Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I've been busy and trying to think of more of a story to do. I don't know if the story is getting too dramatic. I hope it isn't, but I do want a lot of drama. Thank you to everyone who has given reviews. Both good and bad reviews are welcome. Ways to improve are greatly welcomed, so thank you. I hope this chapter is good too. Keep reviewing please!

Casey POV

After Derek left I felt awful. I've never seen him with any expression at all. Especially hurt. I hurt Derek. I never thought it was possible, but obviously it was. As I got lost in my thoughts of Derek, I hear the phone ring. I pick it up. "Hello. McDonald- Venturi residence"

"Hello. I'm looking for a Mr. George Venturi." Says a very deep toned man.

"I'm sorry. He's not home right now. Can I take a message?"

"Is there a Derek Venturi I could talk to?" Now I'm confused.

"Sure. Hold on one second." This is one strange phone call. I get out of bed and go to find Derek. I find him in his room with his headphones on. "Hey, Derek." I nudge him on the shoulder. "You have a phone call." He takes the phone and mumbles a low "Thank you". I stand there waiting to see what the call was about. It sounded serious. He obviously didn't see me standing there because he didn't tell me to leave.

"Derek, here" He says into the phone. There's a pause. "Yes, this is him. What do you want buddy?" Another Pause. "Yeah, I do. What's going on?" Now I hear concern. More of a pause. "I-I-I…Is she OK?" Oh no someone must be hurt. I hope it's not Marti or Mom or Lizzie. "Oh god. Ok um I'll be right down." He says and then hangs up the phone. I wait for him to say something to me. He has his head down so I'm thinking that it can't be good.

"Derek, who was that? Is everything OK? Is it my mom or Lizzie or Marti?" No response. "Derek? You're scaring me. Just tell me who it was."

"Maybe it's none of your damn business!" He screams at me. Now I know something's wrong. He puts his hand through his head and groans.

"Sorry. I just. It looks like something's wrong. I'm just trying to help. I'll leave now." I start to walk out the door, but then I hear my name. I turn around.

"It's my mom. I need to go down to the hospital and I need to find my father and Marti. There was an accident."

"Well, is she OK?" I ask cautiously . I don't want to invade him, but I want to know what's going on.

"Actually, um, Case, no she's not alright. She didn't make it." I swear I hear his voice crack. Well, if I heard correctly, his mom just died, so that would probably be the reason. "Can you call my dad and tell him what is going on, please? I just need to think and get down to the hospital."

"Of course. I'll call him. Um, do you want me to come to the hospital with you? I know things might be a little weird between us, but I want to go with you. Please." He looks up at me.

"I don't know if that is a good idea, Case."

"Please. I'll call your dad. Then everyone will be coming down anyways. My mom and Lizzie and your family. Just please let me go with you."

"OK, you can come." He's obviously to going to be particularly chatty today. I grab the phone and call my mom's cell phone. "Hi, Casey. Sorry, I didn't want to wake you up this morning. Is something wrong?"

"Well, kind of, yeah. See, the hospital called. It's Derek's mom. There was an accident."

"Oh, no. Well, is she OK?"

"No, mom, she didn't." I didn't want to say she was dead in front of Derek. I don't want to make him even worse than what he is already.

"Oh, gosh. Ok, well you two go to the hospital and we'll meet you there. Drive safe honey. I love you."

"I love you too mom." And I hang up. "OK I told my mom. She's going to meet us there with the rest of the clan. Want to leave now?"

"Um yeah sure." But he makes no movement.

"Derek?" I pause. I was going to ask if he was OK. But his mom, just died, so I'm guessing that the answer to that question was a no. "Um, do you want me to drive?" He nods. "OK, well let's go then."

"Case, I can't. Don' you get it? That's my mom. She's gone. I can't do it."

"Yes, you can. Derek, I'm here for you and all you got to do is go down to the hospital. I'll do all the work. I'll drive. I'll talk."

"I know. But, what about when my family, well our family shows up? I can't just sit there like a mute. I have to be strong. For Marti. And Edwin. They're younger than me."

"That isn't true. It's your mom. She's dead. You don't have to be strong. Edwin and Mart will get it. And until they show up, it's just me here." I wait for him to say something, but he doesn't look like he's going to say anything. I sit nest to him on his bed and look at him. He looks like he's going to cry. Yet another Derek I have never seen. I pull him into a loose hug, not sure if he actually wants one and he gladly accepts. Well, I mean he's not glad, but at least he didn't push away. I'm waiting for him to just breakdown, but it's Derek we're talking about here.

"OK, Der, let's get down to the hospital." I say and then I put my arm over his shoulder as we walk downstairs and into the car. I know it sounds cliché, but it helps sometimes.