I Bet You Can't

Part 5

Hi everyone. I'm super exhausted while writing this, so sorry if it's a crap chapter. I wanted to try to make at least 3 parts a week for you all, but I get writers block more often than not, so I'm really sorry if I don't come through some times. Anyways enjoy this chapter, and if you get confused or anything just leave a comment and I'll clear it up.

Casey's POV

I woke up the next morning with a huge smile on my face. It was finally Friday, I actually went to the movies with my crush two days ago, and it's Artie-Casey Movie Night! I was so excited to get this day over with that I rushed in the shower, got dressed, dried and brushed out my long blond hair, ate some trix cereal, and packed my backpack all in an hour. That left me with another hour until leaving for school.

I looked over at the clock on the microwave to see that only two minutes passed sense I had finished everything. Hell, I was super bored now.

I swung my backpack over my shoulder, and went out the door after yelling a goodbye to my parents, who were most likely asleep. I texted Artie to meet me at the park three blocks away from the school when he finished getting reading.

As I walked, I started to notice random things that I never notice on days where I am rushing to get to school. I saw someone's pet dog running around and barking in their front yard. I saw a row of mailboxes with one flag sticking up on the far left. None of these things were important, but if I don't notice them who will?

I arrived at the park around 7:20 so I had a while before I had to get going. I walked over to the swing I sat talking to Luke two days ago, and breathed a heavy sigh of content. Just then I saw a figure over behind a tree, who was...smoking? They turned their head and let out a puff of smoke, then brought up the cigarette for another drag.

I slowly stood up and started walking over to them. It was pretty dark this morning, but it didn't help that they were facing away under a huge tree.

I got close enough to recognize the back of the figures head. I should've guessed.

"Zander?!" I said loudly, folding my arms.

He turned towards me and let out another puff of smoke my way.

"Hey Adams. Here to tell me how bad cigarettes are for you?"

I didn't answer his question. I just said, "I thought you were done with smoking"

He looked at me with a sad expression. "I did quit...Only for Emalee. Now I can do what I want", he said with a short drag.

"You really loved her didn't you?"

He flinched. Then he quickly threw his cigarette on the dirt and smushed it with his shoe. "Alright Adams I'll quit again okay? I just want something to get my mind off her! Is that too much to fricken ask?!" he yelled in frustration.

I stared at him for a second, then walked over to him and gave him a hug. He smelled of heavy smoke but I didn't mind. The hug reminded me of the time when Artie, Zander and I were all such good friends. Zander tensed for a second, "what the-", but then just hugged me back.

We pulled apart after several seconds and Zander stared at his shoes with a small smile.

"You know, you aren't all that bad Adams" he said quietly.

"Neither are you Alexander Stern. Friends?" I asked spreading my arms wide for another hug.

He snorted and laughed, "friends" then walked into my arms again. This would be really weird if Zander and I weren't the same height.

"Well what do we have here?" came Artie's obvious voice from behind me.

Without moving I said "What does it look like? Group hug, dummy."