Cassie's Perfect Vacation

Chapter 14

Dear Cassie,

You told me to send a postcard, so I am.

I am having so much fun here in Maine. Just yesterday we went swimming again (yes, I know we pretty much just go swimming every day but it's so relaxing). In the afternoons I've been playing field hockey with some of my new friends. I've also been playing all kinds of board games and card games with my parents when we get back to the hotel (these things remind me of you).

But the best part, is the time when I can talk to that sweet 'Lil Strawberry' I've loved for a long time. On the phone, looking out into the pink and blue sky in the evenings, knowing you're out there somewhere. Anyway, hope to see you again before the end of summer.

Cory

I had read this letter several times, almost ten. It had been a few weeks, and I still hadn't told either Cory or Clark about this major problem I was having. This letter confused me even more. Of course I was wrong about Cory having the same problem as me, he had always loved me. Ever since the day we first met.

Clark had backed off from me after that day after practice. He still showed signs of liking me, but I felt that we were just remaining friends for now. I did like him a lot, and he was definitely fun to play soccer with at night (we did this a lot at night on the beach) but I was too confused. I was probably too confused for a relationship.

"I can't believe how great the play is turning out," said Abree to me as we walked out of practice like every day.

"Yeah, I feel like I've got almost all my lines down," I said.

Abree looked surprised, "Almost? Are you kidding? You're like the best actress in the play Cassie!"

"Aww thanks Abree," I said blushing. I looked up into the sky, seeing lightening and hearing a crash of thunder.

Abree looked at me, "We better run, this is dangerous." I nodded. I ran as fast as I could, Abree following me close behind. We made it into my grandparent's house just in time as it started raining. Clara was behind us with Mary Kate, who apparently lived a few streets down like Abree did.

"I don't think we can walk home," Mary Kate said as the four of us stared out the sliding door.

Clara and I shook our heads, "Nope." The wind was whipping wildly, the waves were crashing down, and it was pouring down possibly as hard as hail.

Grandpa walked into the kitchen, seeing the four of us, "Hello." We all turned towards him.

"Hi," I said happy to see him. It always pleased and calmed me to see him.

"Um...Grandpa, this is Abree and Mary Kate," said Clara pointing to each of them, "They can't walk home in that storm."

Grandpa agreed, "No, they can't. They can stay here tonight. I'll find them some extra blankets."

"Thank you Mr. Benson," said Mary Kate.

"Yes, thank you," Abree added. After we set up many blankets on the floor for them, we all got ready for bed (our practice had gone pretty late today).

"Wow this place is nice," said Abree with a look of satisfaction on her face as she curled up into the blankets.

"I know, right?" said Clara happily, "It seriously is the best place to be ever."

"Yeah," I said sighing sadly, "Too bad we have to leave soon." Clara had recently been accepted into a college not too far from our house and I was still thinking. I didn't know what I wanted to do. Everything was all whirled up in my head. Cory, Clark, college, running, hockey, singing, dancing, plays. I had no idea what was going on up there.

"We'll miss you guys so much," said Mary Kate.

"Group hug," I said. We all hugged on the floor and resumed our old spots on the beds or the floor. Mary Kate and Abree had grown very close to us over the summer.

"Hey, Cassie," said Clara, "Want to watch 'Say Anything' again?"

Abree gasped, "Oh My Gosh that's like my favorite movie." And so that settled it, we got as cozy as we possibly could, cuddling next to each other, all of us reciting the lines from the movie.

"Wait," said Mary Kate pointing at Clara's laptop during one particular scene, "Watch this part, watch this part." It was the part when Lloyd spotted out the glass in the road for Diane.

"It's so beautiful!" we all cried in happy tears. I couldn't believe how nice these movies made me feel. The four of us were all suckers for chick-flicks. We all sighed happily when it was done, and said goodnight to each other.

***

The next morning smelled fresh and was very dark. I threw on a tee shirt with the 'Bears' logo on it (a girls' college hockey team that I loved) along with a pair of jean shorts, and flip-flops. As I walked out of my bedroom, following Nana, I thought about how much I loved not having to put my hair up anymore with it being short now. I laughed slightly over the memory of Clara's reaction to it, "AHH! You ate Cassie!"

I watched as the sun came up gently and tiny beads of water dripped down from the deck, after a horrible storm came a beautiful day I guess.

Nana and I made breakfast for everyone, and Clara and I said goodbye to Abree and Mary Kate. We had so much fun last night with them, and knew we would again at practice later today.

"So what do you two plan on doing today?" Grandpa asked as the four of us cleaned up the dishes.

Clara grinned, "I'm going biking with Ellen, Cassie, would you like to come?"

I shook my head, "No, I think I'll stay here today."

Clara was confused, "Oh, well okay. Wow Cassie, lately you haven't wanted to do anything. Well, see you guys later."

"Bye Clara," said Nana and Grandpa waving. I waved too and so did Clara. She marched out of the house, closing the door.

"Are you sure you want to stay here all day?" questioned Grandpa.

"You don't have to spend the whole day here with us, go have fun," Nana added.

I shook my head, "No, it's alright, I just want some time to think for a while, I might go for a walk." I slipped out of the house, ran down the steps, kicked off my shoes, and stormed through the soft wet sand. I don't know why I always wanted to run when I didn't know what to do, it just felt right. I sighed, running a hand through my short red hair and staring out into the ocean.

"Cassie, is that you?" I turned around quickly to be facing my younger cousin by one year, Demeeta Woods. She was tall and slim, her chin length blond hair, and her dark blue eyes were always so pretty. She was wearing a pair of overalls along with a black tee shirt and some tan sandals.

"Demeeta?" I exclaimed hugging her, "what are you doing here?"

Demeeta laughed, "I thought I'd come to see you when I was visiting one of my uncles. What did you do to your hair? I love it!"

I laughed, "I finally decided to get it cut. I can't believe you're here!"

Demeeta grinned, "Me either, so, Paul tells me you're doing a play and you're the lead role?"

I nodded, "'Maria' in the 'Sound of Music.'"

"Oh My Gosh!" said Demeeta as we hopped up and down in excitement.

"Mr. Lane is even teaching me a bit of guitar for some scenes," I said, "He really gets into the show."

Demeeta laughed, "So now you can tell Paul that it's true." Yes, I had told Paul many times that I could play guitar for tricks, but he hadn't believed me. Well, he would have to now.

"Yes," I said, "I can't wait." We laughed.

"So, what do you want to do?" I ran over to my grandparent's deck, grabbing a colorful beach ball from a bucket full of beach things by the door. I then ran back to Demeeta, kicking it.

"Let's play!" I exclaimed.

Demeeta smiled, "You got it."