I have different parts of the story vaguely formed in my head, and other parts I have no idea what I'm going to do. So just bear with me. Some chapters may seem really well developed and well written, and others may seem like crap. I apologize now. I'm going to do the absolute best I can.
And I forgot the disclaimer last chapter, so here it is. I own nothing except this fictional story, plot, and any new characters. The show Life with Derek, the known characters, etc are already owned. This disclaimer applies to all chapters. I'll forget otherwise, and I hope someone wouldn't be stupid enough to try sue me *rolls eyes*.
The first few weeks of summer were difficult. Following their "same difference" conversation, Derek and Casey hardly said a word to the other beyond what was absolutely necessary. Lizzie and Edwin had almost immediately noticed the new tension between the eldest children, and more than a few times they could be found either simply watching the stiff exchanges between the two or locked up in a room whispering with one another. Nora and George, though slightly more oblivious with everything they had to think about, such as the coming baby, still recognized that there was something wrong but refrained from doing anything.
Marti and Daphne made a new language and could frequently be found meowing together.
LwD
Almost halfway through summer, one of Derek's distant "friends" threw a final before-college party. Derek and Emily went together in the Prince, and Truman picked Casey up separately. Both relationships had gradually become more and more strained until nearly everyone involved realized they would be ending very soon; the party was a last-ditch effort to have fun before the inevitable break-ups.
When Casey and Truman arrived, the party was already in full swing, people dancing, making out, and drinking. Derek and Emily were nowhere to be seen, and Casey could only imagine what they were doing. Within minutes they both had drinks and were dancing—or, more appropriately, Casey was dancing and Truman was trying to grind against her. Finally, when she couldn't take anymore, she excused herself to get a breath of fresh air.
Breathing a sigh of relief when she felt the warm night air hitting her skin, she sat down on the front porch, feeling the music beat through the wood against her. Leaning back on her hands, she tilted her head up to look at the stars and to think.
What had she been thinking? Derek wasn't her brother. He never would be. She hadn't sorted through her thoughts and feelings about him just yet—it was scary just to think about—but she knew her words that night were a lie. It was not the same difference. And now it was just weird between the two of them. She never thought she'd say this, but she missed getting in fights with Derek. She wanted to talk to him, but she didn't know what to say or how to bring it up. But it had to happen soon, before university started.
Casey exhaled and rotated her head, trying to get the tension out of her neck and shoulders. She'd been out here a while; it was probably time to join Truman again. With a resigned sigh, she went back in to the nearly visibly shaking house and began searching for her boyfriend. Catching sight of Derek and Emily dancing, she forced herself to keep walking. Finally she saw Truman—with another girl. They weren't kissing—yet —only flirting heavily. She raised an eyebrow at them and shook her head. Enough was enough. Calmly walking over, she gave a fake smile to the girl, then turned to Truman.
"Truman, we're done. Enjoy your summer, and good luck at university." She started to leave but was stopped by a hand grabbing her arm.
"Casey, what are you talking about? We still have the rest of the summer! Me and Lucey were just talking!" He ignored "Lucey's" muttered "Lacy".
"Truman, get real. We were going to break up soon anyway, might as well be now. Now you can flirt with whoever you want. I really don't care anymore." Again she tried to leave, but he still hadn't removed his hand.
"We are not done! I say when we're done and we're not! Now—" Suddenly his hand was forcibly removed from Casey's arm by another hand. Derek. He barely spared Casey a second glance as he shoved Truman away from Casey.
"She said it's over. That means it's over. Now get a life and go." Derek crossed his arms and stood in front of Casey.
"Since when do you care? She's just your sister." Truman sneered at him.
"Whatever her relation is to me is of no importance. If a girl says you are done, you are done. Especially Casey. You've put her through her share of hell. Now she's done with you. So go." Derek didn't move, just watched as Truman finally gave up and stalked off with Lacy in tow.
"Derek, you didn't have to do that. But thank you." Casey laid a hand on his arm and smiled at him. He shook it off and scowled.
"Just being a good brother, right? No thanks needed." He began to storm off, then stopped and looked over his shoulder at her. "Leaving at 2. Be there or find another ride."
LwD
After they had dropped Emily off, they returned to the dark house and did their best to be quiet as they climbed the stairs to their rooms. However, instead of continuing to her room and going to bed, Casey stopped at Derek's door and turned to look at him. He had to stop abruptly to keep from running into her then scowled at her for the second time that night.
"Are you such a goody-goody that the party keeps you from finding your own room?" She rolled her eyes then became serious once more.
"We need to talk, Derek. About…this." She gestured between the two of them. She didn't know exactly what she was referring to, but there was no other way to phrase it.
He stared at her. "This? What's this? We're siblings, acting like siblings." Casey could tell his own words angered him when his jaw tightened when he finished.
"But we're not siblings! Whatever I said I was wrong! You're not my brother. Even if you were, you haven't been acting like it since we talked." Casey was frustrated, but fear of what could be or what could happen kept her from saying anymore.
"What happened to "same difference"? Hmm?" He leaned over her, his eyes dark and intense and pinning her against his door.
"I was wrong. It's not the same." She spoke quietly, her blue eyes locked on his brown eyes.
He remained quiet, not breaking eye contact. Then he leaned in closer, only millimeters, but it seemed like inches. "Are you sure?" he whispered. His arms were braced on either side of her, and his breath kept fanning over her face.
She knew what he was asking. He was asking if she was ready for whatever might happen in the future between them. He was asking if she could handle it without they tried to make it work. He knew her, inside and out, and he was asking her if she would be okay not knowing what would happen.
She loved planning and organizing and sorting. It made life easier, more manageable. It helped her to know and prepare for what could happen. But, with Derek, there was no planning. She knew if anything happened, she would have to try to let it happen and not plan the future. Could she do that?
She searched his face. His eyes, his face, his mouth. Especially his mouth. Then her gaze flicked back up to his eyes. She smiled slightly, then answered, "Yes."
He smiled a little in return. One hand came away from the wall to push her hair away and lightly run down the side of her face, then he pushed away from her.
"Okay." And pushing her aside gently, he entered his room and closed the door.
Ok, forgive me. I'm not sure if this will end up going where I had originally planned it to go, but it will go somewhere. Derek's insults/pranks may be subpar because I'm not exactly good at those, but I will do my best. And I will do my best to keep them as in character as possible, but no promises.
I hope yall like it. Review?
