A/N: Thanks for the reviews. I hope this chapter will be up to par with what everyone expects.
And I'm sorry for the long wait. I've been dealing with family problems the past month and during the holidays I needed a break.
Now the drama begins. And who else better to begin with drama than Casey. HA HA! ENJOY.
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Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN LIFE WITH DEREK!
Chapter 5: Casey's Secrets
A/N: Alan's thoughts are underlined
One month later: Casey and Alan are very close. Alan considers Casey his best friend while Casey considers him the best guy friend without being a boyfriend. They often are inseparable in school. Being a perfect academic couple often has them confused for a real couple. Meanwhile Casey's secret is bottled up in her mind and as each day passes, she becomes more afraid of her dreams for a certain someone.
Casey invites Alan over to her house to meet her parents and siblings. Alan accepts and looks forward to meeting her mixed up family. Casey wants the occasion to be something formal so she has her family set up as if host a presidential dinner.
"Come on, everyone. Alan will be here soon." Casey says.
"Why Casey?" Derek asks. "Afraid of your boyfriend is going to think we are freaks."
"DER-EK!" Casey screeches. "Alan is not my boyfriend. We are just friends."
"OK, Case. Whatever you say." Derek says.
Casey walks past Derek as he grabs the car keys. Casey gives him a look as he whips his jacket onto his shoulders and exits the house.
"Hold up, Derek." George says. "Where are you going?"
"I have a date tonight." Derek states.
"But Derek, Casey's boyfriend..." Nora begins
"FRIEND!" Casey shouts.
"Friend is coming over tonight; shouldn't we meet him as a family." Nora says.
"Nora, Nora, Nora... Alan and me are already friends. He doesn't need to meet me since we talk almost everyday at school." Derek explains. "See ya later."
Derek leaves as the rest of the family makes the final preparations for the night. About 10 minutes later, the doorbell rings. Marti answers the door and sees a young man standing in the doorway. Alan looks down and sees the young girl standing at the open door and smiles.
"Hello?" Alan asks. "Is this Casey McDonald's home."
"Yes, it is." The little girl says. "Who are you?"
"Alan, Casey's friend." Alan explains
"CASEY YOUR BOYFRIEND IS HERE!" The girl shouts inside the house
Alan blushes a bit. However once he sees Casey he immediately regains his composure. Casey stares at Alan, who is wearing a suit that appears to have been just bought. Alan stares at Casey in her long, flowing blue dress and shifts a little to remove all the tension and nervousness in the air.
"Hey, Alan. Welcome to my home." Casey says. "MOM, GEORGE! LIZZIE, EDWIN!"
The sound of footsteps could be heard throughout the house as two young kids come down the stairs and two adults come from the kitchen area. Alan watches as both groups stare at him, making it slightly uncomfortable.
"Hello, Alan." Nora says. "I'm Casey's mother."
"Mrs. McDonald." Alan says
"I'm Casey's stepfather, George Venturi." George says shaking Alan's hand.
"Mr. Venturi." Alan greets. "It is an honor meeting you."
"These are our kids, Lizzie and Edwin." Nora says. "And you have already met Marti."
"Lizzie. Nice grip." Alan says as he shakes her hand. "Edwin." Alan shakes his hand.
"And Marti." Alan says as he is embraced by Marti. "You are too cute." Alan says as he returns Marti's hug.
"Dinner will be ready in a few minutes." George says.
At dinner, George and Nora sat at the ends of the table. Casey, Lizzie, Edwin, and Marti sat at their respective seats. Alan sat in Derek's seat across from Casey. Alan begins to feel the same nervousness he felt before.
"So Alan, Casey tells us the funny story of how you met each other." Nora says.
"It was funny how we first met each other." Alan says. "The second time was a bit strange."
"Well, that is water under the bridge so can we talk about something else." Casey says nervously.
"Well, now Casey." Edwin says. "I want to hear Alan's version of the story."
"Casey, let me humor your family for the night then I'll go back to being the boring guy you know." Alan says.
"Alan, please tell us the story." Marti asks.
"Well, I moved to Canada in the end of August, right before the start of the school year. On the first day of school, while talking to the guidance counselor, a girl barged through the door and started yelling at the counselor." Alans begins. He then feels a sharp pain in his foot where Casey stomped on it. "AH! OW!"
"Casey, you barged in on Alan and Paul?" Lizzie asks.
"Well, you know why." Casey says matter-of-factly.
"Then the next time I meet Casey, Emily and me are talking when again Casey interrupts." Alans says. "After she apologizes we start talking and then I make one comment about one of the students and she starts laughing as if I said the most ridiculous thing in the world."
"Casey definitely enjoys being the center of attention." Everyone murmurs.
"Honey, why would you laugh at something about another person? You above all people know never to make fun of someone behind their back." Nora says.
"Well, actually it wasn't anything degrading or embarrassing about someone." Alan continues. "I only said to Casey "I didn't know Derek was your boyfriend". After that she started laughing."
Everyone, except for Alan, stared wide eye at Alan. The sound of a pin drop could have been heard. Everyone's face look as if they had just seen a ghost and Casey look about as red as a tomato. Alan took a quick bite of steak and clears his throat before talking again.
"Derek and Casey?" George says curiously. "A couple?"
"Why does everyone become frozen when I say that?" Alan says. "I mean it is not like they are related."
Marti was the first to break the silence and laugh. Edwin and Lizzie look at each other then laugh. George and Nora continue to be frozen in time. Casey didn't know what to do. She thought about yelling at him or just stomping on his foot again.
"Alan, that is outrageous." Nora explains. "Casey and Derek can't date each other."
"Why not?" Alan asks.
"Because they are brother and sister." Nora and George say.
"STEPBROTHER AND SISTER!" Casey, Lizzie, and Edwin yell.
SHIT! Now I have to listen to the whole incest, brother-sister only speech. Here we go! I should have known. Venturi... that is Derek's last name. God, how stupid could I be?
"They fight with each other all the time." Nora explains. "They would probably kill each other before going out together."
Alan looks at Casey who has been silent since he told everyone his "perspective" of Derek and Casey's "relationship". Out of the corner of his eye he sees Edwin eying him strangely. Lizzie is giving Alan an equally strange look. Marti continues to giggle as Nora continues to explain why they cannot be a couple.
To my knowledge, incest is basically between blood relatives. So technically, Casey and Derek are siblings by marriage. In short, their relationship could only be frowned on by their family and anyone who knows them as a "brother and sister". I AM NOT GIVING UP ON THEM.
"Excuse me. Not to be rude, but let's change the talk subject since I've touched on a touchy subject." Alan says.
"Sounds fair." George says.
"So has Derek talked about me?" Alan asks all of a sudden to Casey's horror.
"Alan, can I talk to you in private?" Casey asks pulling Alan into the kitchen. "What are you doing?"
"Just have a conversation with your parents. What's the problem?" Alan explains.
"HOW DARE YOU TALK ABOUT DEREK AND ME LIKE THAT!" Casey starts yelling. "I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU WOULD EMBARRASS ME LIKE THAT!"
"Casey, why don't you take the conversation upstairs? We can hear you from the table." Nora says from the other room.
Casey looks at Nora and nods in agreement. She takes Alan by the arm and pulls him up the stairs to her room.
"Casey, what is your problem? I already gave up on the subject when your mother started going on about the whole sibling relationship." Alan says.
"That whole conversation was a mistake. You should have never mentioned that to my mom." Casey says
"Casey... Is there something you're not telling me?" Alan asks
"What are you talking about?" Casey says, looking at him in fear.
"Why are you so touchy on the Derek subject?" Alan asks. "Do you maybe... I don't know have feelings for him?"
"WHAT! THAT'S RIDICULOUS!" Casey yells. "DO YOU EVER think before you talk?"
"Tell me, Casey. You seem tense, perhaps something you want to get off your chest?" Alan asks
"Okay, so it is my fault that I never told you Derek and I are related. However, when I didn't say anything about a "relationship" between Derek and me, you should have taken the hint." Casey says sarcastically.
"Okay, listen I'm easy. I'm sorry about ever suggesting that relationship. I thought that the interaction between you and Derek was one of a couple." Alan explains. "Trust me from my point of view you two looked like an old married couple. You always fight with each other, tease and prank the other, and after you turns around glance back and look at him with a starry look in your eye."
"Alan..." Casey begins
"It's okay. I understand." Alan says. "I've been wrong before and I'm wrong again. Anyway, I have to go and finish that assignment for English. I'm gonna say bye to your family and I'll be on my way."
Yeah, sure. Like I'm giving up on them that easily. While they are still "siblings", they are only related by a marriage. So I think it is not incest, so I can still push them into the direction of one another.
"Alan, wait!" Casey shouts.
Alan is halfway down the hallway before Casey stops him. He turns around to see Casey asking him to walk back to her. He wants to leave because he knows he will keep being persistent about Derek and Casey. However, against his better judgment he decides to walk over to Casey.
"What?"
Casey pulls Alan back into her room. Before closing the door she looks around to see if Edwin, Lizzie, or Marti were upstairs. Alan looks at her while thinking she is paranoid. She sits down on the bed and takes a deep breath.
"Alan, what I'm about to say never leaves this room or so help me I will find you and you will never be heard from again." Casey warns.
"I promise." Alan says. Yeah RIGHT!
"Well Derek and I are stepsiblings. We always fight, but to me it is the only way I know how to communicate with him. But to me, I don't fight because I'm angry at him, I fight with him so he will notice me and I can keep me distance." Casey explains. "But all the time we fight I see that smirk and I start to daydream about him. I see him as something other than a stepbrother. I know it sounds crazy, but he is someone that would make me work to love him. That is why I believe that my past relationships have failed. Because once I got the guy it felt like there was something missing, the fun of the chase had ended. Then I would begin to bring up Derek to create that anger that I needed to feel to justify my rants."
"So, you enjoy have that challenge." Alan says.
"Yeah,the fighting is something that I enjoy because it keeps me close and apart from him at all times." Casey says. "Derek keeps me grounded by fighting with me, it keeps me sane, and points to the idea that without him I would end up allowing myself to become something else."
"Something bad?" Alan asks.
"Not my normal "keener" self." Casey explains. "Someone who does care for the arts, dance, or studies. Someone like..."
"Derek." Alan finishes.
"So the whole 'opposites attract' theory for relationship applies to you two." Alan says.
"Yes. I'm convinced. He can be that man. The man who can even my personality out, who can keep me calm when he is not the cause of my problems. Who will make every moment a funny memory. Who I can love unconditionally. Who I love." Casey confesses.
"Wow." Alan whispers.
"Alan? Alan? ALAN?" Casey keeps asking. "Say something."
"What else can I say to that confession?" Alan says.
"How about 'You're a sick, disturbed person, Casey.' or something similar to those lines." Casey says.
Casey moves to her desk and sits down in the chair and begins to cry. Alan can only stare in her as she breaks down. Alan has a million thoughts in mind and all include getting Casey and Derek together. Alan sits down next to Casey and watches her. Casey begins to choke back her sobs when Alan grabs her hand.
"Casey... First of all, I could never see you as a "sick, disturbed person". Secondly, I cannot object to how you act on your feelings, after all it is your choice. Finally, I don't think you should worry about what people think about your relationships." Alan says to comfort her.
"But if I ever begin anything with Derek, people would look at us differently." Casey explains.
"Casey, what did I just say?" Alan says with annoyance in his voice. "The only people who would look at you differently would be people you know. And who knows, maybe they would learn to accept you and Derek. I know I would."
"Thanks, Alan." Casey says quietly.
"I just have to ask. If you don't fall for hot jerks with big egos, then how..." Alan begins.
"How did I fall for Derek?" Casey says.
"Yeah... I mean he is probably the biggest jerk to some, and he definitely has the enormous ego so..." Alan says.
"Derek may be a jerk, but that is only half of the guy you know." Casey explains. "I've seen him be a kind, loving person. Now while he doesn't show his caring side to me, I've come up to the conclusion that he is afraid of showing that side because... well I'm not really sure. But I know there is good in him."
Alan stares at her as she starts to go on about Derek. Casey voice seems to go around his head as he starts to think about his new plan. Casey continues to go on and on about Derek.
"Derek is perfect in an imperfect way. He is the opposite of me in every way, but someone once told me opposites attract. He is the other half to me, and however cliche it sounds it is true. No matter how much I try to get away, Derek is always there. He always challenges me and forces me to act aware at all times. It is always a battle of wits with him. It makes a difficult challenge for me. He believes that I fight to get even with the pranks he pulls, but he will never know I've fallen completely in love with him." Casey says.
"Casey, why don't just tell him?" Alan asks.
"I don't want to freak him out." Casey says. "He already considers me a freak and that confession would just do wonders for the family dynamic."
"Well, I guess. However, don't you need to stop worrying about satisfying everone else and do what makes you happy." Alan says.
"Well..." Casey begins.
"Casey, I have to go before my parents start to worry about me." Alan says. "You think about it, and if you ever want to talk about it, I'll be there."
"Thanks, Alan." Casey murmurs. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Bingo! Casey loves Derek and Derek definitely has feelings for Casey. At least it seems that way. Now I need to get the reinforcements and get those two together because the longer, they wait the longer they suffer.
All of a sudden, Alan feels his arm being pulled again.
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A/N: What do ya think? In the next chapter Alan finds out who pulls his arm. And that person will reveal that he isn't the only one who thinks that Derek and Casey should be together.
I thought the end of the chapter could have been better, I'll think to rewrite it in the future but for now you have to suffer with that.
Read and Review. Thanks.