A/N: Chapter four! Yay Yeah! Okay that was sad. I'm just very bored. Sitting home alone during summer with nothing to do, but write some stuff for you guys. I guess it'll have to do. Anyway, here's chapter four. I want to thank everyone who read and reviewed! All of y'all! Thanks a bunch for all the positive feedback...I like—scratch that, love—positive feedback! Thanks again! I love you guys! R&R! –Mac

Disclaimer: I don't own Life with Derek or the lines from the song 'Mary' by Saving Jane.

Chapter Four

Wrong Side of the Tracks

She paints her fingernails in black

She's on the run

On the wrong side of the tracks

Where life is fun...

The next few days went by quickly, and definitely not quietly. Believe me. Not that I was complaining. Things were certainly looking up for me. And the whole point of ditching the life of silent desperation was to not be silent. I wanted to burst out, be loud, make people take notice. I wasn't that nice, innocent, naive, little Casey anymore.

I was most definitely not the same, and people most definitely took notice. On top of that list were my mom, George, Lizzie, Edwin, and even little Marti noticed the change. But none of them really said much about it. My mom mentioned something the second day, I think, nothing much though. Derek, however, seemed to have taken it upon himself to comment enough for everyone.

True to his word, the next day, Derek returned to his usual annoying self. Well, not exactly his usual annoying self, there was something different that I couldn't quite pin down. Yet every time I took a moment to think over that difference, he makes some obnoxious remark and it makes me think I'm wrong about it all together. But Derek was always consistent in that area. He does something nice or in the vicinity of nice, as it was most times, and then the second you think maybe he has a little good in his heart, he turns around and changes your mind right back. At least, as I said, he's consistent.

Most of the change came at school, as I had hoped it would. The point was to grab attention, right? And where else was I going to get that attention? I wasn't vying for Derek's attention, because he was the only one at home that says anything about it. No way. School was where I really wanted to show off. So I did. And it worked.

I started wearing shirts that were cut a little bit higher, and jeans that dipped a little bit lower. And with each new day I had an extra surge of confidence and a little less insecurity. I wasn't going to go overboard. I didn't want anything too drastic. I wanted to be confident and independent, secure in myself. I didn't feel like picking up a reputation as anything less, what's the word...respectable than that. That wasn't my goal. I just don't want to be invisible Casey anymore. I want to be seen, heard, but still respected. That's what I want. Maybe this time I'll get that.

Emily has finally gotten used to my new sense of style, and my new attitude. I didn't want her to think I was being pushy, but my new forwardness got away from me. She went off into what I had now dubbed 'Derek Glorification Mode', and it was as irritating as usual. And usually I just shrug it off. She doesn't know any better. She doesn't live with him. She doesn't have him breathing down her neck 24/7. I do. So, I do understand. I can't blame her. But like I said, the forwardness of my new attitude got away from me. I guess you could say I told her off...but it wasn't exactly that. I may have just, kinda, sorta told her if she breathed one more word of praise for Derek I might just have to scream. She looked kind of taken aback, but I wouldn't take it back. I had meant it. If she kept going on about him the way she was I would scream. Still, even with all its honesty, Emily didn't really appreciate it. I couldn't blame her for that either.

"Geez, Casey. I know the two of you don't get along but..." Emily began.

"No. What we are is far past not getting along. We are full-blown enemies. We fight. We snap. He's a complete and total..." I corrected.

"Talking about me again?" Derek's voice cut in. "Just can't get me off your mind, huh?"

"Derek. How pleasant of you to join us." I replied, very confidently I might add.

"You know obsession is unhealthy, Casey. You of all people should know that." Derek responded.

"Obsessed? Me? With you? Yeah, right." I rolled my eyes.

"You do talk about him an awful lot." Emily said.

"You cannot be serious." I laughed, "You talk about him an awful lot. I do not."

"I do not..." Emily stammered.

"Yeah. Fascinating. Really. Casey I need to talk to you. Now." Derek interrupted, bluntly.

"What about?" I asked, skeptically.

"Just come here." Derek commanded. He grabbed my arm and pulled me around the corner where there were fewer people.

I shrugged him off violently and snapped, "What the hell do you think you are doing?"

"Well Casey, I guess the new wardrobe comes with a new feisty vocabulary." Derek smirked.

"What do you want Derek? You aren't usually one for a nice hello in the morning."

"I just wanted to warn you that Sam has finally come to his senses and realized what he lost..."

"Meaning?" I prodded, not fully understanding.

"He knows he's missing out on something."

"Meaning?"

"He's going to come talk to you. Lunch probably, if you can get to class before he catches up to you. And I think maybe you might still be a little shaken up by the whole...situation, and I don't want him to catch you off guard and spook you. So, I wanted you to be ready." Derek explained.

"Oh." I murmured quietly. My confidence level shot out the window again.

"I just wanted to let you know, so he doesn't surprise you or anything."

"How do you know this?" I questioned, turning to look up at him.

"He was talking about doing whatever he had to, to get you back. He's acting like he's doing you a favor by coming back to you. Like you're the one who made the mistake. But he's figuring you'll take him back. That this..." Derek made a gesture at my appearance, "...is just a stunt to win him back. I think he's just getting all hot and bothered over it—like every other guy in this school—and thinks you'll give it up to him."

"Excuse me?" I exclaimed.

"I think he wants you. Badly. And if he says the right thing, smiles the right way, and gives that perfect make-a-girl-swoon look—that I thought him—you'll fall at his feet. Now I, on the other hand, know you better than that."

"You know me better that that?" I replied.

"Yes, I know you better than that. He wants a piece of this new Casey, and he figures that since he had you once, he could have you again. Everyone wants a piece of this new Casey, by the way."

"Derek." I nearly growled.

"Look, it's just a warning. Okay?"

"You're a real piece of work, you know that?" I replied.

"Yes, I do. Glad you noticed," Derek joked, "Avoid him or figure something out, because he is going to show up sometime."

"Can't you do something to stop him? Talk him out of it or something." I pleaded.

"I tried Casey. I did. He's been going on about this for like three days. He won't listen. That's why I'm coming to you." Derek explained.

"Thanks, Derek. Really, I appreciate it." I nodded in acknowledgement.

"Just wanted you to be prepared." Derek said.

"Thanks." I replied simply. I gave a small smile then turned and headed for my class.

What was going on with that boy? He was the sarcastic, rude Derek this morning at breakfast. Now suddenly five minutes before first period he's the nice, thoughtful, 'just wanted to warn you' Derek. I shook it off though. I had worse things to deal with.

I was wondering when Sam would try to sweet talk me back into a relationship. I knew he would. I figured the blonde would drop him the minute he was 'available' again, then where would he be? He would come crawling back. But I didn't want him back. Where'd that strength you had go, Casey? Huh? Where'd it go? The last thing I wanted was to get back with Sam. No. The last thing I wanted was Sam thinking I would get back with him. I had to kill that hope. Destroy it. Crush it into bits. I know that sounds absolutely horrible and incredibly mean, but I really don't care. He hurt me horribly. I really could care less about stepping on his feelings.

All through my classes I was thinking about Sam—not in the way he wanted either. There was only two topics occupying my attention today. Sam and his 'plan', and Derek's delightful way of warning me. He didn't have to warn me about it. He could have used the time, which he had spent warning me, to laugh along with Sam and the others and encouraging him in his quest for my heart. But he didn't. He decided to help me instead. Something he seemed to be doing a lot lately.

What was with him?

Another question, did I really care that he was helping me? It was really turning out to be a good thing for me wasn't it. I kind of liked the nice Derek that was popping up every once and awhile. Wait. Did I just say I liked Derek? No. That just came out wrong. I'm just grateful for the help he's given me with Sam. Right?

I never really got around to answering that question. Lunch came all too quickly for my liking. I had tried to explain what was going to happen to Emily. But she wasn't too much help in solving the problem. Nothing against her or anything—she's my best friend and I love her for being there for me—but I think she's just too oblivious to understand what I was going through. See we kind of got stuck on the part where Derek was talking to me. So I was kind of alone on trying to figure out what to do.

I was sitting at a table with Emily picking slightly at my lunch. I really didn't have too much of an appetite. This was his chance, I was just waiting for him to make his move. My stomach was turning itself inside out or at least it felt like that in that moment. Finally when my anxiety was at it's highest, someone sat down next to me. I turned to look into the eyes of...Derek.

"Moral support." Was all he said before digging into his lunch.

Before I had a chance to say anything Sam finally made his appearance, "Casey."

I whipped around, "Sam."

"Uh could you two let me talk to Casey, alone." Sam asked, his eyes glancing back and forth between Emily and Derek as he slid into the seat next to Emily and across from me.

"Uh sure..." Emily said while making to leave. But I caught her eye, shaking my head, and she sat back down. "Uh, no."

"Derek, could you..." Sam trailed off, but assumed his point was made.

"I don't think Casey would really want me to, so I'm staying." Derek shook his head.

"Casey, could you call off the pack?" Sam asked looking directly at me.

"No." I answered simply, in a sharp tone.

"Fine, I just wanted to say—"

"I know what you're going to say." I cut in. "And I'm going to save you the breath and save me the time. I don't want you back, nor do I think I will ever want you back anytime in the future. So, don't waste my time."

"Why not?" Sam asked.

"Because..." I cooed in a baby voice. Because I heard about your little speech about me. Because you think I'll finally give you what you had to get from that little blonde. Because I still won't. "...I know as soon as I'm back with you, that little blonde will come running back as well. And I don't fancy getting hurt again. So no."

"Sam, man, I'm your best friend and I feel for you here...okay I don't really feel for you in this situation, but I think walking away right now would be in your best interest." Derek replied standing.

Sam stood as well, "You're siding with her, man, seriously?"

"You cheated on her. What did you expect?" Derek snapped.

"But you hate her, right?" Sam smirked. It was said in a tone that said he knew something nobody else did.

"Look she may get on my nerves sometimes, but I care enough to show a little concern when she's hurt." Derek shot, scowling.

My mouth dropped open. Emily was cautiously glancing back and forth between the two. Did he just say he cared...about me? And when did this become a fight between Sam and Derek?

"But just how much do you care?" Sam sneered and a malicious smirk—that looked so out of place on the Sam I had know—graced his lips.

"Outside, now." Derek growled, and practically dragged Sam out of the cafeteria. I guess he wanted the rest of the conversation to be private. I'm not sure what happened after they left the cafeteria, but later I saw Sam sporting a nasty cut on his lower lip.

For the second time in a week, I went through the last of my day in a complete daze. I was so confused. So very, very confused. What had Derek meant by his little fight with Sam? It had turned into something else completely. It was supposed to be his desperate plea for me to return to him, well that was exaggerated a bit but that doesn't matter. Suddenly it had become a clash between Sam and Derek. But it was obviously about me. What could the two possibly have to fight about that involved me? Oh, yes, I was very confused.

Had Derek really implied he cared about me even a little? 'Enough to show concern', right? Or was it just another shot at Sam? Like Sam didn't care about me at all. Or was he really telling the truth? Too many questions and not enough answers. I hate when that happens. It makes me feel helpless. I don't like feeling helpless. That was the whole point in the changes I had made in myself, to build up some strength so I wouldn't have to feel helpless. But here I was feeling helpless again, and again, and again.

I feel so mixed up inside. Why was I so focused on this Derek thing? I didn't really care enough to let it bother me. At least I was telling myself I didn't care enough to let it bother me. Did I care? Did he care? I'm just about ready to say 'oh screw it'. But I can't. Why can't I? What is going on in my head?

I need to figure this out. It is right there. I can sense it. It's sitting right there in the front of my mind, blinding me from everything else, and refusing to let me ignore it. I can't ignore it. It's really important. Derek caring about me goes against everything we've done since we met. Me caring goes against everything we've done since we met. We can't really care about each other, can we? I mean I don't care about Derek at all. I don't care. I don't care, not at all. I don't. Oh my God, I do. I am so screwed.