WHOOAAA. Dudes & dudettes, I apologize immensely for my lack of updates. School just got way too overwhelming and I've also been deprived of inspiration. However, here's another chapter for those who actually enjoy this fanfiction. It makes me feel better knowing that people still like it. x So here you go.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Life with Derek characters.


Monday morning, Casey sat herself down in the passenger seat of Derek's car with a loud sigh. She was not in the mood for school for it was inevitable that her path would collide with Sam's, Emily's or both. I mean, their lockers were right next to each other for crying out loud. Plus, as best friends… Wait, scratch that. As ex-best friends, Emily and Casey had quite a few classes together. Casey wasn't exactly sure how she would react to Emily and was almost scared to think about it.

Just then, Derek sat down in the driver's seat, looking groggy and exhausted as he started the car.

"What's wrong with you?" Casey asked as she fastened her seatbelt.

Derek didn't look at her, but combed a hand in his hair in attempt at making him look better, "I don't do Mondays."

"Obviously."

Derek shook his head, "I don't know what keeps you up so perky for school. Seriously."

"Want me to drive?" Casey offered.

He looked at her with wide eyes, "You? Drive my baby?"

"… Yes."

Derek pulled out of the driveway, "Fat chance."

That, by the way, deserved a punch from Casey.

---

At school, Casey went to her guidance counselor to vent.

"He's such a jerk!" she groaned as she sat down in her usual chair.

Her guidance counselor tilted his head and said the first thing that came to his mind, "Who, Derek?"

"No, Sam," Casey said as she crossed her arms across her chest with a huff.

"Boyfriend Sam?"

"Ex – boyfriend Sam."

He looked surprised,"Ex? What happened?"

"HeandEmilyhadanaffairbehindmybackImean,seriouslymybestfriendandmyboyfriend --" Casey rambled.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let me get this straight. Sam and Emily had a fling behind your back?"

"Yes! And I don't know what I'm supposed to do!"

"Well, I think your relationship with Emily is –"

"I know! I should talk with Emily because I'm being completely unfair to her … Even if she is my ex-best friend. Thanks!"

Casey dashed out of the room and he muttered, "Anytime."

---

Although Casey already established that she wanted to talk to Emily and be the fair person she was, she couldn't help but try and dodge Sam and his mistress. It was awfully hard seeing that they all had plenty of classes together and used to hang out all the time. But every time she saw Emily or Sam, she felt a sense of hatred arise in her despite the fact that she didn't want to. She couldn't help but feel angry with them and by the end of the day, was sick of their presence.

However, at the end of the day, Casey didn't close her locker in time. There was tension in the atmosphere as Emily went to her own locker that was right next to Casey's. Casey closed her locker and sighed.

"Hi, Emily," Casey said, her voice seemed forced.

Emily nodded silently and walked towards the exit nervously.

"Em, we need to talk," Casey said loudly and Emily turned around and walked back to her locker.

"About what?"

"About what happened."

"Casey…"

"I need to know what happened," Casey stated the truth.

Emily sighed and said, "You know how after you fought with Sam, you'd call me up and tell me your side of the story?"

Casey nodded her head for what she said was true.

Emily continued, "Well, one time I called Sam to hear his point of view."

"And you listened to him and not your best friend?"

"Don't put it that way," Emily said, shaking her head.

"What way do I put it, then?"

"His stories made sense and one night he came over to my house with red, puffy eyes from crying."

Casey's mind cooked up a million scenarios of what they did that night and only asked her a simple question, "Why'd you do it, Em?"

"Because you can't have both of them!" Emily said loudly, staring straight at Casey with watery eyes.

Casey looked completely confused, "What?"

Emily mumbled something about how she had to go and Casey watched her leave the school grounds without ever looking back. Casey leaned back against her locker and tried to process what Emily said, but it made no sense. What did she mean by both? They were only talking about Sam, so why in the world would Emily bring in a completely new person in the conversation?

Casey walked to Derek's car and he had fallen asleep in the driver's seat with the air conditioner and music on. She sat down and smiled slightly at the sight of him sleeping. Then she shook her head violently to eliminate that odd feeling.

She nudged him softly, "Derek, wake up."

"Mmm, what?" Derek sat up straight and looked around in a confused manner for a few seconds.

"You plan on driving us home anytime soon?"

"Yeah, what took you so long?" he asked and pulled out of the school parking lot.

"I talked to Emily."

"You did, did you? So, what happened?" he asked with great interest.

"I asked her why she did what she did."

"And?"

"She gave me some bogus answer."

"Bogus?" Derek raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, she said 'You can't have both of them!' " Casey said and looked out the window. "I wonder who the second person she was talking about."

Derek surprisingly swerved to the left and went back on track with an undistinguished expression on his face, "Did you see that road kill? Poor dog."

Casey looked at him strangely and he stayed quiet the rest of the ride home. It was odd because they didn't even fight this time and he still stayed silent. Once he got to his room, he hoped that Casey wouldn't see Sam with his black eye the next day. If she did, she might investigate and find out who that second guy was that Emily was talking about. And Derek didn't need her to find out … She was his stepsister, after all, and he felt the need to protect her. Even if it was from himself.

Okay, so I'll admit that its not my best update ... But hopefully you guys enjoyed reading it. Keep the reviews coming. It helps to know that people like it. :)

- Lina.