Cassidy

[gaia-cove]

Name: Cassidy Bolton Gender pronouns: he/him Age: 32 Occupation: Server at Sunny’s Diner Hometown: Gaia Cove, Virginia Amount of time on the island: 32 years Face Claim: Richard Madden

Bio: (Triggers: Drugs, Addiction, Teen Pregnancy, Death Mention, Toxic Relationship )

Growing up in the Bolton family was a wonderful life, although not rich none of the children needed and/or wanted for anything.  The only exception might be wanting to explore the world, travel and see new places. 

Throughout his childhood, Cassidy outshone his siblings academically, musically and was assumed to be the Bolton kid that was college bound.  However, life has funny twists.  The girl next door Sophia stole his heart when they were just in diapers.  Growing up next-door, the two were inseparable and became playground boyfriend and girlfriend at a young age and eventually official boyfriend and girlfriend at thirteen.  Sophia and Cassidy planned to go to college and travel the world together.  Yet at the ripe age of fifteen the two paced the floor of his bedroom waiting for the results of the pregnancy test.  Several minutes later the stick turned pink and their plans of adventure went south.  Needless to say, both families were not thrilled at the prospect of their kids having kids.  However, each family was extremely supportive and did their best to help navigate them through the prospects of parenthood.

As Cassidy was supposed to become into the rite of passage of getting a driver’s license, he instead was becoming a father while his older brother was graduating high school and off doing his own adventures, Cassidy felt left behind and stuck.  Both Sophia and Cassidy quickly got jobs to support their baby son, while trying to finish their GED.  With sleepless nights and being so young the two fought constantly about bills, their son and everything under the sun.  Eventually a year after their son’s birth, the two called it quits and decided to split custody for their son’s sake.  Little did they know what the future would bring them?

After their breakup, Cassidy fell into a pattern of partying and dating several women at a time with little concern of any parties involved.  At least until he met Stella, who flipped his world upside down.  Everything about the woman enticed him; the two started a toxic relationship filled with cheating and drugs.  Eventually, this resulted in twins by the time he was nineteen.  With three kids to support before the age of twenty, Cassidy found jobs in the upscale restaurant business working as a server and pulling in high tips and working part-time at his family’s bar when he needed the extra cash flow. 

However, with his addiction issues it caused problems with his custody arrangement with Sophia and he started seeing less and less of his oldest son Aiden.  In fact, his drug issues started affecting more than just himself. It stretched to his siblings and his parents, he began stealing from work which caused him to lose his job at the upscale restaurant and eventually he got caught stealing from the family pub resulting in the lack of trust with his family and him.

For years, Cassidy would sober up for several months and then would fall off the wagon, always leaving his mother in fear of getting the phone call that her son died.  At the ripe age of twenty-six, he met Riley at a party.  The woman was younger, but she lured him in with her looks and the way she smiled at him.  Before he knew it, the two were together in the most intimate ways and he introduced her to the life of addiction, not thinking once how she would spiral into an addict with him.  Throughout the years, Cassidy and Riley maintained their rollercoaster relationship.  Anytime Cassidy felt alone or wanted to be with someone who understood him he always ended up at Riley’s despite the way they were toxic for one another..

At the age of twenty-eight, Riley informed him that she was pregnant.  It came as no shock, the two were wild and reckless, but the question to keep the child was on the table.  After much consideration, both agreed to move forward with having the child and getting their lives together.  Both started going to narcotics anonymous and began building a clean life together.  After Lily was born, things appeared to be going great.  However, that was all appearances.  Little did Cassidy know how badly Riley was struggling with sobriety and being a mother and months after Lily was born, he came home to a crying baby and no mother in sight.  For a while, he tried searching for her but she was off the radar.

Now, he still struggles with his disease but he goes to his meetings and leans on his family.  He has been sober for nearly three and a half years and is working as a server at the local The Diner.  Little does he know that Riley is about to re-enter his life to turn his life upside down once again.

Cassidy is played by Amber

[cassidy-bolton]

ofscreenwritings​

“Well, I’m lucky I still get impressed easily then.” Geez, he was kind of a downer, but Nadie liked that, to be honest. He was a different kind of person from what she had seen so far in Gaia and that interested her. “California was, interesting,” she replied, making a pause before continuing talking. It was certainly the place you wanted to live if your goals involved becoming famous or popular, which were two things Nadia wasn’t really interested in, she was more of a behind-the-scenes woman. “There’s a lot of people and everything is chaotic, not really my kind of place.” she shrugged it off. “Looking forward to meeting Danny Boy.” she joked, only for her expression to change for a more serious one after what he just said. “Hmm, sounds like your dad is not very understanding then.” she simply said, trying not to look the man in the eye. After some seconds passed, she added: “Thanks for telling me this before anyone in town did.” Nadia understood and appreciated his openness. 

“Still, it must be nice to have been able to travel around and get to see the West Coast.”  It had always been a dream of Cassidy’s to see the world, however he got stuck here and couldn’t just bail since all his children lived on the island.  “Oh, I guess that makes sense with the whole city life.”  Only a few times in his life had he hopped over to the mainland and visited the major cities.  Usually, it had more devious plans behind it when he left.  Cassidy allowed one of those rare smiles to appear across his lips as he nodded, “well Danny Boy is nothing like me.  He’s funny and genuinely a nice person,” he admitted.  Everyone that encountered the older Bolton instantly liked him, it was not a trait that was passed down to Cassidy for whatever reason.  “I dunno,” he shrugged when it came to the subject of his dad.  Cassidy did a lot of things that his father did overlook and forgive, but apparently that was the straw that broke the camel’s back.  He nodded, “well things get around the island rather fast, especially if people see you talking to me.  I’m sure Mrs. Drake is just buzzing to tell you all about me.”  Sad part, most of it probably would be true.  Cassidy motioned by tilting his head to turn down one of the streets, “almost there.”

[cassidy-bolton]

willow-bolton​

“Nice to see you too, big brother,” Will replied in a monotone voice, eyebrows furrowing slightly at the extra cold greeting. True, Cassidy wasn’t the friendliest of sorts and hadn’t been for a long time but usually he wasn’t quite as cold to her as he was just then. So, obviously, that meant he knew she had Riley living with her. There was no other logical reason for him to be that angry with her. They had their issues, yes, but usually they could be decently civil to each other. Just great. The last thing she needed was to deal with Cassidy’s attitude but she had absolutely no choice in the matter. “So, you know.” There was no point in playing around the subject. She absolutely knew it would do neither of them any good. Especially with Cassidy already being frustrated. If she pretended the situation wasn’t what it was? He would just act even more like she had just kicked him in the nuts. “So, say whatever you want to say, Cas. I’m used to you being mad at me.” Usually for no reason but that was just how her brother was sometimes. “But just…I let Riley stay in my spare room until she finds her own place. We’re not suddenly best friends or anything but it was better than her ending up living in her car. At least it would be better for Lily not to see that. But, say whatever you need to say.”

“Oh, Riley was kind enough to inform me.  Always nice to hear things from her instead of my own sister.”  In his mind, this was a betrayal, everyone saw what a mess he was after Riley disappeared from his life and how it took a long time for him to rebuild a new life with his family.  And it has only been in the last year since he started dating someone.  “What do you want me to say Will?”  He inquired.  There was no point in saying anything, yes he was angry with his sister but it didn’t change the situation at hand.  “I don’t give a fuck that she was living in her car, let her live in her car.  Let her rot in hell for all I care.”  He snapped, now mad at himself that once again he was allowed Riley to get under his skin the way she did.  “Lily isn’t seeing anything, Riley isn’t present in her life and I’m keeping it that way.”

[cassidy-bolton]

willow-bolton​:

Will hadn’t spoken to her brother since she had Riley move into her spare room. Part of that had bene intentional. She knew Cassidy and his habit of seeing things in black and white. More than likely he would be pissed off at her and think she was doing it to spite him or was siding with Riley when that wasn’t the case. Letting her stay there had been a kindness pure and simple. But Cassidy never saw anything his family did that way. He had a tendency of acting as though everything that was said and done was somehow a reflection on him, a judgment of some kind. She was accustomed to it but that didn’t mean that it didn’t annoy the shit out of her. But, she knew she had to go speak to her brother and so she made her way towards his apartment, slowing her steps as she saw her brother outside. “Hey, Cas,” she called out to him, unsure whether word had gotten around yet that Riley was living with her. It probably had. People had a tendency to talk on the island. Which probably meant her brother being in a bad mood. @cassidy-bolton​

The two younger Bolton siblings rarely spoke, besides at family gatherings.  Of course, the two loved each other.  Yet, there were a lot of unresolved issues between them.  Mostly of Cassidy’s doing, but that is for a different time.  Just recently, word got back to him that Riley and his sister were now roommates and he learned it from of course the devil woman herself Riley.  And just as always being on a small island they were bound to run into each other, so of course the moment he saw his sister he sighed heavily.  Cassidy kept a cold gaze on the redhead, “Willow.”  There was a harshness in his tone when he said her name.  “What do you want?”  He asked, figuring she wouldn't talk to him unless there was a reason.  After all, he wasn’t Danny Boy.  She never came to him for anything, except maybe if it had to do with the kids.

[cassidy-bolton]

ofscreenwritings​

“Eh, I think I’m used to that.” After all, Nadia had grown up in a small neighborhood in New York City, where everyone was into each other’s business. “Why? Does Gaia loses all its magic once you get used to it?” she asked, geniuenly curious. One of the many reasons she had picked Gaia Cove as her next residency was the picturesque look to it. “Published, published,” Nadia repeated out loud, trying to think. She used to write for a local newspaper in Los Angeles as a side gig sometimes, not really something you could easily find. “There was this gazette that published my stories back in California, but nothing important.” she shrugged. She had left behind her short stories only to transform them into full, fleshed-out scripts. Some never saw the day of light thanks to executives and producers, but Nadia cherished all her scripts. “Oh, interesting. I’m guessing Danny boy is your brother?” she looked back at the man, that last thing he said interested her and not only because she wanted to gossip, but because of how vulnerable it sounded. “Well, that sounds like an interesting story I’m dying to hear.”

The question caused Cassidy’s brows to stitch together as he thought about his response, “perhaps it has to do with the fact you have been there and the certain appeal just fades because you have grown accustomed to everything.”  She was far more interesting than he originally gave her credit for and in one of those rare moments he actually smiled and was conversing with her without his usual grumpy mood.  “Wow!  That is an amazing feat, plus it must have been nice to live in Cali.”  Cassidy always hoped one day he could write music, he even wrote a song when he was fourteen for the girl next door.  Yet, it never happened and he put up the guitar for good when he no longer could sing at his father’s pub.  “Yes, Danny Boy is my brother.  Most people just call him Dan though.”  He chuckled.  “Well, you are eventually going to hear things about me since it is a small town and all, my dad and I don’t see eye to eye on things.  He hasn’t forgiven me for stealing from the pub to support my addiction.”  Usually, Cassidy wasn’t forthcoming about his issues, however everyone on the island knew.  There was no escaping the fact he made plenty of mistakes, hurting his family in the process.

[cassidy-bolton]

greatalara​

   “maybe it’s a sign? times are getting harder for the younger.” a little laugh came out, it was rough and her smile with it didn’t quite reach her eyes. listening to cassidy, she thought of her own time away from gaia. alara never really had time to appreciate the outside world, busy with school - athena - work. there were moments that were happy filled but it was more about people that places. “are you happy here?”  asking before realizing the question, a beat passed and alara sucked in a deep breath. “sorry you don’t need to answer that.”

Cassidy shrugged, “perhaps you are right.”  For Cassidy, it had all been of his own doing but he didn’t go any further in it.  The question about his happiness with the Gaia Cove caused him to go silent as he took a moment to think about the answer.  In all reality, he was just not a happy person in general.  Most likely, he would have created misery in any place he settled down.  “Uh, I dunno.  I guess it really doesn’t matter the location where you live as much as your loved ones making it home.”

[cassidy-bolton]

[cassidy-bolton]

LOCATION: Daniel’s Place WHO: @dxn-bolton​

Somehow, Cassidy managed to have a night off at the diner and the kids were all spending the night at one of their friend’s houses.  It was as if everything fell into place.  Usually, the younger Bolton boy would hide away from the world in his small apartment, but he needed some time with his brother.  After all, it felt as if the only time they managed to get with each other as of late was at the family dinners.

“Are you going to let me in?”  Cassidy questioned with a soft smile seeing his brother open the door.  Once inside, his eyes lingered over towards the larger man.  “What’s that smell?  Are you cooking up something new tonight?”  Although his brother was a genius in the kitchen, Cassidy still had the taste buds of a four year old and preferred the basic bland foods.  “Do you think you can pick up the twins on Tuesday this week?  I couldn’t find anyone to switch times with at the diner.  If not, I’ll see if mom can do it.”

As he settled in, he relaxed on the couch just glad to have a moment to breathe.  “How are things?  How is Adriana?  Did you know Riley is back?”

[cassidy-bolton]

ofscreenwritings​

Nadia suppressed a smile,  the 4 streets thing was funny but there was no way she was showing that. “If I was a hermit I think I’d picked a different kind of town.” she shrugged, so far Gaia looked like those towns in the Hallmark movies. “Boring? It looks very charming so far.” Nadia admitted, even though she had visited approximately 5 places since her arrival. She shook her head, trying to avoid some of the smoke from the man’s cigarette. “And uh, I write screenplays. Short stories too, sometimes.” she made it sound so casual, Nadia didn’t usually mention that she had worked with some big names back in Los Angeles. “A pub! I knew it, you fit the profile!” she couldn’t help to sound excited. “I haven’t been there yet so maybe we finish our tour to the bookstore.”

“Guess you have a point there, just a warning from a local.  Everyone knows everyone’s business.”  Cassidy commented. At times, it could be a curse but other times it was nice when the townspeople knew what was going on.  “I suppose for someone new, it has that quaint charm.”  When she mentioned her profession, his brow lifted up and he nodded.  The woman was impressive, “wow.  That sounds interesting.  Do you have anything published short story wise?”  Cassidy shook his head, “nah, I don’t work at the pub.  My dad opened it up while he was a firefighter and now Danny Boy runs it.  Uh,” he sucked in a breath of air.  “I’m actually banned from the place, but you should check it out for sure.”

[cassidy-bolton]

greatalara​

  alara picked away at the napkin that once held the silverware, the woman had better things to do that sit at a diner feeling sorry for herself but she found the place oddly enchanting for such a mood. her gaze mostly lingered outside towards the window when alone, the waiter coming back only earned a brief thank you as he refilled her glass. it took her a moment to actually realize he was speaking to her. “oh you know, having a midlife crisis before fifty. i’ll spare you the details, i’m sure you already wish to be somewhere else… do you think gaia is somewhere to live forever though?”

In a small town, people expect you to engage with them when you are serving them.  It was something Cassidy had forced himself to learn, because he needed decent tips to make sure those kids had clothes on their backs and food in their bellies.  However, when someone not from the place showed up at the diner it was hard to gauge just how to act with them. Especially since he did not radiate positive energy in general.  “I’m starting to think most people get midlife crises in their twenties and thirties now.”  He shrugged at her question, “I wanted to get out, but I’m still here.  My brother did get out and ended up back.  So yeah, I guess once this place has you, it has you for life.”

[cassidy-bolton]

rm--rp​

“Funny, i’m pretty sure the most recent time we had sex it was me getting you into bed by slapping you across the face. But…” She put her hand Next to her mouth as if sharing a huge secret, winking conspiratorially. “If you’d rather I let people think it was because of your charm to help your ego then just say the word. Everyone needs some help sometimes.” Pushing her resume across the bar towards him she smiled sweetly. “I don’t know if that’s your decision baby, but thanks for voicing your concern. So can you get me your manager please, because if I’m going to find a way to Mae enough to move out of your sisters spare room, I’m going to need a job.” This was probably a bad idea, no this was certainly a bad idea, but still before Riley knew what she was saying it had come out of her smirking lips. “Uh oh, I don’t think your mama got the memo.”

“Again, part of my charm.” At her gesture, he rolled his eyes.  The woman knew exactly what to say to annoy him, it was one of her gifts.  A lot of the times it came in handy, because the two would end up bickering to the point where this primal passion took over and then they ended up in bed together.  “Find him yourself,” he responded, still aggravated by the whole situation.  There was no way he was going to be able to handle Riley working with him.  The two of them oozed toxicity, they fed into each other in the worst of ways a large part of the time.  Yet, some of his sweetest moments were with her when she was pregnant with Lily.  “What the fuck?  You’re living with Willow?”  It was news to him and that normal sour expression came up.  “What the hell is that supposed to mean about my mom?”

[book-caps]

Michelle Hodkin, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

[cassidy-bolton]

@rm--rp

[cassidy-bolton]

rm--rp​

“Ah, and there was me thinking you were actually going to smile at me for once, so short lived.” Riley grinned, this was the reaction she was expecting so it was hardly a surprise, but the way he narrowed his eyes made her laugh. He was so angry sometimes, like she’d come here to slit his throat before dancing on his grave, such a drama queen. “I wasn’t planning to, but if you carry on being rude to a customer then I might have no option. Something tells me the Karen’s aren’t big fans of you, because they think you’re cute to look at but then you open your mouth they realise it’s all an illusion.” Waving her hand to gesture to his entire body, finishing up by his face, before sliding her resume onto the counter. “No, I’m going to stay until I can speak to your manager, since this is a public space. Mess up more of your life? I don’t think Lily would like to hear her dad talk about her mom like that. You need to be more careful babe.”

Per usual, Riley knew how to get under his skin.  It pained him immensely knowing he gave her so much power over him.  “Oh?  You’re a customer now?  As shocking as it may seem Riley, I do have a certain charm about me.  It is how I got you in bed...if I remember correctly.”  Cassidy smacked his lips once more, he knew today was going to be one of those days.  Mainly because everyday seemed to have a new set of problems since he could remember.  His eyes flashed towards the resume as he lifted a brow, “what is that?”  He inquired right away as he shook his head.  “You have to be kidding me, you aren’t working here.”  The man’s tone was firm and adamant as he stared at her.  “Don’t worry about Lily, she’s perfectly happy not knowing you exist.”

[timotaychalamet]

La Piscine (1969) dir. Jacques Deray

[richardmaddendaily]

Richard Madden | Calvin Klein bts

[cassidy-bolton]

rm--rp​:

location: The Diner Closed for: @cassidy-bolton​

Riley knew she was playing with fire here. Actually it was more like dicing with death, because of all the places she could apply for jobs the diner her ex boyfriend worked in was probably meant to be at the bottom of the list. Truthfully it was because she didn’t exactly have a burning desire toward there, but she knew even showing up with her resumé was going to piss Cassidy off no end which she found hilarious. Pushing into the Diner she heard the bell go off above the door and smirked to herself, the man facing away from the door right now so he hadn’t noticed she’d shown up. Arriving at the counter the brunette rapped on the top to get Cassidy to turn around, still with a small smile on her face. “Where is your manager? I need to talk to them.” She demanded boldly.

Turned from the door, Cassidy heard the little bell go off and sucked in a breath of air to force that smile across his lips as he turned around.  Of course, that smile quickly faded when he noticed the wicked witch of the west entering the diner.  It was a nickname his brother had given Riley long ago and lately it seemed to fit.  Thankfully, it was that time of day where there wasn’t a soul in sight.  A sour expression formed as his lips tightened as his blue eyes narrowed towards the brunette.  “What?  You’re gonna be a Karen and say something nasty about me?”  He inquired, curious as to why she would even show her face at his place of hire.  “Just leave Riley,” he said through gritted teeth as he approached her.  “I can’t have you messing up more of my life.”

[cassidy-bolton]

ofscreenwritings​

Shaking her head, Nadia was trying her best not to roll her eyes again. “No, it’s just this stupid town and its stupid streets!” she didn’t mean that, but the man was annoying her. “I don’t go out very much.” she sighed, calming down a bit. It was true, she usually spent her time inside her new department, writing or reading.  “And I came here because I wanted to be somewhere calm. Calmer.” she crossed her arms as she kept walking. Nadia wasn’t gonna tell her she came from California, at least not yet. He hadn’t earned that right. “And you? Are you one of those people that are gonna die here?” she didn’t know the man’s name and yet, she was asking him that kind of question. Nadia couldn’t help it, being nosy was a part of her personality, maybe that’s why she used to be a good journalist. “I’m a writer, that’s why you don’t see me around. My workplace is my house, my bed even if I’m feeling like it.” she’s proud of that, working feels almost like a hobby for her. “What about you? Let me take a guess- Bar owner?”

“There are like four streets,” okay there were more streets but Cassidy of course was being facetious.  “Oh, are you a hermit?”  Most of the time, he wished he didn’t have to leave the comforts of his place and just relax away from people.  “Well calm and boring is what you’ll get here.”  All his life he wanted to leave this place, but certain decisions glued himself to Gaia.  “Yeah, guess I’m one of those people.”  The tone was bitter, but he tried to push past it.  “Wow, a writer?  What do you write?”  For once, someone wasn’t boring him.  A writer actually fascinated Cassidy, he had a creative touch as well but mainly to do with music.  “Must be nice, wish I could work from home.”  At her words, he raised a brow and couldn’t help chuckling before he took his last drag from his cigarette.  “Actually, my family does own a pub in town.  Derry’s Pub, not sure if you made it there.  My brother manages the place.”  Cassidy casually left out the fact he was banned from the place.