50 ways to love you

1. Schools Out!

Cass-
I've always imagined myself spending the rest of my life with Garrett Smith, ever since 9th grade i've been dreaming and gushing over him, it's all i've ever known. The same dream for him to notice me and that we one day could sit on the beach on a tropical island while our cute kids play in the water, don't we all have that same dream of our high school crushes? Garrett talked to me once back in 9th grade to cheat off his exam, the only time he could talk to me, i'm one of the smartest people in our grade, though I didn't make it into Harvard my best friend Max did, Max and I grew up together along with my older brother who's now married and long gone out of high school. I thought for the rest of my life i'd be bored and lonely and not have that movie fantasy romance that you only see on screen, but I was wrong, the whole summer changed everything.

6:55AM Monday, June 24th.
Monday has to be the worst day of the week, obviously, I mean if you like Monday, you must like everything awful about the world, the only reason I go to these stupid last days is because what awaits me is the beautiful sight of Garrett Smith on the football field, well I guess I await it, well hopefully today goes well, and who knows maybe i'll go talk to Garrett.

-

"Cass!" Max caught up at the same pace of his voice.

"Hey Max, what's up? How's your last day at West High?"

"Oh you have no idea."

I do have an idea, actually quite a few, but I'll go along with it.

"You must be getting so many people talking to you now that you're going to harvard." I teased.

"Oh Cass, I'm still really sorry about that."

"No! I'm so happy for you to go, I'll miss you though."

"I'll miss you more than anyone here." Max winked.

I always loved how he made every sad situation turn upright.

"So Max, um, I was um-"

He raised his brow.

"Since you said there's football practice today can you maybe talk to Garrett for me?" I put on my puppy dog eyes.

Max sighed.

"Garrett won't listen to me he barely even talks to me Cass."

"Well it's worth a shot isn't it." I celebrate with my hands.

Another sigh.

"Cassidy, I know you really like Garrett, but he's not gonna just decide to like you out of the blue."

Ouch.

"You're right."

I hate Garrett so much I hate how much I like him and I hate his stupid smile and dumb friends and the fact that he has a new girl every week, but something keeps bringing me towards him.

"Well it was worth a try, I have to get to chem Ms Roberts has some fun thing planned today, i'll catch you later."

I run off before Max could get anything else out.

-

"Hey Liz!"

I catch up to my friend who let me just say is one of the coolest friends, Liz always made everything better when nobody else could I wish we hung out more, but since chem is our only class together and she's always busy with preparation for university I find myself distant.

"Oh my gosh Cass, hey! How's it going?"

"It's going alright, how're you?"

"I'm pretty good, happy it's almost summer and I am a little disappointed I won't be seeing you everyday anymore but I will visit, for sure." Liz cheered.

I knew Liz and Max were lying when they say they're going to visit me, or maybe they will, I just don't like their pity of knowing i got rejected so they have to sugarcoat everything they say, i'd rather them be honest. Max got into Harvard and Liz got into another amazing university

I nod.

"Hello everyone!" A familiar voice come closer.

I turn to see Ms Roberts, my favourite teacher, my chem teacher, she always knew how to listen and portray the right context.

"So since it's the end of the year and we have a class shortage of about hmm... fifteen.. yeah, fifteen of you are here today and it's the last day so I want to have a class discussion on summer plans." Ms Roberts proposes to us.

The class has full attention seeing as everything else in this school is boring.

"Ok let's see... let's start with.. Elizabeth!"

We all look to Liz.

"Well I have a lot of thing to work out for university but besides that I want to get to the beach and go camping also along with my families trip to Cuba."

"Excellent! Are you going to the camp site around navy lane or the water falls?"

Ms Roberts sounds intrigued as per usual.

"Probably the one by the water falls."

Ms Roberts smiles.

"hmm.."

"How about Cassidy?"

I looked up, hoping the time of class would run out before she asked me.

"hm?"

"What're you doing this summer?"

I clenched my jaw.

"I, I don't know, I mean I hope to hangout with my best friend."

"No college plans?" She seemed persistent.

I shake my head.

-

The bell finally rings and we get to leave.

"Cassidy?" I hear behind me.

"mhm?"

"I was gonna ask but I didn't want to bring it up in front of the whole class, but, did you not get into Harvard?"

I let out a quiet sigh that i prayed she didn't hear.

"No unfortunately not."

I saw the pity in her eyes that i see from everyone.

"Aw Cass, I'm so sorry."

"It's really fine Ms Roberts, I kinda let go of the idea anyways."

Ms Roberts stands up from her desk.

"If you want we can discuss more options? Just because one school rejected you doesn't mean you can't apply to another, there's other amazing schools that will get you where you want to be."

I nod my head, trying to be enthusiastic.

"Well you have your lunch break now so i'll make sure to email you some more schools and programs because you know I was a counsellor here before and I know all the good schools and stuff."

"Ok thanks Ms Roberts, I will look into that I hope you have a good summer!" I rush

"You too Cassidy, we'll keep in touch on email."

"sounds good."