six weeks later

Maybe if I don't move. Do not move. Stop thinking about it. Mmmmm, it's about to happen.

Casey tossed back her covers with a fiery furry and ran as fast as she could. Opening her door, she bumped into Marti, causing the small child to fall to the ground. "Hey, watch it!"

She tried to choke out an apology, but the second she opened her mouth, it became worse.

I have to keep moving.

The rug beneath her feet turned into cold tile. It was the first time that she was thankful for boys in the house because they always left the toilet seat up, obviously to annoy the girls.

Casey fell to her knees and began retching. It was so violent that she couldn't breath. She reached out and gripped the toilet seat for balance. Now she would have to scrub her skin till it was raw.

Just when she felt normal once again, another bit of bile rose in her throat and she began vomiting once more. It was never ceasing. After several minutes all she was left with was a strong sense to dry heave, which she was doing.

But atleast she could breath. Her breaths were fast and furious. Her oxygen had been cut off so severe that she began to panic in the middle of it. In the midst of her dilemma, she had failed to notice her hair was pulled back from her face and the familiar scent of her mother wafted to her nose as she pressed a hand to Casey's forehead.

A scent that normally was soothing just made her double over and once again regurgitate, bringing up some acidic water with it.

"Was I really that loud for you to come up here?" Casey asked her question through the subsiding nausea that still threatened to take hold of her.

"Marti came down stairs and told us what was happening. What's the matter, honey?"

"I...I don't know. Probably something I ate."

Nora helped lift her to the sink so she could rinse out her mouth. The water was cool and refreshing as she splashed a little onto her face.

"Let's get you back to bed and I'll take your temperature."

Holding Nora's hand, she leaned on her like a crutch as they turned to leave the bathroom.

Standing in the doorway was non other than the bane of her existence. He was leaning against the doorframe with a distant look in his eyes. Casey adverted her gaze as she passed him when he leaned back a fraction to allow them out of the entryway.

The walk was no longer than twenty full steps but it felt like a mile. Atleast she had nothing left in her stomach if she decided to start throwing up again.

Nora pulled back the covers and Casey slipped in, getting tucked in like a small child. She managed to smile. Nothing beat the comfort of a mother's touch when you were sick. Her mother left for a moment and came back with a thermometer and put it beneath her tongue. A gentle hand smoothed back her hair, causing Casey to nearly fall asleep. The beeping of the instrument made her alert once again.

"97.9. It's actually a little low. Why don't I go to the store and get you some Ginger Ale and soup."

"Sprite," Casey croaked.

"Ha, okay Sprite it is. Derek, I want you to take care of Casey while I'm gone and if you try to fight with her, you're grounded."

"Right," a familiar voice sounded from behind her. She stiffened. Casey wasn't aware that he had been standing at her back the entire time.

"I'm okay Mom. Just hurry home."

"Well, just in case you need anything I want him nearby." Nora stood from the bed and began leaving. "She's not in her best voice so check on her every now and then. I don't think she's up to yelling for a change."

Leave it to Mom to coddle me and then say I'm a big mouth all at once.

Casey closed her eyes and willed sleep to overcome her. She was feeling better than before but still lightheaded with a slight case of nausea; despite a feeling she wish to escape. She breathed evenly through her nose.

One...two...three...don't you dare come back...four...five...I have nothing left.

Casey sat up in a hurry, feeling dizzy. She threw her legs over the edge to run back to the bathroom, but a waste basket was already right infront of her face and a hand pushed her back onto the bed by her head. She didn't argue. Casey leaned down and began heaving once more. How there was anything left was a pure mystery. It was more of the same as before. She was confused.

Derek's touch was gentle. He pulled her hair to the side and rubbed her back while she continued retching. As much as his touch disgusted her, it felt safe at the same time. She reached out and grabbed ahold of his tshirt and tugged for strength as the vomiting refused to cease.

"Try to breath, Case." His voice was so soft, so caring. She wasn't sure if her tears were from the aversion or his closeness.

Finally it stopped once more and and a tender hand wiped her mouth with a peice of tissue that had been resting on her bedside table. Without a word, Derek helped her lay back down and covered her in a similar fashion as her mother had.

This time he sat on her bed. His hand rubbed her forearm with agonizingly sweet affection. Why does he have to be so sweet when she really is sick? He makes her life a living hell until she really needs assistance. Why can't he just be consistant?

They both sat in silence. It was a comfortable silence that they hadn't shared in months. "This the first time?"

"First time for what?"

"That you threw up?

Casey felt confused but didn't question him. It was hard enough to keep her sick feeling at bay without answering stupid questions.

"Of course it is."

She opened a blue eye and stared up at him. He didn't seem aware that she was looking at him. Derek had a sad and concerned look on his face. He seemed to be counting his fingers. Why was he counting?

He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. Placing a elbow on his knee and putting his chin in his left hand, he managed a grin when he noticed she had been looking at him.

"You alright?" He whispered.

"Still crappy."

Derek nodded his head. His look got distant once again. Casey wondered what was going on inside his head but failed to ask. She still resented him and wanted no part in 'small talk'.

"I'm going to go back to my room. I'll leave the door open if you need me but Nora should be back soon."

Casey didn't nod her head or answer. She just closed her eyes and was thankful that his heavy presence would be gone soon. It was suffocating to her and the heart that still had chains wrapped around it.

On cue, Nora came back in the room. She hadn't been out more than ten minutes. Casey was thankful that she wouldn't have to call on Derek if she needed anything from him.

"Thanks, Derek. Your shift is over," Nora teased as she opened a bottle of Sprite and lifted Casey's head to take a drink.

"No problem. Um, I'm gonna go out for a minute. I shouldn't be too long."

"Oh, ya okay. Be careful."

Casey watched his figure fade down the hallway through her open door, wondering where he was going.