Fame Crazy (Sequel to Strings Attached)

Chapter 110

"This isn't about some plastic piece of crap!"

"Then what is it about?" Lucifer asks.

"She — she broke my crown, and they — everybody just laughed!"

"Well, screw them, then," Lucifer replies, not missing a beat. "They're dicks. Who needs 'em?"

"They were my friends!"

"And now they're just dicks," he adds. "And this Ruby chick is a jealous asshat and I hope she dies in a hole."

"You don't get it!" Anna insists. "We've been friends for years! I don't have anyone left at school for me without them!"

"You have Claire," Lucifer reminds her.

And, speak of the devil, Claire takes that moment to barge into the house, slightly out of breath. She runs into the living room and lets out a sigh of relief when she sees Claire. "Oh, thank god, you did make it home."

"Yeah, how are you guys getting here?" Lucifer asks.

"I got a cab," Claire replies. "I think Anna just ran."

She nods, confirming this. That would explain the lack of shoes: running in six inch heels has got to be tough. Upon closer inspection, it's clear she's been barefoot for a while; her feet are dirty and scratched up, and, in some spots, even bleeding slightly.

"Okay, first of all, I think you do too much cardio," Lucifer tells his sister. "You're not out of breath at all."

Castiel doesn't feel compelled to tell him that her shortness of breath could be hidden by her sobs, which have quieted a bit since she came home.

Misha seems to understand that something is happening, because he trots into the room and looks around. He walks over to Castiel, putting their faces close together as if he's going to lick the boy. Instead, he backs away and hops up on the couch with Anna, sitting down and leaning against her arm.

She's never been a big fan of him, so no one is surprised that she doesn't immediately go to hug him. But after a few moments, she pulls her arm out from between them and puts it around him, petting him gently as he leans into her. She doesn't seem to care that he's going to shed on her expensive dress, which is definitely a first for her.

It's silent in the room for a few minutes. Claire sits down on the floor, leaning against the couch that Anna, Lucifer, and Misha are sharing the same way Castiel is leaning against the one Dean still sleeps on. Eventually, Anna stops crying, but she doesn't try to leave, instead snuggling with her older brother in a way she hasn't done since middle school.

It's about ten minutes later that there's a knock on the door. Everyone looks around to see who will check who it is, but no one makes a move to go. It's only when the doorbell is rung that Lucifer reluctantly agrees to check it out, sliding away from Anna with a sigh and walking away.

There's some quiet chatter at the door, and Lucifer returns with Cain behind him.

"Hey, Anna," he says, panting slightly as if he just ran all the way here, too. "I —"

"Go away," Anna interrupts.

"Anna —"

"I said 'Go away'!" she snaps.

"Whoop, there's your cue," Lucifer says, flicking a hand to dismiss him.

"Wait," Cain protests.

"Sorry, but the lady asked you to leave," Lucifer replies. "So, like, shoo, m'kay?"

"Can you just not?" Cain asks, exasperated.

"Not let you in my house? Sure. Here, tell you what. I will give you five seconds to leave, and if you're still standing here when those five seconds are up, I will break your face."

"You can't break a face," Cain tells him.

"Oh really? Care to test that theory?"

Cain eyes him for a moment, sizing him up to see how much of a threat he really is. Finally, he looks back at Anna. "I think I could take him, but you'd know better. Thoughts?"

She hesitates, then says, "I think he'd end up with a bloody nose and you'd have a concussion. Don't underestimate my brother. But it doesn't matter; no one's fighting anyone. Just leave me alone, Cain."

"Give me five minutes," he insists.

"If you're not going to leave, I'll make you want to leave," Claire tells him, then adds, "Although I'm pretty sure even if you did want to stay, Lucifer would forcefully drag you out of here."

"What are you talking about?" he asks, confused.

"Cain made his ex kill herself," Claire announces.

"Oh, you son of a bitch," he growls.

"Hey, I told you I'd tell everyone if you hurt her," Claire replies cheerfully.

"God, just stop!" Anna practically yells, pushing Misha off harshly and walking out of the room.

"Anna!" Cain calls after her, but she doesn't even look at him. He sends Claire a glare, saying simply, "You may think you've won, but come Monday, you'll see just how wrong you are."

"Ooh, so scared," she says sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

Cain clenches his jaw and walks out of the house without another word.

"I heard yelling," Dean murmurs, his eyes still closed. "Who's yelling?"

"No one," Castiel replies, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Go back to sleep."

"Mm," he agrees, shifting slightly into a more comfortable position.

Everybody lapses into silence after that. What the hell just happened?