I don't own life with Derek. Sorry for the many spelling errors in the last chapter.


Mercedes' Point of View

I stood in front of my bedroom mirror, brushing my long, dark, chocolate brown hair. I had tried to straighten it, but it was already starting to go back to its normal wavy texture. It's not that I didn't like the way it looked, but it was about time for a change. I had the same old beach waves everyday. Maybe my mom was right .... It was time to invest in some hair product. Weird.

I didn't have anything special on. Just my lime green soccer tee-shirt from last season, a pair of skinny jeans (not too tight), some converses, and some eyeliner and mascara. Just my normal.

I sighed, finally giving up the fight with my hair. I decided my best option was a ponytail, with my sidebangs left down, and a pink bandana folded to look like a headband. Once I was done with my 'new do', I looked in the mirror and shrugged .... It was okay. A little frizzy and carefree, but in a good way ... kind of.


Twenty minutes later, I was standing out front of Casey's house. The location of the par-tay. I had to make this good. Max had given me fifty bucks to crash this thing, and I sure as hell was going to live up to my promise. Besides, I had a chance to destroy Casey McDonald, the girl that crushed Max. After all, he was my cousin. Family hasta' stick with family.

Slowly, I reached out and pushed the doorbell. She opened the door in seconds.

"Mercedes!" Casey exclaimed, a hint of disappointment in her tone. I didn't care.

"This the right place?" I asked jokingly, doing a cheesy little 'hello there' wave.

"Yep, come in," She said, her smile big and bright. I almost burst out laughing at how fake it was.

"So ... ehhmmm ..." I paused, " you got food?"

Casey shut the door with a slam, looking a little stiff and awkward. "Uh, yeah, in the kitchen. Don't spill anything? Please?"

"No problemo, Commander Casey," I giggled, launching myself towards the kitchen.

Her house was nice, I had to admit. But the kitchen was ... too perfect. It was everything I expected out of a place she lived in. God, imagine what her family is like. That thought sent shivers up my spine. The thought of a family of control freaks scared the shit out of me.

I spotted a bowl of chips sitting on the counter, and I couldn't help but many take a few. I was just sitting there, savoring their salty flavor, when I heard a voice from behind.

"And you are?"

I turned around, finding myself face to face with a pair of mud brown eyes. It was Derek, the boy Casey complained about constantly. I had known the girl for three days, and she had mentioned him twenty or so times. Trust me, I had been counting. I smiled my goofy smile, "Mer-ce-des! Just moved here," I said, stuffing another chip into my mouth after I finished. Hey, I couldn't help myself.

Derek seemed skeptic. "You don't seem like someone Casey would invite to one of her 'parties'," he folded his arms.

"Yeah, well, I don't exactly think Casey likes the fact that I'm here."

"Seriously?"

"Yeps."

"High five!" He help up his hand, and I responded with the usual slap.

"So I see you're here to make your stepsister miserable as well?"

"Uhmm, duh. Why else do you think I'd be at this thing? It's practically a nursing home in here."

"Why? Because everyone here is basically dead?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

"I see, I see," I shook my head. "Good observation."

I glanced over my shoulder, and my heart sunk as I saw Casey approaching. She pipped up from across the kitchen, "Der-ek!"

"What the hell is it now, Spacey?" Derek muttered, just loud enough for her to here.

"Can I maybe speak with you?" She paused. "Alone?"

"Trying to dump me, McDonald?" I inserted, trying to add a bit of humor to the conversation. Derek was the only one that laughed. Casey just folded her arms.

"Please, Derek?" she said, looking pretty mean.

"Whatever." He looked over at me. "I'll be back in a minute?"

"Hmmmm. I don't know if I'll still be here in a minute. Can I have a friendly high five goodbye? Just in case?" I glanced over at Casey. She looked like steam was about to come out of her ears.

"But of course."


Mercedes: 1 Casey: 0

Really bad, I know.