Author's Note: Only one more chapter to go! Thanks for everyone that reviewed the last chapter. It meant a lot to me. Now enjoy!

Disclaimer: Still don't own anything.

Friday morning was almost exactly like Thursday morning. Derek was still seemingly giving her the cold shoulder. Breakfast was quiet and cordial with Casey eying Derek suspiciously. He caught on though and flashed his trademark smirk.

"You know, it's impolite to stare, Casey," he said, putting the cereal box in the cabinet.

"And what would you know about being polite?" She countered pointedly, quirking an eyebrow. She was still suspicious of him and would not give into him.

George and Nora watched the two of them cautiously. Both of their eldest had been particularly off this week. George knew it had to do with the holiday and Derek's scheming. "Derek," his father said, gritting his teeth.

"Hey! I'm not even doing anything!" He defended himself, offended that even his own father was suspicious of him.

"You don't have to do anything," Casey added.

"Casey," Nora said warningly.

"Mom," she huffed, "If he's not doing something, he's just waiting to do something. And it will be catastrophic and chaotic and-"

"Casey!" Nora yelled, making her daughter jump.

"Thank you, Nora," Derek said, smirk back in place.

"Derek," George said again and Derek threw his hands up in the air.

"Thank you, George," Casey said to her stepfather then turned to Derek and said, "I think I know what you're up to."

"You can only imagine," he replied.

George and Nora rolled their eyes and gave their attention to their other children.

"I'm so glad we're the middle children," Edwin commented and Lizzie nodded in agreement as they watched Casey and Derek glare at each other for the rest of breakfast.

The Halloween dance was a costume only event so right there was another reason Casey did not want to be there. She didn't have a costume and didn't feel like getting one at the last minute because all the good ones would most likely be gone. Plus, most of the male students would be dressed as creatures of the night and mass murders. And that did not sound like fun to Casey.

Emily was going dateless and dressing up as one of the Pussycats that backed up Josie. She even had cute cat ears that looked amazing with her make-up. Still, Casey would not budge on the idea of going to the dance.

"Please, Casey, please," Emily begged for what felt like the hundredth time, "You can be Josie and we bribe someone else into being the other Pussycat."

Casey chuckled, "No thanks, Em. I'm all set staying home and possible taking Marti trick-or-treating." She made a face. "You know, if she doesn't throw another tantrum."

Her best friend sighed, finally giving up. "Fine, Casey. But you'll be missing out on a lot of fun."

"Oh, I'm sure," she said, rolling her eyes.

Derek had continued to avoid Casey at all costs again today. But she didn't mind, if that was how he was going to play then so be it. She was still not going to the dance. He was going to have to deal with that.

Near the end of the day, with only one class remaining, Casey was at her locker and Derek was slowly making his way towards her, half dreading it, half anticipating it. He leaned against the locker next to hers and waited for her to shut it so he could scare her and annoy her at the same time. The sound of the locker slamming against the metal seemed extra loud – practically earth-shattering – to Derek and he winced briefly. Casey gave her most deadly glare and her stepbrother just sneered.

"What do you want?" She virtually spat at him, "I was actually enjoying my day without you talking to me."

"Why are you always so melodramatic?" He wanted to know.

"Oh, big word," she snarked.

"So… are you taking Marti trick-or-treating tonight or what?"

"Well, I thought I was but by the way she was acted last night, I don't know… why?" She raised an eyebrow.

"So you'll probably go to the dance then. I need to know when to make my entrance, you know, away from you."

"But if we both were going to the dance then wouldn't we be driving there together?"

He chuckled, "Uh, no."

"Derek!" It wasn't as distinct or as loud as her normal 'Derek' yelp. It was more urgent and blunt which seemed so unlike Casey. To Derek, anyway.

"But if you're not going…?"

She gritted her teeth and gripped her books tighter against her chest. "No, I'm not."

"Well, then, I guess, it doesn't matter, Case," he smirked.

"I hate you," she declared.

"That's fine," he shrugged.

"We're finally on the same page."

"It's exciting."

"Bye now, Derek," Casey said and starting walking down the hall to her last class. Try as he might, Derek couldn't stop himself from staring after her, feeling rather lustful and unsettled. He caught himself quick though and shook his head, trying to get the sense back into it. He would need it for later.