CHERRY. [JESS MARIANO]

You Owe Me

"Mom, I'm coming out."

My mother turned around at me entering the door. She had her reading glasses on and was holding a magazine. The couch she was sitting on was facing the tv that was turned on but muted.

She looked at me as she pushed her glasses up into her dark hair. "You're gay?"

"What? No, I'm coming out to society." I rephrase as I put my school bag down and and sit next to her in the couch.

She closes the magazine. "Yes, I heard about that," she says solemnly.

"How? I just got back."

She takes a deep sigh before looking into my eyes. "Nana called," she begins as I groan. "She told me all about it."

I bury my face into the nearest pillow. "Is there anyway I can get out of it?"

"I could, but your Nana is on the way here and..." she trails off.

I pick my face off the pillow and sit up straight. "What?" I ask in disbelief. "You mean she's on the way here. From London."

My mother just nods. "She's on the way here. All the way from Europe!" I repeat. She winces, a look on her face signalling she knows something I don't. "Oh my god. Is there more?"

"Well, her and your grandfather are on the way from Europe."

I let out a loud moan and flop back onto the couch. "There's no way we can get out of it now, right?" I ask hopefully as I stare up at the ceiling fan.

Running her hands through my hair soothingly, she's begins to speak. "Honestly Cassie, I tried. I really did try to get her to drop it. But you should've heard how happy she sounded." She began looking down at me. "And you know how lonely they get up there. I just had to agree."

I let out a big breathe. "Yeah you're right," I agree sadly.

Giving my forehead a light kiss, she begins to stand up. "Thank you," she says quietly.

"Curse us and our good hearts." I grumbled before rolling off the couch dramatically.

~~~

"We need an escort?" I ask with a groan. Rory, sitting across from me grabbed the pamphlet out of my hands.

Luke's diner was busy as usual, especially since it was early in the morning. I sipped on my coffee as Rory scanned through the pamphlet. However instead of the warm bitter liquid seeping into my mouth I was met with a mouthful of air.

Looking down into my cup I realised it was empty. I said a quick 'be right back' to Rory before heading over to the counter to get a refill.

"Oh, Romeo." I called teasingly out to Jess who's back was turned to me. He turns around with three plates in his hand.

"Yes, my love?" He shoots back as I frown.

I ignore him. "Where's the coffee?" I ask pointing to the empty pot of coffee.

Jess looks where I'm pointing and sighs. "We're all out." He walks out from behind the counter to hand a few people their plates. I followed him in my uniform with my empty mug in hand.

I look at him with a scowl on my face. "What do you mean it's all out?" I ask incredulously.

He shakes his head as he passes the last plate to out. "I mean, we're all out." He repeats once more.

"But I need my coffee!"

He walks back to the counter with some empty plates that he had picked up. "Don't they sell coffee at your fancy school?" He motions to my uniform with a raised brow.