"Derek Venturi, see me after class." The teacher said, glaring at him. Casey gave him an agonizing glance as the bell rang. Casey packed up her stuff and turned to Derek.
"What am I going to do?" She whispered as the teacher watched them converse with each other.
"I'll meet you by the steps later."
"Why can't we just meet at home?"
"It's too risky…" Derek glanced at the teacher and watched him raise an eyebrow.
"Mr. Venturi?" He asked.
"Just meet me by the steps…this will only take a minute."
"All…all right." Casey nodded her head, and Derek saw sadness flood over her anxious eyes.
"Case…I'm sorry." He said, and then walked towards the teacher. Casey left the classroom.
"Have a seat." The teacher said, motioning him towards the seat in front of him.
"What did I do?"
"This." He said, holding up his homework. Shit. Derek thought. "This isn't your homework is it? I know your handwriting…and trust me…you of all people wouldn't write a thoughtful answer that's more then two sentences."
"Yeah…yeah…I know. I'll re-do it."
"Oh, no need. Just answer me this…" He put his hands down on Derek's desk, making Derek lean back, away from him. "Who did do your homework?"
"Uh…" Derek stuttered, looking around and then back at the teacher.
"Was it your girlfriend?" He asked, shoving his head towards the door that Casey had just left the classroom with.
"Casey?"
"Yes."
"Um…"
"That's what I thought."
"So can I go?"
"No. Detention…Mr. Venturi."
"WHAT???" Derek shouted, standing up. This is going to ruin everything!
"For one whole hour, Derek."
"THIS IS NOT FAIR! I GOTTA BE SOMEWHERE!!" I gotta tell my step-sister I'm madly heels over head in lovewith her!!
"You know what, Derek? Two hours detention….with Mrs. Pummelman."
"What??" Derek let out a very frustrated sigh, and then plopped down into his chair. I knew that this was going to happen….
"Good Afternoon, Derek." Mrs. P said, walking in and switching places with Mr. Smith. "Thanks for taking this for me, Margret."
"No problem. It's an honor to be with Derek." She gave him a fake smile and he fake smiled back at her. After about five minutes, he started impatiently tapping his pencil on the desk.
"Derek." Mrs. P said, looking up from her book. "Stop." He rolled his eyes once she looked down and he watched the time fly by. He discreetly pulled out his cell phone and started texting Casey when Mrs. P caught him. "Derek…are you texting?"
"No…" He said, quickly placing his phone back in his pocket.
"Give me the phone…Mr. Venturi." Derek rolled his eyes and then handed her the phone. How am I going to get out of this prison cell??? I need to tell Case! I have to! It's my only chance!! Think Derek, think! You're the king of lies! You gotta get yourself out! Hockey practice! Yeah! She'll by that…I hope… Derek got up and walked towards Mrs. P.
"Mrs. P?"
"Yes?"
"Um…I gotta go."
"Why ever so?"
"I have hockey practice in 30 minutes…"
"Nice try Derek. Now take your seat." She said, smiling at him.
"No! Really!"
"Derek….listen to me. You're not getting out…no matter what. Unless you want a drink of water or need to go to the restroom." She said, sticking her nose into the book.
"Well I need to go to the bathroom then."
"Derek…"
"Mrs. P…do you really want me to go in the trash can…or on the floor?"
"Fine. But you have five minutes. Hurry up." She said, and he ran out of the door. He immediately spotted Casey, sitting on the steps, tears in her eyes.
"Casey!!" Derek said, and she sat up, rubbing her tears away.
"Derek!" She stood up and stopped in front of him. "I thought you weren't coming…what happened? What's going on?"
"I got detention." He sighed.
"Why?"
"Cause of that homework."
"Derek…I'm sorry, it's all my fault." She started to tear up.
"Look, I only have five minutes."
"Why'd you want to meet me here?"
He placed his hands on Casey's arms. "I have something to tell you."
She looked down. "I…I have something to tell you too."
"Let's say it at the same time, all right?"
She nodded her head. "Okay." They both breathed in.
This is it…
"1."
"2."
"3."
"I love you."