This is my sequel to "Insensitive." I highly suggest reading "Insensitive" first to give you a better idea of what's going on. I'm posting this one only one or two chapters at a time. That way it doesn't all get up at once. This one is finished like the other one but not completely edited, which is another reason I'm not posting it all at the same time. Oh yes, this is growing into a series. Each story keeps getting longer and longer. So, these chapters are longer than "Insensitive," and there's more of them. Any stories I write that use song names will most likely be a part of this series. This one is "Measure of a Man," which is a Clay Aiken song. Rating has been made a bit higher for this one. I think the remainder of stories in this series will be T as well.

Drake and Josh characters belong to their proper owners. I did create some characters for this fanfiction. "Measure of a Man" is sung by Clay Aiken. It was written by Steve Morales, Cathy Dennis, and David Seige. Any other songs mentioned also belong to their proper owners. Because you all know how much I love sticking lyrics in these things.

Cassandra sat down with her lunch tray. It was taco day, and she had made sure to bring her cash. She looked up to see her boyfriend giving her puppy dog eyes.

"Aw, did someone forget their lunch money today?" she teased.

Drake nodded and continued making his eyes cute and round until she relented and handed him one of her tacos. She couldn't eat two anyway.

Drake gave her a peck on the cheek before stuffing the food into his mouth. Josh and Mindy brought their trays over and sat down.

"Dude, how'd you forget your lunch money today?" asked Josh.

"I don't know. I just did," replied Drake.

"I guess that's what happens when you have a D average," said Mindy.

"Hey, I've told you time and time again it's a D," said Drake.

Josh and Cassandra glanced at each other and rolled their eyes. They continued their lunch as Mindy and Drake continued arguing about Drake's grades.

"Yeah, well since I got that B on that algebra test, I don't have to take the class again!" Drake snapped.

"Oh, then you mean you can start failing a new math class next year?" asked Mindy.

"Hey!" said Drake.

"Okay, okay," Cassandra said, interrupting their fight. "Mindy can't keep her nose out of Drake's grades, and Drake feels Mindy shouldn't worry so much, while Josh and I wish our girlfriend and boyfriend would stop arguing. Oh yeah, Drake do you want the rest of my cake? I can't finish it."

"Sure," replied Drake. Since Cassandra had gotten over feeling trapped with her brother's death, she seemed more ready to speak her mind. This had given Drake another reason to want to be with her. It took a while, but he knew he wanted to be with just her, and he had definitely proven that.

Cassandra handed Drake the rest of her chocolate cake and took her tray back. Drake watched her as she walked away, then turned to eat the rest of the cake. He knew, no matter how much she'd eaten, that when she got the chocolate cake, she always ate the whole piece. She had just only eaten half because he had no lunch.

Cassandra sat back down and glanced across the cafeteria. Her friend Alexa waved to her and slid into her seat. Alexa hadn't much cared for Drake. She knew how he could be with girls. However, after he poured his heart out and played Cassandra a song, even when she wouldn't talk to him,Alexa felt he deserved her. She didn't mind that Cassandra sat with Drake at lunch for this reason. Besides, Cassandra's ex, Christopher, ate at the same table Alexa did. Christopher had broken up with Cassandra for no reason. Well, according to Christopher it was the old "I just think we should see other people" and "It's not you. It's me." Cassandra hadn't cared much though. She realized she didn't really care whether she was with Christopher or not. Later that same night, she realized she cared whether she was with Drake or not.

"So," Josh said. "School's almost out."

"Yes," said Drake. "Nothing but the beach and good times." He glanced at Cassandra. "...with one girl."

"Speaking of which," said Josh. "Our parents are renting some cabins in northern Michigan. We'll be there for a few weeks this summer. They said if you two can afford it, you can come along."

"Oh," said Mindy. "That sounds like so much fun! I'll have to see if I can afford a plane ticket right now."

"Wait, when did this happen?" asked Drake.

"At dinner last night," Josh said. He rolled his eyes. "Headaches!" Boy was Drake forgetful sometimes. He was really hoping Drake would grow out of it. Especially since they'd all be seniors in high school next year. Drake really needed to start applying himself if he wanted to get into college. The truth of the matter was, Josh didn't know if Drake planned on going to college. He didn't even know if Cassandra knew. Josh knew he'd have to apply to school in October if he wanted to get in a good one.

"Why Michigan?" asked Mindy.

"It's beautiful there," said Cassandra. "Especially the north. There's lots of animals and trees. I went there twice with Matt."

Everyone else at the table felt slightly uneasy. Cassandra was still having a bit of difficulty talking about her older brother, and they all knew it.

"Yeah," replied Drake. "I saw the pictures online. It looks really nice." He attempted to change the mood at the table. He didn't want Cassandra to feel upset. She was better about talking about her brother now, but she still missed him.

"Well," said Mindy. "This sounds great, so if my parents let me go, I'm in."

"They should," said Drake. "They like Josh a lot."

"Yeah, they even like you too a little," said Josh.

"Well, that's just Mr. Crenshaw," replied Drake. "Last time I argue with a girlfriend about being tougher than she is."

"Yeah," said Josh. "That was an interesting fight."

"Huh?" asked Cassandra.

"Nothing..." said Drake.

"It's time for us to go," said Mindy. She glanced at her watch and got up.

"See ya," said Josh.

"Yeah, later," said Drake.

"Bye guys," said Cassandra. "I really want to hear about this girlfriend of Drake's anyway..."

"What? It's not...I'm with you now!" he defended.

"I know," she said. "This just sounds like good blackmail. Did she kick your butt?"

"No, it was a tie..."

Josh tossed his bookbag on the couch in his and Drake's bedroom. Drake sat on his bed, playing his guitar.

"Man," said Josh. "Finals are going to kill next week."

"Yeah," said Drake. "Oh well."

"You're not that worried?"

"Nope."

"Why not?"

"Oh, come on. I managed to do decently on the SAT's."

"Yes," said Josh. "Which is why you should try to do better, so you'll get into a better school later on."

"I've got another year. Besides, who says I'm going to college?" asked Drake.

"Why wouldn't you?"

"Perhaps I get a recording contract or something."

"Drake, you've gotta be prepared!"

"I know. I know. I got a date with Cassie all right? See ya." With that, Drake headed out the door.

"Man, Josh is being so annoying tonight," said Drake.

"Why?" asked Cassandra.

"He's on my case about finals and grades. He mentioned college and flipped out when I told him I might not go."

"Might not go? Drake, why wouldn't you?"

"Well, what if I got a record contract or something?"

"What if you didn't?"

"Are you saying I'm not talented?"

"No, you're very talented. Don't turn this into that. It's just hard to get signed. You should be prepared for anything," she told him.

"Now you sound like Josh," said Drake.

"Well, he's right."

"Why did I bring this up?"

"Because we tell each other everything."

"Oh, yeah. Look, I don't know about college. That's for people like you and Josh who are going to be doctors and lawyers. I don't know where I'll end up."

"All the more reason to go Drake," Cassandra pushed. She didn't want to make him upset, but she didn't want him to ruin his life either. "You could take just basic classes and see what you like. Get an associates degree, and if you like something enough major in it."

Drake turned his cup around. He stared hard at the large P for Premiere on it. He knew Cassandra was right. He knew Josh was right.

"Okay," Drake said. "I'll apply to colleges in the fall, and if I don't have a contract by the end of senior year, I'll try it your way."

"Don't say that just to get me off your back." She knew Drake, and if there was anything he knew how to do, it was please a girl.

"I'm not," said Drake. "You're right. Josh was trying to tell me that, but I guess I just don't like listening to him. Sorry I got upset."

"I'm sorry too." They leaned across the table and kissed.

"Oh, hi Drake," said Helen, Josh's, and at one time Drake's, boss.

"Hi Helen," replied Drake.

"How is the cutest couple to ever walk into the movie theater tonight?"

"Okay," Drake said. "We're just talking about college."

"Ooh, yeah," said Helen. "That's important. Went to college for a business degree. Here I am managing the movie theater."

"See?" said Cassandra to Drake. She smiled and gave him a small kick under the table.

"Hey," said Drake.

"Well, I have to go," said Helen. "Crazy Steve is acting all uh..."

"Crazy?" asked Drake.

"Yes..." Helen sighed. "See you two later."

"Bye," Drake and Cassandra replied.

"So," said Drake. "Are you going to come with us to Michigan this summer?"

"I asked my parents. They said it will depend on my grades after finals," said Cassandra.

"Then, that's a yes," said Drake.

"Oh really?" said Cassandra.

"Oh come on, as smart as you are. Besides, spending three weeks without you this summer, I don't think I could handle it."

"I don't know. Tests make me a little nervous."

"Yeah right."

"Yeah," Cassandra teased.

Drake laughed. He knew Cassandra would get an A on all her finals. She always did. He knew he was going to love the summer. Things couldn't seem to get any better.