I walked up to them and saw Derek pull away and look around. His eyes caught mine, and then went big. I heard him mutter shit under his breath. "It's not what it looks like Case." He tried to explain.
"Not what it looks like? It looks like you were kissing Sally." I turned to her. "Hi Sally." She smiled nervously. I turned back to Derek. "Also don't call me Case. We're over. I'm going to go home now and leave you to her. Have fun." I turned around and started walking towards the door when I felt his hand on my arm.
"Case, please don't go." I wheeled around and looked at him.
"Don't touch me. You don't get a second chance with me. You're an asshole who I thought had changed, but no, you're just the same old skirt-chasing dick I thought you were when we first met." He looked like he was about to breakdown and all I wanted to do was hold him, but I couldn't. As much as I loved him, I finally admitted it myself, I couldn't take him back. It would kill me but I couldn't do it. "Good-bye."
I ran out the door and to the park. As soon as I got to the park, I sat down by a tree and finally let my emotions free. Tears spilled out of my eyes. I had trusted him. I loved him. And I let myself get hurt. I should have known he was going to hurt me. I looked up at the night sky and just screamed. Why, why, why?
I sat there for another hour and a half before heading back home. I was thankful when I didn't see Derek's car in the driveway. I walked up to my room and locked the door. I started rummaging around until I found what I was looking for. I had decided I was going to accept the contract. I fell into bed still wearing my dress and fell asleep.
I woke up the next morning at around seven. I was slightly confused as to what I was wearing until the night before came flooding back to me. I felt the urge to cry but knew I needed to sound normal for when I called. I grabbed my stuff and slipped quietly into the bathroom. I was hoping I wouldn't meet Derek anywhere along the trip and I was lucky. I stood in the shower letting the hot water warm me up for a while. When I finally got out and went back to my room, it was eight thirty. I decided it was time to call.
I got out my phone and dialed the number. A girl picked up the phone. "Hi, Thank you for calling Call Records. How May I help you?"
"Hi, my name is Casey McDonald. I was wondering if I could talk to Mark Callahan?"
"One moment and I will connect you." I was put on hold. I started to let my mind wonder to Derek. How could he have done that. I thought he felt the same way about me. I guess not.
I was pulled out of my thoughts by a voice. "This is Mark Callahan."
"Hi Mr. Callahan. This is Casey McDonald. You said you were interested in signing me a few weeks ago In New York City. I was just wondering if that offer was still open."
"Ah, Ms. McDonald. Yes of course the offer is still open. I'm assuming this means you would like it?"
"Yes." I took a deep breath to calm myself.
"Great, you won't be disappointed. When can you be here?"
"In a few days if that's alright? I can be there Monday."
"That will be great. I will see you at nine on Monday."
"Thank you Mr. Callahan, for everything."
"Pleasure is all mine. Have a good day."
"You too. Good bye."
"Good bye."
As soon as he hung up I dialed Sadie's number.
"What the hell. It's only nine frigging o' clock on a Saturday." I grouchy voice answered. I laughed a little.
"It's good to hear your voice to Sadie."
"Oh my God, Casey!" This perked her right up. "How are you? What the hell is going on. Why haven't you called?"
"Slow down there. I've been better, I haven't called because stuff has been going which I will tell you about later which brings me to, is the offer to stay at your place still open?"
My question was responded with a scream at the other end. "You took the contract? Of course the offer is till open! When are you going to be out here?
"I was hoping tomorrow. I have to get the plane ticket obviously but I think I can get one for tomorrow. Is that alright?"
"Of course. I can't wait to see you!"
"I can't wait to see you either Sadie. I also have a ton of stuff to tell you when I see you but for now I have to go inform my family I'm leaving tomorrow."
"You haven't told them?" she exclaimed incredulously.
"It was kind of spur of the moment. Like I said I have a ton of stuff I have to tell you."
"I cannot wait. Let me know when you land when you get the ticket."
"Don't worry, I will. See ya tomorrow Sade."
"See ya Case."
I hung up the phone and started to walk downstairs. Oh I hoped Derek wasn't down here. I was lucky to find he wasn't.
Probably decided to stay at Sally's house last night. Luckily, Mom was the only one in the kitchen. I could tell her before I told everyone else at dinner. "Mom. Can I talk to you?"
"Sure Casey." She sat down at the counter with her coffee and looked at me. "What's up?"
"Promise you won't get mad, please."
She had a confused look on her face. "I promise."
"On the night of my last show, a guy named Mark Callahan wanted to talk to me about a recording contract. He gave me some to think about it and I'm taking it. I leave tomorrow." I just sat and looked at my hands the entire time. I was afraid to see Mom's reaction. It took her a few minutes but she finally spoke.
"That's great Casey." I looked at in shock. She was beaming. "It certainly is a shack and it's really soon, but a recording contract is a huge deal. You could become famous. Just think of it. My daughter, famous. Why would I be mad?"
"I just thought you would be since I just got back and I'm afraid of Lizzie going back to how she was. I didn't how you would take me leaving abruptly. I also don't know how everyone else is going to react." Everyone else meaning Derek.
"I think they will be proud of you and as long as you call, I think Lizzie will be fine. When are you going to tell them?"
"I was thinking maybe after dinner."
"That will be great. You might want to get the plane ticket if you haven't already." With that she walked downstairs still smiling about the thought of me famous. I walked back upstairs to find a plane ticket. I found one and Called Sadie to let her know my plane would be landing tomorrow at 2 pm. I then started packing. Then I heard the noise I was hoping I wouldn't. Derek. Shit, he would be there when I told the family. A few hours later, I had most of my things packed and I had gone over how I would explain a couple times in my head. I heard the call for dinner and then the door next to me open and close. I heard his heavy footsteps walk down the stairs. I wonder how he looked. I had to do this or I know I would take him back.
I slowly opened my door and walked downstairs. I avoided looking at him even as I sat down. I glanced at Mom and saw she was still beaming. I quickly looked back at my plate and started to eat.
Dinner went excruciatingly slow. When everyone was done eating, Mom spoke up. "Before everyone leaves, Casey has some news." I felt everyone's eyes on me, including Derek's. I glanced up at everyone except him.
"Umm, before I tell you, I really don't want any of you to be mad at me. It's just something I feel I have to do." This earned me some confused glances. "I'm going back to New York City tomorrow." I heard someone gasp. "The last night of my show a guy was there and he offered me a recording contract and I decided to take it. My flight leaves here at 12." I heard Derek get up and go upstairs. I finally let myself look up at everyone. George, Marti, and Edwin all looked happy. Lizzie on the other hand, was looking down. "Lizzie can I talk to you alone."
"Whatever." We got up and walked into the kitchen.
"I'm sorry, but I think it will be a great opportunity for me. I will call this time."
"Don't give me that opportunity bullshit." I had never that language from her before.
"Lizzie!"
"Don't think I didn't hear you come in crying last night. Something happened and you're walking away. You're a coward and I don't care if you call, I won't talk to you if you do." With that, she walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs. A few seconds later, I heard her door slam.
I just stood there not knowing what to do. I finally just walked out of the kitchen. Mart and Edwin had disappeared and Mom and George were talking. They stopped talking and George looked at me. "We think it's great Casey. Lizzie will come around."
"Thanks George." I walked up the stairs and to my room. When I opened my door, I was surprised to see Derek sitting there. I finally looked at him for the first time since last night. His face was expressionless.
"What do you want?" I was suddenly very tired.
"You're leaving."
"Yeah, I am. We were the deciding factor. The question was could we last and we couldn't so I called this morning and accepted the contract. What else is there?"
"Let me explain. She kissed me. We saw each started talking and she kissed me."
"Like I haven't heard that one before. Just leave, I want to go to bed."
"Please Casey. I love you." I stopped dead. I loved him and really just wanted to kiss him then, but I didn't know if he was saying because he meant it or because he didn't want me to go. I guessed the latter.
"I don't. Please just get out." I turned towards my closet and opened it. I pretended to be getting out some of the clothes I hadn't packed yet until I heard him leave.
"You know what Casey, fuck you. I think you are just a coward who runs when things get tough. We could have gotten through this but instead you won't even give me a chance. I hope you're happy in New York." I heard the door shut and knew he was gone. I walked over to the bed and collapsed. I fell asleep crying into the pillow. What had I done.
