AN: I tried to keep them as in character as I could. Please read and review! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Life With Derek does not belong to me!!!!!!

I fought. With Derek. What else was knew?

It was one of those fights that left me feeling all guilty inside, even though I knew he could care less about what I had said. Or yelled, rather. I knew he wasn't feeling remorseful for his actions, but nevertheless, here I was, sulking in my bed, wishing I had never said half the things I said to him.

"Hey Space-Case, you mind getting out of my room? I have work to do, unlike some people."

"Work!? More like calling five different girls for dates on Sunday night!"

"And your point? Oh wait, I get it. You're just jealous because you can't get any."

"God Derek, you're the most infuriating, ignorant, close-minded jerk I have ever met."

"You mean, besides Truman?"

"Der-ek! I wish to God you weren't my step-brother!"

"The feeling is mutual."

"I hate you!"

I tossed and turned in bed, our fight playing over and over in my head. I hate you. It was just an impulsive thing to say. I guess I was just edgy because of all my recent relationship failures. Sam and I had no chemistry. Max was not the Prince Charming I made him out to be. And Truman was just… Truman. Ugh. But what I said was still unacceptable. I hate you… I hate you… I hate you…

Finally I couldn't take it anymore. I had to get up and take a walk to ease my troubled mind. I checked my alarm clock- 2 am. I would never get to sleep if I didn't distract myself. I made my way to the kitchen, wondering why I even cared about Derek's feelings. I knew for sure he didn't care about mine.

But then I remembered the look on his face as I stormed out of his room. He looked shocked and was it- hurt? Before I knew it, I was already in the kitchen. I grabbed an apple and made my way back to my room, pausing at Derek's door. Knowing him, he was probably still awake, listening to music or surfing the net. I clasped the door knob and entered cautiously, barely aware of what I was doing.

"Derek?" I said softly. Something moved in his bed in the darkness. "Sorry if I woke you up… I just wanted to say…"

The lump stirred and sat up, squinting in the darkness. "Edwin?" I asked, confused.

The lump screamed. "What are you doing in here?" he questioned.

"What are you doing in Derek's room?"

"What's going on?" George and Mom came running in, surprisingly fast coming from the basement. George turned the lights on.

"How'd you get here so fast?" I asked, blinking rapidly, my eyes adjusting to the light.

"Who's Derek?" said Edwin.

"We were only across the hall." said Mom.

"Derek: your brother, my stepbrother!" I looked around at everyone. They looked lost.

Marti marched into the room. "Smedwin, what's going on?" she inquired.

"Swedwin?" I looked at Marti. "What ever happened to Smerek?"

"Who's Smerek?" she said smartly, crawling up in Edwin's lap and hugging him. "What kind of name is that?"

"Yeah Casey, who is Smerek?" Lizzie asked, rubbing her eyes and entering the commotion.

"Derek." I tried to explain to confounded faces. "Smerek." They still looked bewildered. I tried again. "Triple D? D-dawg? Derika? Derek Venturi?!"

"You know, I do think you mentioned a cute guy at your school named Derek, but isn't it a bit early to be accepting him into the family?" Mom smirked.

I looked around, horrified. Edwin and Marti stared at me like I was a lunatic. Lizzie rubbed her eyes again. Mom just smiled. And George… he looked horrified as well. What sort of terrible prank was this? No Derek? And then it hit me.

I wish to God you weren't my step-brother!

Oh no! I had wished Derek Venturi out of existence!