Okay, umm, so. I'm a horrible person. I haven't updated my THREE other stories in forever and I'm already writing up another one. Why? Well, refer back to second sentence...and because I'm also losing interest in my other stories (note to self: never do sequels unless prepared for it!!) and this is my first plausible idea in a long time. I'm not that good of a writer, so I'm hoping that I can get better through this story. I plan on working extra hard on this one...for both, my sake and yours (my wonderful, loyal readers and reviewers...who are also readers). So, please (again) exonerate me for being so horrible. So, I should quit the jabbering and move this along. Yeah.

Disclaimer: I do not own Life with Derek, however I do own a spoon.

--

It was an utmost ordinary day for Derek - or as ordinary as a day for him could ever get - living each day with a keener perfectionist and all. He had gotten up, threw on clothes that he thought were half clean - therefore, they were wearing material - managed to scrape the stubble off of his face without slicing his skin, and brush his fingers through his unruly hair tiredly. After looking at the mirror to admire his messy, but not too messy, look - a ritual he practiced each day - he skipped off down the stairs for breakfast.

Upon entering the kitchen, he wasn't surprised to be met with the other members of his wacky family - each in a different mood; Marti - stubborn, not wanting to eat at the counter, Edwin - sleepy, Nora - stressed, Lizzie - happy, George - confused, he - yet again - could not find his keys, and, of course, how could he have forgotten the last and most infuriating member - Casey, who was as peppy as ever, maybe even more so - if that was actually possible. She was happily finishing up her protein bar - how she could eat so little, Derek would never know.

She was strangely happier than normal, with a smile that lit up her entire face and humming a sweet tune to herself. Derek was almost - dare he say - curious as to why she was so happy. Usually, she'd already find some reason to yell at him, which he almost couldn't blame her for that. He always found a way to poke at her, whether that would be by making snide comments or talking with his mouth full of cereal.

Derek suddenly - and shockingly - lost his appetite. He made a move to his car - the Prince - keys. This caused many stares of wonder - why was he getting the keys so soon? He hasn't eaten yet! What's wrong with him?! Derek simply shrugged it off and turned to Casey.

"You coming?" His voice was as indifferent as ever and smile faltered at the strangeness of the situation. Derek not eating? She must be dreaming; in some other reality. She finally came to and shook her head, closing her mouth that had been open.

"Let me get my bag," she said slowly, pointing to the living room. He rolled his eyes once and continued on to the garage.

He started up the car with a sigh, leaning his head back against the seat and letting his body go limp. He was tired, having stayed up late that night, trying to finish his - his homework. Gasp and yes, The Derek Venturi trying to finish his homework. Well, it did happen to be senior year and he most definitely didn't want to fail any classes - again - and not graduate with the rest of his class. It would be terrifying to see Casey walk up to the podium, smiling like never before, giving her speech - heaven forbid if she was not valedictorian - her hair perfectly curled, looking as beautiful as she was everyday - Derek shook his head to rid his thoughts, not wanting to see where else they would be going.

Derek sighed once more and opened his eyes to see Casey staring at him from the passenger side. Her brow was creased in the center as if she was trying to figure out what was going on in his head. He raised his eyebrows at in question.

"Yes?" He asked. Casey straightened up and smirked a little.

"Whatever you were thinking about was probably amusing," she stated. It was Derek's turn to have a look of utter confusion on his face.

"What?"

"Well, you were frowning and then smiling and then chuckling and then you suddenly frowned and shook your head and that's when you sighed and opened your eyes," she said, giving out a short laugh. Derek raised his eyebrows at what he'd been doing without knowing it. He said nothing and turned back to the steering wheel. He definitely needed to be more aware of what he does.

He started up the car and they drove in comfortable silence to school - as they did every day.

--

Derek was uncomfortably aware that in first period, Casey had taken the seat behind him, when she would normally sit in the seat all the way across the room and at the front, where she could pay as much attention and take as many notes as possible.

It was halfway through class when Casey actually - and finally - did something; she poked his back. He turned his head slightly to her, talking out the corner of his mouth.

"What is it, spacey?" He whispered harshly, still confused as to why she was there and why she was smiling like she had just won a million dollars.

"I'm thinking of holding a fundraiser at school - to help the invisible children. Will you donate money to the fundraiser?" She asked quietly.

"Mrs. McDonald and Mr. Venturi! Do you have anything important to share with the class?" Mrs. Johnson's shrill voice echoed through the classroom in accusation.

""No, Mrs. Johnson,"" both replied solemnly.

"I'm keeping my eyes on you two," she said, her voice just as shrill as the last time. Casey sighed in melancholy; she'd just have to talk with Derek after class, but it had to be done before lunch. Derek thanked the teacher silently for catching them talking, but couldn't help but wonder about the fundraiser - and who were the invisible children?! Sure did sound familiar.

--

After class, Casey chased Derek out of the door. He was aware of her footsteps behind him, trying to catch up. He stopped and turned suddenly, causing her to run into him.

"Watch where you're going, Klutzilla," he said, chuckling. She regained her composure, straightening out her shirt and flipping her brown curls behind her shoulder.

"Now about that fundraiser," she said, expecting a reply from him. He simply crossed his arms over his chest and raised one eyebrow. She sighed and continued. "I-I hate to say this but, I don't think anyone will come and I need your help."

"What?"

"Well, you know, you're popular, so could you help me get people to come?" She was nearly begging. And he knew that when it came to Casey and doing something for charity, she would not stop for anything. She had set her mind to it and she was almost on her knees, groveling for Derek's help - which seemed very ironic.

He grumbled something under his breath and left, not wanting to answer. Casey stood dumbfounded and dropped her head in sorrow, turning and trudging off to class.

--

It wasn't until lunch came around that Derek found out what he really wanted to know - what kind of fundraiser was it. He found out all right - when he first stepped into the lunch room. Casey was standing on a chair in the middle of the lunch room - her loyal companion, Emily, standing at her side, holding up a poster. Casey had somehow gotten a hold of a megaphone and was pleading people to help the invisible children. From where he was standing, he could see the big, bold letters on the poster clearly - CAR WASH. Derek raised his eyebrows at that; he didn't imagine Casey working out all day, washing car after car after car - well, if anyone would come, it'd be that many cars. But, all it looked like was a comedy routine to most everyone. People were laughing and shaking their heads - some were rolling their eyes at such a Casey-like attempt.

Derek took his normal seat with Sam, Ralph, and a few other people. He could see Casey from where he sat. Sam nudged him and pointed to said-woman.

"Can you believe that? When does she ever stop?" Sam said, chuckling. Derek gave a shake of his head before standing from his seat and making a path towards Casey. He stopped beside her and pulled on her sleeve with a sigh. She looked down on him and raised her eyebrows, smiling wide.

"Are you going to help us with the carwash? Or bring the Prince to be washed?!" Casey asked excitedly. Derek shook his head and pulled Casey down from the chair. A confused look covered her features, but she did not protest while stepping off, but rather, continued to look confused.

"A car wash, Casey? I don't think that is such a great idea," he stated. Casey pouted and set the megaphone down, crossing her arms stubbornly over her chest.

"And why not?" She challenged. Derek didn't exactly wanted to express his feelings of seeing other people - mainly those of the male population - gawking at Casey's nice figure in a bathing suit that would most likely show more skin than what was comfortable for him. The very image in his mind brought a flush to his cheeks that wanted to make him hide his face and shut his eyes tightly, making sure to rid any of the inappropriate thoughts. Of course he couldn't tell her all of that. I mean, what in the world would she think? Probably, the only thing that would cross her mind would be, that incestuous freak! Not to mention, Casey's best friend happened to be standing close by. The same best friend that didn't exactly have a reputation for being quiet and shy. Upon hearing whatever Derek would say to Casey, it would automatically spread through the school like a disease, penetrating each and every body. Everyone would hear. He definitely couldn't have that. So, he toughened up and stuck his chest out.

"Whatever, Casey," he said and turned to leave. He could practically hear Casey's eyes roll. He returned back to his seat and sat down, watching Casey as she stood up, once again, on the chair and began her escapade with the megaphone.

--

Hey, hey, hey. You just read my first chapter. It was rather short. Hmmm. So, please tell me what you think. I'm not even sure if I should continue. I'm thinking of just giving up. -sigh-

But, I've been checking out the Fairytale fandom and, whoa, they have some great stories. I am a giant fan of fairytales and all those Disney movies and stuff and after stumbling upon that fandom, a little story popped into my head. So, I think I will be writing one for it. It's untitled at the moment, so, yeah. -smile-