Author's NoteI hope this chapter isn't boring. Derek's a total jerk in this chapter, but he's a really great guy! I promise! I love reviews! And of course constructive criticism!
Disclaimer I don't own Life with Derek. Unless I own your pinky and Micheal Seater. Which I don't. Or do I?
Casey walked back in the house, and went up the stairs to her room. She was hoping that another letter with the response would just appear, but logic told her that things like that don't just happen.
After about an hour of pouring herself over notes from classes and finishing her homework, Casey headed down the stairs to eat a snack. Lizzie looked up at her from the couch and smiled. Casey of course smiled but said nothing. Edwin crossed her path and folded his arms, blocking her.
"Um, excuse me." She was highly annoyed.
"Not until you hear me out." Casey shifted. "About a week ago I discovered something behind the toilet seat." Her nose scrunched up.
"Ew!"
"It was a bracelet." Edwin then pulled a dark green braided bracelet with beads reading 'Casey'. "I assume it's yours."
"I've never seen that in my life." Casey shrugged her shoulders, and tried to go past him.
"Well I doubt it's anyone else's in the house, maybe Sam accidentally left it here. Ask around, I'm tired of holding onto it." Edwin then shoved it purposefully in her hand and let her pass.
As she walked silently to the kitchen, she slipped it on her wrist.
A perfect fit.
Lizzie walked in after her, smiling still. Casey laughed because her face was a funny-dorky-happy look.
"Why are you so happy?"
"I thought you'd never ask!" Lizzie held out her arms excitedly.
"Why?"
"Jamie asked me out!"
"Aww. That's so cute! I thought you didn't like him though…"
"I do! You're so thick." Casey sighed and hugged her sister.
"In any case, I'm happy for you!" She smiled downward. Lizzie's first boyfriend was sure to be a nice experience for her.
Derek walked in arrogantly as always.
"Why are we happy for Lizzie?" He looked down to Lizzie, curious.
"I'm going out with Jamie finally!"
"Oh. You have a girlfriend too?" Lizzie's mouth fell open.
"You take that back! Jamie's a BOY!" Her finger was pointed angrily in the air. Derek scoffed and turned away. Lizzie took that moment to kick the back of his knee. He fell forward a little and turned with a look of shock and fury. After a moment to let the shock settle, he chased Lizzie out of the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Casey was laughing so hard she was in tears.
Dinner was a normal meal of plain chicken and rice. In Casey's mind she decided to make casserole tomorrow, given her mom had nothing already planned for dinner. Tonight's dinner was filled with buzzed conversation.
"So Lizard, anything new with you?" Nora asked curiously. Edwin piped up.
"Yeah! She's got a boyfriend. Remember Jamie from our party?" George and Nora nodded their heads. "That's him." Derek smirked.
"There's also someone else who has a new 'special friend'." He looked at Casey, who glared at him, knowing what was coming. How predictable. Leave it to someone like him to drag this out. Once I find out it's a guy, I'll throw it in his face. Then he'll have to shut up.
"Oh really? Who? You?" George asked obliviously.
"Casey has a girlfriend." He said matter-o-factly. Casey crossed her arms and everyone's eyes were on her.
"I don't have a girlfriend. I have a secret admirer. And just because I don't know if it's a boy, does not mean it's a girl." Her face was red with embarrassment, even though it was just her family. The thought of her with a girl was ludicrous.
"Derek, don't say things like that!" Lizzie interjected annoyed with Derek's lesbian-type thoughts.
"Yeah, if it's not true, don't say it." Nora spoke sternly.
"It could be true. She doesn't know." He ate a bite of the chicken.
"I don't know the gender, but I know I'm not going out with them. You're so unintelligent. Try reading a book, or actually doing something with your life instead of slacking your way thinking idiotic things!"
"Casey, that's not a very nice thing to say." George commented calmly.
"So! I'm sick of him! He drags things out, even if it's not true! Here you are defending him like always! No one stops to think about how much he torments me. I can't take it anymore! I've loved school more than I ever have before and I only have a few friends, I can't stand being in my own home because he's made it so incredibly unbearable!" Derek's eyebrows raised and he smirked as though her pain was humorous. She slammed the fork down next to her plate and ran up the stairs.
Pacing in her room, she yelled out random words. It wasn't even a huge deal till he made it a huge deal. Just like he does with everything else. Why does he hate me so much? I wouldn't be a jerk to him if he wasn't so obnoxious. I'm a very nice person but he thinks I'm some random bitch kid of the wife his dad married. A year and we still fight! A year and he still hates me! It won't get better; I was a fool to think it would. A knock on her door resonated through the room.
"Come in, unless you're Derek…" Casey said loud enough to be heard. George walked in and shut the door behind him. She sat in the computer chair and looked at George. He was clueless, but he was a good person. It was his son she disliked.
"Sorry about dinner." He sat down on the edge of her bed.
"You're not the one that hurt my feelings."
"Sounded like I did."
"Sorry…I guess I tend to over-react." George coughed uncomfortably.
"Well, I'll try to talk to Derek. I do, but he doesn't seem to get it. I'm sorry, but I can't make him stop. If I had some magical remote that would make him stop, I wouldn't have hesitated to use it, but I don't. I'm sorry kiddo." Casey looked down. A small wave of guilt came over her. She didn't want George to feel sorry or guilty; she wanted Derek to feel sorry and guilty.
But he wouldn't. I guess it's time to come to terms with things.
George left the room after Casey got a few things about Derek off her chest. She paced the room; listening to a CD she bought last weekend when she was at the mall with Emily. When the thoughts of anger stilled, she decided to sleep.
