Sisterly Suffering
Cassie flopped dramatically onto Stella’s bed, groaning into the mattress.
"Your brother is going to be the death of me."
Stella, sitting cross-legged next to her, did not look sympathetic.
"Yeah, well, now you know how I feel."
Cassie rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling. "I’m serious, Stel. I think I’m losing it."
Stella set her phone down and finally gave Cassie her full attention. "Alright, spill. What did Demon Brat do this time?"
Cassie sighed. "It’s not even what he did. It’s what he doesn’t do."
Stella frowned. "Meaning?"
Cassie hesitated, biting her lip. "He—God, he makes me feel like I’m the only person in the world sometimes. Like I matter to him in a way no one else does. But then other times, he’s just... unreadable. He’s so damn composed, so closed off, like I could disappear and he wouldn’t even flinch."
Stella was quiet for a moment.
Then she snorted. "Cass. You do know who you're talking about, right? Damian? Raised by assassins? World-class emotionally constipated disaster?"
Cassie huffed. "I know that, but knowing doesn’t make it easier."
Stella gave her a look. "Let me guess. Some girl hit on him, and instead of brushing it off like a normal person, you spiraled into an existential crisis?"
Cassie groaned. "How are you so annoyingly right all the time?"
"Years of experience watching people lose their minds over my idiot brother."
Cassie sat up, crossing her arms. "It’s just... we’re not even officially together, right? So I can’t even be mad if he did like someone else."
Stella rolled her eyes. "Cassie. He turned the girl down, immediately, might I add, and you’re still freaking out."
Cassie threw her hands in the air. "Because what if he doesn’t actually want me? What if I’m just convenient? What if I’m just—"
"—an idiot?" Stella finished flatly.
Cassie scowled. "Wow. Rude."
"Look," Stella said, leaning back on her hands. "You are literally the only person outside of the Batfamily that Damian willingly tolerates for more than five minutes. And not just tolerates—seeks out. Do you know how rare that is?"
Cassie hesitated. "I mean..."
"And I hate to admit this, because it's gross, but I’ve seen the way he looks at you, Cass. He’s gone for you."
Cassie blinked. "What? No, he’s—"
"Oh my God, you’re actually blind," Stella muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose.
Cassie opened her mouth to argue, but before she could, a knock sounded at the door.
Both girls turned.
The door cracked open slightly, and Damian’s voice filtered through.
"Cassie. Are you in here?"
Cassie’s stomach flipped.
Stella grinned.
"Oh, this is gonna be fun."