The Summer Bay High Year 12 formal is fast approaching, and Cassie, in the absence of any other volunteers, has nominated herself to take the reins and organise the entire thing. But Don Fisher seems less than impressed with some of her suggestions; a change of venue (Excuse me, whats the problem with the school hall?) being just one among many ideas that spark enough debate for him to propose an exercise in democracy. In other words, Don decides on an election as the only fair way to find a committee organiser. And, wouldnt you know it, theres just one other candidate up for the task: Aden, the one we all love to hate. Of course, Adens hardly the party-planning kind but, win or lose, there is definitely some fun to be had in winding Cassie up. Her meticulously organised formal is edging further out of reach, and shes not afraid to show her disappointment. Unfortunately for her, Aden hits on another idea to ensure a fast track to success. You see, Summer Bay Highs latest recruit, Rory, is finding that life as a child prodigy isnt all that fun; it marks him as the perfect target of bullying amongst his peers. And it soon becomes clear that the fact of Aden having taken on an uncharacteristically sympathetic role as his protector doesnt come without a price. In exchange for defending Rory against bullies, thereby ending his reign as that freaky genius kid, all Aden wants him to do aside from the odd homework assignment, we expect is to switch over the completed ballot papers that Dons collected with some hes already prepared. The offers too good to pass up, and Rory goes ahead with the swap, leaving nothing more for Aden to do but reap the rewards, Cassies lack of grace in defeat being one, as Don later announces him the new committee leader.But its not over yet. It doesnt take Matilda long to work out that somethings amiss she knows that nobody but, well, Aden would vote for Aden and, with the aid of the binned ballot papers and a confession from Rory, she and Cassie set on their way to see Fisher about such a gross miscarriage of justice.The outcome is far from expected. Having issued Rory with two weeks detention, Don proceeds to announce a re-election with two new candidates. (How do I know the two of you havent tampered with the ballot papers before handing them over? he asks.) Tempers soon flare, leaving Cassie in tears and Don an alarming shade of red; even when Brad breaks up the dispute, its clear that therell be no apologies. The saga continues
Tainted love
As if battling with Fisher wasnt enough for Cassie to worry about, shes also still reeling from being rejected by Henk and Matildas not exactly telling her what it is she needs to hear. Far from sympathising with Cassies all-consuming crush, she opts for the manoeuvre of trying to shock her out of it.
Yeah, I mean, youre practically Brads stepdaughter, she helpfully points out. Mortified or not, Cassie decides that there are some things that just have to be said, and grabs the first available opportunity to chat to Henk about what happened not that, suffering from the after-effects of his drinking binge, he seems to remember much of it.
Hes loose-lipped enough to confess to finding her attractive, though, even if hes only too quick to make sure she knows a relationship is out of the question. For someone who thinks theyre so amazingly enlightened, you send out some pretty mixed-up signals, Cassie retorts, before making a hasty getaway and returning to school for her confrontation with Don. So its little surprise that when she later arrives for her shift at the Surf Club and finds Henk helping out behind the bar, its enough to send her straight to the storeroom for a cry.
Im not stupid; I know what today was about. I dont need you to feel sorry for me, she sobs, Henk by now having come in to check on her. But theres more than sympathy on offer. One thing leads to another, and before long theyve allowed their feelings to get the better of them
Tagged in Home And Away