Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of LWD but I wish I did. I only own the plot line. Also I do not own the song mentioned in this chapter.

Chapter 1

I never thought I could fall in love with my stepbrother. Especially since I am just the tomboy younger sister who he only sees as a friend but it happened. I don't know how but it did. My name if you haven't already guessed is Lizzie McDonald and I am in love with my stepbrother Derek Venturi. I don't even know how it happened I think it all started when I turned 15, it was my birthday and he showed up a different girl at my party. He had just broken up with Sally and for some reason my stomach clenched when I saw him with her.

It has been two years and nothing has changed, I am still head over heels in love with him but I am never going to tell him that. He is in his sophomore year college. I know, know no one thought Derek would even make it in college but he is a prominent photography major and he loving it. Casey and he are home for the break between semesters and I have missed them like crazy. He is back in his room and it is like a dream. I haven't seen him in so long. Although it is also kind of like a nightmare because I know that we could never be together no matter how much I dream it could happen it will never come true. Just today the unthinkable happened, I was cleaning my room with my IPod was in its dock and Jojo was playing and I was dancing in the process. Suddenly the door opened, I thought it was Edwin so I didn't even turn around.

Can explain to me

Why everybody is trying to be

Acting like a celebrity

Doing what they see on MTV

Ice is cool but I'm looking for more

Simple things is what my heart beats for

I started singing and then I heard chuckling and I spun around. There leaning against the doorframe was Derek. My heart jumped into my throat and I could hardly breathe.

"No don't stop on my account. I was just coming to see if you wanted to go to lunch with me since were the only one's here." He had that signature smirk on his face and I felt my knees going weak.

"Sure let me just get changed." He smiled and turned and closed door as he left the room. I couldn't believe that just happened and to top it all off he had just been standing there watching me. Well I might as well get changed. I walked over to my closet and picked out my favorite outfit. A red halter that showed a small strip of my stomach and that exposed my belly button ring that Casey had went with me to get done when I was 15. I paired with my dark jeans that were flared at the knees. Then my favorite black ballet flats that had red dragons detailed on the top, I put my hair partially up and let the rest cascade down my back in waves, I put on the bracelet mom gave for my sweet 16 it has a single black rose on it surrounded by a sterling silver chain.

When I came downstairs I had to keep from hyperventilating Derek had changed into a dark blue wife beater and light blue jeans and his white Converse that me and Edwin had gotten him for his birthday. He looked so sexy that I wanted to jump him right then but I had restrained myself he is my stepbrother after all. When he looked at me when I was coming down the stairs I had to keep from blushing when I saw him looking me up and down.

"You ready to go Liz." I nodded and he motioned with his head out to the car. He had traded in the Prince when he went to college and now he drove a black Jeep Wrangler to be honest I liked it better then the Prince but I would never tell him that. I climbed into the passenger seat and we headed to Sal's. We got a table for two and he smiled at me.

"I never knew you had your belly button pierced Liz."

I was kind of dumbfounded for a second then I said. "Oh yeah Casey took me to get done for my 15th birthday."

"Well it suits you very sexy, I'm sure all the guys at school are attacking you now wanting your number." H He winked at me when he said that and I had to try very hard not to blush.

"Well the last guy that mom and George have even approved of was Jamie. I haven't really wanted to date anyone else since him." He nodded when I said that like he understood.

The waitress came over then and started flirting mercilessly with Derek. I felt my stomach clench waiting for the moment for him to start flirting back but it never happened. I was actually shocked he usually flirted with a girl every chance he got. He just gave her our order and turned right back to me. The waitress looked shocked for a minute and then dismissed it.

"I feel the same way I am trying to curb my ways and find the one I want to settle down with." This took me back for a second I had never heard him be so mature before. When our food came we ate in silence but I couldn't stop thinking about what he said. Maybe Derek in finally growing up for the first time ever when we got home I ran upstairs and shut my door.

"What is going on with me? I am never that nervous usually when I am around Derek, I can't let it get to me if he finds out how I feel shit would really hit the fan. I mean we are step-siblings and we are supposed to hate each other. I am officially freaked; I hope he didn't notice how nervous I was." What Lizzie didn't know was, was that Derek was standing right on the other side of the door and he could hear everything that was going on.

"Why is she so freaked out who is she so nervous to be around? I can't ask her because then she would know I was eavesdropping but I have to find out what is going on with her. Maybe if I give her time she will just talk to me about it on her own. Until then I will just have to wait it out." Then just like that he walked down the hallway to his room and closed the door. If only they both had the courage to tell each other what the other was thinking about.