Chapter 2
The giggles from outside were silenced upon opening the door. Both Derek and Casey made it back before anyone was awake, and they walked upstairs as quietly as possible. Casey tripped up a step, and Derek silently turned around and laughed, "That is how I knew someone was in our house this morning."
Casey just shrugged annoyance with a smile as she got up and ascended the steps. Derek went back into his room to take a short nap, and Casey got ready to take a shower. She slowly crept out of her room into the bathroom. With the water running, she smiled as she stripped out of her clothes.
Casey hopped into the shower facing the showerhead. She slowly lathered the soap all over her body and sighing at the warmth of the water. Time sort of faded when she was in the shower, until she heard a knock at the door.
"Casey! I have to go to the potty!" Marti spoke loudly through the door. Casey disappointed finished rinsing off her body and turned off the water. She quickly wrapped the towel around and unlocked the door. She found Marti outside of it holding her crotch and doing a little pee dance.
"Here you go, Marti. Sorry I had to make you wait," Casey tried not to laugh at Marti's dance.
"S'okay, Casey, can you move now!" Marti rocketed past her starting to pull down her pants, and Casey shut the door chuckling at Marti. She noticed Derek in the hallway and smiled at him.
"Where's your antenna Spacey?" Her smile faded into annoyance until she saw his morning wood.
She laughed lightly, "Apparently, you have an extra antenna I didn't know about. Maybe I'm not the one from outer space," Casey gestured for Derek to look down at his crotch, and he looked and turned pink with embarrassment. Casey quickly walked into her room before he could say anything; she wanted to avoid this awkwardness at all costs.
Morning school rituals moved by in a blur. Edwin and Lizzie sort of sat in the kitchen like zombies while Derek chugged orange juice from the carton, always offering it to other people in the family who just stare at him. Marti hopped around the kitchen eating a pop tart, and George and Nora are slugs into the kitchen nursing their coffee.
**School**
Casey couldn't help but smile at her cheerful best friend.
"Casey!" Emily smiled.
"Emily," Casey said as she gave Emily an unexpected hug.
"What's that for?" Emily inquired with a smile.
"Can't a best friend hug another best friend?" Casey smiled immersing herself in Emily world.
"Sure, I guess so. I guess you didn't fight with Derek today," Emily laughed and then got more serious, "So, I have a question. What are you doing tonight?"
"Nothing really, probably studying. Do you want to have a sleep over or something?" Casey smiled always looking for a reason to get out of her house.
"Well, yes, we can have a sleep over, but tonight Jason Gats is throwing a Valentine's Day party. This is kind of huge. You and I were both invited, Casey, by Jason himself. We have to go. This is supposed to be one of the biggest parties of the year. Apparently, Jason's parents are going on a second honeymoon or something for Valentine's Day.
"We were invited?" Casey asked bewildered and somewhat alarmed.
"You bet. I did a project with Jason in Consumer Science class, and he thought that I was cool for helping us get an A. So, I was invited, and I was allowed to bring a couple girl friends. Of course I want you to go with me. If you don't go, also, my parents will probably not allow me to go. Afterwards, we can sleep at my house! Say 'Yes I'll come with you Emily!' " Emily said dramatically and made a puppy dog happy face at Casey.
Casey smiled with her friend because of her excitement. "Of course I want to go with you, Emily! But… do you think there will be drinking there?"
"Oh Casey. Don't be too concerned about alcohol. You and I don't have to drink. It will still be loads of fun, dancing and eating. I just want to go to that party," Emily smiled imagining the fun times they could have.
"Is Sheldon okay with you going?" Casey asked wondering if her un-single best friend would be allowed to go. Sheldon moved to Newfoundland with his family, but Emily and Sheldon were trying a long distance relationship. Casey assumed that it would be very difficult for Emily even if she did love Sheldon.
"Actually he is okay with it. No one should be alone on Valentine's Day, and he said I should go, but keep him in mind. Anyway, the thing is I sort of need a ride to the party. I know for a fact that Derek is going. So, do you think you could ask him to drive us there? And because we aren't going to drink, one of us could be the DD. Can you ask Derek?"
Casey twitched a smile as she nodded her head, "Em you know I'll go with you, and of course I'll ask Derek."
After she had agreed to go to the party, the day passed robotically. Casey's arm mechanically took notes during most of her classes, and she ate lunch silently listening to Emily buzz. She loved talking with Emily, but she couldn't stop thinking about the party. She was excited, and when she got excited for things, she planned possible scenarios them in her head. For example, I will walk into the party wearing some sort of cute dress. Then a boy will come and walk over to me, "Hey, Casey right? You look fantastic.'
'Thanks, I just sort of threw this on' (a five hour long process of throwing on).
What if something went wrong at the party: What if I trip in the door in front of that cute guy. What if someone spikes my drink? What if they don't play good music? What if I…
"Casey, hello! I was just talking to you," Emily poked Casey with annoyance.
"Sorry Emily, I was just thinking…" Casey tried to zone in on Emily's words but found herself just nodding and smiling. Casey couldn't believe how nervous she was for the party. The bell pulled Casey out of her worries and to her next class. The haze of school quickly passed.
Waiting for Derek at the Prince finally brought Derek out of her trance. Derek's presence refocused her. She was watching him as he strutted down on the sidewalk to the car. His backpack was slung over his right shoulder causing his walk to lean to one side. She chuckled at his swagger. The sun was still somewhat high in the sky and it lit Derek's hair on fire as he walked toward her.
"Derek, I have a question," Casey sighed as he walked close to her and unlocked the door on her side. Casey was nauseous with nervousness.
Casey breathed deep while stepping into the car, "You going to Jason's party tonight?"
"Yeah… How did you find out about it?" Derek asked.
"I was invited," Casey said in a small voice.
"What?" Derek asked turning his head to her.
"Yeah, I was invited," Casey said more confidently. "The thing is Emily and I need a ride to it," Casey blurted out.
"Okay, so what?," Derek said coolly.
"I was wondering if you would pick me and Emily up at her house. I could be the DD for the ride home. I promise not to bug you at the party. Emily just really wants to go," Casey pleaded.
Watching the road with one hand on the steering wheel he slyly smiled, "Ok, but on one condition."
"Well, what's the condition?" Casey huffed semi-frustrated but with a touch of concern.
"You can't be the DD," Derek said with a straight face but kept his eyes on the road.
"Are you kidding me?" Casey acted disgusted and bewildered, "Why?".
"That's the only condition, princess. Take it or leave it," Derek smirked, but he still didn't look at Casey. He continued the drive to their house and pulled into their driveway.
"So, what do you think, Case? Derek laughed
"Fine, but why?" Casey said as Derek opened the door and stepped out.
He looked back into the car at Casey who was still strapped in face in a worried thoughtful gaze, thinking about why Derek would care if she drank or not. "While you're on this planet, Spacey, you need to at least try to live like a normal human."
**
Emily's house was the same. Casey got consent from her mother to go to the party as well as sleep over Emily's afterwards and Casey sighed relief as she inhaled Emily's house smell. With a tote bag full of some party clothes, make up, pajamas and a toothbrush, Casey walked upstairs to Emily's room.
As Emily and Casey laughed and chatted while trying on dresses for the party, "So the teacher gave me an A instead of a C. Sometimes I can be so persuasive. Haha! I thought that was the funniest thing," Emily said as she was taking off her short blue baby doll dress.
Casey laughed as she watched Emily change, "Well it's a good thing you got an A, I mean writing that whole paper to get a C. That's the worst."
"Yeah, but let's focus. So you saw me in the blue one and the purple one. Which do you think Case? I just don't know what to wear to the party!" Emily sagged her shoulders a little in contemplation as she looked at her closet. Casey noticed that Emily was in her underwear and trying to reach on the tips of her toes something in the top of her closet, "I can almost reach this cute purse that might go with either one of the outfits."
She laughed at Emily and walked over to the closet, "Here, let me help you, Em." Emily tried one last time, but with no avail. She stepped aside and since Casey was taller, she grabbed the purse from the top and gave it to Emily. Casey giggled at her friend and moved over to Emily's bed. She sat down on Emily's soft, yellow comforter. Casey laid down on the bed in her green bra and hot pink underwear. She closed her eyes, "Derek said he would take us."
"Awesome!" Emily said while still looking through her closet.
"Well, it's sort of awesome," Casey sighed snuggling deeper into the comforter.
"Why isn't it fully awesome?" Emily looked over to her friend with mild concern.
"There is one condition Derek said," Casey sighed again but this time sat up and looked at Emily.
"What is it? Doing the dishes for a month or something?" Emily inquired.
"Derek is going to be the DD, and he is making me drink. Emily I don't want to damage my brain cells. I like them, and they have helped me get good grades. I remember at my old school the 8th graders took a trip to a health center, and the people their explained all the bad things that drugs and alcohol do. The alcohol hurts the dendrites, which are the ends to the brain cells, which affect communication in the brain. Emily, I'm scared." Casey blurted out and was almost to the point of tears.
Emily moved over to Casey on the bed and tried to sooth her, "We don't have to go to the party. It's okay. I mean there will always be other parties…" Emily rubbed Casey's back trying to calm her down.
"No, I know how much you want to go, I can't do that. Maybe I'll just try to avoid Derek all night, and if he tries to make me drink, I will. I'll just take the tiniest sip. You think that will work?"
"Yeah, I mean did he specify how much you were to drink, or what?" Emily prodded.
"No, he didn't. You're so smart Em. I could only have a sip, and I would be doing what Derek asked of me; You're so right!" Casey smiled and hugged her friend.
Emily smiled as her friend was calm again and changed the subject, "Something I know for sure that is right is that you would look killer in the baby-doll blue dress I tried on earlier, and I would look gorgeous in your short black skirt." Emily smirked as she threw the blue dress to Casey.
"Okay, but that dress is so short. Can I borrow black spandex pants to wear underneath?" Casey looked at how small the dress was and stepped into it. Her legs were long making the dress seem extra short.
"Duh!" Emily laughed as she pulled black spandex out of her drawer and handed them to Casey. Casey smiled at her friend and then searched the disheveled room for her makeup bag.
**
"Emily! It's 8:30, and Derek's here!" Emily's mom shouted from the downstairs.
"'Kay mom!" Emily yelled back to her mom. The girls finished putting the final touches on their hair and makeup. They also took a before party picture in which both girls made peace signs and kissing faces. Casey grabbed her clutch, and Emily dangled her digital camera from her wrist. They anxiously fluttered down the stairs, and Emily almost fell because of the heels she was wearing. Casey mentally laughed at Emily until she saw Derek.
Derek was talking to Emily's mom in the doorway and stopped when he saw Casey looking at him. She let out a huff of breath and looked at him with angry eyes of angst. He turned back to Emily's mom and smiled like an innocent angel as he told her about school and hockey. Casey rolled her eyes at how fake Derek was sometimes and finished walking down the stairs.
"Honey, you'll be home by 1… right?" Emily's mom smiled suggesting that Emily be home by one and no later.
"Yes mom," Emily said as she kissed him mom on the cheek.
"You look beautiful, love," Emily's mom smiled again, but this time her smile was sincere.
"Thanks mom, but we better get going," Emily said dismissing her mother.
"It was nice seeing you again, Derek and Casey," Em's mom called as the teens walked out of the house towards the car.
Derek's loud music drowned any chance of conversation on the way to the party, but it gave Casey a chance to think. Casey was anxious; her hands were shaking, her armpits were sweaty and her eyebrows could not un-furrow themselves. She was scared of drinking, and she thought it was stupid. Only people who were stupid drank, and Casey was far from stupid. Emily grabbed Casey's hand and squeezed it. She gave Casey a big excited smile, and Casey smiled apprehensively. Her lips quivered, and she let go of Emily's hand and gave her two thumbs up. That's when the car abruptly stopped and the music shut off.
"We're here…" Emily smiled anxiety as they both got out of the car.
"Yay!" Casey faked excitement and they both adjusted their dresses and skirts before heading into the party. Derek had rocketed out of the car them as soon they arrived at the party. At the door, the bass was shaking the house. Casey decided that she would try to have fun tonight despite drinking and she prayed that her plan would work. Casey would try to avoid Derek as much as possible, maybe he would even forget the condition.