(34) THE END

(8 Years Later)

"Happy birthday Cassie! I'm so sad I couldn't be there today. You're finally 25!"

"It's ok Tessa. I know how busy you are in New York." I chuckle, laying down on my bed.

"I'm busy? Girl you're a freaking actor! How'd you manage to get even a day off? You're always on set or auditioning."

"This week we aren't filming, just taking a break. I'm thinking about taking a little break." I explain.

Ever since high school, everyone parted out in their own ways. Tessa became a doctor in New York, I took on acting, and Laila worked as a kindergarten teacher back at our old town. Alissa became a big time model. Which sucks because you probably were hoping she had a bad ending.

As for Carter?

After I got into acting, I was able to introduce him into some singing agencies and he was able to get a record deal.

We're working the long distant thing. We used to live together since we're both in California now, but he's been traveling around the country. Now he's in New York right this minute.

I miss him.

"You should call Carter, Cas. I ran into him the other day and he said he misses you really bad."

"Yeah. I should." I sigh. "I miss him so much."

"Okay. Well I have to go. Love you Cas, have a good birthday!" She giggles before hanging up.

It sucks to be you when you have a birthday.

All by yourself.

But you know what could make things better?

A little bit of Starbucks....

What? Being a basic white girl has its perks.

I run outside of my house and hop into my car.

Yeah. Guess who doesn't need an Uber now! Haha.

And some of you might be wondering, did you ever get your motorcycle?

Yep. But it's back at home so I get to ride it every time I visit Florida.

I pull up into the Starbucks parking lot area and walk inside. The familiar scent of baked goods and coffee fill my nose. I flip on my sunglasses so that I wouldn't have to attract much attention.

Sometimes it fails to do so.

"Oh my god is that Mia from Mia and The Beat?"

"Yeah. I heard she's playing Adelaide in Superiority."

"Oh my god, she's the one that's dating Carter Wayford, right? I've heard all about their relationship."

"They're so cute!"

But good thing this Starbucks wasn't as popular as some others. The only people in here were a mom and her baby, and a couple of teens.

I remember how great life was back in high school.

Lol you thought.

"Hey Cassie!"

"Amelia?!" I turn around. "Oh my god Amelia!"

Amelia Kate. She's my co-star in Mia and The Beat. She quickly became one of my good friends but we haven't seen each other since the show ended.

"Hey girl! Today's your birthday isn't it? I was going to call you but, happy birthday!" She laughs, giving me a tight hug.

"Yeah. It's been a pretty lonely birthday." I smile.

"No cake?" She tilts her head.

"No cake." I sigh.

"That's sad." She pouts. "Tell you what, it's your birthday. We're doing something today." She stiffens.

"I don't want to disturb any of your plans though-"

"Birthday! Now!" She grabs my arm, dragging me out of Starbucks.

But my Starbucks...

________________________________

"Does this dress make me look fat?" Amelia asks me.

We decided to go shopping for approximately 3 hours. Why 3 hours? Who knows?

"Nah. Speaking of dresses, did you find something to wear to the Oscars yet?" I ask, looking through a rack of cute shirts.

"Totes. It's super pretty." She giggles.

"Is this shirt cute?" I pull up a white shirt. She immediately goes wide eyed and blushes.

Is the shirt that hideous? She could've just told me.

"It's been 3 hours and 27 minutes! We need to get you home!" She panics, dragging me out of the store. She starts sprinting through the parking lot looking for my car.

God this girl is fast!

"Wait! Amelia! I don't get it! Why do I need to get home-"

"Shush my child!" She cuts me off pushing me into the passengers seat and hopping into the drivers seat herself.

She starts to drive, really fast. Almost as if she was rushing.

"Why am I not driving when this is my car? And why are you going so fast Amelia? Slow down!" I yell. But she ignores me.

And before we know it, a 10 minute drive to my house turns into 30 seconds.

"That was weird." I suspiciously look around. "What's going on?"

"Nothing!" She covers up, hopping out of my car. I can hear her mumbling a few things to herself. I catch the word 'failure' and 'disappointment'.

"Amelia? Are you ok? You're not a failure-"

"You don't understand Cassie." She starts to sob.

What's going on?

"Amelia, tell me..." I hug her, trying to comfort her.

"I'll tell you once we get in." She sighs, opening the door for me.

I step into my house and realize something's off. It's pitch black and I get suspicious and look behind me.

Amelia isn't there.

"Anyone in here?" I ask.

I make my way through the kitchen and find myself looking for the light switch.

"Where the heck is it?" I mutter.

I hobble my way through the kitchen going into the living room hoping I'll have some luck finding it there.

I feel against the wall and feel a little stub.

The light switch! I flick it on and...

"SURPRISE!"

I look around the whole room as confetti and streamers fly down in the air and the looks of family and close friends surround me.

"Oh my god guys!" I cry out, wiping a tear from my face.

I spy around and look at my mom with her graying hairs, yet she still seems to keep her young look. I see Tessa in the corner smiling and at me. Laila also doing the same, laughing. And then I see Amelia in the middle giggling.

But I can't seem to find a certain face I've longed for the most.

Carter.

I look around the room but he's no where to be seen.

Until I feel arms snake around my waist from behind, pulling me in for a hug.

There he is.

He rapidly pecks my face with kisses from the side but I manage to catch his lips. I squeeze his arms so that he won't let go of me.

I have so many questions and I need answers. But the only thing that escapes my lips is, "How?"

Everyone laughs at the question and my amusing surprised face.

"Carter planned the whole thing." Amelia points to him.

"Happy Birthday." He smiles at me.

"But how do you know who Amelia is? And...Amelia you were so sad..." I stutter, still in shock.

"I knew Amelia because I met her in New York one time." Carter explains.

"And you seemed so close to figuring out what was going on so I had to take your mind off of that subject." Amelia continues.

"So you decided to look sad?"

"You forgot I could act too Cassie." She giggles.

"How's you even know that I would be in Starbucks?"

"Just an instinct I guess." She smiles wider.

"And all of you came to see me?" I cry, wiping away a tear of joy from my eye.

"Yes!" Everyone says together.

"Awww, Cassie!" Tessa and Laila grin, pulling me into one of their hugs.

The nostalgia...Oh my god.

"Honey you don't need to cry!" My mom laughs, joining the hug.

"But I do. I can't believe you guys did this-Oh my god! Ashton!" I laugh, running to him.

Oh my god! He's freaking 13!

THE LITTLE 5 YEAR OLD ASHTON IS NOW 13.

"Hey Cassie." He grins, pulling me into a hug.

"Hands off my girlfriend Ash." Carter pulls him off.

"Mr. Jealousy." I smirk.

"Princess." He smiles.

________________________________

By the time the party was over it was 7:45 and everyone but my mom had left. Carter said we were going somewhere special personally at 8:00 so we were getting ready.

This time I had to wear something nice.

"Thank you so much for everything, Carter." I smile.

"Yeah yeah. Let's get going." He smiles, taking my hand.

"Another surprise I'm guessing?" I raise my eyebrow.

"You bet." He smirks.

"Oh god. Is it another bet?" I laugh, squeezing his hand.

"I know you love my bets, but this time it's not." He chuckles. "Once we get out of the car, close your eyes."

"Okay." I giggle.

I get into my car and let him drive because I have know idea where we're going. I wait there in silence for a couple minutes before I get a little impatient.

"Are we there yet?"

"Nope." He says, popping the P.

"How about now?"

"Cassie, no."

"Now? We've been driving for like an hour."

"It's been 13 minutes. We'll be there in literally 2 minutes." He sighs.

"Now?" I repeat.

"No. But close your eyes right about...Now." He says. I close my eyes cause I don't want to ruin anything. He parks the car and helps me out, leading me to where we're going.

He eventually stops me before I can open my eyes.

"Open!" He grins.

"Carter!" I smile. "It's like the pond back home!"

It was almost exactly like the pond back at home. It was obvious he hung up lights around the pond to make it look more like the pond at home and some people were also here too like how it was the last time I was there.

"Do you like it?" He smiles, staring at me.

"Carter I love it." I nod my head, gazing at the pretty lights and the clear pond.

"Good." His voice instantly became shaky. "Because like at home, I wanted to ask you something."

"Yes?" I look at him.

"Cassiopeia Vanessa Davis." He chuckles, getting down one one knee.

Oh my god.

Oh my god.

Is he?...

"Carter..." I mumble, my jaw slowly dropping.

"You have made me one of the most happiest men in the whole word. I never thought I'd find someone as perfect as you. I never thought I would get this far in life but you completely changed that..."

Oh my god.

Is he going to?

Oh my god.

"Will you marry me?"

I look at him in shock, my jaw dropped and my eyes wide.

Did he just?

Is this even real?

"Yes! Of course! Oh my god, of course, yes!" I cry, burying my face in his shoulder.

Oh my god.

How many times have I said oh my god?

This day has been so much of a shock!

Like a good shock!

Not like an electric shock, or even a static shock.

Like...A really good shock!

And now he proposes?

I cry into his shirt and squeeze him in the hug. We stand there for a little bit just hugging and crying in silence. It's actually a pretty enjoyable moment.

"I love you so much Cassie-Assie." He whispers, stroking my hair.

"I love you too Carty-Art."

________________________________

THAT IS THE END!

OH MY GOD GUYS I AM ACTUALLY SO SAD, BUT HAPPY AT THE SAME TIME.

CARTER AND CASSIE DID END UP TOGETHER.

and don't worry! I'll be posting bonus chapters every once in a while.

But I want to thank you guys for being so supportive of me and giving me great advice. This has been such a great journey watching my book grow and seeing you guys happy. I really wish I could write more about Cassie and Carter, but it would be a little too much for me. I might edit a little bit but I think I'm going to take a break after editing.

Wattpad has sorta been like a main priority which sucks because I have to take care of family and other problems. So I'll be taking a break for a little bit.

So...Yeah.

Don't forget to check out The Sneaker Project if you liked this book!

XOXO :P