Disclaimer: I do not own Life With Derek.


Waking up from a beautiful dream was always something Casey disliked. Especially since the dream was about her handsome ex-boyfriend, Max. For the first time in her life, Casey McDonald was becoming more of a dreamer than a do-er. Dreaming about him gave her happiness. A happiness she couldn't find when she was awake. Even more, she disliked being awakened by her alarm clock. The harsh beeping noise screamed into her ears, causing her to groan loudly. Casey moved her hand onto the button to turn the noise off. After doing so, she stared at the alarm clock. 10am. Just a little early for a Saturday; except today was different. The Venturi-McDonald clan was going to the beach.

Having a good feeling about the day, despite her slightly early awakening, she rolled out of bed and onto her feet. Hanging from her computer chair was the yellow bikini she planned on wearing. Stripping off her pink pajamas and underwear, she picked up the bikini bottoms, and slipped them on. After doing this, she looked in the mirror. Even just from putting the bottoms on, she could already see that it was too small. When had she outgrown it? The last time she went swimming was a few months ago. Would this be from a delay on exercise, perhaps, or over-eating? Her breasts had become somewhat larger, also. Examining this further, she tied on the bikini top. Obvious cleavage slipped out. Seeming disappointed, she sighed and pulled a beach bag out from under her bed. Walking around the room with the bag in her hand, she picked up her black sunglasses and put them in the bag. That's all I really need from my room, I guess. Mom will be providing towels and sunscreen. Slipping on her flip flops, she then opened the door and walked downstairs and into the kitchen.

"Hey." She said to the room. Everyone was in there, dressed in swimsuits and ready to go.

"Wake up late much, Space Case? We've been waiting for twenty minutes." Derek said, looking at her attire. "Yellow… how very you."

"She should've worn purple!" Marti said in her overly-loud voice. She always had to add something to the conversation.

She gave Derek an irritated look. Trying to think of what to retort back, she couldn't. He looked perfect in his navy blue swim trunks. His tan chest had just the right amount of muscle. Even his arms looked spectacular. Playing hockey has done him well.

Getting lost in the sight of him, she shook it off and turned around, disgusted for even thinking that way about Derek, her step-brother, the egotistical jerk.

"Derek, be nice to your step-sister." Nora said, giving him a warning look. "Casey, you look fine."

"Let's just go." Casey said, turning around, suddenly irritated. When has Derek ever treated me like a sister? Nora and George, sensing her mood, walked ahead and opened the front door.

"Onto the beach!" George cheered, walking outside with Nora by his side, with Lizzie, Edwin, and Marti screeching with excitement behind them. Casey followed them, with Derek walking behind her.

As soon as everyone was in the car, George started the engine, and began to drive. Casey then noticed that her and Derek were sitting right next to each other. She glanced at him, all of a sudden feeling self-conscience in her bikini. Derek didn't seem to notice her looking at him, since he was lost in the music coming from his earphones. Casey looked down at her body, counting the flaws. The food in the house had been getting a little fattier, thanks to Derek and his stupid junk food. Luckily for him, he burned off the calories while playing hockey. Casey, however, wasn't in ballet anymore and hadn't been exercising to her cliché pop songs, like she used to when she first moved in. Being towards the end of the school year, homework increases and well, you know how studying for exams can be. Being the keener she was, studying and doing homework was something that needed to be done.

Just by looking down, she noticed that her stomach wasn't as toned as it used to be. Frowning, she rested her head on the window, and closed her eyes. She was beginning to regret going with her family to the beach. Attempting to clear her thoughts, they kept coming back. Finally, sleep took over her.

Derek glanced at her, curving his lips into a small smile.


The long drive wearing on, Casey awoke with Derek's head on her shoulder. It appeared that he had fallen asleep also. Her heart leaped when she realized that the family could have noticed that he was actually using her shoulder as a pillow. She looked up. Marti was talking to Edwin and Lizzie, and her mom and George were arguing about directions. Slightly peeved at the fact that Derek put his head on her shoulder just to annoy her, and get his mass of hair in her face, she nudged him off of her. Derek felt himself being moved off of her, and woke up. He growled, and looked at Casey. She smirked. Derek rolled his eyes, nudged her back, and turned his body away from her.

Casey straightened herself in her seat, more awake than before, and called to the front seat, "Are we almost there?"

Nora looked back, "Five minutes and we'll be there!" She said.

The next five minutes consisted of Derek singing loudly to his music, Casey fuming at his vocals, the other three siblings talking about the possibility of sharks being at the beach, and George driving while Nora stayed silent.

Finally, George parked next to the sea wall. Casey scrambled out of her seat, and opened the door, peeking her head out. It was semi-crowded, with plenty of thin blondes to spare. Casey sighed. Suddenly, she felt Derek push her out of the car. She quickly caught her balance, almost tripping.

"Klutzilla returns." Derek said, looking at her with a sly smile.

This was going to be a long day.


It's going to get darker within a few chapters. I'll be updating quite soon :)