DISCLAIMER
Life With Derek belongs to Canadian Television and Disney Channel. I only own characters you don't recognize. Since I don't know the name of the school, I'm just going to make something up. I can't remember the English teacher's name, but I'm just gonna use a name I say on for guest stars in "Grade-Point: Average". And yes, I'm aware that stranger-rape is extremely rare, but I feel that I can make it work for the story.
TWO WEEKS LATER
Casey walked the halls of Henry High. She approached her locker and spun the dial. She gave a growl of frustration when she realized she had put in the wrong combination.
"Are you okay?" a voice asked. Casey turned her head to see her best friend, Emily Davids.
"Yeah, I'm all right, Em," she answered.
"Are you sure? I mean, for the last couple of weeks, you've been kind of distant," Emily noted.
"I'm fine, Emily. Just get off my back," Casey snapped, as she finally got her locker open.
"Sor-ry!" Emily exclaimed. She watched as her friend stomped away. At the same time, Derek was making his rounds, slapping five with his friends and giving an occasional 'Sup' to people who he deemed worthy enough.
"Hey, Derek!" Emily called, catching sight of the boy.
"What?" Derek questioned in mild annoyance. He was a popular man and he didn't have time for just anybody.
"What's going on with Casey?" Emily wondered.
"How should I know?" Derek responded with a shrug. And he really didn't care. Casey was such a dweeb. Her problems didn't concern him.
"You're her stepbrother. If something's up at home, you'd know," Emily pointed out.
"Emily, we may live in the same house, but what she does, I don't really care about," Derek stated.
"Look, just---keep on eye on her. I'm worried," Emily requested.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Derek grumbled. However, in Mr. Patterson's English class, the boy watched his stepsister from out of the corner of his eye. Instead of taking notes as she usually did, she just stared blankly at her desk. Derek's brows furrowed in confusion. What was up with Casey? Meanwhile, Casey just stared at her desk, lost in her memories. She knew she was in class, but she wouldn't have been able to tell anyone what was being said. All she could focus on was that hockey player. She didn't even know who he was, just that he was a member of the senior hockey team. And that he had stolen something very precious from her.
"Miss MacDonald?" Casey looked up in surprise at the sound of Mr. Patterson's voice.
"I'm---sorry. What did you say?" she stammered. The man repeated his question.
"Um. I---I---I don't know," Casey stammered. Derek did a double take. Casey didn't know the answer to a question? Since when did that happen? Mr. Patterson called on someone else who gave the correct answer. After the bell rang, Casey hurried out of the classroom. Derek quickly followed her.
"Casey! Hey, Casey!" he called. She stopped and turned around with a sigh.
"What?" she snapped. What does he want? Why can't he just leave me alone? she wondered.
"Emily said you've been acting strange," Derek stated, trying to sound disinterested.
"And what? She decided to be my keeper? Or, you just decided to make my day even more miserable?" Casey tossed back.
"What's wrong? Is everything okay?" Derek asked. Though he wouldn't admit it, he was now concerned. Casey wasn't usually this snappish.
"I'm fine," Casey told him.
"Casey, if something's going on, you can tell me," Derek said softly. Casey's throat wobbled. She couldn't believe it. Derek was actually being...nice. Maybe she should tell him. She opened her mouth and then the boy's words came back at her.
"This is our little secret. Tell no one," he warned her.
"Casey, what is it?" Derek asked.
"It's nothing! Why don't you just leave me alone you obnoxious brat?" Casey snarled. She pushed past him and he stared after in surprise and concern. What was up with Casey?
