Going past the good kid, m.a.a.d. city case, she gets to her favorite band.
“Have you ever heard of The Neighbourhood?” She asked, taking a disc out of a case. Cassandra tilts her head in confusion, as she hasn’t heard of them.
“I don’t think I have. I feel like our music tastes are pretty far from each other.” She said, Nene turning her CD player on and putting the disc inside.
“Really now? What kind of music are you into?” Nene asked, the disc beginning to spin after a bit.
“The kind you’d expect from someone like me. Punk rock, industrial rock, that kind of stuff. KMFDM and Thrill Kill Kult especially.” Cassandra replied as the music began, a song called A Little Death.
“Hm… I think you should still listen to this.” Nene replied, going back to the couch.
The song plays as Cassandra lets out a chuckle, unsure about how to take this. Eventually she just stops, and does the same as Nene – just listening to the music.
“Make me feel like I am breathing / Feel like I am human…” Cassandra finds herself singing along to the chorus, earning a smile from Nene. Cassandra wasn’t looking in her direction, but she could sense Nene’s gaze being on her.
“…Yeah, I like the song.” Cassandra said as it came to a close, another one playing shortly after. Nene had set it to shuffle, so the songs just kept going. “Nice band…” She added, Nene coming to give her a hug.
“Glad to hear it. I’m honestly really happy you like it, I genuinely wasn’t expecting it.” She replied, hugging Cassandra tightly. “Maybe I could show you some other songs, too! Other than this album, at least.” Nene added, Cassandra smiling from the hug.
“I think that’d be fun. But… It’s getting late, isn’t it? I feel like I should be off.” The redhead said, looking at the clock. It’s already 9…
“…Actually, can you stay the night, please?” Nene begged, stopping Cassandra from standing up just yet. “I’ve already been missing you, I want you to be here with me for tonight.” She added. Her tone was completely genuine, meaning Cassandra couldn’t refuse. For all that begging she did for Cass to turn away from the gang lifestyle… She loved Nene too much to decline.
“…Alright. I’ll stay with you, then.” She said. “On the couch again?” Cassandra asked, but Nene didn’t say anything yet. Instead, she lets go of Cass and stands up. Taking her hand, Nene speaks to her.
“…Follow me, okay?” She asked. Cassandra was confused, but she knew Nene was bringing her somewhere she hasn’t been. Trusting her, the redhead simply followed along.
Nene and Cassandra found themselves in the former’s bedroom, Nene closing the door behind them. Cassandra was blushing as she realized what’s happening – right as Nene takes her hand, their fingers interlocking shortly after. Nene gets her face close to Cass’s, before going in for a kiss. Cassandra returns it, both closing their eyes as they shared an intimate moment. The kiss lasted for several seconds, only stopping once they were both out of breath. As the two stared in each others’ eyes, Nene put a hand up to Cass’s face. Cupping it tenderly and getting her to the bed.
“Cassandra… I don’t know where your judgement lies, but I just want you to know this. Everything I say to you, everything I tell you… It’s because I love you.” She said, Cassandra blushing intensely. “You’re the woman I love the most, and… I wanted to tell you this before you do anything else. Before we do anything else.” She added.
“…I can’t help but say the same, Nene.” Cassandra replied, her arms around Nene’s waist. “I’ll admit… The gang life, as addicting as it is, doesn’t mean shit since I can’t even enjoy it. I gotta run a gang and keep it afloat. I don’t even get much other help…” She added, chuckling. “So I always cherish the time we’ve got together. The time we just enjoy each other’s company.” Cassandra continued, Nene still cupping her face. “So if we’re really doing this – and we are doing this… I’m just happy to be with you again.” She finished, Nene smiling.
“So am I.” She replied, going in for one more kiss as she pushes Cassandra onto the bed – the redhead taking off her jacket shortly after. The two lovers embrace in passion, both wishing to make this night memorable.