Hey guys! Well, I decided that I wanted to finish up and give this story some closure. Hope you like it. The song used is "1234" by Plain White Ts. If you have not heard this song, you should. It's lovely. Well, hope you like this!

Prom was over. It was now time to get back to reality. Did Derek really mean what he said last night? Or was he just caught up in the moment? Those were the questions that Casey had spinning in her head as she woke up the next day. As she took a shower and got ready to face the day, Casey realized that he did mean it. He meant everything he said.

Now how would she let him know how she felt? She didn't exactly give him a straight answer last night. It was too much to digest and she didn't know if he was just pulling a huge joke on her. She went to her room and sat down on her bed and began brainstorming. True to her keener self, she made a list of all possible ways, but none of them seemed good enough. This was a big thing.

She heard Derek's music blasting from his stereo, a true sign that either he was upset about something or had a lot on his mind. Casey, not even bothering to fight the urge to compete and fight with Derek, turned her music on too. Except instead of a loud rock song, a quiet song by The Plain White T's came on. She sat and listened to it for a few seconds before it gave her an idea. She quickly jotted down something on a piece of her stationary, slipped it in her jean pocket, and headed to Derek's room.

She listened for a few seconds before opening the door slowly. But, he happened to not be there, which made Casey's plan much easier. She set the piece of paper on his desk and slipped out of the room. She silently made her way down the stairs where her mom was making lunch. However, Derek was no where to be seen.

"Hey mom, where is Derek?"

"He's at Sam's house. He left in a hurry about ten minutes ago saying something about a project or school work."

"Oh. That's weird, he left his music on."

"I don't know, Case, Derek's been acting very strange since he woke up."

Casey sat down on the couch, turned on the TV and watched for a few seconds before an idea hit her. She ran back upstairs and back into Derek's room. She jotted something else down on the paper. Then, it was back to her room to put her improved plan into action.

- - - - -

It was about nine at night when Derek got home. Casey sat in her room, too nervous to do anything. The rest of the family were also in their rooms, not clued in to what was happening between the two eldest children. Casey heard Derek climb the stairs and open and shut the door to his room. She knew that he must be reading what she wrote.

- - - - -

Derek had escaped the house the whole day. He had to. He couldn't face Casey yet. Finally around nine, he knew he had to go home. Surprisingly, no one was out of their bedrooms when he got home, so he climbed the stairs and headed to his room. He sat down to his computer, logged on. He happened to look down and saw a paper with Casey's handwriting on it. All it said was: It's easy as 1234...I've hidden clues around the house. Find them and you'll find out what is that easy. First clue: Your favorite spot.

Derek immediately jumped out of his chair and headed downstairs. He knew where the first clue was.

- - - - -

Casey heard Derek shut his door and run down the stairs. "The first clue must have been too easy," she thought to herself.

- - - - -

Just like he thought, Derek found the first clue tucked in his armchair. He pulled the paper out and read what it said.

Congratulations Derek. You found the first clue: There's only 1 thing...Next clue is hidden in a place you love to watch.

Derek stood there for a second. "What's something I love to watch?" he thought, "Hockey? Duh! The TV!"

He made his way over to the TV and sure enough, another clue was there. This one was in the same format as the other.

I've got to say I'm impressed Derek. You must really want to know what I'm trying to do here. Here's your clue: 2 do...You're favorite thing to do in the house besides watching TV is where the next clue can be found.

- - - - -

Casey had quietly come out of her room and watched Derek looking for clues by the top of the staircase. She thought he looked so cute and confused when he read the clue. But, she loved the way his face would light up when he understood it. But now, it was time for the kitchen clue.

- - - - -

Derek could not figure out what he loved to do in the house besides watching TV. He made a mental list to himself of all the things he loved to do. "TV, check. Bug Casey...too easy. Eat...That must be it!" After that thought process, he ran into the kitchen, but did not know where to start. He finally decided to search everywhere. He started with the cabinets but found nothing. Next was the pantry. Still nothing. Finally, he decided to move onto the fridge. And that's where he struck gold. Next to the milk carton, was another clue.

Was this one a little harder? Sorry about that. But hey, at least you found it! Here it goes: 3 words...I've hidden the next clue in a place where your heart resides, besides with me of course.

This clue confused Derek greatly. He slowly made his way to the living room, never taking his eyes off the clue in his hand.

- - - - -

Casey realized that he found the clue and decided to head back into her room for the next clue. She didn't want Derek to know she was watching him.

- - - - -

Derek reread the clue to himself about a hundred times before it finally clicked. Marti's room must be where the next clue was because she was the most important family member. Casey didn't count as family.

He took the stairs two at a time. Marti was playing dolls in her room when Derek walked in.

"Smerek! Are you coming to play dress-up? Or tea party?"

"No Smarti, I'm not. Shouldn't you be in bed?"

"Well, Dad said he would come up here at ten to tuck me in. What time is it?"

"Uh like nine something. Smarti, did Casey leave anything in here? It's really important."

"She said to give you something, but I don't know where I put it."

"Smarti, think really hard. Your Smerek needs that paper."

"Hmm...check by my bed."

Derek walked over to Marti's bed, and sure enough there was a crumpled up paper. Marti had colored over it and Derek could barely make out what it said.

You are coming close to the end of this game. Here's the clue: 4 you...Now it's your turn to figure it out.

Derek walked out of Marti's room frustrated. He didn't know what any of this meant. Casey had him more confused than ever and he decided he would just confront her about it.

Derek opened up Casey's door, walked over to where Casey was sitting on her bed, and laid all the clues out.

"I just don't get it Casey. Here I go and tell you how I feel and you make it into a game. 'It's easy as 1234...There's only 1 thing 2 do 3 words 4 you...?"

Casey smiled as she finished her new favorite song for Derek, "I love you."

Well, I hope you liked it! Please review! Thanks!

-C