" Turn it off, Cassie! " Emma angrily yelled, her voice ringing down the hallway. For the next few minutes, the music played on, and it seemed even louder. Leaning over her bed to turn off the alarm clock, she saw the time was 5:43 am. She had her alarm set by 5:30, and it was already 13 minutes late. Groaning in annoyance, she got off her bed and slid her feet into her "flip-flops" close to her reading table. She stormed out of her room, murmuring under her breath. Cassie was fond of this annoying behavior of hers, always disturbing the peace and serenity of the house with her loud music, and Emma was getting fed up. Getting into Cassie's room, she tripped over a box containing different magazines and song covers, and fell directly to the floor. Her face turned red with anger.
That seemed to draw the attention of Cassie as she turned to face angry-face Emma, battling to get off the floor. Cassie hurriedly threw the headphones she had on, across the room and rushed to help Emma up.
" I'm sorry, "She muttered, holding her hand and pulling her up. Emma brushed off imaginary dirt from her pajamas, ignoring Cassie's apology, before venting her anger.
" Did you check the time? Why disturbing everyone with your loud music?" Realizing the music was still on and loud, she gave her cousin a stern look," Turn it off".
" Right away ma'am"
Cassie rushed to the home theater and turned it off. She dropped her gaze to the floor and walked slowly towards her.
" Did you check the time? " She repeated this time a little harshly, Cassie nodded her head slowly.
" Don't you know mum is still asleep? I was asleep until you turned your music to the loudest. You know I sleep late at night and wake up early, why did you choose to interrupt that?"
" I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." Her voice was timid and low. Emma felt the rush of anger over her disappear immediately. She hated making her cousin feel sad or disturbed, and she felt bad that she had made her feel that way already with her tune of talking. She got down a little and placed her right hand on Cassie's shoulders.
" Sorry for using that tune on you, Cass. I was just annoyed, I'll learn to control my anger next time"
Cassie raised her head up and smiled at her, she took her hand and held it with hers.
" I was wrong, Emma, for disturbing aunt Susie and you. I'll be quiet from now on, "Emma returned her smile and pulled her into her arms for a hug. Although Emma was 20 and Cassie was 16, the love and respect they had for each other was one of their greatest gifts and strength.
" I'm going to check up on mum now," Emma said, pulling from the hug and getting up. " You stay quiet from now on"
"Yes ma'am" Cass giggled
Emma walked out to the door and opened it. Looked around the room and saw the mess it was in," Please clean your room too, it's messy. "
" I will, mom "
Emma chuckled at Cassie's sentence and closed the door behind her as she left.
Her mum's room was close to the living room, and adjacent to Cassie's. It was just the three of them in the house, and also in the world of their own. Her dad was late – that was the only thing she knew about him. And so was Cassie's mum. Her mum was the younger sister of Susie, who was Emma's mum. Sarah got pregnant with Cassie when she was just 18 years old. The person responsible was the son of a reputable CEO who was against his relationship with Sarah. They wanted her to abort the baby, but she would have none of it. Oliver – Cassie's dad, was in love with Sarah, but was also scared of his parent's judgement and his reputation. He wasn't ready to leave everything and be with her. He ignored her and left her all alone with the pregnancy.
Depression crept into her, and the stigma her relationship with Oliver brought her was too overwhelming for her to comprehend. Slowly she got tired and fed up with life. Susie tried all she could to help her sister out of her situation, but it wasn't working, as she herself was going through the same thing.