Disclaimer: Still don't own, but if I did, I would invite everyone to a party. Lol. Enjoy the story. Any suggestions would be appreciated. A/N: Ok I'm naming this chapter – unofficially – College and Mashed Potatoes. You'll get why soon. Oh, and I'm very aware that the conversation is completely ridiculous. But I thought this story needed some humor. Let me know what you think. Review please!! Oh, I also stole a line from "That 70's Show" – can anyone guess what it is? I'll give you a cookie… End of chapter is cute and fluffy. Enjoy! Review, review, review.

Chapter Nine

"College and Mashed Potatoes"

(Derek's POV)

Two Weeks after Previous Chapter

After that first night, Casey had been sleeping in my room every night. We had both admitted to it being the best sleep we have ever had. And you should know that by sleep, I actually mean sleep. Not the fun kind. We have kept up the act of our usual bickering, but the bitterness is gone. I think our parents, who are still clueless, are grateful for that. They haven't asked why though; they don't want to jinx it.

Today is Friday, my favorite day of the week, mostly because it means no school for two whole days. The other reason was that Friday was the only day during the week that Casey and I had time to ourselves. We could enjoy just being alone together and not have to worry about anything.

Today, Sam, Ralph, and I went to sit with Emily and Casey during lunch. This wasn't exactly unusual; we had all been hanging out together, before Casey and I had even gotten together. It was different, however, that Casey and I were playing footsie under the table; we conveniently always sat across from each other. It was fun watching her try not to laugh.

About halfway through lunch, Sam asked Casey a question, that I hadn't even thought about yet, and I stopped cold, my handful of chips halfway to my mouth.

"So, Case", Sam asked, "What colleges did you apply to?"

Casey looked at Sam thoughtfully. "Well, I applied to Ontario and Toronto. But I really want to get into Toronto. They have a phenomenal drama program. What about you?"

"Well", he replied, "Derek and I both want to go to Toronto too. I might have to rethink this now though", he said with a wink.

I looked at Sam slightly puzzled, but mostly relieved that Casey and I would probably end up in the same place. "Why?"



"Because if you two end up in the same place, it's gonna be World War Three. But it's kinda funny that the one thing you two agree on, will most likely keep you together even though you've both said that you couldn't wait to get rid of each other", he said with a laugh.

Casey and I finally looked at each other before bursting out in laughter. Everyone looked at us strangely. I practically fell out of my chair, and her eyes were watery with laughter, both of our faces were red.

""What's so funny?"" Sam and Emily spoke up at the same time. Ralph just watched us shaking his head.

Casey held up a finger, trying to catch her breath, finally gasping out, "It's the mashed potatoes all over again!" before laughing even harder, tears streaming down her face. I probably would have made fun of her, if I hadn't been laughing too hard to speak.

All three of them had such funny looks on their faces, that when we would try to stop, we couldn't. About five minutes later, we finally able to contain ourselves.

Ralph looked between the two of us and asked, "What the hell was that? Dude!"

I just looked at Casey, saying, "Well, I guess we have something else to tell our parents!"

I watched as her laughter erupted again; then laughing myself as she visibly forced herself to stop. "Oh, yeah", she dead-panned. "They'll be thrilled."

Emily interrupted us, most likely trying to prevent more fits of laughter. "Would someone please explain what you two have been cackling about?"

Casey finally spoke up. "You guys all know how our parents are trying to get us to get along. Trying to tell us we probably have things in common and should take the time to find out…" she trailed off as I bumped her foot. She tried to hide the blush creeping across her face, continuing. "Last Thanksgiving, my mom tried to get out of making real mashed potatoes. I was in the process of arguing with her when Derek came in trying to steal food." She pretended to glare at me, and I hid a chuckle. "The of course, with him being, well, him-"

I interrupted her. "HEY!"

She continued, pretending I hadn't said anything. "-wanting to know what was going on. So I explained, and for the first time ever, he actually agreed with me. I know it was only about mashed potatoes, but I got it in writing." She giggled.

"You weren't supposed to tell that part of the story, Spacey!" I threw a chip at her

"I know, but that's probably the most important part of the whole story", she said cheekily.

"Fine. I'll tell the rest. Now anytime Dad and Nora try to get us to hang out, we tell them that we think agreeing on one thing should be good enough. And we both agree that the two of us hanging out could result in us attacking each other." I ended dramatically, winking at Casey. She turned red as she kicked me under the table.



"Pretty much." She said. Before she continued, I said, "No. I'm pretty all the time."

She groaned. "You did not just say that!" Everyone was staring between the two of us wide-eyed at the exchange.

"Well, our parents will probably going to have something to say about this." I stated.

She looked at me and rolled her eyes. "Derek, you told your dad where you were applying, right?"

"Yes." I spoke carefully, not sure where she was going with this. Let's face it; she's the smart one in this relationship.

"I told my mom where I was applying, too." She continued. "She probably told George. They most likely knew and were waiting for us to figure it out." She groaned again. "I'm going to kill them." This statement was softened as her foot brushed against mine. We were with our friends after all. We had to keep up appearances somewhat.

Lunch ended soon, but as I was heading out, Sam pulled me around the corner.

I looked at him quizzically. "What?"

"Dude, were you and Casey playing footsie?" My eyes widened.

I decided to play dumb. "What are you talking about!? That's crazy. You're crazy!"

Sam just shook his head. "I don't think so. How long?"

Denial. Yeah, that's it. "Until our next class? Five minutes. We should get going." I started to walk down the hall.

He grabbed my arm before I could escape. He looked at me pointedly. "Dude."

I sighed. "Two weeks."

His eyes widened in disbelief before he punched me in the shoulder. "OW!"

Sam dragged me over to our locker. "You could have just told me."

I looked at him incredulously. "And what would you have said?"

Rolling his eyes, he said,"That it's about damn time! You guys have had a massive case of denial. Everybody knew but you two."

My eyes narrowed. "Everybody, who?"

Sam chuckled. "Me, Ralph – but I told him first, Sheldon, Emily, Kendra… ok so that's pretty much it, but nobody else would be surprised."

I shook my head, shocked. "Why didn't someone say something?"



"We thought about it", he said, "but Emily and I figured neither of you would have believed it-"

"That's probably true", I interrupted him.

He continued, "So instead we put bets on it." He shook his head in mock sadness. "And because you two couldn't contain yourselves, I owe Kendra fifty bucks. Thanks a lot", he said, in mock sarcasm.

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, I'm so sorry", I said, in the same tone.

"Sure you are… not. C'mon, D, gotta get to class." We headed down the hall, barely making it to our seats before the final bell rang.

-- Later that night, after dinner --

I figured it would be best to tell Casey about our friends as soon as possible. I knew she was worried about what they would think if we told them, especially Emily. Emily had a crush on me until she started dating Sheldon last spring, but we both knew it still could get ugly. And I guess if I'm being honest, I was slightly worried about it too. But seeing as we were in the clear, I was somewhat relieved.

She came into my room shortly after everyone went to bed; I was on the computer checking my emails when she came in and made herself comfortable against the headboard of my bed.

I continued reading email, while nonchalantly saying, "So, I talked to Sam today…"

"About what?" She looked at him curiously.

"Us", he said, not looking at her.

"Oh, you and Sam? That is so cute." He rolled her eyes at her purposeful stupidity. She finally continued in a serious tone. "What happened?"

He chuckled. "He caught us playing footsie at lunch. He said it was about damn time." Derek laughed harder as Casey's eyes widened. "Yeah, that was pretty much what I did. And apparently, all our friends new months ago. They even had a bet going. Everyone owes Kendra fifty bucks." He shut off his computer and went to sit next to her on the bed.

"Kendra?!" she asked, alarmed. "Our school's gossip queen and your ex-girlfriend, Kendra?"

Derek was visibly forcing the grin off of his face while he watched Casey panic in a way that only she can. "Der-ek! It's not funny!"

Calming down slightly and running a hand through her hair, he said, "C'mon, Casey. Our friends know and don't care. That's what we wanted. We're lucky it was so easy. And hopefully our parents don't have to know for another four years." He chuckled. "That's going to be an interesting conversation. I can't even imagine."



Casey looked up at Derek with a soft smile on her face. "Do you really think we'll still be together in four years?" she asked.

He looked down at her, his worries calmed by her smile. "Well, I sure don't intend on us breaking up, if that's what you mean. You don't want us to break up do you?" He laughed lightly as her eyes widened.

She leaned against his chest but still looked up at him. "Derek, of course not. I'm just surprised we haven't tried to kill each other yet. I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me whether you like it or not", she finished dramatically.

His arms tightened around her as he leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Good", he said, "'cause I'd go with you anywhere."

She sighed in content. "Good." They were silent for a few minutes before she spoke up again.

"Derek?" she asked.

"Hmm", he replied sleepily.

"I know we haven't really talked about it, but I don't really want to wait that long to tell our parents. I mean it's really nice how it is right now, but I don't want to sneak around forever." She looked at him to see that he was seriously thinking.

When he replied, it was in complete Derek-fashion. "What if we could figure out a way to tell them without telling them, exactly?"

Casey arched an eyebrow. "Huh?"

"Well", he continued, "maybe we could, sort of, ease them into it."

Casey watched him, partially intrigued. "How exactly would we do that?"

He smirked at her. The nerve, trying to make fun of him. "Why don't we just try being nicer to each other. It can't be over the top, though. It has to be kinda subtle, but not too subtle. It is our parents."

She laughed. "Agreed. They can be pretty oblivious."

"So should we start tomorrow?" he looked down to see her eyes sparkling mischievously.

"No", she said simply.

This time he quirked an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"Because it's the weekend", she stated.

"What does that have to do with anything?" he asked perplexed.

"We always fight on Saturday mornings, and I'd hate to give that up so soon." She grinned.



He laughed outright. "I knew you liked fighting with me!"

She looked at him in mock annoyance. "So?" she said petulantly. "You liked fighting with me too, so can it!"

He yawned before saying, "Yeah, but I never denied it."

Her laugh was interrupted by a yawn, and she groaned. "Ok, time for sleep. Casey tired." She moved to pull the covers out from underneath her before climbing under and resting her head on her pillow.

He watched her and bit back a laugh. "You just called yourself Casey."

"And?" she asked confused.

"You always yell at me when I call myself Derek." He voiced the realization.

She groaned. "Derek. I'm too tired to think. What's the point?"

He climbed under the covers to pull her against his chest again. "Nothing. I just never realized how much I've rubbed off on you."

"You have not-" she started.

"No, no arguing tonight. Go to sleep. We can fight tomorrow." His face was buried in her hair, and he felt himself relax completely against her.

"Fine", she whined, defeated.

He laughed quietly in her ear. "Baby", he teased.

"Night, Derek."

"Night, Case."