BEST FRIENDS
AUTHOR'S NOTE\DISCLAIMER
Takes place after Mice And Men. Not a crossover with Nightmare on Elm Street, though it's mentioned several times by Casey and her friends as well as some scenes that are there as an homage. This is merely a story where Derek and the others see a different side to Casey. Friends mentioned here are from Casey's old neighborhood. LWD belongs to Canadian Television and Disney. I own whatever you don't recognize. I'm not sure where Casey lived before Nora's marriage, but I'm thinking it was probably a couple of towns over since she and Lizzie had to change school districts.
CHAPTER ONE: SURPRISE
Casey MacDonald cheered with everybody else as they raced out of J. Thompson High. Finally, they were out. The school had just announced a four-day weekend. The unexpected holiday was made even better by the knowledge that her best friends were coming over the next day to visit her. Suddenly, someone jostled her and she fell down.
"Oh, terrific," she said sarcastically.
"Are you okay?" her best friend, Emily Davids asked, helping her friend up. Casey dusted off her lavender sweater and brown jeans.
"Yeah, I'm all right," Casey replied. Meanwhile, a 1957 red four door Chevy Bel Air was making its way downtown.
"Casey's gonna be so surprised to see us. She wasn't expecting us until tomorrow," Alexandra "Alex" Chambers stated. She was wearing a black and green striped shirt with a dark blue denim skirt.
"Yeah, but I'm sure she'll love it," Jackson "Jack" Fairbanks agreed as he made a turn. He was wearing a white t-shirt and pale blue jeans.
"No kidding. It sure was nice of your folks to let us stay with you in the hotel," Alex said.
"Yeah, no problem," Jack responded. After driving a little while longer, the school came into sight.
"Let me out here," Rodney "Rod" Lane requested.
"What? Why?" Jack asked.
"Just do it!" Rod barked. Jack did as requested and the other boy hopped out.
"Rod, what are you going to do?" Alex wondered.
"I'm gonna give Casey a proper Elm Street welcome," Rod responded. Just then, Casey noted an old Chevy stopping front of the school.
"Oh, my gosh!" she gasped.
"What?" Emily wondered.
"I don't believe it!" Casey exclaimed. Ignoring Emily's look of confusion, Casey raced to the car.
"Hi, everybody," she greeted as Derek, Emily, and Sam Chambers came into earshot.
"Hey, girl," Alex commented.
"What's up, Case?" Jack asked.
"Nothing much," Casey responded. Then, looking at the two, "Are you guys the only ones here?"
"No. Rod's around somewhere," Alex responded.
"Oh, I see," Casey said, trying not to show her disappointment. She wondered why he wasn't with the others. Was he maybe coming tomorrow as planned? Suddenly, there was a rustling.
"What was that?" Jack wondered. Everyone looked around, and Casey frowned.
"Oh, well. I guess---" she was cut off as something knocked her to the ground from the side.
"And it's Rod Lane bringin' down MacDonald three yards from the goal line!" a voice yelled.
"A brilliant play by Lane, and the fans go wild," Casey grinned and then made the noise of a cheering crowd. Rod smirked as he helped the girl up. She stared at the boy who was wearing his customary outfit of a black leather jacket, white shirt, black jeans, and black biker boots.
"How you doin', Rod?" Casey asked, trying to ignore the sudden flip-flop of her in stomach.
"I'm good. You?" Rod replied, resisting the urge to tap his foot. Why am I so nervous? It's just Case, he thought to himself.
"Just great...for someone who's constantly being used as a football," Casey stated. Okay. If I make jokes, he won't see how nervous I am, she thought.
"Ah, bite me with a twirling lawnmower," Rod stated, relieved to be partaking in their usual banter.
"Nyah. You say such sweet things, Rod," Casey told him after making an unladylike noise. Derek, Emily, and Sam watched the whole thing in surprise. Why wasn't Casey getting on this guy's case? If Derek had acted like that, she would've totally chewed him out.
"Come on. You can give directions your house," Jack invited as Rod hopped into the car and helped Casey in.
"Well, how'd you find your way here?" Casey questioned as the car started off.
"Map Quest," Jack replied.
"And you didn't do that for my house 'cuz---" Casey began.
"'Cuz we didn't think of it," Alex interrupted.
"And besides, if we had, I wouldn't have been able to give you an Elm Street welcome," Rod said, pulling her close.
"Oh, Rod," Casey said, looking down and tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.
"So, those directions?" Jack asked.
"Oh, right!" Casey exclaimed and then began giving out the details.