As usual I don't own Life With Derek, or any of these characters.

"Well, since you've already got me pegged, you'll know that I'm really into musicals…and I was thrilled to get the lead. So, if you're not going to take this seriously, would you please just drop out now?" Casey snarked at Noel, her indifferent male-lead. Casey had been ecstatic to be the lead in a musical where her partner was actually a guy, rather than a girl in a fake beard. But it didn't mean anything if the guy couldn't care less about the play, or his role in it. It was offensive to Casey as an individual who valued theatre and performance. Noel treated it like it was a joke.

"Maybe I will." Noel said, as though it were a great idea.

"Okay then." Casey said. If Noel wasn't going to take his role seriously, it would probably be best if he quit anyway, then maybe she could have a co-star who actually put in effort. "It was nice…not getting to know you." Casey strut away. I guess that's the end of that, Casey thought.

She wondered who Noel's replacement would be. Perhaps Wendell Wiggins, the guy who always got the lead (well…except for in this production). Casey grinned, at least Wendell would take this seriously.

Derek strolled through the hallway with Stephanie draped over his arm. "So, Mr. Director" she said with an alluring smile "what kind of things do you want to direct? Movies? TV?"

"Oh, you know" Derek drawled "I don't want to limit myself to just one thing or another."

Stephanie giggled, gripping Derek's arm more tightly. "You know, it's a shame we didn't get the lead roles in the play."

"And why is that?" Derek smirked flirtatiously, leaning up against his locker.

"Because, then…" Stephanie leaned into him, "we could rehearse our stage kiss…" Derek kept her at arms length—adhering to his anti-PDA policy.

"I'm sure we could practice, just in case. Some rehearsal time could definitely be arranged." Derek winked.

Although he would never admit it to anyone, Derek would much rather be practicing a stage-kiss with the true lead of the play. Casey; the girl he had secretly been developing feelings for over the last couple years. A.K.A his keener step-sister. Of course, the more Derek tried to pretend his feelings didn't exist, the more he wanted her. Derek didn't want to be caught up on someone he couldn't have, so he figured Stephanie (and maybe the rest of the female chorus) could be an ample distraction for him. Although Derek thought musicals were stupid, being the only guy in the chorus had its perks.

A peppy little blonde girl named Sue in the chorus skipped up to them "Come on you guys! Stop flirting and get to rehearsal!" She giggled, with a hint of veiled jealousy, "we're going to be late!"

Casey's eyes scanned the drama room. Noel was nowhere to be found. She rolled her eyes.

Mrs. Zelden addressed the group from the stage. "Gather 'round, gather 'round, fellow thespians!" Casey looked up her attentively. "It seems that Noel will no longer be embarking with us on this journey as the role of Deckhand Heart." Mrs. Zelden announced wistfully, "you could say his heart just wasn't in it."

Mumbles and whispers scattered throughout the cast. Derek was too busy to notice, as he was 'entertaining' a small group of female cast members, which had grown considerably ever since the female student body had found out Derek was in the play.

"Now," Mrs. Zelden continued, "we have a wonderful, ever-growing cast; with a very…robust female chorus." she said, casting a glare towards Derek, "but when it comes to male actors, we are…limited."

Casey took a deep breath and looked over towards Wendell, who appeared to be on pins and needles. He had a creepy grin plastered over his face. Although Casey was looking forward to working with someone who took things seriously, Wendell seemed to take things a little too seriously—the dude was a straight-up head-case.

Mrs. Zelden outstretched her arms dramatically. "That's why…I have posted an open call for the male lead. The auditions are tomorrow, and everyone in the male cast will be required to try their hand at being the great Deckhand Heart!"

The room went silent, except for Derek's playful whispers to Stephanie and Sue.

"Including you Derek." Mrs. Zelden called him out. Derek's looked up at Mrs. Zelden casually…she couldn't force him to take things seriously, after all. Mrs. Zelden gave him a stern look. "All the lovely young men in this fine cast will be here at three thirty sharp tomorrow to read with Casey."

Casey's jaw nearly dropped to the floor. Mrs. Zelden wanted her to read with Derek? With…him as her male love interest? She scoffed quietly, as to not disrespect Mrs. Zelden—but Casey was not happy about this. Casey tried to shake away her feelings of anxiety—there was no way Derek would take it seriously anyway. He probably wouldn't even show up.

Derek's jaw dropped as well. He was supposed to read lines with Casey? He was supposed to look at her and say a bunch of sappy things?! Why would Mrs. Zelden want him to be the lead, anyway? He was only there for the chorus girls! Whatever, Derek thought, trying to dismiss his worry, I'll just give the worst performance of all time, so I won't get cast. If anything it would be good for a laugh.

Author's Note: First chapter, done! I hope you enjoyed it. Please review and let me know what you think :)