Finally, after what seemed like forever for both Derek and Casey, it was lunchtime. Part of Casey's deal with Derek was that they had to have lunch together, to create the illusion of them being a couple for Josh.

Casey had already gotten her lunch, which was a ham and cheese sandwich with carrot sticks and a box of soy milk. Once again she was impatiently waiting for her step brother. Finally, Casey spotted him walking into the cafeteria.

"There you are. Sheesh, would it kill you to be on time for once?" said Casey.

"Yes, it would. Now, if you don't mind I have to go get my lunch." replied Derek right before he left her alone. Well, actually, Casey wasn't really alone since her best friend Emily was nearby with her boyfriend Sheldon. However, since they were so absorbed with each other, and not paying any attention to her, she was alone.

Derek joined in the huge cafeteria line-up. Casey always liked to come early to avoid the never ending line-up. Derek, however, enjoyed the long line-up because he gave him another opportunity to do what he does best: socialize. Today, Derek was talking to his fellow D-Rock drummer, Ralph. Ever since Casey and Sam went out, Derek has moved further and further away from his former best friend, Sam. Derek and Sam do still talk occasionally, but they're not nearly as close as they used to be.

After Derek got his pizza, (mmm… Pizza Derek thought), he turned around to look for Casey. When he finally spotted her, he found Josh sitting right next to her. He could tell Josh was bothering Casey, since she kept trying to push him away from her. Without even realizing it, Derek dropped his lunch tray on the floor, and balled his hands into fists. His eyes became red with fury. He ran over to Casey and Josh.

"Leave me alone," Casey said to Josh.

"C'mon, Case. You know you want me," Josh replied.

Derek grabbed Josh by his shirt.

"You heard her. Leave her alone," Derek said. Casey had never seen Derek look so mad before.

"Fat chance,"

Casey couldn't believe her eyes. Derek had just punched Josh right in his left eye.

Derek is definitely getting his 75 bucks for this. Casey thought.

After getting punched, Josh nervously walked away, with his hand clutching his swollen face. Casey turned to look at Derek.

"Derek,"

"Casey, it's okay. You don't have to say anything," Derek said as he walked away to get his lunch. Casey watched him get his lunch. She was looking just as shocked as she did a few minutes ago.

Neither Derek nor Casey had said one word to each other for the rest of their time at school. After Derek's act at lunch, things became a little awkward between them.

Hours later, when it was dinner time at the Venturi-MacDonald household, Derek and Casey were still very silent.

"Wow, it's so quiet. No dinner time argument today?" Nora said in amazement.

Derek and Casey glanced at each other, and then looked away. Casey had never felt so awkward at the dinner table since that time with her ex-boyfriend, Sam.

The phone rang, and then George walked over to the kitchen to answer it.

Everyone at the table listened closely to George. It sounded like a regular phone call, until they heard George yell, "He did what?"

After hearing that, Casey noticed that Derek looked tense.

George hung up the phone and looked at Derek furiously.

"DEREK! I can't believe you punched a guy at school!" George yelled.

"Yeah, I'm sorry dad. It was out of line." Derek replied while looking at the ground.

"I'm glad that you realize that. But you still have to meet with the principal with me after school tomorrow." George said to his son.

"May I be excused?" Derek asked as everyone looked at him in shock. Casey was the most shocked one of all, though.

After Casey finished her dinner, she went to go see Derek. She knocked on his door, and entered when she heard a quiet voice say "enter".

"You know, if you tell George and the principal the whole story, you'd probably not get into so much trouble." Casey said.

Casey could tell something was bothering Derek. She noticed that he didn't seem like the extra-confident guy that he usually is.

"I can't," Derek replied.

Casey looked confused. "Why can't you?"

"I can't tell you."

"Derek, what is this all about?"

"I told you, I can't tell you," Derek replied, his voice was getting angrier.

"Okay, fine. Whatever. I just wanted to help." Casey rolled her eyes and left Derek's room.

Derek put his face in his hands. I can't feel this way he thought. It's so wrong, I just can't.