Chapter Nine : The invitation

Lia avoided her mom's threatening gaze for the nth time. Was it really her fault? it was just an act of self defense.

" How do you feel? " Her mom asked looking over Cassie's eyes.

" like two red-hot pieces of steel being pushed into my eyes and a blow-torch applied to my face. How does that sound? " Cassie winced, tears welling in her eye.

Mom frowned at the sight, her daughter really did a lot of damage to Cassie. She snapped at Lia, wagging a finger .

" Do you know spraying an innocent victim in the face can be a crime?!. You could be charged with assault " She rebuked sternly. sweeping back with her hand some strands of hair that had fallen on her face blocking her left view.

"You should be thankful Cassie is not sueing" She continued.

Lia heaved an exasperated sigh looking away, arguing with her mom in this state was pointless and a total waste of energy. The woman was unwavering and stubborn as a bull.

ugh, *Taureans!

"Mrs Jenny, please don't be angry with Lia. It was my fault sneaking up on her like that and scaring her " Cassie pleaded on Lia's behalf with quivering lips and an irresistible puppy face.

Dang it ! Jenny thought, this child was so irresistible. without even realizing it, her anger dissipated at once so she agreed readily. "Fine "

"You should be grateful " She snarled at Lia before helping Cassie to her feet.

" Let's go rinse this stupid stuff off your face, thankfully a shampoo can cut the oil resin " She explained leading Cassie carefully to the direction of the bathroom.

Once they left, a rhythmic mocking clap came from behind as Trevor who sat leisurely with his legs dangling from the outside of the couch flung a subtle jibe.

"Nice. Keep up the good work and mom will age in a day or two "

Lia rolled her eyes and hurled back " Thanks for the info, dumbass "

Though Lia and Trevor were blood siblings with Lia older with two years but the both never met eye to eye. They often had altercations which always ends with Lia winning or their mom threatening them to knock it off.

Amusement played on Trevor's face, he would be fulfilled if it meant taunting Lia for the rest of her life.

"You know for someone who claims to be smart, you're pretty stupid spraying an innocent victim. " He continued " If I was Cassie, I would have your ass last in jail for atlest two days"

"But thankfully you're not Cassie so go drink river water " She retorted flashing him a wide fake smile until her muscles ached but beneath that calm facade, she was on the verge of exploding.

Trevor's expression darkened and just when he opened his mouth, his mom came in with Cassie so he backed out.

"Coward " Lia jeered to his hearing while he balled his fist, silently swearing to get back at her in the future.

Lia ignored her brother and focused on Cassie whom she had to admit was really good looking. She had a baby face, accentuated by her fine blond hair , baby blue eyes and a petite body. She was simply "adorable ".

After moments of observing her, Lia found out Cassie had a one track mind and a bubbly personality. She was simply a breath of fresh air and Lia couldn't help but want to be really friends with her.

"You all are really coming to the acceptance ceremony, right? " she asked expectantly.

Jenny scratched her head awkwardly "I don't know " She breathed "I don't want us to impose on.... "

"You are absolutely not imposing " She chirped in with her high pitched voice that had Lia wincing.

How could her throat survive that?

"Moreover " Cassie continued "Its a must tradition in little Town unless you want to be outcasted by the locals " She warned with a deep frown.

"Why are they so intense with such lame party? Is this some sort of occult or what ? " Trevor asked attracting everyone's scowl so he slowly leaned back on the couch.

Eventhough Lia felt like kicking Trevor for his poor choice of words but she had to admit his question was legit. This acceptance of a thing was indeed suspicious, what kind of Town organizes such ceremony.

"Occult or no occult, the ceremony is done with good intentions. The main purpose of the ceremony is to ward off evil beings from taking control of your mind and body.Moreover they won't draw blood from any of you so you shouldn't worry for your safety " Cassie explained her best hoping Jenny would have a change of heart.

Lia could sense her mom's internal battle, she was contemplating, weighing the pros and cons of this whole thing.

" Fine " Jenny said before adding "But on one condition "

"Okie? "

Jenny said straightforwardly " You tell me what really goes down in that ceremony and also become friends with my son, Trevor "

Hearing that, trevor threw up the water he was drinking from with a shocked expression .

"Eww" Lia murmured disgusted to the core. She wiped off the little droplets that had fallen on her with her hand.

"No way , I don't accept that " He objected firmly

"My decisions are final, young man " Jenny concluded before he could even raise an argument.

Stung and quivering with embarrassment, he ground his teeth in fury as he left for his room banging the door behind him so hard the house shook.

Least affected by Trevor's outburst, Jenny focused all attention on Cassie

"So do we have a deal or not? "

Cassie smiled widely " Deal " taking Jenny's hand in a firm but warm handshake. Nor of them knew how relieved Cassie was for successfully accomplishing her mission.

"Fine then, my family and I will be there for the acceptance ceremony " Jenny assured her confidently.

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*Taureans : are born between April 21 and May 21, and belong to the Earth element of the zodiac (along with Virgo and Capricorn). The Earth sign collective are practical, stoic, determined, ambitious and materialistic. Taurus are famous for their stubbornness, but there's more to them then that… they're a bit of dark horse.