You're One Thing, I'm Another

By, awesometastic9

Standard Disclaimer

Chapter One

College…

Casey squirmed at the word, even in her head. The word – that word – made her stomach churn, her head pound, and made her want to crawl the walls.

But, she resisted for one reason and one reason only: to avoid the satisfaction Derek would get from a Keener-Freak-Out the day before they left for Queens. A Freak-Out of that nature – that magnitude (for it would be a catastrophic one, for sure, there was no doubt) – would just reinforce the notion Derek had in his mind – the tiny pea-sized one, if there was one in there at all – that Casey was insane. I mean, she knew she wasn't a – completely – normal teenage girl (well, almost legal adult – only 19 days left). That was dang obvious and Derek had integrated that same notion in her mind a long time ago.

Casey sighed.

Frowning, she turned on her side under the covers on her bed. It was just beginning to get light outside; dawn was at 5:43am today – and only Casey would know that tidbit because the Weather Channel calmed her… to a degree… slightly… well, not really at all, but all it was just a simple comfort; knowing the most probable outcome for the weather the next day. It was a constant, unchanging thing in her life, something she could always count on. And everyone knows – thanks to Derek – that Casey shies away from 'change' – and Casey decided that she didn't want to get up.

Though she did, if only to close her blinds to the rising sun. Her room's window faced due East; and ever since she moved into the Venturi - then Venturi-MacDonald - house, the sun rising through that window – every day – never failed her, or disappointed her the way the rest of her life tended to, every once in a while. This was something Casey knew wouldn't - and couldn't – change. And for that, she was grateful.

Sighing again, Casey sat up in bed – hair a mess and her nightclothes all wrinkled, but that was to be expected from someone who never stayed still at night; Casey always tossed and turned, especially when she was trying to sleep. She moved this way and that, trying to get comfortable and fall under the darkness and dream.

Lately, though, she dreaded her dreams.

Her dreams – and her subconscious for that matter – were out to get her; she knew that by now, just like she knew Derek basically inside and out, forwards and backwards, up and dow- well, you get it. Her dreams just brought her fears and worries and nagging concerns into a view she was unable to ignore. And she ignored them pretty well during her waking state.

They voiced her concerns she didn't want to voice, even if they were just to herself. They basically focused around Casey's – obvious – avoidance to change. She didn't want to leave London for Kingston; she didn't want to leave her family and with her mother expecting a child; she didn't want to have to meet all new people; she didn't want to have to start over. I mean, she already did that once, right? By moving to London. For Casey, that was 'change' enough.

You so have Futuritis, Derek's voice popped into her head once again, saying that word. The one she was pretty sure he made up… in cohorts with Emily and Sam and Ralph, no doubt. But, Casey was just being paranoid; only Derek would go to great lengths to annoy her. She doubted she would be able to get Emily to plan something against her with him; even if he was her boyfriend.

Casey's mouth tasted bitter all of a sudden, as it always did when she thought of her enemy - her most hated person in her life, the one person who wouldn't just leave her alone! – and her freaking best friend… dating. Bile rose in her throat, and she forced it back down.

It was like the ultimate betrayal to Casey. The one person who stood by her and listened to her rants about Der-ek without interruption or annoyed sigh. But, Casey knew that, that was probably only because she was ­– probably – still in love with him. Casey – sure – was mad at Emily, but she didn't want to seem like a selfish… person who wouldn't let Emily have what she wanted.

Casey knew it wasn't all about her, though she acted like it was sometimes.

A lot of the time, Space Case, said his voice in her head, and Casey had to stifle a scream.

It was like he was always there, even when he – physically – wasn't. His consciousness was a constant presence in her mind; she just couldn't shake him. She heard his voice everywhere; His voice – it - even answered her thoughts, her questions, and – of course – the rhetorical ones that needn't be answered at all. But, being Derek – physical or not – he answered.

Casey pretty much summed up by this latest development that she indeed had gone over the deep end.

He would be so satisfied; so happy. He'd probably throw a party, or some celebration. Casey wasn't sure who'd come – Kendra definitely, who was still going after him relentlessly, and maybe Sam and Ralph and other people from school – and… now that Casey thought about it, Emily would too.

Casey barely saw her best friend anymore; she spent all her time with Derek, doing boyfriend-girlfriend stuff before he left for Queens. This irked Casey beyond belief, because – hey! – Casey was leaving for Queens, too; the same day as Derek! Emily was acting like the only one who mattered was Derek.

The bile rose again in Casey's throat, and Casey pushed in back down.

By now, it was almost six-thirty, and Casey could hear George banging around in the kitchen for his regular morning coffee – three creams, four sugars – and Casey debated whether it was better to get up before or after he left; Casey wasn't sure if she could stop herself from imposing some healthy granola bar on him, or berating him for the coffee additives that – if he's not careful – will give him a heart-attack.

In the end, Casey just lay there, listening to the house slowly wake up.

By eight, her mom and Marti were up, and by eight-thirty, so was Lizzie and at nine, Edwin. Lizzie had her last soccer game this morning at ten, Marti had a play date with one of her little friends across town, and Edwin was… probably going to stick around for some last minute advice from Derek on high school.

And – no sooner did Casey think that – did she hear Edwin open Derek's bedroom door, one over from hers, without knocking.

"Mornin' bro!" she heard Edwin cry, and plop down on the edge of Derek's mattress, if the creaking of the springs were any indication. Immediately there was a loud thump! As Edwin fell on the floor – well Derek probably kicked him – and a cry of pain from Edwin. Didn't he know by now that Derek's bed was off limits?

"Out!" she then heard Derek bellow in such an angry voice – but still thick with sleep – that Edwin scurried out as fast as he could, shutting the door behind him.

Casey heard him scamper downstairs.

Casey frowned; why was Derek that angry? Because she knew that that wasn't Derek's normal being-woken-up-too-soon anger; that, was something else.

Casey's frown deepened; she didn't want to get up – but she was curious – and certainly she didn't want to be verbally lashed at by Derek this early. But, her curiosity won over reason and logic.

Casey slowly pushed off her covers, and slipped on her slippers that always sat by the side of her bed. She went to her door and grabbed her robe off the back before opening it, and turning right and opening Derek's door.

Now, of course she didn't knock; this is Casey going to see Derek. If it was any other person, Casey would knock. With Casey and Derek, though, that subject matter on courtesy – which Derek lacked in every area – was thrown out the window far before Casey could even try to drill it into him. It was a lost cause, and Casey knew that; she just hated stooping to his level.

"Derek!" Casey cried, and he jumped – startled – and fell of the side of the bed with a cry of alarm. Thump! And then – Oomph!

"What the hell Space Case?" he cried, sitting up and glaring death at her.

Casey's eyes widened, but then narrowed considerably. Still, she thought, maybe this wasn't the best time to ask him why he was mad. Because – clearly – he still is. And, I know you shouldn't cross Derek when he's mad. Even though… I have. Many, many times. I never learn.

Yes, Casey never learned with Derek; they fought over the same things: the remote, the bathroom, Derek's rude and arrogant nature, and Casey's keener tendencies.

It was getting old, but it reeked of normality, so Casey wasn't sure she wanted to leave normal for that meant change. She shuddered inwardly.

"I just heard you yell at Edwin and was wondering why you were so mad." Casey said.

"It's freaking nine in the morning! Why the hell would I want to be woken up – now? Especially by Edwin!"

"I know that, idiot. You just seemed extra peeved."

"No. This is just my hate-to-be-woken-before-noon anger. Now. Get out!"

But, Casey knew he was lying.

"No." she said bluntly and Derek's eyes narrowed, almost as much as Casey's. "You're lying, Derek. Something is bothering you."

Derek growled. "Yes! Alright! Something is bothering me! But it's not something I'm going to share with my keener sister!"

"Step." Casey growled, correcting him, as she always did. Another normal occurrence.

"Same difference." Derek muttered, and Casey had sudden flash back to that night…

"Hey," Derek says, looking up from the book he was holding as Casey enters the kitchen. "What're you doing up so late?"

"Picking courses for next year," Casey replied, looking up briefly at Derek – shoving his face with cereal – and chooses to ignore it. She is holding the same book. "There are so many amazing classes!"

"I know, Women's Literature, Feminist Theory?"

"Derek, you're only taking those to meet girls." Casey says with distain.

"Uh, yeah? But, maybe I should just take the classes you're taking and then take all your notes." He smirks.

"Forget it! And when you see me in the quad, pretend you don't know me."

"Psh, are you kidding, we're going to be best buds, and then you can introduce me to all your sorority sisters."

"Derek, you are the most annoying brother – "

"Step… brother." Derek corrects. A strange look crosses his face that Casey can't quite place.

"Same difference." Casey says, a little confused but not wanting to argue about that tonight.

"Yeah… alright." Derek allows. Then a thought occurs to him. "Hey! Maybe we can live in the same residence!"

"I'm living in an all girl's residence." Casey says matter-of-factly, happy to burst his bubble. But, it doesn't seem to faze him.

"I know." Derek says, the smirk back in place and that look gone.

"Oh, yeah?" Casey says, walking around the island towards Derek. "Well I can't wait to go to all your hockey games and embarrass you in front of all your friends."

"Uhhh, okay," Derek says, backtracking, "I won't take your classes if you'll stay away from my hockey games."

"No way! There might be some cute hockey guys, or some frat boys!" Casey says suggestively.

"Oh, no! You're not dating my fraternity brothers!"

Suddenly, Casey's back in the present, shaking her head to dispense the memory, as she realized Derek was in front of her, waving a hand in front of her face.

"Earth to Space Case!"

Casey scowled and slapped his hand away, angrily.

"What?" she snarled.

"You totally left this planet for three whole minutes. Visiting your home planet?" he smirked. "When are they coming to get you? Wait- I doubt they want you back. You were probably banished because you were too annoying."

Casey screamed in anger and stormed out, slamming his door behind her.

She barged into her room, and flopped face down in her bed, and screamed into her pillow with all she had in her. But, that kind of fight with him was nothing new. And, in the farthest recesses of her mind – however insane it might be – she was fond of their fighting; it was normal.

Casey wanted to gag. Who in their right mind would like fighting? Casey knew this just reinforced the 'insane' claim. God.

She turned over, to now lay on her back, and stayed there for a full half hour, before she heard her mom calling up to her for breakfast.

She went to her door, and opened it. Calling down, she said.

"Save me a plate! I'll be ready in twenty!"

"It'll take you longer than that to put on your mask!" she heard Derek cry from his room and then snicker.

"Der-ek!" Casey cried, and then stormed back into her room, slamming the door.

Casey angrily picked out her clothes – just a simple tee and jeans, she wouldn't be going out until later tonight – and went to the bathroom for a shower.

Fifteen minutes later, she was dressed and braiding her hair so they would be in waves for tonight's date with Truman. Then, Casey went down for breakfast.

Her mom had cooked some pancakes with strawberry topping, and had saved a plate. It was sitting next to the microwave with a jar of the strawberry topping next to it.

"Thanks, mom," Casey said, pecking her mom on the cheek and putting the plate in the microwave.

"Welcome, sweetie." Nora replied. Plating up the last few pancakes. She passed them to Edwin who was shoving his face. Marti and Lizzie were looking on with obvious distain and disgust.

"How are you feeling today Nora?" asked Edwin, taking a breather and drinking a swig of orange juice.

"Fine, Edwin." Nora replied. "Why?"

"Just wondering if your morning sickness was gone yet." He said.

"Why do you care, Edwin?" asked Lizzie.

"What's morning sickness?" asked Marti innocently.

Nora and everyone chose not to answer her.

"I don't! The constant… you know… makes me uncomfortable…" he trailed off, embarrassed.

Lizzie rolled her eyes and continued to eat.

"In a few weeks it will be, I think Edwin. I'm only three months into my pregnancy, you know."

Edwin nodded.

"When do you find out if it's a girl or a boy, mom?" asked Casey, pulling her strawberry topping out of the microwave, and pouring it over the pancakes.

"About halfway through, I'm not sure. It's been a long time since I last went through this you know."

"Yeah."

Suddenly, they all heard loud footsteps coming down the stairs, and Derek appeared in the kitchen, still all in disarray from sleep.

"I smell pancakes!" he announced.

"Your blueberry ones are by the toaster, Derek." Nora said, beginning to wash the dishes.

Derek nodded and lunged for them greedily. He turned and sat down on the island stool, and began stuffing his face.

"That's disgusting Derek." Casey said with a frown.

He opened his mouth and shoved it in her face.

"Eew!" Casey shrieked. "Der­-ek!"

He laughed as Lizzie wrinkled her nose in distain.

"I'm done." She announced, and got up. She dumped the rest of her strawberry pancakes in to the garbage and then handed the plate to Nora. She then flounced out of the kitchen.

"More and more like Casey…" Casey heard Derek mutter, he was sitting next to her. She chose not to say anything to that.

After a few more minutes of silent eating, Casey and Edwin both finished, and Derek was asking for more.

"I'm sorry Derek. That was the last of the batch, and I'm out of pancake mix."

Derek frowned and waved his hand is dismissal. "Fine, whatever."

Edwin had already left, and Derek soon followed, heading back up to his room. Casey, though, stayed to help her mom with the rest of the dishes and the clean-up of breakfast. They were finished rather quickly with the help of Casey, and just as Casey was heading up to her room to finish – or rather, start – packing, Lizzie arrived all ready for her game and with her soccer ball under her arm.

"Alright, Lizard!" Casey said, "Knock'em dead!"

Lizzie smiled. "Sure, Casey. I'll see you when I get back?"

"If you're not too late. Truman is taking me out around five and we'll probably be out for a couple hours."

Lizzie wrinkled her nose again at the mention of Truman. Her – and the rest of the family, aside from Derek, who could care less – didn't trust Truman. But, he – supposedly – made Casey happy, so they ignored him as much as possible without being rude and otherwise swept his existence under the rug; to them, he didn't exist.

"Okay," Lizzie said, then turned to her mom. "Ready?"

"Let me just grab my purse and camera." Nora said, gathering her things.

Ten minutes later, they left, and Casey headed up to her room.

She sighed miserably, looking at the un-Casey-like disarray of her room. She had started packing, but things were basically just out of place and all over. Casey put on her determined face and set to work.

Casey was taping up the last box – some of her picture albums and some in frames – when Derek came in (without knocking of course).

Derek had been in and out of the front door all day, with his boxes of stuff, putting them in their new car: a red Honda Civic. Casey assumed they were just the stuff for the apartment they would be sharing. George and Nora paid for it, so they could keep an eye on each other.

"What?" Casey said, distracted, and forgot to be mean.

Derek's eyes widened at her obvious non-meanness of her, and coughed uncomfortably.

That got Casey's attention. Her head whipped up to stare at him.

"I… um, uh, just wanted to ask you something… well, tell, really." He said, and he sounded really nervous and uncomfortable.

"What is it Derek?" Casey said, confused, and tilted her head to the side, trying to read his unreadable expression. All she could tell is that he was really flustered.

"I want to apologize. For, you know… the past almost four years."

Casey gasped.

Jumping up, she ran to him and placed the back of her hand on his forehead.

"Are you sick? Did you fall and hit your head? Oh, gosh, I'm calling George! Hold on!"

She ran to the door but Derek grabbed her arm and pulled her back towards him, and pulled her in to a tight embrace.

Casey's head was whirling… spinning really. She felt really lightheaded and weak.

"Are you sure you're Derek Venturi?" she gasped, and pulled away.

He smirked. "Of course. Why would you think I wasn't?"

"Because the Derek Venturi I know doesn't apologize and definitely doesn't hug!"

He chuckled, then his face became abruptly serious.

"Casey, I love you."

Casey's eyes became as round as dinner plates.

Then she glared and smacked him on the arm. "Der-ek! What kind of trick… prank… whatever – are you trying to pull?"

"Casey! I-" he began, but she continued to rant.

"How dare you! That is just the lowest you've ever sunk. It's vile of you Der-"

The rest of her sentence was cut short as he crashed his lips her hers.

All thought shorted out the instant his lips met hers.

But, she didn't kiss back. She was so in shock, and knew this was wrong. So, she did what she thought was right. She pushed him away and smacked him across the face, her face steely.

Derek's face looked utterly hurt and betrayed.

"So, you don't feel the same… I had hoped, but… I guess not."

And he turned around and walked out of the room, downstairs, outside, to the car and left… left her life and his family's forever.

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A/N: okay, so I know I have to update like a bazillion other stories but I really got an inspiration and had to write and put this up. And, it's my longest yet! So, please review, and I think Learning to Love, Fearless and Love Is So Crazy It Just Might Work will be updated soon! I'm working on them all in rotation, so bear with me! They're almost done!

xxx awetast9