Second Time's the Charm
A/N: This story is going to be moving back and forth in time between Monday morning/afternoon/evening, and the previous Friday/Saturday. So if you don't understand a reference, give it time, all will be explained by the end of the story. I'm going back and forth cause I wanted to write a story that started with a first kiss between Derek and Casey, and ended with their second kiss, but I also wanted to explain the motivation for the first kiss, because I think motivation and build-up is really important, and they aren't valued nearly enough. So anyways, I hope you guys like this first part of the story. Please review if you'd like to read more, the reviews really mean a lot to me. If you enjoyed reading it, check out my other Dasey story that I'm currently working on; 'Delicate'. Thanks for reading!
Part One: The Early Riser and the All-Nighter
Monday, 7:04 am
It all started when Casey woke up Monday morning following an especially weird weekend. As a self-proclaimed early riser she was especially surprised to see Derek sitting at the kitchen table, shovelling cereal in his mouth before she had even managed to make her way down the stairs. Normally this would have irritated her; a bothersome break from her morning routine. However, in light of the weekend's events, she welcomed it.
Since Casey hadn't even seen Derek since Saturday night, she wondered if he still remembered their conversation; what he'd said to her so sweetly as he reached over and with a casual sweep of his hand, brushed the hair from her face. Maybe he didn't remember at all. What meant so much to Casey probably wasn't even a speck on Derek's subconscious.
With a resolute sigh, accompanied by a cautious yet hopeful glance, Casey perched herself next to him and reached for the box of Corn Flakes. The silence was overwhelming, and Derek didn't seem aware of her presence, let alone interested in speaking with her. As Casey poured a small serving of cereal into the bowl she decided she'd be the one to speak first. Something neutral to begin with, so she wouldn't embarrass herself.
"So, I'm surprised to see you here," she said, her voice practically echoing in the empty kitchen. Derek glanced up from his cereal, as if he just realized she was seated beside him. "I never took you for an early riser," she continued with false cheerfulness. No matter how unsettled he made her feel, she'd never let that on. That's for sure.
"That's cause I'm not," Derek said simply, pushing soggy Coco Puffs around his bowl.
"An early riser?" Casey inquired as she took a small bite.
"Nope. Not an early riser today or any day. I stayed up all night," Derek explained as he reached for more cereal, drowning the soggy puffs in some fresh ones.
"You pulled an all-nighter?" Casey asked, her eyebrows raised. "Too pumped to sleep or something?" she tried to take the edge out of the question, but she couldn't help herself. The fact that Derek probably partied with girls the night before bugged her. It really did. And judging by the look on Derek's face, he realized that too.
"Why do you care?" Derek asked with raised eyebrows.
"I don't," Casey said, attempting to shrug casually, but failing—acting casually did not come naturally to her.
"Sure, Case," Derek replied with a self-satisfied smirk. "Anyways, no, it wasn't really a crazy night. Kind of boring compared to Saturday," he paused, the smirk starting to fade from his face. "I couldn't sleep cause I was thinking, that's all." He got up and placed the cereal bowl in the sink with a clang.
"You? Thinking? I wasn't aware you were able to use that part of your brain," Casey said, instinctually. Shoot. If she wanted her relationship with Derek to change, she'd have to stop bickering with him so much.
But Derek laughed good naturedly. "At least I have the coordination part of my brain working, klutzilla," Derek replied as he returned to his seat.
"Ha, ha. You're hilarious," Casey replied, but she was smiling, despite herself. She didn't mind the teasing with Derek, as long as it didn't get too personal or mean. "So, really, how was last night? Did you have a good birthday?"
"It wasn't bad, as far as birthday's go," Derek replied calmly. "Could have been better though." Did Casey detect a slight hinting tone to his voice? Derek continued before she had a chance to respond. "So why are you so curious about yesterday, anyhow?"
"Oh I was just wondering, since I didn't see you all day," Casey said, as she took another bite of cereal, hoping that Derek would get the hint that she'd missed him.
"Oh… huh, didn't notice," Derek said casually, setting Casey up to have to come right out and say it. She sighed.
"Were you avoiding me or something?" Casey asked.
Instead of asking her why she'd ask such a thing, or talk about Saturday night, Derek simply said; "Nope. Had hockey practice then time with the guys. It's not my fault you're such an early riser that you end up going to bed before the sun sets, Grandma." He leaned over and teasingly bumped his shoulder against hers with a confident grin.
"Oh, shut up," Casey said, smiling in spite of herself. "Ten isn't that early."
"Not if you're eighty."
Casey laughed and bumped her shoulder against his in return. Their eyes met and their bright grins faded, revealing smaller, shyer smiles in their place.
After a moment, Casey spoke. "Can I ask you something?" she asked quietly.
"Shoot."
"Did you…" Casey needed to work up the courage before she could finish her question. Sinking her nails into her forearm for encouragement, Casey continued. "Did you mean what you said, Saturday night?"
"What part?" Derek asked casually, his eyebrows raised.
"You know what part," Casey sighed, a bit annoyed that he was making this more difficult for her than it had to be.
"Yes…no… I don't know," Derek said in response, spinning a spoon around the table as he struggled with what to say.
"What don't you know?" Casey asked.
Derek simply shrugged in response, causing Casey to sigh deeply in return.
"Why is it so hard for you to just be nice for once?" she asked, her voice reaching the screechy decibels she always hit when she was angry. "You avoid it at all costs, and the one time you say something that means a lot to me, you take it back!" Casey felt her eyes filling with hot angry tears.
"I know," Derek said quietly, his eyes glued to the kitchen table. "I didn't mean to, it's just… it's complicated."
Casey was taken by surprise by Derek's quiet thoughtful demeanour instead of his normal witty retorts. "What's complicated?" she asked, hoping it would lead to him opening up some more. Instead, Casey got more than she bargained for.
Derek hesitated for a second, then finally it seemed like some sort of inner struggle was over. "This," he said as he leaned over, cupping Casey's startled face in his hands. His breath warmly teased her cheeks and her lips until finally his mouth was against hers. Casey was surprised at first by the sudden bout of affection, but soon relaxed and returned his embrace, her mouth opening in response. They kissed deeply, passionately, with all the emotion they had pent up for each other over the years, and especially this weekend. His hands cradled her face, almost as if he was afraid she'd run away if he let go.
Just as Casey was about to pull back and ask Derek for the clarity she so desperately needed; she had to know just where this was going, footsteps thudded down the stairs. Instinctually, Derek and Casey moved apart as quickly as possible, Derek wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Good thing I wasn't wearing lipgloss, Casey thought to herself, as she awkwardly took a big bite of now-soggy cereal.
"Hey people," Edwin said cheerfully as he marched into the room. "What's new?"
"Nothing," Casey and Derek said in unison. They exchanged glances quickly.
"Okay…" Edwin said reluctantly as he sat down, grabbing the box of Coco Puffs and pouring himself a bowl.
"So yeah…" Casey said awkwardly as she stood up, placing her bowl carefully in the sink. "Gotta go… school beckons… and whatnot," blinking confusedly she left, brushing past Derek on the way. "Whatnot?" she mumbled audibly to herself. "Who says whatnot?!"
"What's with her?" Edwin asked as he motioned towards Casey's retreating figure with his spoon.
"Hm?" Derek replied casually.
"Just she's acting weird," said Edwin suspiciously.
Derek smirked. "Well that's Casey for you."
Monday, 7:51 am
"Hey Case," a random stranger stated, smiling at her as Casey walked through the halls.
"Sup Casey," another guy greeted.
"Hey Casey! Killer party!"
"Um, thanks," Casey said with a small smile. "Thanks you guys."
"There you are!" Emily exclaimed as Casey finally made her way to their locker.
"Here I am," Casey responded with another awkward smile. She didn't quite know how to act after the kiss that morning with Derek. It felt so weird to think about. She kissed Derek. Part of her felt giddy, that the guy she liked might actually like her too. But another part of her worried and considered every possibility. Maybe this was all a joke to Derek? Maybe this was a bet? Maybe the kiss didn't go well for him? Maybe that was the only kiss they would ever share?
"Why didn't you call me Saturday night? Or answer the phone all day yesterday?" Emily asked, breaking Casey free from her stupor.
"Huh?" Casey blinked. "I was supposed to call?"
"Yeah!" Emily exclaimed. "You were supposed to tell me about how things went with Chris!"
"Oh yeah," Casey said quietly, retrieving a book from her locker, her gaze downcast.
"So…" Emily trailed off. "How did it?"
"How did what?"
"How did things go with Chris?!" Emily snapped impatiently.
"Oh, well," Casey busied herself with taking random things out of her bag and shoving them into her locker. "Things didn't quite work out."
"Oh, they didn't?" Emily's face couldn't mask her disappointment. "I'm sorry to hear that Case. I thought he'd be a nice guy."
"Yeah," Casey replied. "So did I."
The Previous Friday, 11:55 pm
"Casey!" Emily exclaimed as she ran up to her best friend at the locker they shared. "I have the best news! And for once, I think you'll actually really like it!"
"Why on Earth is Derek allowed to have a huge party?" Casey snapped, completely engulfed in her own annoyance. "You'd think my mom and George would have enough sense to see that Derek plus parties equals total disaster!"
"Yeah, but about the party—" Emily said, but Casey cut her off.
"And another thing! Why should he be allowed the privilege of no parental supervision?! That sort of thing should be earned, not given on a silver platter to a stupid spoiled brat who thinks he's the center of the universe! Am I right?!"
"Well…" Emily said. "Technically your parents will be downstairs during the party right? So that's half-supervision."
"Still!" Casey huffed as she slammed her locker door shut.
"Does it bother you that Derek's having a huge party?" Emily asked with raised eyebrows.
"No!" Casey snapped. "Why would it bother me that Derek Venturi gets his way… again… and then proceeds to rub it in my face that he gets this outrageous party, when at my last birthday I had to be taken to the hospital?! No, it doesn't bother me at all!"
"Um, good?" Emily hesitated. "Well at least we'll be able to go and have a great time… it's supposed to be one of the biggest parties of the year." The two girls began to walk towards their Biology class.
"What makes you think I'd want to be a witness to this gross example of preferential treatment?!"
"Because," Emily said with a bright smile, finally able to tell Casey her news. "You have a date!"
"A date?" Casey asked, her brow wrinkling in confusion. "I didn't have a date scheduled."
"No, you didn't," Emily replied excitedly. "But I got you one! With Sheldon's cousin Chris!"
"I didn't know Sheldon had a cousin here," said Casey cautiously.
"He didn't until today actually!" explained Emily. "He just moved here from Ottawa… today was his first day of classes. Sheldon thought it would be a good idea to bring him to Derek's party to help him get to know some people here."
"Oh, great, and I'm the dateless one, so I get to test him out," Casey said glumly.
"Give him a chance, Case. Sheldon said he's actually a really great guy!"
"They all are," Casey mumbled quietly.
"Well, now you'll get a chance to preview him before the party. He's in our Bio class."
Casey stopped dead in her tracks. "He's in… that room?" she motioned panic-stricken to the open door to their right.
"Yeah, go on!" Emily said as she grabbed Casey by the arm. "How bad could it be?"
"Well I don't know, Em," Casey snapped as she was dragged towards the classroom. "Not to be superficial or anything, but he could be really gross and creepy!"
Emily shoved Casey into the room, waving over at Sheldon, who stood up, followed by his cousin. He was tall with short dark brown hair, warm green eyes and a killer smile, wearing a button-down shirt and jeans.
Casey gasped. "Or he could be really gorgeous and put-together!" she exclaimed happily. "Is he really related to Sheldon? No offence Em," Casey added.
"None taken," Emily replied, too happy things were working out to be bothered that Casey had just insulted her boyfriend.
Casey marched right over to Chris. "Hi, I'm Casey," she announced cheerfully as she shook Chris's hand.
"Chris," he responded with a charming smile. "I was told you'd be beautiful, but that word just doesn't come close to describing how you look."
Casey giggled happily. This would be a party she'd never forget.
Monday, 7:54 am
Derek arrived at school with only a few minutes to spare, as usual, to the normal chorus of greetings and compliments. Well, maybe more than usual since his killer party that weekend. Some had even said it was the party of the year. Too bad Derek had been too distracted to enjoy it.
As he swung his locker door open, hastily grabbing some books, he spotted Emily speaking with Miss. Distraction herself. Casey looked agitated, and her actions lacked the careful precision she was known for, as she dumped her things carelessly into her bag. Derek was sure he knew the reason behind her mood, but wasn't sure how he felt about it. Why did he kiss her anyway?
Just as Derek seriously contemplated his more than friendly feelings toward his stepsister, his arm was squeezed.
"Derek!" a female voice exclaimed. "How was your birthday?"
"Oh, hey Brittany," Derek replied. "It was… it was good."
"So about your party, what happened?" the pretty blonde asked. "I thought you were supposed to take me home. You could have stayed a while, you know," she said as she played with the bottom seam of Derek's t-shirt.
"Um," Derek responded, his eyes and focus still on Casey. "I had… you know, things to do, party people to see." As he spoke, Casey's eyes raised to meet his. He felt his stomach churn under her gaze and she quickly glanced away.
"Like that's even a good excuse," Brittany snapped as she turned on her heel and left. Derek, who was still watching Casey, couldn't bring himself to even pretend to care.
The Previous Friday, 6:48 pm
"My birthday is going to be massive," Derek announced with a confident grin. "In fact, I think I'll call it 'Derek's Birthday Extravaganza'. First I have my party Saturday night, which, I should mention, will be the biggest party our school has ever seen. Then on my actual birthday, Sunday I have hockey practice, followed up with a full day out with the guys to celebrate… partying until who knows when. And Monday I get my favourite meal for dinner, cake and presents. What could be better?" He smirked self-satisfied in Casey's direction, knowing it was probably killing her that there would be an entire three days devoted to him.
Instead, Casey simply smiled back calmly. "I'm happy for you Derek," she said from her place on the couch. "Sounds like a great birthday."
Instantly, Derek's suspicions rose, and he surfed through the channels on the TV quickly, only pausing for a second on each. "What's up with you?" he asked.
"Oh, nothing," Casey smiled brightly. "I just have a date to your little party, that's all."
"You managed to get a date with someone today? Who? The president of the chess club?" Derek scoffed.
"Nope. Sheldon's cousin who just moved here from Ottawa. And," she added, before Derek could cut in with a Sheldon joke. "He's actually really cute. And charming," Casey sighed, delighted.
"How nice for you, but forgive me if I don't believe that, since your taste in guys leaves something to be desired," Derek replied with a smirk.
"Whatever, you'll see for yourself, tomorrow night," Casey said with a satisfied smile.
"Who says you were invited to my party, Space Case?" Derek asked.
"What?!" Casey exclaimed, as she shot up in her seat, her calm demeanour disappearing. "Mom! George!" Casey whined. "Tell Derek I'm coming to his lame little party!"
"Of course she is, Derek," George's voice called from the kitchen. "And she can bring whoever she wants."
"Ha," Casey grinned, sinking back against the couch as the phone rang.
"Whatever, like I care," Derek retorted calmly. "Just don't get in the way of me and my fun. Cause I plan on having more fun than you'll ever think possible."
"Derek, it's Brittany on the phone!" George announced.
"Speaking of fun," Derek smirked.
Monday, 7:56 am
Lost in his thoughts, Derek continued to watch Casey as she tucked her hair behind her ears, saying something to Emily with a small smile.
The two girls began walking towards their English classroom, and Derek followed trying to seem inconspicuous.
But then something happened that Derek didn't expect.
"Casey!" a tall dark-haired guy exclaimed, as he grabbed Casey by the arm.
"What do you want, Chris?" Casey asked angrily, trying to shrug him off.
"I just want to talk to you," he said.
"I have to go to class," Casey said with an annoyed sigh as she again, tried to get him to let go. That's when Derek decided to intervene.
"Okay, let her go." Derek said, as he approached them, his eyes flashing angrily.
"Dude, it's not your business," Chris replied. "I just gotta talk to her, that's all."
"She doesn't want to talk to you," Derek replied, fighting the urge to both tell the guy that it was his business and to punch him square across his smug face. "Get lost. Seriously."
"Fine," Chris said, as he let go of Casey, holding his hands up in mock surrender as he backed away. "Whatever. I don't care."
"If you don't leave her alone, I'll give you something to care about," Derek retorted. He reached out to Casey and touched her arm comfortingly. "You okay?" he asked.
"Yeah," Casey replied, a slight smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Thanks Derek. No, really… thank you. That was… sweet of you."
"It's no problem," Derek said with a shrug, smiling back awkwardly in return. "You sure you're okay?"
"Yeah… yeah I'm fine," Casey replied, her blue eyes locked with his, almost as if she was searching for something. He gazed back, unable to look away.
"Can I—" Derek began, but was cut off by the bell, signalling the first class. "See you later then," he said quickly, as he turned around, heading in the direction of his Math classroom.
"Bye," he heard Casey's voice reply softly, his stomach tying up in knots in response. What the hell was going on with him?!
In part two: At his birthday party, Derek discovers that Casey's date is shady. What will he do about it? Try to get in between them as much as he can, of course. Monday, Casey learns from experience that second kisses are much more difficult than firsts.