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.
I apologize for the last chapter where words got squished together. I don't know how that happened. Sorry about that. I tried to make sure it wasn't happening with this one.
So, Drake and Josh just had one of their bouts of stupidity and we had a couple tender moments with Drake and Cassandra. Well, now they're all home and Cassandra's parents confront her about something.
Cassandra got home feeling happy. The last three weeks had been so much fun. She could now celebrate the Fourth of July, try out for the dance team, and spend the rest of her summer having fun until school started again. She wasn't expecting her parents discussion with her when she got home.
"Cassandra," said her mother. "We need to talk to you."
"About what?" she asked.
"First, did you thank Drake's parents?" asked her father.
"Yes," she replied. "What is it?"
"We don't think you should see Drake anymore," said her mother.
"What?" she asked.
"He just doesn't seem to be the type who would hang on to one girl sweetie," said Mrs. Blane.
"Okay, maybe he used to be that way," replied Cassandra. "But he doesn't do that now."
"He doesn't concentrate on his school work very well either," said his father.
"Dad! He got no lower than a B minus on all of his finals," she cried.
"That's because he had to be pushed to it with threats of summer school," responded her father. "His dreams of becoming a musician are far too unrealistic. As far as his dating ways goes, I don't think I can trust him alone with you. I'm sorry Cassandra, but I forbid you to see him again."
"How do you know all this?" she cried. "As for him wanting to be a musician, he is going to college. Oh, and have you forgotten, that's what Matt wanted to be too?" She ran up to her room and slammed the door. She cried into her pillow. Her parents wouldn't relent. She had to obey them. She couldn't see Drake anymore.
Drake picked up the phone and dialed Cassandra's number. She hadn't called him, and he wondered if something was wrong.
"Hello?" said Cassandra.
"Cassie?" asked Drake. "How are you?"
"Not so good," she said, her voice shaking.
"Cassie, what's the matter?"
"Drake, I...I'm not supposed to see you anymore."
"What?"
"It's my parents. They don't want me to see you anymore. They forbid it. Drake, I can't disobey them."
"No," said Drake. "Don't do that. Why can't you see me anymore?"
"They found out how you used to be with girls. They think your goals are unrealistic. Everything about you is wrong for me," she was crying now.
"Shouldn't that be for you to decide?" asked Drake, his hope slipping away.
"Yes, but they've forbidden it, There's nothing I can do. Drake, I'm sorry. Good bye." She hung up the phone.
Drake stared at the receiver in his hand. He couldn't believe he lost her again.
Cassandra sat on her bed and continued crying. Who had told her parents about Drake? Why did they all of a sudden think he was wrong for their daughter? She had wanted to tell him...what did it matter? It would have only hurt that much more to say good bye.
"Oh Drake," said his mom. "We're having a barbeque for the Fourth of July. Why don't you invite Cassandra's family? It'd be nice to meet them."
"That won't happen Mom," he responded.
"Why not?"
"Her parents won't let her see me anymore." He got up and went to his room, looking very depressed.
Audrey stared after her son. He had stopped dating random girls after he met Cassandra. He had been with her longer than any other girl. Now, her parents had unexpectedly told their daughter she couldn't see him anymore. She hated seeing Drake so down. She tried to think of something she could do to cheer him up.
Drake slammed the bedroom door, making Josh jump in his seat.
"Man, what was that for?" asked Josh, annoyed.
"Nothing," said Drake, in quite an upset tone.
"Dude, it's something," said Josh. "What's wrong?"
"Cassie's parents have forbidden us from seeing each other anymore."
"Ouch, look Drake, I'm sorry."
"Thanks Josh. I just...I wanted to tell her..." Drake couldn't get the words out. He looked away.
"Wait, you weren't going to...you...you loved her?" asked Josh.
"No," replied Drake. "I love her, but it doesn't matter now. My heart's been ripped out, and the pain's too much to take." He left the bedroom, leaving Josh wishing he could do something for his brother.
It just isn't fair, thought Josh. Drake really did turn over a new leaf when he started dating Cassandra again. What's more, he just admitted to me that he's in love with her. What's the matter with her parents? Maybe I can find out and get this whole mess cleared up.
Mindy and Alexa were over at Cassandra's house trying to comfort her.
"Come on," said Mindy. "Drake is...Drake. You'll find someone else."
"Yeah," agreed Alexa. "Look, maybe you'll find someone better."
Cassandra looked away from her friends. After her brother died, Drake was the best thing that had happened to her. He pulled her out of a slump that had lasted for a year. She hadn't felt depressed. She felt happy. She felt as though it was okay to let go of her brother because, the truth was, there were people who cared about her and would get her through the hard times. It was all shattered when she came home.
She didn't know who had spoken to her parents or why. She hadn't talked to them much lately. Just simple hellos and good byes. Her parents had told her afterwards that they only did it because they loved her, and she was still young. She'd be sure to find someone else. She didn't want someone else. It was easy to let him go before when she thought he hadn't changed the past school year. Why was it suddenly so hard? She didn't understand.
"Look," said Cassandra. "I just want to be alone, okay?"
"Are you sure?" asked Alexa.
"Yes. Go on, I'll be fine."
Mindy and Alexa left, feeling sorry for their friend.
"I can't believe her parents would suddenly do this. I thought my parents were bad. They almost didn't let me see Josh anymore," said Mindy.
"Wow, Josh?" asked Alexa. "Hey...Josh. He can sweet talk any parent can't he?"
"Well, kind of," replied Mindy. "He might be able to do something. I know he wants to help. He says he can't stand to see Drake so down."
"Well, maybe he can talk to Cassandra's parents. At least he can find out why they suddenly decided what they did."
"It's worth a shot," said Mindy. "We can't just sit around while Cassandra is so unhappy. As much as I can't stand Drake, he really made her happy."
"Josh," said Mindy.
"Hmm?" asked Josh looking up from the snack counter at the Premiere where he was working.
"Alexa and I had a thought," said Mindy. "Maybe you could talk to Cassandra's parents and find out about their sudden ban on Cassandra seeing Drake."
"I could try," said Josh. "I don't know where it'll get me, but Drake's so unhappy. I'm willing to do anything to help him."
"Same goes with Cassandra," replied Mindy.
"I just can't understand it," said Josh.
Josh went with Mindy to Cassandra's the next day. Josh was going to try to talk to Cassandra's parents.
Cassandra's mother opened the door.
"Cassandra is upstairs," she said. "If you can get her to come down, I'd appreciate it. She won't talk to us."
"Who can blame her?" said Mindy under her breath.
"Upstairs?" said Josh. "She's still mad because she can't see Drake anymore?" he asked, playing dumb.
"Yes," said Mrs. Blane. "From what I hear that brother of yours is a no good womanizer who runs around thinking every girl he meets falls for him. I won't let my daughter become a victim of that," she snapped. She turned and left.
"Well, it was worth a shot," said Josh.
"What do we do now?" asked Mindy.
"I don't know, but the way she said that about Drake...there's no way he'd try to make Cassandra do anything she didn't want to do," said Josh angrily. "Trust me, I know."
"I guess all we can do is wait and see what happens," replied Mindy.