Chapter 3
THREE
CASSIE
Siri is impatient. I see it in her eyes as her parents hover at the doorway of the room we’re sharing.
I try not to stare, but the room is small and I have nowhere else to go, so I look on with interest as Siri attempts to get them to leave.
“Well, thanks, but shouldn’t you be heading back? It’s quite a journey.”
“We’re staying nearby, in case you’d forgotten.” Her mom says with a smile. “If you like, we could pick you up and take you for dinner.” She smiles at me warmly. “You too if you like, Cassie. It would be good to get to know you.”
Siri’s horrified expression drags a smile from my lips as her father says with impatience, “Charlotte. Leave her. Cut those fucking apron strings and allow her to discover that life isn’t all about getting what you want whenever you want it.”
“Mind your language.”
It amuses me to hear the clipped British accent of Siri’s mom colliding with the rough Russian tones of her father. They intrigue me because her father is tall, built and tattooed to fuckery, much like the men I’ve grown accustomed to. Her mother is an English Lady, from her smart dress and styled hair and polite mannerisms.
Her father sighs and turns to Siri, smiling and pulling her in hard to his embrace. “Malysh.” He whispers, as he buries his face in her hair and as her arms wrap around him, I sense the close bond they share.
Her mom, Charlotte, wipes another tear from her eye before her daughter is released and ends up in her mom’s arms almost as quickly.
Mr. Volkov winks at me, before grasping his wife’s hand and physically tears her apart from her daughter.
“You know where we are and any trouble – find Frankie.”
As they leave, Siri blows a deep sigh of relief.
“I thought they’d never leave.”
For the first time, we are alone and Siri heaves a welcome sigh.
“So, Cassie. This is exciting.”
Her broad smile matches my own and I must agree, it is.
“It’s all new to me.” I confess. “I’m a caged animal most of the time, with zero freedom. I’m surprised my folks agreed to this and from what I just witnessed, I’m guessing you’re the same.”
“One hundred percent.”
She wanders across to the window and stares out at the academy looming in the distance.
“They only allowed me to come because my cousin goes here. He’s been detailed with looking out for me, but if I know him, he won’t give a shit.”
“Same.”
She turns, her eyes wide.
“You have a cousin here?”
“No. Same situation, though. My best friend Jack is due here next week. He’s currently dealing with his grandmother’s death, but arrives soon. We live in the same, um, community and watch out for one another.”
“Community?” Her eyes widen. “As in a cult or some shit like that?”
I laugh out loud and only when I catch my breath, do I gulp, “Something like that.”
She perches on the edge of the bed. “I kind of get it. I mean, I’m part of something like that myself. It’s, well, quite stifling.”
“Agreed.”
I regard her with curiosity.
“Tell me your story and I’ll tell you mine.”
If anything, she appears evasive and is obviously considering her response carefully.
Her bright blue eyes fix on mine and she shakes her head.
“My family is unconventional and not everyone’s cup of tea, as my mom says. They are well, um, forcefully challenged, shall we say?”
I wonder if she is referring to an MC club and ask, “As in a club?”
“Sort of. I have four unofficial uncles who are tighter than family. We live apart but meet up often at a place we all share. In fact, they all met at this place many years ago, which is why we now go here. My cousin even stays in the same house they did—tradition, if you like.”
She is obviously uncomfortable stating the exact nature of her family, which I’m guessing means it’s not entirely legit, but who am I to judge? Neither is mine.
Her gaze falls on me and she enquires, “What’s your story, Cassie?”
“Much the same, really. I live with close to fifty bikers and their old ladies. It’s a motorcycle club and we all live together.”
“Seriously?” Her eyes widen. “Fuck, can I come and stay for the holidays?”
We burst out laughing and just like that, a friendship is forged and any doubts left in torn pieces on the wooden floorboards. We are friends and it surprises me how comfortable I already am around her.
My thoughts turn to my best friend from home. Aside from Jack, there is Imogen and I wonder what she would think of Siri. They are much the same in looks, but Siri has a personality to match mine, whereas Imogen is softer, more introverted and studious. She elected to study nearer to home because she prefers to return home every night. It tugged on my heartstrings to leave her because we have shared so much together growing up. I begged and pleaded with her to join me here, but she resisted all of my attempts.
However, this is all about broadening my horizons and finding myself and Siri is the best possible person I could room with outside of Imogen, so I’m happy about that.
As we settle in, a shiver of excitement passes through me when I consider life at Rockwell Academy. New horizons indeed and with Siri beside me, I’m convinced this will be the beginning of the most exciting chapter of my life—so far, anyway.