Disclaimer: (refer to earlier chapters)
A/N: Well, it's been almost 2 weeks since I last updated, my apologies, I just haven't really been in the writing mood, and with the Holidays happening, so yah. This chapter might be a little disappointing, maybe not, iono.
Chapter 4: Halle Berry or Michelle Pfeiffer?
Sunday 11:00 AM-ish London Mall
The Venturi-MacDonald kids have just met up at the Food Court and now Casey, Lizzie, and Marti are heading to the Women's Restrooms to change in the right attire for the picture, while Edwin tags along with Derek as he makes his way to Mérovée Tuxedo Rentals to pick up his suit.
"Derek." Edwin says as he walks on the left on Derek.
"What."
"I just realized something." Edwin says.
Derek raises his left eye brow at Edwin as they keep on walking, "Realized what."
"You agreeing to one of Casey's ideas are way…way out of character for you, so there must be something behind it," Edwin inquires.
Derek squints his eyes, "What do you think is behind it?"
"I'm not sure, but I'm thinking Casey has something on you, mind telling me what that might be?"
A relieved feeling rushes through Derek's body, not exactly knowing why he would feel relieved after what Edwin said, "Ed. Ed. Ed. Casey's got zip, and I'm doing this because, well, that's the kind of guy I am," Derek smirks.
"Ha-ha, ha-ha, are you serious, you can't be, your Derek, what's the real reason," Edwin asks, still laughing.
"To get on the rent's good side," Derek answers.
"Okay, that makes more sense," Edwin says, as him and Derek enters the Rental store.
Derek and Edwin are greeted by one of the employees, and Derek tells her about his rental pickup.
"Ah Derek Venturi," She says, taking the suit off the clothes rack, handing the suit over to him.
She gives him a receipt to sign.
Derek and Edwin leave the rental store and enter the Men's Restrooms.
Earlier that week, Derek, Edwin and George had watched Catwoman on TV and Edwin asks Derek a question. "Hey Derek, who do you think was the better catwoman, Halle Berry or Michelle Pfeiffer?"
"That's a tough one, seeing as how it's been a long time since I've seen Batman Returns, but I think Michelle was a better catwoman," Derek says, putting on his pants.
"I see."
"But don't get me wrong, Halle Berry was freakin' hot as catwoman, mmm……………Halle Berry," Derek grovels.
"Very hot," Edwin adds.
"Very, but I guess I just like Michelle's version better, it might be 'cause it was the first one I saw, I don't know, and I did like her whole transformation to Catwoman better than Halle's transformation," Derek tells Edwin, while putting on his black tie.
"I see what you mean," Edwin says, straightening up his tie.
Derek and Edwin both throw their jackets on.
"Let's go and get this thing over with," Derek says, leading the way to Cartier Photos.
Edwin marches right behind him, "Yes sir."
--------------------------------------------------------
Derek and Edwin are the first to arrive at the photo place and take a seat on the waiting bench.
Marti enters the store and runs towards Derek, and Derek picks her up, "Whoa Smarti, don't you look smooth," Derek says, seeing that she is wearing the same outfit as him and Edwin, a full white suit with a black tie and shirt.
"Just like Smerek," Marti says. Derek laughs.
Casey and Lizzie walk in together, and Derek turns his body to face them, his mouth drops, even though they are all wearing practically the same thing, there's just a brilliance surrounding Casey, her hair is done differently and the suit has a tighter fitting on her body than the his and Edwin's does. Casey still hasn't notice Derek staring at her. "Smerek," Marti says, putting her hand under Derek's chin, pushing it up to close his mouth. "Oh, uh," Derek mumbles, snapping back to reality.
"So is every one ready," Derek asks, looking towards Lizzie and Edwin, trying to avoid looking at Casey.
"Yah""Yah""Yah"
Casey looks at Derek, and Derek pivots quickly toward the studio, "Picture time," he says.
They all enter the studio, and Casey explains to the photographer the way she wants it to look.
The Photographer positions them in a triangle like shape, with Derek and Casey back to back, and Edwin's back facing Derek's front, and with Lizzie's back facing Casey's front, and Marti in the middle of all of them, all folding their arms.
"Wow, I didn't realize how corny this really is," Derek says pretentiously. Casey turns her head to Derek, "The why even agree to it, you take some things too far, and some things not far enough, "Casey whispers. Derek turns his head to Casey, "Whoa, what are you talking about?"
"Nothing, never mind," Casey says furiously, turning her head back to the original position. Derek realizes she might be thinking about something different.
The photographer signals to them, "Alright guys, look towards the camera."
Derek winks his eyes, and looks at the camera, "You look pretty," he says softly, to where the others can't hear him, except for Casey.
Casey snaps her head toward Derek, just as the photographer snaps the picture, "What?!"
Derek keeps looking at the camera.
Casey apologizes to the photographer and tells him to go on.
The photographer takes about three more shots, "Alright everyone, this is the last one, funny faces everybody." They all make funny faces except Casey, she just looks at Derek with an inquisitive look.
Casey gets done paying for the photos. Derek walks up to her, "Well, this wasn't so bad, actually quite fun, ha-ha, see you guys at home," he says, following Edwin out of the store. Casey stares at Derek as he walks out, "…yeah."
--------------------------------------------------------------
Venturi-MacDonald Residence 1:30-2:00 PM
Casey opens up the fridge in the kitchen to grab some ingredients to make a sandwich, just as Derek enters the kitchen.
"So…" He says, tapping his fingers on the island counter.
Casey closes the fridge door putting the food on the counter, "So what?"
"If you don't want to come to this party, you don't have too, Sally will understand if I tell here you're swamped with school work," Derek tells her, not making eye contact.
Casey puts the knife down, and looks up at Derek, "Why wouldn't I go, I finished my home work, and I'm sure Noel will want to go too." Derek looks up at Casey at the mentioning of Noel, "Ah Noel.," he resumes his viewing of the counter.
"Yeah, Noel," Casey copies, "Speaking of Noel, I need to call him, he wanted to meet with me soon." Derek looks back up at Casey, and Casey catches his glance, "And why does it matter if I go or not?" Casey asks.
Derek stumbles for something to say, "Uhh, well, you see, I thought it might be too uncomfortable for you."
Casey looks confused, "Huh? Why would it be uncomfortable?"
Derek turns around, his back facing Casey, "Ha-ha, you know, because of yesterday, ha-ha," he laughs nervously.
Casey stops what she is doing, "Derek, nothing happened yesterday, remember," she says, somewhat regretting those words.
"Yeah, yeah, so then you're okay?" Derek turns around facing Casey.
"Of course," she fakes laugh, knowing that she really isn't. Tonight might be too much for her.
Derek raises an eye brow at her, "I see, okay, we're meeting here around 7 before we leave," he says walking towards the stairs.
"Okay," Casey replies.
Casey continues making her sandwich thinking about what she and Derek were just talking about. She thinks to herself, why should I be worried, this feeling won't last long, it'll pass by quickly, most likely…it definitely will, it must…
Meanwhile as Casey continues to make her sandwich, Edwin ponders over the conversation of Derek and Casey that he eavesdropped on in the laundry room. There is definitely something weird going on here, first Derek initiates the conversation and that rarely happens between them, and then it seems like Casey was denying something that happened yesterday which might involve Derek somehow. Hmm, I must consult Lizzie about this. Edwin opens the door slightly and sees that coast isn't clear yet. Well, I guess I can wait a little bit.
----------------------------------------------------
London Mall 4:30 PM
Noel arrives at the meeting spot first, before Casey, which is also the exact place where he had witnessed a very abnormal scene. He doesn't wait long.
He lifts his head up to see Casey coming his way. She waves.
"Hey"
"Hey"
Casey thinks about greeting Noel with a kiss, but goes for the hug instead. Noel makes a confused face as he wraps his arms around her.
"So what it is that you needed to tell me?" She says.
"Well, yesterday-," Noel replies.
Casey interrupts him, "Oh, before you tell me, I needed to ask you something first."
Noel sighs, "Hmm?"
"Do you remember Derek's girlfriend Sally?" She asks.
"Yeah."
"Well, one of her friends is having a party later tonight, and she wanted us all four to go together, so are you busy tonight," Casey asks.
Noel feels he's missed yet another chance to confront Casey, but yet he feels there could have been a misunderstanding about he saw. He doesn't know how there could be, but he doesn't want to ruin his relationship with her, so maybe this party idea, might be able to help him observe Casey and Derek's interactions with each other.
"Nope, not all," Noel replies.
Casey smiles, "Great, we're meeting at my place around 7, and then we're leaving, so you might as well come home with me."
Noel smile back, "Alright, sounds good."
"So what is it you needed to say to me?" Casey asks.
"Oh, uhh, nothing really, just wanted to see you," Noel says.
Casey laughs, "Your so cheesy sometimes, c'mon let's go window shop."
"Yes ma'am."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Venturi-MacDonald Residence 6:30 PM
"That is the last time I go Karaoke-ing with you," Derek tells Sally as they open the front door.
Sally laughs, "Oh c'mon, I wasn't that good, you're just really really bad, ha-ha."
"Keep throwing salt on my wounds," Derek says, shutting the door.
Sally continues to giggle, "Okay okay, you weren't bad, you just need a little more practice."
Derek crosses his arms, "Pft, no more for me, you can find another boyfriend for that." Derek sits in his chair.
"Okay, that'll be easy," Sally says with a serious expression.
Derek looks back up at her surprised, "It'll be easy for me too, but with a girlfriend instead of a boyfriend, you know."
Sally grins, "Yeah, I know who you are."
Derek smirks, "That's right, I'm Derek Venturi."
Sally laughs, "Alright Casanova, I'm going to go up and get Casey."
"Casanova. I like that." Derek grins, turning on the TV.
Sally walks in to Casey's room.
"Hey Casey, oh good, Noel your already here, good to see you again," Sally says.
"Yep, like wise," Noel replies.
"We're about to head out, you guys ready?" Sally asks.
"Yeah."
Sally comes down the stairs first, followed by Casey and Noel. Derek gets up from his chair and turns to them.
"Sup Noel," Derek says, in an indifferent tone.
"Hey," Noel replies, in almost the exact same tone.
Casey and Sally both look at each other.
"Well then, let's get going," Sally says, breaking the awkward tension.
They exit the house.
Edwin and Lizzie walk down the stairs after seeing them leave the house.
"Did you see that?" Edwin asks.
"Hmm, yeah, but what about it?" Lizzie asks.
"Like I told you earlier, something weird is going on with Derek and Casey. Did you see the way he and Noel talked to each other," Edwin asks.
"Yeah, so."
"Derek and Noel never talked to each other like that, they're usually pretty friendly with each other." Edwin says.
"I guess your right, but what do you think is going on?" Lizzie asks.
"I'm not sure, but right now I think it involves Derek, Casey, and now Noel, what ever it is." Edwin replies.
"This might take a while to figure out, you know." Lizzie informs.
"I know, but if we do find something juicy, we might have some leverage over our older siblings for once." Edwin replies.
Lizzie nods her head, and they shake hands.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sally's Friend Jill's House 7:30-800 PM
They get out of Sally's car, and walk up to the front door.
"Wow, this is really early for a party to start," Derek says brashly.
"Don't forget that tonight is a school night," Sally reminds Derek. Noel and Casey snicker.
"Tch, that's no excuse," Derek assures. "Though there are a lot of people here already, geez, I'm actually surprised."
Casey looks back at Derek, "Derek, sometimes you can actually be quiet, we don't mind."
Noel and Sally laugh and nod their heads at Derek. Sally rings the doorbell, and Jill opens the door.
"Hey guys," Jill says.
"Hey, this is Casey, Derek's step-sister, and her boyfriend, Noel," Sally tells Jill.
"What's up guys, c'mon in," Jill invites them in.
Sally stays by the door chatting with Jill, as Derek, followed by Casey, then Noel, enters the living room, where there are maybe 10-15 people dancing.
"Derek?!" Someone yells trying to overcome the loud music and talking.
Derek hears someone call his name faintly, and turns to the direction of the noise, and sees it's one of his ex-girlfriends that transferred from his school a year ago. He had dumped this one quicker than usual; she was a little too crazy and needy for him.
Derek looks away, and then turns toward Casey, "Ah shit."
Casey looks up at Derek, "What? What's wrong?"
Derek looks at Casey, "You see that girl behind me coming towards us?"
"Yeah."
"Well, she's my crazy ex-girlfriend."
"So."
"I mean she's really crazy." Derek looks to behind Casey to see that Noel went off to get drinks, then looks back at Casey.
"Casey, I know your not going to like this, but I need you to help me look like we're making out."
"Huh! No Way! Go get Sally." Casey refuses. "There's not enough time." Derek says, knowing that he doesn't really want Sally, to fake make-out with. He knows this could probably make things very complicated, but there might not be any other options.
Derek turns his around to look behind him, and see's her getting closer, "Damn it."
Derek turns around back to Casey, "Casey, forgive me." Derek grabs Casey by the waste and puts his hand on the back of her head, kissing her fiercely.
Casey pushes Derek off her, but not in enough time, as both Noel and the crazy ex-girlfriend catch the whole thing. Derek looks at Noel, as Casey looks at Derek's ex.
"That bitch," Derek's ex says as she lunges at Casey.
"That bastard," Noel says, dropping the drinks to dive at Derek.
A/N: I think Noel's character might be a little out-of-character towards the end of this chapter, but I wanted to add more drama, so I needed to do that, and I know I said there would be Confessions, revelations(there kinda are some), and Cat fights in this chapter, sorry. But the beginning of the next chapter will definitely begin cat fights of both sexes, lol, and confessions.
Don't worry, it won't take me another 2 weeks to update again, scouts honor.