Cassie's Perfect Vacation

Chapter 16

"I'll see you later Cassie," said Demeeta, "Bye Clara, bye Clark!" Demeeta vanished from the beach as the sun was beginning to set. Clara picked up the beach ball we had been playing with. I had played with the beach ball with Demeeta for most of the morning and then came in for lunch with her. She came with me to the practice too which was nice to have her watching. Demeeta always had that charm that made you feel happy in her presence.

"Bye Demeeta!" the three of us called. We had been playing around with the beach ball again later that day after a few games of cards and a quick dinner and dessert.

"Want to keep playing?" Clark asked. Clara glanced at me, winking. I sighed shaking my head. She raised her eyebrows as if saying, 'you've got to say it before we leave.' I shrugged my shoulders in reply which translated to, 'fine.'

Clara handed the ball to Clark, "Um...actually, I was thinking that I would help Nana make some cookies and hot chocolate, but you two can keep playing."

"Oh, okay," said Clark. Clara did the 'okay' sign with her hand once again, stalking off towards the house. Clark threw the ball on the ground, kicking it away from me. I followed close behind, passing him and stealing it like I always did. I was just fast and that was it.

Clark stopped running, coming to a stop. I did too, picking up the beach ball in my tiny arms.

"Cassie, can I talk to you about something?" Clark asked, walking towards me. I knew what was coming.

"Sure," I said nodding my head, "What is it?"

"I wanted to talk to you about...you know the..." said Clark. "...the kiss," I finished. Yep, totally did.

"Yeah," said Clark, "I mean, you haven't mentioned it in a while and I was wondering if you ignored it or something."

"Yeah I can see why you would think that," I said sighing, "Well, the truth is Clark...there's someone else, Cory."

Clark narrowed his eyebrows, "What?"

"My boyfriend, Cory is in Maine right now," I explained. My Gosh, did I actually say that out loud? Oh well, it was a relief to finally say it.

"But you haven't seen him since you left?" Clark asked.

"Well, no," I admitted.

"But Cassie, don't you think we have something here?" Clark asked, "After all this time, practicing for the play?" I thought about it long and hard. I did like Clark, but I missed Cory, and choosing between them seemed almost impossible. I wanted to scream in my pillow or storm off onto the beach running as fast as I could just like I did on multiple occasions.

"Cassie?" said Clark.

"Give me a second..." I said, "Oh, this is impossible!"

"So you still think so, possibly?" Clark questioned, hanging on for hope.

"Yes, possibly, but not definitely," I said, "Can I have a few days or something?"

"Absolutely," he replied.

I nodded, "Well, goodnight."

"Goodnight." I walked off with the beach ball and into the house. I quickly dressed in my pajamas and sat on my bed. Clara was in the kitchen with my grandparents (probably giving me time to call Cory).

I sighed, picking up my cell phone and dialing the number.

"Hello?" said Cory.

Oh My Gosh he actually picked up!

"Um...hi this is Cassie," I said quietly, "The girl from the huge family back at home in case you forgot."

"Cassie, I haven't talked to you in like forever!" Cory exclaimed, "How are you? Did you get my letter?"

"Oh I'm good you could say," I replied, "Yes, I got your letter, a very nice letter I might add."

Cory laughed, "Thanks, I can't wait to see you again."

"About that," I said with a nervous laugh, "I wanted to tell you something."

"Shoot," said Cory.

"Clark kissed me," I muttered into the phone. There was silence for a minute.

"Oh," said Cory.

"I'm sorry Cory," I said and I really was, "I don't know what to do about it. He likes me, and he likes me a lot."

"Is this it?" asked Cory sadly.

"I'm not sure," I answered slowly.

"Well, let me know if you ever chose, bye."

"Bye," I said. I sighed. Horrified with what I had done this summer. I put my phone down, looking at my nightstand. Just then, I noticed something lying on top of it that hadn't been there before. It was a tiny scrapbook with a picture of Cory and me on the front. It was the picture of us the day we went to a hockey game last year around December.

I narrowed my eyebrows at this scrapbook, picking up a sticky note that was stuck to the cover. It read:

Cassie,

I was going to give this to you the day of Cory and yours one year anniversary, but I wasn't sure there would be one so I decided to give it to you early.

Your Twin, Clara

I opened the book, peering inside with fascination. There were all kinds of pictures of us together from the past year. I laughed at some of them which gave me thoughts of happy memories. But the last picture was of our last game night, and it said underneath a picture of Cory and me: Cory was leaving for Maine tomorrow which made everyone sad, especially Cassie, but she still cheered everyone up by guessing our cards.

I laid my hand over the picture, as happy tears watered my eyes. Over the summer, I had forgotten how much I missed Cory and how much he was part of the family, I couldn't be with Clark, it just wasn't right.

Just then, as I stood up, I saw Cory wandering around on the beach. Cory! I ran out of the house and down all of the stairs to the deck barefoot, and didn't stop until I reached him.

"Cory!" I exclaimed hugging him tightly, "I missed you so much, don't do this to me again!" I kissed him.

I could tell Cory was smiling even though I had my eyes closed, "Well, I guess you've made your decision then?"

"Yes, I don't know how I could have ever not been able to decide," I said still not letting go. "By the way, what are you doing here?"

"Well I couldn't miss 'Lil Strawberry's' play, could I?" said Cory patting my head.

I grinned, "Thank you so much, I don't even know what to say except, I'm so happy to see you."

"Well I'm happy to see you too." We kissed again and boy could I tell Clara was most likely looking out the kitchen window.

I sighed, whatever, this was the best day of my life.