Derek dreamed of soft skin on his fingertips. His hand moved down the soft curve onto the hips of his dream. His fingers tickled the skin on her hipbone as he slid his hand near his dream girl's belly button. He loved to tease so he tickled her stomach, but instead of a laugh, he heard a soft moan. A moan that made him push his body closer to hers and smell her fantasy hair. Casey's lavender shampoo scent filled his nostrils, and he tickled her belly button again. Another soft moan escaped and reached Derek's ears. The two moans made him stiff with desire. He started breathing heavily into her hair. He rubbed his body onto the imagined girl letting out a soft grunt himself. His hands started to move down to the elastic of her pants. Dreams were one of the only places where his subconscious could get who it really wanted.
A door slammed in the distance and startled Derek awake. With Casey in his arms, his fingers under her elastic band and his nose in her hair, he slowly smiled at his dream and widened his eyes and mind to reality. He became alert to the noise in the distance.
"Casey," He whispered into her hair, "Casey!" He shook her a little bit.
"Oh Der-ek!" Casey practically screamed his name with fervor.
Derek dropped his mouth astonished, and clenched his hand on her hip. He whispered hurriedly, "Casey, I gotta go."
Casey turned toward him with a sleepy smile as he scrambled out of the bed. He grabbed his bucket, and quickly exited the room. He closed the door as Nora came walking up the stairs.
"What's going on? Is Casey mad at you; I heard her yell your name," Nora probed Derek.
Derek moved the bucket in front of his pants as he answered and looked down, "I was just grossing her out with my vomit bucket."
"Derek, when will you grow up?" Nora huffed.
"Nora, Nora, there's nothing in the bucket. I just like to get a rise out of her, and I think that I have some idea of what growing up implies," Derek winced and smirked at the personal innuendo.
Nora laughed and mocked out loud; she calmed down to inquire, "Well whatever; are you okay? George said you maybe had hospital food poisoning?"
"This morning I felt terrible," Derek related the truth, "I puked at like 3 in the morning and then randomly throughout the rest of the day, but my stomach seems to be getting a lot better. Just no surprise meals tonight; I don't think my stomach could handle Dad's cooking…"
"Will do," Nora lightly laughed. "How's Casey?" Nora stepped closer to Derek with concern, and closer to Derek's bucket.
"I think she is still a little weak, but I got her to scream 'Derek'… I guess that's progress," Derek laughed to himself and backed away from Nora.
"That's good in a bad way. So do you want me to take that bucket? I am going downstairs as soon as I am done talking with Casey," Nora had her hand on the clean part of the bucket.
"No, no, no, no, no, I might need it," Derek defensively held the bucket close to his crotch and faked a stomach pain.
"Suit yourself. I'll just check on Casey," Nora walked past and opened Casey's door.
Derek quickly ducked inside his room; his 'bucket' needed some attention.
Nora eased opened Casey's door and found her daughter lying on the bed. Her eyes were closed, and she had a soft smile on her face.
"Hello sweetie. How are you feeling?" Nora asked softly seeing if she could wake Casey up.
"Mom?" Casey opened her eyes and her smile broadened and then disappeared. "Hi mom. Tired, I guess."
Nora softly looked at Casey then sat next on the bed and played with her hair, "Did this day do you good?"
"Actually it did, but I really feel guilty about skipping though," Casey spoke not wanting to think about the weird day.
"Don't feel bad, I allowed it. How are …things?" Nora tried to pry into Casey's feelings like she was a surgeon trying to carefully cut open the skin revealing the trauma underneath.
Casey didn't want surgery in the first place. "Things. I don't know…"
"Casey, I know when 'things' aren't going well. I guess I was blinded this past month, but in the back of my mind I knew something was wrong."
"Yeah, You're right," Casey blurted.
"Oh!" Nora was surprised, "Is there anyway I can help you out or do you need to talk?" Nora perked up because her daughter was finally opening up to her for the first time in months.
"I," Casey reluctantly offered.
Nora pounced on Casey's single syllable, "I hope you know that you can come to me if ever you need anything. I won't judge or be mad. I try to be a good mom; I love my daughters. I love you Casey."
"I know, mom, I love you too," Casey laughed kind of shy. She knew that her mother had her best intentions, but she didn't know how to explain something like this to her mother who was eagerly waiting for any important utterance from Casey's mouth.
"Mom, this is going to sound weird," Casey was thinking of just telling her mother the truth. She really hated leaving her mom in the dark and something had to change. She couldn't look at her mom when she said this so was staring a poster of Britney Spears, "I… like…Dah… someone I am not supposed to like."
Nora looked puzzled; she was trying to figure out what Casey meant, "Okay sweetie."
"Mom, I just like someone I am not supposed to like and it is just wrong," Casey cringed; her words were vague and fumbled, but at least it was the truth.
"Casey, I honestly don't know what to say. Who do you like?" Nora was completely oblivious and trying to understand her daughter.
"There is this person that I am not supposed to have feelings for, but I do and I can't help it. I've tried not to like this person, but I…"
"Casey…" A light bulb went off in Nora's head, "I could never judge you for liking someone. Your feelings are your feelings. and I trust you to be attracted to whomever you choose. I think that I just didn't realize … I never thought… I mean I guess that doesn't come up in conversation all the time, you know like what sexuality are you? I just assumed you were straight; I mean you had boyfriends… What about Pride and Prejudice? I don't know what you want me… Do you need help?"
"What?" Casey looked at her mom with a stifled shock. Her air was quickly leaving her head and her body was tensing up. "Huh?"
"Are you bisexual or are you homosexual?" Nora offered to try to clear things up.
"I…don't," Casey looked like someone was speaking a foreign language to her; she couldn't comprehend the questions her mother was asking.
"Casey, it's okay with me if you like girls. I am a little confused, but I mean I do learn something new everyday," Nora smiled at her daughter and went in for a hug, "I am just glad that you have the confidence now to tell me how you feel. I am so proud of you whether you are bisexual, homosexual or straight. Casey you know I love you always."
Casey tried to think straight. Or bisexual. This was a way out. Her mother provided her with the best way to diverge the truth once again. Casey sighed relief and bewilderment as they ended their hug.
"I am so glad we had this chat. I'm proud of you Casey; sticking up for your feeling," Nora smiled and got up, but she second-guessed herself. "Do I need to worry about… you and Emily?"
"No!" Casey pictured kissing Emily and was immediately grossed out, "Emily is JUST my friend."
"Are you sure because she is coming over and dropping off your homework later. She wanted to say hi to you too," Nora looked a little suspicious and anxious, "Do I need to watch you two?"
Casey started to giggle nervously, "No mom. I swear on Derek's life… Em and I are best friends only."
Nora's eyes started to well up with tears and she took a couple seconds to come into the realization that her daughter is growing up. Nora regained her composure as Casey tried to keep processing what situation she had gotten herself into, "Oh yeah what do you think we should have for supper… Derek said something easy on the stomach because of his rough day," Nora said as she started to open Casey's door to leave.
"Gumbo? That'll remind him of the day he's had," Casey grinned anxiously trying to keep calm and cool.
"Casey…" Nora chuckled, "That's not nice," Nora folded her arms across her chest, but she was happy that her daughter and her were closer than ever.
Casey responded with a more sincere smile, "Maybe pasta. He doesn't have to add tomato sauce because that is kind of acidic. But plain pasta is kind of bland and the rest of us can add stuff…"
"Yeah, that sounds like a plan. I'll steam some broccoli for a vegetable. Thanks Casey; I'm so proud of who you are," Nora gave her daughter a genuine I'm proud of you smile and walked out of the room.
As soon as Nora left the room Casey jumped out of bed. She paced her room anxiously thinking about her sexual deception. She realized she wasn't ready to accept that she liked Derek; let her mother believe her lesbian lie. Maybe she even would make out with a girl. At least then she could be telling the truth for once. She hated being as deceiving as…
Derek had opened her door and stood leaning in the doorway, "Hey Space." He was casually apathetic, and somewhat pathetic. His lack of a shirt revealed a pale sickly chest and face. Casey looked at him and wanted to think that the gym shorts he wore were too short and made him look effeminate.
"Dweebek," Casey spat and continued to pace and thought about swapping spit with Emily. It gave her shutters so she viewed Derek's feet, which she recognized were too big for his body.
"You're pacing," Derek ignored her terrible name calling skills and stared at her body moving back and forth like a maniac.
"Oh," Casey stood still and looked at Derek with a blank face. She wanted to think that his skewed stance was too pretentious, and that his folded hands over his chest made him seem like a sleazy man checking out a piece of meat in a butcher's shop. The ears that protruded from his head required their own zip code. And his hair was messy. It was messy… not perfectly tousled to look like it was combed by a soft wind. His bare chest was scrawny, not toned by hours of sweaty practice on the hockey team. His nose was slightly upturned to resemble someone who is just about to sneeze and not upturned by the smell of a sweet aroma. Finally, Casey wanted to think that Derek's lips were twisted in a scowl of disdain towards her, not in an impish smirk of craving.
She had almost forgotten that she had been lying next to this vile cause to all her problems until he took a tender step into her room and closed the door. His smile softened and intensified in an instant, and she couldn't think that she was supposed to considering liking girls as opposed to liking this Adonis who was her step brother.
She tried to think, and stopped breathing as she thought of the images she wasn't supposed to want: hair combed by the wind, toned bare chest, smelling a sweet scent, and an impish smirk.
The images, her company and her lack of oxygen made her dizzy, and she sat on the bed. She knew things had changed in their relationship again, and Casey was suddenly self-conscious. She needed to cover herself from his view. She knew at whom he was smiling, and wanted to take it as a teasing, but understood that it was a compliment. She grabbed her comforter and put it over herself.
Derek watched this entire little show and perceived it as a kind of awkward acceptance. He wasn't thinking about her thoughts or feelings, but he was watching her body. Her legs were long and glossy and she swaggered on her small feet over to the bed. Derek interpreted the covering comforter as an invitation as he walked over and slipped under the blanket himself.
Casey gulped. She was fully awake, not under the influence of any mind-altering substance and knew that Derek, who was sitting right next to her, wanted her. There was nothing to stop him from making a move. Worst of all there was nothing to stop herself as she jumped on top of him and pushed him down on the bed. She straddled him as his legs hung over the side of the bed and kissed his neck, lips, ears and cheeks.
Derek flung both of his arms over Casey's back because he didn't want her falling off the side of the bed and also because he wanted to squeeze her luscious hips. He felt this sudden urge to use more force with his movements. He was obtaining his immediate desire; whilst still kissing her he pushed her back and moved her head to the pillow at the top of the bed. Derek continued to permeate her mouth and she reciprocated the pressure of his mouth. Casey's lips were soft against Derek's more chapped lip. Derek had Casey pinned to the bed, the comforter lay forgotten tossed on the ground. Casey could feel Derek's hand move onto the side of her torso. It slid up under her shirt to give her chills. She gasped, and Derek smirked.
"Casey, Emily's here. I'm sending her up!" Nora yelled from downstairs.
"Shit," Derek heard the footsteps on the stairs too late to go out of the room. "In your closet?" Derek was off of Casey in 1 second and already trying to plan an escape. He had a knack for getting out of suspicious situations.
Casey was flustered and couldn't focus. She nodded an aloof agreement and in a daze got off the bed. As Derek ducked in her closet, Casey sat down on in her desk chair, and Emily opened the door.
"Hey Casey!" Emily went over the desk and gave her friend a soft hug.
"Emily, How are you, I've missed you!" Casey smiled and Emily then sat on the bed. Casey was ashamed that her covers were askew and on the floor, but smiled at the mess. "Sorry my room is a little messy."
"It's okay. I've missed you too; I brought your work," Emily took off her backpack and pulled out a folder for Casey.
"Thank you so much. Today was such a weird day without work to do!" Casey exclaimed sincerely.
"You're so weird," Emily laughed.
"You know what is weird is that we haven't seen each other in two days," Casey sighed and frowned looking at her best friend.
"I know; it's terrible. I was sick on Thursday, but man oh man. I heard what happened in school…" Emily frowned, but was serious.
"You heard…" Casey looked away from her friend disappointed.
"Yeah! The whole school heard! What happened to you! I couldn't believe that you fainted in class. And Derek was wow, but what did the doctor say?" Emily suddenly got really concerned and excited.
"I was dehydrated, and I fainted. Wait what about Derek?" Casey almost whispered.
"Since when were you dehydrated?" Emily inquired bewildered.
"I don't know," Casey spoke up and gave into Emily's concern. "I just wasn't hungry or thirsty or anything. I home-worked throughout lunch because you weren't there…I didn't really eat breakfast…or dinner the night before for that matter. I mean there were assignments due and stuff, but why is Derek in this story?" Casey curiously asked wanting to change the subject.
"So… you just weren't hungry or thirsty?"
"Yeah… but what is the school saying happened to Derek?" Casey started getting annoyed.
"Well… All the girls are talking about what a loving guy he is to help his sister out. They are talking about how he was right by your side in first the nurse's office and then he wouldn't let you be alone in the ambulance. Kendra told me she saw him holding your hand and whispering in your ear when you were unconscious. All the girls want him more than ever; they never knew he was a sweet heart."
"Oh wow, but it's step sister…" Casey said shocked and looked toward the closet.
"Let's be honest though. Girls exaggerate. I mean we are talking about Derek; he can be nice like to Marti, but not to you," Emily laughed and then got more serious, "But seriously Casey, what's up? Why aren't you hungry?
Casey looked back at Emily with tears in her eyes and started to whisper, "Em, I don't know. I have just been really confused lately. I can't think straight, and I feel so preoccupied in my mind that it's hard to be in the moment I guess."
"Oh, I didn't know," Emily whispered back, "Why didn't you tell me Casey? I've always got your back; I am always here to listen if you need it."
"I know you do, but I didn't want to burden you," Casey continued to whisper, "Sometimes it's just hard to talk about stuff."
"Casey, best friends are there to burden sometimes. Especially when it is something so serious," Emily nodded, "If something is too hard to talk about it's ok if you don't want to tell me, but just know that I am here for you always. Also, why are we whispering?"
"Oh," Casey laughed, "I don't know, I didn't want anyone to hear."
"Weird. Honestly though Casey, I am always here for you; You're my best friend," Emily walked over to give Casey a hug, "I want to remind you again that if you EVER need to talk to someone; I am right next door."
"I know and thanks so much for being my best friend," Casey hugged Emily back hard, "To be more serious… Did I miss anything really big in school today?" Casey looked worried. "Wasn't there a biology test today?"
Emily moved away from Casey, "No, Mr. Taylor moved that test to Monday when he saw how many students hadn't studied enough and because he had taped a cool video on the kreb's cycle the night before that we just couldn't miss. You missed the Friday English vocab quiz, but everything else you missed I put in the folder," Emily handed Casey the folder.
"I see. Thanks so much," Casey scanned through the folder.
"In the social world, other than all the girls want Derek even more, you missed that Greg and Mandy are done. They broke up over a pudding pack at lunch. It was really sad, but I saw it coming. I mean when you don't give the girl you like your pudding pack… That's wrong.
"Totally," Casey agreed still looking over her assignments.
"Also, I am going to a wedding this weekend, so I won't be around for the party that Kendra is throwing. We are invited, but you could probably ride with Derek if you ask nicely... beg nicely," Emily continued and laughed.
"Kendra is having a party. That sounds like fun; my mom has been wanting me out of the house more," Casey was making notes on a couple of her homework sheets barely paying attention to Emily.
"Yeah, it should be fun. The wedding I am going to should be so much fun. Sheldon can go and I am so happy! Oh but, I am going to need my blue dress back to wear, if that's ok," Emily got up from the bed and made her way over to the closet.
"I can get it Emily! My closet is such a mess; I can get it!" Casey almost screamed, but Emily was closer to the closet.
"I got it," Emily dismissed Casey and opened the closet door. Casey's winced as Emily ducked her head in the closet and found her blue dress. She was startled at a second discovery; Derek hiding in the closet.
"Shh…" Derek motioned with his finger to his lips, "Smarti and I are playing Hide and Seek! Don't tell Casey!"
Emily laughed and smiled. She pretended to lock her lips up with an invisible key as she picked up her dress and cracked the closet door.
"Hey," Casey said nervously, "You found your dress?"
"Yup it's right here," Emily laughed at Casey's spastic side. Casey smiled relief as Emily turned away from the closet.
"I think we are having pasta tonight if you want to stay for dinner," Casey offered and still nervously smiled.
"Actually I could only stay for a little while because I haven't started packing a suitcase for the wedding. I really should get going," Emily looked at her wristwatch.
"Thanks for bringing me my homework Em. I would be lost without it," Casey said sincerely.
"Again weird, but you're welcome," Emily smiled picking up her backpack, "I am going to get home and pack now. If you go to the party tell me how it was."
"Oh I will, I am going to get started on my work, so I won't feel guilty if I go to the party," Casey walked Emily to her door, "I guess I'll see you on Monday then? Have fun at the wedding."
"I'll have fun and see you Monday yeah," Emily closed Casey's door and walked toward the steps. She was concerned about Casey, but glad that her friend looked okay and wanted to do her work.
"Hi Emily!" Marti exclaimed as she walked up the steps.
"Hi Marti," Emily waved, "I'll give you a hint; he's in Casey's room.
"Huh?" Marti stood on the steps and put her hands on her hips perplexed.
Emily was already in the door laughing and exiting, "Bye Marti." Emily was out the door, but stopped on the walkway thinking that something was off. She stood there for a few seconds not realizing what was wrong, but then remembered that she had to pack for the wedding. She wanted to wear something beautiful for when she met up with Sheldon. She hurried back to her house still thinking in the back of her mind that something was out of order.
Upstairs Derek emerged from the closet sweating, "It's hot in there, Case! Well, it could be hot because I was in there…"
"Yeah, that's the reason," Casey scoffed and laughed simultaneously. She was still looking down at her work.
"Now where were we?" Derek seductively kissed Casey's ear pushing her hair aside and nibbling down onto her neck.
"Derek, not now. I have homework," Casey moved her head away, "But I do want to say one thing. Thank you for being so nice to me. I didn't know you were with me the whole time."
"Yeah," Derek rolled his eyes not really wanting to accept the compliment, "Do I get a thank-you kiss?"
"Not Now," Casey said in an annoyed sing-song voice, "Must I reiterate that I have homework?"
"Casey. Casey Casey… lighten up you know you want to give me an appreciation kiss," Derek stroked her arm and pulled her to get out of her seat.
She pulled her arm back and reprimanded, "Maybe I will thank you later, but I can only lighten up once my homework is finished."
"Fine. I don't care. Have fun with your homework," Derek went to the door.
"I will, you're welcome to join me," Casey smiled at him.
"That is probably your fantasy dream. Derek doing homework… in the nude," Derek slipped out of the room and closed the door.
"Der-ek!" Casey said with a disgusted frown. She mulled it over for a while and then smiled. Daydreaming about doing 'homework' with Derek probably would be fun.