Casey's POV


I woke up to the sound of Marti screaming. Then I got those thoughts again.

Yesterday, I kissed my step-brother. On my couch!

I groaned and sat up in my bed. My alarm clock read 7:13. School starts in 47 minutes, I had better get ready.

I walked into the bathroom and saw Derek brushing his teeth.

"Oh, doing your monthly brushing, I see?" I said with a smirk on my face. He rolled his eyes and pushed me out of the bathroom. Well, I guess some things about Derek will never change. I walked to my room and picked my outfit for the day; a red sweater and dark blue jeans with my black flats. I tried to get in the bathroom again, and fortunately Derek was finished. I did my morning routine and walked downstairs for breakfast. I was getting myself a bowl of cereal when I noticed George sitting on the couch in his robe.

"George?"

"Oh, good morning, Casey," He said, turning his head my way.

"Why aren't you dressed for work?" I asked.

"Because we're snowed in. We can't get out. The snow is up to my hips. They've closed off half of the streets in town."

"Then how am I going to get to school?!" I asked.

"You didn't hear? School is cancelled!" I growled.

"You mean I woke up at 7 am just to find out that school is cancelled?!" I asked angrily.

"Yep." George replied nonchalantly. "Oh, and can you tell Derek, too." I stormed upstairs and busted into Derek's room. And there Derek stood, in the middle of his room.

Shirtless.

Our mouths dropped open simultaneously. "Get in here. Close the door!" Derek screeched. I pushed the door closed with my foot and stared at the shirtless Derek standing in front of me. I seem to be seeing a lot of bare Derek skin lately. "What do you want?" Derek asked.

"Uh, there's no, uh, school today," I said to him, distracted by his fit stomach. He smirked and looked down at his own stomach.

"Enjoying the view, are we?" He asked, laughing. I managed to give my eyes a roll while peeling them away from his body. I looked into his blue eyes, and not at his chest.

"Uh, Derek, we need to talk abou-"

"C'mon, Casey. We had this talk last night. You're okay with our...situation. I get it."

"No, um, actually, I might have changed my mind."

"Changed your mind?!" He exclaimed. I help my finger up to his lips, signaling for him to be quiet.

"Derek, you have to keep it down. Someone's gonna hear us."

"I don't care if someone hears us. I still can't believe you've already changed your mind!"

"Derek, it's not that."

"Huh?" He asked.

"Uh," I don't know how to say this. "I don't think you are ready for this whole...thing."

"Me?" He asked.

"Yeah, you. Last night you kept saying it was a bad idea."

"Well, I was wrong, I guess."

"C'mon Derek. You were practically hyperventilating last night."

"Hyperventilating? Wha-"

"Derek, aren't you always telling me to lighten up?" I said to him, raising an eyebrow.

"Uh, yeah, I guess," He replied, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

"Then why don't you?" I ask.

"Why don't I what?"

"Lighten up! You're wound pretty tight lately," I say with a shrug.

"Casey, I-"

"Derek, we both know this is a bad idea. Seriously, we are step-siblings. And we kissed. Twice."

"Casey, can you stop interrupting me?" He replied, flopping down on his bed and throwing his head into his hands.

"Derek, it's pretty obvious you aren't ready for this." I said to him, shaking my head.

"Casey, I-" He said stopping mid-sentence. "Can you get out?"

"What?" I asked in shock.

"Get out. You're really confusing me and I need to just...think," he said, rolling onto his stomach on his bed.

"Oh, uh, ok," I said, while turning to leave. I closed to door and walked slowly to my room. I sat on the edge of my bed and thought about the conversation I just had with Derek. I felt hot, stinging tears coming to my eyes.

No, Casey. You're stronger than this. I thought to myself. Don't start crying over some stupid boy. Especially Derek. You only kissed twice. It didn't mean anything. And neither did that conversation.

But I knew in my heart it meant something. It meant everything.


Writer's Note:

Today was a snow day, so I had a little time to write. I'm not having school tomorrow, so I might get out another chapter out then. Maybe not, I'm not making any promises :)

Please review! I'm open to any feedback or tips! Thanks!