Casey stood on the edge of the shore on Malibu Beach watching the tides roll in and out. Thinking of the song, "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay," that's how she felt. She was tired of being someone she wasn't—it was odd she knew, but the acting continued and became a daily routine. Smile, in front of the press and act like everything was ok in life—when in reality it wasn't. She was done with acting; that was a phase her in life—now she was ready for something that she loved to do; write. She had thought about it many of times—quit acting and write a book. But the idea never stayed too long in her mind though, and if she would be honest with herself – she was ready to go to college and have a normal life.
"What's up?" Derek asked taking her hand.
"Just thinking." Casey replied nonchalantly.
"Want to talk about it." Derek squeezed her hand three times and stared out at the sunset.
"We already have." Casey let go of his hand and sat on the sand.
"You know I have a theory about nights like these…" he looked at her
"Yeah, what's that?"
"They're not treasured, because of the beauty of the sunset, but the beauty of the person your with." Derek looked deep into her eyes.
"Where did that come from?" she asked softly
"My heart, but I have a point." He looked back at the ocean.
"You do?" she teased
"The beauty of a person is made by the person: their character, their goals, their dreams. Not just by the outward, physical beauty, and that's what I see in you. As much as you want everyone see who you really are—fun, loving, a musician, a writer, caring. Oh, and I think that's one of the admirable traits you have: caring. You would make a great nurse! You're still beautiful."
Derek chuckled as a few tears slipped down her cheeks.
"Thanks, that was sweet."
"Just the truth." He stood up and looked down out her and held out his hands. Knowing that right now she was vulnerable and not ready to take the next step in their relationship. As much as he wanted to kiss her—he knew he couldn't—not yet.
"I don't want to leave." Casey pouted—not wanting the moment to ever end, but she knew Michael and knew when he was done—he was done.
Derek wiggled his fingers and grinned, "Come. It's getting late and if you plan on doing any writing, and your practicing tonight you'll need to get home."
"O.k." Casey reluctantly got up. "When the season's done for Life as We Know It, what do you plan on doing?"
"Hockey." He gave her a devilish grin—knowing very well he wasn't any good at it.
"Right and I'm going to figure skate." She laughed he was such a klutz at times.
"Now that would be a site to see." Derek teased as he opened the door for her and got in on the other side. He drove her to her Spanish style house about a half a hour from the beach.
"Home." Casey let out a sigh.
"Not quite. That would be Canada."
"We should take a road trip." Casey got excited.
"Really… to where the moose live?" Derek raised his eyebrow and chuckled.
"You know for going on twenty, you act like a little kid." She giggled
"You should learn from me—you're always in deep thought about the future or if you should let world know that you love oldies!" he teased
"Hey, I like the Bee Gees!" she swatted his arm.
"About that road trip..." Derek put his hand on his chin and rubbed it as if in deep thought.
"To where the moose live…" Casey grinned
"Yeah, I've been thinking…"
"Now that's a shocker…"
"Two weeks from this Monday." Derek calculated getting out of the car and opening her door.
"Two weeks from Monday! Are you insane? There is no way I can be ready to go by then!" Casey sat there in awe.
"You can do it, I have faith in you." He said taking her house keys and opening it for her, "Now go practice on that Steinway and write a chapter or two and I'll call later." Derek commanded in a deep voice.
"Yes sir." Casey saluted walked into her home and kissed his cheek and he left—and part of her went with him. "This should be fun." She thought closing the door. Going into the living where her seven foot Steinway sat—she sat down on the stool and played a few mellow jazz songs. Then, starting into her routine practice time, but then she noticed a package on the table. "I wonder what that is?" she thougt, "I'll open it when I'm done." Then, she went back to practicing.