Chapter 5: Test Drive?

"Where's Marti?" I walked into the living room drying my hands on a paper towel. Lizzie turned off the television set and went to put on her jacket, "She hissed at me went I asked her to come. I guess she's a cat again." I shrugged and followed her out.

There was always something odd going on in the MacDonald/Venturi residence, whether it was Edwin trying to coax his father into giving him money for a very smelly game or Marti pretending she was an extinct form of kitten, there was never a quiet, uneventful day. Derek always made sure of that.

He always found a way to annoy me or to pick on me. We were sophomores in high school but we acted like 10 year olds when we were around each other. Derek and I were always fighting and I guess now that I'm driving my little sister to a malt shop I feel a bit out of order. "I shouldn't be acting like I do around Derek anymore should I?"

Lizzie glanced over at me a bit surprised. "It's just that he brings out the worst in me," I wasn't lying, because that's how I felt, but I couldn't help but consider that if we stopped fighting there would be something missing in my life. I pulled into the parking lot and turned off the car.

"I can't believe this Lizzie, I need to fight with Derek whether I want to or not," I dropped my head into my hands and sighed heavily.

"Yeah I know Casey, I know." She patted my back and opened her passenger door, "I think ice cream is in due order Casey, maybe even some sprinkles on yours?"

I agreed and followed her to the malt shop in sheer disbelief. 'I'll never be able to live a peaceful life, unless I figure out how to replace the fighting, maybe if we become friends. No I'm the victim here he has to change for me.' I rolled my eyes at my thoughts, 'When will that ever happen?'

"I am so going to beat Casey down at Babe Raider," I told Edwin proudly. Edwin remained silent. "I was excepting some words of butt kissing." Edwin fidgeted on the sofa. "What's up with you Ed? Do you know something I don't? Cuz I will get you to tell me it."

I rose off the couch a bit. "OKAY, okay, look it's just that Casey got really good with Babe Raider ever since she dated Sam. I'm afraid you may lose bro."

"Casey? Play Babe Raider well? Ed you must have been out of your mind. Casey's… Casey!" I laughed and sat back into my chair.

"No Derek I'm not kidding. Look." Edwin opened the high score window on the game options and right underneath SAM were five letters that took me aback C-A-S-E-Y.

"Its true bro," he shook his head, "Sam taught her well."

"I guess I'll have to think of something else."

"Derek? I'm sorry to have to be the one to suggest it, but why not just give up and stop fighting with her?"

I chocked on my spit. "Give up? Are you insane? Let Casey win just go up to her and say oh uh I'm letting it go. I might as well cut off my own…" Edwin got the point.

"Sorry Derek I don't know what I was thinking."

Edwin didn't say much after that. At around 10 Casey and Lizzie walked in through the door.

When I walked in they were playing Babe Raider. He looked over at me his eyes asking if I was still coming down later tonight. I nodded and ran up the stairs I had a lot to think about.

Closing the door behind me I started to get into my pajamas. Wait, Derek Venturi and Casey MacDonald, friends? I turned the idea over and over in my head. It was impossible. We fight. That's what we do. Even though I don't like that it makes me feel so childish I sort of enjoy it. Besides he deserves it. What am I supposed to do? Be like a good 'submissive woman' and give into to Derek's antics? NO! I am Casey MacDonald the feminist and I will not back down.'

I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling, 'Either I stand up for myself or he stops being a jerk. There are no in betweens, no deals, just those two options.' I nodded to myself and picked up Pride and Prejudice.

"Mr. Wickham is blessed with such happy manners as may ensure his MAKING friends--whether he may be equally capable of RETAINING them, is less certain." I was smiling when I saw Lizzie at my door. I looked at the clock. It was almost midnight.

She tiptoed in and quietly shut the door behind her. I put down my book and asked her to sit.

"What's the matter Liz? I take it there is something bothering you as you're still awake."

"There's nothing wrong with me Casey I'm just not tired. I was more worried about you being awake. There's school tomorrow you know?"

"Yeah I know Liz it's just Derek wanted a rematch and well yeah were going to play a game of Babe Rider in precisely two hours and forty five minutes."

Lizzie gave me the look. It was a well known look. It was a look of amusement, concern, and confusion. I had given my mother that same look when we discussed her acceptance of George's proposal.

"Look Lizzie, don't worry about me. Derek will get what he deserves. Sam taught me well when we were dating and I don't think the Neolithic caveman next door will even have a chance of winning against me."

"Oh," Lizzie looked around the room suddenly very interested in my curtains. 'That's all I was getting an OH?'

"Lizzie? What are you thinking?"

"Umm…"

"Come on Lizzie you know that I'll take to heart anything you tell me."

She still looked a bit distraught, "Look Casey, I love you. You're my sister. Derek, well Derek's Derek and I think be that as it is this whole thing… I mean… what I mean is that I think you should just let Derek win."

"Let him win? You mean lose to Derek when I very well know I am capable of crushing him?"

"Well look at it this way Casey, if you win Derek will just keep trying to beat you at things. No good will come of it Casey. Let him win."

There were something's I would be willing to sacrifice for Lizzie. I would give all my money and worldly possessions. I would give my life for that kid. But one thing I would not give up was Derek. I mean, you know losing my dignity to Derek.

"I know what I'm doing Lizzie, but thanks for worrying."

Lizzie accepted this and stood to go, "Well kick some butt then Casey. I'll be here for you no matter what you choose to do." She opened the door. And then turned back at me and smiled. 'You got to love that kid.' As the door closed behind her I took up my book, but even Elizabeth Bennet couldn't get me to stop thinking about the Lizzie's words.

'Was she right? No, she can't be right. I needed to beat Derek. I wasn't going to give up.'

I was watching the clock. 2:20:54. Just 9 more minutes left. I paced around the room impatiently. 'What if Edwin was right what if I lost to Casey?' I put my hand up to my head, "I'll be ruined."

"Why not just give up and stop fighting with her?" Edwin's words circulated through my mind.

"Should I just stop fighting with her?" I plopped on to my chair. "NO! She can't win. Tonight I'll pull my best moves. I'll skin her. This will be the last time she tries to challenge me. Besides she cheated last time."

I stood up and walked out my door. Her door was still closed, but a small ray of light escaped from underneath her door, 'I'll wait for her down stairs.' I tiptoed down the stairs and set up the television quietly. The game menu opened and I put down the controller and waited.

And Waited.

And Waited some more.

"Where the hell is she?" I looked over at the stairs. There was no sign of movement. I turned off the television and felt a rush of, oddly enough, relief. 'She backed out. She's not coming. She forfeits!'

There was a loud thump. I looked over at the landing. Casey was sitting at the bottom of the stairs rubbing her lower back. I snickered and walked over to the mess of a girl before me. "Nice one Klutzilla," I crossed my arms and looked down at her. "You know it's hard to believe that someone that be so kultzy that they can't even make it down the stairs in one piece."

"Oh shut up Derek," She whispered loudly and stood up still massaging her back. It looked like she had slipped on one of the stairs and slid down on her back. 'Too bad I didn't catch that one on camera. Victoria would have loved it: Classic-Casey.'

She hobbled over to the couch, picked up a control, and stared at the screen a bit perplexed, "Test Drive?" I walked over, "Yeah I thought we would work on even grounds. I've never played and neither have you. What do you say 2 out of 3 wins?" Casey nodded and I took my control and sat by her side. 'It'll be easier to control her from here.' Casey however took this very badly.

The game started. I chose a red McCarran Ren F1. Casey chose a blue TVR Sedaris. If Casey was good we were going to be in a close race. The big green number 3 appeared on the screen. Our cars were facing forward…. two…one! I heard the tires screech as we took off. We were head to head. I swerved and knocked her off the road and she nudged her elbow into my ribs when she turned back onto the highway. I hit scratched a car and slowed down. She got ahead of me.

Close race. I was hitting my accelerator and shifting gears as best I could. Our cars were grinding against each other. I was pushing her to the right and she was pushing me to the left. I saw the car coming towards me and at the last second swerved and made her hit it head on. She jabbed her elbow into me again. "You're going again with the sabotaging, Casey? Haven't you cheated enough today?" She was not amused.

We skidded forward. She had caught up to me. 'I have to win. I have to win. I can't lose to her!' I drifted a left turn and cut her off. As she took the sharp turn she nudged me harder. The finish line was a few yards away. The rope broke but we looked at each other both wondering: Who won?

TIE! We were head to head in every race. I couldn't shake her off. We had been playing forever now. It must have been thirty plus races. I looked at the clock on the DVD display during the stage choosing. 6:45:19?! I have school in an hour and fifteen minutes. Has Casey noticed what time it is? The minutes kept ticking away. The races kept piling on each other. Every time I glanced over at Casey her face was full of determination, but this time she also looked worried. She did know. Was she going to stop playing? That means she would be the one to forfeit. I smiled and sped ahead of her. She pressed harder into the controller. Wow Déjà vu. Casey caught up to me we were skin and skin.

The finish line was a yard away.

Pshew! The television screen went black.

"What did you do Derek?"

I was just as confused as she was. "What the he..?"

I saw my dad come out from behind the television set with a television plug in his hand. The clock read 7:29:14.

"You're going to be late for school," My dad dropped the plug and walked out of the room. I was guessing going back to bed in the basement.

"I was so going to win," Casey complained stretching out. She wasn't getting up and she still had her controller in her hand.

"You're going to skip school to try to beat me?"

Casey raised her eyebrow, "Why? Are you going to forfeit Derek?" I looked at her smugly and glanced up at the stairs. 'Where would we be able to play?' Casey followed my eyes, "I think we can connect it in the attic."

The attic was not my favorite place in the world. I shook my head, "Let's go to school and meet back here right after. Your mom and my dad will not let us stay here." Casey nodded, but still she didn't get up off the couch.

"Okay we can't stay here forever Casey. Come on, on the count of three. Okay? One… Two… Three…" No one moved.

She stared at me. Her big blue eyes teased me telling me if I moved I would be the one to give up. I wasn't about to let her win. I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms. She kept staring at me. I felt the world flipping upside down. Wait? NO. That wasn't the world… it was me.

The couch fell backwards. I stumbled off. Casey did a crazy half somersault and her butt ended up in the air. I laughed as I rose and took the stairs. I was late for school and even though I wasn't supposed to care I wanted to get there quick. One more tardy and I had detention for a week. I could not afford that. I had to get home before she did. Who ever got there first had the advantage, not to mention that I couldn't wait to get back home to pound the tar out of my Grade-Grubbing stepsister.

'Who pushed the sofa back?' I straightened myself up in time to see Derek running up the stairs. My step dad ruffled his hand through my hair, "Sorry Casey, but Derek can't afford being late to school anymore." I nodded and charged up the stairs. I was going to be late! LATE! ME! I've never been late… to anything. I threw on what I could find that was clean, tied my hair up in a loose bun, and stormed down the stairs. I grabbed my backpack and jumped on the bus just before it pulled out.

I saw Derek walk out of the house and I stuck my tongue out at him. 'Ha I win. The scores 2/0 now Derek since neither of us won any of the races I still have the lead.' The bus stopped, interrupting my thoughts. 'I can't believe this.' Derek jumped on the bus. The three students in the front seat stood up and walked to the back of the bus. Derek low five'd the driver and sat. 'What Derek wants...Derek gets.' I sighed and buried my face in my backpack. '1/1…. I hate this. Ugh…stupid Derek. '

When the bus got to school I practically flung myself off and ran to get to class. The halls were practically empty except a few hall loungers and the occasional hall monitor. Everyone else was scuttling to get into class. I found the room I was looking for and walked in. There was a slick goop on the floor and I stopped myself from slipping by holding myself up on a desk. Emily was sitting in the back her hands up in question. I shook my head and mouth 'DEREK'.

The tardy bell rang as I took my seat. 'At least I wasn't late.' Derek skid into class and climbed into his seat in the back. Mr. Seater turned and smiled at everyone. 'Again he got away with it?' Derek smirked at his peanut friends and low five'd them. Disgusted I turned around to face Mr. Seater and started to copy the agenda into its predetermined section in my color coded notebook.

'Why does Derek always get away with it? Even if I was running after the school bus the driver would even think of stopping. One look at Derek, a red carpet rolls out of the door. Not to mention the tardy thing. He never gets caught and I always have to work extra hard to get anything to work right for me.' Emily nudged me and I looked up.

Mr. Seater was looking down at me waiting for something. He had a clipboard in his arms. 'OMG did he ask me a question?' I looked at the front board and there was nothing written on it. 'Was it an oral pop quiz? I'm going to fail.' I swallowed the lump in my throat, "I'm sorry Mr. Seater what was the question again?" I could hear Derek laughing in the back. "Ms. MacDonald, are you here?" I nodded, "Yes sir." He checked off my attendance and walked back to the front of the class calling off the rest of the roll sheet.

I lowered myself in my seat and silently took notes during the rest of the class. Emily kept trying to talk to me, but I wouldn't look up. I was too embarrassed. 'Stupid Derek, this was all his fault. If he wasn't so, ugh, popular and well liked I would never get stuck thinking about him and how to survive in unison with his existence during class and end up looking stupid.' The bell rang I closed my notebook and walked out the door. Emily ran to catch up to me.

"What was that about in there Casey?" Emily said trying to catch her breath.

"You want to know what the problem is Emily? It's Derek. He's such a jerk. Before dinner yesterday we wrestled and I won cuz I hit him where it would hurt. I know, I know it's against the rules but I was tired of him winning at everything. And then after dinner he wanted a rematch so we played Test drive even though I thought we would play Babe Raider, but then George came and the plug got pulled and the couch turned over. The bus stopped for him and he got away with being late." I stopped to get some air in my lungs.

"Okay umm, all I got was something about a wrestling match, a rematch, a couch flipping over and the bus stop." I smiled at Emily's confusion and my lack of air. Once I knew I wouldn't pass out I told her the story.

"Well what do you expect Casey? It's Derek Venturi and he's the bachelor of the hallways, the king of hockey and the ruler of our school." Emily dosed off for a bit and I rolled my eyes at her Derek obsession.

"You were saying Emily?" She snapped back to it. 'I swear I just saw a little bubble with a picture of Derek in it pop over her head.' "All I'm saying Casey is you can't expect to win. He's Derek. And what Derek wants Derek…"

"Yeah I know….Derek gets." I buried my head in my locker.

"It's not fair I know Casey, but that's the way it is." She stroked my hair and patted my back. "It's not like you can get him to want you to win. So just try to work around it."

I hung my head lower. 'Derek hates me. He'd never even think about letting me win. Much less help me win.' I cursed Derek and removed my head at the sound of the bell. I walked mournfully to class and took my seat in the front. 'If I beat Derek today he will have to announce defeat.' I paid attention during class and tucked the horrible idea of loosing to Derek once again in the back far reaches of my mind. 'I only have two periods today, but so does Derek. I have to get out here as soon as the bell rings.' I had half my things packed and at the sound of the bell I dashed out of the class room and ran to the bus stop. 'I had to get home first.'

The bus pulled out of the parking lot as I hopped on. As it turned the corner I saw Derek running out of the school. The bus driver did not see him. There was no red carpet and a very happy me was sitting in the front seat.

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