A/N: Okay, so I'm starting another story. Why? I'm insane. But this idea popped into my head a couple months ago. (Around prom, go figure, eh?) I wrote the first chapter down, and then forgot about it until now, and I have a bunch of welled up creativity. (I think it's my boyfriend and marathon reading that's doing it) And, viola! I have ideas galore, and I've got a new thing that I like to call time, so hopefully I can finish this over the summer!

Disclaimer:I do not own Disney, Disney Channel, or any of their shows, including, but not limited to "Life With Derek" and it's associated names and/or affiliated characters... But one day I shall rule the world! MUAHHAHAHA! (Why?! No one else is staking a claim... lol)

Prom Dates
A "Life with Derek" Fanfiction by Kiska King

"How?" I moaned to the ceiling. "How could I not have a date a week before the prom?!" I could cry… except I don't cry. I've been told the world would implode if I cried. Casey was probably right when she said that, but that wasn't the point. The point was I, Derek, the Derek Venturi, Triple D, didn't have a date for prom. I'm not even sure how it happened. A month ago, I could care less about junior prom. It was a speck on my social calendar, and now… every girl in the school was taken. Well, not every girl, but every girl who I was willing to be seen with, so, to me, every girl was taken. I moaned at my ceiling again and dragged my ass out of bed. At least it was Saturday, so I didn't have to face the humiliation of my lack of a date. I had until Monday to find a date… or to make up a fake illness. Glancing at the clock which said it was past one, I groped around for a clean(ish) shirt and headed to the living room.

Downstairs I heard yelling. Loud, shrill yelling. Lizzie and Edwin were probably arguing over something. Then I heard crying. That meant they had interrupted Marty's Saturday morning cartoons. I plopped down in my chair and glared at both of them to stop fighting. They took it into a different room at least, which was good enough for me. Marty came to sit in my lap while I dozed off in my chair, my hand on the remote, but pretty soon the thudding of her steps down the stairs reached my ears.

"Remote, Derek," Casey demanded. I did the mature thing and pretended she didn't exist. "C'mon, Derek, please." Please? Please? Now that just wasn't like Casey. I opened one eye and would have fallen out of my chair if Marty hadn't been sitting on me. Casey was in her pajamas, her hair was a mess, and well, she wasn't her usual annoying perfect self.

"What happened to you?" I demanded, still holding the remote hostage.

"I don't want to talk about it," she told me, holding out her hand for the remote.

"Sorry, Marty's the boss, and she wants to watch cartoons, right Smarty?" I paused for Marty to say something cute and funny… still waiting… "Smarty?" I looked down, but not before seeing Casey's smirk. Smarty was dead asleep, cuddled up on me. While this was cute and all, it meant I couldn't fight Casey for the remote if it came to it. So, I put it down my pants so she couldn't get it. Hey, I like Spongebob!

"That's disgusting," Casey told me, sitting down and sighing.

"So, why aren't you perky and perfect at one in the afternoon on a Saturday?" I asked. Spongebob could wait. This should be interesting.

"Why do you care?" she asked. She probably said it with attitude, but I was so used to it, I couldn't tell.

"Because, it's just so weird."

"It's nothing."

"Yes, it is."

"Just drop it, Derek."

"Fine," I sighed. It was too early to deal with Casey, and I'd probably find out sooner or later. It's not like she can keep her mouth shut for long.

I heard Marty yawn and I looked down. She was just opening her eyes, and she smiled up at me and put her arms around my neck.

"Good morning Smerek," she said, kissing me on the cheek.

"Afternoon, Smarty," I yawned, ruffling her hair. She grinned and leapt off of me to go sit by Casey. I'm not sure how she did it, but Marty loves that girl. I say she's a witch and cast a spell on my little sister.

I got up and scratched all the places that itched, and walked into the kitchen. I realized that Edwin and Lizzie had stopped fighting, or had at least taken it outside, because it was quiet, and only Nora was in the kitchen. I was kind of hoping for Dad, but maybe Nora was better at this sort of thing. She was sitting at the counter reading a magazine and eating something healthy and disgusting.

"Good afternoon, Derek," she smiled as I stumbled into the kitchen.

"Hi, Nora," I replied, moving towards the cupboard for a bowl. "Where's Dad?"

"He had a meeting today. He'll be home for dinner," she said, flipping the page of her magazine. "Why? Is everything okay? You know you can tell me, right?"

"Uh… well…" I began. Yeah, I know, I'm a real genius with words, but it was kind of awkward for me to be telling Nora my problems, even if she was my step mom. "I kinda don't have a date for prom."

She laughed a little and I frowned. I knew it was a mistake to tell her. She quickly covered it up, though. "Sorry, it's just that, I figured you'd have the girls lining up to be your prom date."

I must have looked annoyed because she hurriedly continued. "Well, I might have a solution," she said. "Nah. You wouldn't do it."

"What is it? I'll do it. I'm desperate here," I told her, whispering so that no one else would here us.

"I could set you up with someone else who doesn't have a date," she continued. I grinned. This might actually work. "She's sweet, funny, smart, and very pretty. She even goes to your school." Better and better. Especially the pretty part.

"Who is it?"

"Well," Nora began, "it's Case."

I choked. I dropped the cereal bowl I was holding in my hand and it shattered on the floor. I laughed. I laughed so hard my sides hurt, and little tears came out of the corners of my eyes. I wasn't that desperate… but this was a sweet way to torture Casey.

"Well, it was worth a shot," Nora said, picking up her magazine. "I mean, prom is an entire week away. It's possible you could find someone else before then. Maybe."

That woman has been hanging around my family too long. She's gone evil.

I sighed. Well, maybe I was that desperate.

I heard Nora take Marty upstairs to play and I grinned. Nora was a good woman. She was giving me the perfect opportunity to talk Casey into her plan. Like she said, it was worth a shot.

Reviews are much loved!! Flames are NOT! But constructive criticism is muchly appreciated :D

KeK