A/N: Okay, here's chapter three. I want to apologize for how long it took to get the last two chapters up, but the site was bugging out on me the last day I was at my dad's and wouldn't let me upload any docs so here I am uploading two chapters at once. But I'm sure you'll like that! Anyway, please read and review! Thanks! Enjoy! -Mac

Disclaimer: I don't own Life with Derek or the song 'Mary' by Saving Jane, but I L.O.V.E, love them!

Chapter Three

No More Mrs. Nice Girl

She took her hair down

Left her sweater on the floor

She's not a nice girl anymore...

As I got ready for school the next morning, I contemplated on what I could do, how I could change. I tried to think about the moment in my life that I felt the most enpowered, the most confident. If I could take the person from that moment and be her on a daily basis...it would have to make things better, right? If I felt good in my own skin all the time, I could confidently go after the things I wanted. I just had to ditch the insecurity I seemed to be wrapped up in.

It hit me as I gave myself one last once over in my mirror. The day I dressed up as Babe Raider for my media project. That day I had felt good, it may have been a shallow good, but it was still good. I felt better than I had in a long time. I had turned heads that day. I was noticed. Guys fell at me feet. I felt confident in myself that day. That was what I was going to do. A change in my wardrobe would be a great start.

So I dropped my backpack back on the floor and decided to make a few quick changes before heading to school. I didn't have much time, so I couldn't change completely. I wasn't going to go as drastic as Babe Raider, just enough of a change to catch some eyes. I pulled my hair out of it's ponytail and undid the braid it was twisted into. If I wanted to change my nice girl image, I would have to ditch the kiddie hairstyles. I might as well be wearing pigtails with how childish my hair looked. I shook my hair out with my fingers and let it fall naturally. It gave it a messy, kind of wild but sexy, definitely sexy, look to it. Perfect.

Now for the outfit, hmm, what to do. I unbuttoned my sweater and tossed it over my shoulder, letting it land on the floor behind me. I settled on the shirt that I had on underneath, which before I would never be caught wearing by itself. It was a bit more lower cut than I was used to, and a tad shorter so the scarsest amount of skin showed. Finally, I ditched the tennis shoes for a pair of strappy heels, that matched the shirt and I rarely wore.

With a smear of darker lipstick, a brush of extra blush, a tad bit more eyeshadow and a whirl of mascara, I was ready to go. I grabbed my backpack and headed downstairs. I grabbed a piece of bread for toast, and fortunately it didn't burn today. I did my best to ignore the many pairs of questioning eyes that followed me around the kitchen, I gave a small smile and headed fro school.

I had a plan in mind for what to do when I got to school. I kind of formulated it on my way there. When I saw Sam I would just keep my cool, calmly tell him what I had seen, and politely tell him to go to hell. And I would definitely try to avoid answereing any questions about my appearence. However, Derek had different plans as usual. He caught up with me at my locker before class.

"Is this get up supposed to be some ploy to give Sam a taste of what he's going to be missing out on?" Derek questioned with a smirk.

"Why ever would you think that?" I answered as innocently as I could. I actually had never thought of it that way. Oh, well. I was going to knock Sam off his feet.

"Oh, no, let me guess...another report on the objectification of women in sexist video games? I thought the whole Babe Raider thing was a one time deal?" Derek responded.

"Could you just lay off me for once?" I snapped. Whoa, where did that come from? I was sick and tired of all the rubbish he dishes out, but...where did that come from? I guess the confident attitude comes with the outfit. "Look, I just had the worst day ever yesterday. I think I should be allowed one day to blow off some steam and cool down and I can't do that with you up in my face every five minutes like you usually are, so can you please just--"

I completely froze. I watched Sam approach from down the hall over Derek's shoulder. That plan I had about keeping calm and collected flew out the window the minute I saw Sam. The image of him and that girl kept falshing in front of my eyes and with it came all the pain I had pushed aside for awhile. I was struggling. I didn't know what to do.

I was roused back to reality by Derek's hands waving in front of my face, "Please just what? Casey! Casey, you there? Casey! Hello?"

"Sam." I murmured, my eyes never leaving his approaching figure.

"Sam?" Derek replied, his brow furrowed. He turned slightly and caught sight of Sam, "Oh."

I finally tore my eyes from him and hastily turned back to my locker. I haphazardly shoved some things into my bag and zipped it closed. I slammed my locker door.

"I'm not ready. I can't talk to him yet." I whispered frantically.

"Go, I've got it." Derek said immediately.

I looked up at him surprised. He gestured for me to leave and headed toward Sam. I took a deep breath and headed in the opposite direction. I bit back the utter astoundment that flooded me that Derek would ever help me, intentionally. As I headed down the hall, I could hear Derek talking to Sam.

"Now's not a good time, man. She's really pissed right now. I don't think she'd be too welcoming to your company."

"What did you say to her?" Sam asked, and I could almost picture the scowl that etched itself into his forehead.

"Me? Nothing, man. Just give her a chance to...uh, collect herself. You can talk to her later."

By that time I was already around the corner and out of earshot. I really ad to get a hold of myself. I couldn't figure out what happened. I had this burst of confidence when I was talking to Derek, but it was like my confidence level defleeted the minute I saw Sam. I had to get a grip on myself if I was going to deal with him today. And Derek...he actually helped me. He did something nice for me! He did something nice! I have to ask him about that later.

It wasn't until class that the whispers caught my attentinon. I had been too caught up with other things to notice. It wasn't as bad as Babe Raider day, but it was still noticeable. I could hear my name falling from people's mouths in hushed tones. I couldn't help but smile to myself.

Emily couldn't hide the look of surprise when she first saw me. I couldn't blame her either. I wasn't the 'usual' Casey today. But that had been my goal, hadn't it?

"Dang, Casey. Whoo! What happened to you? You're looking hot today." Emily squealed.

"You don't want to know." I replied. Really, did she want to hear about the horrible day that spurred this change?

Emily shook it off and turned her attention to the front of the room as our teacher came in and started class. The day went pretty quickly. I waved off a few whoots, hollers, and catcalls that were sent my way when I walked through the halls. I avoided Sam as much as I could, which seemed to be a lot easier than I thought it would be. But lunch proved to be the only chance I would get to do this, so it was when I would do it.

I was sitting alone at a table picking at my lunch. Emily was still in line buying her lunch. I knew Sam was going to join me soon, hopefully to make up for not being there yesterday. As soon as he got there I would have to do it. I had to get it over with as quickly as possible, or I would lose my nerve. Eventually Sam arrived at my table. The minute he sat down I stood taking my tray with me.

"We need to talk." I said, and without another word I headed for the doors.

This was a conversation meant for private. I could sense him following me. I dumped my tray and went for the doors. I felt eyes on me and I turned my head to look to the right. I locked my gaze with Derek. He gave me a reassuring nod before I slipped out the doors with Sam behind me. What was with him today?

When I was halfway down the hall I stopped and turned to face Sam. He looked completely confused but there wasn't even a hint of guilt in his expression. So he didn't think he was caught...Yes, but he snuck around so well...Ah, let's get this over with.

"Sam. I began...where to start. Where to start. You cheated on me and now I'm breaking up with you. Just say it.

"What's up Casey? You're looking..." Sam started, as he looked me over.

"Don't finish that sentence." I said.

"Derek said you were feeling a bit out of it today. He said I should give you some space." Sam replied, "Did he do something? He said you were kind of pissed."

"No, it's not Derek this time, surprisingly." I corrected.

"Did you have a fight with Emily? Your mom?" Sam asked, frowning.

"No." I shook my head, "It's about you."

"What did I do?" Sam scowled, "I knew I missed lunch yesterday. I was going to apologize this morning, I had to go to my classroom for..."

"A mop? Or was it a broom? Cleaning supplies in general?" I snapped.

"What are you talking about?"

"Well, those are about the only things you can find in a janitor's closet."

"Huh?"

"I saw you Sam. I saw you. You and that girl...that blonde! How could you?" I fought back the tears that tried to rush forward.

"I don't..."

"Don't you dare say you don't know what I'm talking about. You know...Why would you do that to me?"

"I don't know what to say."

"Then don't. Just listen. I thought you were the good guy. I thought you were the sweet and thoughtful one. I was wrong. You've turned out to be just another jerk. So, I'm just going to say it...it's over." I spat out the last few words and walked away.

I took a deep breath of relief. I had finished. It was done. I was still hurting but I had closure...I could get over it. I could move on. I continued on with my day with a little bit of weight lifted from my shoulders. I still felt bad, but not as bad. I felt better...I'm not sure how much better, just better. I couldn't help but think that's a good start.

I came home in a much better mood than I had yesterday. It wasn't long after I got home that Derek came into my room. He pushed the door open and I turned around in my chair to look at him. He was leaning against my doorway.

"Hey Casey, you okay?" Derek asked.

I was shocked, but I did my best not to show it, "Yeah, I'm fine. Did you talk to Sam?"

"He said you were definitely out of it and you would probably get over it by tomorrow. He doesn't think you're serious."

"Well, I'm definitely serious. He didn't mention anything about cheating on me?"

"No. I don't think he wants me to know."

"What was with you today? You were actually, dare I say it, nice to me. I can't believe those words just left my mouth. I thought I would never see the day." I joked.

"Shut up." Derek smiled, not smirked, smiled. "You were really upset, I didn't want to add to that."

"Why not? Normally that's the first thing you would have done." I asked.

"You were hurt. And you're...family...and that's what I do for family. But don't get used to it. I'll probably have come to my senses by tomorrow." He finished on a light tone, but I noticed the way he stumbled on the word 'family.' There was no way I believed he actually thought of me as family, but I waved it off mentally and laughed with him.

"Thanks, anyways. I really appreciate it."

"It's no problem."

With that, Derek turned and walked away. I listened to his footsteps as he went downstairs. I blew out a breath. Derek, could he really be changing? Or was this a once in a lifetime kind of thing? I pushed that aside. A nice Derek, what an idea.

I had a better day...with a bit of a change. I had a start...now I just had to run with it. I could only go up. I just had to push a little bit harder, and move a little bit farther. Things are going to change for me. It was already looking up. A few more little changes and I'll be a new, confident, enpowered, no-more-Mrs.-Nice-Girl Casey McDonald.

She says I won't apologize

Stand up girls and dry your eyes

And I'll see you on the other side of good

Where we sing...

Na na na na na na na na

Na na na na na na na na

On the other side of good