SHOUTOUTS\ANSWERS

Chicas: Hey, congrats. Thanks. Soon enough for ya?

Sara: Thanks. I'll try. I don't know. I'm not quite sure if I'm even going to have romance in this fic.

DISCLAIMER

Life With Derek belongs to Disney. Anything unfamiliar belongs to me.

Meanwhile, at his own school, Derek was enjoying the fact that Casey was no longer there.

"Hey, Derek!" one of his friends greeted.

"Hey, man. What's up?" Derek wondered.

"Nothin' much," was the answer. "Where's your dopey stepsister?" he continued.

"She moved back with her dad," Derek reported.

"One down, huh?" the boy asked with a grin.

"Yeah," Derek agreed, smiling back. They slapped five. Sam said nothing, but listened as Derek and the others continued to talk and gloat over Casey's leaving. The bell rang and they all went to class. Later that day, after school, Derek walked through the door, whistling.

"You're in a good mood," George noted from his place on the couch. Nora, Edwin, Lizzie, and Marti were sitting with him.

"Yeah. Dad, I had the best day. Without Casey around, I don't have to worry about her being so geeky and having her associated with me," Derek grinned.

"I can't believe you're being such a creep," Lizzie huffed. She jumped up from the couch and stomped upstairs.

"Lizzie," Nora called, standing up. She sighed, and then shook her head.

"Poor thing," she said. Then, went up the stairs.

"Oh, boo-hoo. It's one less stepsister," Edwin declared.

"Yeah, that's what I'm talking about," Derek agreed.

"Lizzie's right. You are being a creep," Marti spoke up.

"Oh, come on, Smarti. It's just more room for you," Derek pointed out.

"I'd rather have Casey back," Marti disagreed.

"Aw, come on, Smarti. You'll get used to it," Derek cajoled. He reached out to ruffle her hair, but she pulled back.

"Smarti," he said in a hurt tone.

"Don't call me that. I'm mad at you," Marti snapped. She jumped up from the couch. "It's your fault Casey left, and I'll never, ever forgive you!" Derek's jaw dropped and he watched as the girl ran up the stairs.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

I think the pet names Derek and Marti have for each other: "Smarti" and "Smerek" are so cute. Don't you?