I didn't want to make Cassie somebody that was a cliché, predictable hated character, but that's kind of how she came out in this chapter. I was going more for an subtle character that got under your skin, but you just couldn't point out why she angered you so much, but I failed at that. Also, last night's episode pretty much killed me. Oh, my Eclare heart broke!

Clare

About a week after I came home, Jake wanted to take me out to go do something, seeing as I spent the previous week sleeping, watching netflix, and reading the books that have been patiently waiting on the bookshelf.

"Come on Clare, get dressed, we're going out." Jake sauntered into my room and shoved my curtains aside so light came pouring in.

"Jake, it's too early." I groaned, shielding my eyes. My alarm read 10:14, which wasn't all that early, but I was surprised Jake was awake. I expected him to sleep until 2 every day, like he had when we were on Summer vacation in High School, I guess him working with Glen part-time forced him to be an early-riser.

"Oh, stop your whining! You haven't left this house since you walked in. Katie and I have a fun day planned, come on, you have 15 minutes until she arrives." He said as he ripped the blanket off of me, despite my low groans. Jake exited my room, shutting the door loudly as he left. It's been awhile since I've seen Katie. We weren't exactly the best of friends, but she was somebody I'd call if I needed help or was bored.

I went to the bathroom and started doing my usual morning routine. I saw the little notes I've written on the mirror with dry-erase markers and immediately started smiling. Zach and I had planned a day he would come over. Originally, he was supposed to come visit tomorrow, but his cousin was getting married and his parents were taking him on a vacation a few days after the wedding, so now he's coming in about 3 weeks if everything went as planned.

I emerged from the bathroom, heading towards my closet when I froze. I didn't know what today had in store, so I wasn't sure how to dress. Jake was wearing a basic plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up and some shorts, so I decided being casual was my best bet.

I hastily threw on my mid-thigh length shorts and loose white white tank top. As I headed towards my door to go downstairs, I grabbed an infinity scarf and quickly wrapped it around my neck.

"Tisk, tisk, little miss Edwards, we're ready to go, and yet here you are, still getting ready." Jake teased me as he wove his arm around Katie's back and they both chuckled at me still putting my sandals on.

"Shut it, Jake. I'm starving. Are we eating out somewhere or can I grab some toast?" I asked before I smiled towards Katie, who returned it, exchanging a few greetings.

"We're eating out." He said and grabbed his keys off the counter while I quickly turned around to get my wallet. "Clare, come on, I'm paying for it all. Leggo!" He cheered as he directed Katie out the door. I hesitantly followed, I didn't want him to have to pay for me.

Once in the car, Katie kept laughing at Jake as she changed the music. I patiently waited in the back seat to find out our first destination, which happened to be The Dot. How could I have expected anything else? We ordered our brunch and spent the hour catching up and laughing.

"Thank you for the brunch, Jake." I said as we stood to leave.

"No problem. Our next destination awaits!" He said as he grabbed Katie's hand to lead her back to the car.

It was a pretty short drive, but still long enough for them to interrogate me. "So Clare, I've heard about this Zachary fellow." Katie started and I internally rolled my eyes. "You have sex yet?" She questioned and I felt my cheeks burn up.

"Oh, dear God, I do NOT want to know this!" Jake saved me. Over the years, we had developed a really good sibling relationship and we both cringe of the days when we were dating.

"Oh my God! You so have!" Katie called turning back to look at me after my moment of shifting eyes and awkward silence. "Your cheeks give you away!" She called at me. The truth was, I hadn't fully slept with Zach yet. We've fooled around and have gotten close, but we haven't even been together for a year, so I was hesitant on going any further with him.

"Katie, I swear I haven't. That was just an awkward question." I retorted looking up at her. She replied with an 'Uh-huh' and I rolled my eyes.

Luckily, we had pulled into a parking lot. I looked out the window and realized where we were, at a lasertag arena.

I was tired after our little match, which happened to be us three against a birthday party for a boy turning 7. We lost.

After lasertag, Jake and Katie dragged me around to a putt-putt golf course where they acted all cutesy. Although I wasn't a fan of pda, they did look very cute and I started regretting how Zach and I never acted coupley in public. It wasn't necessarily because I didn't like pda, I would have loved to hold his hand as we walked around the park and share pecks with him while we were getting ice cream, but he seemed to prefer physical contact behind closed doors only.

Our day continued for a few more hours that contained lunch and bowling. It was fun, but I couldn't help but feel like a third-wheel. After bowling, we went back home where we all collapsed on the couch and watched a few stupid reality shows where we spent a majority of the time making snide remarks about the people.

"Hey, we should swimming!" Katie exclaimed as the people in show were shown floating in their large pools.

"Dude, yes! Seriously, let's go!" Jake stood up and started running upstairs to get his swim trunks.

"You coming, Clare?" Katie asked as I remained on the couch.

"Um, I'm really tired. You guys can go, I think I'll just stay here, thanks though." I smiled at her and she returned it before Jake came rushing downstairs and they exited the house.

After channel surfing and finding absolutely nothing to pique my interest, I decided a nice walk down to The Dot to get some food before mom and Glen came home would be relaxing.

I walked outside and the summer breeze felt soothing on my warm body. I pulled my up and tied it so the breeze could gently tickle my neck as I walked down the street.

Eli

I decided to show Cassie around the town a bit tonight., she'd only been driven around when we went out to eat.

We had walked the distance from my house to The Dot, where we enjoyed burgers and fries. The whole meal, she had been texting her previous roommate, Ashlynn. Cassie continued to text her as we left the restaurant. She agreed to let me show her around town a bit.

We went out tonight because Cassie had a small argument with Cece, which led to a lot of tension in the house. Cassie was smoking and decided to stub her cigarette against the coffee table, which had been a wedding gift to my parents. Cece had dropped her usual calm state and started panicking, grabbing cleaning supplies and furiously rubbing at the burn mark. Cassie had offered a small apology, but told Cece she needed to pull the stick out of her ass. Cece kept cleaning, but muttered a few offensive phrases directed at Cassie. I had quickly grabbed Cassie and pulled her out the door before remarks flew out of her mouth.

"Sorry about Cece, she's just kind of..." I started, but didn't know how to finish it.

"It was a damn coffee table!" Cassie replied, rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, but it was given to my parents as a wedding present, from Bullfrog's mom. It had taken her up until the wedding to finally accept and start liking Cece, so that table means a lot to her." I informed her.

"Oh, so maybe Cece will start liking me once you pop the question?" She asked raising an eyebrow at me.

"Perhaps." I replied simply. I wasn't going to be that naïve and believe Cece would take a liking to Cassie if I asked her to marry me. Knowing Cece, she'd fight my choice.

Cassie wanted to get married, which is something I didn't really expect when we started going out. She claimed she wants to be somebody that her parents never were. She wants to raise children while she's in a good relationship, so they don't end up as fucked up as she is. She said her parents were always fighting and were never in a stable relationship, and that's why her and her sister are so screwed up, they never had a sense of stability.

I grabbed her hand in mine as we walked down the dim street and she continued to text with her other hand. We rounded a corner and my eyes slightly widened.

And I made eye contact with somebody.

We both stared at each other silently as we stood still.

My mouth slowly opened and I head my suddenly dry voice croak out.

"Clare?"