This is my very first fanfic so be nice! Like I said in the summary, I loove reading Dasey fanfics but I thought it wouldn't hurt to try out a Demily fanfic. So please read and review and enjoy!!

Chapter 1

There he was just walking down the hallway in all his perfect glory with his slightly tousled hair and that leather jacket he has worn since the beginning of time. Emily stood by Casey's locker watching Derek in anticipation knowing he'd walk over to taunt Casey but always gave a mini hello to Emily. Emily and Derek had once tried dating but she either couldn't talk or talked too much and that proved to be not what Derek wanted. Of course Emily understood this but she was secretly heartbroken that the one she wanted the most was the one who didn't want her back.

"Hey Casey I didn't know it was dress like the librarian day." Derek had said as he stopped at Casey's locker to tease her about her wardrobe as usual.

"Derek, why don't you go along your way and play your little barbaric sport where you and the rest of your underdeveloped teammates bang sticks on ice and play it off as an actual activity." Casey retorted as she closed her locker getting ready to leave for class.

"Come on Em or else we'll be late for French class. Later loser."

"Later grade-grubber. Bye Emily."

"Bye Derek! Hey Casey wait up!" Emily called out to Casey running after her. She wanted to linger around but snapped back to reality and stepped into class.

Emily was trying to get through French as they were conjugating a new verb and getting ready for the next exam but she couldn't concentrate. All she could really think about was how sexy Derek looked today and how excited she was that she'd be watching him in his home game tonight. Emily was glad that Casey and Sam had finally gotten over their differences so she knew that Casey would be coming along to watch the hockey game even though she detested the sport. The lunch bell had rang so Casey and Emily stepped out into the hall headed over to the cafeteria to get something to eat.

"So then I was like – 'Sam you know I don't like watching that stupid sport.' And he said 'Well I thought you were my girlfriend and you're supposed to be there to support me.' Of course Sam put on that little puppy dog face of his and I just could not resist. Em! Are you listening?"

"Yeah Casey, puppy dogs and hockey. Totally listening." Emily had responded in monotony.

"Em, is something wrong? You seemed fine earlier but now you seem kind of down and out. I thought you and the Schlepper were working out, what happened?"

"Well we were trying our best to make it work but I just could not work myself up enough to actually like him. I mean I want to like him but I guess I always found my eyes wandering back to-" Emily had stopped herself knowing what was going to come out of her mouth next and apparently so did Casey.

"Oh Emily, I thought you were over Derek. I mean I thought you guys were becoming good friends. You two even tried to help me and Sam on so many occasions. Is there anything I can do to help?" Casey hated to see her best friend in such turmoil.

"It's alright Casey. I'll have to get over him sometime right? I mean it won't be the end of the world if Derek and I never get together." Emily had that feeling of loneliness come over her as her and Casey slipped into their chairs.

"Oh great here he comes now. Emily just try to stay strong alright? Don't let him get the best of you." Casey offered as some kind of advice though she was sure it wasn't going to help.

As Derek walked over, Emily could only try to keep her cool but as soon as she glanced up there was Derek with those beautiful chocolate brown eyes and that hair that just fell over his eyes.

"Hi Derek. How's it going?" Emily asked as she batted her eyelashes enough so that it looked seductive but not too much so that it didn't look like she had a twitch in her eye.

"Oh, hey Emily. Nothing much just getting ready for the big game tonight against O'Dell. We are totally going to kick ass. Are you coming out to watch?" Derek replied trying to keep a steady conversation with Emily. Yeah, Emily was cool but there was something lacking that Derek wasn't sure of that had turned him away. He and Emily had grown up next to each other since they were little kids and had even been best playmates but times change and feelings do too. Derek became "too cool" and Emily was always just short of being there.

"Yeah I'm totally gonna be there. I mean, uh, well you know to accompany Casey." Emily had said with as much cool as she could. She couldn't stand to be in his presence knowing this was going nowhere but Friendship-ville.

"Well those lovebirds seem to not even notice we're here so I'm gonna head out to the library or something. Bye Casey, bye Sam. See you later Derek." Emily had announced as she stood up getting ready to leave.

"Bye Em, I'll call you sometime after school before the game so we could head out together." Casey waved her off and turned her attention and affections back to Sam.

"See ya Emily." Derek had tipped off before heading out himself not being able to stand the sight any longer of his best friend and stepsister being all lovey-dovey.

Emily walked down the hall to the library thinking again of what she could have done differently to get Derek's attention. He had practically dated every girl in school, make that every girl in Toronto and for some reason she wasn't one of them.

'Am I not pretty enough? Maybe I talk too much or talk too little? I wish I could be the one that made Derek's head turn as I pass by.' Emily was thinking so hard of what she could possibly do to change but she knew only a miracle would have to happen.

Emily stepped into the library dragging herself to the corner table where she thought she should get some homework done before she and Casey headed out to the hockey game. Low and behold, as soon as she slipped out her notebook, Derek had just entered the library.

'What is Derek doing in the library? Oh, well I'm sure he's here to meet some girl and take her to the Ancient Greek History aisle. God that girl has got to be the luckiest person in the world. If only…never mind. Come on Emily, finish that Chemistry homework and get on with your life.'

Emily lowered her head and tried so hard to concentrate on the work in front of her. 'So if hydrogen can form 1 bond, then oxygen can form how many? Mm, 2?' Emily kept on working without distraction until…

"Hey Emily. What's up?" Derek said as he sauntered over towards her table.

"Oh just trying to finish some homework and what not. What brings you to the library?" Emily questioned.

"I honestly don't know. Just had this feeling I should come in and well, here I am." Derek answered although he sounded unsure of what he just said.

"Well care to sit down?"

"Sure why not. So how's it going Em? Haven't really talked to you in awhile considering you've lived next door all our lives and well, you're Casey's best friend." Derek seemed slightly concerned, but nonetheless was asking as a friend and nothing more.

"Ooh you know, same ole' same ole'. Go to school, go to work, hang with Casey, go to an occasional hockey game. Quite boring if you ask me."

"So no guy in the picture?"

'No, but of course I want it so bad to be you.'

"Nope free as a bird. I don't have to feel that tied down feeling and hey who needs a guy?"

"Well that's a way to think about it. Anyway looks like lunch is just about over see you later Em."

"Yeah, bye Derek. See you later." Emily called out behind him as he stood up and walked out.

The school day continued on and Emily was still feeling down and out. Either she would have to change herself or find someone new. Maybe the former more than the latter. Geeze. High school. Could there be anymore difficulty and drama in one teenager's life?

As soon as Emily got home she just had the urge to collapse onto her bed and knock out for awhile. About an hour later she woke up to her phone ringing off the hook.

"Hello?" Emily answered groggily.

"Em! Hello! I've been trying to call you for the past half hour. Where have you been?" Of course Casey being as worrisome as she is, was getting ready to interrogate Emily as usual.

"Sorry Case, I've been asleep. Why what's up?"

"I just wanted to call and see what time you wanted to head over to the arena for the game."

"Oh, well doesn't the game start at 6? It's only 5."

"Yeah, but I wanted to make sure we got good seats so I could get a really great view of Sam."

"Alright Casey we'll leave in like half-an-hour. Let me freshen up and I'll see you at your house."

"Okay see you soon Em!" The phone clicked off and Emily forced herself up to get ready. I mean all she really had to do was dress warm since it was always freezing cold, but nothing much. It's not like she was dressing to impress right? Of course not. She picked out a green parka from her closet and made sure to get a scarf and some gloves.

"MOM! I'm leaving for the hockey game I'll see you later. Tell Dad too and love you both!" Emily screamed out as she was stepping out to walk over to Casey's. Casey was already waiting outside waving over Emily as they walked towards Casey's car.

"Hey Em, let's get going."

"Alrighty." Emily answered sounding quite unsure of herself, but then again she's been sounding unsure of herself a lot lately.

They arrived at the hockey arena and stepped in only to be greeted with a breath of cool, frosty air. 'Good thing I brought the gloves, it's freezing in here.' Her and Casey had walked over to a bench that was quite close to the player's box.

"Sam! Over here! Hi. Good luck and DON'T break a leg. LOVE YOU!" Casey had screamed out. She was sure she had embarrassed him, but whatever they were in love. Emily saw Derek skate out onto the ice and felt her heart flutter. The game continued and there was the occasional 'Go team go!' shout from herself alongside Casey. Derek was such a great hockey player he was bound to make it to the Pros. By the end of the night, Emily was freezing her butt off and was ready to go home, but there was Casey again ready to celebrate.

"Em, you have to come with me over to Sam's. There's gonna be a little victory party and hey, you can totally meet a new guy there right? I mean there are plenty of Sam's teammates who are unattached and totally attractive. Please please please Emily !" Casey whined out as she stared out to her best friend.

"Fine, I'll go with you. But please Casey, no attempts to purposely set me up okay? If there's somebody there then I'll meet him, but if not then don't okay?" Emily questioned her friend knowing her ulterior motives in getting her to go to that party.

"Alright Em, I won't push but please promise me you'll try alright? I totally accepted it the time Kendra had set up that dating party for me and you kept on pushing didn't you? Well I mean I won't push you but just try. You never know, there could be that certain fish in the sea." Casey answered as she reassured Emily about going.

Casey drove over to Sam's house only to be greeted by a great mass of cars surrounding the place. Emily could hear some music blasting loudly and felt a little excited. As soon as they came through the front door, Casey immediately left Emily's side in search of Sam. Emily decided to go on over to the kitchen and grab herself a drink. She had a feeling that she'd be here awhile so might as well. As she walked through Sam's house she greeted a couple people here and there, but cautiously keeping an eye out for Derek. Just in case she told her self.

Emily left the kitchen with drink in hand and decided to head over to the couch. To possibly just sit and wait for something, anything to happen.

"Incoming!" Some random guy had called out just as a football hit Emily square in the head.

'Great. Just what I needed. To get hit with a football in the middle of a party. Oh my god how embarrassing.'

"Hey are you alright?" Someone had called out as she clutched her head in slight pain.

"Yeah, I think I'm alright, just feeling a little woozy." Emily answered feeling off-balance.

"Wow, well it looks like you may be starting to form a bump. Why don't we head over to the kitchen and I can get you some ice on that." The mystery guy had instructed. She felt mesmerized so she only nodded along in agreement and let mystery man lead her over to the kitchen.

"I'm sorry I don't think we've ever met. I'm Ryan Saunders. I think I've seen you around, Emily right?"

"Uh, yeah Emily. I mean yes, my name's Emily. I don't think I've ever seen you around." Emily was questioning.

"Yeah, I moved out here from California about a couple of weeks ago and I've kind of kept to myself. I tried out for hockey and made the team so I guess now would be my social debut to the rest of the world." Ryan answered laughing along.

Emily could only stare at this guy in awe. If there were ever someone to give Derek a run for his money it was sure to be this guy. Brown hair, green eyes, 6'0", strong build, and god was he beautiful. Emily felt like she could of died of embarrassment after remembering what brought them together. Stupid football.

"So you doing alright now?" Ryan looked at her inquisitively as she stuck the ice pack against her forehead. She felt a headache, but other than that she was totally dumbstruck in lust with this boy.

"Yeah totally fine. I'll live if that's what you mean." Emily joked around. She put down the ice pack feeling there was no need and decided to get to know Mr. Ryan Saunders.

"Well how do you like Toronto or the bigger picture, Canada?"

"It doesn't beat good ole' California, but I like it here all the same. Of course you guys are an entirely different country, but that's all good." Ryan seemed like such a laid back guy and Emily could feel herself letting her guard down. This could be the guy that finally got her over Derek Venturi. Could it be?

Emily and Ryan were in such a deep conversation, they both didn't realize that the party was starting to die down and many people were leaving. They had so much in common it was almost scary, but so great at the same time to finally meet a guy who seems totally perfect. They both loved that Alterna-Punk Indie rock sound and enjoyed watching Grey's Anatomy. Even for a guy he seemed totally like a girl, but a guy. They were still talking when finally Casey approached them.

"Hey Em and hello…uh…I'm sorry, but who are you?" Casey asked but with a twinkle in her eye at the total connection that Emily and this new guy had.

"Hi I'm Ryan Saunders, just moved here, just started playing for the team, and just getting to know Emily." He flashed Emily this mega-watt smile that could have brought her to her knees had she been standing.

"Well I'm Casey McDonald, Emily's best friend, Sam's girlfriend and that thing over there is my stepbrother." She had straight forwardly pointed out that Derek being a doofus in the corner as he and Sam were playing hackey-sack.

"I'd love to stay and chat but I think it's time to get going right Emily?"

"Uh, yeah right. Well Ryan I think this has been one of the most funnest nights I've ever had."

"We should do it again some time. How about this Friday at 7:00? I could pick you up, dinner and a movie, and after, well we'll just have to wait and see."

"I would love to on Friday. Here's my number and well I guess I'll be seeing you around school more often right?" Emily asked with such cheer in her voice.

"See you around tomorrow then Emily. Good night." Ryan said as he kissed her hand. Yes, she totally could have died right then and there. Ryan stood up to leave and said bye to the rest of the hockey team and headed out the door.

"Oh my god Casey did you see that? Ryan has got to be the most perfect guy in the world. What better way to get rid of my feelings for Derek then to meet Mr. Perfect himself. Oh Casey I'm so glad you dragged me here or else I would have never gotten hit in the head with that football and then Ryan wouldn't have saved me and wow I could just keep going on and on and how perfect he is and how much we have in common. Oh did I tell you we're going on a date on Friday. This is the best day ever!" Emily rushed out although you could tell she was running out of breath.

"Wow Em, I told you didn't I? I thought so. Now look at you all excited and ready for newer better things coming your way." Well let me see if Derek needs a ride home and maybe I'll help Sam tidy up a bit." Casey said as she walked towards the kitchen.

"Well hello hello. Someone looks like they've been having a great time tonight." Derek said as he pulled up a chair next to Emily.

"Yeah I just met that new guy Ryan and he is totally a great guy." Emily gushed out with excitement.

"Yeah, Ryan's just one of the guys. Pretty cool and decent hockey player might I add. So what's going on with you two? Sparks flying yet?"

"He asked me out for Friday and well after that, we'll just have to see where things go from there."

"Sounds alright to me. You seem happy too so it must be a really good thing."

"Yeah you can say something like that." Emily replied with a huge grin plastered on her face. That's all she could feel right now, is just smiling.

"We better help out or better yet find those two because I'm sure they are doing something that does not involve cleaning up." Derek and Emily got out of their chairs to find Sam and Casey making out in the kitchen. They both jolted apart at the sudden appearance of their best friends and got down to cleaning. About an hour later, Casey drove Emily home and Derek drove home separately.

Casey had said her goodnights to Emily and walked back over to her house. Just as Emily was getting ready to walk on over Derek's headlights shown straight into her eyes nearly blinding her.

"Sorry Emily. Didn't realize I had the hi-beams on." Derek had called out.

"No that's alright, I was just heading on in anyways." Emily was still smiling and she just couldn't help herself. Nothing could bring down her happy state. "Well goodnight Derek."

"Night Emily. Sweet dreams." Derek had just realized what he said not knowing how it just slipped out. "I mean, well, uh, yeah. Bye." Derek had rushed into the house without taking one look back. "What was that. 'Sweet dreams?' You are losing it man."

Emily entered her house and felt as if she had just floated up the stairs and got ready for bed. What a day, what a day.