Casey sat in her room on her bed not knowing what to do. She felt all the anxiety cascade back into her life like a deluge of disappointments. She couldn't think straight so she laid down on the bed. All the emotion from being caught is exactly what she had feared the past month. Her longing for Derek would inevitably lead to the discovery of their shameful behaviors. She also couldn't believe that Derek left her all alone in her room. She understood why, but she still felt abandoned considering all her anxiety from before. Her stomach started to churn as she was lying on the bed.
The discovery was not the only thing of concern to her. She really wanted her step-brother. She felt this gut urge drawing them together; she even felt it the first time they were together, but she did not want to do understand it. She couldn't want anything to happen between them for fear of discovery -for fear that things would change –for fear that Casey might not be a perfect princess. Casey knew that she should always try to perfection no matter what, but the only time she thought otherwise was when she was with Derek. She felt like she could just be around him. In his presence, there is no normal; it's just being alive. That feeling comes and goes whenever Derek comes and goes. This feeling might not be worth the strife in the long run of life.
Casey needed to be a pristine princess; this was the most important thing, especially in front of other people. Sam was not supposed to see her and Derek together. The door was closed! Her own house didn't feel safe. As she laid in the bed, she felt that even the bed was judging her with the ruffles on the bottom snickering at Derek and Casey being discovered. "Serves her right," the pillows whispered in her ear. The blanket on the bottom of her bed was the only thing that Casey felt was on her side. It looked as though it would comfort her despite her imperfection.
She took the blanket and wrapped herself in it and dragged each step into Lizzie's room. Lizzie was sitting at her desk and looked up at Casey as she entered, "What's wrong, Casey? You look terrible."
"Thanks," Casey said then burst into tears and sat on the end of Lizzie's bed. Lizzie got up from her desk and wrapped her arms around Casey and made shushing noises of comfort.
"Casey, seriously, What's wrong?" Lizzie was about to cry; she had hated going to the hospital and seeing her sister dehydrated because she "forgot to eat." There was something more too it, but Lizzie didn't know what. Edwin and her had hypotheses, and they had sneaked in on Casey and Mom about when Nora thought that Casey was lesbian. It made a little bit of sense, but it didn't fit Casey.
When Lizzie and Casey were growing up, Casey had the biggest crush on Leonardo Dicaprio. She had a poster of him in her room, and Lizzie caught Casey a couple of times talking to the poster like it was her boyfriend. She would talk about how they would have beautiful children who were dancers and actors. Lizzie didn't think that being lesbian made sense for Casey. Edwin had said that maybe Casey was failing a class and was trying to cover it up. Both the bad grade and the lying might be enough to send Casey to the hospital. Lizzie thought it was a good idea, but just didn't sound like Casey at all. Lizzie thought that Casey might be sick for real and was not telling anyone. She didn't want to think like this, but lately Casey is not Casey.
"Casey, I am worried about you. No, I am not the only one who is worried about you. Everyone is worrying in their own way," Lizzie was still rubbing Casey's back and trying to soothe her sister.
"I can't tell you," Casey sobbed.
"Casey, if you are deathly sick, you must tell me. I can't bear that." Lizzie stopped rubbing her sister's back because she was serious that she had to know the truth.
"No, I am not sick. I promise on Mom," Casey shook her head.
"Well, I overheard you talking with mom about you know, being lesbian or bisexual or whatever. I'm sorry I was listening in, but you know I love you even if you like girls too."
"Haha," Casey sat up straight, "I'm not gay. Mom is just making conclusions."
"Oh," Lizzie reasoned and nodded, "Well, If it's a bad grade, that is not the end of the world."
"No, no," Casey half-laughed.
"Okay," Lizzie got up from the bed and paced.
"Then, what's wrong? Seriously. You are just not happy almost ever lately. It's disgusting."
"That's a valid question. One that I don't know I can tell you," Casey tried to prolong telling her sister for as long as possible.
"Oh, so you are thinking logically now. Well, if we are thinking in a logical sense, then you should assume that because you won't tell me, I will try even harder to snoop and find out what is going on," Lizzie reasoned.
"You are becoming more like Edwin everyday," Casey laughed a little and shook her head.
"Even before I met Edwin I liked to snoop on you and your boyfriends back home," Lizzie laughed.
"Yeah, I know you were bad at it," Casey giggled, "I know you would listen in on my phone conversations, so after we hung up, I would always text them instead of talking."
"Oh," Lizzie looked a little bit sad, "Still doesn't mean I won't find out what's making you sad now."
"Why can't you drop it?" Casey was getting a little bit angry.
"Hey, you came in here. You can leave," Lizzie got just as angry.
Casey sighed, "That's not what I want. I did come in here you're right. You will find out anyway; I know it. Well, here goes. I like Derek."
Lizzie pulsed back after hearing her confession, "Okay. You know who you're talking about right?"
"Lizzie, Derek and I are kind of dating," Casey admitted.
"Are you kidding me?" Lizzie's head was turning with all the signs, "Why were you sick then?"
"We broke up for a month," Casey looked defeated.
"Oh my gosh, you love him," Lizzie realized, "Not like brother and sister love, you actually love Derek… Venturi."
"No," Casey lied, "No…NO!"
"Sure," Lizzie shook her head.
"I can't Lizzie," Casey slumped down.
"Well, yeah you can't, but you do," Lizzie reasoned, "I know we have power to choose who we love, but why choose him?"
Casey wiped her face and massaged her temples, "I have tried to choose anyone but him. I urge him. It's this primal disgusting side of me that yearns for him, but it's more than that too. He challenges me, in a good way, to experience life more."
"Okay, that's weird," Lizzie looked away from her sister.
"It's weird yes, but I feel more normal around him. It's a unique feeling I get when around him."
"You do act different around him," Lizzie looked back at Casey.
"Yeah, I really like him," Casey tried to smile, but still was feeling uncomfortable.
"That's great and all, but what about George and mom?" Lizze unveiled.
"I don't know," Casey replied.
"Me either," Lizzie swallowed.
"You're gross," Lizzie laughed, "Loving your brother."
"Shut up," Casey slightly smiled and pushed Lizzie.
"You know he was never my brother," Casey explained.
"Yeah, I guess so," Lizzie smiled.
"What do you want to do?" Lizzie questioned not knowing if Casey was going to be Casey or sneaky.
"That's why I am here Lizzie," Casey looked at her sister, "What would you do? Or rather, what would you have me do?"
"That is NOT up to me," Lizzie looked concerned. "Now I know why you felt sick."
"Yeah," Casey looked at the ground, then she looked back up to her sister. "Thanks for listening anyway."
"No problem," Lizzie went in to hug Casey, "You love him, what can I do about it. He's Derek Venturi. He gets what he wants."
"Well, I'm Casey McDonald, and I get what I want too," Casey reasoned.
"You sure you want Derek," Lizzie inquired.
"I got sick when I didn't have him," Casey replied.
"Yeah," Lizzie agreed, "Would this be a good time to talk to you about something?"
Casey smiled and stayed on the bed, "Not at all Liz."
Lizzie smiled, but looked nervous, "Ok, well, since Valentine's Day… remember that note?"
"Yeah, that sweet one?" Casey smiled.
"I have gotten a short letter each day since then…" Lizzie's eyes widened and she stood up; She walked over to her dresser and opened her sock drawer, "They are all in here."
"This guy must like you…" Casey got up pulled out a couple of notes and started to read them out loud, "' Sometimes I think about you at night and smile knowing I will see you again tomorrow.'"
"Yeah… 'You are electricity rejuvenating me when I am lonely.' And they are normally small one liners…" Lizzie half-smiled.
"Well, what do you think about them?" Casey wondered.
"I still don't know… I like them a lot; they make me happy when I see them. I just want to know who makes them. It's frustrating. Have you done any of your investigative work?" Casey asked.
"Kind of, but there is nothing really that I can do. I mean sometimes it is in my lockers. Other times in my book or in my hood or anywhere. It is so hard to find out who is giving these words to me," Lizzie sighed.
"Well, time will tell. It just takes time," Casey smiled.
"Ok… yeah I guess" Lizzie hugged Casey again, "If you tell parents, I love you no matter what, and I'll find a hiding spot for you if they get mad. I love you always."
"I love you, Liz. I don't know what I should do. I am going to think for a minute and decide," Casey got up to leave. "Again, thanks."
As Casey went to the door someone scattered away from the door unrecognized by Casey and Lizzie. Her head was dizzy with information. Casey and Derek were dating. She went down stairs and sat at the bar seat in the kitchen. Breathing heavily and confused she rested her head on the counter.
"Was it a busy day dear?"
"George," Nora lifted her head, "I thought that Casey was a lesbian."
"What Nora?" George sat down next to Nora confused and laughing a little, "Lesbian Casey?"
"I thought she was a lesbian, and I was dealing with that. Now this. I mean I don't mind if she likes other girls- just as long as they don't do anything in the house. I guess that is hypocritical with Derek and all his girls. But I thought that I could deal with it."
"So, Casey is a lesbian?" George looked even more confused.
"No, she is not," Nora stood up and started to rub her temples.
"What's wrong then Nora?" George stood up to and started to go to his wife to calm her down.
"Basement," Nora started for the basement and walked down the steps.
"Okay," George followed her and continued the conversation, "So, what's going on?"
"Derek," Nora let out a long sigh.
"I thought that we were talking about Casey," George's eyebrows got even more crunched in a confused look.
"Casey, too." Nora let out another long sigh of hyperventilation.
"Ok, Derek and Casey what did they do," George tried to piece things together.
"Casey is absolutely not a lesbian," Nora purged her words.
"Ok, I didn't know that was in the picture, but you put it there. So?" George was still confused.
"Your son put moves on my daughter," Nora shot out at him.
"What?" George looked beaten down.
"Derek and Casey are dating," Nora reaffirmed.
"Casey is dating Derek?" George reiterated.
"Yes," Nora sighed again and sat on the bed.
"How?"
"I am not sure how it started, but I just overheard her confess to Lizzie."
"Are you sure?" George positioned because he couldn't believe the likelihood of them dating, "Was she talking about another boy?"
"How I wish I was mistaken, but I was listening the whole time. It's Derek."
"MOM, I need to talk to you," Casey called down into their room.
"Oh my God, she is going to tell me," Nora said.
"What should I do?" Nora asked with wild eyes toward George.
"I guess you should listen," George half-smiled, but the other half held this face of awkward fear, "I thought for 1 second the first time that I saw Casey and Derek meet that there might be a problem."
"I'll be up in a minute, Casey," Nora replied to her daughter, "Really? Come to think of it, I thought the same thing. The look on Casey's face was different. It flashed through my mind… but then Derek talked."
"Haha," George smiled, "I remembered what he said, 'Spacey is it? Nice to meet you.'"
"Typical of a man to mess up something," Nora smiled.
"I am glad that he messed it up; I knew that Casey was instantly angry. It was kind of funny; nothing to worry about," George shook his head.
"Yeah," Nora said, "Well, so much for not worrying. Come with me, George, please."
"Alright, Nor," George held her hand and walked up the steps.
They all sat at the dining room table. Casey started the conversation about her and Derek play fighting eachother, and how this innocent thing turned into something more. Then, she started to explain how they were locked together in a bathroom again at a party they went to because they were fighting with one another. She talked about how they always happened to be hanging out together, and she didn't stop it. She explained how she didn't mind hanging out with him, and then she started to like hanging with him. Then, he kissed her, and she told how she didn't mind that. She even liked it, but she didn't at the same time. She felt guilty because 'He's my step-brother, and it was a secret.' She explained how she got sick because she couldn't tell anyone and broke up with him because of it.
Finally she said, "And we're dating now."
The front door shut in the distance and Derek called, "Sam's here." Derek walked toward the dining room table because he saw everyone gathered around the table, "Why aren't you ready, keener?"
"Uhm," Casey forced out and they all stared at Derek while Sam walked through the front door and walked toward Derek.
"Ready guys?" Sam intervened as he walked toward the group.
George, Nora and Casey just moved their awkward stare from Derek to Sam.
"I'm gonna go, now," Sam said as all eyes fell on him.
"Good idea, Sam," George agreed.
"No, the party. You said I could go if Casey went," Derek interjected and all eyes looked at Derek again.
"Space-case, what did you do?" Derek continued as the front door slammed with Sam's leaving, "Oh you're a dork."
"I'm a dork. No, you're just dumb. This needed to happen," Casey resolved.
"Gosh, you are such a keener. Tell the truth, keep parents informed," Derek started to get angry.
"Calm down, Derek," George started.
"Don't tell me what to do," Derek snorted, "You couldn't just let us be. You had to get them involved?"
"I needed them," Casey started.
Derek interrupted her, "Am I not enough Casey? Couldn't you just talk to me? It is none of their business."
"Yes it is," Nora put her few words in.
Derek gave her an angry glare and then looked back at Casey, "Case, don't you see what you did?"
"What did I do Derek? I want my mom and George in my life. You know I can't lie to them," Casey continued and started to get teary eyes.
"Don't you dare pull tears on me," Derek saw her face, "You know I can't handle that."
"It's something I need," Casey started to cry.
"Gosh Princess, where's you sense of your privacy?" Derek fumed, "Why did you have to say anything!?"
"Calm DOWN, Derek," George forced out and stood up.
"Don't TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" Derek yelled at his dad, "DON'T tell me WHAT TO DO! Don't tell who I can LOVE! It is not your business concerning you!"
Casey stopped crying for a second, "You love me?"
"Casey, you know that I love you. I've loved you for so long. Why did you have to do this?" Derek sat down in a dining room chair defeated. "Jesus."
"Mom, George, I love Derek. That was the point to my story," Casey swallowed some of her tears, "And you can't really do anything about it."
"There are things we could do," Geoge started to get a little bit heated.
"Yes, their absolutely are things you can do. You can make me move back and live with my dad, you can have Derek sent away to military school. I could go to boarding school. You guys could divorce, but I am still going to love him. You can't change that."
Nora started to cry and George hugged her. Derek slumped in his chair and looked at Casey. Casey caught his eye and they stared at eachother. Casey's eyes were all puffy and red and Derek kept staring at Casey, but he started to smile.
"Gosh, you are such a princess. Princess," Derek shook his head and couldn't help but laugh a little bit, "I'll have my way. I am Casey. Hear me roar!"
"Not the time, Derek," Casey rolled her eyes.
"Yeah yeah, you love me. I can do what I want."
"Stop it you too."
"That's the point, Dad," Derek sighed with frustration. "You're not going to stop us. No matter what you do. You brought us together. I've crushed on this girl since I first met her."
Casey rubbed her eyes, "I thought you were cute too."
Nora and George just looked at eachother; they both sighed and didn't know what to say.
"I knew it," Derek smiled and winked at Casey.
"Winking is not going to do anything for me," Casey rolled her eyes.
Puh-lease Spacey. You know you love it," Derek winked again and he moved his leg under the table and brushed Casey's leg.
"De-REK!" Casey jumped and screamed when she felt something touch her leg.
"What are we going to do with you two?" George started to shake his head and Nora looked up to the ceiling in frustration.
"You still love us?" Casey was feeling timid.
George sighed for a moment, but replied, "You know we will always love you."
"Casey, that isn't even a question," Nora went over to her daughter and hugged her.
"What's going on?" Edwin walked in from the kitchen. "Did Casey get a bad grade and she just told you. That's why she is crying?"
"Seems like you have thought about this Ed-weird," Derek tilted his head and looked perplexed at Edwin.
"No," Nora replied trying how to say it correctly, "Well Derek and Casey…"
"Yup, I love Casey," Derek smiled and looked at Casey.
"Oh. Right. Me too," Edwin scrunched his eyebrows together and sat next to Derek, "I am glad she is a part of our family. No doubt.
"No Dork. I am dating Casey," Derek slapped the back of Edwin's head.
"We're allowed to do that?" Edwin rubbed the back of his head and looked at his parents.
"We are not sure," George replied, "Is it time for dinner?"
"Is that it?" Nora looked at her husband in disbelief.
"Honey, we can't do anything right now. We need to think about it. We will come up with a plan and discuss it later- tomorrow."
"Okay," Derek and Casey said in unison.
Lizzie and Marti started to bop into the room, "Food?" Lizzie asked.
"Yes!" Marti exclaimed, "Casey, why do you look like you have been crying?"
"It's complicated, Marti," Nora started to say.
"Lizzie told me that Derek likes Casey. I like that," Marti smiled, "Is something else wrong?"
"Actually no," George started to laugh ironically and looked at Lizzie who was blushing.
"Good," Marti smiled, "Food now?"
"Yes, let's eat," Edwin rubbed his stomach.
"Do you want to order pizza tonight?" Nora looked at Geroge.
"Yes, well, let's actually go out to a restaurant- like a normal family," George sighed and reasoned at the same time.
Derek smirked, "Sorry, Dad, but we are anything, but normal."
The whole family started to awkwardly laugh and get up to get ready to go to the pizzeria.