AN: I do not own anything Life With Derek related except this story.

Summary: Casey has not been herself. Derek will not be the first to admit it, but something has changed. Will he fight for her? Can Casey come back from her self imprisonment? Between all that has happened in the past can you really move forward? Please R&R

My heart races and my stomach churns. I want to stop but I don't dare, after all this is what I deserve. This is what I need.

I wipe the blood off my arm with toilet tissue, being careful not to get the red substance on my shirt. The last thing I need is for Lizzie or Emily to take notice. After rolling down my sleeve, I put away my trustee compass and walk out the bathroom stall, confidently away from the scene of the crime.

The school hallway is a zoo, it's refreshing. People bump into me left and right, signifying that I am literally nonexistent. The only proof of me being here is the pain in my forearm.

It's funny how one second you're the center of everything and the next you're nothing. For days people threw Klutzilla at me and invited me to parties because of Max. Now though, I'm just a face in the crowd. Not even Derek's annoying stepsister.

I make it to math before anyone, even the teacher. I settle in my seat, keeping focus on the throbbing of my arm.

"Spacey!" Derek ruins my concentration.

"Yes?" I unpack my bag in an attempt not to give him eye contact.

"Last night was fun." I can feel him smirking; feel his ego break new barriers of height. My stomach churns again. "I didn't know you had that in you Spacey- you know the nerve to break feminism and sleep with another girl's boyfriend."

"Great. See you at home." I keep my response short and flat. "Where is that pen?" I feign distraction.

"Hey babe!" In walks Kendra. She is all the 123 pounds of high school popularity I only knew of for fifteen minutes. I keep my eyes in my bag as I hear the two teens lip smack each other.

What happened last night was an all new low. A low I thought I would never stoop to but gratefully did. A new kind of self loathing had emerged from it and I cannot be anymore humbled by it. Granted I did feel sorry for what I did to Kendra but at the same time it was what I deserved.

"Get a room you two!" Ralph yells out as the rest of the class comes in.

"Yes I agree." Mr. Gilmour declares. I take my books out of the bag and look at the board. Ignoring my peers, Derek and Kendra- just like they all ignore me.

Mr. Gilmour begins his lesson and everyone settles down. Questions are asked, hands rise up, notes are taken. In a matter of what feels like seconds the class is almost over, time has flied. I reach over my desk and squeeze my arm. I let out a gasp in pain. It only attracts Derek's attention.

"You okay?" He whispers, slightly leaning in. I don't react to his question but instead scribble a math equation in my notebook. I was not in need of his kindness or worry. The bell rings and I am the first one out.

The hallway fills to capacity. I get shuffled around as I make the way to my locker. The pain in my arm is starting to dwindle, it's too soon.

"Casey are you okay?" Derek appears at my shoulder. It scares me out of thought.

"Leave me alone Derek." I state without looking over at him. Somehow with him standing next to me the crowds of teenagers around me lightens up. It annoys me how people run out of his way when he's walking. It's not like he's a king or anything. Yet, then again this is high school.

"I would but then Nora and Dad would be on me about why you aren't . . . you, so can you fill me in?" He puts his arm around me and winks at a cheerleader. His weight leans on me, causing my shoulder to buckle a little. "Casey?" I quickly push his arm off.

"Just because I let you in last night doesn't mean you're welcome in my personal space." I snap in a whisper. "If you want to sleep with me again, fine but don't act like you're a good stepbrother or feign that you are worried about me. I'll let you in my pants without the phony act." Derek stops in his tracks. I don't look back, but keep moving forward.

"Princess I have never heard you so blunt and crass."He calls out. People in the hallway give me side eyes and glances but I don't care. Not anymore at least.