Author's Note This IS short for a good reason alright. Now that I have the entire plot set-up out the chapters will be longer, with more detail. Occasionally, I plan to dabble into Derek's mind but I found that I wrote better in Casey's POV. I hope you all enjoy:D

Disclaimer I own nothing.

"Such a wonderful day at school! I felt so completely liberated. I got asked out by three different guys and after a discussion with Emily she said she was behind me 100 percent as all great friends are. She said that she was just a little shocked, but I think she was under-exaggerating.

In any case, Derek's posse ditched him to come sit with me at my table and instead of the same old stuff people expected me to say, I made jokes, and I laughed. I was like one of the guys but I was still a girl. I felt so refreshed. Eventually Derek got of his high-horse and came to sit with us at mine and Emily's table. He was smirking strangely at me, but I didn't pay much attention to him.

Sam asked if me and Derek still fought. I didn't respond. I only smirked and left him questioning. Well, I would have left him questioning if Derek hadn't opened his mouth. He said, 'No, actually we've been getting along great. Klutzilla is actually pretty awesome.'. I don't know if he seriously meant that, but…it heightened mine and Emily's popularity. Since I dumped Max, Max totally shoved me away from all of the other popular people that used to accept me.

But I guess it is true that only one person needs to accept you in the popular crowd for you to be popular. That one person was Max.

And then again," Casey smiled at her computer screen, "I earned this newfound popularity on my own. Liberated Casey is more fun but still me. I love it."

Derek walked into her room, shut the door and sat on her bed. Casey quickly logged off her online journal and turned to him.

"What is it?" She asked lackadaisically.

"I've been thinking that you've changed because of me. Haven't you?" Casey giggled.

"No. Where'd you get a strange idea like that." Derek stood.

"Well, I thought you liked me." Casey raised her eyebrows and leaned back.

"What?" She said softly. Derek took a step forward.

"Well, I've wanted to…date you for quite a while but I figured it was never going to happen, but you are definitely flirting with me. You definitely want me." Casey shook her head.

"Actually, no I really don't." Casey then turned away, her heart racing.

"You can't deny me for long McDonald. You're starting to crack, and let out your flirtatious side with me. I'm undeniable." Casey stared at her monitor, trying to pretend he wasn't there. A hand touched her shoulder and then she heard him leave the room. The door shut and she turned to stare at it.

"Oh…my god…" Casey started shaking slightly, and turned back to the computer. After re-logging into her online journal, she got up and locked her door.

"Dear…Journal,

A step-brother, a bother, the one person whom I have no respect for…wants me. And I know this because he just told me this. And he thinks I want him too. And I don't.

And it's because I've liberated myself that he thinks I'm flirting.

Have I just stepped into dangerous territory?"