Chapter 3

"Anything but silence, anything you say, will stay in my head for days…"

Tuesday flew by at school for Casey. She was excited and little anxious about tonight. Everything had to be right. Derek wouldn't be there. Her family would let Andrew and herself study without hassling them. Everything was going to be great. At least that's what she kept telling herself.

She was simply hoping for the best.

The afternoon bell rang letting the student body out of the last class of the day. The kids filed down the hall, making their ways to the cars and buses respectively. But Casey made her way to Andrew's locker. He wasn't there yet so she waited for him. Glancing at her watch, she thought, 'He wouldn't stand me up would he?'

Then he appeared beaming at her with his sparkling brown eyes. She grinned, feeling brainless for even thinking he would do such a thing as stand her up. He was different than that. He had to be.

"Hey Casey!" He walked closer to her and leaned against his locker. "So, uhh, are you ready to go?"

She smiled once again, "Yeah let's get out of here."

The car ride to her house consisted of learning all she could about Andrew Taylor. He was so open and talkative about his past. She listened intently as he told her about how he grew up with his parents and little sister, how he loved hockey and had played since was a kid. They talked so much about little unimportant things, but things that made up a person. She felt like she knew him already, so well.

She told him all about her childhood, the divorce of her parents, and the subsequent marriage of her mom and George. Purposefully she left out a few details. The parts where she was a social outcast when she first moved here. And the fact that she hadn't completely shed that image.

He was perfect, she thought. Just the guy she needed. He wasn't going to put her down or make her feel bad about herself. He told her she was pretty. He told her she was smart. Andrew wasn't just some guy, he was amazing, to her. And she hadn't known him, but all of two days. Things could only get better.

When they reached her driveway she spoke out, "Oh, here it is. This is my house."

"Nice place," he responded as they turned onto the concrete path.

As she opened her car door and they made their way to the front door she decided she should warn him, "My family can be crazy, so you know, prepare yourself," she laughed, "But you'll get to meet everyone who matters, then we can get to studying."

He smiled down at her as she walked through the door. But her face quickly contorted into a frown as she walked into the foyer.

"Hi, what took you so long getting home, Case?" Derek said, coming down the stairs, smirking. "Lots of after school bookwork? I know you weren't with any friends. Being you don't have a lot of those…"

"And…who are you?" he asked rudely, turning his eyes to Andrew. This kid was walking in his house like he belonged there. That had to change…immediately. He would make him feel unwelcome.

"I'm Andrew Taylor, Casey's friend. I just moved to your town, new to your school. Are you Casey's brother?" he said reaching out his hand, in order to shake Derek's. "We haven't met."

Derek simply stood with his arms folded, unmoving. He looked Andrew over from his white sneakers to his preppy clothes to his perfectly styled hair. He sneered, 'How could he not know me?' He was Derek Venturi. Everyone knew who he was in that school.

Casey eyed him, unblinking. She knew he practically hated her, but why would he do this? She thought he understood to stay away tonight. She felt like she wanted to cry. He was going to ruin this. He would, she knew it.

"Oh, hello," Nora called out as she entered the living room. "Casey who's your friend?" She hadn't even heard her mother speaking to her, "Casey?"

Casey's eyes were transfixed on Derek, who was staring at Andrew, giving him the once over. Nora stood puzzled looking between the two.

Andrew cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Hi, Ms. McDonald, I'm Andrew. I go to school with Casey. I came over study with her. I'm new here so she has been nice enough to help me fit in and get adjusted to things."

Derek rolled his eyes, he wanted to laugh out loud. This guy was using all the tricks. 'He must have read Impress The Parents 101,' he thought and smiled at his own sarcasm. He stopped and shifted his feet, when he noticed Casey's ice glare.

"Well, that's our Casey. She's so smart and helpful." Nora said. "Come on in. We are eating dinner in a few minutes. You could join us, then study afterwards?"

Andrew looked at Casey waiting for an answer, "Sure." she said, reluctantly. They dropped their school bags at the door and headed to the dining area.

But Derek stepped between Andrew and herself on the way to the dinner table, causing her to bristle. "I thought you were going out tonight, De-rek!" she said through gritted teeth, as she walked behind him.

She spoke so low, no one but Derek could hear her clearly. "Sorry Case, I find this much more entertaining. And I really, really want to meet your new so-called-boyfriend. Since he wants my life so bad." He whispered over his shoulder.

"Oh please, you have no proof of that. Just what your friends said. You're such an bigheaded, narcissistic…"

Casey stopped mid-sentence as they reached the table. She quickly recovered and made the rounds introducing Andrew to George, Marti, Lizzie and Edwin.

Marti sat next to Andrew, looking up at him, smiling. "I like you, actually." she said.

"I'm glad. Is that good?" he laughed looking down at her.

"That's very good." she nodded, beginning to eat.

Dinner was going very well, as they settled into polite conversation. No one, not even Derek, had insulted Andrew or embarrassed her, Casey thought. That is, until George had to begin his line of questioning.

"So Andrew," George said, between bites of dinner. "Do you play sports?"

'Oh no,' Casey felt like slapping a piece of tape over George's mouth. 'Here it comes.'

"Yes." Andrew said. "I play hockey."

"Really, so does Derek. He's captain. Are you planning of trying out for the team?" George questioned, oblivious.

"Well-,"Andrew began, but was cut off by Derek, who had been silent for too long.

"Of course he is. Aren't you Andrew?" he said his name with such malice, it all but dripped from his tongue.

"Umm, I, I'm, I doubt it, actually. I'm trying something new here. Not really sports anymore. I'm trying to concentrate on my academics for now. Ya know, for college?" he answered. Derek sat shocked. He could have sworn this guy wanted to take over his life. And take over his hockey. Everything Sam had said had seeped into his brain, he guessed. Hadn't he promise not to listen to his dim-witted friends anymore?

Casey glowered at Derek "Yeah so there's your answer. He doesn't want your stupid team. Happy now? You were wrong."

"What is wrong with you lately? You'll see I was right about the other things I said, maybe hockey, maybe not, but everything else is true. It'll just take some time. I'm not wrong, Miss Perfect." Derek answered her abruptly, taking offense on being called out in front of Andrew. He dropped his fork into his plate, with a clang. He wasn't hungry any longer.

Andrew just looked between them, confused.

Nora and George looked across the table at one another, silently asking the other to say something to stop an argument. George opened his mouth to speak, but he was interrupted.

"You are wrong. I'll prove it. Andrew do you want to start our Biology work now?" Casey pushed her full plate away from her, the food not even touched.

Andrew folded his napkin onto the tabled, "Uhh sure, Casey. Whenever you are."

She asked if they could be excused, and stood, brusquely exiting the room, pulling Andrew out with her. He apologized quickly to Nora and George, before rounding the corner to the living room.

Edwin grinned at Derek, "Good job, bro. You really made Casey mad now."

"Good. Like I care anyway," he huffed, "I'm going out." Derek stood up from his seat and walked through the back door, slamming it shut behind him. He had nowhere to go so he just stood outside. He needed some air. Just some fresh air.

And Andrew, he was considerably baffled by the behavior he had seen at dinner. He felt left out of the conversation, that was clearly involving him.

"Casey, what was that about? You seemed really defensive in there. And I think your brother hates me now..." he laughed, as they sat on the couch.

"Step-brother…" she interrupted, "He hates everyone, but himself. And he has a lot of hang-ups, ignore him. He wasn't even supposed to be here. I specifically asked him not to be-"

"It's ok. I've seen the over protective act before. He probably just doesn't want you hanging with someone who he thinks will hurt you, or wants to take his hockey team away. At least that's what it sounds like," He said.

Casey smiled at his naïve notion of Derek caring about her. "He definitely isn't over protective. He's a jerk. And you and me, we're just…studying…right?" She asked looking at him as they pulled their books out of their bags and began to pick apart papers.

"Well, yeah for now, but I kind of like you…you know…so maybe more than studying, eventually," he stuttered, tripping over his words nervously.

"Yeah…hopefully" Casey blushed, opening her notebook and leaning over to begin their study time. He shifted a little uncomfortably.

"So some guys at school told me about a party this weekend, Saturday night. I don't know if you'd want to , but if you'd like to come I'd really like-"

"I'd love to!" she exclaimed. "You have no idea how much I want to come! That would be great."

"Yeah," he smiled. "It's at this guy Sam's house. You probably know him."

"Oh, umm, yeah. We kinda dated for a while, but it was a couple of years ago. He's Derek's best friend."

Andrew looked concerned, "Do you think it would be a problem if you came with me then? I mean if you feel uncomfortable…"

Casey slightly laughed, "No, no. It's fine with Sam and I. We're friends now."

"I meant with Derek. He seems like he doesn't like me too much, honestly."

"Well that's his problem isn't it?" she said indignantly. This would do good to irritate Derek, and show him she could fit in with his crowd too. That she wasn't a loser. Of course she wanted to go to be with Andrew and have a good time on the weekend for once. But going to spite Derek was just a plus.

She hadn't wanted Derek here tonight, but he was. Derek wouldn't want her at the party and she would be there. 'So Perfect,' she thought, amused at how things had turned out.

"Alright then. So Saturday? Sounds great!"

"Yeah," She wanted to jump up and hug him. She was finally going to get into the 'in' crowd. Going to parties, and having a better, more interesting life. He was going to save her.

"So I guess we should get to studying, huh?" he laughed, and Casey opened her notebook, beginning to explain the biology assignment expertly.

"Thanks for dinner," Andrew said, as he grabbed his coat from the hanger near the door. Casey stood beside him, looking at her family. "I had a really good time meeting you all."

"Oh you're welcome," Nora grinned from her seat on the couch..

"Anytime. You're welcome to come back and have dinner with us soon" George said.

"Well, thanks again," he waved goodbye and started to open the door. "Oh, I forgot my biology folder upstairs! I've gotta get it…"

Casey stopped him, "No, no. I'll go get it for you. Just a sec." She disappeared up the stairs.

"Can you tell Casey I am waiting for her outside?" he asked Nora and George.

"Sure. Goodnight, again." they answered in unison.

Andrew stepped outside into the cold air. Pulling his jacket tighter and stuffing his hands into his pockets. He didn't see Derek standing on the corner of the porch, leaning against the railing. Perfect opportunity.

"Leaving?" Derek said flatly, startling him purposefully, causing him to somewhat jump.

Andrew took a deep breath and composed himself. "Wow. I didn't even see you there. Yeah. I'm heading out."

Derek nodded his head. Still giving Andrew no hint of conversation.

"Listen Derek," he began. "I hope we can get along. I'm not trying out for hockey so I want you to know, I don't want to take over your team." Derek sighed. He was so tired of hearing about that.

Andrew kept talking, "And I know you're probably just being the over-protective brother, but I really like Casey and I'm not looking to hurt her. You don't have anything to worry about…"

"What?!" Derek's head snapped up. "First of all, I'm her step-brother, and second I don't care who Casey dates, or studies with, or whatever you're calling it. I'm not being over-protective. We don't even get along."

"Yeah okay, but I know the older brother thing can be tricky. I have a sister," he replied. "I would be freaked if some guy was coming over and wanting to take her out. I'd want to know all about him and why he was there. But I mean, Casey is special. She's not like the other girls I've met here."

"Yeah, like the other girls know how to have fun," Derek muttered. "Casey doesn't"

"But there's this thing about her. Like I know she would be a devoted, faithful person." the words spilled from Andrew's lips. "Just from the few days I've known her. She has this light around her. She's beautiful and has a big heart. I can't say enough good things seriously. And I'm not just trying to get on your good side, as her brother."

Derek suddenly wished he would stop referring to him as her brother. He was her step-brother. Was that so hard to understand? And he thought he knew Casey so well, after only being acquainted with her for a few days at the most. He was delusional. And he was going to let Andrew know it.

"You know, you sure are…" but Derek was stopped from going on as the front door swung open.

Casey's eyes darted back and forth between the two boys. She wanted to know what had been said, why they were talking and if her chances had been completely ruined with her new friend. Andrew just smiled at Casey, and she lightly returned the expression.

Derek suddenly felt a tinge of jealousy. And why? It had to be all that big heart, devotion speech Andrew had droned on about for the past few minutes. Nothing else.

"Thanks Case," Andrew reached for his folder, taking it from her. "I guess I'll see you at school then?"

Derek couldn't believe what he was hearing. 'Since when does he call her Case?' he thought.

"And Saturday too," Casey was saying as she headed out to walk Andrew to his car. At this point Derek lost the bulk of the conversation between the two. But he watched the interaction. Casey laughed and smiled, her hand rested on Andrew's arm. They looked perfect together. He reached his arm around her back and hugged her goodbye, as she lightly kissed his cheek.

Derek saw it then. He was witnessing what Andrew had just ten minutes before spoke of. It was the light around her. The warm smile, the laughter. He never saw it, because he never caused it. This Andrew kid brought it out, and made it beautiful.

He felt sick suddenly but he had no understanding of why. Andrew was well-mannered and polite. Nothing like what Derek had become. Casey hated him. She enjoyed Andrew's company. She didn't cringe when he walked in the room. Andrew had spoken the words and unwittingly awoken him to Casey's many assets

Derek wanted to see it for himself. He wanted to be the cause of her light. To be on the receiving end of her goodness. To have someone devoted to him. And not just for one night, like all these useless girls he was used to. The feeling was so foreign, he chalked it up to wanting to feel superior to Andrew. To prove that he could also bring out the beauty in Casey. To establish he was better, the best.

Or maybe this was just coming from the fact he had been out of his circle of friends for a few days. He had decided to give up on the party scene, that had to be why out of the blue Casey's untainted loyalty to Andrew seemed so enticing. So inviting to him.

But little did he know, the need to feel a cut above and giving up on the weekend incidents, had nothing to do with this. He didn't care to admit but that was the not the circumstances at all. This was completely different. Completely.