Thanks for all those that review or even if you don't that had read the story! I hope you still continue to enjoy it! The real start of some fun Dasey I think starts here and continues to grow through the rest of it! And as always, I still don't own 'Life With Derek'
Chapter 3: Smells Like Teen Spirt
Out of all the senses, smelling opens the doors to many different possibilities in this world. Not only when we smell something can we identify with it and appreciate it, but we can determine what it is without even catching one glance at it. Everything has a particular scent – the smell of flowers on a spring's day, the outdoors right after a rain storm, and even the smell of fresh cookies straight from the oven. Each is wonderful in its own way.
When we smell something, it sparks something inside of us. Sometimes, something smells so amazing, that it can be irresistible. We all are guilty of it, following with our noses sometimes to find the thing that perks our interest. It's almost as if when we smell something, it is setting a path for us to follow until we find the prize at the end. Who hasn't headed towards the freshest batch of cookies that just came straight from the oven, in hopes to take one and eat one? However, there are times when something that smells is just not too appealing to a person. The ones that make you crinkle your nose in distaste and you just want to forget about it. You think it shouldn't even exist and you would do anything to get rid of that smell, and the memory of that smell the fastest way possible.
The best part about a smell though is when it engrains into your mind, and you associate that smell with something. And if something has a similar smell to it, you can't help but be reminded of the thing that left such an impression on you. The one scent that gives you a particular feeling every time you smell it and brightens your day instantly. How you just want to be engulfed in that scent and how you forget about everything else that surrounds you as you focus on the one object of desire. The scent that gives you an inner peace and awakens your likings of that one particular thing. The only thing that matters is the smell that provokes a new side and thoughts from you, and how you never want to forget it. It's impossible to forget.
Apple Crisp. That is the smell that I can never forget. Growing up, my mom used to always make apple crisp in the cold winter months, right around the holidays like now. Coming home from elementary school and smelling that sweet aroma in the house as it was pulled out of the oven right when I walked in the door. The smell of the apples with the little hint of butter that was baked. And the touch of cinnamon that slowly sends me into a trance. Mouth-watering. Tingling. Everlasting smell that lingered within my nose, tempting me to indulge in more. Many a nights would I get scolded at for eating half of the apple crisp that was made to last longer than the one day.
Unfortunately the smell turned sour after the big D…. The Divorce. I couldn't stand to smell anything that was remotely similar to apple crisp, even apple pies, anything! There was no more sweet smell to it, no more joy walking through the door, envisioning what it looks like, the taste, and smell just how fresh it really is, and smell every little morsel as I devour each and every bite. Dad just couldn't master the recipe and I was too bitter to try anyway. The smell was tampered and it was tainted. No longer did it bring me back to a memory I have and have joy from it. The apples that were bright and red were dead to me, rotting and smelling the rotten smell that they really were. The smell of cinnamon disappeared until I couldn't smell it anymore, desire it anymore.
That all changed though. I had been so used and had succumbed to my thoughts in how apple crisp just did not exist anymore. But like any addiction, you don't know how sweet it really was until you have it back again. It all started yesterday, the first official day we were off from school because of the holiday. More time with the family, but more time to play hockey and hang out with friends, and annoying Casey. Well ok, maybe only a little bit. I woke up at my normal time when I don't need to get up for school: the lunch hour. Everything was a normal day, until I got to the bathroom. And that's when it hit me. Apples. A very faint smell of apples. And no, it wasn't from an apple crisp, not that delicious smell. This odor was different, fruitier, lighter, fall like, apple picking smell. But soft, and not strong. I followed the scent to the bathroom and took a deep breath. It came from here. But the door was still closed.
"Do you mind?" Casey said as she opened the door. The smell of apples just engulfed me right there and all I could focus on was her. Her hair was still wet and curling just a little bit at the ends. With each drop of water that fell from her hair, the more apples that were there, and the more that I wanted to dig my hands in her hair.
"Hogging the bathroom again princess?" That was all I could say, and it took a lot of effort to even concentrate on saying something.
"Ugh, I don't have time for this Derek. I'm going to the mall with Emily."
"Well don't let me stop you, or were you hoping to go back to fall season? Smells like an apple orchard around here," I said with a smirk. Don't get lost into the scent. It's just the bathroom, nothing else special.
She looked at me before a smirk grew on her face. Why did she have to learn it from me? "Oh, yea I was trying out a new shampoo I found. Figured a fresh new start, turning over a new leaf. Like it?" That coy smile was on her face and the apples were just overpowering me. I couldn't even respond, it just smelled so delicious….. SHE smelled wonderful, a delight, a treat, and I wanted her to be all mine. No one else to share her with. Well, I guess since Noel is out of the picture I currently don't need to worry about sharing her. With one last look, she winked at me before she walked to her room and closed the door. The smell following her, leaving a little trail as if tantalizing me to follow, but I didn't. Instead I walked to my room, and a new appreciation for the scent that had haunted me when I was younger, was starting to grow again.
Even today I still can't get our conversation out of my head, nor the smell of her shampoo and how fruity it was. I walked to the stairs for a snack, since its 3PM and still FAR away from dinner time. I'm not overly looking forward to the holidays in a few days but I promised myself that I would try to treat the family better. Even more so, Casey. I have been trying, and times it has been working. But after yesterday's encounter……..
I stopped when I reached the bottom of the stairs. I all of a sudden felt like I was 10 years old again and racing down the stairs after one thing. APPLE CRISP. The scent of it hasn't entered this house for at least 4 years, if not longer. But that all familiar scent was hovering in the air. I was holding my breath not believing it. I slowly walked toward the kitchen to make sure I wasn't dreaming. But there it was, fresh out of the oven, emitting the delicious odors that I was an expert with. I stared at it longingly wondering how it was in the kitchen right now before Casey popped up, with her back to me as she closed the over door. I jumped, since I wasn't expecting her. She finally turned around and took the headphones off her ears.
"Derek I thought you went out since I didn't hear any movement coming from your room." She said with annoyance in her tone. It barely even registered with me that she was talking to me. The only thing I smelled was apples and cinnamon.
"Yea, huh," was all I muttered back.
Casey sighed. "This was supposed to be a surprise for you, you know. I… I didn't really know what to get for you this holiday, but I talked to Edwin if there was something. He told me about how when he was little how much you loved apple crisp."
"He did, did he?" Note to self, harass Edwin later.
"Yes, and I was looking through our cookbooks, and I wanted to make it for you, as your present. But, I guess that's not a surprise anymore," she said with a sigh before walking to the fridge to grab the milk.
All I could do was stare. Casey did this all for me? Not that it was a lot, but she put a lot of thought into it. All for me, and no one else. It really surprised me since I never expected her to do that. A glass of milk appeared before me, along with a spoon.
"What's this?"
"Well, since you've already seen your gift, I guess you can have your treat ahead of time. Why waste a good dessert when it's fresh out of the oven?" she said with a timid smile on her face.
At that moment, I had full appreciation for Casey. My feelings, regardless of how many times I tried to deny it, had been growing steadily for months now, and this was the first time I could truly think that maybe they were reciprocated. Yes, Casey has done nice things in the past, but not often for me, and never going out of her way either.
"This really is nice of you," I said softly and full of emotion. "It means a lot to me, and thanks for bringing back something I love."
She was still sitting near the apple crisp, which was just out of my reach when she spoke to me again. She hesitated briefly, probably wondering if I was ok in having this conversation. "Edwin told me how your family hadn't had apple crisp since your Mom and George got a divorce, but how it was a treat you all enjoyed. I thought, maybe, I could give you a new reason to like it," she said as she looked down at the counter, the blush rising into her cheeks. "Just don't eat almost all of it in one sitting though."
I had to laugh at that. If I could I would eat the whole thing in one sitting. But I had better restraint on myself. And now that I'm older…. Yea, I still would want to eat almost the whole thing if it was delicious. She grabbed the apple crisp and started walking towards me with it.
"Who knows, I haven't tried it yet, you could be possibly trying to poison me, in hopes that you'll be the favorite child," I said in a teasing voice.
"Get real Derek," she replied while rolling her eyes as she was about to place the apple crisp down.
All in one motion though, she slipped and lost her footing towards me, sending the entire apple crisp right at me. The showers of apples, and crumbs, with there wonderful cinnamon scent landing all on me before the best apple of the bunch tumbled into me knocking us both over and onto the kitchen floor. We were covered in the scent and everything in time froze at that moment. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, letting this moment be engrained in my mind to never forget.
"I'm SO sorry Derek!" Casey muffled.
I grabbed her arms to stop her moving for a second. I look at her, in the haze of the smell that just is hypnotizing my mind. "Don't be Case," I said softly, never taking my eyes off of hers. I got a little smirk though, "It's natural for Klutzilla's to jump their prey at any moment."
"DER-EK!" she screamed before hitting me in the shoulder, which then led to a wrestling fight on the kitchen floor. If you would have told me this was how my day was going to go, I would have told you 'Get real.' After the power struggle, which Casey is stronger than she seems, I came out victoriously on top. I look down at her to see her looking at me in a way I had never seen her look at me before. And mind you, studying Casey's eyes was a passion of mine. "Derek," she replied more softly.
I take one of my hands and run it through my hair. Time was going so slow at this moment and I was living in the moment. Looking at her face covered with some of the apple crisp, I took my hand and ran it down the side of her face slowly, picking up the little trail that was mapping out the route. I brought it to my lips and savored the moment while the scent just overpowered me.
"So?" Casey asked with curiosity in her eyes.
"Delicious."
She paused for a second before saying what I knew she would say. "I know it's not your Mom's but I hope it's at lea……"
I cut her off. "Its better," I say softly as a genuine smile forms.
I look in her as I take another whiff of everything surrounding us. I search her face and still see more apple crisp that was mapped out, which lead to where X marks the spot, the treasure gold. The scent of everything was making me act on my own accord as I started to lean in closer to Casey as I hear her catch her breath. The path was becoming clearer as I could see every bit of cinnamon that was dusted over her skin.
"Derek, Casey, anyone home?" Nora asked as she walked through the front door. I jumped off of Casey as fast as I could and gave her an apologetic smile before darting to get upstairs. I ignored the look Nora gave me as I ran past her, going up the stairs two at a time.
"Everything ok down here?" I hear her ask Casey before Casey rambles an elaborate tale about what had happened downstairs.
I shake my head as I turn to get to my bedroom door. I never thought apple crisp could have the same effect on me as it did when I was 10. And it didn't. The apple crisp Casey made smelled even sweeter, and could never compare to the one my mother made me. My appreciation for apple crisp was stronger than ever, all thanks to Casey. And my appreciation for how delicious it smells will never go away. As I still faintly smell the apples, cinnamon, and buttery flavor on me as I take my clothes off to get ready for a shower, I can't help but keep replaying that memory in my head. The only thought that was going through my mind, besides the wonderful smell, was how much sweeter would it have tasted if I got the sugary taste straight from her lips. I may have been scared before to admit to myself, but as I jumped into the shower, all I knew was one thing.
I was falling for Casey. I was falling for her HARD.
Well that is Chapter 3! The next two chapters are going to be a lot of fun to write, I already had a lot of good ideas for them. Anyways, please review, I really like to hear what people think! It helps since sometimes I get good ideas that way :) But hope you enjoy and later this week I'll be posting the 4th chapter! Until then, thanks again for reading so far!