A/N: Sorry it took me so long to get this chapter out. It is a little choppy, it moves back and forth from Derek to Casey a lot. But, I think you will be pleased with it though :-)

Disclaimer: This disclaimer is a special disclaimer. It is a blanket moratorium on me not owning life with derek for this entire fan fic.

Casey woke up late the next morning. She suddenly remembered last night. I know Derek was not in my room to barrow a stapeler. He has never turned in his homework on time, why start now? She got out of bed disrupted by her thoughts, knowing she had to get ready for school. She quickly got dressed. She did not want to spend too much time getting ready this morning. She just wanted to go to school and get it over with. I can not face Derek. I hope I do not see him at all today, Even though. she knew in her heart this was not true. She wanted to see Derek. Be near him.

She shook the thoughts out of her head, and went downstairs. No one was there. Everybody had already left. Casey started to quickly get out some eggs to make, but thought better and grabbed a pop-tart. She knew she was going to be 15 minutes late to school. Breaking her perfect attendance record. But today, she did not care. Her thoughts were on something else. Someone else. I do not care what happens today. I just want to die. If I can not tell Derek my feelings for him, then who cares anymore?

Casey slowly walked to school, went to the office and got a pass. She stuck all her stuff in her locker quickly. No one was there. They were all in classes.

Casey felt as though she was in a daze. Like the world had stopped and she was just slowly moveing in it.

Derek hurried to get ready the next morning. He knew he could not face Casey. I feel like an idiot...I have told other girls I like them before...why can't I tell Casey? Although, I do not like Casey. I love Casey, Derek thought as he got ready. He was out the door to school before anyone was even awake. He started to slowly walk to school, sickened with himself. He knew school would just be opening. He walked in, and found the janitors closet. He walked in and sat down. I just want to be by myself for a little while. I can not look at anyone right now. He felt as though he was moveing in slow motion. Like nothing mattered. Except Casey.

Later that morning after a couple of Casey's Classes, she saw them. Lizzie and Edwin were walking through the halls with their arms linked. Lizzie smiled at Casey as she passed. Lizzie and Edwin had almost all the same classes, so it was not surpriseing that they were walking with eachother, especially now that the secret was out to Derek and Casey.

Casey could almost not take it. She felt like throwing her books down. She was so frusterated with herself. She needed to find someplace by herself. Somewhere quiet. She knew Emily would come seeking her out soon. But she wanted to be alone. Finally she thought of where to go. The janitors closet, she thought cleverly.

She walked quickly to it and opened the door. It was so dark in there she could not see. She tried to find a light, and suddenly she tripped.

A light flipped on. Derek was standing next to the light switch. There was an awkward silence betweent them.

They both said the first thing that came to mind at the same time.

"Ditching class?" Derek asked.

"Sorry," Casey began.

They both laughed. It was a symphony to them to hear eachother laugh. Derek sat down where Casey had landed. "So why did you come in here?"

"I could ask you the same question," Casey said slyly.

Derek was not afraid to answer. "I needed to get away...just from...them. Everyone."

"Yeah, me too."

They both sat looking at the wall for a minute. Thinking the same exact things. Casey sensed a strong vibe in the room. She abruptly got scared. She needed to get out of here. She could not stand feeling this way, just sitting next to him. When she wanted to bad to tell him. It was unbearable. They quickly glanced at eachother, then looked back down.

"I have to go," Casey stated, and ran out.

Derek sat there baffled. He did not know what he did wrong. It was heaven sitting there next to her, and she just ripped his heart out. He knew not purposely, but still.

He knew what he was going to do now. He could not take this school today. I am staying in here untill school is over.

Casey needed to get out of here, but she could not see a way without ditching. She went to the girls restroom, walked into the stall, and locked it. I am so staying here until school is over.

Finally, Casey heard the school bell. She walked home, layed down on her bed, and fell into a deep, frusterated, sleep.

Derek heard the school bell. He was never so happy to walk home. He went upstairs and fell into a deep, angry sleep.

Casey woke up at 7:30 pm. God, I am hungry. I have not had anything to eat all day. Casey walked downstairs, and saw a note on the table.

Derek and Casey,

We took Lizzie, Edwin, and Marty to a movie. We will be back around 9:00. You guys were asleep, and we did not want to wake you. There is money for pizza on the counter. -George and Nora

Casey set down the note. Derek's home...I wonder if he is up yet. Casey shook the thought out of her head, and went into the kitchen and got a glass of water. All of a sudden she felt Derek's presence behind her. Looking at her. Oh, no. I can not feel the way I did at school today again. Casey was about to run, but thought better of it. She was tired of being afraid. Tired of being too shy. Tired out not telling him. She was not hungry anymore. She wanted Derek. That is all she needed.

Without warning, Casey felt her body turn around. Derek was now on the other side of the kitchen counter with her.

"Did you read the note?" Derek asked her avoiding eye contact. He did not want to look at her. If he did, he might not be able to stop himself from doing something he was afraid to do.

"Yes."

They were out of topics. Derek was starveing. He had not eaten all day. Derek was not worried about being hungry right now though. All he wanted was Casey. He could not help himself anymore. He had to look at her. Glance at her. Anything. He finally looked up after a long pause. She was stareing down at the floor. She looked so perfect to him.

Casey could not take it anymore. She had to look up. She had to see Derek. She had to see his perfect honey brown eyes. He was stareing at her. Gradually, Casey felt her body going closer to Derek. The world could not stop her now. She was now centimeters from Derek. Derek did not seem to mind.

In a flash, Casey's lips were caressed with Derek's. Derek was not expecting this. His eyes opened wide, then closed again. Casey stopped, and slowly pulled away. The kiss was full of strong feelings. But most of all, the kiss was a question. A question from Casey to Derek. A question about them.

Derek was still standing there shocked. He always thought he was going to be the one to kiss her first. Although he did not mind it this way either. He realized he needed to kiss her back. He needed to kiss her back. And Wanted. That too. But before he could, Casey was already running up the stairs.

A/N: Well, that was one of the pivital moments! I hope you like how it happend. That was the way, I was planning it to happen. It seemed like something Casey would do. Please review. The next chapter should be up very soon! I promise.