The Trouble with Everything
Disclaimer: No, I don't own LWD, so sad…
A/N: This was supposed to be a one-shot – turns out, I can't write those, lol. Comments are love. Let me know what you think. I haven't written something quite like this before.
Rated: M - This is for a reason. If you don't like it, don't read it.
--
Chapter 4
Four months earlier:
"I want to get a tattoo", Casey said randomly. She was in Derek's room lying on her stomach on his bed, and they were actually studying for once, with the bedroom door open.
Derek looked up from his history book in surprise, "Since when?" He leaned back in the computer chair and stared across the room at her.
She shrugged, "I've been thinking about it for a while."
"Case, you hate needles", he said unconvinced.
"You should always do the thing that scares you", she said burying her nose back in her history book.
He chuckled like she knew he would. "I told you that last year when you freaked out about going to that two-week dance competition in Toronto for Spring break."
Casey looked up and smiled lightly, "And I used that statement to talk you into going with me to the pet store to buy Lizzie a gerbil for her birthday three months later", she laughed.
He shot a rubber band at her. "Derek!" she rubbed at her shoulder in annoyance.
"You know you're not supposed to use my own theories against me", he said.
"Lucky for you, the Principles of Derokrates are usually full of holes", she snickered.
He stood up slowly and walked towards her, "Are you saying that maybe, occasionally, I have some good ideas?" he questioned teasingly.
"Hmm", she murmured thoughtfully, "I'm gonna go with no", she replied jokingly.
"Ouch, that hurts, Case", he whined.
She snorted, "Well, wasn't it your idea to not do any homework last year? 'Cause that was such a bad idea."
"Oh that's it", he muttered before pouncing on her on the bed and flipping her over.
"DEREK!" she squealed kicking at him when he found the ticklish spot behind her knee.
Several minutes later, when they were leaning against the headboard, Derek turned his head to her slightly, "A tattoo, huh?" he smirked.
She rolled her eyes, "Yes, Derek" she replied.
He tilted an eyebrow, "Where?" he asked, a smug grin crossing his face.
Her hand twitched as she resisted the urge to smother him with a pillow. Instead, she crawled up on her knees, tottering precariously on the unmade bed. She tugged at her pants lightly and slid her shirt up a few inches on her stomach, well-aware that he was watching her movements intently. "I was thinking", she whispered in a low tone, "that I would get it here", she said, running a fingertip lightly over her skin near her left hipbone.
"That would be good", Derek replied a little dazedly.
"That's what I thought", she answered nonchalantly, raising an eyebrow at him, trying not to laugh.
He shook his head, "You did that on purpose", he accused.
"Damn right I did", then she laughed.
"When are you planning on doing it?" he wondered.
"After my birthday, I'm not that much of a rebel", she answered. "Why? You wanna come with me?" She looked at him curiously.
"You've already got someone to do it, don't you?" questioned in disbelief.
Casey chuckled, "Well, I know someone who will do it", she stated, "I just have to ask. Getting there, however, might require some plotting and quite possibly sneaky, underhanded, and generally Derek behavior. Up for the challenge?" she teased.
"You know it", Derek said laughing. "So, I'm assuming you already have the entire debacle planned out?" he declared.
"Of course I do", she said defensively.
"As long as you didn't write it down on paper with an awful codename like 'Purple Fog' again", he said laughing at her. "Or something like 'Operation Ink Me'."
"Shut up, Derek", she said punching him in the shoulder.
"You're gonna have to fill me in on it though", he said, trying to wheedle it out of her.
"Eventually", she shrugged. "When I start making plans, I'll let you know."
"Casey!"
She just laughed.
--
Last night:
She had pulled on her clothing, and was heading for the door when his voice stopped her, "Is there something you want to tell me?" he said.
She stopped, turning around, "What are you talking about?"
Derek climbed out of bed and threw his clothes back on carelessly before he walked over to her and pressed her against the door, one hand on her hip and the other raking through her messy hair. "I don't think it's ever been that hard for you", he said quietly, "Not even that first time".
"Derek, don't", she said in a strangled voice, staring resolutely at the floor.
He lifted her chin with a finger so he could see her eyes, "Casey", he hissed at her, seeing her face. "Don't cry", he said seriously.
She let out a panicked giggle and cleared her throat, "Let me go", she whispered. "I just – I need to go to bed, alright?"
He let out an annoyed sigh, "Why can't you just-" he cut himself off and started over, "Fine, Casey, do what you want." He moved away from her and pulled her away from the door and he opened it, ignoring the startled look on her face.
"Don't be mad", she said quietly.
"I'm not mad", he stated evenly.
"Yes, you are", she insisted.
"I'm not mad at you, Casey. I'm worried about you, and I don't like that." He crossed his arms and gave her a pointed stare.
"Sorry", she mumbled, "I know I'm acting crazy."
"No, hun", he laughed, "You passed crazy last week. You should be careful, or I'll recommend you to the funny farm."
Casey smirked, "And with all the time you stayed there, I'm sure they'll find your opinions highly… reliable", she chuckled.
"Ha ha", he retorted sarcastically. "You know you can still talk to me, right?" he asked turning serious.
She looked up and bit on her bottom lip, "I know", she said finally.
He stared at her for a long moment, looking like he wanted to say something else, but he shook his head slightly. "Go to bed, princess. You need your beauty sleep so you don't scare Marti in the morning."
She flicked him off, and headed to her room without looking back. But he heard her mutter, "Jerk", as she closed her bedroom door behind her and he let out a quiet laugh as he followed suit and went to bed as well.
--
"Casey", she felt Emily shake her arm impatiently as she stopped her thought process.
"Sorry, Em, what's up?" Casey wondered apologetically.
"'What's up' she says", mutters Emily to herself. "Casey, I've been trying to get your attention for five minutes!" she explained exasperatedly. "Where has your head been all morning?" Emily questioned curiously, "You didn't even raise your hand in English class. Mr. Trent kept looking at you funny."
Casey sighed, "Sorry, Em, I'm not feeling very well", she said. She grabbed her lunch from her locker before she slammed it shut and leaned against it looking nervous.
"You do look kind of pale", Emily conceded. "Maybe you should go home."
Casey shook her head immediately, "No. I'll be fine. I think I just need to sit down."
"You're not planning on throwing up or anything, are you?" Emily asked warily.
Casey let out a small chuckle, but it came out sounding more like a sob, and she sank weakly down into a crouched position against the locker, resting on the balls of her feet. "No", she said finally, "I think I'll leave the throwing up to Derek."
Emily grimaced, "Derek", she said flatly. She blew out a breath, "I'll be right back", she said looking down the mostly empty hallway.
Casey followed her gaze and blanched, "Emily, no! I'm fine, okay? Let's just go to lunch."
Emily gazed at her friend in disbelief, "You are clearly not fine. Stay put, I mean it." Casey groaned but nodded. Emily walked down the hallway to where Derek was standing with Sam and Ralph. "Derek", she called, getting his attention.
He spun around smiling slightly, "Hey, Em, what's up?"
She waved to Sam and Ralph before promptly ignoring them, "Would you like to explain to me what the hell is wrong with my best friend?" she questioned.
He raised an eyebrow, "Well, as far as I can see, she appears to be invisible."
"What did you do this time?" she asked furiously.
"I didn't do anything!" he exclaimed exasperated. His eyebrows furrowed, "Where is she?" he asked curiously. Emily moved to the side and pointed back to their locker. Casey was still in the half-sitting position she had been left in, looking completely dejected. Derek sucked air through his teeth, "What the hell?" he murmured.
"Derek, I've never seen her look like that. Ever. Not when she and same broke up, not even when you two got into that huge fight last year", Emily said quietly, "and that was pretty bad."
Derek grimaced. "She's been acting weird", he admitted, "but I don't think I did it this time".
"She told me she wasn't feeling well, but I don't think she's sick. Go talk to her please", she asked.
"Em, we're at school", he said pointedly.
"I don't care about your damn reputation right now! Go talk to her!" she said in a vicious low tone that left no room for argument.
He glared at her. "That's not what I meant. I'm not a jackass", he bit out, "I'm just saying that whatever's wrong with her – and there most definitely is – she probably won't tell me here."
Emily scrubbed her hands over her face in frustration, "The two of you are impossible", she muttered. "Talk to her", she commanded, pointing back down the hall in emphasis.
"Fine", Derek agreed, "but if there are tears, you owe me", he said with shudder.
"Agreed", Emily said tolerantly, "Thank you".
"Why don't you guys go eat", Derek suggested, including Sam and Ralph into the conversation finally. "This is going to take a while."
"You want privacy?" Sam asked incredulously.
Derek shrugged uncomfortably, "There's no way she's going to talk to me if she thinks you guys are eavesdropping. No eavesdropping, Emily. I mean it."
She sighed, "You're right. Go on; work your 'Derek voodoo'."
"My what?" he asked curiously.
Her eyes widened, "Nothing", she sing-songed, grabbing Sam and Ralph's arms and pulled them down the hall to the cafeteria.
He ran his hands through his hair, not completely prepared for the conversation he was about to have, but he sucked in a breath and headed down the hall towards Casey. When he got to her, he could see the tears in her eyes, but he wasn't entirely sure if it was because she was going to cry or if it was because she appeared to not be blinking. He hoped it was the latter. He stopped directly in front of her, but she didn't look up. However, her eyelids flickered so he knew she was aware of him and not catatonic. He nudged her foot with the toe of his shoe, "Casey", he said quietly.
"Is this supposed to be an intervention?" she asked absently.
"Hmm, is one necessary? Have you been in my stash lately, babe?" he asked laughing.
"If you don't know, I'm not telling", she declared as she finally stood up.
He rolled his eyes. "Cranky, Casey?" he asked somewhat sarcastically. She turned and started walking down the hall in the opposite direction of the cafeteria. A few long strides later, he caught up to her and grabbed her by a belt loop and pressing her against a locker, blocking her in with his arms. He sighed, "What's wrong?" he asked seriously.
"Go away, Dodger", she said trying to push him away.
He tilted his head to look at her quizzically. "Huh? Have you been watching 'Oliver and Company' marathons with Marti again?"
She rolled her eyes, "Never mind", she grumbled. "I should have known better than to insult you with a literature reference."
He pulled his body away from her slightly, still keeping her boxed in with his arms. He looked her up and down, taking in her dark grey worn in jeans that were his favorite on her, and her black long-sleeved spandex-like shirt. Her hair was loose and wavy and her smoky grey eye make-up made her look completely mysterious, if not a little sad. He ran his thumb gently under her eye. "What's wrong, Sparky?" he asked quietly.
"Derek, I can't tell you", she choked out.
"Tell me", he insisted, "And for the love of god, don't cry!"
Her face crumpled, "I can't", she whispered before throwing herself against his chest.
He crossed his arms around her back, pulling her tighter as she clung to his shirt. "You promised you wouldn't do this again", he reminded her teasingly.
"Do what?" she sniffled.
"Use me as a human tissue", he said dryly.
"Shut up", she whispered hoarsely.
"Do you want me to take you home?" he asked.
She shook her head, "No, I have that geography test after study hall. I have to take it."
He tugged on the ends of her hair, "Don't be ridiculous, tests aren't important", he said lightly.
She shook against him again, this time with laughter, "I definitely shouldn't listen to your studying advice", she said looking up at him.
"Fine then", he pouted jokingly. "I'll take you home after school, alright?"
"Thank you", she said quietly. She groaned, "Oh, god, I probably look like a wreck". She pulled back a little but he didn't release her. "What?"
He smirked, "Nothing".
"Derek" she warned, "For one, we're at school. And two, I look like a drowned rat and the bell is about to ring."
"Nah", he said, ruffling her hair, "Maybe a half-drowned rat".
"Der-ek!" she pulled away and went back to her locker, well-aware that he was following her. She opened her locker and looked in her mirror with a grimace, "Thank god for waterproof makeup", she muttered.
He was watching her reflection in the mirror carefully. Stepping closer to her, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her back against his chest, still looking at her. "Are you okay?" he whispered in her ear.
"No, not really", she let out, "but I'll fake it better", she sighed.
"Don't do that", he said quietly. "But you're worrying Emily. I thought she was going to bitch-slap me", he chuckled.
"Sorry", Casey muttered. "I told her not to do that."
His hand tightened on her waist, "Wait for me after school", he said seriously, "I don't want you walking home today."
"I promise", she agreed.
The bell rang.
"See you in trig", he said quietly before heading off towards his locker as the halls filled with people again.
"Crap", she muttered.
