Derek wasn't sure what Vicky meant by, "Big Mistake Venturi! Big Mistake!" He was pretty sure that she wouldn't just tell the school that he was dating his stepsister like she did to his new friends. That would be too easy. Derek had study hall next so he figured he could afford to be late. He pulled a Casey trick and went to the guidance councilor for advice.
"Hi, you can call me Pauline", said the guidance councilor. "I am a councilor and an art teacher".
At least she isn't a computer geek like that guy that Casey always talked to, thought Derek.
"And I'm also responsible for all the computer networking and anything technology related in this school", said Pauline.
Derek just hid his head with his hand after hearing this. He immediately regretted coming in.
"So what do you want to talk about? Don't forget, everything you say is completely confidential", said Pauline.
"Well, there's this girl and…" started Derek.
"Let me guess, you like this girl" finished Pauline.
"Not at all. I'm dating her cousin, Casey, and she threatened revenge on me after I refused to leave Casey for her. She used to make Casey miserable with constant teasing and pranks", said Derek.
"I see, and how does that make you feel?" asked Pauline.
"Happy! Cause I'd obviously be in here if I were happy!" exclaimed Derek sarcastically.
"Ok calm down. Now, what is the worst that this girl could do?" asked Pauline.
"I'm not sure. That's the problem. I'm not sure what she's capable of", said Derek.
"Well all I can say is that this girl is probably insecure and that you should try to be nice to her. Try to be friends with her. Then maybe she won't be so bitter towards you", said Pauline.
"Do any of you councilors ever give advice that is actually useful? Vicky would rather eat me than become friends with me now. My stepsister used to go to this Paul back at my old school and he would never give her actual advice. She usually just vented at him. No offense or anything", said Derek.
"Paul? Wait is your stepsister, Casey Mcdonald?" asked Pauline.
"Yeah so?" asked Derek.
"Paul is my twin brother. Every time we'd talk he'd say how Casey would come in and drive him crazy. He was entertained by it though. To be honest, she was all Paul had to talk to during the school day. Wait is this stepsister Casey and girlfriend Casey the same person?" asked Pauline.
"Yeah, now I have to go to class" said Derek.
"Ok bye Derek. Come back anytime", said Pauline.
That afternoon, Corey introduced Derek to the hockey coach. Derek showed the coach his skills: his slap shot, his passing ability, his agility, and toughness along the boards. The coach was very much impressed. Derek was assured a spot on the team until that night…
"Hello, Derek this is Coach. I'm sorry but we don't have room for you on our team. I received a tip from a reliable source that you tried to take advantage of my sweet niece last night. So I'm going to say this as clearly as I can: STAY AWAY FROM MY TEAM AND STAY AWAY FROM MY NIECE VICKY!"
Derek was crushed when he heard the news and furious with Vicky. Casey was at his side when the message played and all she could do was hold Derek and support him.
"I didn't know that the hockey coach was Vicky's uncle", said Derek not believing what just happened.
"Yeah I didn't realize it to be honest. Vicky and her uncle are really close; he's pretty much been her father figure her whole life", said Casey.
"Vicky is only warming up", mumbled Casey to herself.
"Did you say something Space Case?" asked Derek.
"Nothing, don't worry about it. Do you want me to leave you alone?" asked Casey.
"No, please stay", said Derek.
"Ok" said Casey who kissed Derek softly on the lips and tightened her embrace. The two fell asleep in each other's arms on the couch.
The next morning, Derek got a ride from Corey and Stacy to school. He told them about the phone call from the hockey coach. Afterwards, the car ride was pretty quiet as Derek was pensive about the situation.
When they got to school, Derek found hundreds of posters all over the wall. Some of the posters had a picture of a 7-year old Derek when he had the long hair. Under it, the words "Dereka Venturi" were written. On the other half, it had a picture of Casey and it wasn't a pretty picture of Casey. Under it, "Derek Venturi's stepsister/girlfriend" was written under it. Everyone was pointing and laughing at him as he walked through the hallway. Derek knew that he was in for a long day.
During second period, Derek had his first math test in his new school. The teacher had no rules on seating so Vicky took the liberty of sitting next to him. Ten minutes into the test, Vicky went out of her way to ask Derek for test answers. The teacher quickly took notice and promptly took both of their tests away and gave them a zero. The teacher then sent the two to the principal's office.
"So Venturi are you ready to yield?" asked Vicky.
"I don't think so", answered Derek.
"Come on Derek, you're willing to withstand all this for her? I'm warning you that if you don't give up and dump my cousin, the last 24 hours will seem like a day at the spa" said Vicky.
"Don't count on it", answered Derek immediately.
"This is your last chance Venturi! You have 24 hours to dump your stepsister or else", threatened Vicky.
They then walked into the principal's office. The principal talked to them individually, first Vicky, then Derek. When it was Derek's turn, he walked in and was a bit nervous. He had never been nervous in the many previous visits with principals because he was never big on authority.
"Hello Derek, I'm Principal Gordon. I understand you've been caught cheating on your math test"
"Principal Gordon, I swear that I wasn't cheating. It was all Vicky", said Derek.
"You know Derek, I'd like to believe you but previous record from you old school speaks for itself", said Principal Gordon.
"I swear that it was all Vicky. She's been out to get me for the past couple days. I refused to dump her cousin for her and she's been trying to get back at me. She cost me a spot on the hockey team and put up a bunch of posters all over the wall. You know the "Dereka" posters and "Stepsister/girlfriend" poster. Why don't you call my step mom, she'll back me up on this", said Derek.
"Ok Derek, I'll talk to your teacher and ask for her side of the story. Your story does sound legitimate considering Vicky has an equally colorful record and she's been known to do things like this. You're clear for now, but I'm going to be watching you" said Principal Gordon.
"Thank you Principal Gordon" said Derek as he walked out. When he was out of the office he saw Vicky waiting for him.
"Remember Venturi, 24 hours. Choose carefully!" said Vicky.
"I don't need 24 hours. I'm not dumping Casey!" answered Derek immediately.
"Then the real game begins. I'll be seeing you soon Venturi. Very soon!" said Vicky.