Derek woke up feeling hollow. He had fallen right to sleep. His slumber was so deep, he hadn't dreamed. Which satisfied him because dreams turned into nightmares everyday.
He took a shower and went down to the kitchen where Nora was cleaning. It was a little after noon. Derek greeted her, made himself a sandwich, and grabbed a bag of chips. He headed for the t.v.
Casey sat on the couch with the remote in her hand watching CNN. She looked no different. Still as lovely as ever. He didn't like it, but Casey had been right. They couldn't have continued seeing each other. Derek couldn't blame her for anything. She could do what she liked. Sam wasn't a bad guy for her. He just wasn't him.
But Derek could pretend that everything wasn't fucked up. He had always been fluent in lying, but if there was anything he learned in the past months it was how put on a big show. He climbed over onto his chair.
"We are not watching this, grandma." he ordered.
"Yes we are. There are things that don't revolve around you going on in this world." she asserted.
Edwin came in the living room and sat by his step-sister.
"This crap will depress you. Why don't you read a book?" Derek insisted grabbing the remote from Casey.
"It's better than watching crap that will destroy your brain cells." she argued not letting him have the remote.
"MTV is very educational," Derek asserted.
"Why don't I choose what we watch?" Edwin asked settling the fight.
Derek snatched the remote from Casey and tossed it at Edwin, who caught it.
"Don't get too comfortable Derek. When your done eating your breakfast, you need to finish your chores." Casey hassled.
"Sorry, mother. I got to go to hockey practice after this." pointing to his food.
She stood and raised her voice. "Don't call me your grandma, your aunt, your mother, or any other relation!"
"Someone needs to keep their hormones in check today." he said with insolence popping a chip in his mouth.
Casey dramatically went upstairs as Marti came in.
"I own three hotels, Smerek" Marti eagerly showed him three small red monopoly pieces.
He began messing with his little sister when the door bell rang. Derek answered it to see Emily.
She giggled, "Hey Derek."
He played along, "Good morning Emily. Come in."
"Well technically it's the afternoon. If you want to get technical."
Derek smiled; his reply was interrupted as Casey came down. She had heard the front door. It's sad to see Emily trip over herself over Derek, Casey thought as she greeted her friend.
"So you have to tell me all about your night with Sam," Emily said excitedly.
Derek looking at the floor went unnoticed as Casey pulled her friend up the stairs saying, "I really don't know where to start. How about in my room?"
Derek told Marti he had to take out the trash. It wouldn't hurt to do one of his chores since he had time to spare. He went upstairs to gather the trash from his room and the bathroom.
He paused outside Casey's closed door hearing Emily say, "You know, now that you've had sex, you're the same and yet your not."
Derek didn't want to listen anymore. He cursed as he carried the trash bags down and went to the kitchen to grab the trash in there.
Casey sighed. "I'm still a virgin."
"What do you mean?" Emily asked not understanding.
"Something happened and we didn't. It's hard to explain. You wouldn't believe me if I did. Sam doesn't. He isn't talking to me." Casey had a hard time searching for words.
"So you had doubts and he's a little hurt. He just cares for you Casey. I'm sure after practice he'll come and find you."
Casey nodded her head. Emily asked if she wanted to go to the mall or something, but Casey told her how she wanted to start early on the English essay. Emily told her she'd call her later.
After carrying all the trash out, Derek was stopped by his father who had received a call from the school. A faculty member had seen Derek punch Sam. First thing Monday morning he would be in the principal's office.
As Emily left the house, George fell silent until she was gone.
"Why did you hit him?" George asked.
A/N: Slow chapter, I know. Hopefully it didn't kill you. Believe me I'll make it up to you with the next chapter.