Casey knew it was this. This deep, affectionate look of love. And she only knew this because as he was looking into her eyes with this look; she was looking into his eyes with it.
"I'll help you, Casey." as he dropped her hands and without breaking the stare that they started, he simply hooked her necklace together.
"Thank you..What was it you needed again?" Casey didn't understand how it all happened. How her feelings somehow got defined with just that one look. Scared of the intense look they had started, she blinked her eyes lazily wanting to just close them and ignore the feelings she couldn't suppress any longer.
"Oh..what are you doing tonight?" Derek still watched her in the mirror. He didn't want to break the gaze they began. He finally got a look that wasn't one of confusion or had a blank void to it. He actually received one of the same looks that he always gave her. And he knew. He knew what that look was. And he couldn't help but smile. That's when he noticed as she blinked again that her body subconciously leaned backwards a little. So slightly that if he weren't mesmerized by her, he would never have noticed. He felt her small frame against his chest, very lightly. And he held back the desire to wrap his arms around her waist from behind.
"Well, Emily had invited me over to her house for one of our last movie-a-thons. Why?" Casey asked, suddenly picking her form up making it straight, suspiciously as she re-opened her eyes and saw a slow smile forming over his lips. She hadn't even noticed she was leaning until she felt her back graze his chest and stay there. "If you're worried I'll be going to any of the lame parties where your friends will be, I'm not. So if that's all you needed, you can go now. Again, thanks for helping me with my necklace."
"No, no, no. Casey. That's not what I was going to ask. I was wondering if..maybe before you went to Emily's, you could come with me to this park that I always used to go to when I was younger. And your welcome for the help on your necklace. You've always been a klutz with things, I just assumed you'd need the help." His famous smirk playing on his lips. He was so happy he just wanted to burst. He really thought this night might turn out easier than he previously thought it would. It might turn out right. Perfect.
"God, Derek. Stop being rude. I'm not as klutzy as I used to be. But then again, you've been so absent from this family for the past couple of months, it's understandable why you wouldn't notice." She smiled sweetly. This is exactly what she missed. This playful banter. Although, usually it turns to not so playful in a moment's time. But she didn't see the flash of anger that usually plays in his eyes after she responds like that. This time she saw pain. She saw hurt. She saw him visibly flinch at her words.
"Whatever, Casey. Have fun at Emily's tonight." He spoke as he walked to the doorway again, trying to get out of there as fast as could. She saw his eyes. She saw him inside. "Case? I'm sorry." he shrugged his shoulders sadly, gave her one last look, and then he was gone.
