It Was True. Dina Still Wasn't Happy That Her Mother Was Dating Don Lothario. His Last Name Felt Like

It was true. Dina still wasn't happy that her mother was dating Don Lothario. His last name felt like the biggest red flag in the world. But, Dina also felt like maybe it was important to be happy for her mother. ` "That's not true, Mama. I am happy for you.", Dina said softly as she stared down at the floor. "I just don't know if he is right for you."

Katrina paused, unsure of how to proceed to answer her daughter's concerns. She could understand where Dina was coming from, but she just wanted to believe that Don was different. He had already proven that he wouldn't blink at eye at her wanting to wait to have a sexual relationship. Didn't that already prove that he might be worth it? She wasn't sure, but she hated the tension between her and her daughters and she wanted to do something to mend that.

"Tell you what, Mija. It's Sunday. Why don't we go to the flea market with Don? So that you girls can get to know him. "

Dina tried to hide the annoyance on her face as her mother suggested spending more time with her mother's lover, but she knew she was just trying to keep the peace between them.

"Fine, but if he says anything I don't like...", Dina's voice trailed off as Katrina moved to throw her arms around Dina and said shakily, "Thank you."

"You're welcome, Mama. Anything for you."

Cassie and Dina, and the rest of the gang, took turns singing on the microphone for a few hours various songs of all genres. Dina wasn't sure she had ever seen Cassandra laugh and smile so much. She seemed to really be having fun, which Dina was actually grateful for it. If what her father said was true; that she spent so much time isolated away from other people, it would be good for her to spend time out having fun.

Dina took to the dance floor with the girls, only to glance over her shoulder and see Cassie seated at the bar, watching her. She had tried to convince her to come out and dance, but Cassie said she had been born with two left feet and that dancing was not her forte.

She let herself get lost in the music, the rhythm of the song pulsing through her head. It was only when she took a spare moment to herself to look back over her shoulder to check on Cassie that she noticed Malcolm Landgraab sitting there.

This was her moment.

She broke away from the pack, making a beeline for the empty seat. She gently tapped on his shoulder, drawing his attention away from Cassandra for once.

"Is this seat taken?"

"Not at all. Go ahead.", he replied, watching as she stepped up onto the edge to slide into the seat. "Cassie and I were just talking about you."

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.

"I mentioned them, didn't I?", Katrina questioned, trying her best not to make eye contact with Don. She was sure that she had, but she didn't think she had mentioned their ages. There had been a point to that. Having teenage daughters was often a death sentence to any man being interested in her. And yet, for whatever reason, Don seemed intrigued by the idea.

"You did. I just thought they were....younger.". he replied, as he continued to stare off into the distance at the two girls arguing.

"Of course. They're both seniors in high school. About to graduate and go off to university in the fall.", Katrina explained, hoping that the idea that the girls were about to leave the home would allow any anxiety that he might be feeling to disappear.

She hated feeling that way. She knew that her daughters would always come first, but she found herself feeling very selfish. For once, she wanted to be known as a woman and not a mother. She had raised her girls. It was time for her to have fun again.

"Oh really? Then maybe I will see them around campus." Don continued, as he turned his attention back to Katrina as she sat down four plates of eggs and toast on kitchen island behind her.

"We should eat, girls. It will be time for school soon, and I can introduce you to my....friend.", she hesitated, meeting Don's gaze as she felt his fingertips brush hers. It gave her a renewed strength to push forward.

Things were going to work out for her this time. They had to.

I'll take things that never happened for 500, Alex

"Cassie? Are you two already buddy-buddy? Doesn't it usually take you some time to sink your teeth into somebody?", Sofia chuckled at her own joke, confused when Dina didn't sass her back.

She knew that Sofia wasn't being serious, but sometimes, Dina listened to all of the things that people said about her. Most of them were her own doing, and she had to make peace with that. She had spent years crafting this reputation of being cutthroat and conniving to protect herself; but on days like today -she didn't feel like living up to her own reputation. She just felt like being left alone.

"I'm just worried about her. That's all." Dina said, as she reached into her purse to pull out her phone. It wasn't like Cassie to miss school, and everything had seemed fine the night before. Did Malcolm say, or do, something to her to convince her to stay home?

She didn't have Cassie's number, but she did have her added on the Social Bunny app. She quickly typed up a message and hit send in the middle of Mrs. Coombs lecture.

The response came after lunch as she was sitting at the table with all of her friends, and her sister.

"I'm fine. Had a bunch of appointments today. Meet me after school at the Space Museum. I'll explain everything."

For once, Dina believed her. She didn't think that Cassandra had a manipulative bone in her body; and that was probably what Dina liked about her. She was simply trying to be herself, and that wasn't something that Dina had ever found the courage to do.

"Nina, tell Mom I will be home late. Drama club is running long today and I have to help with the costumes and the set design."

It was a lie - but not that farfetched. Her mom wouldn't think twice.