Life With Derek: The Secret

o2o

Classes were just as completely boring as they were every other day. The only enjoyable part, was when he'd lean back in his chair and catch a small glimpse of Casey. Alright, so maybe that was a tad bit of a sap thing to do. He couldn't help it though; her t-shirt was riding up and showing off her tanned back. When a girl turned around and looked at him funny, he simply gave her his regular flirty smile, causing her to blush and turn away.

He was sitting in his seat at the very back of the classroom; the regular slacker spot. Casey had her coveted teachers pet desk up near the front, in the very center. He may want to bring his grades up, but he wasn't about to risk his reputation by migrating up there. Besides, that would cause Casey to question him and he didn't feel like putting up with her interrogation. At sixteen, Derek couldn't wait for school to end. He wanted to be free of the restraining walls of education and just enjoy life.

While Mr. Patterson droned on about similes and metaphors, Derek's mind wandered back to the fun days of his past. The days that didn't involve a step family. She was happier then; throwing him a smile or two whenever she caught his gaze lingering on her. He couldn't help but think he'd torn that happiness away now. Not only because of his step brother antics; but because of how things had ended between them.

Before he could get to far into his thoughts, he heard the familiar noise of sharp footsteps heading his way. Once again, his lovely English teacher had noticed the lack of attention Derek paid in class. Sighing, he turned his face up to the red, pudgy faced, middle aged man.

"How's it going, Mr. P?" he asked, confidently.

"It's going poorly, Mr. Venturi. Do you care to explain why you choose to ignore my class once again?" he wondered. His large head turned back and forth questioningly.

Shaking his head, he shrugged. "I wasn't ignoring it, I was just enjoying it from afar."

"Your thoughts must have been quite far indeed, considering I've called your name four times and you haven't responded," he told him; his tone sharp.

"Are you sure you pronounced it right?" he asked, tipping his head.

"Mr. Venturi," he said, loudly with emphasis on the mister.

Derek could already see the steam pouring from the man's ears. "Sounds about right, I guess I need to see a doctor about my hearing." Shrugging, he leaned back in his chair. "You know, maybe I should just go see Nurse Kayla. She's always willing to check me out."

A few howls from his classmates caused the teacher to become even more angered.

Ah Nurse Kayla; a tall, leggy blonde who just so happened to be rather young and gorgeous. She'd shown to be rather handy with a few of the older and good looking boys in the school. Though this should be a problem, nobody complained. What teenage boy doesn't want a hot nurse touching him?

"That's it," the man shouted. "You have proven to be more of a nuisance than anything. I hope you enjoy detention for the next two weeks, Mr. Venturi." Stomping away, he stood in front of the class and restarted his lesson.

Sighing, Derek felt like slapping himself. He was supposed to be trying to get better grades, instead he was annoying his teacher. And English just happened to be one of the courses he needed serious help in. Instead of letting his annoyance show, he simply grinned at his peers and slumped into his chair; looking cool and collected.

When school finally ended, and detention let him go, Derek could hardly wait to get home. Sam gave him a ride, asking if he wanted to play basketball or anything. Turning his friend down, he hurried inside, wanting nothing more than a comfortable couch and the remote control. Unfortunately, lady luck was still against him, because all he was given was a don't-even-go-there look from his dad, who was currently sprawled out on the couch, remote in hand.

Stomping upstairs, Derek pushed his door open angrily. Half jumping onto his bed, he sighed at the comfort. Rolling onto his back, he stared at the roof. Blinking a few times, he let his body slowly relax. He was more than tired of what was going on around him. Ever since the two families had merged, his life had been slowly draining downward. Grunting in annoyance, he kicked his shoes off and closed his eyes.

"Smerek," Marti shouted from the doorway.

Pulling himself away from his own irritating thoughts, he sat up. "Hey Smarti," he called to her, a sincere smile breaking out on his face.

Running across the room, she jumped into his arms. "Will you play dress up with me?" she asked, excitedly.

"Not right now, Smarti. I've got to do homework." The words sounded completely foreign coming from him. "Later though, alright?"

"Alright, Smerek." Climbing down, she ran out of the room happily.

Sighing, he fell back on his bed. Lifting his hands, he ran them over his tired face. He really should do his homework, or he'd end up losing yet another prized possession. Rolling over, he grabbed his backpack and dragged it over. Pulling out his books, he threw them all out on his bed. Staring at each of them, he tried to decide which would be easiest.

"Go with Social Studies," came a female voice from the door.

Looking up, Derek was greeted with Casey's amused face. "What do you want?" he asked, annoyed.

Rolling her eyes, she crossed her arms. "I came to ask you for Sam's phone number." Walking into his room, she picked up a textbook. "This one says Socials 11," she explained to him in her your-an-idiot voice.

Snorting, he snatched it from her hands. "I can read, thanks." Scowling, he glared at her. "What do you want Sam's number for?"

"None of your business," she said simply. Frowning, she looked around. "Are you actually planning on doing all of your homework?"

"None of your business," he reiterated. His shoulders slumped; he wished they could go back to how they used to talk. For those few days when she didn't hate every fibre of his being. Clenching his jaw, he forced thoughts of the past out of his head.

Sighing, she shrugged. "Well, I was only asking because there's no way you'll be able to do it."

Turning sharp eyes on her, he was about to shout an insult but she lifted her hand cutting him off.

"I'm not calling you stupid," she told him, cocking her eyebrow. "But if you had been paying attention in English, you'd know that there's a three page report due on Friday. It's Wednesday, if you didn't know, meaning that will take up all of your time."

"Three pages on what?" he asked.

Laughing, she shook her head. "Anything you want. Three pages on something that means something to you."

"Anything?" Frowning, he glared at the books. "I've already got enough homework, isn't a three page report a little much?"

Kneeling by his bed, she grabbed his books. "Smart move, would be to go with Socials, Math, and Biology tonight. That way you have all of tomorrow off to do your report." Grimacing, she shook her head. "The Biology is rather confusing." Standing up, she placed her hands on her hips. "Even though the questions are for Chapter 13, a lot of the answers are in 15," she told him.

His brow fused at her generosity, but she simply smiled.

"It's good to see you trying a little harder in school," she told him.

Watching her walk to the door, he called out to her. "Don't you need Sam's number?"

Turning back, she shook her head. "I think I remember where I put it."

After she left, Derek exhaled loudly. Part of him was rather happy that she was starting to treat him slightly better; but another part knew it wouldn't last. He'd done the unthinkable; the one thing that would forever keep him stuck in her mind as the jerk she saw him as. It wasn't his fault really, but he never got the chance to tell her that. Everything had been going so smoothly, so perfectly, and then it all got completely screwed up.

"Hey Derek," Edwin said from the door. He stopped short, staring at the books in front of him. "Are you doing homework?" he asked, shocked.

"Shut up," he told him, scowling.

"Whatever man, I just came to tell you some babe was on the phone. I think she said her name was Felicity." Shaking his head, he blinked a few times at the laid out homework, almost as if he believed it would disappear.

"Get outta here," Derek told him, grabbing the phone on his bedside table. He hadn't even heard it ring.

Felicity was one of the most popular girls at the school; more so because of her easy ways with the guys on the hockey team. With long black hair and glittering blue eyes, she could make any boy drool. Except Derek, who was completely not interested. In fact, though he turned his attention on many girls, he wasn't interested in any but one. The one he couldn't have; the girlfriend that got away.

"Hey," he said, lazily.

"Hi Der," she said, elongating the nickname she pinned on him. "I'm going to Sam's party this Friday and I happen to be free."

"Really?" he said, not at all interested, but knowing he had to ask her out now. Nobody said no to Felicity Taylor. It just plain wasn't done. If it happened, which was incredibly rare, that person was never considered popular again. In fact, they'd likely switch schools from the burn their reputation would take. "It just so happens that I'm free and interested in taking you," he told her.

"Good, I like the sound of that. Pick me up at ten," she said, easily. "Oh and Derek, bring that klutzy step-sister of yours. I happen to have a brother that needs a distraction just like her."

"What?" he asked, trying not to sound worried.

"Yeah, he's a year older than us and just like her. Honor student, teachers pet, complete spaz, blah blah blah." She giggled, nauseatingly. "They'll be perfect. As long as he's distracted, I don't have to worry about him making me look bad. My pathetic parents have decided I need a chaperone." She scoffed with disgust. "Please, that is complete bull. You can convince Tracy to come, right?" she purred.

"Casey," he corrected, wincing at the realization of what he'd done. "Anything you want. She'll be there."

"Great. See you then," she said, before hanging up.

Hitting the end button, Derek half threw the phone at the wall. What had he done? There was no way that Casey would agree to this. Especially at a party her beloved Sam was hosting. She would assume that he wouldn't like her if he thought he was dating someone. Of course, she'd never hit it off with Felicity's brother, even though he sounded just like Casey. She doesn't go for guys just like her does she? Well her past boyfriends certainly said different. Alright, so as far as he knew, he was the only one and he wasn't even sure if she considered him that.

Grunting, he rolled off his bed. Walking down the hall, he held his hand up against her door, actually knocking. The door opened quickly, Casey's face was directed downward, obviously she was expecting one of the younger siblings. Realizing it was him, she looked up at him, confused.

"I need a favor," he said, half smiling.

Staring at him suspiciously, she backed up to let him in. Sitting down on the bed, she curled one leg beneath her. "I'm not doing your homework for you," she said. "I gave you a couple tips, that doesn't mean I'm going to-"

"That's not it," he said, sighing. "Although it would be great if you'd change your mind and do that." Noting her unhappy facial expression, he shook his head. "I actually need your help with something else. You see, I'm going out with Felicity Taylor this Friday-"

She scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"And I need you to go out with her brother," he said in a very big rush, jumbling the words together.

However, with Casey's high intelligence she managed to catch the sentence. "What?" she screeched. "No!"

"Come on, Case," he begged. "You know I wouldn't ask if it weren't important."

"I'm not going out with some bimbo's brother so you can get off," she told him, angrily.

"Believe me, that's not why I'm asking you to go," he told her. Backtracking, he realized what he'd said. Noticing the confused look on Casey's face, he sighed. "Can you just do me this favor, I don't ask you for anything."

"Why should I?" she asked, crossing her arms.

"Alright, alright. If you do this, you can do my homework for a week," he said, rolling his eyes as if he was giving something up.

"Derek!" she said, exasperated.

Laughing, he shrugged. "Can't blame a guy for trying." His smile slipped away. "Look, I really need you to do this. Just hang around for a few hours, you don't have to do anything with him." Grimacing, he gritted his teeth. "Please," he gritted out.

Casey's mouth slowly turned up in a smile. "Say that again."

Rolling his eyes, Derek huffed. "Please Casey. Will you do this?"

Sighing, she shrugged. "I guess, but this is your one and only favor. I'm never doing another one for you." She stared at him seriously. "Ever."

"Good," he said, slapping his hands together. "Now, let's find something revealing for you to wear."

"Derek," she shouted, throwing a pillow at him.

"I was joking," he said, laughing. Walking to the door, he pulled it closed behind him.

Leaning against the wall, he sighed. That was the second time today that Casey had made him feel remotely welcome around her. There was a small spark of hope inside him that maybe she didn't hate him as much as he thought. Still though, there was no going back. He couldn't change the past; he couldn't make her care about him again.

oTBCo