((Hey everyone! So very sorry that it has been awhile…I have a lot to deal with so here it goes! I am going to start it fresh…new…everything from the start! I have a whole Christmas break to write this out so get ready readers!! WOOO lol by the way…as you all know….I don't own any of the characters…lets all sigh aloud SIGH lmao alright well here we go!))

Chapter 4: Do You Ever Mean What You Say

Smiles were spread across the dinner table, oddly enough between Derek and Casey. There was no comment on it, especially from the parents that kept on looking at each other with widespread eyes. "Can you pass the bowl of lettuce Derek?" Casey asked very sweetly as she spread out her arms to grasp the bowl.

"Of course Casey. You want some dressing with that? This one is really good." Derek passed her a bottle of Caesar dressing and Casey openly took it and poured a bit of it on her plate. Casey smiled at Derek as she dipped a bit of her lettuce in the dressing. Derek raised his eyebrow with a smile waiting for her opinion on it.

"Its okay…its missing something though. Thanks for giving me the tip though."

Casey smiled and Derek smiled back. Edwin looked at his stepsister in complete awe.
After the most awkward dinner that the family had ever gone through, they all went their separate ways. Lizzie and Edwin went to the living room and Derek and Casey went upstairs.

"Ok now we need to know what is going on. Did he tell her or what?!" Lizzie said as she buried her face in her hands. Edwin shrugged and then sighed.

"We need to get in Casey's head. We obviously know what Derek is feeling…now we need to see about Casey."

Back upstairs, Derek lied down on his bed and relaxed. He had his hands on his forehead and a smile on his face. A sudden knock had interrupted his thoughts and Derek was almost glad that it did. He got up and opened the door, happy to see the person he was looking forward to seeing.

"Hey Derek, I need to get this off my chest. I just can't keep it in any longer!" Casey said as she smiled and then walked towards his bed. Derek followed her and then smiled. "I have been thinking about saying it for a while but I didn't want to ruin-"

Derek interrupted her with a touch of her shoulder and then a smirk.

"Just tell me." he said with a soft tone.

"Okay…well…um…"Casey said with a giggle and then a deep breath. Derek anticipated this moment for a long time. He was overwhelmed with just being next to her. "I heard about you planning to go to the All American Rejects Concert and that you were going to take a few friends! I wasn't supposed to mention anything cause you were going to surprise me with the tickets on my birthday but you know how much I love them and I just couldn't keep it a secret till than!" Casey jumped on his bed and began to laugh. Derek frowned and then sighed.

Damn it…are you serious?! THIS IS WHAT YOU WERE GOING TO TELL ME!

Derek put his hands on his head and then licked his lips. "Oh well…you found out! I guess this is why you were being nice to me?" he asked trying not to show his disappointment. Casey rolled on the bed to face towards him and then shrugged her shoulders.

"Not really…you were being nice to me so I figured I would be nice back. I guess I figured you were doing all this to trick me so that I wouldn't find out about the tickets. But it was too late!" Casey giggled and jumped up from the bed and gave Derek a hug. "You're the best you know that?" she said as she walked out of his room and shut the door behind her. Derek stood there, not knowing if he had been in a nightmare. Derek punched his bed and walked to Casey's room. Without knocking he threw the door open and then looked at her.

"So what was that kiss for huh? Don't you get it that I like you?" Derek whispered with a harsh tone. Casey got up from the bed and then looked down, taking a deep breath.

"I'm sorry…I just don't believe you. I mean…do you ever mean what you say! I kissed you so that you would just…shut up. I don't feel the same way about you." Casey said as she slowly looked up, but he had already gone. Her eyes stared at the door and then she turned on her heel and walked towards her bed. She stared at the place where the picture frame once was. Tears trickled down her eyes as she lied down and buried her face in her pillow.

What have I done…I hurt him…maybe he wasn't lying this time. she thought to herself as Lizzie had come inside her room and closed the door behind her. Edwin had entered Derek's room and closed the door behind him, finding him on his bed with his face buried in his pillow. Lizzie and Edwin sighed and simultaneously said.

"We know whats been going on…" and with those words both Derek and Casey looked to their sibilings, standing by their doorsteps with crossed arms.