This story takes place a few months after the episode Derek's School of Dating. It's the first day of school and it's Derek and Casey's senior year. It is also the first day for Edwin and Lizzie as freshman.
"DER-EK!" yelled Casey.
"What did Derek do?" asked Nora.
"Derek did… he did… oh you don't want to know what he did!" yelled Casey.
"He didn't do anything did he?" asked George.
"No. It's been months now since Derek has pulled a prank on me. Ever since he started dating Sally he's been nice to me", said Casey.
"Casey, I thought Derek being nice to you was what you've wanted since we moved in", said Nora.
"Yeah, but our morning fight is part of our morning routine. It's just weird that its no longer happens", said Casey.
"Morning family! Casey, I'm walking to school with Sally today so here are the keys to the Prince", said Derek as he was passing by.
"Just plain weird", mumbled Casey.
Casey (talking to audience like she does right after the theme song plays): "Things at the house since Derek hooked up with Sally have been quiet to say the least. It's been the quiet I've longed for, ever since I moved here. You've heard the old saying: be careful what you wish for. I got it and the new courteous Derek is getting on my last nerves. I miss the old Derek. Sure he was a jerk and went out of his way to make me miserable but at least he kept things interesting."
"So I saw you pull up in the school parking lot. I see Derek gave you the car. That's new", said Emily.
"Yeah, he's acted weird ever since he started dating Sally", said Casey.
"Come on, how weird could it be?" asked Emily.
"Lets see: first offers the remote every time I walk in the living room, he hasn't pulled a single prank on me, he hasn't called me any type of name besides 'Case' or "Casey", he gave me the car this morning, and he even lets me sit in his chair", said Casey.
"I don't see the problem then", said Emily confused. "For as long as I've known you, this is exactly what you wanted."
"The problem is, is that Derek is no longer Derek. You see I finally adjust to the guy being a jerk to me and now he suddenly changes!" exclaims Casey.
"Wow, you weren't kidding about Derek changing!" said Emily as she saw Derek coming down the hallway with Edwin, Lizzie, and their friends.
"What is it?" asked Casey confused.
"Over here is the science lab where you will partake in many experiments. Edwin, no blowing up the school! And over here is some lockers where you will come to get and put away books as well as socialize with your friends", said Derek. "And over here is my wonderful stepsister and my good friend Emily. Good morning ladies".
Derek then continued with his tour as Emily was just frozen in shock. Casey was also in shock. This was a new weird for the new Derek.
"Did I just see Derek, giving a bunch of freshman tours of the school?" asked Emily.
"Yeah, and he gave accurate information. He also called me his 'wonderful stepsister', that guy has officially lost it!" exclaimed Casey. "I'm going to go talk to Paul".
"Ok see you later", said Emily who still hadn't moved since seeing Derek.
"3…2…1…" said Paul looking at his watch. As he finished saying "one", he saw his door swing open and as expected Casey came in.
"Happy first day of your senior year, Casey!" said Paul.
"It should be a happy day Paul but it's just weird and a bit irritating!" exclaimed Casey as she sat down.
"So I'm guessing Derek drove you up the wall the whole summer. How many pranks per day did he pull on you?" asked Paul.
"No worse! Derek has been completely nice towards me the whole summer. He's been like that since he hooked up with Sally!" exclaimed Casey.
"Ok I must be hearing things. It sounds to me like you're upset that Derek is finally being nice to you. The thing that you've wanted from him since you first moved here", said Paul confused.
"Yes that's exactly it!" said Casey. "I guess it weird that he isn't there to challenge me every minute of my life. Sure his immature antics bugged me and we fought constantly, but that was our way of dealing with each other. Our way of co-existing."
"Sounds to me somebody is a little jealous of Derek's girlfriend", suggested Paul.
"No that's disgusting! We're stepsiblings after all!" exclaimed Casey repulsed.
"No not like that. You're jealous that Derek's attention is being paid mostly to Sally now. You used to be the center of his attention with his pranks and all. You also got a lot more attention from your family when Derek pranked you and teased you", said Paul.
"I guess that makes sense", said Casey quietly. "Thanks Paul".
"Anytime Casey", answered Paul.
First period for Casey was calculus. She saw most of the brains from her grade in the room and one unexpected stepbrother.
"Derek what are you doing in this class?" asked Casey.
"Its on my schedule. You know after I figured out that all the steps to solving math problems are in the textbook I started doing really well. Plus, Sally encouraged me to step up the studying to get into this class", answered Derek.
"Wow", said Casey. It was just another example of Derek not being Derek.
Meanwhile Edwin and Lizzie had English first period. The teacher asked the class to each stand up, and tell everyone a little about themselves. Edwin went first and if it wasn't for Lizzie stopping him, he would have been the only one to go.
He first started talking about his new acting interest (just another one of his short-lived obsessions), then his brother Derek's transformation, then his plans to be a big business tycoon, and then about his Edweirdo nickname. The class was almost asleep when Lizzie stopped him.
Lizzie went next and she simply talked about her environmental interests and her new belt in Tae Kwon Do.
At lunch, Derek and Sally sat in Derek's usual spot with Ralph and Sam. Casey and Emily meanwhile sat with Noel. Amy offered them a spot at the cheerleader table, but Max was there so Casey declined.
"I can't stand the new Derek anymore! I'm going to bring back the old jerk Derek even if it's the last thing I do", said Casey frantically.
"What are you going to do? Break up Derek and Sally?" asked Emily jokingly.
"Hey now, that's not a bad idea", said Casey.
"Casey, you can't be serious. I know Derek irritates you more than ever, but you are too nice to even consider it. Besides, think about how Derek and Sally would feel", said Emily.
"But if Sally is out of the picture than Derek won't have any incentive to be nice so he'll go back to his old ways", said Casey evilly. "It's full proof. I kind of feel bad for Sally, but I can't live with Derek like this for another year. Besides, Derek is not much of a long-term relationship person anyway, so in a way, I'm just speeding up the inevitable. Nothing wrong about that, right Em. If you think about it, I'm really doing Sally a favor. Right?".
"I'm having no part of this. You are becoming everything you once hated about Derek", said Emily bitterly as she left.
"Em don't you miss the old Derek. Emily come back!" yelled Casey trying to get her friend to come back.
That's the first part of what is probably going to be a 2-part story. Please review and let me know what you think. The next chapter of the Reunion is in the works.