Hey! So, I've finally decided to start another story. This week I've been in an odd writing mood. Perhaps my own frustrations about my romantic life, or lack of one, are inspiring me. What do you know? Either way, I hope this is ok. It's rather haphazard, and mainly the result of me not wanting to do my reading (yes, I have about 200 pages of reading tonight, have to be up in 3 hours, have class and extracurriculars all day, and don't plan to sleep in a while). For once, it's not that introspective of a story- a plot driven story coming from me? No! Anyway, I do plan to update this (I know, another shocker!). Leave me reviews. They make me happy. Seriously. :)

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"Drunken words are sober thoughts". It's an expression Emily had often heard, but never really believed in. I mean, some people liked to talk, but she never figured that Casey McDonald was going to spill her guts when she was drunk. Actually, she'd never planned on seeing Casey drunk She was too responsible for that!

But obviously responsibility had deserted her. And so, here she was, talking to Emily, on Emily's porch where they'd fled to in the middle of the party, about her secrets. Not that she didn't usually do that. But she'd never told her this secret.

"I really like Derek."

"Wait, I'm sorry, what? You like...Derek?"

"Mhmmm."

"But, but, how? You hate each other!"

Now, Emily knew this wasn't actually the case. She'd seen the way those two looked at each other. Their relationship was fraught with sexual tension. But she also knew that if she wanted the whole truth from Casey, she had to play along, act like she hadn't seen it all. Casey obviously wanted to confess, but she needed some prodding, even in her drunken state.

"Not really. I mean, yeah, he drives me up the wall...but he's sweet when he wants to be. And attractive. My God, he's attractive. And well, he's so wrong for me he's sort of perfect."

Emily could only nod along. She was confused. Not about the part that Derek was attractive. Hell, if she denied that then hell would have frozen over. No one could deny that Derek was sexy, least of all Emily. Sure, she was happy with Sheldon now, but that didn't mean she couldn't still admire Derek. But Casey admitting it? And furthermore, Casey saying that Derek was perfect for her? Now this was something she needed to know more about.

"I mean, he makes me loosen up. He makes me see that there are other things in life than school. He brings out my bad girl side, which honestly-it makes me feel good! He pushes my buttons. He challenges me. He makes me strive to be wittier, retaliate more, be more on top of things. He empowers me. I'm never docile when I'm with him. Not like I am with Max! He's strong, he's not Sam or Noel. He's so different."

Honestly, Emily was surprised Casey was finding the coherency to say this. But hey, this was Casey! Leave it to her to be eloquent even when wasted. Somehow the words just kept coming.

"I really like him. But you won't tell anyone, will you Em? Promise me!"

Emily nodded, promising. She really wouldn't tell. She was a gossip, but she wasn't about to betray Casey. But that didn't mean she couldn't do anything about it. Would she tell Derek? God no! She wanted the best for Casey. But this information was golden, and if she was right about how Derek felt about Casey, then it could help bring about some very positive changes. And as much as she dreaded hearing Casey talk about Derek and their escapades- she was happy with Sheldon, but she had harbored a crush on Derek for years, and slight twinges of jealousy would always be there- it was better than her current frustration. Seeing those two together, fighting, listening to their complaints, knowing they wanted each other, was more than she could bear. And so, Emily started scheming.