Dina Let Out A Frustrated Sigh, Watching Her Friend Pick At Her Food. Ever Since Luna's Mother Died,

Dina let out a frustrated sigh, watching her friend pick at her food. Ever since Luna's mother died, she had been different, and her father seemed to have total control over her and her whereabouts. She was sure that her father had something to do with Luna's absence, but she knew there wasn't much that could be done about it.

"Okay, well....I will just fill you in on all the details.", Dina said as she went about unloading the events of the day to her friend. Dina gave her a blow by blow of the entire situation, and Luna listened with intent. Dina might not have had very many friends, but she knew that she had Luna, and that was more than enough for her.

"So...she brought home some guy that she met at a bar?", Luna asked, titling her head as a puzzled look came across her face. "That's not like your mother. She always seemed so...level headed."

"That's exactly my point! She's not the type to make decision based off of lust.", Dina said, gripping her fingertips together as the anger washed back over her again. "I don't know what kind of magic this Don weaved over her, but she's positively enamoured!"

Luna pursed her lips together as she pondered, hesitating on what she wanted to say next. "Maybe she just really likes him?"

Dina scoffed, laughing it off at the idea. "No, somethings up, and I'm going to figure it out. She obviously isn't in her right mind. This guy has to have something on her. I'm sure of it."

The two girls spent the rest of the afternoon chatting about Prom and the rest of their high school days. Dina was eager for it all to be over with. Her 18th birthday was quickly approaching and, if things continued the way they were going now, Dina would move off to Brichester as soon as the school season was over. She wasn't about to watch her mother make a foolish mistake with a man...again.

Dina smirked as her sister so easily took the bait. It was simple. She would encourage her sister's little crush on their mother's boyfriend. If Dina was right about him, and she knew that she was, he wouldn't be able to ignore her sister's attention for long and he would slip. It could be a week from now, or a month, or a year; but he would eventually show his true colors by pursing Nina. And when he did, Dina would make sure that their mother was there to see all of it.

It wasn't that Dina wanted her mother to be hurt; it was quite the opposite. She was convinced that her mother's fascination with this younger playboy was because she was lonely. She couldn't seriously be interested in trying to pursue things further with him. And, in the case that she was, Dina would prevent it from happening by any means necessary; for her mother's protection.

The girls didn't talk about their father leaving them, but they both remembered how it happened and they remember everything that led up to it. Their father had been in and out of their life for as long as she could remember. He never stayed very long, even though her mother begged him to. He made it clear that he felt responsible for the children, but that it wasn't anything more than that. It wasn't love. It was obligation that he visited. But, eventually, the visits stopped, and their mother was left heartbroken over a man that didn't love her.

The last thing that Dina wanted was to see her mother go through that again. She wanted her to find peace within herself.

"I will leave you two alone to discuss the arrangements." Dina said as she hopped up from the chair and made her way back inside the market.

It was then that she spotted someone that she hadn't expected to see there. She smirked to herself as she followed after him down the stairs and into the bottom level of the market where the gaming hall was. She knew that if she didn't take the chance to speak to this person, she would regret it. "Mr. Goth. Do you have a moment?"

The school day went on pretty much as normal for Oasis Springs High. Dina was happy, as it gave her a chance to not think about her mother or the situation. She wanted to be happy for her mother, but she just didn't trust this man. Something about him was off, and she couldn't quite put a finger on it. Still, she knew that it wasn't her place to dictate her mother's love life. She deserved to be happy after being alone for so long.

In her final class of the day, her teacher drew all their attention to a girl standing in the doorway.

'Ah, Miss Goth. Would you like to come inside?", Mrs. Coombs asked as a slender girl with dark hair walked into the classroom.

The girl didn't say anything, instead starring down at the floor.

Dina was intrigued, as it was a little late in the year to be getting a new student.

"Class, this is Cassandra Goth. She is a transfer from Willow Creek.", the teacher explained casually, as though she was reading from a script. "She will be finishing out the year here with us and graduating with your class at the end of the month."

Dina's eyes flickered over to her sister, who was sitting in the front row. Everyone knew who the Goth's were. They were as famous as the Landgraabs in Oasis Springs. She also knew that Cassandra was only fifteen years old, and should be a freshman - not a senior. She had heard that the girl was a genius, but that was a bit much.

Dina was curious as to why she would be transferred here, considering as far as she knew, she still lived in Willow Creek. But, she had heard from a very reliable source that young Malcolm Landgraab had been spending quite a lot of time at the Goth Manor as of late. Is it possible that could have something to do with it?

Nevertheless, Dina was sure that things were about to get very interesting for her.

broken promises

Dina tried not to show how offended she was that Cassandra did not know who she was. It was curious, considering Dina's massive online presence as a fashion icon. Was this girl not online? It must have been that way, considering all the rumors she had heard about Cassandra Goth and her disdain for people.

"Why did you transfer? Did a certain Landgraab have anything to do with it?", Dina asked, smirking as she watched Cassandra grow very red in the face. She wasn't sure if she was blushing or if she was angry, but her reaction made it obvious that was true.

"Papa and Mama thought that I should spend some time with my Uncle before going away to University.", Cassandra explained, trying to avoid eye contact with Dina.

It was obvious something was going on. There had been rumors for years about an arranged marriage between the Landgraab's son and the Goth's daughter. It would have made sense from a business standpoint. Old Money had a tendency to stick together. It would also explain why Malcom had refused her advances for the past three years despite her persistence.

"Are you going next year? Perhaps, we will be going together. That would be fun, don't you think?" Dina chimed, ignoring the look on Evie Copur's face as she rolled her eyes in the background.

Dina knew that she needed to get in good with Cassandra Goth, and while she wasn't exactly thrilled about the idea, it had to be done. Dina had dreams and ambitions of her own; marrying into a rich family was just one of her schemes. If she became Cassandra's bestie, perhaps, if the Landgraab boy was taken she would at least know of someone else that was looking for a wife.

"If you want, Cassie, I can show you around the school after class. I would love to get to know you better and I think we're going to be the best of friends!", Dina said, watching as the girl exhaled slowly, rubbing at her temples. "You know what....That would actually be great. Thank you...Dina."

Dina was thrilled when she noticed Cassandra arriving at the bowling alley. She really didn't think that she would come, or that Mortimer would deliver the message. Regardless, she felt like everything was falling into place. It was even more interesting when she showed up with none other than Malcolm Landgraab - just as Dina had hoped.

"So, Cassie.", Dina whispered as they sat outside on the patio. "Are you and Malcolm a thing?". she asked titling her head to the side.

She could feel Luna's elbow in her side as soon as the question left her lips, but she ignored her best friend to focus all of her attention on Cassandra.

"It's...complicated.", Cassie said quietly, her eyes narrowing as she stared Dina down. "And it's really none of your business."

"Oh, come on! Don't you want to talk about it? It just seems a little strange that you'd transfer to Oasis Springs a month before senior year is over. Why not finish out the year at Willow Creek? Unless....there was a reason why you couldn't."

Luna cleared her throat, which forced Dina to look over at her.

"Cassie, you really don't have to answer her. Dina can be a little....abrasive. It's not the most attractive personality trait, but I promise she means well.", Luna said, chuckling under her breath as she got a glare from Dina. "Did you move to Oasis Springs, or are you commuting like I am?"

"I have an apartment.", Cassie said, her fingertips digging into her jeans. "I'm staying beside you, actually, Dina. I...saw you come home the other night and realized that we're right next door to each other."

This information made Dina feel excited. If Cassie lived next door to her, and her suspicions about her being involved with Malcolm Landgraab were correct, it was possible that he would end up visiting her. It would give her another excuse to try and get to know Malcolm.

"I wish you had told me sooner! I would love to see your place. We should plan a girls night. You, me, and Luna.", Dina said, as she noticed Lilith and Angela Pleasant motioning with their hands for them to come inside with the rest of their friends.

"Cassie, do you like to sing?", Dina asked as she stood up, holding out her hand to her new found friend. "This bowling alley doubles as a karaoke bar! It's awesome. We're going to have so much fun."

Before Cassandra could even answer her, Dina pulled her inside, making her way to the bar to put her name on the list with Cassie.