Disclaimer: I don't own LWD.

A/N. I still havn't finished The Only Option and I am aware of that, but I really wanted to do an angst future fic. So here it is, I really hope you guys like it.

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What was he supposed to do? Pretend like it didn't matter? Pretend like he had been for the past 7 years now? Pretend like he didn't care?

And perhaps Derek Venturi didn't even know it any other way. Old habits die hard.

He stared at this mix of colors on the wall. Casey had so carefully arranged an array of colored tiles there. It had taken them hours to actually look for seven different colored tiles to make rainbow patterns, when Casey had first shifted to her new apartment. He had hated the idea but Casey had insisted that it was her house and she would decorate it just as she liked it. It was supposed to have bought cheer to the room. "Ha" a short bitter laugh escaped him. He could do a doctorate on irony. Emily looked up, trying to search his eyes but he refused to meet them. His were transfixed at the colorful wall opposite him.

What do you want Emily? You want me to show her that it matters to me? To tell her that I feel sorry for her? To help her get over this mess? To make her whole again? But you wouldn't understand. How can you when even I can't get it? Because right now I feel like I am broken up inside and how can I fix her when I can't even fix myself?

Derek stole a glance at Casey. She hadn't moved a muscle in the last 15 minutes. She just sat there, eyes glistening with tears which refused to spill, a hand just above her left breast, clutching something to her chest as if she was afraid that if she loosened the grip, it would all just spill out, eyes staring at the wall in front. Cold unflinching eyes.

What happened Case? Your peach wall not so peachy anymore? Is it?

And yes I know, I know why you are gripping your chest so hard. Because that's exactly where it hurts the most. Not in your heart, like everybody says. Your heart remains as it is, constantly pumping blood. It is the spot right above it, which is knotted up. That and the spot somewhere close to the pit of your stomach. It really is strange because they are no organs in any of these places and yet it feels as if it'll explode. I know all about it Case.

Derek turned around to pick up his jacket and keys and with a final nod at Sam turned to leave the room.

"Derek." It was Emily. She gestured at his keys. "Why?"

He looked at Casey again. She still hadn't moved. He wondered if she even knew that he was in the room, let alone that he was about to leave. He looked back at Emily.

"Because I can't."

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Seven years back when Derek and Casey had both been accepted to Queens, there was this feeling of almost contentment. Because Casey meant a feeling of home, of high school, of status quo because as much as he liked to deny it…he was not very open to change. He was too used to his high school, his reputation, his image. And college was this new place where he would not be The Derek Venturi, but just another Derek. And Casey? Casey would be his call back. His reminder of good old London. His feeling of belonging.

Casey had been placed in this room with a couple of more room mates and even though she never became best friends with them, they were close enough to allow a few tension free days in the room. Casey had been glad. And Derek had been enthusiastic. As promised Derek had remained close to Casey's residence. And Linda and Sarah were both quite a catch.

And as much they tried to even avoid it, they were just together more than often. Fighting, arguing, laughing at each other, laughing with each other, helping out, sorting out. Reviving through broken hearts (Casey) and broken knees (Derek). Casey was there to help him with his papers; Derek was there to get even with the bitch in the front row. All that and the fact that they now shared a sibling between them. Nora had given birth to a daughter and both Derek (even though Marti still topped his favorite chart) and Casey had declared themselves to be in love with her.

And just like that it was their personal high school all over again.

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A/N : I know it is very short but I thought it best to end it right here. It quite like a prologue and the story would develop in the following chapters. I am more aware of where I want to take this than I am about The Only Option. But I will try and update both as regularly as possible. Please review, especially this one because I am not so sure if the angst bit is good enough. I think its easier to right humor than raw emotions.