Disclaimor: I do not own Life With Derek, but it would be cool if I did!
a/n: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter- as the title states, there's going to be something misunderstood
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood - Nina Simone
George P.O.V.
"I'm back!" Vicki calls out as she enters the house through the back door.
"You're cutting it close Vicki." I warn her. I was alone in the kitchen making myself a bowl of peppermint ice cream. "Your boarding school interview is soon."
"Oh I know, that's why I went out." She pulls out five bags from behind her back. "I had to get a whole new wardrobe!" Vicki smiles sweetly before placing the bags near the counter and reaching for a spoon in the sink.
"Do you think that is exactly necessary? From what your mother told us it's strictly uniform- like your last."
"I know Uncle George, but I couldn't wear any of my old things to the interview- and I didn't buy it all for myself." She sticks her spoon into my bowl. "I got a few things for Casey."
"Casey?" Why buy Casey clothes?
"Yeah," the teen answers nonchalantly, while scooping another spoonful of ice cream. "She's been complaining nonstop all week about how she has nothing to wear because of her 'weight'." Vicki uses air quotes. Why would Casey be complaining about her weight? And for a week? "Honestly Uncle George, I can't take sharing a room with her much longer."
"Well-"
"So why don't we have Lizzie share with Casey and I'll take Lizzie's room?" She grabs my bowl. "I know, let's have a family meeting about it. I'll go get my dear cousins. Speaking of which, where is everybody?"She searches the room. "It's awfully quiet for once. Not that that's bad, I mean it's nice – the silence."
"Um . . ." Boy she can talk fast. "Everybody went out to get ready for my hockey game this afternoon. That is everyone but Casey- Noel came over for math tutoring." I explain while watching the teen take another spoonful of my ice cream.
"Noel?" She asks with her mouth full.
"A friend of hers from poetry club. Can I get my ice cream back?"
"Is this friend –Noel, a boy?" She raises her eyebrow in suspicion, completely ignoring my plea for the sugary snack.
"Yes, he is." I answer composedly.
"So you just let him up there? Alone?"
"Noel isn't 'alone' Vicki." I point out.
"Yes is he- he's alone with Casey." The teen heavily brings to my attention. "Who knows what they could be doing up there . . . with everyone out of the house- besides us of course." Vicki scoops up more ice cream. "But think what'll happen the minute you and I leave?" She sighs. "I mean your ice skating tournament starts before long and likely you'll have to get there early to practice. And my interview-" she checks her watch "starts in a half hour actually. I guess you were right Uncle George: I am cutting it close. Haha. I didn't know it was that late! Better get going!" She hurriedly leaves the kitchen, making sure to take my ice cream bowl with her. "Beauty like this doesn't happen overnight."
Casey P.O.V.
"Noel you are a lifesaver!" I exclaim to the hero as I model one of his old sweaters in my mirror.
"No problem Casey." He modestly answers while sitting on my bed, looking through my math notes. "I just wish you'd tell me why you need them so badly."
"Why I need them?" I mimic in slight panic.
"Yeah." He gazes away from the notebook. "Why do you need these sweaters? And why can't you use Derek's or your stepdad's?" I should've known he'd ask.
"Well . . . Derek has bad B.O. and George . . . uh George . . . he needs his sweaters . . . for work. Yup he needs those sweaters for work! Him being a lawyer and all." I shakily answer. "You done copying those notes?"
"Almost," Noel gets up from his place on my bed and walks over to me. "Casey you know you can tell me anything right? You don't have to lie or change the subject."
"I'm not lying or changing the subject!" I hastily defend taking a step back from him. "I just need a new wardrobe, you know? I'm trying something new! 'Guy Clothes' haha. It's very She's The Man you know? The whole dressing like a guy thing and yet still obviously acting like a girl, it's so in right now- like everybody is doing it Noel. Everybody! You uh you haven't noticed? A shame really, because it is totally in style now. Like really in style- you would not believe it! Hahaha Oh look at the time! I've got to get ready for George's hockey game! So why don't you just take my math book with you and give it back to me in school Monday?" Noel raises his eyebrow in confusion.
"You know you ramble when you're hiding something right?" I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
"Unfortunately, yes. I'm aware of that." I bow my head. Why can't I lie?
"Casey, I know what's going on." He thoughtfully takes my hands in his.
"You do?" My head snaps up. Oh no, this isn't good. My heart begins to pump with fear. He knows, he must know! CrapCrapCrapCrap!
"Yeah- I'm not an idiot." He smiles weakly and brings me into a hug. "You're worried about your weight." HUH? My weight?
"My weight?" I repeat in shock. My weight?
"Yes: your weight. My sister went through the same phase." Staring into my eyes, he gently pushes away from me. "For almost two months she only wore my clothes. I didn't say anything because she wasn't harming herself and eventually she grew out of it-"
"And that is exactly what I'll do Noel!" I eagerly add in, before he can finish. This was perfect! Not only did he not suspect the truth, but he was going to keep his mouth closed! I was doing summersaults in my head. "I will grow out of this phase! I promise!" I hold my hand up to make an oath. "Goodbye weight problems, hello . . . confidence!" I smile widely. "Thank you SO much for not telling anyone!" I give him a huge hug, but he doesn't return the motion.
"I can't do the same for you Casey." My body goes numb.
"What?" The fear that was once in my veins, resurface. "Why?" My heart beats faster. "Noel it's just a phase! Like you said! I mean I'm not hurting myself or anything." He begins to avoid my eyes.
"Casey, I know you're hurting yourself." He says uneasily.
"I'm not hurting myself!" I shout a little too loudly.
"Casey you don't have to lie to me." He breathes quietly.
"I'm not lying." I defend, folding my arms.
"Casey the whole school knows, and its okay- well it's not okay, but it's okay to tell the truth." Noel touches my shoulder in comfort, but I shake it off.
"I . . .the school?. . . Truth?" I take a deep breath. "What truth exactly?" I ask while trying to keep my voice level.
"The truth about your bulimia."
George P.O.V.
"George are you sure?"
"Nora, I heard them with my own ears through her door." My wife and I were in are room, talking about what I'd overheard upstairs. I was packing my gym bag for the game and she was nervously biting her lip.
"But Casey?" She shook her head. "I just can't see it. I mean . . . it's Casey!"
"But all the signs are there." I put the last bit of my uniform into the gym bag and begin to count on my fingers. "The constant vomiting, loss in appetite, complaining about personal weight- which Vicki told me about, the baggy clothes-"
"Not to mention she has been rather to herself lately." Nora admits undecidedly.
"You see?" I sit on the bed and touch her knee in comfort.
"What do we do George?"
A/N: Watch me have the next chapter up by next weeek ;) *PROMISES*
