Hey everyone! I had a good day today, full of good news. I got the job I applied for and my friends had all kinds of good news, I have decided to update again. And a rather long one. I think this is the longest update...but I am not sure. Anyways, this chapter has a clue about the reveal..anyone who catches it gets a cookie! Also, I am working on the reveal scene right now, so it will definetly be soon!
So before the disclaimer and the story, I have a favor to ask of you all. I love the reviews, seriously! Hearing that little bing telling me I have a new email is amazing! Anyways, I have a few questions for you guys. What do you think are the strongest aspects of the story? What are the weakest? Can you understand and identify with what Casey is feeling? Because all the feelings are based on feelings I've felt regarding this matter and I am trying to put them into words and I don't know how good of a job I am doing. So I want to get a feel on what you all are thinking. So if you could just let me know, that would be phenomenal!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own LWD...though every night I hang out with Michael Seater in my dreams :)
As Derek's hand reached for the trunk, Casey snapped into action. She raced to the trunk and attempted to get it out of Derek's reach. Derek saw Casey coming out of the corner of his eye; he pulled the trunk to him. Casey threw herself on top of Derek, still scrambling to get the trunk away from him. Derek shoved Casey away, never letting go of the trunk. Casey managed to grab one of Derek's hands and pull it away from the trunk.
"Derek, stop it!" Casey screamed. Derek didn't listen and struggled to pull the trunk away. All the commotion over the trunk caused it to open and spill the contents over the floor. The upset made the squabbling duo pause. Casey recoiled back, scrambling to get to wall. Pulling her legs up to her chin, she put her hands on either side of her head. Her fists clutching her hair, tears fell from her eyes while she rocked back and forth. Derek looked at her, wanting to go gather her in his arms…but the mystery of the trunk was too great. Looking at the mess on the floor, Derek gently sifted through the snapshots and other memorabilia. He picked up a small stuffed animal and a faded sweatshirt. Derek moved these to the side and focused his attentions on the photos. They were all of a tall man with medium colored hair, the color of Lizzie's, blue eyes and a wide smile. Casey's eyes and Casey's smile. Even an idiot would be able to tell this man was Casey's and Lizzie's biological father. Although the McDonalds never really talked about him, Derek recognized him from the similarities between him and Casey and Lizzie. Some of the photographs had younger versions of Nora, Lizzie, or Casey in them. There were a few family pictures. Derek saw a picture of the man; he knew his name was Dennis, with a toddler Casey. Dennis had Casey in his arms, cheek to cheek, each with the same wide smile plastered on their faces.
Continuing to look in the memorabilia, Derek came across a couple of strange things, a cut hospital bracelet, a receipt for a plane ticket, a funeral program. Looking up from the last one, Derek looked to Casey who was still curled into herself, crying silently. Derek picked up the black tear-stained frame with a picture of Dennis in it. He studied it and stood up. Derek walked over to Casey, still holding the picture, and knelt down next to the silently sobbing girl. Putting the picture on the ground next to Casey, Derek put his hand on her shoulder.
"Case, what happened with your dad?"
Casey retreated even further within herself, if that was possible. She scooted closer to the wall, pulling her legs even closer to her chest. Casey shut her eyes tightly, as if not seeing it made it go away. She focused on her breathing, in…out…in…out. Casey had to concentrate on breathing, for if she didn't she would surely stop.
Derek tightened his grip on her shoulder. "Whatever happened, Casey, can't be that bad. It will be ok. I will fix it. Just tell me what happened." All of the sudden, Casey became quiet and deathly still. Her hand raised up to Derek's and lifted his hand off her shoulder. Casey's eyes opened and Derek leaned back. He had never seen such anger before, not in Casey, not in anyone. Casey rose gracefully from the floor and took a step towards Derek, who was still kneeling on the floor. Derek shakily stood up, his eyes never leaving Casey's face.
"You're going to make it ok? You are going to fix it? You have no idea of what is wrong Derek! You have no clue to how stupid you sound, promising it is going to be ok. What's next? You are going to tell me that one day I'll have a happy ending with a charming prince? That cartoon animals are going to help me get ready for my wedding day? That world peace is only a hug away? Get a clue Derek! The world isn't perfect. You can't make it ok. I'm not Marti; I don't think Smerek is going to save me from the monsters. Yes, Derek. Monsters. Too-smart-to-believe-in-monsters-Casey is admitting that there are in fact monsters in the world. I believe people commonly refer to them as doctors. You know the ones I mean. The people you are supposed to trust besides your family; family who inevitably let you down just like doctors. You can't trust anyone. You especially can't count on anyone who says they love you and that they want to be there for you and make it better. Things don't get better!"
During this rant, Casey was pacing around her room. She had picked up the framed photograph of her father and was gripping it with one hand as if she would drown without it. Her face was getting red as her voice rose.
Derek just stared at her, unsure of what the hell she was talking about. "Casey. Just tell me what is wrong. I will make it better, you can trust me. I mean-"
"God, Derek! Do you not listen? Does anything anyone says penetrate that thick head of yours? I just said that you can't trust anyone who makes those outrageous claims, pay attention. You have no idea-" Casey was screaming and waving her hands around, the photograph of her father slipped out of her hand and crashed against the wall; glass shattered all over the floor, Derek acting quickly grabbed Casey and pulled her too him, shoving her head down so he could cover her from the glass.
Once the glass had all fallen, Casey pushed away from Derek. She stood looking at him, her chest heaving. The two just stood there not saying a word. Suddenly the door flew open, revealing George, Nora, Lizzie, Edwin, and Marti. Neither Derek nor Casey even noticed the family standing in the open door. Eye contact between the two didn't break until George spoke.
"What the heck happened?"