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.

Wow. Drake's studying! Well, if he wants to keep playing his gigs, he better. By the way, there was a mistake in the first chapter, there's a symbol that the website wouldn't put in. When Mindy mentions Drake's grades, he should respond "Hey, I've told you time and time again it's a D plus." I had the symbol in when I uploaded the file. It doesn't take the symbol.

Drake stared at the algebra problem he was working on. Oh, did he hate math. He could do it when he really worked hard and concentrated, but he just didn't like it. He finished the math problem and showed it to Josh.

"Yeah," said Josh. "You got it. It's about time to head over to Cassandra's house."

They all picked their things up. Drake felt he'd be fine for his finals that week. He was glad his friends cared.

When they got to Cassandra's house, her father opened the door.

"Oh, hello," said Mr. Blane. "Cassandra mentioned her friends would be stopping by to study. Well, her mother and I are headed out, so have fun. Drake," he said, nodding to him in acknowledgement.

"Hi guys," said Cassandra. She had just finished clearing the coffee table of her pre-calculus notes and was stuffing her book back into her bag.

"So, how's the wonderful world of upper level math treating you?" asked Mindy.

"I'll let you know when my report card comes," said Cassandra. She motioned for them all to sit down. Drake glanced around. He'd been in Cassandra's house a few times, but he'd never really looked around. Oh well, now he needed to study history.

Later, Mindy and Josh left. Drake was looking at the pictures over the fireplace. He saw one of Cassandra and a young man smiling. He knew who it was. He looked so happy. It hurt to look at the picture. The young man in it had no idea that in a few months, his life would tragically be cut short.

"That's Matt," Cassandra said softly.

"Yeah," said Drake. "I figured it was."

"That was taken the last time we were in Michigan. I haven't been there since he died. I'm sure this vacation will be fun." She was clearly trying not to get upset. Drake wrapped his arms around her.

"I can't wait to spend it with you," said Drake. "I'm sure he'd want you to go back and have fun."

"Yeah," she said. "He would have."

"So, when are your parents going to be back?" asked Drake.

"I don't know, in five minutes, in an hour. Why?" Drake smiled and kissed her.

"If they walk in and find you making out with me, that might ruin their impression of you," giggled Cassandra.

"Oh well," said Drake. He pulled her closer and kissed her again, this time longer and more passionately. They heard the lock on the door click and quickly broke apart. Cassandra's parents walked in.

"Oh, hello you two," said Mrs. Blane. "How'd studying go?"

"Just great Mom," said Cassandra.

"Good. Remember whether you get to go to Michigan or not depends on your grades," her mother replied.

"I know," said Cassandra. Her mother and father smiled and walked out of the room.

"Oh well, huh?" asked Cassandra.

"I didn't think they'd actually walk in two seconds after I started kissing you," said Drake.

"Okay," said Cassandra. "Hey, want to see if I can get my parents to let you stay for dinner?"

"Dinner with the parents?" he asked nervously. "I don't know if I'm ready for that. Besides, Josh is cooking tonight and if I'm not home, he'll be mad at me."

"Okay," Cassandra giggled. "I guess I should give you more than an hour warning for dinner with my parents anyway. I'll see you in school tomorrow Drake."

"Bye beautiful," he said as he headed out the door.

Cassandra stood at her locker the next morning, waiting for Drake as usual, when someone uninvited approached her.

"Cassandra," said Christopher.

"I'm sorry," she said. "Weren't you the one who said we should see other people? Well I am seeing someone else and prefer it. Thank you very much. So just leave me alone."

"Look..." he began, but he never got to finish.

"Is there a problem?" asked Drake. He wrapped an arm around Cassandra.

"No," said Christopher and walked away.

"What did he want?" asked Drake.

"I don't know," said Cassandra. "He was about tosay something when you showed up. I'd rather not talk to him anyway. Come on, we'd better get to chemistry."

"Okay," said Josh. "Feel ready for the chemistry test tomorrow?"

"As ready as I can feel," replied Drake. "I'm going to get some sleep now. G'night Josh."

"Night Drake."

The guys heard a loud crash. It came from their closet. Josh switched the light on and they walked over.

"What was that?" asked Josh.

"I don't know," said Drake. "What do you think?"

"If I knew what it was would I be asking you what it was?" asked Josh, annoyed.

"Good point," said Drake. "Okay, let's open the door."

"Nuh-uh," said Josh. "I'm scared. It's probably one of Megan's evil little pranks."

"Come on Josh, I'm sure it's nothing," Drake said as he opened the door and was immediately sprayed with honey.

"Ow man," he said. "Now I have to shower."

"Ooh," said Josh. "That's sticky." Drake shot Josh a look and headed to the bathroom. Josh turned off the lights and went to bed.

When Drake came back in the room he slammed his foot on the couch leg.

"I hate tonight!" yelled Drake.

"Look man, I'm sure things will be better in the morning," said Josh. "You really need to get to sleep. Tomorrow's a big day."

"Yeah, you're right," replied Drake.

Drake stared at his chemistry final. He felt a bit confused but was able to work through most of it. He hoped he had done well enough to pass. When he finished, he could either leave or stay and wait for his grade. He'd rather wait and see on Friday, so he headed out the door.

Cassandra was already outside.

"Hi Drake," she said.

"Hey Cassie," he said, smiling at her. "I hope I passed. I'd rather not see my grade until Friday though."

"Oh?" she asked. "Well, lunch starts soon, want to go now?"

"Okay," he replied.

English was even more difficult. Drake kept feeling Mrs. Haifer's eyes on him as he answered his questions and wrote his essay. When he handed it to her, she glanced up and took his paper. She read the first line and nodded. He left.

Drake sat up with Josh Tuesday night studying algebra. They had done this before when Drake found out he needed a B on a test to pull his average in the class up to a D. Now he had to do it again to keep himself from failing.

When he went to sleep, he made sure the room was free of Megan's pranks.

Drake was thankful for having gym in the morning. He could wake up before his math exam. He ran the length he was required around the track and swam what he needed. He changed back into his clothes in the locker room and was combing his hair when Christopher walked into the locker room.

"Oh, hi Drake," he said smugly.

"Chris," said Drake. He watched Christopher carefully, to see if he was going to do anything. Drake left the locker room and headed to lunch.

Drake clawed at his head during algebra 2. Somehow he answered every question. He handed in his test and headed home.

Thursday, Drake sat through his world history exam and felt he did okay. He was pretty good at typing. So keyboarding went smoothly as well. Tomorrow, he'd know whether he'd be stuck in summer school and repeating classes.

On the last day of school everyone was passing around yearbooks and signing them. Everyone was also waiting for their report cards, then they were supposed to report to their counselor to sign up for their classes next year. Drake, Josh, Cassandra, and Mindy were standing together. Mrs. Haifer approached them.

"Here, Drake, Josh, I have your report cards. Mindy, Cassandra, Mr. Height should have yours," said Mrs. Haifer.

"Thank you ma'am," said Josh.

"No problem," she smiled. "Oh, congratulations Drake."

Drake quickly tore open his report card and looked at it. A B pluson his chemistry final, a B on his english final, an A on his gym final, a B on his algebra final, a B minuson his history final, and an A minuson his keyboarding final. He looked at his final semester grades, all passing.

"You did it Drake," said Cassandra.

"Yeah, nice job brotha," said Josh.

"Wow," said Mindy. "No C's at all. I guess anything's possible."

Mr. Height gave the girls their report cards.

"How'd you girls do?" asked Josh.

"Cassie's got all A's, as always," said Drake.

"Hey, I didn't...okay I did," she said looking down.

"How'd you do Mindy?" asked Josh.

"I got an Aminuson the english final!" she yelled.

"That's not so bad," said Josh. "You still have an A in the class."

"It's the principle of the thing Josh!"

"Remember what happened last time you got mad at Mrs. Haifer?" The two argued as Drake and Cassandra stood there chuckling.

"So when do I need to be packed?" asked Cassandra.

"We leave next Saturday. Sunday is the first full day there," replied Drake.

"I can't wait," she replied.