Casey let out a huff as she continued to pick up the laundry strewn about the house. Lizzie had left her soccer jersey by the front door, Marti had left her pants in the kitchen, and George had left a tie on the couch. 'What was wrong with these people? Couldn't they pick up after themselves?' she thought as she moved to grab Derek's leather jacket. 'Oh, can't wash this one.' Right after that thought crossed her mind, she let out a little smirk. Maybe she should wash it just to teach him a lesson. It had been careless of him to throw his red shirt in with everyone else's white clothes and this would be a fitting revenge. An eye for an eye and all that. Plus, if she could shrink it just enough it would be her size. She had been looking for one just like it for a while now.
Casey bit down on her lip as she grabbed the jacket and continued into the laundry room. She felt a little sting of guilt when she threw the jacket in the washer but tried to push it out of her mind. If Derek could ruin her life (or at least her clothes) without showing any remorse, then she should be just as merciless. Newton had made it his third law for a reason.
A few hours later, her plan came to fruition. She was working at her desk, doing homework when she heard Derek yell.
"CASE-Y!" he shouted. Casey felt a smug little smile come to her lips as she went to meet him in the kitchen.
"Yes, Derek?" she said sweetly as she floated into the room. She abruptly stopped when she saw the look on her step-brother's face. It was apparent that he was angry as he stood there holding the shrunken outerwear. This was a new side of him and honestly, she kind of wanted to run away, but stubbornness was in her blood so she stayed.
"Well, Case, I was just wondering why my jacket is suddenly two sizes smaller," he chirped at her, using that same fake sweet tone she had used on him. He could have almost passed for normal if he hadn't been clenching his jaw so tightly.
"Oh," she made her mouth pop into a small 'o'. "Well, I was just trying to be a good sister. You see, I saw the jacket sitting on the floor and it looked like it needed a wash, so I threw it in with the rest of the laundry. It must've shrunk in the dryer." Casey held his gaze and gave him a small shrug. "Oops."
Derek just narrowed his eyes at his step-sister. He knew that by calling her out, he would be showing that he *gasp* actually cared about something. So instead he tried to release some of the tension from his body and just act like it didn't bother him.
"That's, uh, alright. I know that you didn't mean to." It nearly killed him, but he managed to keep his cool. He even added a little smile (it looked more like a snarl but whatever).
Casey felt her expression change to one of surprise. Her eyes widened, and she felt her jaw drop a little before catching it. Never one to completely lose control, she quickly regained composure.
"So, you wouldn't mind if I kept it then, would you?" She said.
Derek pretended to take a minute to think about it. Casey in his jacket? Hell yeah! He wouldn't have to warn off guys anymore. They would all think she was his without him even having to say a word. But then again, did she really deserve it? She had ruined it on purpose after-all. He tapped his chin a few times, drawing out the whole production. He decided he was really going to make her work for it a little.
"Hmmm, I don't know. This jacket really meant a lot to me. I don't know if I could just give it to someone who 'accidentally' ruined it."
Casey straightened her spine as her inner negotiator came out. She was going to have this jacket dammit. Even if she had to rip it out of his cold, dead hands.
"It doesn't even fit you anymore," she quickly pointed out.
"Meh. I could still save it for my future son. Or I could give it to Edwin." His eyes twinkled devilishly. He always knew that kid would come in handy one day. "I know for a fact that he wants it."
Casey started to panic a little. This was the perfect leather jacket. She needed it. It would look so good with her red tank top and her tight, dark jeans. There was no way that she would let Edwin of all people take it from her.
"What do you want? I'll do anything." That was really all he needed. He just wanted to have the upper hand.
"Nah, you can have it Princess. Consider this my good deed for the year. It'll look a lot better on you anyway." He tossed her a quick wink, threw her the jacket and left the room. Casey stood there, jacket limp in her hands, feeling more than confused about the whole situation.
