"Well I'm waiting." Whitey's voice bellowed above the loud music. "Somebody better have an explanation as to why I found the entire Cheerleading squad and basketball team out way past curfew." He tossed a glance at Larry and Karen who both tried to feign innocence. He turned back to the kids that lined the pool.

"Coach, were sorry we just wanted to have some fun." Brooke said plastering the most innocent look she could on her face.

"Not good enough Miss. Davis. Alright, everyone out of here now. We'll deal with this in a few hours time, right now you all need sleep for the big competition." Whitey said. "Ms. Roe, Mr. Sawyer follow me."

Cassie looked at her Mom who turned to follow Whitey but turned quickly to her daughter one last time with a big smile on her face and a shake of her head. Cassie laughed.

Everyone did as they were told and headed back to their respective rooms. Cassie and Haley both entered their room laughing hysterically with Lucas and Nathan trailing close behind being that their room was pretty much straight across the hall.

"Oh my god, did you see the look on Whitey's face? And Mom was laughing her head off." Cassie laughed. "She's going to be in for it."

"I think she was just glad to see everyone having such a good time especially with all the drama thats been going on the last couple of months." Haley said.

"Speaking of the devil." Lucas said as he turned to face his Mom who had just walked through the door. "So Ma, how did it go?"

Karen shrugged. "He rambled on about how irresponsible we had been as chaperones, God I felt like I was in high school again." Karen said as she shook her head with a laugh and sat down on Cassie's bed.

"Sorry about getting you into trouble Karen." Haley said.

"You were being kids, its to be expected. I won't even begin to tell you some of the things we did on trips like these when I was your age."

"Oh do tell." Cassie laughed.

"Thats another story for another time Cass." Karen said. "Shouldn't you kids be getting some sleep?"

They all shrugged. "Actually I'm a little to hyped up to sleep." Nathan admitted.

"Well still, I think you should at least try to get some sleep." She pointed to Haley and Nathan especially who had to actually be physically involved in the competions that day as opposed to Cassie and Lucas who unfortunately would be sitting this one out.

"Ok." They all reluctantly agreed.

"Hey Mom, can I talk to you before you go?" Cassie asked as Karen nodded.

"What's on your mind kiddo?" Karen asked her daughter.

"I talked to Uncle Keith. He said that you asked him to come over for dinner tonight." Cassie said.

Karen's eyes widened. "Oh my god! Keith! I completely forgot."

"Thats what I figured." Cassie said.

Karen felt horrible now. "How did he sound?"

Cassie shrugged. "How do you think he sounded? He was hurt. Mom he loves you so much, I just really wanted to believe that you thought the same way. But I guess you don't considering you still haven't forgiven him."

"Oh Cass, thats not it at all. I have forgiven him, I forgave him a long time ago. I just...it slipped my mind, thats all." Karen assured her daughter.

Cassie sighed still a little angry at her Mom. "Well I'm glad you forgave him, but come on can you honestly tell me that you don't at least feel something more then friendship towards him?"

"I'd like to know that too." Lucas said appearing at Cassie's side. "You kiss Keith in the airport, yet now your all mushy with Peyton's Dad? How does that work Mom?"

"Can we not do this out here for everyone to hear?" Karen said and ushered her kids into her room. "So I see Keith told you both about the kiss."

Cassie and Lucas nodded. "That left him with so much hope for more of a relationship with you Mom, that hope was crushed tonight when you blew him off." Cassie said.

"Whoa, what do you mean 'blew him of'?" Lucas asked his sister and Cassie proceeded to explain.

"Cassie, your blowing this out of proportion." Karen said. "I didn't blow him off, like I said it slipped my mind after I was asked to chaperone this trip."

"You neglected to tell Keith?" Lucas asked as his mother nodded.

"As for this whole thing with Larry Sawyer, we are nothing more then friends, I just met the man this morning, we got to talking...nothing more." Karen said and that was the truth, he was a fun guy to hang out with but he was no Keith...wait where did that come from? Karen thought to herself.

"So you do have feelings for Uncle Keith?" Cassie asked.

Karen sighed not sure how to explain something she didn't full understand herself. She had always thought of Keith as a very good friend because thats what he was. He had been her best friend for years, he had helped her raise her children and that was how she loved him...as a friend. But lately she had been thinking about him more and more and her feelings sort of became conflicted.

"I don't think I feel the same way about Keith, the way he feels about me." Karen said.

"But you kissed him at the airport." Lucas reminded her.

"Yes and I thought I wanted more with him, but then Italy happened and I guess it just opened my eyes to new things. I was able to define myself as more then just a mother to the two of you. I guess with you guys nearing college, it got me thinking of all the things I still want to do in my life." Karen said.

"Well, why can't those things involve Uncle Keith." Cassie asked.

"Honey, like I said I'm just not sure I feel that way about Keith, the way your implying I mean." Karen explained.

"Whatever Mom, I'm going to bed." Lucas said getting up.

"Lucas, sweetie wait." Karen tried to stop him but he left anyways. She turned back to face Cassie. "I suppose you feel the same way?"

"I'm not sure, what am I supposed to think Mom? You know how much Luke and I love Keith and we've always wanted you guys to be together. When he told us about the kiss, it opened a world of possibilities not just for the two of you, but us too." Cassie said as she stood up slowly, crutches in hand. "Luke and I thought we would finally get the family we always wanted, but now hearing you talk...I guess I'm just upset that that fantasy will never come true." Cassie said sadly and looked towards the ground.

Karen walked over to her daughter and lifted Cassie's chin. "Hey, no matter what happens you and Luke will always have both Keith and I ok. We may not be together, but that does not mean we won't do everything possible to continue giving you and your brother the family you deserve."

Cassie managed to smile through her tears. "Thanks Mom. I'm sorry for getting angry at you. I just feel for Keith."

Karen smiled. "It's ok, sweetheart. I understand."

Six hours later...

The stadium was loaded with cheerleaders and parents and friends lined the bleachers and benches along the floor. Cassie watched her friends as they warmed up, a feeling of sadness washing over her. She wanted to be up there so bad, but she was happy that Haley was being included and was taking her place. Haley seemed to be fitting in really well. Cassie laughed as she saw Peyton talking to Jake. She swore she saw something..a sparkle in Peyton's eye as she spoke to him and laughed at some lame joke he told. She looked to Lucas who was watching Peyton from his place next to Karen in the bleachers, three rows up.

She felt bad for her brother, after everything he and Peyton had done to be together, including lying to Brooke, it seemed as if Peyton was already moving on. She looked towards Nathan who had his arms around Haley and was spinning her around causing her to laugh wildly. They really did make a cute couple and she was glad Haley had met somebody to make her happy. Cassie laughed to herself remembering the predictions she, Lucas and Haley had made for this year. None of them had included finding love, well at least not Cassie or Haley's. They were more focussed on succeeding in academics. Lucas had something about Peyton on his, but it didn't look like that was going to come true anymore.

"Sucks that couldn't be you up there." A voice from behind Cassie said. Cassie turned and recognized the voice that belonged to Kyle Flemming, he was another basketball player, a friend of Nathan's but was also friends with Lucas now. She had known Kyle since third grade and had always had a small crush on him. He had dark brown hair, deep brown eyes, slightly darker skin that made him look like he had a year round tan, and toned body. He was a nice guy from what she could tell. He had been one of the only ones on the team besides Jake to not be in on the hazing on Lucas earlier on in the season.

Cassie nodded. "I wish I was there, but I'm happy for Haley."

"So how are you doing?" Kyle asked nodding towards her injured leg.

Cassie shrugged. "I'm ok, I got a smaller cast finally. I just can't wait to get this stupid thing off so I can go back to living my life."

Kyle laughed. "I know how you feel, Cassie. I broke my leg too.

"Really? I had no idea. I don't remember you ever having a broken leg in school." Cassie said.

"Yeah, no it happened over the summer of freshmen year. I took a fall from my skateboard and well I was in a cast for 8 weeks. The entire summer." Kyle smiled at the memory.

"Wow, that sucks. I only have to have mine on for 6 weeks." Cassie laughed shortly. "So you looking forward to your game?"

Kyle nodded. "Yeah, it sucks that Luke can't play but what can you do." He ran a hand through his hair. "So what do ya say we watch the competition together, that is if you don't mind having me hang around."

Cassie shook her head. "No, its cool, but I have to stay around the sidelines. Brooke asked me to watch their stuff and run the music."

"Well then I'll stay down here with you. I don't know where half the team is anyway." Kyle said.

"Considering three quarters of the guys have girlfriends on the squad, it shouldn't be hard to tell." Cassie laughed.

"So where's your boyfriend? That Mouth guy?" Kyle asked.

"Mouth? You think I'm with Mouth?" Cassie shook her head. "Were just friends, thats it. I don't have a boyfriend."

"Really?" Kyle looked surprised. "I just figured he was your boyfriend, I always see him hanging out with you."

"Kyle Flemming, you've been watching me?" Cassie teased. "And by the way it is possible to have a guy as a friend."

Kyle shook his head with a laugh. "Well its more then just that, the way he looks at you, I can tell how he feels about you."

"Oh you can, can you?" Cassie laughed. "Well if it makes a difference I know Mouth has a little bit of a crush on me. I just don't think I feel the same way, he's a sweet guy and all but not really my type. Besides, I don't want to ruin our friendship by getting into a relationship with him."

"Probably the wise thing to do." Kyle said knowingly. "I've been there."

Cassie nodded. "I'm sorry to hear about you and Kelly. You guys have been together forever it seems." Cassie referred to Kelly Cramler, Kyles girlfriend since junior high.

Kyle shrugged. "Were over, thats all there is to it." He looked towards the ground seemingly in deep thought but then looked back up at her, his dark eyes staring directly into hers. "So Cass look, I've always sorta had this crush on you and I was wondering..." He stopped but then continued. "Would you want to go out sometime?"

Cassie's eyes widened. A totally cute guy had just asked her out? "You want to go out with me?" She asked her shock very evident in her voice.

Kyle nodded. "Well yeah, like I said I really like you. Your beautiful and not like all the other girls, you don't care about how you look and what people think of you, and I find that very sexy." He admitted with a smile etched on his face.

"Well in that case, then I'd be happy to go on a date with you." She said.

"Great, how about next Friday?" He asked and Cassie nodded eagerly. This had suddenly gone from the weekend from hell to the best weekend yet.