A/N: I know this is a really quick update, but I am super motivated to write this story. Thank you for all the views! And the two reviews I got were great! It really makes me wanna write more for you guys. I get so excited when I see a new view! There will definitely be more to come. Let me know what you think of this chapter. It wasn't exactly the way I wanted it, but I think it fits the character's well. The only OOC part is that Derek blushes. I know Derek doesn't blush, but it just really fit the story. Anyway, sorry for my rambling! Please review and follow. I'm always up for constructive criticism. I'll update again with in the next couple of days. I've already started the next chapter. Thanks!

Casey flung another t-shirt in her bag. She had wanted to pack tidily and concisely, but Derek had unplugged her alarm clock, giving her only minutes to pack and get ready for school. She hadn't thrown as big of a fit as Derek had anticipated, but he knew it was really getting to her. He watched from her doorway grinning. Occasionally, Casey would throw a dirty look his way, but she was snubbing him for the most part.

"Lighten up, Princess! I'm just trying to have some fun!" Derek snorted, but quickly stopped when Nora approached the doorway.

"Enough," She warned both of them while heading into Marti's room.

Derek walked over to Casey's bed and plopped down. Casey scowled at him as he fingered through her belongings. She didn't say anything though. Derek hated it when she didn't say anything. He'd rather her scream and yell. When she was silent, it could be lethal. Casey was enraged inside. Derek had already ruined her night. Now, he was ruining her morning. She could murder him. She knew giving him the silent treatment was really juvenile, but she couldn't help it. He had made her so livid. He didn't even apologize. She shouldn't have been surprised though. The great Derek Venturi did not apologize.

Derek left the room a couple minutes later, realizing he wouldn't be able to break Casey's silence. Plus, he had almost apologized which seriously crept him out. He didn't apologize not to anyone. Especially not to Casey. He didn't know why his feelings were varying all of a sudden. Everything was so complicated when it came to his step-sister. His feelings were all jumbled up, and he was honestly too scared to try and sort them out. He didn't do feelings. Not now. Not ever. He bumped into Marti as he strolled down the hallway.

"Smarti!" He beamed, picking her up and throwing her in the air.

Marti snickered, "Smerek! I have to get ready for school!"

Derek set her down gently and ruffled her hair tenderly. She bounced down the hallway and headed straight to the bathroom. Derek smiled after her. He had always had a soft spot for that little girl. Casey came barging out of her room and jogged down the steps. Derek groaned and followed. He knew she must be ready. Derek could hear Nora asking Casey what happened in the kitchen, and he prepared for the punishment he was sure to receive. However, Casey just shrugged and said that she overslept. Derek stopped dead in his tracks. Casey had just lied to her mom, so he wouldn't get in trouble.

Casey didn't know why she had lied to her mom. She told herself she just didn't want the argument that was sure to follow, but for some reason she knew that wasn't true. She didn't want Derek to get into any more trouble. She didn't know why because she was furious with him. Her mom continued to pack their lunches. Derek strolled nonchalantly into the kitchen. Casey silently prayed he hadn't heard her lie for him, but when he winked at her, she knew he did. She sighed in loathing and avoided his eyes. Nora handed each of them their lunch and told them she would see them after school.

Derek grabbed the keys to The Prince and waltzed out of the house after Casey who had stormed out ahead of him. Casey was already sitting in the car, a resigned look on her face, when Derek climbed in. He leaned forward to turn on the radio, but Casey pushed his hand away from it. He thought about challenging her, but considering the mood she was in, he knew it would be best for him to just leave it. She stared out the window the entire way to school, and once they pulled into the parking lot, Casey hurried to the building. 'Great. Two weeks of the silence treatment' thought Derek.

Casey stormed to her locker, running her fingers self-consciously through her hair. She tossed her books into the locker and tried to get her hands to stop trembling. She didn't know what was wrong with her. Derek was either pushing her over the edge or…. She didn't want to finish the rest of her thought. It just crept her out way too much. Emily came up behind her, surprising her.

"Woah, Case. Are you okay?" She asked her best friend, worried.

Casey shook her head, "No! My mom and George are forcing me to spend two weeks with Derek! Alone."

"Really?" Emily said, raising her eyebrows. "So you'll be gone all spring break with Derek.

She nodded, a look of disgust and discomfort on her face.

"I'm sure it will be fine," Her best friend said, trying to comfort her.

"Nothing is ever fine with Derek,"

The two friends made their way into their English classroom. Derek's sit was empty, and Casey figured he was somewhere trying to make out with some cheerleader. For some reason, the thought made her sick. Granted, she never liked to think about Derek making out with someone, this feeling was very different. If Casey didn't know better, she'd think she was envious. That was absurd though. Jealous of who got to make out with Derek? More like she pitied the poor girl. Derek, Sam, and Ralph made their way into the classroom moments before the bell rang. Casey sighed when Derek sat directly behind her. She turned around and scowled at him. The class seemed to drag on for Casey which was odd because English was her favorite subject. Derek threw paper at the back of her head the entire period, but Casey didn't say a word. As much as she wanted to shout at him, she was trying not to let him get the best of her. Plus, she had other things on her mind. When the bell rang, Casey stormed out of the room. Emily followed behind her trying to keep up.

Derek was barely listening to what Sam was saying. His mind was racing. Why was Casey being so strange? He'd thrown paper at the back of her head for almost an hour, and she didn't say one word. He was almost concerned. Casey was a spaz. She couldn't go two minutes without screeching at him or someone else.

"D, are you even listening?" Ralph asked, staring at his best friend.

Derek nodded, "Hmm? Yeah. Of course."

"So, you're coming tonight?" Sam asked, as Derek turned towards them.

"Can't," Derek sighed, as he told them the story.

"Brutal," Ralph nodded.

Sam sighed in agreement.

Casey stormed into Paul's office, boiling. Paul looked up from the paperwork that was sprawled across his desk. Casey plopped down in the chair across from him and started to tap her fingers on the desk.

"You okay?" Paul asked, apprehensively.

"No, I'm not okay!" Casey exploded as she stood up from the chair and started to pace. "First, Derek puts my favorite bra in the freezer. Then, he gets me punished. And then he blames me for being punished when he put the bra in the freezer! And the Mom and George are making me spend two weeks with-with- him! He is so repulsive. How am I supposed to spend my last spring break as a high-schooler in the middle of nowhere with DEREK!"

Paul took a deep breath and signaled for Casey to sit back down, "Maybe, it'll be good for you two. Give you some kind of understanding and appreciation for each other."

"Derek? You do realize we're talking about Derek?" asked Casey doubtfully. "Derek doesn't have an understanding or appreciation for anything."

"You don't know that, Casey." Paul reprimanded her, "You're not giving him the benefit of the doubt."

"I've lived with him for four years! I've tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, but every time I think that he's changed, he goes back to being a giant jerk.

"I know," He nodded understandingly. "Maybe, he's scared of a shift in his relationship with you."

Casey laughed, "What relationship? The one where he unendingly taunts me! What kind of relationship is that? God, sometimes I wish-I wish- I wish my mom never even married George."

Paul sighed, "Casey, you don't mean that. Think about all the good times you've had with the Venturi family. Including Derek."

Casey got to thinking. It was true. She loved Marti and Edwin. Sure, Edwin would grow up to be another version of Derek, but he was thoughtful. He was always trying to help her. Marti was the sweetest little girl Casey had ever met, and she loved being her big sister. George was always trying to step in for her father who never wanted to come around. Derek had even been there for her time and time again. Paul waited patiently as he saw Casey maul over what he had told her. He was happy she'd stopped tapping her fingers. Paul could see a change in her, and he grinned.

"Yeah. You're right," Casey finally nodded, giving him a small smile.

"Do you feel better?" He asked, prepared for another rant.

She just nodded, "I do. Thanks Paul."

"No problem," He smiled as she rushed out of his office.

Paul laughed faintly to himself. It was happening.

Derek glanced around the lunchroom for Casey. He saw Emily and Kendra sitting at a table near one of the windows, but she wasn't there. He scanned the line, but he couldn't see her. Finally, he saw her strut into the cafeteria. She looked a lot better than she had that morning. She sat down next to Emily and launched into telling an extremely animated story. The girls giggled as Casey continued. Derek found himself laughing too. Ralph and Sam shot him a weird look and followed his eyes. They looked at each other and shared a knowing glance. Derek didn't seem to notice though. He was too focused on Casey.

"Derek!" Sam laughed, slapping his arm. "You're staring!"

"What?" Derek said, blushing a little. "More like glaring. She took my spring break away!"

Ralph rolled his eyes, "Sure."

"Whatever," Derek grumbled, getting up to throw his trash away.

Casey finished her story, and her friends dissolved into another fit of laughter. Casey found herself chuckling too. She was happy she went to talk to Paul. He always knew the right thing to say. He could always make her feel better. She noticed Derek watching her, and she figured he was still blaming her for what happened. She just brushed it off. She didn't want to think about Casey right then.

"Casey," She heard a voice whisper behind her.

Casey turned around and came face to face with Truman. Her face fell. Emily quickly got up and put herself between the two. Kendra followed suit.

"Just let me talk to you," He begged, meeting her gaze.

Her lip had begun to tremble, "Truman don't,"

"Casey, I'm sorry!" He said, reaching out for her.

She looked down, "No."

When she looked up again, another figure had come between her and Truman. She saw Derek grab a hold of Truman's collar.

"I told you to stay away from her." He growled, pointing his finger in Truman's face.

Sam and Ralph were on either side of Derek, prepared to either join in the fight or break it up.

"This doesn't really concern you," breathed Truman bravely.

"Anytime someone hurts that girl, it concerns me. Now, get out of here." Derek said, trembling with anger.

Truman sighed, "Bye Casey."

Casey didn't say a word. She just looked at Derek, surprised. What the hell was going on? This morning he couldn't stand her. Now, he was defending her. Derek looked back at her.

"Are you okay?" He asked, seriously.

She nodded, "Yes."

Derek nodded curtly and went back to his lunch table. Ralph and Sam followed nodding at Casey. The cafeteria had become silent. Everyone was watching the exchange between the step-siblings. Emily was talking quietly to Emily, and Kendra was rubbing her shoulder warmly.

"Mr. Venturi," A voice rang out.

Derek turned around and sighed. He came face to face with their principal.

Casey stood outside the principal's office, tapping her foot anxiously. She didn't want Derek in trouble for something she caused. After what seemed like forever, Derek came out, a pained expression on his face. He smiled slightly when he saw Casey's concerned face.

"Are you okay? Are you in trouble? Do you want me to go talk to him? I'll tell him it was my fault," Casey said, wide-eyed.

"Chill." Derek chuckled, "I just got a warning."

Casey let out a sigh of relief. Derek threw an arm around her. Casey smiled, but quickly stopped herself. She brushed his arm off of her. Derek blushed a little, embarrassed. Casey didn't notice. She was lost in thought.

When the last bell rang, Casey felt drained. She went to her locker and pulled out most of her books. She knew she'd need them to entertain her out at the lake. She was also bringing two literature books to read. Her mom had already told her there wouldn't be internet connection and limited cell phone service. She wondered what Derek would do. Most likely drive her absolutely insane. She was still stunned by the way Derek reacted to Truman today. He had tried to protect her once again. It was strange, but Casey kind of liked it.

Derek slammed his locker shut. What was he thinking taking care of Casey like that? Had he lost his mind? Now, he was right back in the same situation as he was back in Toronto. His mixed emotions were weighing on him. All he knew was that when someone hurt Casey, it hurt him too. He sighed banging his head against the cool metal of the locker. This is not happening.

Casey walked to The Prince alone. She'd said her goodbyes to Kendra and Emily. She was struggling to carry her heavy book bag. Suddenly, she felt someone take the bag from her. She turned to yell at Derek, but then she saw that he was actually trying to help her.

"Jesus, how many bodies are in here?" He asked, winking at her. "As long as Truman is one, I won't tell!"

Casey laughed, "Thanks,"

He nodded as he put her back pack into the back seat. She slid into the passenger seat smoothly. They began their journey home not knowing what the future may hold for them.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Don't forget to comment and review! Thanks! XOXO