Casey POV

It had been the most amazing summer of my life. Though many things changed, it was definitely a summer to remember.

Truman and I broke up. For good. He said he loved me right after graduation, but after catching him and Vicki making out, I realized that they were perfect for each other, so I said good riddance.

Things with Jesse didn't work out either. His true colors came out only a week after we left the lodge. In simple terms, he was a jerk. I was still trying to completely decide if I wanted to go to University or do dance, and he said that if I didn't dance, he would never speak to me again. I decided I wanted to go to University.

Derek and Emily broke up, too. They realized that after being next door neighbors for so long, they didn't like each other like that. They stayed close friends.

So, it was back to just Derek, Sam, Ralph, Emily and I hanging out. But, like I said, it was seriously the best summer of our lives. We just hung out all summer long, except for when we went to my grandma's lodge. We even took a road-trip to Niagara Falls! I really figured out who our true friends were.

But as I was standing there, making sure I looked good in the mirror, I found myself missing London before I even left it. How I hated so much that we were moving here with George and his family. (I never reallytold my mom how I felt about that.) But as the years went by, I really had established myself in London. All of my accomplishments, failures, boyfriends, klutzilla moments... But, I was happy.

Looking at myself, I felt the bile rising up my throat thinking about starting over at University. I forced it back down. A figure of the person I considered the most important person of my life appeared behind me and put their hands on my shoulders with a watery smile.

"Look at you. You look so... Grown up."

She turned me around to look at her, and I felt tears in my own eyes as she put her hands on my cheeks.

"I'm so proud of you, Casey. Getting a scholarship, going to Queens... I'll miss you so much!"

She grabbed me in a hug, and I squeezed her back as tightly as I could.

"I love you, too, Mom."

The bane of my existence was also going to Queens. Great... Derek did well wherever he went. He was pumped.

Derek POV

I was pacing my room.

"Just remember, D. You're the best, you're sexy, you got this!"

Putting my hands on the back of my desk chair for balance, I took a deep breath.

"There he is!"

I stood up, looking way more confident than I felt. My dad came towards me and slapped me on the back.

"My son. Going to University."

I smirked.

"Didn't think I had it in me, did you dad?"

His face got serious.

"I always knew you had the potential, Derek."

I swallowed hard as he gave me a hug.

Casey POV

"You better call me every day, no exceptions."

"I will."

"And mom said you can visit any weekend. You know that y..."

"I know, I'll be fine."

She got really quiet. I looked up from packing my last few things to see her sitting on my bed, hands folded, and her head down.

"How am I going to get through High School without you here?"

I stood and walked over to her, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"I'm just a phone call away, Liz. If you ever need me, I'll be there."

She smiled.

"Anytime?"

"Day or night."

Derek POV

"D..."

"What do you want, Ed?"

Silence. I took my attention away from my computer, to my annoying brother.

"Will I get through High School? I mean, I'm not Derek Venturi... I'm not athletic..."

I rolled my eyes and moved from the chair to the bed with a plop.

"Listen, no one can be Derek Venturi."

His face fell.

"But..."

He gave me questioning eyes.

"I didn't just get my rep from hockey. Just... Find something that'll make people remember you besides what you did at graduation. You're a Venturi, you'll dominate somehow. It's in our blood."

"Thanks, Derek."

*an hour later*

"Derek, Casey, let's go! It's a long drive!"

I heard Casey scurrying down the stairs and chuckled. Once a keener, always a keener.

"Be down in a minute!"

There was still one matter of business I had to take care. Walking into the room, I saw a fort over the bed.

"Marti!"

No reply. I crossed my arms.

"You know, I really don't take too kindly to being ignored for a week!"

Silence. I sighed.

"Smarti? Come on, do you really want to leave it like this? I'm leaving right now."

After a few seconds, I heard some rustling and then part of the fort opened. I took it as an invitation and crawled through.

"Wow, nice place you got here."

She didn't say anything.

"Come on, Smarti. I'll be back, soon. I promise."

"It's not the same..."

I could barely hear her because she was mumbling.

"I can't live here forever. You'll leave someday, too. And, who knows! I could be back in a week!"

She smiled and gave me a hug.

"That's my Smarts..."

She pulled back and kissed me on the nose.

"Be good. And call."

"I will."

As I crawled out of the very elaborate fort, I was heading for the door.

"Hey!"

I turned around.

"Yes?"

Her head was poking out.

"Take care of Smasey, too... Okay?"

"We'll see."

She smiled and I walked down the stairs. All of our stuff was already packed and in the cars. We were about ready to go, and Nora was grilling Lizzie and Edwin.

"We won't be back until late tonight. Really late. So, you better behave and be nice to Marti. Also, no fighting and..."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! We're not Derek and Casey, Nora! We'll be fine!"

She looked doubtful, but gave them a hug anyway. Dad and Nora climbed into Dad's car while Casey and I climbed into the prince. Casey put her earphones in and pulled out a book, which meant I wouldn't even be able to annoy her. Great... My distraction and entertainment was gone...