Life With You
Casey McDonald quickly typed the last of her professors words while the rest of the college class poured out the door. She anxiously flipped her dark chestnut brown hair over her shoulder. Even in her first semester as a college student she was still the self proclaimed "Grade Grubber". She looked down at her buzzing cell phone in her jacket and smiled when it read 'Chris', her boyfriend. She was just about to text him back when she noticed a familiar bomber jacket with its back turned toward her, while he talked to the professor flashing his infamous smirk. No, No, No, it can't be.
"Derek", a tall blonde stated snootily her blue eyes falling toward the famous Derek Venturi, erasing all Casey's doubt. Then she looked at Casey up and down when Derek turned and recognized her.
"Casey is that you?" he asked squinting her chocolate brown eyes at her playfully. He laughed lightly when she stood to leave. She was in a burgundy Hollister cardigan, white tank top, and light wash jeans paired with ballerina flats. Nothing fancy, as her mother would say. Derek blinked to keep from staring, in his eyes she'd never looked better. Her long honey brown hair was long and shiny as it pooled down her back in loose waves, her icy blue eyes had a pleasant glow to them. And, from what he could tell she still used that vanilla perfume he loved so much.
Without warning Derek leaned forward and gave Casey a tight squeeze, from a distance they looked like a couple. She tensed at first but eventually eased into the hug affectionately.
"2 years", Casey stated in disbelief once they had broken the hug awkwardly when the blonde cleared her throat.
"I had no idea you went here", Derek stepped back teasing her with his cocky playboy smirk. " I definitely would've noticed you. My, My, McDonald you sure filled out", he completed with a sly whistle. He was trying to see if he could still get under her skin, from the look of her face the answer was yes.
"De-rek!", Casey groaned slapping his shoulder as hard as she could. The moment had been officially ruined . She cursed herself for thinking someone as barbaric and absent minded as Derek could actually be civilized for once. She was so thankful she didn't have to spend more than a year with him and his family. Still, Derek always knew how to press every button she had and embarrass her in everyway possible.
"Sorry", he apologized half-heartedly laughing as he rubbed his shoulder. Separated for 2 years and the still picked up where they left off—arguing.
"How'd you make it to U of M? cheated on the ACTs, or sleep with the dean? Casey arched her eyebrow and scowled at him, but at the same time couldn't help but notice how good looking he was. Derek had always looked great everybody knew that, but he wasn't slender anymore. His shoulders became broader, his biceps were sculpted more, and his jaw-line was sharper. He wore his hair a little shorter, and if possible he'd become more arrogant.
"Hockey", Derek smirked crossing his arms towering over her. " Surprised?"
Casey and Derek glared at each other playfully.
"Well-
"Mhmm", the blonde from before stepped in between the two clearing her throat again.
"Oh", Derek turned snapping out of his trance. " Casey this is, this is, is,", he furrowed his eyebrows trying to remember the girls name he was dating.
"Amanda", she introduced herself tightly wrapping her arms around Derek's waist territorially. " And you are?"
"Casey", Casey stated uncomfortably slinger her messenger bag over her shoulder.
"Casey huh?" Amanda asked skeptically looking Casey up and down as if they had suddenly became sworn enemies.
"Yeah", Derek nodded. " She's my, she's my", he fumbled confusedly. They weren't exactly step siblings anymore, or friends.
"Your ex- girlfriend?" Amanda eyed Casey knowingly.
"No", Casey quickly objected. " Not at all".
"Then". Amanda dropped from Derek's waist and wrapped them across her chest. " Who is she?"
"Our parents were married once upon a time ago".
"Nothing more", Derek added watching Casey for a reaction.
She gave none shrugging past the couple casually. Casey sighed in relief when she was out in the cool, fall air and away from Derek. Honestly, she hadn't thought about him since their parents split the middle of her sophomore year. Her, Nora, and Lizzie moved back into their condo and Casey went back to private school. She'd seen Derek once or twice at parties Emily dragged her to, but he was glued to some girl or too drunk to remember. One night, he was so drunk he stumbled into her trying to flirt. Flirting! She could still remember it.
Casey was just about halfway across the lawn when Derek called her name. Something kept telling him to follow after her.
"Casey!", he yelled in the distance.
She turned, shook her head and kept walking until he jogged up to meet her halfway.
"What's the rush?" he joked.
"I have somewhere to be".
"Where?" Derek laughed flicking her long hair playfully. "The library?
"No", Casey retorted clearly flipping her hair. "I'm meeting my boyfriend", she concluded across her shoulder before walking away from Derek. She didn't like treating him that way but she realized with Derek the only way she could protect herself was to keep him at a distance.
"Derek?" Casey asked spinning to face him. " See you around".
" Bet on It", he remarked coolly before draping his arm around Amanda's shoulder.