As Casey exited her bedroom, she found herself eye to eye with one Derek Venturi, she began to blush and then walked past him and downstairs through the living room and into the kitchen. She began to hear whispers as she approached the Kitchen. She took a deep breath upon entering and put on a smile.

"Good morning everyone!" she said cheerfully.

"Hi sweetheart are you okay?" Nora said as she was walking to her daughter to take her into an embrace.

"Mom I'm fine," Casey began as she accepted the hug.

"How can that be? Lizzie told me what happened." Nora said as she pulled back from the hug to examine her daughters face.

Casey looked at Lizzie sitting at the island. "She doesn't know the whole story, but yes Max cheated on me, I think its because of the other night, he wanted to go further… but I told him I wasn't ready and that I really wanted to wait until marriage, he seemed mad but he told me everything was fine."

"Oh sweetie," Nora began to cry. "I'm so proud of you, for not doing something you're not ready for."

"Mom, stop." Casey said a bit annoyed as she walked to grab a banana of the table. " I said that and this is what happened, I thought he loved me and he decided that if he wasn't getting any, he wasn't going to love me anymore, so please be proud of the fact my heart has been broken."

"Sweetheart I didn't mean it that way, but I'm just proud that you decided to wait and you didn't let him pressure you into anything."

"I know mom I'm sorry, this whole situation is just so confusing and then Derek punching Max and earlier in his room…" Casey stopped herself, deciding her mom didn't need to know about their almost kiss.

"What! Derek punched Max? And what happened in his room?" Nora said shocked and confused.

"Well Derek punched Max saying that he deserved it, and therefore we just fought in his room, I just don't like to be heartbroken and bitchy all in one morning."

Nora nodded and hugged her daughter once more.

Derek had come down stairs after Casey but only made it as far as his chair, and began flipping through the channels, when his phone began to vibrate.

"Sally got my text, and I guess she decided to call instead of just texting back." He said to himself before answering the phone.

"Hey Sally got my text?"

"Hi Derek I'm great how are you?" Sally said with great sarcasm escaping her lips.

"Sorry Sally, but you did get my text right?" Derek said as he smirked

"Yes I got your text! But I opened today so I'm just on my break, but for sure we can hang out tonight, when I get off work." Sally said a bit annoyed and excited.

"Cool, we can go get something to eat and watch a movie. Maybe Sammy boy could tag along to make it a nice hang Derek said after noticing the excitement but wanted to show it would just be as friends.

"Yeah sure sounds fun and I would say Casey and Max too, but I saw max in here this morning and he wasn't with Casey and the girl he was with did not look like his sister, and sure didn't act like one." Sally stated sounding less excited and more serious.

"Yeah, Max cheated on Casey." Derek simply stated.

"WHAT!" Sally screamed making another waiter drop their tray.

"Yeah but don't worry I took care of it, Max is probably feeling that black eye I gave him." Derek smirked remembering the shocked expression on Max's face.

"I'm sure Casey loved that you did that." Sarcasm again escaped her lips.

"Yeah not so much, in fact we fought about it this morning." Derek said with a smile remembering how he loved their fight, but mostly loved what almost happened afterwards.

"Well that's nothing new. But listen I have to go back breaks over! I'll call you when I'm off of work, why not invite Casey too; I'm sure she'll be happy to get out of the house! Bye!" Sally hurriedly stated sympathetically.

"Yeah we'll see. Go back to work. Call me when you're done with work." Derek said as he hung up.

As soon as he hung up, Edwin came bounding in the room and jumped on the couch.

"What up Bro!" he said with a large grin.

"Hey Ed" Derek said with next to no enthusiasm.

"What was happening this morning? I heard a crash and you're awake and dressed and Casey is awake and dressed and the fighting before noon thing, isn't cool dude."

"Well to recap, Max cheated on Casey. Casey freaked. I punched Max. Casey got mad we were in my room and…" Derek decided it was probably best not to mention their almost kiss.

Edwin shocked but proud of his brother put his hand up for a high five as he began to speak.

"That's insane I can't believe Max did that! But good job bro… but what happened in your room?" Derek gave him a high five and smirked

"Max's face was priceless, and we just fought that's all. She was mad at me for punching Max said it was none of my business." Derek scoffed and continued to slip through the channels.

"What is Casey's problem you take care of a problem for her and she gets angry, of course it's your business she's your step-sister." Edwin stated simply and got up from the couch and walked into the kitchen.

Derek soon followed due to his stomach growling. The whole family was now in the kitchen.

Marti jumped up to hug Derek screaming a "SMEREK!"

Derek picked her up and said, "Good morning SMARTI!"

Setting her down at the dining room table where her toys were at.

George gave him a knowing look and patted him on the back and asked "Busy morning?"

Derek smirked and went to help Nora.

As he approached Nora she grabbed him and gave him a quick hug and grabbed his face and said "You're a good boy, thank you."

Nora then walked to the table scramble eggs and bacon in hand. Leaving Derek alone in the kitchen with only his thoughts about how great a step mom Nora is. After he gathered himself he took his seat across from Casey.

Breakfast was filled with conversation about the plans for today, from everyone except the two older children who just ate quietly and only spoke when spoken to. Edwin and Lizzie were going to a bowling birthday party, but Lizzie offered to stay home to make sure Casey was okay. Casey declined and told her to go have fun. Marti was going over to Dimi's and Nora and George were going to spend the day doing last minute shopping getting ready for their upcoming trip to the states.

George looked at Derek and asked, "What are your plans for today?"

"Movies with Sally and Sammy tonight." He simply stated.

George then turned to Casey and asked her about her plans for today.

"None, I'll probably just stay home and listen to music try to forget about today, and regroup." Casey stated and then went back to eating.

Nora chimed in, "Why don't you call Emily up and have her come over?"

"No mom, Emily has plans with Sheldon today." Casey said not looking up from her plate.

"Why don't you come with me?" Derek asked.

Everyone at the table shocked at the gesture.

"Well, maybe it'll do some good to get out of the house." Casey said wanting the subject to end.

Casey finished her breakfast and headed to the kitchen, after she cleaned her plate, she headed upstairs to her room.

Derek finished and followed upstairs, he passed his room and went and knocked on Casey's door.

Derek heard a "come in" and he entered.

"Hey you know, I invited you tonight and I meant it, but I understand if you don't want to go, you just seemed to be getting bombarded, and soon I think they were going to suggest you go to the bowling party with Lizzie and Edwin." Derek began to laugh and took a seat on the edge of her bed.

"Yeah thanks for that, but I think I will just stay home and regroup my thoughts." Casey said as she sat on the edge of her bed, joining him.

"Well it's your choice, but I think it's a good idea for you to get out of the house. We should be leaving at around 6." Derek stood up and left.

Casey laid back on her bed and sighed, turned on her music and tried to fall asleep.

Derek went into his room turned on his computer and checked his myspace. "New messages…new comments… new picture comments…and new friend requests, what to check first, comments are always fun."

Derek had five new comments, one from Sammy, another from Ralph, and three from random girls that he knew from school.

He had new picture comment on his default of him in his hockey uniform, from Leslie, who was in his English class.

Two new friend requests from some random girls he recognized from school and accepted.

He had one new message, it was from Max. Its subject was big mistake. Derek clicked on it and waited for the page to load.

Look Venturi,

I made a big mistake dating your tease of a step-sister but you made a bigger mistake by getting yourself into it. My face thanks you for the punch, and now my fists are calling out to break your jaw! Be prepared on Monday Venturi and watch your back. Don't forget I am on the football team and I have very large friends who protect me on and off the field.

Derek closed the window and sat back scoffed and rolled his eyes.