A/N : I would just like to say thank you to CHRISTINE for the kind review and to every one of the readers. I really hope you enjoy this story and I will try to put up new chapters asap. :)

CHAPTER 2

Casey's heart sank when she returned home to her disheveled apartment. She sighed and thought to herself, 'Why does Derek have to be an inconsiderate jerk?'

She reflected on the argument they had that morning as she cleaned the apartment. She knew that Derek wasn't as horrible as she made him out to be and these past few years that they spent together at university were not so bad, give or take the occasional prank. Casey slowly realized that she may have been too harsh with Derek, but she didn't worry too much because he would probably come around in a few days to annoy her and all would be right in the world.

After tidying up the living room, Casey made herself some chamomile tea as preparation for her daily power study and she was just about to take her first sip when she heard her cell phone ring.

Casey smiled when she saw the caller and said, "Hi, Sam."

"Hey, Casey. I was just wondering, have you heard from Derek lately?"

"No, not recently. We kind of got into a fight this morning, what else is new? He's probably putting in some face time with one of his friends if you know what I mean," Casey said suggestively.

"Hmmm... You're probably right, Case. I'll let you get back to your daily power study" Sam said with a laugh and he could hear Casey gasp.

He chuckled again and said, "Derek told me about those."

"Ha ha, Sam." Casey rolled her eyes and grunted a mental 'Der-ek!' and then said, "Remind me to thank Derek for enlightening you. Good night, Sam."

Sam smiled and said, "Good night, Casey."

- ONE WEEK LATER-

Casey decided to skip her daily power study today and headed to a bar named 'Aura'. Derek liked to go to Aura with his buddies from the university hockey team and would call Casey to pick him up when he was too smashed to drive, much to her dismay. This time, however, Casey was there to look for Derek since she had not seen or heard from him in a week which was not like him at all.

When Casey arrived at Aura, she maneuvered her way through the modernistic-themed bar crowded with students from the university and she even spotted a few of her classmates. But Casey did not greet them, she was on a mission and did not have time to socialize. She scanned the bar and a few booths that Derek and his friends typically inhabited, but there was no sign of him anywhere. Suddenly Casey felt a hand on her elbow and she spun around causing her hair to fly in her face. She looked down to part the hair from her face and started to say, "Der-", but when she looked up she saw Max Miller smiling down at her.

"Max!" Casey said breathlessly due to her current state of shock. "What are you doing here?"

Max motioned to a nearby booth crowded with people, "I'm here with a few friends. I go to a university not too far from here. What about you? I really didn't think this was your scene or have you changed that much?"

Casey smiled and replied, "You're right, this isn't my scene. I am just looking for someone."

Max's smile faltered slightly, "Who? Your boyfriend?"

Casey scoffed, "I wish. No, I'm just looking for Derek. We got into a fight and I haven't heard from him in a while. Have you seen him?"

Max looked around and said, "No, I have been here since seven and I haven't seen him at all. I wouldn't be too worried though, you and Derek always fight. Why don't you come over and have a drink with me and my friends?"

Casey looked at Max and all of her old, unresolved feelings for him came rushing back. She slowly nodded and said, "Sure. Why not?"

Max put his arm around Casey and led her to the booth. Casey smiled and waved hello to everyone. After an hour of small talk and two non-alcoholic drinks, Casey gestured to Max that it was time for her to go. Max walked her to her car and said with his signature smile, "I had a great time tonight, Case. Maybe you could give me your number and we can hang out again sometime."

Casey blushed, "Sure. Anytime."

Max kissed her on the cheek and headed off to rejoin his friends in the bar while Casey floated home on a cloud. Casey had not felt this way in a long time due to her commitment to her rigorous academic studies for the past two years at university. She would never have imagined that a blast from her high school past would be her first college romance.

She glided into her apartment, grabbed her phone and lay down on her sofa. She was bursting with excitement and she had to call Emily.

"Hello," Emily answered.

"Hi, Em. You would never believe what happened tonight?" Casey squealed.

Emily's curiosity peaked, "Come on, Casey. Spill!"

"I ran into Max tonight! I went to this bar called-"

Emily cut Casey off and shouted, "You went to a bar!"

"Yes, Em. Only to look for Derek, but I found Max and all of my old feelings for him resurfaced. This is the second chance I have been waiting for."

"Why were you looking for Derek?" Emily asked thoughtfully.

"He and I got into a fight about a week ago and I haven't heard from him. I was just a little worried," Casey said reluctantly.

Emily clearly surprised said, "Wow, I'd never thought I would live to see the day that Casey McDonald wants Derek Venturi back in her life."

"Jeez, Em. You make me sound like I completely hate him, which I don't. He's just so annoying sometimes. But, it doesn't mean that I like him either, I just want to make sure he isn't dead or anything," Casey said sounding a little frustrated.

"Whatever you say, Case. I better go, I have an early class tomorrow. Good night," Emily said before hanging up.

Casey put her cell phone in its usual charging place and headed to bed, thinking about Emily's comment about her wanting Derek back in her life and what that would actually mean.