Days passed and Cassie felt more alone than ever. She was looking at a magazine article. "The 10 Step Plan to Getting Over Your Crush."

"Step one," Cassie said aloud. "Tell yourself he isn't worth your time." She thought for a minute. "He isn't worth my time. Now, on to step two. Space yourself from him. I can't do that! He's my best friend!" Cassie threw the magazine on the floor. "Those articles are so phony. I don't know what to do. This is driving me crazy."

All of a sudden, she heard someone walk in the front door. Cassie knew it was Nick without even turning around.

"Cass, you got a minute?" he asked.

"I always do." She turned around and he sat with her on the sofa. "Is this about Melissa?"

"No, I just wanted to talk to you about something."

"What?"

"How's things with you and Reuben?"

"I guess they're ok. Why are you so concerned with it?"

"I'm not sure. I just know I am. I mean, maybe it's cause we're so close. Ya know?"

"Yeah. You consider me a sister."

"That's it. You're my sister."

"Well, you're my brother, Nick."

"That's good." Nick stood up and started backing towards the door.

"You leaving so soon?" she asked.

"Kind of. I'm sorry. I just remembered something that I really have to do."

"Okay. I'll talk to you later."

"Bye," he said. Nick got in his car. So many things ran through his brain. There really wasn't anything he had remembered to do. He just needed to think. Confusion was setting in fast.

"Nick, are you okay?" Cassie came outside to see what was going on. "You've been out here for a while."

Nick realized he had been sitting outside in his car for about five minutes, staring off into space. "I'm okay. Cass?"

"Yeah?"

"Me and you. We're family right?"

"Of course. We always have been."

"We always will be too?"

"Yes. Why all this question?"

"I was just trying to figure out some things."

"Okay."

"I better go now," Nick said.

"Get some rest. You need it."

"Very funny, Cass." Nick smiled. "Listen, tomorrow we need to get together. Do something fun."

"Sounds good to me. Come over around lunch time and we'll work something out."

"See ya then."

Cassie waved to Nick as he pulled out of her driveway. But, he turned right back around and jumped out of his car.

"Change your mind?" she said sarcastically.

"I have to talk to you about what's bothering me."

"Okay. Come on." They walked back into the house and sat at the kitchen table. "Let's hear it."