Author's Note: It has been so long since I have updated. I have been struggling with lots of writer's block and have been lacking inspiration. Finally, I found some rhythm again and got part of this chapter done to my liking. I was hoping to release much more of the date in one chapter, but I figured something is better than nothing! I hope you enjoy. More is coming!

Due to the constant barrage of questions and comments from their peers, Casey was spared of any awkward small talk with Derek. People wanted to see them up close, to make sure they were the real deal, and to gawk at the spectacle. As soon as one interrogator left their table, another would sit down and the whole process would start again. Eventually, people gave up the pleasantries of pretending to approach as friends and literally started queuing up.

The response was surprisingly positive. Casey could have sworn people would judge them harshly, but most people were enthusiastically on board. Most unnerving was the number of people who said 'finally!' or 'it makes so much sense!'. The words stoked a flame within Casey; she recognized how dangerous the hope was and tried to control the blaze. It could only lead to heartbreak.

Of course, there were also negative comments—insults from passing douchebags, and the oh, so popular 'it's weird, but….'

They navigated questions, building an elaborate castle of lies. All the while, Casey was distracted by Derek's leg against hers and the way his thumb stroked circles over her palm.

In the chaos leading up to their performance, Casey hadn't considered they should at least get their stories straight first. Then again, she hadn't expected so many questions. Luckily, Derek and Casey answered everyone's questions with surprising ease by staying close to the truth and filling in the gaps with whatever people wanted to hear. Their fake relationship had developed its own backstory with varying degrees of truth.

Keeping track of all the alternate versions of the truth under such intense scrutiny was a challenge. Casey wondered why on earth she would agree to this in the first place! Derek's plan made no sense! Why would they go out of their way to make sure everybody thought they were together, if they wanted people to stop—thinking—that?!

Casey had seen so many faces tonight and was surprised they knew so many people. She wasn't sure if she believed in God, but she prayed for the gossip to stay within her peer group. If any of this reached their parents, they were done for

Another familiar face slipped into the seat across from them. "Well…if it isn't the famous Dasey." Kendra teased. A brawny stranger sat down as well, wrapping his thick arm around Kendra's shoulders.

"Daisy?" Casey asked.

"Yeah! Like…Derek and Casey. Dasey! It's your couple name! Like Brangelina."

"Wouldn't that be pronounced like Casey but with a D? Day-cee?"

Kendra dismissed her, "That's not as fun!"

"Yep." Derek chimed in with a near undetectable hint of sarcasm, "That's us!"

Derek pulled his hand away from Casey's. Before she could feel disappointed by this, Casey's heart skipped as Derek's arm wrapped around her shoulder, pulling her tight against him. His arm relaxed and stayed put as Casey tried to remember how to breathe like a normal person.

Kendra regarded them like the world's most interesting TV drama, "I never saw it coming, but it makes so much sense! It's like, so perfect. When you think about it, it's actually like—finally! So anyway, how did…this…happen?" She asked, motioning to the two of them.

Casey looked up at Derek, stunned for the millionth time at having him so close. She quickly turned away to answer Kendra. They'd been asked this question a lot already and repeated their answer all night, like a mantra.

"Well, it just…happened." Casey said matter-of-factly, "After Truman's party, rumors spread that Derek and I were…together. We fought the rumors initially, but then we realized that maybe people were picking up on something. After that, it was pretty hard to ignore." She shrugged against Derek's side, "Now, we're together for real."

While Casey may have looked level-headed to onlookers, her mind grasped at straws to understand the layered situation she was in, and her stomach churned with the knowledge that one wrong word could ruin everything..

The smile on Kendra's face widened and she nudged the stoic man sitting next to her. "Aren't they adorable Glenn?" He gave a small nod and an appreciative smile to his tiny blonde counterpart. "Oh, by the way guys, this is my boyfriend Glenn. He is the perfect man." Kendra clutched onto his bicep adoringly. Kendra's idea of the perfect man was evidently the strong and silent type.

"Let me guess…" Derek laughed, "Glenda?"

"Exactly! You get it." Kendra said cloyingly, leaning across the table to tap Derek on the nose, causing his arm to tense around Casey. Kendra sat back and settled into Glenn's side, letting out a dramatic sigh. "Glenda would be the current 'it' couple if not for the notoriety of Dasey. It's no contest unfortunately."

"Oh, uh…sorry?" Casey offered.

"You're forgiven." Kendra smiled, "If you tell me about your first kiss. I'm just dying to know how it happened."

Casey felt a blush rise to her cheeks, as it did the last 10 times they answered this question. She could practically feel Derek smirking beside her.

"We were talking about the rumors." Derek said, stealing the spotlight, "Well…actually, we were fighting." He looked down at Casey intently, like she was the only person on the planet. She stared at the slight curve at the corner of his mouth and silently cursed him for being so good at this.

Suddenly, the waitress arrived at their table with a pitcher of water to refill Casey's glass. Derek continued on with the story "We couldn't help ourselves really. I don't think either of us saw it coming."

In an attempt to shift her focus away from Derek, Casey glued her eyes to the pouring water. Derek's intense gaze burned in her peripheral vision. He was toying with her, she knew it.

"Thanks!" Casey interrupted when the glass was full, sliding it closer to herself. It became unbalanced, and she knocked it over. She righted it before the rest of the water could spill. "Oh my gosh! I am so sorry!" She sputtered, grabbing all the nearby napkins to mop up the shame.

"It's no problem…" The waitress assured as Kendra cackled, applauding, "I'll get some more napkins." Derek pressed his lips together, unable to contain his amusement.

They were able to clean up the spill quickly and the waitress brought Casey new water. Casey hoped Derek wasn't reading too much into things. The last thing she needed was for him to think she was turning Klutzilla—for him!

When everything was settled, Kendra let out a contented sigh "Classic."

"I would make the obvious joke," Derek smirked, "But I don't wanna be in the doghouse."

Casey smirked back at him boldly, "Don't push your luck." Derek lit up at her response, and his eyes flickered to her lips. She suddenly felt dizzy. "I—I'm going to go clean up a bit. I'll be right back." She said, looking around the table. She went to leave, but hesitated, turning back to give Derek a quick peck on the cheek.

Scurrying away, Casey didn't look back for his reaction.

Derek watched, dumbstruck, his cheek tingling as Casey walked towards the bathroom with VENTURI plastered on her back.