Cold, Empty Mattresses And Falling Stars

*Cassidy's POV*

I woke up to my Mom screaming my name, I sighed and rolled my eyes before jumping up and running downstairs, "What?" I asked crossing my arms so protect my chest as it was cold, "The cat needs some food and so do I" she said looking at me from the couch, "Well you have hands" I scoffed before turning to walk back up the stairs, I felt a sudden tight tug on my hair before I fell to the floor, "Don't use that tone with me. Now do I have to say it twice?" She asked, I shook my head as I held the back of it and raced through to the kitchen, I quickly fed dimples and put some bacon and egg on, cooking it as quick as I could before I got shouted at or worse, hit again, "Breakfast?" She shouted through as I was plating the food up, "It's here" I said handing it to her, "No pancakes" she said before slapping me in the jaw with a remote, "Lazy bitch, get out of my site" she sneered, I quickly ran upstairs and dove on my bed, holding my cheek and bursting into tears, I heard a small tap on my door before it slowly opened revealing a wet and half dressed Tamara, "I heard everything from the bathroom" she said before walking over and cuddling into me, "Your face is bright red" she sighed brushing her cold and wet fingers over my cheek, I flinched a little as it hurt but settled when she pulled away, quickly apologizing, "Work today?" She asked, I sighed and nodded, I worked at a small fragrance shop at the Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego, they sell things from Candles to Perfumes basically anything with a fragrance, Tamara loved it as I got free gifts for her, "When you are leaving can you drop me off at Sallie's?" She asked giving me the puppy eyes, I sighed giving in, "I suppose so" I laughed, she smiled and clapped her hands before jumping up and running through to her room to get ready, I had no idea what I was going to wear, "Tams?" I shouted, within seconds she appeared at my door fully clothed, "Yeah?" She asked looking at me, "Can you help?" I asked pulling my wardrobe doors open, she giggled and nodded before skipping over and effortlessly pulling out a colour coded outfit, "Thank you" I smiled before she disappeared again. After 20 minutes of messing around with Tamara and on my phone I was finally ready, "I'm ready when you are" I said knocking on her door, she swung it open and gave me a big smiled before racing downstairs, saying goodbye to her Mom and walking to the car, "Bye" I shouted gaining a small groan from Karen, I grabbed my keys and jumped in the car with Tamara beside me, "Ready?" I asked, she nodded but mid smiled she stopped, "Cass" she gasped, I looked at her worried and confused, "What?" I asked laughing a little, "Your face" she said pointing to where I was hit earlier, I pulled the mirror down and saw a big purple bruise peering through my foundation, I quickly opened the glove compartment and covered with extra foundation it until it as gone, "See much better" I said reassuring her but she didn't look very reassured.

After I dropped Tamara off at Sallie's I quickly raced to work, stopping to get one black tea and a coffee for myself and Alex, one of my best friends, when I arrived I was only 5 minutes late which is better than usual, "Hey, you made it" she laughed as she took her drink from my hand, I just rolled my eyes before throwing my name badge on and getting behind the closest counter, "Where's Delilah?" I asked looking around as this was normally her counter, "She's here!" She shouted as she appeared from the back, she waltzed over and past me, I sighed and rolled my eyes, "Since you two get on so well, you're working together today" Sasha, my bitchy boss" smiled as she walked past us, I looked at Alex, widening my eyes as Delilah started throwing a hissy fit, "I'm gonna go" Alex mouthed before running to her counter, "Well looks like we're working together" I said smiling at her, she rolled her eyes and started brushing herself down as more people were coming in. Within the space of 30 minutes I had made 5 sales which was actually okay, "Hey, you" Delilah whispered violently, I rolled my eyes before looking at her, "How do I look?" She asked, I looked her up and down, "Fine, I guess why?" I asked, "There is a cute guy coming this way" she said pushing her boobs up, I quickly glanced over and saw Mike heading towards me, I prayed that he hadn't seen me, "Hi, how can I help you?" Delilah said irritatingly, "Umm I'm actually looking for a candle for my Mom?" He asked, I giggled a little before I went back to stocking the shelves, "Cass?" Mike asked, I suddenly froze, "Oh you know Cassidy?" Delilah asked getting a little jealous, I sighed before turning around, "Hey Mike" I said smiling a little as I adjusted my hat, "I didn't know you worked here?" He said , I smiled and shrugged a little, "What can I do for you?" I asked, I saw a small smirk appear on his face, "Go on that date with me?" He asked, I saw Delilah's face scrunch up as envy and jealousy built up inside her, I laughed a little shaking my head, "I already told you" I said before looking for a sweet smelling candle,"Please, I am literally begging right now" he said clapping his hands together, "Strawberry and Lime is pretty nice" I said handing him a large candle in a glass jar, he opened and I took a whiff before nodding, "I'll buy this on one condition" he said, I looked at him and rolled my eyes, "For the final time, no" I said, I sighed looking down, "Fine!" He said giving in and handing me the money, "Bye Mike" I said as he walked out, "Just as well you said no, he was probably just joking around because, well..." She said looking me up and down, I gave a weak laugh before I pushed passed her and ran to the door, "Mike!!" I shouted, he turned around and came running back, "Yeah!!?" He asked hopeful, "Maybe a date won't be a bad idea" I smiled seeing Delilah angrily stare at us with hate, "Really?" He asked, a smile creeping on his face, I sighed and nodded confirming it, he picked me up and hugged me tightly, "You won't be disappointed" he smiled before running back to his friend, I watched as he celebrated. I turned and walked back to the counter, Delilah didn't say a word she just stormed off to the back room, "Hi, how can I help?" I asked as an older woman walked over.

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