Page 5 of Casualties

My eyes scan my surroundings.You can definitely tell who the freshmen are.I hope I don’t look as lost as they do.

I pull out my phone.

Me

Hey Cass!Are you here yet?

Dorms were assigned at random, so I have no clue who my roommate is.I got so lucky with Jordan, but I'm not sure luck will be on my side a second time.I push the key into the doorknob and open the door to my new home away from home.

“Surprise!”Cassie hurls her body toward me full-force and wraps her arms around me in the tightest hug.

“Oh my God!”My eyes brim with tears.I squeeze her just as tight, and breathe in the smell of her lavender-scented hair.

“How is this even possible?I thought dorm selection was random.”I wipe away falling tears but continue to hold her with my other arm tightly.

“You know Grams.She pulled some strings with the university after I told her how nervous I was moving into the dorms alone.I needed you, so she worked her magic, or wrote a check.”We both break out in a fit of laughter, knowing damn well Grams would do anything for her.

The Sinclairs are loaded with generational wealth.You’d think that Cass would have the stereotypical nepo baby syndrome, having access to that much money and looking the way she does, but she could not be a more humble person.

The girls at school that made my high school years less than desirable could have been a lot worse if it weren’t for Cassie.Popularity never interested her, but she was popular by default with her impressive pedigree.So the Ashley Jacobs of our school only messed with me when she wasn’t around.

My dad coughs, interrupting our hug, and I look over to see my mom with tears in her eyes.

“Okay girls, it’s time we head back home.Bring it in for a squeeze, kid.”I run up to my dad and give him a giant hug.When I try to break free to hug Mom, he holds me tighter.

“Dad, you act like you’ll never see me again.I’ll be home for the holidays, ya big softy.”He rapidly blinks his eyes to hide the unshed tears forming as he kisses me lightly on the top of my head.For a big tough guy who intimidates those around him, he’s really a big ole teddy bear.

“Kid, I will never get used to you being gone.Be good and try not to give your brother a hard time looking out for you.”My dad cocks an eyebrow at me and I nod my head in agreement, shining a wicked little smirk.He is well aware Morgan is a helicopter brother, and it probably has a lot to do with him.

When he finally lets me go, I turn to look at my mom.

“Sweetheart, you are going to be great here, just like you were at Stanford this summer.Please do not be afraid to cut loose and have some fun.”She side-eyes my dad in defiance.Holding my cheeks with both hands, she kisses my forehead.

“You have always been so serious when it comes to school.I admire that about you, but I hope you enjoy all there is to experience in college.”

“Okay.Okay.She gets it, Mama.Ains, be safe, and stay out of trouble.”Dad rubs mom’s back, consoling her while she wipes at her face.

“I’m going to miss you both so much.We have hardly spent any time together in the last couple months.”My voice shakes from the realization I won’t have them with me.

“My girls, stop this.Honey, have fun unpacking with Cass.We love you.You girls take care of each other,” Dad says.One more big hug from both of them, and they walk out, closing the door behind them.

“Parents are gone, and now we cut loose.”Cass reaches into a small cooler that looks like a lunchbox.She pulls out two black cherry White Claws and hesitantly hands me one.Cassie knows I have never been one to drink; I have never even attended a party.

I grab the can from her and pop the top, taking a huge drink.I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it’s not horrible.It tastes like a LaCroix.

“Don’t look at me like that.”

“Look at you like what?”Her question is dripping with mock innocence.

“Like you’re shocked the nerdy quiet girl grew a pair.”I take another drink, and continue my speech.“This summer was a big eye opener for me.I needed to reinvent myself, and become someone I could be proud of.Not just for my academics.”

“Oh babe, trust and believe, I am here for the reinvention that is you.You have always been gorgeous, but hid under layers upon layers…upon layers of baggy clothing and textbooks.College is your time to be the shining star that you are.”She beams proudly at me.

As Cass reaches for a box, I take that moment to look around our dorm.The room isn’t as small as I thought it would be, and I’m not sure how Grams swung it, but we aren’t staying in the freshmen dorms.That means we have one of the larger dorms that have their own bathroom and two closets.It’s more like a studio apartment than a dorm room.

She did more than snag us a swanky room.The beds are already made up in bedding sets that radiate in the prettiest shades of maroon and black, and coordinate with the dark wood floors and brick walls.I crouch to the floor and run my fingers through the luxurious black shag rug that lays between our beds.

I shouldn’t expect anything but the best when it comes to Grandma Sinclair.Apparently, all I needed to do was pack the necessities, because that sweet old lady took care of it all.That’s Grams though—anything to make her precious granddaughter happy.The spoiled treatment has always extended to me—you know, being the best friend and all.

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