I looked into Casey's room and saw her still asleep under the cover's. I went over and whispered to her that it was 7 o'clock, she was going to be late. She just turned over in her sleep. I went down to tell mom, all she said was that maybe she was sick. There was a sad look on her face which I didn't understand. I shook it off as I got ready for school, when I was ready Edwin looked at me with a scared expression on his face. Man, my family just gets weirder buy the minute. I arrived at school to see that my friend-Jamie was talking to Sarah, the school slut. That mad me semi-mad. Then I just brushed it off, worrying about Casey who has been sick the past couple of weeks. Ever since Mom got into that accident.. She healed well, all that shows it is a small scar on her forehead.

I walked up to Jamie.

"Hey, Jamie. What's up?"

He looked startled. "I..um…this is Sarah…"

I nodded toward her. I looked at Jamie…

"I thought you were going to come and hang out at my house yesterday?"

He bit his lip nervously, "Your mom said that it would be best to leave you alone for a while

since, Casey, um…passed away."

I looked at him like he was crazy. "Casey didn't pass away, she is just sick at home. Who told

you that?"

"Your…mom….she said that Casey didn't make it through the car accident.."

That is when Edwin showed up, signaling to Jamie to leave.

"Edwin, what was that about? Mom didn't really say that right?" I was panicking.

He looked me straight in the eye and told me the truth. "She died Lizzie, you have to face that she's gone. Please, Lizzie its killing us all to see you act like this. She's gone you have to morn over her and then let her go!" Why is Edwin saying this? Casey can't be dead. She wouldn't leave me like that. I turned around to pull myself together before facing Edwin. I saw Derek coming over to us, and I couldn't hold it in anymore; I burst into tears. I felt Derek's hand on my shoulder. "Hey, Liz, its okay. Its okay to cry. Let it all out."

I knew I was causing a scene and I knew that this was probably really embarrassing to Derek. To have his younger sister crying on his shoulder during school. In front of everyone. I tried to pull myself together but I just couldn't, she left me all alone. My big sister left me. I vaguely remember Derek carrying me out to his care, but I couldn't stop crying long enough to look anywhere. Soon I fell into my own little world….

Derek carried Lizzie into the house, she was still crying, even in her sleep. He was worried about her, real worried. But Nora and George were at work. There was no one to help Derek with her. He laid her in her bed then sat in the chair, ready to help her through this. He cursed Edwin for not letting her get through this on her own. Telling her at school what was he thinking? He pulled out his phone.

What were you thinking? Telling her like that?

He sent the text to Edwin, knowing full well that he wouldn't get caught. His phone vibrated.

I was just trying to help her out, u woulda done the same thing if you were in my position!

Derek was angry, how was Edwin's position any different from Derek's?

And wat position r u in exactly? How is it different from the rest of our's??

Edwin sighed as he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. This was going to be hard to explain.

I knew her more than any of you guys, I was her best friend, then Casey died and she was thinking that she was still alive!! Do you know how much it hurt to watch her go through that?

We all went through the same exact thing! It was the same for all of us, we all wanted to help her, and you didn't help at all!! You just made it worse for her! She had a breakdown in the middle of school!!

Edwin couldn't say anything to that. Derek soon fell asleep in the chair, and Lizzie was tossing and turning in her sleep…

Dreamland: Casey! Come back, don't leave me alone!! PLEASE COME BACK I NEED YOU!!

All Casey did was walk away, tears in her eyes shaking her head. Lizzie's heart was breaking. She wanted her big sister back, why couldn't she come back?? Why did she leave, why did God have to take her away? She soon woke up to Derek shaking her awake.

"What's wrong Liz? Why were you screaming? Are you ok?" I nodded at him and muttered bad dream, that was all. He pulled me into a hug and I was surprised at the closeness. At the tenderness he was showing. He pulled away and looked straight into my eyes. "I'm here for you, I want to help you get through this. Will you cooperate with me?" I nodded and rested my head on his shoulder, my eyes red and puffy. He squeezed me tighter. Before I knew it I looked at him, straight in the eye, then I leaned forward and kissed him on the mouth. I was surprised that he didn't pull away, only deepened the kiss. After a while we both pulled away gasping for breath, he looked at me skeptically. I muttered a breathless wow before I went in for another kiss. He accepted graciously. Then we both heard the front door open and we jumped apart. Derek headed down the stairs first. I went afterwards. I heard my mom ask why we were here and I froze on the stairs waiting for Derek's answer.

"Lizzie said she was feeling sick so I brought her home."

I couldn't hear my moms reply. I was grateful to Derek for covering for me. He was so nice lately, I wonder if Casey passing affected him too.

"Of course it did silly." I gasped at the sound of Casey's voice. I turned around and saw someone disappear into her room. I followed. When I went into her room I screamed as loud as I could. Derek came up behind me to see the red splashed on the walls, the words spelled out, he pulled me away from the sight as Nora walked into the room, gasping and dialing 911.

"Who would do that Derek? And why would they do it?"

"I don't know Lizzie, I don't know."