Sorry it took me so long to update. I've been sick with a nasty cold and other things. This is another long chapter since you guys like them so much. I just finished writing and rewriting it a few minutes ago. I'm getting closer to revealing what happened two years ago to make them stop talking... I know you're dying to find out, so am I, but you just have to be patient... it will come soon enough. I promise.
Disclaimer: I do not own the movie that is mentioned in this chapter, except a copy of it because it is a really good movie. I also do not own popcorn flavoured mini rice cakes, ranch crispers, and Dad's cookies but they are all very wonderful snacks that I enjoy. Mmmm!!
Here is chapter 10!
Chapter 10
Two Years Ago
Casey sat on the couch in the living room with the TV on even though she wasn't watching anything. Derek was thankfully at the hockey rink with Ralph, so she didn't have to see him right now. She had been avoiding Derek all day while they were still at their parent's house for the weekend. Every time she saw him, she couldn't help thinking about him cuddling her that morning. Did he know what he was doing? She thought and then shook her head. Of course he didn't! If he knew he was cuddling with me in his sleep he would have been repulsed. Derek's never liked physical contact with me. I probably disgust him.
"Casey, dear, can you help me cut up some vegetables for supper tonight?" Nora asked from inside the kitchen.
Casey sighed, "Sure, Mom." And then turned off the TV and made her way towards her mother.
"Is something bothering you today?" Nora asked as she handed her daughter the cutting board and a knife.
"Does it seem like something is?" Casey asked, trying to be discreet about her feelings.
"Well... you just seem kind of out of it today... and not to mention that every time Derek comes into the room, you high tail it out of there. Did something happen between you two last night?"
Casey's eyes went wide. Did her mother know about the cuddling?
"L...like what?" Casey stared down at the carrot she was chopping, not wanting to look into her mother's eyes.
"Like a fight? I am actually quite surprised with how much you two have been arguing this weekend. We haven't seen you act this way in months."
"Um... nothing's wrong, Mom. I guess we've just been hanging out too much is all." Casey shrugged.
"You're not still mad at us for making you share a bed are you?"
Casey shook her head, "Of course not."
"Hopefully you'll just have to do it one last time tonight and then George and I will see about making other arrangements for your next visits."
Casey's eyes went wide in realization. Oh no! We're staying another night and that means we have to share the bed again! But what if Derek cuddles me again... or something even worse happens?!
"I can't do this!" Casey spoke aloud.
"Do what, honey?" Her mother asked with a curious face.
"Um... I... I just realized that I have a massive project due for my... um... biology class and I forgot it back at my dorm." Casey lied.
"When is it due?"
"Monday."
"Well maybe you and Derek can leave early tomorrow morning so that you will have time to finish it."
"No!" Casey shouted and then lowered her voice. "I... I think it would be best if I... um... we just left tonight."
"But you and Derek always stay till Sunday." Her mother frowned.
"I know, Mom, but this project is really important and I think it would be best if I got started on it right away." Casey hated lying to her mother but she couldn't stand the thought of sharing the bed with Derek again. It was messing with her head and not to mention her... feelings.
"Well I guess if it's that important to you..." Nora sighed.
"It is, Mom, it really is."
"You better go call Derek then and let him know."
Casey hugged her mother and then grabbed the phone and dialled Derek's cell.
"What's up?" Derek's voice answered.
"Um... Derek, its Casey. I... I need to ask you a huge favour..."
"Is everything all right?"
"Yeah... yeah everything is fine... but we need to head back to Queens tonight."
"Why?"
"Be... because I just remembered that I have a project due on Monday and I haven't finished it yet."
"You can't finish it tomorrow?"
"No, I need to work on it tonight."
Derek sighed, "What's really the problem, Casey?"
"N...nothing. Why do you ask?"
"Because that's not like you to forget about a project at the last minute."
"Well... what about the time I forgot about my science project and you helped me lie?"
"Case, seriously, what is the real reason you need to get back?"
Casey groaned inwardly. Derek knew her too well. He could tell when she was lying about something even just by hearing her voice.
"Derek, can we please just leave tonight?" Casey begged.
She heard Derek let out another sigh, "Fine. Get your stuff ready. I'll be there in ten minutes."
"Thanks." Casey smiled.
"Oh and Case...?"
"Yes?"
"You might as well pack my stuff too."
"Why?"
"Because you owe me."
"Fine." Casey groaned. "Just hurry up."
* * *
After about a four hour drive in complete silence, Derek pulled up to Casey's dorm building and turned off the engine.
"Thanks, for... you know... leaving early." Casey said as she was about to get out of the car.
"Did I do something wrong?" Derek asked, grabbing her arm before she could leave.
"W... why would you think that?" Casey asked nervously, ignoring the tingling feeling that she got from Derek's touch.
"It seems like you've been avoiding me all day... and you didn't say a word to me the whole trip back... What's up?"
"N...nothing..."
"Quit the bull crap, Casey." Derek snapped. "I know something is bothering you, so tell me what it is."
"Derek, just drop it and let me out. I have to finish my project." Casey said, trying to yank her arm free of his hold.
"You and I both know that there is no project, so quit the lying."
"Look, Derek, I don't want to talk to you about this right now."
"I thought we were friends?"
"We are friends but we are also stepsiblings and... and I just can't deal with this at the moment, so please just let me go."
Derek frowned as he let go of her arm and sat back in his seat.
"Thank you." Casey said as she opened her door and got out.
Derek didn't know what her problem was but it was really bothering him. It wasn't like Casey to bottle up her feelings like this. And what did she mean by the whole stepsiblings comment...?
Derek watched as Casey grabbed her bag from the trunk and then walked inside her dorm without even another glance back at him.
"What did I do?!" Derek exclaimed as he slammed his fists against the steering wheel before driving off in a very foul mood.
* * *
It had been two days since Casey had heard from Derek and she felt guilty. She knew he was probably angry with her for the way she had treated him on Saturday. I guess it wasn't his fault he was cuddling me in his sleep... He couldn't have known what he was doing... And it's not his fault that I kind of... sort of... liked it...
Casey sighed as she sat down at an empty table in the library and pulled out her study notes from one of her lectures earlier that day. She'd been too busy thinking about Derek that she hadn't been paying attention to what the Professor was saying and just kept writing.
As she started reading the first paragraph she felt a hand rest on her shoulder and someone's hot breath whisper in her ear.
"I knew I could find my favourite keener here."
Casey looked up with a smile, ignoring the shiver that ran down her spine at the sound of his voice.
"Derek, what are you doing here?"
"Would you believe me if I said I was taking out a book to read?" He asked with a smirk as he sat down beside her.
Casey narrowed her eyes with a grin, "Only if it had big letters and pictures."
Derek clutched his heart in mock hurt, "Ouch, Spacey. You know I can read books once in a while..."
"More like once every year."
"Ok... Fine... You got me." He said with raised hands in surrender. "I actually came here because I was looking for... you."
Casey couldn't help but smile, "Really?"
"Well I haven't seen you in a couple of days and I was beginning to get worried, especially with the way you had been acting on Saturday..." He looked at her with serious eyes. "So... are you ready to explain to me why you were acting so strangely the other day?"
Casey looked away from him and down at her book, "Derek, I..."
"You can't, right?" He frowned.
"It... It's nothing that would really interest you anyway."
"How so?" He raised an eyebrow.
"It... It's complicated... So can we just drop the subject and pretend it never happened?"
"Pretend what never happened?"
Casey sighed as she dropped her head in her hands, "Derek... I'm serious... please?"
"Are you still hung up on the whole Truman thing?"
Casey shook her head, "I actually think I'm finally over him... It took a while but..."
"Is there another guy?" Derek asked with wide eyes.
Casey's eyes went wide as well, "N...no! What makes you think that?"
Derek shrugged, "I guess I'm just surprised with how fast you got over him, even though he was slime, but you did say that you loved him... and I know that it took a long time until I was able to get over Sally..."
"There's no other guy," Especially not you... I think... "I just realized that I'm not going to get anywhere by moping around all year and that obviously Truman was just not the guy for me."
Derek put his arm around her shoulder, "Well good for you then, Case. I'm proud of you."
"Thanks, Der." She smiled as she placed her head on his shoulder. "You know... even though I was pretty upset when I found out we'd be going to the same University, I'm actually glad that it turned out this way. I honestly don't know what I would've done without you, Derek."
"You're not going to get all mushy and sentimental on me are you?" Derek grimaced as he started to pull away from her.
"No," Casey said as she pulled him back with a giggle, "I'm just really glad that we're friends now."
"So we are still friends then?"
"Of course."
"And you're not still mad at me?"
Casey sighed, "I was never mad at you... I just..."
"No need to explain, Case, I get it."
"Thanks, Derek." Casey smiled as she pulled him into an embrace.
Derek suddenly cleared his throat and pulled away from her, "Uh... well... I have to go now..." He said as he stood up with a red face.
"Oh... ok... well... um... do you want to hang out tonight?" Casey asked as she stared up at him.
"Sure... um... can you meet me at my dorm?"
Casey nodded.
"All right," he said as he rubbed the back of his neck, "see you tonight then." And then he was gone before Casey could say another word.
* * *
Casey knocked on Derek's door and smiled when his roommate answered it.
"Casey! Nice to see you again!" Layson grinned as he let her in.
"Hey, Layson. How are things with you?"
"Things are great. I got a 98 on that paper I read to you."
"Really? That's awesome! I'm so happy for you."
"Yeah, so is my mom," he laughed. "She drove here from Lindsey to congratulate me and take me out for dinner."
"Awe. How cute." Casey laughed with him.
"So I'll see you later then." He smiled.
"All right. Have fun."
He rolled his eyes, "Yeah... I'll try... I made sure to pick a restaurant away from campus just in case anybody I know sees us. All I need is to be known as a Momma's boy for four years here."
Casey laughed.
"Just get going, Momma's boy, before you're late." Derek said from where he sat at his computer desk.
"Thanks, D." Layson said with sarcasm as he waved goodbye. "You two behave now." He winked before he closed the door.
Casey stood in the middle of the room while Derek typed something on his laptop. It was one of those awkward silence moments that everyone hates.
"So... Derek... What did you have in mind for tonight?" Casey finally asked, breaking the silence.
Derek shrugged, not looking up from the computer, "I dunno... What do you want to do?"
Casey sighed, "Well I would like it if you actually looked at me when we're talking..." She walked over to stand behind him and peered over his shoulder. "What are you doing anyway?"
"Working on something."
"Working on what?"
Derek finally looked up at her and grinned, "Do you want to see?"
"Ooh! Is it one of your videos? You're actually going to let me see one?" Casey beamed.
"Yeah... I might as well. I do need some other constructive criticism besides Layson's." Derek shrugged as he got up from his chair and ushered Casey into it. "Just press play when you're ready."
"Where are you going?" She looked up at him.
"I'll be right back. I'm just going to get some snacks from the dorm kitchen. I'm starving."
"You don't want to be here when I watch it?"
"Nah, I prefer seeing your reaction later."
"All right, but bring me back something to eat as well."
Derek nodded as he left the room and heard his video start.
Derek walked to the kitchen and grabbed a couple of cans of pop from the fridge, then he searched the cupboards and found some popcorn flavoured mini rice cakes, ranch crispers, and a bag of Dad's cookies.
"Whoa, D, enough snacks?" One of the guys said as he came up behind him and grabbed a pop from the fridge. Derek recognized him but couldn't remember his name.
"I have a friend over." Derek said, trying to juggle all the food with two hands.
"A friend or a friend?" He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively with a grin.
"Just a friend." Derek narrowed his eyes.
"Is he from the hockey team?"
"No."
"From one of your classes?"
Derek shook his head.
"So where is he from then?"
"That's none of your business." Derek said as he began walking back to his room. Casey should be finished the video by now. It was only ten minutes.
"Dude, you're hiding something..." The guy said as he followed.
Derek groaned with irritation, "Will you just bug off. I'm not hiding anything. I'm just chilling with a friend in my room."
"But why won't you tell me who he is then?"
This guy was really starting to get on Derek's nerves.
"Because it's really no concern of yours."
"It is when you're being so secretive." He said and then placed a hand on Derek's shoulder, "Dude, if it's a girl, I won't say anything. I've had of few of them over myself."
Derek tried to shrug his hand off but it was hard when he was carrying things.
"Will you just leave me alone?" Derek snapped as they stopped at his door.
"It is a girl isn't it?" The guy smirked. "Is she hot?"
Derek ignored him as he tried to reach for the door handle but it was hard with all the stuff in his hands.
"Hey, let me get that for you." The guy said and before Derek could object he'd turned the handle and opened the door.
"Oh my goodness, Derek, that video was amazing!" Casey squealed when she saw him standing there. Then she saw the other guy and looked at him in confusion. "Um... hi... I'm Casey."
The guy turned to Derek with a sneer, "I thought you said it was just a friend?"
"Casey is just a friend." Derek growled as he set the food and drinks down on his bed.
The guy walked up to Casey and took her hand in his, "Hey, my name's Blair. Nice to meet you, Cassie."
"It's Casey." Casey corrected as she shook his hand.
"Casey, huh? That's a nice name. You go to Queens?"
"Yes..." Casey said as she removed her hand from his and gave Derek a questioning look. "Are you one of Derek's friends?"
Blair went to open his mouth but Derek cut him off before he could speak, "No, he's not and he was just leaving."
"Hey, no need to be hasty. I get it you want some privacy." Blair said with a wink as he made his way to the door. "Just don't be too loud. My room's just across the hall. If you know what I mean."
"What?" Casey's face scrunched up in confusion.
Derek grabbed the guy by the arm and shoved him out of his room, "Mind your own damn business."
"She is so hot, man." Blair said before Derek slammed the door in his face.
"Um... What was all that about?" Casey asked, trying to bite back a smile.
"Just an idiot from my dorm. Never mind him."
"All right..." Casey said and then her eyes lit up with excitement as she grabbed Derek's arm. "Derek, your video was amazing! I can't believe you made that." She grinned.
"I hoped you would like it." He blushed.
"You're really talented. You should think about directing movies as a career choice."
He shrugged, "I enjoy doing it but hockey is number one right now."
Casey frowned, "Yeah but hockey is... well... its hockey."
"And I like it."
"But it's not really a career choice..."
"Yes it is. Lots of people make a career out of being a hockey star."
"But don't you want something better for your life?"
Derek glowered at her, "Casey, it's my career choice, so just drop it."
Casey sighed, "Fine, but only because I came over here to have fun and not to fight."
"All right then." Derek said as he closed his laptop and grabbed one of the pops. "So what do you want to do?"
"Are we just hanging out here?"
"Well I'm kind of broke right now... so yeah..."
"Do you have any good movies?"
"Well you don't really like my movies... but I'm sure Layson has something girly in his selection."
"Are you sure he won't mind?"
"If he does I'll just blackmail him and threaten to tell everyone in the dorm that he's a Momma's boy." Derek smirked.
Casey smacked his arm, "Der-ek."
"I'm kidding. He won't mind. He goes through my stuff all the time anyway."
"Fine, where are his movies then?"
"Um... I think they're in one of his bookshelves... Just don't pick something too girly, please."
Casey walked to Layson's side of the room. He had three shelves full of books which reminded her that she had to ask Layson if she could borrow a few. She noticed that one of the shelves held some DVDs and bent down to take a look at them.
"Anything good?" Derek asked as he lay back on his bed and sipped from his pop while opening the bag of cookies.
Casey grinned when she found one of her favourite movies in Layson's collection. She didn't care what Derek said, they were watching it.
"What'd you pick? It better be something I want to watch too." Derek said when she stood with the movie behind her back.
"Are we watching it on your laptop?" Casey asked, not answering his question.
"Yes, unless you want to be surrounded by a bunch of obnoxious college boys in the dorm lounge."
"Are they cute?"
"Like I would know." Derek scoffed. "And besides, there is no way that you are dating any guys from my dorm."
"Why not?"
"Because I said so, that's why."
"I was just kidding, Derek, don't have a cow." Casey laughed.
Derek rolled his eyes and then looked at her, "So what movie did you pick?"
"You'll see when I put it on." She said as she made her way towards his laptop.
Derek jumped up from the bed with a suspicious look, "Show me the movie, Casey."
Casey took a step back from him, "Why can't you just trust my judgement?"
"Because you're Casey and you don't have good judgement." Derek said as he moved towards her.
"I do so! I have better judgement than you about everything!" She took another step back.
"Casey... just let me see the movie..." He stepped even closer, trapping her against the door.
"Der-ek! You're invading my personal space! Step back!" Casey snapped, trying to hold back a smile.
"Give me the movie and I will." Derek said as he held out his hand.
"No." Casey said as she stood her ground, keeping the movie behind her back.
"Fine then." Derek grinned and before Casey could do anything Derek was already reaching around her, trying to get at the movie.
Casey shrieked as she shoved him back and tried to make a run for it but Derek grabbed her by the waist and pulled her towards him.
"Hand it over, Case." Derek smirked, holding on to her.
"Derek, let go!" Casey squirmed in his arms as she held onto the DVD with all her might. There was no way she was giving up that easily.
"Just let me see the movie and I'll decide if we're watching it or not." Derek said as he tried to grab it from her hands.
"No way! We are watching it and that's final."
Casey tore away from Derek's grasp and made a beeline for the laptop but before she could get the movie out, Derek had tackled her onto his bed.
"Derek, get off of me!" Casey yelled as Derek pinned her down and stole the DVD from her hands.
"The Princess Bride?" Derek scowled as he surveyed the cover while straddling her hips. "What kind of crap is this?"
"It's not crap! It's a good movie and I think you'll like it."
"Maybe if I was a pansy or a girl. There is no way that I am watching anything to do with a princess or a bride. The title screams chick flick."
"You're only judging it by the title then. I bet you that by the end you'll like it."
"Oh, so you wanna bet now?" Derek raised his brows.
Casey nodded with a grin, "If you watch the entire movie without laughing once then I... uh... will do your homework for two weeks."
"Case, this college; I actually enjoy doing my homework now."
"Ok... well then you decide."
"If I win, which I will, then you have to... come to all my hockey games for a month."
"Fine but when I win then you have to announce to all your dorm mates that your favourite movie is The Princess Bride and then you will watch it in the lounge with a big smile."
Derek hesitated and then agreed, "All right, it's a deal, but you are so going down McDonald."
"We'll see about that, Venturi. Now get off of me." Casey groaned as she shoved his chest.
When Derek realized that he was still straddling his stepsister his face went red and he immediately moved off of her and put the DVD in his laptop.
* * *
They were halfway through the movie now and Derek had to admit that he was actually enjoying it. He wouldn't admit that to Casey however, due to their little bet, and was struggling to hold in his laughter at the funny parts. It was getting harder and harder as the movie progressed.
They were both sitting on Derek's bed with the laptop propped up on a pillow in-between them. Derek couldn't help but notice how close Casey was sitting to him, their shoulders were practically touching. He could smell her strawberry body spray when he sniffed the air and it made him want to have her even closer. When he noticed Casey beginning to fidget, he realized she'd been sitting in the same position for forty-five minutes now and must be uncomfortable. Without thinking through the consequences, Derek put an arm around her and pulled her towards his chest, so that she could see the screen better and feel more comfy.
Casey blushed when Derek pulled her against him but she couldn't pull away. She had to admit that she was very uncomfortable from where she'd been sitting and that stupid dark glow was on the screen the whole time while she was watching because she was afraid to get any closer. So she ignored the fact that Derek was once again, cuddling with her, this time on purpose, and tried to enjoy the movie in front of her. Besides, it was more of a brotherly/friendly cuddle anyway.... Right? Right. I think...
* * *
"So, I think this Saturday will be a good time to make your little announcement to your dorm mates and have a movie night with them." Casey laughed once the movie had ended. She was still sitting against Derek with his arm around her.
"All right, I admit, the movie wasn't that bad. But come on, Case, you seriously expect me to tell all the guys that I love The Princess Bride? I'll be the laughing stock of the dorm." Derek complained.
"A bet's a bet, Derek." Casey narrowed her eyes with amusement. "And you lost."
"Fine." He sighed. "But since it is Layson's movie, he is so doing it with me."
"You'll have to discuss that with him then."
"Oh, I will."
"Well... I guess I should get back to my own dorm now. It's getting pretty late." Casey yawned as she moved to get up.
"Not so fast, Spacey!" Derek said as he pulled her back down.
"Derek, I have classes in the morning." Casey tried to hold back a giggle as she stared up at him.
"You can't leave yet." He smirked as he gazed into her eyes.
Casey's stomach felt like it was being turned inside out by the way Derek was staring at her. Why is he looking at me like that? Derek never looks at me like that... At least I've never noticed him looking at me like that... What is he up to?
Derek had no idea why he had pulled her back and wouldn't let her go. He was just so comfortable and wished he could hold onto her forever. But you can't, so let her go. He told himself. I can't help it... she's just so... Don't finish that thought! I just want to... You can't finish that thought! She's your stepsister! Derek shook his head as he broke eye contact from her deep blue eyes and felt his cheeks starting to redden.
"Derek, are you all right?" Casey asked as she touched his arm in concern.
"Uh... yeah..." Just the feel of her hand on him sent jolts of electricity through his body. He had to get away from her before he did something he'd regret, so Derek slowly stood up and rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding looking into her eyes. "Um... do you need me to walk you back?"
Casey sat there for a second in confusion. Why is Derek acting so strange? Did I do something wrong? She then stood up and started to clean the mess they'd made with the snacks, and put the DVD back in its case and in Layson's shelf.
"I'll be fine. It's not that far and there are lights on everywhere."
"You sure?"
She nodded, "Thanks anyway... and um... thanks for the movie night. It was... nice." She smiled.
"Yeah..." he still avoided her eyes. "It was."
"Well I'll see you later then." Casey said as she grabbed her bag and opened his door.
"See ya, Case." Derek waved.
When the door was finally closed and she was gone, Derek threw himself on the bed (that still smelt like her) and started beating his fists against the pillow repeatedly.
I can't like Casey, I can't like Casey, I CAN'T LIKE CASEY!!
Ooooh! The tension is growing between them... What's going to happen? I guess you'll have to wait and find out... But please review, the longer the better. I love knowing exactly what you thought of it and even if you have any suggestions... Reviews rock and the reviewers rock even more!!! Thanks for reading!