Chapter 1 – The Worst Night of Our Lives

"I felt every ounce of me screaming out

But the sound was trapped deep in me.

All I wanted just sped right past me,

While I was rooted fast to the earth."

- Snow Patrol, Signal Fire

January 25, 2008

6: 57 P.M.

"Derek? Are you okay?" Kendra asked, wincing in sympathy for her friend and ex-boyfriend. She heard a gurgle that was shortly followed by the sound of retching and frowned.

Poor thing. I think he's even more nervous than Casey. Oh, please, please let this night go well.

"Do you need anything?"

After a moment, Derek replied, "Can you get me a stomach that doesn't upturn itself every time I panic?"

"Mm, don't think so," Kendra answered, smiling slightly.

"Then no."

Well, at least he's still got his sense of humor. He must not be feeling too bad.

"It's almost time for the guests to arrive, Derry," she prodded gently. "Are you ready?"

"No, but I think I'm done puking," he quipped, opening the door and walking past her. She followed him to the stairs where he stopped and said, "And how many times do I have to tell you not to call me 'Derry'? I'm not a food group."

Laughing, Kendra strolled past him and argued, "You didn't mind it when I called you Derry when I was your girlfriend." Derek scoffed unapologetically.

"Oh yes I did. I just didn't say it then because I knew that it wouldn't matter. You'd get your way eventually and I wasn't partial to listening to you complain."

Knowing that he was partially kidding—a tiger can't change its stripes—Kendra rolled her eyes and gave him a small shove.

"Go see to your guests. This is your party, after all."

7:19 P.M.

"I think I'm going to be sick." Casey held onto her stomach as it twisted and churned, seemingly in time with the music downstairs.

The party below wasn't yet in full swing, but Derek was playing host and running things, which left his stepsister free to finish getting ready. Or, rather, it left time for Casey to fret about all of the ways that the night ahead could go wrong while Emily and Kendra put the finishing touches on her outfit.

"Casey, you have to take a few risks to meet the right guy. Trust me, everything will be fine," Emily assured her as she finished curling Casey's hair.

"Hun, she's right. Besides, I was just talking to Michael this afternoon and he is totally just as excited and nervous as you are. He can't wait to meet you in person," Kendra added.

Smiling, Casey calmed down and reminded herself that she was just going to see Michael. They had talked almost every day for over two months.

There's no reason to be nervous. Our connection runs deeper than physical appearances…right?

I mean, I know that he's dated a lot of girls, but what if I don't think he's good looking?

"Kendra, what I'm about to ask is really shallow, but-"

"He's gorgeous," Kendra answered with a knowing smile, deciding on a necklace to match Casey's outfit. "What do you think of this one?"

Casey was about to reply when Emily answered, "Perfect." Realizing that the question hadn't been directed at her, Casey blushed and she put on the jewelry as her friends stood back to appraise her.

"Well?" Casey asked nervously. Kendra and Emily grinned as they admired their work.

"You're going to blow him away," Emily replied.

"He doesn't stand a chance."

Squealing, Casey grabbed her friends into a group hug and they giggled with excitement.

"Are you ready?" Emily asked.

Casey shook her head and said, "No, I need a few minutes more to think about what I'm going to say when I finally see him."

"Oh, come on, Casey. You've been thinking about it all week!" Even though it sounded somewhat chastising, Kendra was smiling good-naturedly. After all, they were quite good friends now and she knew how Casey tended to over think everything.

"Yeah, you've got to relax, Case." Emily squeezed her friend in a one-armed hug. The look on Casey's face said it all. She wasn't moving. Sighing, Emily asked, "Do you want us to wait with you?"

Shaking her head, Casey answered, "No. I want to do this on my own."

"All right, Hun. We'll be a call or a text away if you need anything," Kendra replied, wiggling her phone at her.

"Thanks."

Casey watched her friends leave and sat on her bed. Falling backward, her face split into a wide grin.

This is going to be the best night of my life.

7:23 P.M.

"Hey, Big D."

"Sup?" Derek replied, giving him the guy nod and a high five as he passed by.

I wonder who that was? Does he even go to our school?

Shrugging, Derek decided that he didn't care. He had more important things on his mind, like meeting Polly. Kendra had assured him that she was absolutely gorgeous, but he'd be lying if he said that he wasn't the slightest bit worried that he wouldn't be physically attracted to her.

God, that would suck. It would be just my luck that I'd be physically attracted to my stepsister, who's off limits for obvious reasons, but not Polly.

Even though he really liked his online sweetheart, Derek couldn't deny that his feelings for Casey certainly weren't brotherly.

But if I had to choose one, I'd pick Polly in a heartbeat, and not just because choosing Casey would be social suicide. I don't feel like I have to hide anything from her.

Well, you know, except for my feelings for my stepsister.

"Uh, Derek, you might want to hide now," Sam whispered, breaking Derek out of his thoughts.

"Why?"

"Because Amanda's looking this way and she doesn't look happy."

Ducking his head, Derek looked around wide-eyed.

"No, no, no, not tonight!" Derek cried in a hushed voice. "Every time she sees me even look at another girl, she decides to introduce them to every other girl I've gone out with." Huffing, he muttered, "We only went out for two weeks two years ago. She's like an assassin, except that she convinces everyone else to shoot me down!"

"Well, you did break up with her just so that you could make out with her cousin," Sam argued.

"Et tu, Brute?"

Chuckling, Sam replied, "Look, Derek, you know I got your back, but there's no denying that you were an ass to Amanda."

"I know that," he snapped. "But she's exacted her revenge already. It's time to move on."

"Can't argue with that, dude." Same chuckled.

Tightening her grip on her plastic cup, Amanda ended her conversation and started walking towards them.

"Shit. She's coming." Derek turned around and closed his eyes.

Okay, Derek, think. You've got to keep her away from Polly. And yourself, for that matter.

"Well, what are you going to do?"

"I don't know! Give me a sec."

Come on. You could charm the virgin queen right out of her skirts if you wanted to. Surely you can handle one pissed off ex-girlfriend.

"Hey, Derek," a silky voice greeted him.

Fighting the urge to cringe, Derek opened his eyes and turned around to face his demons.

Or demon, in this case.

"Hey, Amanda, what's up?" He said smoothly.

"Oh, not much, how about you—break any hearts lately?" She asked, batting her eyes sweetly.

Clearing his throat, Sam broke in and offered his hand to Amanda.

"Nice to see you, Amanda."

The redhead's demeanor changed as quickly as the flash of a picture being taken.

"Sam, I didn't see you there." Her eyes scanned him from head to toe. "You look good as always," she purred.

"Thank you. So do you." Sam gave her a charming smile. "Would you like to dance?"

"I'd love to." The blonde took her hand and led her out to the dance floor. Derek was as good as forgotten.

'Thank you', Derek mouthed to Sam over Amanda's shoulder. He nodded in response and turned his attention back to the girl in front of him.

Man, I owe him big time.

Still, Derek decided that it was best for him to retreat to the other side of the room, which took him to the staircase. He hopped up on the landing and leaned against the rail, looking around for Polly.

Okay, let's see. She said that she'd be dressed in pink from head to toe.

His eyes scanned the party guests, landing on several girls who were wearing pink, but all of them were wearing other colors as well.

Then he heard one of the steps creak, third from the top to be specific—that was the creaky step—and he looked up.

No.

Casey, who was a vision in pink, floated down the stairs and all of the air was sucked out of his lungs as he realized exactly who Polly was.

"She's sensitive about family, so don't bring it up," Kendra warned him.

"But what do I say if she does?"

"Trust me, she won't."

"You okay, Derek?" Casey asked. Concern was written all over her face.

He nodded awkwardly, making him look like one of those funny bobble head dolls. Only, nothing was funny about finding out that the girl you've fallen in love with is actually your stepsister.

Seemingly satisfied, Casey brushed past his shoulder, and Derek jumped from the contact.

No, no, no, no, no! This can't be happening. She can't be…

Surely Kendra wouldn't…

His eyes scanned the crowd again until they landed on the blonde in question. She grinned widely at him, nodding her head towards Casey, who was weaving her way through the guests.

'Surprise,' Kendra mouthed, looking very proud of her self. But as she continued to look at Derek, who was frozen in shock and still had his jaw hanging open, her face fell.

Shaking, Derek tore himself from the spot and stumbled up the stairs as acid crept up his throat. He was all too familiar with the feeling and locked himself in the bathroom just as his stomach heaved.

This has got to be the worst night of my life.

7:40 P.M.

"He's not exactly known for being prompt," Kendra assured Casey, patting her shoulder as she stared anxiously at the front door. "And he's only ten minutes late. It's no big."

Nodding as she tried to agree with her, Casey pushed down her fear and disappointment.

C'mon, Case. Sure, it would have been great if he had been on time, or even early, but not everybody is punctual. He doesn't have to be perfect.

Kendra watched her friend wring her hands and said, "You need a drink."

"Nothing alcoholic!" Casey insisted as she watched her blonde friend stand up and sashay across the room, gaining appreciative glances from the opposite sex as she passed by.

It was only Kendra's jealous boyfriend—who happened to be a hefty linebacker on the football team—that kept other guys from hitting on her.

Looking over at said boyfriend, Kendra's nose crinkled with distaste.

Surrounded by buddies from the football team, Mac was throwing back a beer as the crowd around him yelled, "Chug! Chug! Chug!"

Oh yeah. He's so gone after tonight.

Kendra sighed and approached the drinks, looking for something non-alcoholic. A diet soda caught her eye and she picked it up, walking into the kitchen to get some ice.

As she filled up the red plastic cup, Kendra looked at the stairs. She could still see the horrified expression on Derek's face as he realized the truth.

He could probably use a friend right now.

Looking for Sam, she found him dancing with Amanda, Derek's worst ex-girlfriend. She glared at the redhead, who caught her gaze and glared right back.

In the beginning, Kendra had felt sorry for her, but Derek's extreme insensitivity paled in comparison to Amanda dedicating herself to ruining his love life.

No matter how many times he apologizes, she'll never let up. I hate girls like her.

She was about to approach Sam to ask him to go check on Derek, but then she hesitated.

If Derek feels the way he looked before he ran upstairs, then he probably doesn't want anyone else to find out what's going on. Even though I'm probably the last, she glanced at Casey, or next to last person that he wants to see right now, he needs someone to talk to.

Grabbing the drink and heading towards the staircase, Kendra turned back to glance at her idiot boyfriend and his friends.

"Hey, baby!" He slurred drunkenly, swaying and attempting to steady himself against the wall. "Want to dance?" Kyle thrusted his hips at her in what he deemed to be an attractive manner.

Kendra wrinkled her nose in disgust.

"Sorry, baby, but a friend needs my help."

Plus, you're a totally repulsive drunk. God, what did I ever see in him?

"A guy friend?" he asked in a tone that said, 'It had better be a girl.'

"Just a friend," she answered, waving her hand dismissively.

Kendra cried out as someone stumbled into her from behind, causing her to tip forward and spill her drink all over the floor. Sighing, she turned around to chew out the klutz who'd bumped into her and ended up face to face with a very sheepish looking Emily.

"Sorry, Kendra."

"It's okay, Em." A thought struck her. "Hey! You can go talk to Derek!" she exclaimed in a hushed voice. Emily's eyes widened fearfully and Kendra sighed. "I guess you saw the whole thing, huh?"

"Oh yeah. And I believe that the proper phrase for this kind of situation is that the crap has hit the fan!" Kendra dropped her head into her hands.

"I know! God, I don't think it could've gone worse!" Kendra moaned, shoulders slumping in defeat. Then her head popped back up and she said, "You know, Hun, if there was ever a moment for you to actually swear, this would be it."

Shrugging, Emily shot her friend a sympathetic look. If things kept heading downhill like they were, then they were all going down, but Kendra was going to be the one that everyone blamed and, therefore, she was going to be the one that everyone was pissed off at.

"Well, if you won't go, then I guess that I'll have to talk to Derek," Kendra decided, straightening herself up.

"You're better at persuading people. Maybe you can convince him to do the right thing," Emily encouraged her.

I sure can't. I'm not even sure myself what is right anymore, Emily thought sadly.

"Maybe." Kendra headed up the stairs. "Go check on Casey." Nodding, she disappeared into the crowd to do just that.

A few minutes later, Kendra Mason found herself standing in front of Derek's room, too afraid to even knock on the door.

Come on, Kendra. You made your bed, and now it's time to lie in it.

7:58 P.M.

Derek paced back and forth across his room. He couldn't believe it. Casey, his stepsister, was Polly, the girl he'd fallen in love with over the past couple of months.

And to think that I was worried that I wouldn't be attracted to her. Ha! Little did I know that the real problem is that I think she's fucking gorgeous!

How could Kendra do this to me, to her, to us?

Not that there is an us, because there really can't be, but she's supposed to be our friend! I trusted her. Casey trusted her. We trusted her!

I've really got to stop thinking of Polly, Casey, her and I together. Even grammatically, we should be kept far, far away from each other.

Gah! There I go again! I'm hopeless.
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts and Derek jumped as if he'd been struck by lightning.

Clearing his throat to prevent his voice from coming out high and squeaky, Derek said, "This room's occupied, and off limits. In fact, all of the rooms are off limits. Don't you have a car?"

"It's me, Derek. We need to talk," Kendra answered from the other side of the door. Barking out a laugh, Derek shook his head.

"Being an ex-friend of mine, shouldn't you know me well enough to realize that you're just about the last person that I want to talk to right now?"

"Derek, I'm still your friend. Please let me in so that we can talk about this."

"There's nothing to talk about! You betrayed me. And you betrayed Casey. You're never stepping foot in this room again!" Derek shouted angrily, stomping over to stand in front of the wooden barrier and glare in Kendra's general direction.

"All right, Derek, if you won't talk to me then I guess that I'll just have to drag Casey up here to talk to you."

Kendra's threat worked like a charm. A fresh wave of panic rushed over Derek and he hastily opened the door and pulled her in. He slammed the door behind her harshly and sulkily dropped down onto his bed.

"Fine. Talk."

Sighing, Kendra gently sat down on his computer chair and crossed one leg over the other.

"You probably hate me right now," he snorted derisively, "but ignoring Casey will only make this whole situation worse."

"Well, what do you suggest then, Kendra?" Derek sneered, tipping back in his chair. "After all, this whole mess is your fault. How do you propose cleaning it up?"

"It doesn't have to be a mess!" Kendra argued. "You love her, Derek. I know you do."

"Because you're such an authority on the subject, right?"

"I didn't mean that, I just—"

"And that's why you set us up, right? Because you fancy yourself to be some kind of Yenta and you thought we'd be a good match, so who gives a damn about what anyone else thinks."

"You and Casey are a perfect match. She loves you! Don't you see?"

"She's. My. Stepsister," Derek said in a low voice.

"Derek, you love her. Nothing else matters!"

"Even if that were true, it wouldn't change the cold, hard facts," Derek snapped in frustration. "Our family would be repulsed. Everyone at school would label us incestuous freaks! And every other person that knew the truth about how we met would call us sick."

Snorting condescendingly, he stood up and stomped across the room to his door. "If that's what you call a perfect match, Kendra, then I think you should have your head examined."

Then, slamming the door behind him, Derek stormed off, heading for the kitchen to get a drink.

I can't believe that she thinks that there's a happy ending here for Casey and I. All she's done is to make everything worse.

As he stepped onto the landing, he saw Casey across the room. There she was, sitting in the living room, looking anxious and disappointed.

"Wait a minute. Is this some kind of setup, Kendra? 'Cause I don't do blind dates."

"You are giving me way too much credit, Der. She's just a friend that I asked to talk to you while I got something to snack on," she answered with an eye roll. Then she smiled conspicuously, "Why? Do you like her?"

"Eh. She interests me. That's all."

Derek watched Casey look around the room and his stomach clenched with guilt.

God, I feel like a coward. And a villain.

Casey glanced at her watch and then again at the door.

Damn it, Kendra! This is all her fault! She's the reason that Casey looks like she's some little kid who lost her mom in the supermarket.

I guess she really does—did—love me.

Derek shook his head, turned around, and walked away. His heart was already breaking and looking at her was rubbing salt into the wound.

8:27 P.M.

Casey stared into her plastic cup dismally. It was nearly half past eight. He was late by a whole hour. She swirled the soda around gently, just noticing that all of the bubbles were gone. Her drink had gone flat.

Probably because you've barely touched it for almost an hour.

We were going to meet face to face for the first time. He knew how important this was. Why isn't he here yet?

Maybe he isn't coming. Maybe he chickened out.

Or maybe he changed his mind.

"He'll be here," Kendra insisted, looking a little less sure than she had earlier. Casey didn't blame her. She was starting to think that he wasn't coming either.

After a beat, Emily suggested, "Maybe he's having car trouble."

"Yeah. Car trouble," Casey repeated, trying to hold on to that thought.

Car trouble. Of course. That's the natural conclusion…right? Or maybe there's a family crisis?

Speaking of family crises, where's Derek? I haven't seen him at all since the party started.

Casey looked up and swept her eyes across all of the faces, searching for a familiar smirk. Instead, she saw his back as he slunk into the kitchen.

Oh, there he is. And just to think that a few months ago, I would've been staring at Derek all night, unhealthily obsessing over the stepbrother that I could never have.

But I don't want Derek anymore. Well, okay, maybe I do, but just a little bit. I mean, I still care about him, but it's Michael that I want to be with.

Now the only question is whether or not he wants to be with me

8:46 P.M.

"Derek! It's Emily. I need to talk to you."

Don't worry. Just talk to him. You've known each other since you were kids. Through Casey you've actually become friends. There's no reason to be scared of a friend.

But as Derek opened the door, anger and hostility came off of him in waves and Emily almost lost her nerve.

You're doing it for Casey. She's your best friend. And after scheming with Kendra to try to get her and Derek together, knowing full well that it could blow up in everyone's faces, you owe her this.

"May I come in?" She asked politely. Derek moved aside slightly, letting her pass by him before he shut the door.

"So you're in on it too. Am I right?"

"Yes. It was Kendra's idea, but I helped," Emily admitted, rocking back on her heels.

"And you're here to try to convince me to talk to Casey and ask her to be my girlfriend so that we can live happily ever after, right?"

"Well, sort of—"

"Then let me make this short: it's not going to happen."

"But—"

"Casey is going to be heartbroken either way, thanks to you and Hurricane Kendra."

"Oh, come on, Derek. That isn't fair," Emily protested.

"No, it isn't. But thanks to the two of you, that's reality," Derek snapped, ushering Emily out the door before she could say anything else.

"Derek!" She knocked on his door again. This time, however, she heard him lock his door and she sighed in defeat.

What have we done?

9:45 P.M.

Kendra looked sorrowfully at the girl who had quickly become one of her best friends. It was pretty obvious that there would be no happy ending tonight.

Staring at the wall by the front door, Casey knew that she was avoiding the inevitable. Her heart crumpled as she finally admitted defeat and accepted the only logical conclusions left.

Either he didn't come at all, or he came and decided that he didn't like what he saw.

Both answers pointed to the same result: he wasn't coming and she was tired of waiting.

Sighing inaudibly, Casey stood up and brushed past Kendra, trying not to blame her friend for her aching heart.

"Casey, he'll be here! Please don't go," she pleaded, following Casey to the stairs. Holding back bitter tears, she stopped on the landing.

"I'm sorry, Kendra, but he's obviously not coming. Or maybe he did and he changed his mind." She sighed. "It's over."

Casey turned and fled to the comfort of her room, locking the door behind her. She ignored Kendra's calls to come back and sunk onto her bed, letting the tears flow freely.

Then a thought occurred to her and she jumped up. Full of hope, Casey raced over to her computer and signed online, praying that she would find him there. But as she scanned her friends' list, she found his screen name under "Offline".

Despondent, she staggered back towards her bed and sat down.

What did I do wrong? Why did he stand me up?

If he got scared and didn't come, then surely he would've sent me a message or an e-mail or something. So he must have come. But why didn't he show himself?

Casey stood up and crossed the room to where a full-length mirror stood.

Pretty face, pretty curls, a nice figure…what was disappointing?

Then a thought occurred to her.

Maybe Michael and I know each other in the real world. Or maybe he just knew me. Maybe he thought I was a nerdy, super-keener. Or maybe he thought I was a loser like the rest of the student body.

Casey sighed. Trying to figure out why she'd been stood up was depressing and a waste of time. Even if she could change whatever it was that made him ditch her, she shouldn't.

He has to love me for who I am, or not at all.

Straightening her shoulders, she walked over to her desk and pulled out some homework.

If you keep saying it, or thinking it, then maybe you'll eventually feel that way.

January 26, 2008

3:56 A.M.

Staring up into the darkness, Casey wondered what Michael was doing at that very moment. Was he sleeping peacefully, untroubled by an aching heart and churning mind?

Maybe none of it was real for him. Maybe I was just an ego boost.

She laughed bitterly.

SkirtChasingCad. The name said it all. Of course he broke my heart. Of course he doesn't really care about me.

But that can't be true. I know him. We talked about everything.

Well, almost everything. So we never talked about our families, but after Kendra warned me about it, I was too scared to say anything. And when he never mentioned parents or siblings either, I didn't dare to mention mine.

A loud thump on the wall broke her out of her thoughts. It came from Derek's room.

What's he still doing up?

Curious, concerned, and eager to think about something other than her recent heartbreak, Casey stood up and crept into the hallway, pausing in front of Derek's door. She had no idea what kind of reception she'd get from him.

It seemed as if Derek had been in a better mood in the past few months, acting much nicer towards her than he usually did. But even so, she was really pushing the envelope by approaching his door in the middle of the night. Still, she knocked.

He didn't answer.

Do I dare to enter Derek's room without permission? In the middle of the night? What if he's asleep and I wake him up?

Biting her lip, Casey shifted her weight from foot to foot.

I've come this far already…

Slowly, she turned the knob and opened the door, peeking meekly in the crack.

"Derek?"

The room was dark and for the first time in a long time, there was no music coming from his room. Neither were there headphones on his head.

"Go away, Case," he said in a soft, but firm voice. He was sitting on his bed, staring determinedly at his window, refusing to look at her.

"Are you mad at me?"

"No."

A thick silence filled the air, grasping her throat and slowly squeezing that air out of her, like a python taking its prey. She swallowed, attempting to relax her esophagus. It didn't work.

"Derek-"

"Just get out!" He snapped, balling his hands into fists.

Frightened, Casey fled the room and flew into the safety of her own.

Tears rolled down her cheeks, coming faster and faster as her chest heaved with sobs and she curled her knees up to body.

This is the worst night of my life.

5:24 A.M.

This is the worst night of my life.

Derek rolled over on his bed. How could Kendra do that to him? Sure, Derek had played it off well when she had come to talk to him earlier, but he felt like acid was eating away at his insides.

Thank God that it was so dark when Casey came in here. I would've died of shame if she'd seen me cry. I mean, of all of the people in the world who could've walked in at that moment, it had to be her.

He couldn't believe he yelled at her. She should've been the one yelling at him. Derek was the villain of the picture and Casey was the tragic heroine.

And I made her cry.

Not long after she'd leaped out of his room and dove into her own, he'd heard loud, pitiful sobs coming from the other side of the wall.

Because being stabbed in the back isn't good enough. No, somebody or something has always got to twist the knife.

I'd challenge the universe to do its worst, but there's no need to make more of an idiot of myself than I already have.

Besides, what could be worse than this?

Disclaimer: I do not own "Life With Derek", any of its characters, any name brand stuff, movies that I mention, books that I mention, bands that I mention, or any of the songs that I quote. This applies to every chapter in this story. Basically, I own the plot and the writing. A b-d, b-d, b-d, that's all, folks!
A/N: So, most of this was written in three days, but there was quite a bit of tweaking. I tried to make the formatting better, but I think FFN is messed up right now. If you've never heard of "PollyPreppyPants and the SkirtChasingCad" before, please click on the link in my profile to watch the trailer that started it all. As far as updating goes, I make no promises on timeliness, but I'll do my best. I hope everyone liked the first chapter, but I'll never know unless you review. Please tell me what you did or didn't like so that I can improve the story (and my writing). Oh! And as far as review responses go, I won't reply unless I have something to say other than "Thank you for reading and reviewing my story!" I'll just post that part in the author's note.

May Dasey live on in fan fiction!