This Is Life With Derek
LWD…A S01-E01: The Great Debate
Casey fell dramatically onto Derek's bed, her limbs dangerously close to smacking into the bed's other occupant. A startled expression stretched across Derek's face as he scanned her figure, hovering significantly over where their arms rested a breath away from the other.
At her sigh, he glared sternly. Gaining no response, his look softened into curiosity. Clearing his throat, Derek spoke casually, "What the hell are you doing?" Casey stared up at his ceiling silently. Derek flipped a page of his magazine nonchalantly. "Have you finally lost your mind, Space Case?"
Out of the corner of her eye, she quickly glanced at him, then resumed her staring contest with his ceiling. Uncharacteristically quiet, Casey asked him, "What would you do?"
Before she could notice, Derek swiftly studied her. Determinedly, he focused on his magazine, his face adapting a neutral expression. "I'd get off my bed, if I were you."
"If it was hockey." Casey's eerily subdued voice emphasized.
His magazine sagged slightly. "Remember who you're talking to."
She rolled to face him, her hands supporting her head. "So, you'd choose hockey?"
"I didn't say that." Derek raised his magazine, blocking his face.
"You wouldn't take the hockey offer?" Her eyes narrowed as she greedily studied the parts of his face peeking out above the vehicle on his magazine's back cover.
"Didn't say that either."
"Der-rek." Casey grumbled quietly.
Throwing his magazine to the floor, Derek stood and stalked to his door. "You have to figure this one out on your own."
Casey flipped onto her back again as she listened to Derek running down the stairs. Her eyes wandered around Derek's barely recognizable room. Her gaze swept across his disarrayed desk briefly before it stalled on the carefully packed stacks of cardboard boxes that littered his room. The brown of the cardboard contrasted sharply against the striking bare walls.
Absentmindedly, she fondled the familiar comforter on his bed as her brow furrowed in thought. Her body relaxed as Casey inhaled deeply, breathing in Derek's scent. Soon, her eyes drifted shut and Casey fell into the first restful slumber she'd had since returning from the lodge.
🎵 "It used to be my mom, sis, and steps with me,
A happy blended family, yeah, reluctantly.
Then we left London, that's when everything changed,
Some things have gone, yet others remain.
A new town and new friends,
So many changes make my head spin.
Still got a step-brother who gets under my skin.
This is life with Derek... AGAIN!
This is life with Derek... AGAIN!
Going to miss Lizzie, Edwin, George and Nora, Marti, and the baby.
Now, I'm stuck with Derek,
Now, I'm stuck with... DER-REK!" 🎵
"Oh!" Casey cooed as she studied her surroundings.
"This is a different blue than I usually see.
It's a lot dark, yet it's somewhat familiar.
But I can't quite place it."
Casey held her arms out, testing the area.
"And, wow, this is a smaller space too."
"What the hell?
Where am I?
Why is everything gold?"
As she faced forwards again, Casey huffed.
"Anyway, back to my point.
I managed to get through life with
Derek once, but I never thought I would be
facing the possibility of life with Derek... again."
Derek glared, staring straight ahead.
"Nice try, but it's not going to work."
"I always thought that I would be the one attending
a proper and pristine university with organized study
groups and challenging coursework while..."
"I'm not going to talk about it."
"Derek went to some stinky school with a
stinky gym and stinky hockey players."
"I won't. You can't make me."
"I didn't count on us ever choosing the
same university."
Clasping his hands on the top of his head,
Derek closed his eyes.
"No way. Not a chance."
"But now, I have an opportunity to dance
in New York. Maybe even spend time with
my dad."
"I can't have feelings."
"And this is a once in a lifetime kind of deal.
Something I won't ever be able to get back if
I don't take it now."
"I don't do feelings."
"This is a major life decision that I have to make
in days. How can I even make all the necessary
lists in that amount of time?"
"Get a grip, Venturi."
"Gran said, 'Opportunities like this come along
once in a lifetime'... but which one is the
biggest opportunity for me?"
Derek covered his face with his hands.
"Noooo, this can't be happening."
"I have to choose between dancing in New York
and going to Queen's... with Derek."
"Great. Now, she's got me talking to myself."
Derek barged into his room, only to stop dead in his tracks as he spied the sleeping brunette in his bed. His jaw slackened as Casey stretched in her sleep, slowly rotating to face him. Her bouncy curls brushed across her face, causing her nose to crinkle slightly. He took a step back, creeping out of his room carefully and closing his door quietly as he went.
"What are you doing?" Marti sang from behind him.
Startled, Derek faced his little sister. "What are you doing?"
Marti quirked an eyebrow, resembling her big brother. "I asked you first."
"I asked you second."
She giggled, "Smerek! That doesn't work!"
Derek grinned back, throwing her over his shoulder as her tinkling laugh intensified. "Sorry, Smarti! Can't hear you!"
"Hi, Georgie." Nora greeted, wrapping her arounds around his neck from behind. She pressed a kiss to his temple. "What are you working on?"
George laid the ads down on the kitchen counter so Nora could peer over at them. He chuckled, "Well, actually, I'm looking for a beater."
"A beater?"
"Yeah. You know, an old car?" Nora looked at him uncomprehending. George clarified, "For Edwin and Lizzie."
Panic crossed her face. "Oh, no. I completely overlooked the fact that Derek and... hopefully Casey will have the Prince in Kingston! George! We need another car!"
"I know, Nora. I realize that."
"George! This is bad! What are we going to do?"
He tapped his finger against the newspaper. "We're going to go to these used car lots."
Sighing, Nora shook her head. "I can't believe I didn't think of this earlier!"
George rose from his stool. "I know, Nora. We better get a move on if we want to visit them all today."
Still chattering, Nora grabbed her purse from the hook beside the door and hurried out the door. George gave an exasperated shake of his head, but followed his wife anyway.
Casey stared intensely at herself in the bathroom mirror, distracted as she washed her hands. Splashing cold water on her face, she rubbed at the creases that had appeared from her nap. She toweled herself dry as she whispered to herself, "Opportunities like this come along once in a lifetime. Opportunities like this come along once in a lifetime. Once in a lifetime."
Taking a deep breath, Casey continued to talk to herself, "I can star in a Broadway musical. Go to New York and see my dad so much more than I do now. Maybe he could even come to my performance. And there could be a relationship with Jesse in my future. He's a really nice guy and attractive. Who knows, that could lead somewhere." Frowning, Casey trailed off.
"But I've always wanted to go to university. What happens if I defer for a year and something happens, and I can't go? Then if my dancing career doesn't take off, I'll be on the streets and homeless! I'll have to rely on Derek because he'll be the one with the degree!" Her own horror reflected at her through the mirror.
"If I go to Queen's, I'll have to spend at least four more years with Derek. And this is university. We won't have anyone to pull us apart when things get too... intense. We'll fight all the time. He'll prank me and expect me to help him with his coursework. I'll have to put up with all the hockey stuff and the parties he'll no doubt try to drag me to and all of the girls he'll parade around. It'll be worse than high school."
Disdain flashed across her features before she relaxed again. "But at least I would have someone I know there. We're the only graduates from London going to Queen's. And no matter his faults, if I really need him, Derek is there for me. It couldn't be all bad, right?"
She moaned, "I wish someone would just tell me what to do."
Suddenly, someone pounded on the bathroom door, efficiently startling Casey from her thoughts. "Casey!" Edwin called, "Hurry up! You've been in there forever!"
Hastily, Casey apologized, "Sorry! I'll be right out!" She hung the towel carefully by the sink and flew across the bathroom to open the door, revealing Edwin's puzzled expression.
Sticking his head in the room, Edwin peered around her. "Is someone else in here?"
"What? No!"
He quirked a suspicious eyebrow. "I thought I heard you talking."
Casey blushed. "Oh, um, I was." At her words, Edwin looked around again. She rushed to add, "But I was talking to myself!"
Putting on a Venturi smirk, Edwin laughed. "If you say so. Now, out!" He pushed past her into the bathroom, closing the door in Casey's face.
As they walked onto a used car lot, Nora asked, "Do you think this one is going to have something in our budget?"
"Well, the other three didn't so maybe the odds are in our favor."
"I hope you're right."
"Come on, Nora. Let's get started." The two crossed to the east end, walking down the first line of cars.
"George, look at this one." Nora lingered in front of a silver beater.
Approaching them, George studied the outside of the vehicle before consulting the tag. "Hmm, a Volkswagen." He read on, "Nora! That is way out of our budget!"
Nora read the tag and cringed. "You're right. Let's keep going."
Leading the way this time, George came to a stop in front of a dark broken-down car. "Hey, this is cheap!"
"Um, George? It smells like rotten eggs."
"Nothing a little tree can't fix."
Wrinkling her nose, Nora shook her head. "I don't think a forest of little trees could cover that up." She withdrew several steps away from the repulsive odor.
They continued down the line of cars, occasionally stopping to take a closer look at vehicles that caught their attention. At the end of the first row, the pair paused, revolving on the spot in order to decide which way to go. "Well?" Nora inquired.
George pointed to a car down the line. "Let's look at that Volkswagen Passat." he guided Nora the direction he wanted ago. As they reached it, George went along the outside, tapping along the car. "Not too bad, but there is a little rust." He peered at the tag. "It's a 1992. Reasonable mileage. Okay, now for the deal breaker... the price." Consulting the tag, he let out a low whistle. "Not bad. Let's test drive it."
Nora relented. "I'll go get someone." George waited, continuing to circle the Volkswagen.
A few moments later, Nora returned with a salesman. The gangly man, his wispy blonde hair blowing slightly in the breeze, strode directly to George, extending a hand. "Rick Roberts. Pleasure to meet you."
"George Venturi." He grasped Rick's hand firmly.
Rick nodded in acknowledgement and released George's hand. "So, your lovely wife said you'd like to test drive this old girl."
Humming, George confirmed his words. "That's right."
Reaching into his pocket, Rick pulled out a ring of keys. "Here you are, sir."
Nora pulled open the passenger door as George thanked him.
"That went well." George exclaimed excitedly as he climbed out of the car.
George and Nora met at the front of the car, and he opened the hood. She waited until he stood again to ask, "What do you think, Georgie?"
He wrapped an arm around Nora's shoulders. "Nora, I think we've found the one."
"It doesn't seem to be emitting any toxic fumes." Nora looked skeptically down at the vehicle.
"And it's in our budget!"
"Georgie, let's not be hasty. Let's look at the rest of the cars before we make a decision."
Calming himself, George took a deep breath. "You're right." They took a final walk around the car, running into the salesman.
Rick Roberts smiled brightly. "Well, what did you think?"
Nora offered a smile in return. "It's nice, Rick. We're just going to check out the rest of your cars before we make a decision, alright?"
"Of course, of course! Let me know if you need anything."
Both George and Nora thanked him before turning to walk down the rest of the line. George leaned closer to Nora to whisper, "Nice guy. Not your typical used car salesman." He winked at her.
"Oh, George!" Nora laughed, "Stop it!"
"Marti?" Lizzie questioned timidly as she cautiously peered around Marti's open door. "What's with all the banging around?"
Her small head popped up from behind her bed. "Hey, Lizzie!" Marti scrambled to her feet, welcoming Lizzie inside. Looking around at the disaster of items scattered across the floor, Lizzie carefully stepped through the mess towards the bed. Dresser drawers were hanging open with clothes oozing out of them and her closet was wide open while various items erupted out from within.
"Uh, what's going on?"
"I'm flipping my room!"
"You're... flipping it?"
"Yepperoni!"
Lizzie picked up Gomer the Gecko off the bed. "Care to explain that, Smarti?"
"I'm taking everything that was here and putting it there." Marti's hand waved wildly through the air as she explained. She sang, "And then taking everything from there and putting it here." Marti finished with a proud beam.
Arching an eyebrow, Lizzie inquired, "Why?"
"Because I can!"
Chuckling, Lizzie shook her head. "Can't argue with that. Guess I'll leave you to it. Later, gator." She tucked Gomer under Marti's blanket.
"After 'while, crocodile!"
"Aww, what's this cute little thing?"
George laughed, "That, Nora, is a Geo Metro."
"Oh! Aren't they supposed to get really good gas mileage?" Nora stepped closer to the vehicle, examining it closely.
"Well, yeah, but that's hardly a manly car." George hastily added at Nora's look, "Not that a car has to be manly."
Satisfied, Nora turned back to consult the tag. "Georgie, this is a great price."
He peered over her shoulder and whistled. "That's what I like to see. Looks like it's a 1994." Freshly motivated, George turned with a new vigor to look over the Geo. He tapped around. "There's no rust."
"Definitely needs a paint job though." Nora flicked the burnt brown flaky paint. "This color is a little less than desirable."
"We could fix that though."
"I'll go tell Rick and we can test drive it."
"No need, Nora. He's on his way over." George inclined his head at the approaching Rick.
Stuffing his hand deep into his pockets, Rick announced, "So, I saw you eyeing this little lady. Pretty good deal, I have to say."
"We'd like to test drive it, Rick." Rick nodded, procuring the keys from his pocket, and handed them over to George.
Rick asked with a suave smile, "So, have you made a decision yet?"
George and Nora looked at each other. "Well," George started, tapping the hood of the Geo, "We've definitely narrowed it down between this one and the Volkswagen Passat."
"Both good choices!"
"I think we need a moment to discuss it, Rick."
"Of course, ma'am." He tipped his head to her and walked off.
"Which one are you leaning towards, George?"
He glanced between the two vehicles, a finger tapping alongside his cheek. "Well, I do like them both. The Passat has way more room than the Geo. However, the Geo is cheaper."
Nora nodded along. "Price is a huge factor here." She chuckled, "I think Edwin and Lizzie could handle the size. Derek and Casey on the other hand..."
George guffawed, "That would be downright dangerous to confine those two in this small of area."
They shared another laugh before Nora continued, "I think the gas mileage for the Geo would be a selling point for Lizzie."
"I'd hate to see her reaction if we came home with a gas guzzler." George winced.
Biting her bottom lip, Nora studied him. "So, did we make a decision?"
"I think we did."
She looked down at the car between them. "It's too bad about the paint though."
Out of the blue, George snapped his fingers. "You know what, Nora? I just remembered that Terri from work was saying how her fiancé does body work. I could call her and ask if he could give the car a paint job!"
Puzzled, Nora squinted. "Isn't he a doctor?"
"Yeah, that's him." George chortled, "Turns out that isn't the only type of body work he's interested in."
Nora returned the laugh. "Punny, George. But do you think he'll have time?"
Shrugging, George pulled out his phone from his pocket. "We won't know until we ask." His fingers punched a few buttons, and he held the phone to his ear, waiting for Terri to answer. "Hey, Terri! How are you?"
He paused, listening to Terri on the other end as Nora waddled around the car to stand next to him. "Yeah, we're all great. Actually, I was calling for a favor. Well, actually a favor from George."
Listening to Terri, a smile grew on George's face. "He is in town? That's wonderful! Listen, Nora and I are buying an old car for Edwin and Lizzie and it's in desperate need of a paint job. If it's not too much trouble, we'd like George to do the work before we give it to them."
Nora hovered impatiently as George waited for Terri's response. "Thanks, Terri! We'll be over with the car shortly. See you then." He ended the call and turned to face Nora, a huge smile on his face. "He'll do it right away!"
Clapping her hands in front of her, Nora cried, "That's perfect! Then none of the kids will find it before it's time to give it to Edwin and Lizzie."
"Alright, everyone. I need your attention and participation." Casey declared from her spot at the dinner table.
Derek groaned, "I'm dying from anticipation."
"Wow, Derek! That's a big word for you! Congratulations!"
Taking a huge bite of meatball, Derek mocked her around it, "Thank you for your appreciation, Case."
She rolled her eyes at him, the two sharing a look. "Anyway," Casey continued, addressing the rest of the family, "I'd like everyone to give me a few pros and cons as to why I should or shouldn't go to Queen's or New York."
"Oh, yay." Derek moaned sarcastically.
Nora shot a sideways look at Derek and rushed to avoid the coming confrontation, "Alright, I'll go first!" She folded her hands in front of her. "A pro for Queen's is that you have always dreamed of going to university and you have a scholarship! I suppose a pro for New York is that it's a once in a lifetime opportunity." She paused, waiting for Casey to finish jotting her answers into a notebook she had uncovered from below the table.
Casey nodded, urging Nora to continue, "A con for Queen's... I can't think of anything other than missing an opportunity to dance on Broadway. But you've always been more focused on your studies than dancing. So, a con for New York would be that you'd be behind in your education."
As she finished scribbling, Casey thanked her, "Thank you, Mom."
"Of course, honey." Nora turned to George significantly, "Georgie, you go next."
Nervously, George cleared his throat. "Right, well, I stand that going to Queen's for a stable education outweighs the unsteadiness of having a dancing career."
"I'll keep that in mind, George." Casey wrote it down and turned to her sister, "Liz?"
Lizzie pushed the noodles around on her plate. "Well, if you were to go to New York, you'd see Dad a lot more." Across the table, Derek snorted disbelievingly, but tried to cover it with a couch at Nora's sharp look. Undeterred, Lizzie went on, "But you'd be further away from all of us."
"Thanks, Lizzie. Ed, what are your thoughts?"
Edwin held his fork importantly. "Well, without extensive research, I can only give my preliminary thoughts."
"That's fine. Go ahead and tell me what you think." Casey encouraged him.
"Right, well, school is school and all, but an opportunity like this in New York could lead to a full-time pro job. Seems like a more exciting field than what you could get from university. But I guess it just depends on what you want, doesn't it?"
Nodding, Casey wrote it all down. "Thank you for your input."
"No problem, Casey."
"What about you, Marti?"
Marti wiggled in her chair. "Well, dancing is fun, and school is dumb." Everyone coughed a laugh at her reasoning. "I'd say go dance-"
Casey started to thank her, "Thank you, Mar-"
"No, no, I'm not finished yet!"
Surprised, Casey apologized, "I'm sorry, Marti, continue."
"I'd say go dance, but then you'd leave Smerek all alone."
Silence fell upon the table. Finally, George spoke, "He wouldn't be all alone, Marti. Derek will make lots of friends at university." He smiled encouragingly at his daughter.
"I know that, Daddy, but it wouldn't be the same. It's Smerek and Casey! They do everything together."
Nora looked to Derek, who was stuffing food into his mouth at a rapid pace. "What about you, Derek? Do you have some pros and cons for Casey?"
He answered through a mouthful of food, "Nope."
Shifting, Nora looked to George, who sighed, "Derek, I'm sure you have tons of reasons." Derek shook his head.
"Derek, just give Casey one reason each way." Nora encouraged.
"Fine." Derek straightened in his seat as he pushed his empty plate away. "Don't care and don't care."
Jumping up from the table, Derek was upstairs before George could finish, "Derek! Get back here!"
Casey stared after him for a beat, until his door slammed. She turned her attention back to the table. "It's okay, George. I'll wear him down eventually."
A fuzzy towel covered Derek's head when he popped out of the bathroom. He attempted to dry his hair as he stalked to his room, but suddenly warm hands were pushing against his chest, forcing him back into the bathroom. Startled, Derek cried, "What the fu-"
"Der-rek! Language!" Casey hissed as she slammed the door shut behind them.
He groaned, "I should have known it was you." His hand snapped up to whip the towel off, splattering Casey with water droplets as he shook his wet hair. Realizing she was still clenching his shirt with her fists, he asked impatiently, "I take it there's a reason you're assaulting me and my shirt?"
Casey's bright blue eyes stared fiercely up at him, some of the water droplets clinging to her long eyelashes. At his taunting leer, she released him, but then reached back up to run her palms across the fabric of his shirt to smooth out the wrinkles she'd created.
Barely audible, Derek let out a tiny release of air. Her eyes snapped up to meet his and simultaneously they stepped away from each other.
"Right, so..." Derek cleared his throat. "You going to say something, Spacey?"
"Queen's or New York?"
Cursing violently under his breath, Derek sidestepped her. "I'm not doing this." He roughly threw open the door and rushed to his room.
"Emily?" Casey questioned as she picked up the phone.
"Hi, Casey."
"Oh Emily!" Her enthusiasm spiked and Casey's words shot out like rapid fire. "I've missed you so much! Why haven't you answered your phone? Are you okay? I've been trying so hard! And-"
"Case..." Emily tried to cut in repeatedly, finally managing a breakthrough as she yelled, "CASEY!" Casey quieted and Emily started over, "Hello, Casey. I've missed you too."
Barely above a whisper, Casey asked, "Are you okay?"
Emily thought the question over for several seconds before she uttered quietly, "I'm better now, yeah."
"Oh, Em. You could have talked to me. I could have been there. I could have helped you!"
"No, Casey. You couldn't have. You- I just needed some... time to... sort things out."
Casey breathed, "I'm so glad you called." A few tears leaked out of her rapidly blinking eyes.
Sniffing on the other side of the phone, Emily agreed, "Me too."
"Can we meet up?" Casey cringed. "I know, you're still emotionally raw and I totally get it if you don't want to even talk. But Em, I really have a lot to tell you."
Cautiously, Emily consented, "Sure, Case. Come over any time before dinner."
"Okay. See you later, Em."
"Bye, Casey."
"Sup, Dad?" Derek greeted as he answered his phone.
"Derek, can you take Lizzie to soccer practice?"
"Ask Casey to."
"She can't, Derek. It's on you."
Groaning, Derek grabbed his keys and yelled up the stairs, "LIZZIE! We leave in two!" He turned back into his phone, "Later, Dad."
"Thank you, Derek."
Derek slid his phone back into his pocket as Lizzie's feet thudded down the stairs. She tossed her ball into the air and caught it. As she passed Derek, she bumped her shoulder into him and offered a winning smile.
The corner of his mouth lifted, creating a small lopsided smirk as he followed her out. "At least I don't have to wait for you like I do your sister."
Rolling her eyes, Lizzie chuckled, "I was already ready."
They piled into the Prince. "Yeah, Case says she's ready, but then it's been ten minutes and I'm still waiting."
Turning in her seat, she eyed him seriously. "What do you think she should do?"
His brow crinkled. "Uh, hurry up?"
"I meant if she should go to New York or not."
"I don't care."
"You don't want her to go to New York, do you?"
"Her choice. I couldn't care less."
Lizzie studied him while he maneuvered a turn, a look of nonchalance across his face. They drove in silence for a several long miles before Lizzie spoke again, "You know, you don't have to tell me, but you should at least be honest with her... actually you better start with being honest with yourself."
Humorlessly, Derek snorted. "I think you forgot who you're talking to, kid."
Facing her window, Lizzie stared at the scenery. "Oh, I know exactly who I'm talking to."
He cocked an eyebrow even though she wasn't looking at him. Derek opted not to reply as he turned into the parking lot.
Lizzie turned back to him with a smile as she unbuckled her seatbelt. "Thanks, big bro."
Her words brought a genuine smile to his face. "No prob. I'll pick you up, 'kay?"
"Okay. Bye!"
"Later, Liz." He watched as she ran off to join several girls and together, they jogged onto the field. The girls chatted excitedly, tossing a soccer ball back and forth. He shook his head to himself, shifting the car back into gear and switching on his favorite radio station.
Traveling a distance, Derek bobbed his head to the beat. Just as he was ready to take the exit home, a head popped up in the backseat, screaming, "University or dance?"
"Jesus Christ!" Derek swerved, missing the exit as several horns blared around them. "What the hell, Casey? Are you trying to kill us?"
"Der-rek! I just want you to answer the question!"
"And killing us is part of that plan?"
She glared at him through the mirror. "You won't answer me any other way! I was trying to surprise you!"
"Well, you did that. You're just lucky I have stellar reflexes."
"Oh, please. Your reflexes are not stellar."
Making eye contact in the mirror, he rolled his eyes for her benefit. "Oh, really? Care to explain how I managed to avoid wrecking the car?"
Casey returned the eye roll. "Derek, you're avoiding my question." He didn't respond. "Der-rek! Talk to me!"
"I am not talking to you through the rearview mirror like some creepy shrink chauffer."
Huffing, Casey tried to maneuver herself into the front seat. But unexpectedly, her foot caught on the driver's seat, and she went sprawling upside down into the Prince's passenger side. Her arms barely managed to keep her head from hitting the floor.
Derek snickered at her wildly flailing feet. "Gee, nice skirt, Case. Really quite the view."
Casey flushed, immediately clamping her legs together and trying to keep her skirt in place. "You could help me!"
"Where's the fun in that?" His eyes strayed back and forth between her and the road, a smirk dancing across his face.
"DER-REK!"
He laughed again. "As much as I'd love to help you, you're going to have to wait until I pull over." Derek glanced over at her predicament again, erupting in fresh snickers.
Painstakingly slow, Derek finally managed to pull the car to the side of the road. He lingered in the driver's seat still chuckling.
"Well?" Casey's muffled voice asked. "Are you going to do something?"
"You mean besides take a picture?"
"DER-REK! You wouldn't dare!"
Amusement danced in his voice, "Of course, I'd dare."
There was a click as Derek snapped the picture, causing Casey to split angrily, "DER-REK! DELETE THAT RIGHT NOW!"
"No way, Klutzilla! This is pure gold."
Casey whimpered, "Just help me up."
"Relax, I'm coming." Derek checked his side mirror before he bailed out of the car, jogging around to open the passenger door. At the sight that greeted him, Derek doubled over, cackling loudly.
"Just get me out of here, Derek!" Still snickering, Derek tugged on an arm and a leg until she fell out of the vehicle, sprawling into the grass. "Ouch, Derek!"
Clutching the Prince for support, Derek wheezed, "What's the matter, Case? Feeling a little topsy-turvy?"
She huffed as she climbed right side up into the front seat. Not bothering to answer, she slammed the door shut on Derek.
Still chuckling, Derek circled the car, shaking his head to himself. As he got in, he noticed Casey's rigid stature and crossed arms. Derek shot her several looks as he started the car and pulled back onto the road. He reached for the dial, turning up the volume.
Her hand shot out to turn it off. "No, we're talking about this." He reached for the knob again, but her hand batted his away. "I mean it, Derek." Derek watched the traffic, ignoring her. "I'm really torn. I don't know what to do. My world is spinning."
"I'd say it's more... upside down, wouldn't you?" He chuckled at her expense.
"Der-rek! I'm being serious!"
"And I've told you, I'm not having this conversation."
"But Derek-"
"No, Casey." His eyes darkened angrily, and they traveled the rest of the way home in silence.
Joining Nora in the laundry room, Casey picked up a shirt to fold. "Mom, can we talk?"
Nora looked up from pouring detergent. "Sure, Miss Case. What's up?"
"I know you gave me pros and cons each way, but what do you think I should do?"
Studying her daughter for a moment, Nora turned away to start the washer. "Honey, I think you have to work this through without me interfering."
"But, Mom, you've always given me your opinion before!"
"I know, I know. But this is different."
"How?"
Bobbing her head side to side, Nora picked up a blouse to hang. "This is your future, Casey. You're going to have to live with this decision for the rest of your life."
"Exactly why I need your help!"
She shook her head. "This isn't something I can decide for you. It's entirely based on what you see yourself doing."
"Mom-"
"In twenty years, when you look back at this decision, I want you to know that you made the best choice."
"Can't you at least tell me what you'd do?"
"I'm staying neutral, sweetheart."
Casey groaned, "Please?"
Nora reached out, gripping Casey's shoulders with both of her hands. She planted a kiss on her forehead. "You'll make the right decision."
Biting her lip, Casey perched uneasily on the coffee table, her notebook balanced haphazardly on her knee as she stared at Edwin and Marti sitting on the couch. Edwin's eyes didn't waver from the cartoon as he asked, "Something on your mind, Case?"
"I'd really like to talk."
"Shoot."
"I know we talked about your initial thoughts about Queen's and New York, but I really need to talk about it some more."
Marti leaned around Edwin to look at her. "What's wrong?"
Casey wrung her hands. "Tell me everything you can think of about New York."
Frowning, Marti supplied, "It's far away. Clear in another country!"
Not taking his eyes off the screen, Edwin blurted, "New York is expensive to live in. Prices are inflated. There's so many people in a small area. That's stressful. You'd have to commute most likely and rent would be high."
"Gee, Edwin, can you think of anything positive?" Casey pulled a face.
Half-heartedly, Edwin shrugged. "Hey, it's a beautiful city. Real glamourous if you're into that kind of thing. Personally, it's too city for my liking."
Sending Edwin a look, Casey turned to Marti, "What do you know about New York?"
"Well, there's lots of zoos in the area! And Madison Square Garden would be cool to see. And Times Square and-"
"I get it. There's lots of nice places to visit. But what else, Marti?"
"It's the city that never sleeps! But we all know you need at least eight hours a night, Casey, so I don't think that matters to you."
Edwin chuckled, "Good one, Smarti."
Casey glared at both of her step-siblings. "If you two aren't going to take this seriously, I'll-"
Cutting her off, Marti explained, "I am taking it seriously. You asked me what I know and I'm telling you!" She crossed her arms grumpily.
Sighing, Casey gave in. "Go on then, you two."
"There's lots of songs written about it. So, it must be a great place." Edwin tried to amend.
Marti shook her head, "I don't care what Frank Sinatra says, I don't think you should be a part of it."
Finally, Edwin broke his eye contact with the television to quirk an eyebrow at his sister. "You know the song, Marti?"
"Duh." Marti exasperatedly rolled her eyes. "Cynthia in my class was from New York. She's a huge fan of ol' Frankie. I know all of his songs."
Astonished, Edwin studied her. "You know, Marti, sometimes your memory scares me."
Shrugging, Marti flashed a smirk as she sang, "It should."
Interrupting the debate, Derek trotted down the stairs. "Gonna pick up Liz. Any takers?" Derek held up his hand sternly. "Anyone 'cept the keener."
Casey rolled her eyes. "Why not me?"
"One car ride today was more than enough."
"Der-rek! That was all your fault!"
"Sorry, but that statement has been overturned!"
"Are you ever going to give this up?"
"Hey now, don't flip out, Klutzilla."
"Shut up, Derek!"
"Gee, Case. You sound upset."
"Derek, I swear-"
He cut Casey off as he turned to Edwin and Marti and asked, "Well?"
Both siblings hopped off the couch. Marti's eyes widened, "Can we get ice cream?"
"Sure, Smarti." Marti jumped up and down and followed Edwin to the door. Derek threw a look over his shoulder at Casey, "Later, Klutzy."
"Shotgun! Edwin called as he and Marti raced to the Prince. Marti pouted briefly before shrugging her shoulders and climbing into the backseat. Grinning triumphantly, Edwin threw open the passenger door and jumped in.
Strutting around the vehicle, Derek slid casually into the driver's seat. He silently backed out of the drive. They drove down their street for several blocks without anyone speaking. As they went, Edwin observed his brother from the corner of his eye. Derek sat rigidly, opposite of his usual relaxed posture. He gripped the steering wheel tightly with both hands as his eyes darted back and forth on the road. Without Derek realizing it, a frown materialized on his face as his hand drummed restlessly on the steering wheel.
Frowning himself, Edwin took a deep breath and plunged for the question, "So, why are you in such a mood?"
"I'm not." Derek continued tapping his fingers.
"The casual observer may believe you, but not your brother."
Marti stuck her head into the gap between Derek and Edwin. "Or your sister!"
"You're both ridiculous."
"Thank you, Marti." Edwin nodded to her. He went on as he turned back to Derek, "Come on, D. We've known you our whole lives. You're in a mood." Not offering a reply, Derek hummed to himself. Edwin pursued it, "Is it Roxy? Do you miss her?"
Even the Lord of Lies couldn't keep the surprise from his face. "What?" Derek snorted, "No."
"You're acting like it's a girl problem."
Derek frowned as he manipulated the Prince into the parking lot of Lizzie's field.
Marti piped up from the backseat. "Stop pushing, Edwin. Derek's in a bad mood because of Casey."
Through the rearview mirror, Derek regarded his sister. She gave him an all-knowing look before she turned to watch out the window. Meanwhile, Edwin's head had whipped around to gage his brother's reaction.
"You're crazy, Smarts." Derek didn't look at anyone as he concentrated on searching for Lizzie. Finding her, he honked the horn. Lizzie looked up and waved and signaled for a minute. Edwin opened his mouth to say something, but Derek cut him off. "Don't even think about it."
In the backseat, Marti rolled down her window. Leaning out, she shouted at Lizzie, "Get in loser! We're getting ice cream!"
Several of the girls around them laughed, including Lizzie. "Mean girls, Marti? Really?"
Throwing in a hand flip, Marti simpered dramatically, "It's just so fetch, I can't help it."
Both Derek and Edwin groaned. Marti scooted over as Lizzie hopped in and the two girls laughed together. When she sobered, Lizzie inquired, "So, what's this about ice cream?"
Twisting his head behind to look at Lizzie, Edwin informed her with a smirk, "Derek's buying us ice cream."
"Ha! Keep dreaming, Ed. I said I'd take you for ice cream."
Frowning, Lizzie consulted her watch. "But dinner is in two hours."
They eyed each other before Derek asked the car, "Sworn sibling secret?" Smiles grew as everyone nodded their agreement.
Marti bounced in her seat. "YAS!" Exaggeratedly, Marti gestured them to move forward as Derek shifted the car into gear. "To the Ice Cream Company!"
Linda opened the Davis' front door after Casey knocked. She greeted her with a soft smile. "Hello, Casey. Emily's up in her room. Go on up."
"Thank you." Casey smiled politely as she hurried upstairs. When she reached Emily's door, she knocked gently.
"Come in!" Emily called.
Casey pushed the door open and took a few timid steps inside Emily's room. Emily looked up from her desk and offered Casey a shy smile. Standing, Emily held open her arms and the two girls met in a fierce hug as tears flowed freely down their cheeks.
After several moments, Emily pulled back and both friends wiped at their eyes. Pulling Casey by the hand, Emily sat them on the edge of her bed. "So, fill me in on your news, Case."
Hesitating, Casey asked, "Are you sure, Em? Do you want to talk about-"
Emily cut her off by shaking her head frantically. "No, I don't want to talk about any of that stuff."
"Okay, but if you want-"
"I promise I'll let you know if I change my mind."
"Alright, if you say so."
"Go on, Casey. I want to hear about you."
Before she launched into her story, Casey took a deep breath. "So, Gran invited us to her lodge. Well, Mom thought she invited all of us, but she only meant Lizzie and me, not any of the Venturi's. So, everything started off on the wrong foot. Then we found out that Mom hadn't even told her that she's pregnant. And apparently Gran didn't take that too well either. But it didn't help matters when Derek and I arrived running through the grounds fighting and screaming."
Casey stared off into space as she concentrated on retelling the events and missed Emily flinching. Looking back at Emily, Casey sighed, "Then we all had to share a one room cabin with two bunk beds and a couch. Everything just turned into chaos from there. Dinner was a disaster with me throwing a bun at Mr. Sampson and Derek wanting to dance with me..."
As Casey trailed off, Emily's head dropped, staring at her hands clasped in her lap. Her voice shook slightly when she asked, "Then what happened?"
Frowning, Casey went on, "After dinner, Gran tried to send the boys home on the bus and Marti thought she should leave if they were. Lizzie was really upset about anyone going home. She manipulated Derek into staying by telling him Gran thought the Venturi's were inferior to the McDonald's and that if he left it would mean Gran won. But she really sealed the deal when she told him that I wanted him to leave." Casey sighed, "So, everyone stayed."
Emily nodded but didn't offer any comment.
"Lizzie and Marti went to the marsh and I was trying to study so I sent Edwin off to hang out with two 'extreme sport' enthusiasts and he almost hit Mr. Sampson with a croquet ball while Derek went off with the neighbor's daughter."
Casey stopped as she realized Emily's face had turned green. She gasped, "Oh, Em! I'm so sorry! I should have skipped over-"
Sadly, Emily shook her head. "No, Case. It's alright. I need to hear the truth. Go ahead."
She plunged on, "Derek almost killed Edwin with a jet ski. I jumped in to try and save Derek, but the jerk was fine. Gran had it at dinner that night though when Lizzie and Marti's snake, Mikey, got out and caused a riot. Derek and Edwin freaked out and created a huge scene. Gran asked the boys to leave again."
"Did they?"
"Long story short, Derek told me I had to pick a side. Either Gran or them." As Casey took a deep breath and closed her eyes, Emily studied her intensely. "So, the next morning we all packed up to head home." Voice filled with pain, Casey whispered, "But we couldn't find Marti."
Emily gasped, "What? What happened?"
"Between us we figured out that she had gone back to the marsh to release Mikey. She took a canoe and rowed across the lake by herself. Derek and I went after her. We saw the canoe overturned in the water and we just panicked. But then we saw her on the bank jumping up and down trying to get our attention. Derek actually scolded her. I was so relieved I could only hug her, but he just took charge." Casey sighed. "When we brought her back, Gran apologized and said everyone could stay."
"Oh my god. I'm so glad Marti wasn't hurt."
"Me too." Casey started breathing easier and chuckled slightly, "So, throughout all of that I found this handsome waiter, who was a dancer. He asked me to practice a routine with him."
"Ooh! What's his name?" An ecstatic smile appeared on Emily's face.
"Jesse. He's a wonderful dancer and choreographer! It was so amazing dancing again. I've never really had a guy partner before, you know except-" Casey cut herself off, looking sideways at Emily's expression. "Anyway, it was exhilarating."
"Soooo, did you get anywhere? Did he kiss you?"
"Em!" Casey's cheeks colored. "Yeah, but Derek pulled me away." Casey took Emily's look as confusion, so she elaborated. "It was after the talent show Lizzie organized to try and save the lodge."
"To save it?"
"Yeah, when Derek was at the neighbor's with Roxy, he found out that her dad, Dumbarton, he had been trying to buy the lodge from Gran, was planning to drain the marsh. Well, Lizzie rallied the troops and after some... persuasion, we all pitched in to help with the talent show. Jesse and I taught a bunch of kids a dance routine and then he and I danced for the finale."
"Did it work?"
"Well, in the middle of rehearsing, Gran found out that the zones changed and that he could legally build whatever he wanted. She decided to sell the lodge and canceled the show. She and I had a huge fight, and I left the next morning to take the bus home. I had left a letter for Lizzie explaining what I did, but the next thing I know Gran was at the bus stop and we're heading back to the lodge and the show's back on."
Emily listened attentively as Casey explained, "So, when Gran was coming after me, everyone else was trying to get ahold of Roxy's grandpa's environmental report he commissioned. They needed it to send to George. Roxy ended up giving it to Derek and they sent it to George, who got a judge in Montreal to put a stop to it. George and my mom barely got to the lodge in time to keep Gran from signing the paperwork. He presented the injunction to Dumbarton, which stopped all construction."
"So, you saved it?"
Casey nodded happily. "Yes, the Blue Heron Lodge is alive and prospering."
"That's great, Casey. I'm happy for your family."
"Thanks, Em. But I have a huge dilemma." Casey bit her lip.
Her brows knitted, "What's wrong?"
"Turns out that one of the guest's son is a Broadway choreographer. He came to see his mom perform and after the show he offered Jesse the lead in the next show!"
"Wow! Good for him!"
"I know! And you'll never believe it, but he offered me a lead role too!"
Emily's jaw dropped and the girls squealed together. "Casey! That's unbelievable! Are you going to take it?"
The smile fell off Casey's face. "That's my problem, Em. I don't know what to do. There's so many things to take into consideration. Like Gran said, opportunities like this come along once in a lifetime." Casey started to pace through Emily's room. "On one hand, I can take an opportunity of a lifetime and dance on Broadway. But on the other, I can go to the university of my dreams and get the education I've always wanted. Two unbelievable opportunities." Stopping, she turned to Emily. "What do I do?"
With wide eyes, Emily asked, "What do you want to do?"
As she ranted, Casey resumed her pacing, "Mom told me she's staying neutral and refuses to tell me what I should do. George says university. Marti says Queen's. Edwin thinks dancing is more exciting, but Lizzie thinks being closer to my dad would be great. But Derek has refused to tell me anything about what he thinks."
Casey missed Emily's flinch and subsequent crease that appeared on her forehead.
"He's just been so quiet ever since he found out about the offer to New York. No matter what or how I ask him, he won't say a word. It's almost like he's mad at me."
This time Casey caught Emily bristling and immediately apologized, "Oh my gosh, Em. I'm sorry, I know you don't want to talk about him. It's just-"
Emily waved an irritated hand through the air and frowned. "Well, it's like you Gran said, isn't it? You don't get an opportunity like this very often. I think you should take it."
"You think so?" Casey's eyes widened significantly.
"Yeah, I mean... Queen's will always be there if you decide to go."
"But my scholarship and-" Casey clammed up as she looked at Emily. "I see what you mean, Em." She clasped her hands nervously in front of her. "Thank you for telling me what you think."
"Of course."
"Nora!" George bellowed as he marched in the back door.
"What?" Nora hurried as fast as she could up the stairs. "What's going on?"
George looked around frantically, dropping his voice to ask, "Are the kids home?"
Nora shook her head, "No, nobody is here right now."
He grinned brightly. "Perfect! George has the Geo ready. We've got to go pick it up."
"Already? Wow, that was fast!"
As Nora went to grab her purse, George exclaimed, "I know! And great news, it won't cost us a cent! Terri said they want to pay us back for how considerate we were before George moved to London."
"Aww, they didn't have to do that!" Nora smiled warmly as she followed George out the door.
"Ugh!" Edwin groaned, clutching his stomach. "Defs ate too much."
Derek shoveled more ice cream into his mouth then tried to talk, "Come on, Ed. Man up!" He nudged another bowl towards Edwin, who moaned, but picked up the spoon and took another bite.
Lizzie shook her head, "Boys." She patted her own stomach. "I'm not going to be able to eat my dinner after all that sherbet."
Pointing his spoon at her, Edwin stated, "You got to admit, it was a great idea though."
"Yeah, until none of us eat our dinner. Then Mom and George will know something is up."
Marti tinkled a laugh, "Best ice cream ever."
"You McDonald's worry too much. Besides, I could eat." Derek mumbled through another mouthful.
Looking disgusted, Lizzie shot at him, "You're a bottomless pit."
"I'm a man." Derek shrugged.
The kids laughed. Edwin shook his head, "Yeah, sure, D."
Looking fondly at the ice cream on her spoon, Marti beamed, "I love sworn sibling secrets."
Nora sighed as she sunk into her place at the table. As she passed the potatoes around to Casey, Nora asked the table, "Anybody do anything special today?"
Immediately, Marti raised her hand, shouting, "Oh, me! Pick me!"
"What did you do, Marti?" Nora chuckled.
"I'm flipping my room!"
"What a coincidence, Smarti. Casey did some flipping today too."
"Der-rek, shut up." Casey muttered warningly.
"If you insist. But I should remind you that a picture's worth a thousand words." Derek started reaching into his pocket, taunting her.
"No!" Casey aimed a kick at him underneath the table.
Edwin clutched his leg in pain. "OUCH!"
Derek sniggered as Casey grimaced, "Sorry, Ed."
Glossing over the approaching argument, George announced, "Well, Nora and I have big news."
Marti brightened, "Are we finally getting a pony?"
Derek cast a long look at Nora, "You can't get pregnant again, can you?"
"Derek!" George chastised.
Nora ignored them both. "Edwin, Lizzie... we have a little surprise for you."
Surprised cover both of the their faces. "What is it, Mom?" Lizzie asked excitedly.
"George and I bought you two a car today."
A chorus of "What's?" went around the table.
"Are you kidding?" Edwin asked in awe.
George amusedly answered, "Seriously, Ed."
"What kind?" Derek questioned cautiously.
"It's a 1994 Geo Metro." George supplied. "I had Terri's George give it a new paint job."
Beaming ear to ear, Nora elaborated, "Now it's a beautiful blue!"
Lizzie turned to her mom. "What was it before?"
"A hideous brown." Nora's nose wrinkled.
Curling her nose as well, Lizzie stated, "I'm glad you had it painted."
Derek snorted, "A Geo? Really, Dad?"
"Hey, we got a great deal. Don't diss the Geo, Derek."
Edwin sat up straighter. "Yeah, D. Don't diss our Geo!"
Waving his fork through the air, George grinned at them all. "We'll go look at it after we finish eating. Digging back into his food, George turned his attention to his daughter. "So, munchkin, what's this about your room?"
Folding her hands importantly in front of her, Marti answered, "I'm flipping everything. Completely reversing it! I'm taking all of my things out of my room and I'm putting them back backwards!"
"What made you decide to do that, Marti?"
"Because I can, Daddy."
Nora laughed softly. "Sounds like a good reason to me, Georgie."
"Alright, gang! Let's go!" George gestured for everyone to follow as he led the way to the back door. Edwin and Lizzie rushed to follow him while Nora beckoned for Marti to join her. Marti complied, grasping Nora's hand and the two swung their clasped hands happily back and forth as they followed the teens out the door.
Casey lagged behind the rest of the group, trailing closely behind a dawdling Derek. Just as he was ready to open the door, she roughly yanked him back by the arm. Derek let out a hiss of surprise.
With astonishing strength, Casey jerked him around to face her. "Is there anything you want to say to me?"
"Nope!" He popped the p.
"Are you sure?" Casey pressed.
"Well, now that you mention it, let go of me." Her eyes jumped to where she was clutching Derek's bicep. She hastily let go and he rubbed the sore muscle tenderly. He drawled, "I'm probably bleeding now."
Ignoring him, Casey pushed, "There's nothing else you have to say?"
Rolling his eyes, Derek leered, "Gee, no."
"You've never been this quiet before!"
"You've never left the country before." After the words left his mouth, Derek instantly made for the door.
Quickly jumping forward, Casey seized his arm with both of hers. "Whoa, you're not going anywhere!"
"Casey. Let go."
"Is that really why you've been so quiet?"
"No."
One of Casey's hands dropped from his arm to wave wildly around as she fumed, "So, you decided that-" She dropped the register of her voice as she mocked him, "Oh, hey, I'm just going to clam up for a week now that Casey really needs to hear my annoying voice telling her exactly what I think!" Glaring, her voice returned to normal, "Is that it, Derek?"
"You're insane. Do you know that?"
"Look, I understand that you're probably upset about Roxy, but is that really any reason to take it out on me?"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Back the assumption truck up. I'm not upset about Roxy."
Confusion crossed Casey's face. "But-"
Derek cut her off. "I'm not going to pieces over a summer fling. You know what those are, right? What normal teenagers do in the summer? Maybe they didn't have those things on your mother planet, Spacey."
"Der-rek!" Casey irritably spit, "Then just what is your problem?" He laughed humorlessly, causing Casey to cry, "Well? I'm waiting!"
Instead of answering her, Derek forcefully shook his arm out of her clutches. He marched the rest of the way to the door.
Casey's soft cry of, "Derek!" stopped him, his hand gripping the knob. He looked over his shoulder, his darkened eyes taking in her pleading expression. He shook his head slowly. Without another word, he hurled the door open and stormed out, leaving Casey blinking after him. Her exhale echoed in the empty room.
George led them to the shiny Geo in the driveway. The new blue paint caught the setting sun, reflecting it back at them. As George stepped aside, Edwin and Lizzie finally laid their eyes on the Geo.
Edwin let out an ecstatic laugh followed by, "She's a beaut!"
"Wow!" Lizzie gasped, "I love that color blue."
Nora nodded happily. "I thought you'd like that, Lizard."
"Come on, Ed. Let's look underneath the hood." Edwin followed his dad to the front of the car. George popped the hood and their two heads disappeared behind it.
The girls shook their heads, smiling at each other over the boys' enthusiasm. Marti continued to hold Nora's hand as the two circled the vehicle. Lizzie followed at a distance, inspecting it from every angle. Eventually Nora and Marti stopped, but Lizzie kept going until she returned to the driver's side. Carefully, she opened the door and climbed in.
Following Lizzie's lead, Nora opened the passenger door so she could ask, "Do you like it, Lizzie?"
Ignoring the question, Lizzie climbed out, asking, "What's the gas consumption like?"
George, having finally pulled his head out from beneath the hood chuckled, "You called that one, Nora!" He directed his next words to Lizzie, "It has great gas mileage."
"Well, if you couldn't swing an environmentally friendly car, I'm at least glad you got a Geo." Lizzie beamed at her mom, "I love it!"
"Me too!" Marti supplied, "It's a cute little thing!"
Nodding, Edwin stood up from under the hood, smiling from ear to ear, "I like it too."
Both George and Nora let out relieved sighs. Nora patted the top of the Geo fondly as she spoke, "I'm so glad you all like it." She grew serious, "Now, you both understand that there will be rules."
At the teens' nods, George picked up, "You'll share the cost of the car equally. That means insurance, repairs, and all of that, understood?"
Again, Edwin and Lizzie nodded. "Sounds reasonable." Edwin consented.
Lizzie chimed in, "We can do that."
"We'll add on some gas money to your allowances for school and errands we ask you to run, but anything else will be at your expense."
"Awesome!" Edwin and Lizzie uttered together.
"And," George looked to Nora, who nodded her agreement. "There will be a slightly extended curfew."
Letting out equally loud cries of praise, Edwin and Lizzie glanced at each other grinning like mad.
Marti pouted, "That's not fair!"
George smiled at his daughter. "When you start driving, Marti, you'll get the same treatment." His words did little to comfort her as Marti crossed her arms and stomped. Turning back to Edwin and Lizzie, George teased, "Now, you have to promise us that you won't turn out to be like Derek and Casey."
All five of them laughed. Still chuckling, Lizzie assured him, "Don't worry, George. Ed and I are nothing like those two."
"Hey, where are they anyway?" Marti inquired, raising her eyebrow as her arms fell from her chest and her stance relaxed. The family looked around the driveway as if expecting them to materialize before their eyes. Suddenly, the back door banged open, and Derek emerged in a huff. Marti exclaimed, "There you are!"
Clasping the back of his neck, Derek joined Marti and Nora at the side of the car, mumbling, "Yeah, here I am."
"What do you think of the car, Derek?" His father asked him, smiling widely.
"Not as classy as the Prince, but she'll do."
"You really think so, D?" Edwin asked hopefully.
Derek shrugged half-heartedly, "Yeah, bro." Edwin's smile doubled at Derek's words of approval, no matter how lackluster his words had been.
Again, the door slammed open as Casey finally joined them. She walked briskly around the Geo to stand next to Lizzie, refusing to glance at Derek over top of the car.
"Oh, Casey!" Nora trilled happily, "Well, what do you think?"
Casey took half a second to glance at it before she tried to put on a voice of enthusiasm, "Oh, it's wonderful." Her eyes immediately dropped to the ground, avoiding Derek's eyes as they snapped to look at her.
Lizzie's brow furrowed and she tried to catch Casey's attention even as their mother asked, "Everything okay, Case?"
"Fine, Mom." Casey told the rear tire. Across the driveway, Derek's own eyes locked onto a tire.
Ever clueless, George proclaimed, "This house can now handle two more drivers!"
The McDonald and Venturi children separated from George and Nora at the basement steps as they collectively headed for their bedrooms. Edwin, Lizzie, and Marti tossed lighthearted words back and forth, but Derek and Casey were silent.
Derek slipped into his bedroom without a word, his door thudding close behind him. Edwin and Marti called their goodnights, each heading into their rooms. Lizzie and Casey returned their wishes before Lizzie seized Casey by the arm and hauled her into the bathroom.
Once Lizzie secured the door, she fixed her attention on a wary Casey. "Are you okay, Casey?"
"Hmm? Oh, yeah, fine. Just fine." Distracting herself from her sister, Casey opened the cabinet, searching for her toothbrush and toothpaste.
Lizzie raised a disbelieving eyebrow. "It doesn't sound like it. What happened with you and Derek?" She approached the sink as well, freeing her hair of its braid and reaching for her hairbrush.
Casey's voice rose in pitch, "What do you mean?" Frantically, Casey shoved her overloaded paste filled toothbrush into her mouth.
With wide eyes, Lizzie watched as Casey literally foamed at the mouth. Tentatively, Lizzie started brushing a section of her hair. "You guys didn't come outside for a while and then Derek stomped out looking upset and then a couple minutes later you followed looking pretty dejected if I'm honest."
She brushed for a moment before Casey spit and wiped at her mouth. "Don't worry about it, Liz. Just one of our typical disagreements."
"If you say so." Lizzie studied her sister's reflection as they both went back to their tasks. Silence settled between them for a few seconds before Lizzie broke it, "You know, if you ever wanted to talk about it, I'd listen.
Softly, Casey smiled at her through the mirror. "I know."
Smiling, Lizzie dropped the subject. "Will you braid my hair like you used to?"
"Sure, kiddo." Casey put her things back into the cabinet and took the offered brush from Lizzie.
"Miss Case?" Nora called as she knocked on her daughter's door, carry two mugs of tea. "Are you awake?"
"Yeah, Mom. Come in."
Nora pushed the door open and slipped inside, finding Casey stacking notebooks at her desk.
"Good morning, sweetheart. What are you working on?" Nora asked as she passed Casey a cup.
Casey accepted the tea then shrugged. "Morning, Mom. Just organizing some things."
Hesitantly, Nora perched on Casey's perfectly made bed. "Casey, sweetie, I know this is a hard decision, but you really need to make it."
Suddenly, Casey spun her chair to face her mother, shrieking, "Mom! How can I do this? This decision is major! It will change my whole life!"
"Casey-" Nora tried to calmly cut through.
"I mean, this isn't just a 'do my shoes match my shirt' kind of question! This is HUGE!"
"Casey-"
"Someone just needs to tell me what to do!"
"Casey, no one can make this decision for you. You have to make it yourself."
"Oh my gosh, Derek said the same thing."
"You asked Derek for advice?"
"Well, not specifically." Casey looked down, fiddling with her mug.
Nora eyed her carefully. "Take the rest of the day to think about it, but by dinner tonight you have to have made her decision.
Wincing, Casey hedged, "Can't we just take a vote?"
From the door, Nora sent her a small smile. "Goodbye, Miss Case."
Abruptly, Casey stood from her desk and marched to the door. Stretching out, she flipped the lock. Then she flopped onto her bed, rapping her knuckles against a notebook as she thought.
Taking a deep breath, she clutched her phone in both hands. Her fingers hovered over the button before she finally pressed it. She tensed as it rang, waiting anxiously for an answer.
"You've reached Dennis McDonald."
"Dad?"
"Casey?"
"Yeah! Hi, Dad! You'll never believe what happened! We had a talent show at Gran's lodge and one of the guest's has a son who's a Broadway choreographer and he wants me to be a lead in his next musical!"
"Mhmm, mhmm, that's nice Case."
"But, Dad, do you know what this means?"
"Hmm? What's that?"
"I can stay with you in New York!"
"Uh huh, yeah, good."
"Dad?" Casey tried again, "Dad? Did you hear what I said?"
"Huh? What was that Casey?"
"I said that I have an opportunity to live in New York with you."
"Oh, that's nice. Real good."
"Yeah, I think so too." Casey paused, "Well, that is if I decide to take it. I'd have to defer from university for a year. I'm not sure I'll be able to keep the scholarship." Her dad didn't respond. "I guess I haven't decided anything yet." Casey waited a little longer then stated, "I'll let you know what I decide, Dad."
"Sure. Yeah, Case."
"I'll talk to you later. Bye."
"Mhmm, bye, Casey."
"Lizzie, do you have a minute?"
"Sure, Case." After closing her book, Lizzie moved to set it on her nightstand. Then she shifted in bed, sitting up and giving Casey her full attention. Casey looked around the hall then slipped into the room, closing the door behind her. Raising an eyebrow, Lizzie asked, "What's going on?"
Casey's hands fluttered in front of her as she began pacing back and forth in front of Lizzie's bed as her sister tracked her movements. "I really need to run through everything that's going through my mind with someone."
"Alright," Lizzie placed a pillow behind her back and leaned against her headboard. She folded her hands in her lap. "I'm ready."
Taking a deep breath, Casey began, "I'm either going to New York to star on Broadway or I'm taking a scholarship to Queen's."
Barely resisting an eye roll, Lizzie managed, "Yes, those are your options."
"But if I go to New York, I have to defer and possibly lose my scholarship."
Lizzie nodded along, "Could happen."
"And that could be a major issue. What happens if I never go to university? Then what if I can't dance anymore? I could end up on the streets! Then I'd have to rely on Derek for everything!"
Confusion overtook Lizzie's features. "Why Derek?"
Casey's voice rose in pitch, "Because he will have gone to university and earned a degree!"
"Okay?" Lizzie's forehead creased deeper, "Where's Mom and George in this scenario?"
"Too disappointed in me that they won't even be talking to me!"
"Casey, I think you're overreacting a bit. Mom and George wouldn't leave you on the hypothetical streets."
Taking frenzied breaths, Casey's pace increased. "I'm not overreacting, Lizzie!"
"Alright, breathe, Casey and redirect. Let's talk about the good things about going to New York."
Casey did as her sister asked and took a couple breaths. "Well, the obvious. Starring on Broadway. How many people actually get to do that in a lifetime?"
"Not very many, that's for sure."
"People would do anything for this opportunity!"
"But the question is... would you?"
Her strides faltered. "I'm not sure, Lizzie. That's my whole dilemma!" Casey was off and ranting again, "Mom claims she's staying neutral, but I feel like she wants me to go to university. George outright said he thought university was the better choice. Edwin thinks dancing on Broadway is more exciting than university. Emily thinks I absolutely need to take the opportunity in New York. Meanwhile-"
Quickly, Lizzie bolted upright, interrupting Casey, "Emily thinks you should go to New York?"
"Yes, she does. Why do you sound so surprised?"
"Hmm, interesting." Lizzie reclined backwards again. "Just shocked me, that's all."
"She seemed pretty adamant." Frowning, Casey continued where she left off, "Meanwhile, Marti just wants me to go to Queen's to be with Derek, but Derek won't even tell me what he thinks! And-"
"Casey, why are you repeating what everyone else thinks? Shouldn't you be the one to make the decision based off what you want?"
Casey's voice quieted, "Because I don't know what to do. New York holds some wonderful opportunities, but so does Queen's."
"Yeah," Lizzie mumbled, picking up an old family picture off her bedside table. She studied their dad's smiling face. "You could see Dad a lot more."
At her sister's words, Casey's face crumbled. "Oh, Liz." She wouldn't meet her sister's gaze. "I wasn't going to say anything... but I talked to Dad a little earlier... and..."
Lizzie's eyes widened in surprise. "You did? What did he say?" As Casey's bottom lip disappeared and her eyes welled up with unshed tears, sadness spread throughout Lizzie's expression. "Oh. You don't have to explain, I know." When a tear streaked down Casey's cheek, Lizzie went on, "In theory, that would be the best part about New York."
"There's still the dancing on Broadway part."
Lizzie shrugged. "Is that really what you want to do though? You'd already given up dance to focus on your studies before we left for the lodge."
"So, you think I should forget about the offer and go to Queen's?"
Again, Lizzie shrugged. "Would you be able to live with yourself if you didn't take the offer?"
"So, you think I should take it and go to Broadway?"
"What I think doesn't matter, sis."
"Lizzie!" Casey called out in frustration, but Lizzie only wavered her hands in front of her. "Please, Liz, tell me what I should do."
"Casey, you have to follow your heart."
"My heart? My heart? Why not my head? Hearts are illogical. They don't follow reason! My head plans things! We make lists and schedules and everything together! My head lives in the real world! My heart can get stuck in fantasy land! You think I need to put aside reason to make the most important decision of my life?"
Panicking at Casey's tone, Lizzie cried, "I don't know! That's what people say in these situations!" Casey flopped down in a mess of limbs at the bottom of Lizzie's bed, finally giving in to her tears. Reaching out a supporting had, Lizzie rubbed Casey's back soothingly. "No matter what you decide, Case, I'll support you."
"Thanks, Lizzie." Casey sniffed.
"I just know I'm going to miss you so much."
Fresh tears welled in Casey's eyes. "Oh, Liz. I'll miss you so much. I don't know what I'm going to do without you."
Lizzie wiped at her own eyes as a small smile danced across her lips. "I don't know what you're going to do without me either."
Laughing lightly, Casey pulled her sister into a fierce hug.
"I love you, sis." Lizzie whispered.
The tears fell down Casey's cheeks. "I love you too."
Derek threw open the front door, "Sammy! Ralphie!"
"Sup, D? Sam greeted with a fist bump as he let himself in.
"D-man!" Ralph slapped a hand to Derek's shoulder as he passed. Both guests collapsed on to the familiar couch. Grinning, Ralph asked, "Ready to raid some babes?"
Sam pumped a fist into the air. "You bet!"
Quietly, Derek agreed with a low, "Suh-weet."
All three of them reached for a controller as Derek flipped on the TV. As the game loaded, Sam quizzed his friend, "So, D, how've you been?"
"Fine, Sam."
The grin left Sam's face. "What's wrong?"
"Who said anything's wrong?"
"You don't seem like yourself. And you just dodged my question with a question."
"So?"
Sam sent Derek an understanding look. "You'll talk about it eventually." Derek rolled his eyes, and the boys started their game.
"Hey, Liz! What's up?" Edwin asked as he popped his head into her room.
Again, Lizzie dropped her book down. "Not much, Ed. What about you?"
He jingled something in his pocket, a sly smirk on his face. "Care to take the maiden voyage with our car?"
Lizzie beamed. "Totally." She was halfway off her bed when her smile fell. "Edwin! We don't have a license!"
"I know, I know! Dad's coming home early and said he'd start teaching us."
"You sure you want George to teach you how to drive?"
Edwin winced. "Yeah, good point. But at least we get to take the car out!" His grin returned, "You in or what?"
Jumping up frantically, Lizzie turned to throw her book down on her bed. "Duh!"
As they strolled out to the hall, Edwin slung an arm around her shoulders. "That's what I like to hear!" He dropped his arm, allowing Lizzie to go down the stairs first. Together they descended the stairs, Edwin teased, "I get to drive it first!"
"No fair! Why do you get to drive it first?"
"Because I called it!"
"Edwin!" Lizzie called as they hit the bottom of the stairs, "That's not fair!"
Sam and Ralph twisted their attention to the ruckus. "What's the haps, honorary sibs?" Ralph's voice was filled with fondness.
Both Lizzie and Edwin smiled ear to ear, shouting happily, "Ralphie!"
Lizzie caught sight of Sam on the couch. "Hi, Sam."
"Lizzie. Ed." Sam greeted the teens.
"Hey, Sammy." Edwin nodded at him. "Did you boys hear the big news?"
Ralph looked confused. "What big news?"
"Lizzie and I got a car!"
"Wow!" Ralph clapped his hands excitedly. "That's awe-some!"
Sam dipped his head to the side, "You're in the big league now, kids."
They chuckled together, Edwin and Lizzie looked sideways at each other before Edwin revealed more, "Did Derek tell you the other big news?"
At the same time, Sam and Ralph's foreheads wrinkled. Sam scrunched his lips together, "Um, no? He didn't tell us?"
In his chair, Derek tensed. "There's nothing to tell."
Lizzie shifted her stance, interjecting, "Casey has an opportunity to dance on Broadway."
"Whoa." Sam breathed in as his eyes jumped to his brooding best friend.
"Holy sh-" Ralph altered his words, "Holy shin guards, Batman! That's insane!"
Edwin added, "She hasn't made up her mind what she's doing yet."
Ralph whistled lowly as Sam validated, "That is a big decision."
Nudging Lizzie, Edwin told the guys, "We better head out. Dad's taking us out in our car!"
Waving excitedly, Ralph called, "Have fun!"
"Good luck!" Sam wished them.
They made their way into the kitchen and Edwin picked up where they left off, "Do you have a better way?
Lizzie squinted at him. "Let's not argue. We can settle this like mature adults."
Edwin raised an eyebrow in response. "How?"
"I'm going to..." Lizzie trailed off as she tackled him to the floor, screaming, "Pummel you!"
"AHHHHH! LIZZIE! NO FAIR HITTING!"
"Say uncle!" Lizzie commanded.
"UNCLE! UNCLE!"
She stood, adjusting her shirt. "Well, I think we have a clear winner here."
"That wasn't fair either." Edwin tried to get up from the floor, but Lizzie had to help him to his feet. He pretended to dust off his shoulders. "You clearly have the advantage."
Gleaming, Lizzie shrugged innocently, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Okay, sis. I'll pretend I believe that." Edwin snorted.
Lizzie punched his shoulder. "Shut up."
"Why don't we just flip a coin?"
Staring him down, Lizzie finally relented, "Okay, that's fair." Lizzie opened the back door, stepping back for him to go first. "Babies first."
Edwin mocked a bow and strolled through the door. Abruptly, he stopped in his tracks, causing Lizzie to run into him with a cry of, "Oof!"
"Oops, sorry, Liz."
"Oh, no problem." Lizzie's voice was laced with sarcasm. "Just what is it you're doing?"
"I'm taking in the view!"
"Of?"
"Our car!"
She joined him staring at the Geo in the driveway. "It's a car, Edwin."
"It's not just a car!"
"Uh, yeah it is."
"Lizzie, you know what she looks like?" He waited for her to answer, but she only shrugged. "Freedom. She looks like freedom." Even though Lizzie rolled her eyes, she shot him an eager smile. Edwin consulted his watch as George pulled up to the curb. "Right on time."
George parked the car and climbed out, joyfully waving at the pair in the driveway. He called to them, "Hey, kids! Ready to go?" At their nods, he explained, "Just let me put my briefcase inside. Do you have the keys?
Pulling them out of his pocket, Edwin rattled them. "Right here, Dad."
"Great! Be back in a flash." There was a brief struggle as Lizzie and Edwin fought over the passenger seat. Lizzie came up victorious, which sent Edwin pouting into the backseat. Unaware of the battle, George popped into the driver's seat, exclaiming, "Where to?"
"Anywhere!" Edwin and Lizzie chimed together.
Starting the car, George announced, "Now, kids, always remember to check the mirror before you back out. Wouldn't want to dent any cars now, would we?"
"Gee, Dad. Way to be passive aggressive."
"Yeah, George! We didn't have anything to do with that incident."
"So, D, how was the action at the lodge?" Ralph winked at him.
"Yeah, man, I want to hear about the chicks." Sam agreed.
Derek thumped his hand against the armrest. "Chick. As in singular."
His friends whistled. Sam inquired, "Only one? Wow, she must have been special."
"Not a lot of options in the middle of nowhere, Sammy."
Ralph's eyebrows went up and down as he asked, "Was she hot?"
"Duh. Can we go back to the game, now?"
"In a minute, boys." Ralph stood from the couch, dancing around. "Gotta relieve some pressure."
Sam snorted, "Take your time, dude." Ralph trotted up the stairs, two at a time. Sam kept his eyes forward, gently prying, "Does this girl have a name?"
"Roxy." Derek muttered.
"Is that why you're in a shitty mood?"
Derek groaned, "Come on, man."
"Seriously, dude. What gives? Is it something to do with Roxy?"
"Sam." Derek looked at him sharply. "She was just a girl. A summer distraction."
"Distraction from what?"
An unamused chuckle slipped from Derek's lips. "Everything. Now, drop it."
Silence settled for a few seconds until Sam shot, "There's something bothering you, D."
Ralph bounded down the stairs. "Phew!" He plopped down in his spot between his friends. "Game on, dudes!"
"Took you long enough, Ralph." Derek drawled.
Sam continued to eye Derek as the game started back up.
"AHHH!" Marti screamed as Casey tripped over her.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Marti! I was reading my notes and didn't see you! What are you doing out here?" Casey answered herself, "Oh my gosh, you have your entire room out here in the hall!"
Marti shrugged her shoulders pathetically.
Casey frowned, "Why so glum, ladybug?"
"I was just thinking."
"About what?"
"How things... are changing."
Sinking to her knees in front of her little step-sister, Casey nibbled at her bottom lip. "Yes... they are. Does that make you sad, Marti?"
"I guess..." Marti picked up a stuffed moose and fiddled with it.
"You want to talk about it?"
The young girl shrugged. After a moment of silence, Marti whispered, "You're leaving, Smerek's leaving, Edwin and Lizzie are going to high school and Dad and Nora are having a baby." Tears formed in her eyes, causing Casey to instantly reach out to her. "Then there's me. Nothing is happening to me."
Casey's keen eyes took her in. "Is that why you're changing your room? So, there's something happening for you too?"
Marti tilted her head to the side as she considered Casey's words. "I guess so."
"There's changes happening for you too, Marti. You don't have to invent any." Casey forced Marti to look at her with two fingers underneath her chin. "You're going into a whole new year of school. That's exciting. You'll do tons of neat things and meet new people. AND you're going to be a big sister! That's a full-time job, you know. You'll be a wonderful at it too."
"But everyone is still leaving me behind."
"Marti," Casey consoled, stroking her cheek, "No one is leaving you behind."
"Yes, you are." Marti sighed.
Casey leaned in closer. "Distance won't change how much we love you, Marti." She grasped Marti's hand firmly. "If I could take you with me, I would." Marti didn't respond. "And your brother would too. You know how much you mean to him."
Her glistening eyes turned up to investigate Casey. She breathed, "I know. I've been trying not to cry in front of him, but I miss him already."
"You don't have to do that. Derek's your brother. He needs to know how you're feeling."
"Smerek doesn't do tears."
Interjecting as much humor as she could, Casey squeezed Marti's hand as she lightly teased, "Derek can't run from tears forever." Marti gave a half-smile before the corner of her mouth dipped back down. "He can handle it, Marti. He loves you."
Marti took a deep breath and wiped at her eyes. Then she threw her arms around Casey's neck. The pair embraced for several minutes before Marti eventually pulled away, sitting back, and smiling up at Casey. "Have you decided what you're doing yet?"
Picking up her forgotten notebook, Casey frowned. "I was just going over my lists."
Marti nodded her understanding as she hugged her moose tighter against her chest.
Casey eyed it, "I don't remember seeing this little guy before." She reached out to pet it.
Perking up, Marti beamed. "This is Merrick. Smerek gave him to me when I was born."
"Aww," Casey cooed, "How sweet. Merrick the Moose! I didn't know Derek did that." Casey stroked Merrick's antlers softly then offered Marti a tender smile.
"Merrick only comes out when I'm scared. Otherwise, he's too busy being my guard-moose. He protects me from all the monsters and bad things from getting in my room."
"And did Merrick tell you that?"
"No, Smerek did. Merrick is too modest."
"Of course." Casey smiled amusedly. "And Derek clearly doesn't have that problem."
Marti tinkled a laugh, but quickly went back to being serious as she fondly rubbed Merrick's hoof. "Smerek said Merrick would protect me when he couldn't."
Casey's breath hitched and she patted Marti's knee before she stood, offering the girl a watery smile.
"Casey?"
Turning back to face Marti, Casey answered, "Yeah?"
"He'd give you a moose too."
Marti hung over the back of the couch in between Sam and Ralph, "Hi, Sammy! Hi, Ralphie!"
Sam smiled warmly, "Hey there, Marti!"
"Marti!" Ralph cried happily, reaching backwards to ruffle the girl's hair. "What's poppin'?"
"I'm flipping my room, Ralphie!"
Ralph tilted his head to the side. "Cool, cool. Sounds fun."
She nodded enthusiastically before turning to Derek, a pout already in place. "Smerek? Will you help me move my furniture?"
"Right now?"
"Yes, Smerek." Marti stomped an impatient foot.
Derek groaned but threw his footrest down and followed Marti up the stairs. As they reached the upstairs hall, Marti turned back to him to warn, "Be careful, Smerek. Don't step on anybody."
He looked around at the literal zoo spread across the carpet. "Um, Smarti? I think we should tell everyone to stop giving you animals."
Outraged, Marti's jaw dropped. "That was the worst idea you've ever had." She threw open her door loudly and stomped inside. Shaking her head, she put on a mysterious tone, "I'll pretend like it didn't happen."
Used to her dramatics, Derek rolled his eyes. "It's a valid suggestion."
Marti sent him a glare, then clapped once, pointing to her nightstand. "Alright, Smerek, this needs to go there!" She indicated a place across the room. Derek did as she requested. "Okay, now put this," Marti swept a finger from her dresser to the opposite corner of the room, "Over there!"
Groaning, Derek shoved the dresser across the room. He straightened, puffing as he asked, "Anything else, boss?"
"My bed!"
Derek gaped at her, "Who do you think I am? Iron Man?"
"Quit being dramatic, Smerek. I'll help you!" Marti giggled.
"You? You're as light as a feather!" He tickled her side and she squirmed away, laughing.
She rolled her eyes. "We can do it together." Beaming, Marti sang, "Teamwork makes the dream work! Just think of me as War Machine."
"You've been spending too much time with Spacey. You're picking up her thinking." Derek snorted and pretended to shiver.
"Smerek!"
Rolling his eyes, he quipped, "Alright, alright. You win."
They crouched down and pushed the bed. After a few tries, Marti was finally happy with the placement. Derek leaned back to catch his breath as Marti sniffled.
Alarmed, Derek asked, "Marti? Are you hurt?" Fighting the tears, Marti shook her head. "What's wrong?"
"N-noth-nothing."
"Bull. Come on, what's wrong?" Marti avoided his eyes as she burst into sobs. Immediately, Derek started twitching, his eyes darting around his sister's room. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Smarts! Don't cry!"
"B-b-b-but Smerek! I have to. I can't hide it anymore."
His hands fluttered uselessly at his sides until he grasped Marti around the waist, picking her up and settling them both on her recently adjusted bed. He tightened his grip around her, and his voice softened, "Smarti, it makes me really sad when you cry." His fingers sank into her soft hair as he continued to hold her. "Tell me what's wrong." Marti shook her head frantically against his chest.
Derek whispered, "Please."
She pulled back, her teary bright eyes studying him intently. "You mean it?"
"Of course, I do."
"O-okay." Marti sniffed, turning herself in his lap to look in his eyes. "I don't want you to leave me."
"Smarti." Derek breathed, closing his eyes. He opened his mouth, but words failed him. Gulping, he tried again, "I don't want to leave you either. You know that, right?"
"But you still are."
Softly, Derek groaned, "This is hard for me too, Smarts."
Marti's miserable eyes glistened as she sniffed. "But you don't do feelings."
Pretending to wince, Derek wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb. "I might occasionally do the ffff-feeling thing, but only for really, really, really special people. But shh, that's a secret just between you and me, 'kay?"
A watery smile appeared on Marti's face. "Am I special?"
He smiled back. "The most specialest."
Giggling, Marti corrected, "That's not a word, Smerek!"
Derek ruffled her hair affectionately. "Course it is."
Marti turned somber again, "What about Edwin?"
"Special, Ed?" They laughed together quietly then Derek answered, "On occasion."
"Is Dad special?"
"It's been known to happen."
"How about Nora?"
"You could say that."
"The baby?"
"With Venturi genes? No doubt."
"And is Lizzie special?"
"I'd consider it."
"Casey?"
"In the head." Marti shot him a look, making Derek mumble, "Sure."
Marti beamed like she won the lottery. She looked him dead in the eye and whispered, "I knew it."
"Are we done with the..." Derek dropped his voice, "Ffff-feeling talk?"
She popped off the bed, chirping, "Yepperoni!"
"Good. Iron Man needs to recharge."
"Smerek!" Marti's tinkling laugh rang out.
Derek sprang from the bed. "Later, War Machine!"
As Derek turned to leave his sister's room, her whisper stopped him. "Thank you, Smerek.
He shot a genuine smile over his shoulder. "You're welcome, Smarti."
"Derek left you guys? How rude! He should be nicer to his company."
Ralph quickly straightened in his seat. "Whoa, Casey! Your hair!"
Casey fingered a lock of her hair as she perched on the edge of Derek's vacant chair. "Do you like it?"
"I love it!" Ralph reached across the space between them to pat the top of her head. "You look sexy and wild."
Sam gawked at her. "Blonde? You went blonde?"
Eyes still bugging out, Ralph remarked, "Yeah, that totally wasn't part of our news bulletin!"
Suddenly self-conscious, Casey fidgeted. "I decided to try it after all."
"I thought you said you'd never do that." Sam raised an eyebrow at her.
"I think I remember saying don't get your hopes up."
Something made him grin. "Right, that was it. Funny how things change, eh?"
"What do you mean by that?"
He teased, "You never went blonde for me."
She quirked a perfect eyebrow back at him. "I still don't see your point."
Sam shook his head, "Forget it, Case." Ralph looked between them, confusion tinting his features.
Giving a one shoulder shrug, Casey cleared her throat. "Listen, guys, can I talk to you for a second?"
Reclining comfortably on the couch, Ralph crossed his arms behind his head. "Sure thing. Shoot."
"Well, I have this huge decision to make and..."
Sam interjected, "About Broadway?"
Casey regarded him carefully. "How did you know that?"
Snapping his fingers, Ralph exclaimed, "Now, that was in the news bulletin!"
"What news bulletin?"
"Edwin and Lizzie." Sam quickly explained.
"Oh." Casey eyes went downcast as she asked delicately, "Derek didn't tell you?"
Both boys shook their heads. Sam glanced at Ralph quickly then focused his attention firmly back on Casey. "You were saying?"
"Well, I have to make my decision by tonight whether I'm taking the opportunity on Broadway or the scholarship to Queen's."
Ralph sucked in a breath, the air whistling between his teeth. "Yikes."
Sam's eyebrows shot to his hairline. "You don't have any idea what you're going to do?"
Dejectedly, Casey shook her head. Her thumbs twiddled around each other and she stared intensely at the motion. "No idea. What do you guys think I should do?"
"New York, baby!" Ralph cried.
Sam slapped Ralph's arm. "I don't think our opinions matter here, Ralphie."
"Du-ude!" Ralph rubbed at his arm. "She just asked us!"
Casey nodded along. "Please, Sam? I've been asking everyone what they think and writing down their answers so I can think about them." She held up a notebook from behind her back.
Fixating on the notebook, Sam pried, "Have you gotten anything good?"
Slowly, Casey nodded. "Some things to consider, definitely." She sighed deeply, "Except from Derek. He's been no help. He won't say anything."
Sam's forehead creased. "He hasn't told you what he thinks? Well, that's un-Derek-like."
"Totally, dude." Ralph agreed.
"Yeah, that's what I thought too. Why do you think that is?"
"Beats me." Ralph shrugged, holding both hands palm side up into the air.
"Sam?" Casey prompted.
He scratched at his cheek. "I'm not sure, Casey."
She heaved a heavy sigh. "I just wish someone would tell me what to do. I've never been more torn in my life." She held up her right hand. "On one hand I have an opportunity most people would jump at." Casey's left hand joined her right. "On the other, I can attend the university of my dreams."
Derek groaned as he flew down the stairs. "She's bothering you guys with this crap now?"
"Der-rek! This isn't crap! This is a life changing decision!"
He stood beside his chair with his arms crossed as he glared down at her. "That the guys want no part in. Right, guys?"
"Actually, D, I'd be happy to talk to Casey about her decision." Casey smiled gratefully at Sam.
Ralph piped in with his hand covering his heart, "I too would be happy to talk to Casey." Casey turned her radiant smile on Ralph.
"Traitors." Derek grumbled under his breath.
"Thank you, boys." Casey chirped happily, sending a triumphant look towards Derek, who returned it with a glare.
Derek's face darkened as he turned to Sam. The two friends studied each other for several beats as an awkward silence began to fill the room. "Sam," Derek bit, "Are you sure you want to go down this... road, again?"
Sam looked between Derek and Casey slowly until comprehension flickered across his face. His gaze settled on Casey. "Casey, you know I consider us good friends. I'd be happy to listen to what you need to say."
"Well then, my good friend, Sam, could I talk to you in the kitchen?"
He nodded sincerely, standing to follow Casey. Ralph made to join him, but Derek shot him a warning, "Ralph." Ralph sank slowly back into the cushions as Derek moodily threw himself into his chair.
Sam stared at Casey from across the kitchen island. "Have you considered that maybe Derek doesn't want you to go to New York?"
"Why wouldn't he? He's been trying to get rid of me from the moment my family moved here."
"Is that what you think?"
"Sam! That's what I know!"
"Look, Case," Sam attempted tentatively, "I don't pretend to know the innermost workings of D's head," Casey snorted, but Sam plunged ahead, "But, he has been my best friend since we were ten, so I get him." He shrugged nonchalantly.
Casey urged him on, "Sam... exactly where are you going with this?"
Sighing, Sam rubbed tiredly at an eye. "He won't talk about something until it's really bothering him, or he's pushed into it. And then it kinda just spews out like a volcano erupting."
"Are you telling me..." Casey lingered over her next words, "To push him until he erupts?"
Sam winced, "I don't know if that's the smartest move, but I'm sure you'd get some answers that way."
"I see what you're saying." Casey propped her head onto her folded hands, studying the ceiling.
"I think you better ask yourself if that's really what you want before you try anything like that."
"Why is that?"
Calmly, Sam tilted his head sideways as he considered her. "Lava."
Casey paused behind the couch, reaching out a hand to stop Sam. "Thanks, Sam."
Sam offered her a lopsided smile and Casey stretched onto her toes to wrap him in a warm embrace. When she pulled back, she smiled sweetly before turning on her heel and dancing up the stairs.
As Sam circled the couch, he met Derek's stormy eyes before Derek ripped his attention back to the television screen.
Picking up the discarded controller, Sam settled back into his spot and hurried to jump back into the game. Barely a few seconds had passed when Derek jabbed, "So, Sammy boy, have a friendly conversation in the kitchen?" Derek fiercely hit a few buttons.
"I did. Thanks for asking." Punching a few crucial buttons, Sam passed Derek's high score.
Under his breath, Derek cursed. "What did you tell her?"
"Isn't that my business?"
"Sam."
Utterly perplexed at the sudden hostility in the air, Ralph took his eyes off the game to look between his two friends. "Hey, what's going on?"
Sam shot a look at Derek. "Ask Derek." Slack jawed Ralph turned to Derek as he waited for an explanation.
Derek ignored them both. "What did she say?"
"Yeah, man." Ralph turned back to Sam. "Did she decide?"
Also ignoring Ralph, Sam answered Derek, "If you want to know so bad, why won't you talk to Casey about it?" Derek scowled, but Sam trudged on, "Yeah, I know you won't talk about it with her. She told me so."
As he slouched further into his recliner, Derek aggressively punched the controller. "Whatever."
"My question is why are you holding back? You like never hold back what you think."
"Gee, I don't remember asking for your opinion."
"Just think about it, D. If you don't tell her, how is she supposed to know?"
After a few moments of silence, Sam relented the subject. The three friends finished out their game, but Derek never regained his lead.
"Come on, Ralphie. I think it's time to go. See ya, D." Sam stood from the couch, pulling Ralph up and hauling him to the door.
Cheerfully over his shoulder, Ralph shouted, "Hasta la vista, baby!"
Derek snorted, not bothering to get up. "Later."
Turning off the gaming console, Derek swiftly switched over to the sports channel and burrowed deeper into his recliner. He groaned to himself as he heard Casey distinctively striding down the stairs. True to his ears, it was Casey that appeared in front of him, picking up a rapid pace in front of the TV. "Won't you give it a rest?" Derek dodged around Casey as she repeatedly interrupted his line of view.
"Derek, I have to make a decision by tonight!"
"So? Go make your decision and leave me alone!"
"Why are you refusing to talk about his?"
"Why am I the one that has to talk about it? Don't you have friends for that, Spacey?"
Casey squared her shoulders directly in front of him. "Because Derek!"
Derek rolled his eyes. "Well, that clears things up."
"Just tell me what you think!"
"How about... NO! There, that's what I think. Good talk. Now, go!" He gestured a hand to the stairs, impatiently.
She folded her arms tightly across her chest. Derek looked away at the action and refused to look anywhere near her. "I'm not moving until we talk about this."
"Casey." He growled at the ceiling. Derek huffed, dragging his eyes back down to glare at her. "Move."
"No." Casey hissed back, stepping closer to his chair.
Suddenly, he was out of his chair and toe to toe with her, angrily biting as he glared down at her, "Why won't you just give it up?"
"BECAUSE I WANT YOUR OPINION!"
He took a deep breath, striding several feet away from her. Derek met her flashing eyes with his own, "Why?"
Her body followed his change of direction as she watched him with a weary look, "Why what?"
"Why does my opinion matter?"
Casey pursed her lips and Derek's eyes dropped to the movement before he made sharp eye contact with her again. "Because I've asked everybody and-"
"Bullshit, Casey. Try again."
They stared each other down until Casey cracked, glancing at the fireplace behind him before meeting his eyes again. "In the last few years, we've been through everything together. You know me." Casey whispered, "I just want your input."
Derek held her eye contact until she finished speaking. Then he shifted his attention on the forgotten game running across the television screen. He let several seconds pass before he quietly spoke, "I can't give it to you."
Taking a miniscule step towards him, Casey gently pressed, "Why not?"
There was a tiny waver in his voice. "It won't be what's best for you."
Confusion knitted at her brow. "What do you mean?"
He chuckled wryly, "You know I'm selfish."
Casey looked stricken. "You want me to go to New York just because you don't want me at Queen's with you? Wow, Derek." Her voice dipped into heavy depths of sarcasm, "Thank you for showing me how thoughtful and considerate you are. I had almost forgotten." Her trembling feet made for a quick getaway.
Frantically, he closed the distance between them, his hand shot out to catch her around the arm before she could make it two steps. Derek heatedly asked, "Is that what I said?"
She glared at him, ripping her arm out of his grip. "You didn't have to! I got the message loud and clear!"
Without warning, his anger gushed out in waves. "I didn't fucking say that!" Both his hands sprang up to clutch desperately at his hair. "Damn it, Casey!" He treaded furiously back and forth in front of the couch, fuming. "We're supposed to be going to Queen's together. It's absolutely crazy, but I got used to that. Now, I don't even think I can do it without you! I'm not a keener, I can't get through classes on my own. And if I can't do that, I won't be able to stay on the hockey team. Then I'll get booted out because hockey is the only thing I can do!" He let out a frustrated yell, "Fuck, Casey! You have to be there!" Derek picked up a pillow out of the chair then threw it fiercely down. "This is us! We haven't been apart. We fight, we argue, I prank you, you yell at me, but we've always fucking been there."
He stopped pacing unexpectedly and stood the farthest away from her that the living room would allow. Derek kept his back to her as he went on at a lower volume, "Who's going to keep the losers away from you? Or bash in some scum's head when he hurts you? Or bail your ass out of whatever jam you've managed to put yourself in? How about talk you out of a case of keeneritis?" His voice contorted, "Who, Case? Jesse? He doesn't even know you!"
Sluggishly, he revolved towards her, refusing to meet her eyes. Derek marched to his chair and threw himself into it. Casey gazed down at him, "Why couldn't you tell me that earlier?"
"It's your decision." He picked up the remote, turning up the volume. The sound of distant cheering filled the room before the commentator announced the current score of the game.
She studied Derek for another moment, a tiny smile appeared at the corner of her lips. "Thank you for the honesty, Der." With one last appreciative glance thrown his way, she mounted the stairs.
George pulled into the driveway with two ecstatic teenagers yapping rapidly back and forth. Edwin hopped out of the passenger seat, before diving back in to lower the seat for Lizzie to climb out.
She thanked him, wearing a matching grin. "This is so exciting, Ed! We're driving now!"
"I know!" Edwin stopped George from heading inside. "Dad, take a picture of us." He handed his dad his phone before grabbing Lizzie by a shoulder and posing beside their car.
"Edwin, I'm just as thrilled as you are, but aren't you taking it a little far?"
"Come on, Lizzie. This is symbolic."
"Smile!" George ordered unnecessarily. Lizzie rolled her eyes at their antics but beamed for the picture. "Great shot!" George complimented them as he passed the phone back to Edwin. "Well, kids, I'm off to pick up groceries. Any requests?"
Edwin's eyes lit up. "Popsicles!"
Both Lizzie and his dad let out a chuckle. George shook his head. "Alright, Ed. I'll get you popsicles."
"Yes!" Edwin punched a fist into the air excitedly.
"Lizzie?"
"No thanks, George." Her eyes grew mischievous, "I'll just steal some of Ed's."
"Hey!"
Chortling, George walked down the drive to his car, calling over his shoulder, "I'll leave you two to work it out on your own."
Edwin and Lizzie waved George off before they approached the back door. Nudging Lizzie's shoulder, Edwin declared disbelievingly, "I can't get over the fact that we have a car."
"Yeah, even for an environment dooming mechanical monster, she's not bad."
"Like our family can afford something eco-friendly, Liz." Edwin shook his head.
"I know, but a girl can dream." Lizzie sighed wistfully.
Opening the door, Edwin gestured for Lizzie to go ahead of him. She nodded a quiet thank you and hung her purse on the hook. Edwin tapped his chin thoughtfully, "You know I think she needs a name, don't you?"
Lizzie raised one eyebrow. "Such as?"
"What about Stacia?"
"Absolutely not. That's far too hip for this car."
"Maxine?"
She winced at the suggestion. "Isn't that what Derek called Max?"
"Oops. Forgot about that."
"How about Polly?"
Edwin paled, "Eh, I have a bad experience with a Polly."
"Harper?"
"Sounds too young for our girl."
"Gertrude?"
Laughing, Edwin shook his head. "Makes me think of a big woman. We need something tiny."
"Lil' something then?"
"Lil' Berniece?"
Lizzie wrinkled her nose. "Too fierce. Lil' Barbara?"
"Too long. Doesn't trip off the tongue."
Her eyes brightened. "What about Lil' Carley?"
"Ha! Car-ley? I see what you did there!"
"You like it?"
Edwin beamed, "I think it's perfect!" He held out a hand for Lizzie to shake. "Here's to Lil' Carley."
She took his hand, smiling. "Let's add our car to the pact!"
Gesturing towards the stairs, Edwin suggested, "Come on, let's go work on it."
Lizzie followed him through the living room. "Hey, Derek." She greeted. Derek stared into the television, unresponsive. She turned to Edwin, whispering, "What's up with him?"
"Hard telling." They mounted the stairs, quickly ascending into the attic. Edwin crossed the room to his file cabinet, rummaging around for their pact.
Grabbing a pen, Lizzie made herself at home at his desk. Edwin tossed it down in front of her and pulled up another chair. "What are you going to write?"
Her pen hovered over the paper. "Edwin and Lizzie hereby swear to share Lil' Carley equally. Making sure to respect the other's time and needs." Lizzie's pen stopped and Edwin took it from her.
He read out loud as he wrote, "We promise to communicate and follow all agreed upon rules of the road."
"Looks great, Ed."
Edwin snorted before he teased, "Well, we're not going to be like Derek and Casey."
She laughed. "That's for sure! We can actually share."
Derek watched Lizzie descend the attic stairs, veering off into her room and closing the door softly. He waited a few beats before he quietly jumped the stairs to Edwin's room. Not bothering to knock, Derek barged in and immediately began pacing.
Surprised, Edwin looked up from his filing cabinet. "To what do I owe the pleasure, D?"
Twisting to look at Edwin, Derek demanded, "I need answers, Edwin."
Immediately, Edwin innocently held his hands up. "I didn't do it!"
"Relax, Ed. I- wait, didn't do what?"
Edwin winced. "Nothing! What were you going to say?"
His eyes narrowed, but Derek went on. "I need to borrow your brain to run over a few things." The look on Edwin's face was a perfect mix of concern and interest. Turning away to resume his pacing, Derek dropped on his brother, "I'm thinking about deferring for a year."
"What? Why?"
Collapsing on Edwin's bed, Derek closed his eyes. Suddenly they popped back open, intensely staring Edwin down. "This doesn't leave the room, understand?" With wide eyes, Edwin nodded. "No game closet meetings. Got it?" Again, Edwin nodded. Groaning, Derek ran a hand roughly down the side of his face. "If Casey decides to go to New York, she shouldn't go alone."
Edwin's mouth fell open, but Derek didn't notice as he jumped up, wildly striding in random directions. "She's innocent. A real guppy. And what do we know about this Jesse character? She's going to dance off to New York with him? How many weeks ago was it that Nora wouldn't let Casey go to a party in Toronto by herself? That's her hometown. And her cousin was going to be there." He huffed to himself, "Okay, so it was Vicky, but still. And now we're talking about another country? Her dad's there, fine. But is he really going to be around? Ha!"
His laugh turned manic, and Edwin interrupted, "Derek, calm down. You're ranting and... well, it's kind of scaring me to be honest." Derek sat on his brother's bed again, staring determinedly at his hands. Edwin finally pulled some words together, "What about hockey?"
Cringing, Derek revealed, "If I defer, I'd have to try out as a walk-on next year."
"Bruh, you'd do that?"
Derek deflected, grumbling, "Are you doubting my hockey God abilities?"
He tried to keep his jaw from hanging, but Edwin failed. "You've never taken a year off before."
"I'd still train on my own."
"That's not the same as competing." Both brothers were silent for several minutes. Edwin was the one to break, "I just don't understand why you're willing to do that for... Casey."
"It's not like anybody else could."
Opening and closing his mouth a few times, Edwin settled on, "Have you talked to Casey about this?"
Like a shot, Derek was off Edwin's bed again. "No! Absolutely not! She can't know any of this, Edwin." Derek lowered his voice, "She would flip shit if she knew."
Edwin shook his head. "I'm sure Dennis would pay more attention if Casey was in the same state and everything."
Derek gave him a look. "You have met Dennis, right?"
Shrugging a shoulder, Edwin defended, "Well, yeah, but she's his daughter."
Frustrated, Derek paced a few more strides. "Ugh! I didn't want to go through this, but you're just not getting it." He closed his eyes, cringing, "She called her dad today and it did not go how she wanted it."
"He ignored her?"
Derek nodded then groaned, "Edwin, the tears. They lasted hours and they just... get to me."
"I know, D. You can't do tears." Brows wrinkling, Edwin asked, "She told you about it?"
Running a hand through his mess of hair, Derek tossed a look at Edwin, "Not exactly. I may have accidently discovered the information."
"The vent?" Edwin questioned.
He breathed, "Yeah, the vent."
"Derek, I know you're... concerned." Edwin ignored the glare Derek shot him. "But do you really think changing your plans is the answer?"
Throwing himself back first on Edwin's bed, Derek heaved, "If she goes, I go."
Casey was the last one to arrive at the dinner table. She sat down in her usual preppy manner as she chirped, "What's for dinner? I'm starving!" Pulling her plate towards her, Casey began dishing out of the casserole dish in the middle of the table.
Everyone, excluding Derek, watched her with varying degrees of surprise. Stabbing harshly at the food on his plate, Derek ignored her completely. Casey had a piece of chicken pierced on her fork and halfway up to her mouth when she realized the stares she was receiving. She looked around at everyone, questioning the attention, "What?"
George cleared his throat awkwardly. "Well, Casey, we just weren't expecting you to be so... cheerful." The others winced at his word choice.
"Am I not usually cheerful?"
"Casey, honey, that's not what Georgie meant." Nora pacified her, "He just meant that you've been under a lot of stress lately and that you seem awfully cheerful for someone who had to make their decision by tonight."
Smiling at her mother and then George, Casey assured them, "It's alright, George, I understand. And I am, Mom. I think I've made the right decision." Casually, Casey went back to her casserole. Across the table, Edwin kept shooting anxious looks at Derek out of the corner of his eye.
Nora bounced her head from side to side. "Well, are you going to tell us, Casey?"
Casey spoke slowly, one word at a time as she locked eyes with each person around the table, starting with Nora, "I've,"
Before turning to Lizzie, "Decided,"
She moved towards George, "To,"
Making eye contact with Marti, Casey smiled, "Go,"
Then moving to Edwin, "To,"
Her eyes roamed Derek's features before the word escaped from between her lips, "Queen's."
However, brief it was, relief flashed through his expression before he smoothed out his features, raising his head to finally meet her eye.
Nora squealed, "Oh, honey, I'm so glad you made that decision!"
The tension left Edwin's shoulders as he exhaled deeply. Lizzie and Marti exchanged an eyebrow raise.
Casey reluctantly pulled her gaze away from Derek to look at her mother. "I thought you were staying neutral, Mom?"
"Well, I was trying to because I wanted you to make your own decision, sweetheart. But I really thought university was what you needed."
George let out a relieved breath as well. "Congratulations, Casey." He raised his water in salute, "To Queen's!" The rest of the family joined him, raising their glasses to clink together, echoing his sentiment, "To Queen's!"
They all lowered their glasses and took a sip. Over the rims of their glasses, Derek and Casey locked eyes again. Finishing his sip, Derek inclined his glass towards her again in mock toast. The corners of Casey's mouth tipped upwards behind her water glass.
"I have an announcement too." Marti's composed voice silenced the table.
"What is it, munchkin?" George encouraged his daughter.
"I've finished flipping my room!"
"That's great, Marti!" Nora praised her, "Job well done!" She began to raise her glass for another toast.
"Wait!" Marti cried out, "I have another announcement."
Edwin prodded, "Go on."
"I'm flipping it back to normal again!"
There was a fragment of silence around the table before Lizzie inquired, "After all the hard work you put in to flip it completely around?"
"Yup!" Marti bounced happily in her seat.
"Why, Smarts?" Derek asked around his fork.
Marti kept her eyes on Casey as she shared, "I decided that I didn't need to change it just to change it."
Casey proudly commended her, "I think that's wonderful, Marti. Very perceptive of you." The two shared a secret smile and Casey sent her a discrete wink. To the side, Derek scrutinized the interaction.
"Thanks, Casey." Marti directed her attention back to Nora. "Okay, you can totally toast me now."
Laughing, Nora raised her glass high into the air. "To Marti!" Clinking their glasses, they all echoed, "To Marti!"
Later that night, Casey got out of bed and made her way into the kitchen, finding it already occupied. "Cuttin' it a little close, eh, Case?" Derek asked from his spot at the counter.
"It was an important decision, Derek! I had to think it through from all possible directions."
Derek finished dousing his bowl of ice cream with chocolate sauce and whipped cream and pushed it towards her. Casey's eyes widened at the unusual gesture, but it was lost on Derek as he turned to grab another spoon from the drawer. She made herself comfortable on a stool.
Leisurely, Casey reached for the spoon and took her time gathering the perfect ration of ice cream to toppings before she took a bite. Derek returned, diving his spoon into the bowl, and taking a monstrous bite. Casey laughed as chocolate ran down his chin. She tossed him a napkin, "You pig!" Through a mouthful of ice cream, he oinked. Casey giggled and he smirked as he watched her. At the same time, they put their spoons in for more. "Der-rek!" Casey laughed as their spoons battled.
"Case-ey!" Derek mocked as his spoon came out with a heaping helping of victory.
Pouting, Casey prepared her own spoonful. "You're eating all the chocolate."
"You snooze, you lose, Spacey."
When she looked up at him, she couldn't help but laugh again. "At least get it in your mouth. You're wasting half of it running down your face!" He wiped at his mouth with the back of his hand, causing her to squeal, "Gross, Derek!"
Derek pointed his spoon at her, tapping it to an unknown beat. A small smirk played at his lips, "You know, you'd miss me."
Casey smirked back, "Not a chance." He chuckled to himself, diving for the ice cream bowl and knocking Casey's spoon out of the way, causing ice cream to splatter across her pajama top. "DER-REK!"
"Gee, Case, if you wanted more ice cream, all you had to do was say so." He snickered, loading another spoonful. "Open up for the choo-choo train!" Dramatically, Derek waved the spoon through the air as me made train whistles. She watched him suspiciously as he reached her lips. Hesitantly, she opened her mouth just before he dumped in on her nose.
"DER-REK!" He doubled over, grasping his sides. Despite herself, Casey laughed, "You want to play dirty, huh?" Unknown to Derek, Casey dipped her hand into the melting ice cream, gathering a hefty amount into her palm. Slyly, she brought her hand up before slapping it on to his cheek, ice cream comically sliding down his face. Casey tried to stifle her giggles to no avail.
Derek's own laughter ceased, but his eyes twinkled mischievously. "Casey, Casey, Casey." He snatched the chocolate sauce up off the counter. "When are you going to learn?"
"Derek, no! Derek!" Casey warned as she backed away slowly from him, holding her hands in front of her. He pursued her, matching every one of her steps with his own. They circled the island slowly.
Daringly, Casey lunged, trying to dance away, but Derek beat her. Squeezing the bottle, chocolate sauce erupted everywhere, thoroughly covering her pajamas. She gasped in shock, frozen in place with her mouth hanging open. Snapping out of it, Casey reached for their ice cream bowl and before Derek could do anything, she emptied it over his head. They stood there looking over the damage for a few seconds before simultaneously bursting into hysterics. Together, they sunk to the floor, each leaning against the cabinet as they tried to catch their breaths. As soon as they began to calm themselves, one of the would snort and they would dissolve into laughter again.
Shooting her a look, Derek chuckled, "I can't believe you dumped ice cream on my head."
"I seem to remember a time you dumped ice cream on my head." Casey taunted.
He smirked back at her. "Oh, yeah. Good times."
Together they burst into a fresh round of laughs. Casey clutched at his forearm and Derek allowed it for a moment before he nudged her. "Hey, you're giving me keener cooties."
Her eyes glistened, several unidentifiable emotions dancing together in her irises. Suddenly, she reached out for him, pinning his arms to his sides, and hugged him. Her breath fanned across his cheek as she whispered a tiny, "Thank you."
Derek inhaled sharply, struggling to get away. "Hey, strict no hugging policy, remember?"
She pulled back, wearing his smirk. "Oh, I remember. I thought I'd bend it though. Doesn't count if you can't hug me back, right?" Standing, she fixed her ponytail, ignoring the chocolate smeared in it.
"That was a definite break, not a bend."
"Hmm..." Casey pretended to think it over. "I'm starting to like your way of thinking."
Derek's quirked eyebrow rose dangerously high. "Did you hit your head, Space Case?"
"Nope!" She imitated him, popping the p. "I just decided to be an exception to all of your rules." Sarcastically, she flipped her ponytail at him, calling over her shoulder, "Night, Der."
As her figure disappeared up the dark stairs, Derek repeatedly banged his head against the counter.
When Casey reached the top of the stairs, a triumphant smile broke across her face. Satisfied, Casey crawled back into her warm awaiting bed. Within seconds, she drifted into peaceful sleep, the corners of her mouth still tilting upwards.
