Ketchup, Hugs, and Sweaters

(I am sooooo sorry for being so late with my update! I had to finish school and then I got sick and then I had to study for my permit! I promise to have a long update including this one)

Derek and Casey didn't notice they were being followed.

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Casey's POV

"Welcome to the food car, what can I get you?", the blonde attendant asked me.

"I want a double cheese burger with everything but tomatoes and mustard, with fries and a coke.", I listed.

"And I want the same except I want tomatoes.", added Derek.

"Ok, coming right up. That will be $11.50.", the cashier said. Derek and I both reached for our wallets. Derek got his out first and declared he would pay for the both of us. When I protested, Derek just ignored me and paid the cashier.

"Why did you do that?, I asked.

"Because.", he said.

"Because why?", I persisted.

"Because you paid for the snacks and breakfast. Plus, a gentleman is supposed to pay.", he informed me.

"Since when are you a gentleman?", I asked playfully. As he laughed he told me I must have rubbed off on him. I must have looked puzzled because he added that I had this weird way of eventually making guys remember their manners. At that moment, Jamie and Andy walked up to our table.

"That's only because she rewards them.", Andy sneered.

"What do you mean?", asked Derek.

"She takes them 'home' if they are good boys.", Jamie said. Right away Derek knew what they meant and got angry, while I got upset and embarrassed. When I looked up at Derek he had that look in his eyes he always gets when he is about to punch someone. To keep that from happening, I spoke up.

"Shut up Jamie, you know that isn't true!", I exclaimed.

"Of course you would say that Casey, you want everyone to think you are little miss perfect. But that is all going to change.", Andy announced. Then she picked up the ketchup bottle and squirted it all over my shirt before I even knew what was happening. Derek got up to get some napkins while Jamie and Andy laughed and walked away. Before they left the car, Jamie calmly walked back to my table.

"Here Casey, let me help you clean that off.", she said as she dumped my coke all over my lap, put the cup down, and walked away. Derek got back to the table seconds after he heard me yelp from the cold drink hitting my warm skin.

"I can't believe they did that, why are you wet?", he asked.

"Jamie came back to 'help' me clean off,". I said about to burst with angry tears. Noticing this, Derek came over and did something he did very rarely, he hugged me oblivious to the coke and ketchup seeping into his shirt and jacket. I was still crying when he let go, but much softer.

"Why do they h-hate m-me so m-much?", I sobbed.

"They don't hate you, they just know you are better than them and they can't deal with it.", he comforted. I looked at our half-eaten food and looked back up at Derek.

"I'm not so hungry anymore. I think I am just gonna clean up and then watch a movie.", I said quietly.

"Ok, do you want to watch 'Titanic'?", he asked. "I'll watch it with you."

That's so sweet of him! Too bad he can't be like this all of the time. I thought as I smiled and nodded.

Derek's POV

When we got back to our seats, I reached up to the luggage compartment and got Casey's backpack down for her, seeing as she was just barely too short to reach it. As she went to the bathroom to change, I debated on telling Mrs. Sims. After making a pro-con list of sorts, I decided to go to Mrs. Sims.

"Mrs. Sims?", I asked.

"Yes, Derek?", she asked.

"Casey is probably going to kill me for telling you but I really think you need to know."

"What is it?"

"Well, Jamie, Jasey, and Andy have been sorta picking on her the past few days."

"What do you mean?"

"They have been calling her not-so-nice names if you know what I mean and while we were eating lunch Jamie and Andy purposefully squirted ketchup and poured coke all over Casey." After a quick pause, I continued. "I am only telling you because I don't think Casey's trip should be ruined because of them, she has been looking forward to this all year."

"I agree completely, but why didn't Casey come to me?"

"Well, the reason the girls have ganged up on her is because we are so close. She didn't want you to think we were together or anything and make her room with them."

"Oh, I wouldn't do that. For one thing, all three of your parents said it be better for you to share a room. Another, Casey's parents asked that she be paired with you in everything possible. Third, I know even if you guys ever did get together you could be trusted. Well, she could anyway. I promise to do something about the girls."

"Thanks. Wait, what do you mean she can? I can be trusted too." At that statement Mrs. Sims rolled her eyes and laughed.

"Ok, I can't usually be trusted, but this is Casey, I am not like that with her."

"I know." Mrs. Sims replied with a smile.

Just then, Casey walked out of the bathroom. She had washed the ketchup out of the ends of her hair and face. She had also changed out of her dirty shirt and pants and now wore her pink sweats and my black Aeropostale sweater I had been missing for a few weeks. I was wondering where that sweater went. I thought while laughing.

"What are you laughing at?", Casey asked as she sat down.

"I have been looking for that sweater for almost a month. How did you end up with it?", I asked still laughing lightly.

"Oh, you left it at my house a few weeks ago. Remember? I'll give it back to you if you want.", she said now realizing that I probably didn't like her using it without my permission.

"No, keep it for now Case, you look cute.", I said.

"What?", she asked. I then realized exactly what had escaped from my mouth. Oh crap!

"Um, I said you, uh, you, um, look cute.", I responded somewhat nervously.

"Oh, um, thanks. Are you sure you don't want your sweater back? I mean you might get cold.", she asked. She is always so considerate.

"I am sure. Plus, I have other sweaters with me. Now, you want to watch the movie now?", I asked.

"Yes. Do you want to watch too Sam?", she asked.

"What movie?", he wondered.

"Titanic but then we may watch Lord of the Rings or something." I replied.

"Oh, I'll wait for Lord of the Rings.", he said.

"Ok", Casey and I said in unison.

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Normal POV

A few hours later…

"How did you like Lord of the Rings Case?", asked Sam. When he didn't get a response, he and Derek turned to Casey and saw she was asleep.

"I wonder how long she made it before she fell asleep.", asked Derek.

"Probably only a couple of minutes.", Sam replied while laughing. The sound slightly woke Casey and she looked over at the boys.

"It's over already?", she asked groggily.

"Yep", both boys asked in unison.

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One day later….

"Attention ladies and gentlemen, we are coming to the Chicago train station and we ask that everyone gather all of their belongings and exit the train in and orderly fashion. Thank you for choosing us and have a nice day!", some lady said over the loud speaker.

"Ok class, we will have one hour before we have to catch our next train that will take us to Washington, DC! We will eat a snack or lunch depending on how hungry you are and then we will allow you to roam around and shop in the shops for a bit to stretch your legs. Lets go.", Mrs. Sims said as she ushered us through the terminal.

A/N: Again, sooooo sorry! Please update and tell me some ideas of how to get some sweet revenge on Jamie, Jasey, and Andy!! Nothing illegal or that would be easy to trace back to them and get them sent home! Also, I'm taking a little poll! How do you want Derek and Casey to finally show their feelings for each other! One, an accidental kiss after a movie or tickle fight; two, have Derek come to terms with it first and do something romantic(remember they are only in the eighth grade here); or three, have something happen to Casey to make Derek finally admit his feelings(anything from someone trying to hit on her to trying to rob them but nothing extreme!)

Ps, I know I made a bit of a leap in the days, but I didn't want 8 chapters of them just getting there. Lol So just go with it.

--Vanessa