Hi everyone! Alexis here! I love LWD and Dasey so much. I hope you guys like this story. The next chapter will be much longer. I was just trying to get a feel for the story! PLEASE REVIEW, FAV, and FOLLOW!

"Yes, Mom. I'm fine," I sighed into the phone, hoping she would hear my exasperation and end the conversation quickly. Unfortunately, my prayers were not answered.

She fretted, "Casey, I'm just worried about you. We barely hear from you. You haven't been home since last Christmas."

"Mom, I said that I'm fine. Being here is hard work. You know that, so please don't worry too much." I begged, tapping my pen anxiously on my counter.

"Okay, honey. It's just that, since you and Derek left, we've been lonely around here," She responded as if she was about to cry.

I tried not to cringe at the sound of his name, "I know. I'll be home soon. I gotta go, Mom. Love you."

I hung up without giving her a chance to make me stay on the phone any longer. I set the phone on the counter, trying not to picture him. It didn't work, though. His chocolate eyes flooded into my brain, and the sting in my heart made me gasp. I tried not to think about it as I grabbed my purse off the kitchen table and walked out the door. The New York October air was bitter and cold. The wind bit at my cheeks as I made my way down the sidewalk. My scarf blew behind me as I made my way to the coffee shop around the corner. I stood in line with the memory of his face still burned into my mind. I almost didn't hear the barista ask for my order. I told her quickly and watched her make it. I didn't notice my hands shaking until I reached for the cup. It hadn't been this hard over the last year because I had so much work that thinking about him wasn't even a possibility. The show was just weeks away from starting, and now, of all times, the memories were hitting me. The memories, that I had spent the last year trying to forget, kept barging in at the most inopportune moments.

"Are you Casey McDonald?" Someone asked from behind me.

I put on a fake smile and spun around, "Yes! Hi!"

A young girl, around thirteen, stood behind me, smiling, "You're gonna play Belle? In the Broadway show?"

"Yeah! Are you a fan of musicals?"

"Yes," She nodded, viciously, "I'm in all the plays at my school!"

I smiled. She reminded me of myself at that age, "Keep working hard, and you'll make it."

"Really?" She asked, her eyes lighting up.

"Definitely."

With that, I scooted around her and towards the door. I looked back and saw the smile on her face. I smiled sadly again. If only I could be that naïve again. The look on her face reminded me of the way I used to see the world. It reminded me of before I had gotten my heart broken. I silently hoped that she never got her heart broken. At least, not by a boy with chocolate brown eyes and a smirk that sent Jesus running back to Heaven. I stepped back out into the cold air and made my way toward the dance studio we were practicing in that afternoon. I hoped that the exercise would help push the memories from my head.

"Casey, darling!" Our choreographer and my dearest friend in the production, Marvin, yelled as I pushed through the doors. "I was worried you'd gotten lost."

I laughed, "Nope, I only stopped for coffee. The line was long, though."

"Of course," Marvin smiled, "But now it's time to get down to business. We have two weeks until opening night."

I nodded and changed into my dancing shoes as he addressed the rest of the cast members. I watched as he drifted around the room smiling at everyone. It made my heart happy to see how much kindness one man could have. It almost reminded me of Derek, again. I didn't let it though as I took my place in the middle of the room.

"Alright, everyone! Let's do 'Belle', from the top. This one needs the most perfecting. Michael, you can sit this one out." Marvin explained, smiling at us.

Michael was the Broadway actor portraying The Beast. He was one of the sweetest guys that I had met since I moved to New York after landing the audition. He was constantly sweet to me, although I turned down his invitations to dinner almost every day. He was the exact opposite of Derek. He had pretty blue eyes that reminded me of the ocean. His hair was a sandy blonde that fell in his eyes slightly. He was a very attractive guy, and sometimes, I couldn't understand why I didn't just go out with him. Then, I remembered the last time I loved someone, and that that didn't turn out well for me. He noticed me looking at him and shot me a smile. I smirked back as the dance began. The practice lasted almost two hours. By the end, I was sweating and exhausted. I sat down on the floor, catching my breath as Marvin addressed the cast once again.

"Great work today everyone! I'll see you all back here tomorrow morning!" He said, excitedly.

I waved at him as I quickly walked out the door. He put up a hand, signaling me to wait, but I was already going to be late for my costume fitting. I rushed out the door, but the sound of my phone beeping stopped me in my tracks. I dug my phone out of my purse, and immediately my stomach sank. I had missed five calls from my mother and two from George. I called her back, quickly.

"Mom! Is everything okay?" I asked when she answered, my heart pounded. Half of me hoped Derek had been in some hideous accident, and the other part of me prayed that he hadn't.

"Yes! Yes! I just have some exciting news!" She laughed, happily. My breathing slowed as I waited for her to continue. "Derek got signed to the New York Rangers!"

I didn't even feel the phone fall out of my hand as I slipped down the wall outside of the studio. I could hear my mom calling my name and asking if I was alright. My line of vision became blurry as tears rushed down my cheeks. My chest started to move rapidly as my heart pounded at my rib cage. She kept calling my name until she finally hung up. My hands were shaking so violently that I couldn't even grab my phone off the floor. My stomach was churned, and I immediately felt like I was going to throw up. I had tried so hard to stay away from him. I had done everything I could to get out of Canada. I moved to another country to ensure that I never had to see Derek Venturi again. Unfortunately, apparently, moving countries wouldn't stop him from being in the same city as me for very long. I sat there for a while as people moved all around me until my world stopped spinning. Derek Venturi was coming back into my life, and nothing terrified me more.