Yes, I know I didn't update last two weekends. I am super sorry for that, but I was still undergoing some health issues with my headaches. I have had them all week, and that is unusual for me. I usually only have them at most maybe three days a week, but for past two weeks I have been having them all week. Plus, I think I'm starting to get a cold, but I didn't want you guys to think I forgot about the story at all. I really enjoy all of the positive feedback on the last chapter thank you so much! I going to try to make my update days Saturday or Sunday so that way no one gets confused about which day it is. I will always let you guys know why I didn't update. Also going to start writing this story in different POVs. Meaning, this chapter will be what happened in the last chapter in Casey's point of view. That way you guys can get a general idea about what happened. It should also answer a lot of your questions about Casey's reaction to the Venturi's. I hope you enjoy this chapter guys!

Disclaimer: I'm about to be a college student, I don't have enough money to even own Life with Derek or Raising Izzie.

*Casey*

I woke up early the next morning to start our day. I know we still needed a lot of stuff for the house, so I thought an early start would be best. After I took my shower, and got dressed I went to Lizzie's room to wake her up. I found her sitting up in her sleeping bag against the wall with her book. Before our house burned down, I grabbed the book to take with us. She really enjoys reading it, and I couldn't take it away from her. She has been robbed of her childhood, I don't want to take any more of it. I snapped out of my stupor, and quietly rapped on the door.

"Lizzie? Are you ready for breakfast?" I asked. She looked up at the tone of my voice and smiled weakly.

"Sure Casey." She tried to get up, but she collapsed. I rushed over to see what was wrong.

"Lizzie?! What hurts?" I asked her and she pointed to her head and stomach. I felt her head and she was slightly warm. She might have the stomach flu since she also pointed to her stomach.

"Ok Lizzie, I'm going to go downstairs and make you some ramen ok? Then later I will run out and get some cold medicine. I'm also going to bring our get our beds. Do you know which kind of bedding you want? I questioned. I knew she was sick, but I needed to know so she could be comfortable tonight.

"Something… blue and black?" Lizzie told me. I nodded and then kissed her forehead.

"Ok Lizard. I'll be right back with your soup and then I'm taking off to get the stuff." I assured her. She nodded and laid her head back on the pillow.

I jogged down the stairs, about to start on making the soup when the doorbell rang. I walked slowly to the door, looking out the peephole. I saw a woman, a man, and three kids. One of which was the boy from yesterday. Time to meet the neighbors. I thought sarcastically, and a few seconds later I opened up the door.

"Yes?" I asked. Trying to look as friendly as possible, but I kept my eyes guarded. I might not be able to trust these people.

"Hello. My name is Abby Venturi, and this is my husband George. We are your neighbor's, and we wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood." She smiled. I smiled as well.

"Oh um thank you! My name is Casey McDonald. My younger sister Lizzie is upstairs asleep. Would you like to come in?" I asked them. I needed to get a handle on them to see if they could be allies or not.

"Sure we would love to." Abby replied, and they all walked into the house. They took a look around and noticed that we had no furniture. I blushed in embarrassment.

"Sorry about the lack of furniture. The driver with the truck that had all of our stuff inside crashed, and there was a huge fire. We lost everything. So I um, I mean my mom has to go buy new things for our house." I told them, spewing the lie. I almost slipped up, but I don't think they caught it. George and Abby looked shocked.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. Was the driver ok?" George asked me.

"No. Um he couldn't get out quick enough." I said. Soon it became awkward, and I figured they took it as I was to choked up about the driver's death. Even though there wasn't a driver to begin with. Finally, Abby snapped us out of the awkward state.

"Oh gosh I'm sorry Casey. I meant to introduce everyone else. These are our three children. Our youngest Marti, then our son Edwin, and finally our eldest son Derek." She pointed to each child. When she reached Derek, at first I was intrigued in the way he was staring at me, but then I started to notice his terrifying black eye. I decided not to say anything, because I didn't want to upset him. I looked away when we locked eyes.

"It's nice to meet you." I smiled. Just to keep appearances of course. Marti then looked up at me.

"You're really pretty Casey!" Marti shouted to me. Abby looked really embarrassed.

"Marti! No shouting! I'm sorry about that Casey." She sighed. I mean, yeah Marti didn't have to yell, but it was a nice complement. I don't hear it very often.

"It's ok. Thank you Marti." I blushed. I mean come on Marti is the cutest little girl ever. Reminded me of Lizzie when she was that age.

"So Casey, where is your mother and father?" Abby asked. I got immediately uncomfortable. If I told them the truth, they may report us to social services, and I can't be split up from Lizzie. She needed me, and I needed her. So I told her the half-truth.

"Um well, my mother is at work. She wanted to get straight to work when we moved here. My father he um… passed when I was fifteen." My voice wavered as I tried to keep my emotions in check. Don't you dare cry Cassandra! The mantra I let replay through my brain.

"Oh um, I'm sorry to hear that Casey. How old are you now?" Abby questioned. I really wish she would stop asking me questions so I could get out of here.

"I'm sixteen now Mrs. Venturi." I finished. Hopefully she was too, but I was sadly mistaken.

"What a coincidence, so is Derek." She exclaimed. I looked up at Derek to see him give me a half smile, indicating he was sorry about the whole thing. I half smiled back to tell him I understood.

"What school are you planning on going too?" She questioned once again. Derek looked like he wanted to punch out his mother, and George really looked like he wanted to leave.

"Um Sir John Sparrow Thompson High School. I'm going to be a sophomore." I told them. Wish she would seriously stop.

"Derek goes there too! Maybe he can show you around on Monday?" Abby then turned to Derek and gave him the evil glint. Something about that glint seemed familiar, but I didn't know how. She didn't need to do that though. I can show myself around.

"Oh Mrs. Venturi, you don't need to do th-" I was interrupted.

"Nonsense! Derek would love to, right Derek?" She glared at him. He finally caved after a few seconds.

"Of course I wouldn't mind showing you around." He faked smiled. I can tell when someone was very easily. I wasn't sure if he was doing it because he really didn't want to, or because this situation was so awkward.

"Oh ok." I sighed. I really wanted them to go home.

"Well it was nice meeting you Casey, but we must be off." George interjected. I tried to not show relief on my face. Abby looked like she wanted to say something, but George grabbed her hand to silence her.

"Yes we have to clean the house today. But maybe we can get another time to talk Casey, With your mom and Lizzie too." She smiled. I could tell it was fake though, and there was something about her eyes that through me off. Made me extremely uneasy. My eyes quickly flashed in panic at the mention of my mother, but I made it not to noticeable.

"Bye Casey!" Marti screamed and hugged me around my middle. I was surprised and grimaced in pain. Not because she hugged me, but because I had a fading bruise on my stomach.

The main reason I had us move to another province was because I thought we needed a fresh start. Also, the last shelter we were at, one of the older guys there abused me every night. Verbally, physically. Sexually… Lizzie knows nothing about it, but I needed to get her out of there. I reported him to the people in charge, but they didn't believe me. Said something about how I'm a mixed up kid who has been through a lot. Who would lie about that though? Anyway, I tried to hide the grimace, but Derek caught me. Marti finally let go, stepped back from me.

"Thanks Marti. I'll see you soon ok?" I humored her. I needed to get the digs on her mom, before I got too close. My experience has taught me not to trust so easily. Marti then smiled at me, and ran to Abby who was heading out the door with George.

"Bye Casey." Edwin nodded, and headed out the door with his parents. Derek was the only one left, and we stood there. Just staring at each other. A few seconds later, Abby called for Derek to hurry.

"Uh sorry… It was nice to meet you Casey." He half smiled at me, and I half smiled back.

"It was nice to meet you too." I actually meant it. Something about Derek, just puts me in the right mind set. He nodded at me, and then walked out. The door shutting behind his retreat. I sighed shaking my head at the exchange and walked in the kitchen to make Lizzie her awaiting soup.

Once it was finished, I brought it straight up to her. She was still asleep, and I hated to wake her, but I knew she needed to eat something. I sat the soup on the makeshift bookshelf, and stroked her hair.

"Lizard, can you get up for me?" I asked softly. She yawned, and sat up determined to see what was up.

"Hi Case." She sniffed. I kissed her forehead and let her know her soup was ready. I got up, brought it to her, and told her where I was going.

"Ok Liz, I'm going to get the beds now. You know the drill. Don't open the door at all when I'm now here alright?" I told her, and she nodded.

"I'll see you in a few hours." I assured her, and walked out.

First I went to the drug store to pick up some cold medicine. I then went off to Kohl's*to look for Lizzie's bed, and finally found one after hours of searching. It was a Fashion Bed Group Linden California King Bed, with black and blue sheets. It had a bold sweep headboard which I know she would love. I bought the bed for her, told them to deliver the bed to our address, and left. I then went to PB Teen* to look for a bed for myself. I didn't like anything at kohl's so that's why I decided to not go there. After an hour or so, I found a bed that complemented me. When I was fourteen this never would have been my style, but now it fits. I got a Nailhead Headboard Bed, with Washed Linen Cotton, White and teal sheets. It fit really well with how I am now. I paid for the bed, told them my address for delivery and I followed them in the moving truck.

When I got to the house, the Kohl's truck was there too, and I opened up the door so they could put the bed's in. What I did, was that I had them put my bed in first so that when they put Lizzie's bed in, she wouldn't be uncomfortable. It was 8:30 when they finally finished, and I couldn't have been more relieved. I was about to head upstairs to give Lizzie her medicine then turns in, when the doorbell rang once again today. I carefully walked to the peephole and saw Derek and Derek alone standing on the porch. After a few seconds, I opened the door.

"Oh. Hi Derek." I shyly said. He has this effect on me, it's weird.

"Hey Casey. I just um… wanted to apologize for my mother. I know she make a lot of people uncomfortable, and you didn't deserve the third degree." He told me honestly. I could tell from the look of his eyes he really meant it. I looked surprised, but I knew the gratitude was shown too.

"Thank you Derek. That's very sweet of you." My cheeks dusted with pink.

"It's no problem. Also, if you don't want me to show you around on Monday that's cool to. My mom can be pushy to get her way sometimes." He bashfully said. Wonder what's up with him.

"It's ok. I would probably would have a hard time navigating anyway." I laughed. Wanted to make him feel better.

"Ha yeah. So I'll see you on Monday?" He questioned, and I nodded biting my lip.

"Yup. See you then Derek." I smiled softly, and shut the door with a gentle click.

I quietly giggled to myself as I headed up the staircase. I gave Lizzie her medicine for the night, just off all the lights, and went to bed, hearing the crickets sing their night music finally putting me to sleep…

A/N: More twists and turns huh? Haha so this was basically just to give you more insight into what Casey was thinking when she met the Venturi's for the first time. This took me so long to write. Three days to be exact. Not because I didn't want to write it, but because I still don't feel well, I had school, and I had to recreate all of the right dialogue from the last chapter without copying and pasting. It sucked. But this happens to be the longest chapter in the whole story. A little over 2700 words. That's pretty darn awesome. Also, even though this chapter has answered some of your questions from the last chapter, I know it put new ones into your heads. Wondering what happened is fine. I understand that, but please don't question about any of it. I understand that you really want to know what happens, but the only thing I will respond to your questions are "You will find out soon enough." I have to keep the mystery going, but you will soon find out what will happen. You can ask me questions like about Casey's past or something like that, or about why I gave Derek the personality he has. Even some constructive criticism I can take. But NO questions about "What's up with Abby and Casey?" or "What will happen with Derek and his family?" You will know in dear time my dears.

*One last thing. I do NOT own PB Teen, or Kohl's. Just found two beds on Polyvore that matched the description. Should post them on my profile tomorrow, however, lately the links haven't been showing up. If this happens, and you really want to see the beds then let me know and I'll PM you the link. Thanks so much for the support guys! Hopefully I will see more reviews. Will try to update next Saturday if I can. Thanks for reading. Please review. Tomboy22.