Disclaimer: Don't own Life With Derek. 'Nuff said.

Author's Note: I'm thrilled with the positive response this fic has gotten so far, and I'm sorry it took so long to update, but my friends and family have been keeping me busy.

Still… enjoy!

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Wagering Love
Bubble Invasion

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It was almost an insult to compare Lizzie to Casey, since the former took great offense to such a thing. In fact, she detested it more than anything else in the world, except perhaps those who hunted innocent, defenseless animals for fun. Yet despite this, one couldn't help but notice (and often foolishly point out) their many similarities. Lizzie was a lot like her older sister, even if she tried to deny it.

For instance, like Casey, she had a tendency to be slightly Obsessive Compulsive, so routine and organization were absolutely mandatory unless someone had a death wish. Everything she did, from the time her alarm clock went off at precisely 5:30 AM to the time she crawled into bed at 10:30 PM, followed a delightfully predictable pattern -- at least in Edwin's opinion. He knew her, and he knew her schedule, like the back of his own hand.

Today was no exception.

After waking up to go jog around the neighborhood in nothing but her sweats for about an hour, she returned home, took a shower and got ready for school. Once that was done, she knocked on Marti's door and then disappeared down the hall to fetch Lex -- the newest addition to their blended family -- and help him get dressed for daycare, since her mom and George had already gone to work, leaving her to do all of the parental stuff, which included making breakfast. It was annoying, but someone had to do it, and she couldn't very well leave it to the other teenager that resided under the roof; he'd burn the house down.

She descended down the stairs with Lex, still drowsy and rubbing his eyes (they were the same shade as her own, she mused) sleepily, attached to her hip and made her way into the kitchen to get started. When she heard the shower turn on, she knew Marti was up and found a little bit of comfort in knowing that she wouldn't have to forcibly drag the preteen out of bed that morning kicking and screaming. Her gaze landed on Edwin as soon as she entered. He was an early riser, like her, so his presence didn't startle her. She was, however, mildly surprised to see that he was ready. A smug smile tugged at her lips.

"If you think that this," she motioned to his attire, "is going to make me fall for you, you're out of your mind. Anyone can make themselves actually look presentable. Try again."

Edwin tilted his head to the side and eyed her quizzically.

"Whatever do you mean?"

It was funny. He almost sounded genuinely confused, but Lizzie was smart, and she'd lived with him long enough to know when he was feigning naivety. She placed Lex in his highchair before turning to face the other Venturi boy.

"Playing stupid won't get you anywhere either." She said, crossing her arms.

Edwin quirked an eyebrow.

"Oh? Then what will?" He drawled lazily. Before Lizzie could reply, he hopped off the stool he was perched on and sauntered over to her. "Tell me, gattino… what makes you tick?"

Lizzie started, eyes wide as saucers, and backed herself into the counter. Their close proximities made her uncomfortable, especially since Edwin, almost seventeen, now towered above her. Until then, she hadn't really noticed how tall he'd gotten over the last few years -- it was disconcerting. The only thing that topped his apparent growth spurt was the fact that his face was near enough that one step forward would bring their lips together. Judging by his smirk (he was definitely Derek's brother), he'd already anticipated that outcome.

Frowning, she groped around for something to hit him with -- preferably something that would cause him pain -- but when she found no potential weapon, she settled on glaring up at him instead.

"Edwin, if you don't get out of my bubble in the next three seconds, I'll knee you so hard you won't ever be able to produce kids."

It was an empty threat, and they both knew it. But Edwin complied anyway and backed off.

Lex, who had been watching the display with intense curiosity and interest, giggled at Edwin when he walked by. The older boy paused to grin and ruffle the toddler's hair before disappearing into the living room to watch TV. Lizzie, in the meantime, let go of the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

It was going to be a long day…

x

As it turned out, Edwin Venturi could be very persistent when he wanted to be. Irritatingly so. Not that he already wasn't, with or without motivation, but that was entirely beside the point. He was getting on her last nerve, though, and growing dangerously close to being introduced to her fist. In a span of less than five hours, he had already tried her patience numerous times, doing everything from tugging on her hair during class (making Lizzie question his maturity level) to purposely bumping into her in the halls and knocking her books to the floor, just to get her attention or whatever the hell he was up to. All this, and the day wasn't even over yet.

She could only imagine what else he had in store for her.

So, as soon as the lunch bell rang, the first thing she did was flee to the library in hopes of avoiding him. It was the last place he'd look -- for her, anyway. She found a table near the back, sequestered between two large bookcases, making it the perfect hiding place, and promptly sat down. Just as she did so, however, she felt something buzz against her thigh. She hesitated for a moment before pulling out her cell and flipping it open, but relaxed when she discovered that it was only a text from Charlotte.

were r u

Perhaps it was the Casey in her, but Charlotte's butchering of the English language made her want to punch a wall. Still, she replied, and told her friend her location. It wasn't long before both Charlotte and Rebecca entered the library, and Lizzie hurriedly waved them over. The blonde eyed her suspiciously as she pulled up a chair beside her, but Lizzie pretended not to notice and instead, traced the initials engraved in the table's surface with her forefinger while her companions got comfortable.

"So… why are we here?" Rebecca's voice shattered the awkward silence that had dawned on the three girls. "Do we have a test or something?"

"No, nothing like that." Lizzie assured her, laughing nervously. "I just thought we could use a change of scenery. If you ask me, the cafeteria's getting way too crowded and -"

"You're a horrible liar, Lizzie." Charlotte cut her off, staring blankly at her as she played with a strand of hair. "Why are we really here?"

Lizzie flushed and averted her gaze. She should've known that her friends would see right through her lie… not that she was ever good at it to begin with, but still… she didn't like when people called her out on it. But at the same time, she was silently debating whether or not to tell them about the whole ordeal with Edwin, which, in and of itself, was embarrassing enough, and she most certainly didn't need her closest friends teasing her about it. On the other hand, if she didn't tell them, it would only cause a fight and she really wasn't in the mood for that sort of thing.

She sighed and glanced up once again.

"I'm avoiding someone." She confessed.

Rebecca's eyes immediately lit up at the potentially juicy gossip, and she leaned in.

"Really?" She whispered excitedly. "From who? Is it a boy? Is he cute?"

Lizzie grimaced.

"I would hardly call him 'cute'." She muttered.

"So it is a boy!" The redhead squealed. "Tell us who!"

Before Lizzie could answer, another voice joined in on the conversation.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite step-sister!"

Son of a b-

Lizzie pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration and ground her teeth, trying desperately to maintain a calm exterior. Taking a deep breath, she slowly counted to ten in her head before smiling thinly at her friends and holding up a finger. "Would you excuse us? This'll only take a second."

She then proceeded to drag Edwin out of the library by his collar and throw him against the nearest locker. Fortunately, it was lunch, so the hallway was empty and no one was around to witness what was about to unfold.

"You know… I had a dream like this once. Except you weren't wearing a bra and I could see your -"

"Don't wanna hear it!" Lizzie snapped, jabbing him in the side. Her step-brother visibly winced and muttered something about "talons for nails" while she continued to glare up at him. "Just what the hell do you think you're doing, following me around like some crazed stalker and harassing me?"

"I thought we went over this yesterday." Edwin said with an exasperated sigh. "I'm trying to make you fall in love with me."

"By pissing me off?" She seethed.

The taller of the two smirked. "It got your attention, didn't it?"

Lizzie promptly released her hold on him with a scowl and took a step back, folding her arms across her chest tightly. Her step-brother shot her a smug look as he fixed his wrinkled shirt, and then mirrored her stance while arching a brow.

"Shouldn't there at least be some rules? Like, oh, I don't know… not invading my personal space?"

When Edwin simply laughed, Lizzie felt her cheeks heat up. Not from embarrassment, but from anger. Anger that things weren't going her way, and that he had the audacity to actually laugh at her request. Before she could say anything, however, he spoke.

"There are no rules. That's the beauty of this bet. I have to do everything in my power -- and I mean everything -- to get you to fall head over heels for me. Even if it means getting you all hot and bothered."

The last remark left her temporarily at loss for words and unable to form anything but an incoherent stutter. It also made her resemble a tomato, though she'd be damned if she ever admitted it was the result of unconsciously picturing them together, doing things that step-siblings shouldn't ever be doing. But the mental image was forever stained in her mind, and so she hoped to hit her head and develop Amnesia within the next twenty-four hours. Then Edwin could take his dirty thoughts and shove them up his -

"You're so adorable when you blush."

"I'm not blushing!" Lizzie spat, quickly regaining the ability to talk. "And another thing… getting me all 'hot and bothered' will only just make me horny at best and want your body -- not that anyone would. It won't make me fall for you."

"No, I guess not." Edwin replied with a shrug, unfazed by her insult. "But it's a step. By the way, did I mention that while I'm trying to get into your pants, it's your job to evade my advances? You can do anything, really… except murder or castration."

Lizzie rolled her eyes. "Fine. Whatever. I'm going back to my friends now, and if you want your manhood to remain in tact, I suggest you leave me alone. At least for twenty minutes. That's all I'm asking."

Edwin sighed dramatically.

"I suppose I could do that… if it's what you really want."

"Glad we've reached an agreement, then. See you." With that said, Lizzie turned on her heel and started back for the library.

"What. No kiss?" Edwin called out after her.

Her only response was to flip him the bird and continue on her way.

X

This chapter was originally going to be longer, but I've decided to use the next few scenes in chapter 3 instead. I hope you guys don't mind.

I would also like to thank NotAContrivance for helping me out with this chapter. I didn't quite know what I was going to do after the first chapter, but with her suggestions, I was able to sort things out. So… thank you, Lor!

Hmm… I wish I had more to say, but I don't, so I'll shut up now.

Please REVIEW!

-Lady Azura-