Page 19 of Finding Us
“Zip it, Maloney … and be a good boy and bring in my bags.”
“How much stuff did you bring?” he grumbles as he starts wheeling her multiple suitcases inside. I know my best friend; she doesn’t know how to pack light. We once went on an overnight trip with our school and she brought ten outfits and eight pairs of shoes. Everyone else had an overnight bag or backpack at best—Cassie rocked up with a giant-arse Louis Vuitton suitcase. “Are you here for a visit, or are you moving the fuck in?”
“I haven’t decided how long I’m going to grace you with my presence yet,” she retorts.
I laugh into Cassie’s chest … these two. They have a constant love-hate relationship going on, but in recent years it’s more of a hate one.
Once the last of her luggage is brought in, Connor closes the front door … a little more abruptly than usual. “Call me when dinner is ready, Jaz,” he says as he heads towards his bedroom.
“What are you doing here?” I ask. “I wasn’t expecting you until next week.”
“Life sucks in Melbourne without you.”
“Cass.”
“It’s true, it’s been really shitty. I feel lost without you there.”
“Aww, babe. I’m sorry.”
“Besides, I have your birthday celebrations to organise. It’s hard to do that from so far away.”
“I just want something small … you know I’m not into all that fanfare.”
“Hah, good one.”
“Cass,” I groan. I was hoping for something low-key, I hate being the centre of attention, but I know what Cassie is like. She turned twenty-one a few months ago, and her parents put on a huge black-tie event with hundreds of guests present … a vast majority of them strangers. It wasn’t because they cared either, it’s all about keeping up the appearances. Cassie was still in her element.
“Don’tCassme, you only turn twenty-one once … besides, you owe me for abandoning me.”
“I didn’t abandon you.”
“Hmm,” she huffs.
“Come,” I say, hooking my arm through hers. I’ll never win this argument, so I’m not about to try. “We made up the spare room for you, so you’re welcome to stay as long as you want.”
“Eep. We are going to have so much fun, Jazzie. Tomorrow, you are all mine. We have a lot of lost time to make up for.”
“I’ve been gone less than a week.”
“Which equates to a year in best friend time.”
“Right,” I say with a laugh. “Did you forget I have a job now?”
She shrugs. “I can come hang out with you there … can’t I? You said Brooke was your friend, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind. We can go out afterwards.”
“Maybe I could talk to Brooke about giving you some work. She’s in the process of installing some poles at the studio … I’m sure she’d love to have another teacher on board.” I nudge her shoulder with mine as I speak. “You could earn some extra cash while you’re here.”
My idea makes her cringe. “Money is the last thing I need.”
“So, you’re saying no to paid work?”
“I’m lonely, not desperate.”
“One day you’re going to surprise me and start standing on your own two feet. The sooner you get out of this financial hold your parents have on you, the better off you’ll be.”
“Never going to happen, I like spending their money too much. Besides they owe me … think of it as financial compensation.”
“Financial compensation? For what, not really giving a shit?”
