Well, this is it. My family is preparing for the inevitable. When my mom talked to the doctor on Saturday, he said it was at the end. So, this next week I won't be working on any of my stories. I'm trying to write a few chapters tonight, so when I have time over the week, I can post the next chapter. Thanks for your understanding.
Thanks for the reviews.
The questions about the other person watching Casey will be answered in a later chapter. Now, the focus will be on Casey's feelings for Derek. Soon we will learn about Derek's actual feelings for Casey.
...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN LIFE WITH DEREK
Chapter 8: The Plan of Action
A/N: Emily's thoughts are in italics
Derek's thoughts are in bold
Casey and Emily arrive at Emily's house. Casey is mumbling and shaking as she walks up the stairs to Emily's room. Emily watches feeling a little bit upset about the night. She couldn't understand why the night started perfectly and ended with a disaster.
"Well, a disaster in Casey's mind. IF I hadn't pointed it out she would still be happy and going on about her prince. God, sometimes I wonder why I open my mouth."
Casey is lying on Emily's bed. Tears stains now running off her cheeks, smearing her makeup. She is not upset with the kiss, but with who had kissed her. She does and doesn't want to know who it was, because of the fact she is hoping only one person had kissed her.
"Emily, what do I do?" Casey asks.
"Casey, who do you think kissed you?" Emily asks.
"Well, um..." Casey stutters. "There is that guy in... no..no... There is that guy from... no.. I have absolutely no clue."
"Who do you want to believe kissed you?" Emily asks.
"A guy." Casey says.
"You know what I mean." Emily says.
"Well..." Casey mumbles.
"Forget it, Casey." Emily redirects the conversation. "I know you are still going through the rough time with you and Max..."
"What are you talking about?" Casey asks confused. "I'm over Max."
"So you don't have any feelings for anybody?" Emily asks.
"No." Casey says a bit too loudly.
"She's good. Okay, remember what Alan said. Pressure her into talking about Derek."
"I don't have any feelings for anyone." Casey says quickly. "I'm happy being single."
"Okay." Emily says while thinking. "So... you know that stupid rule we made at the beginning of this year. The one about focusing on school and less on boys."
"Yeah, what about it?" Casey asks.
"Well, there is this guy I like and he saw me at the dance. We started dancing and he asked if I was seeing anybody. And I didn't answer because I didn't want to break our rule." Emily explains. "If the rule is still in effect."
"No. No." Casey says. "You can go ahead and date him if you want."
"Really! Thanks Casey." Emily says excited.
"No problem." Casey says. "As long as it's not..."
"DEREK!" Casey and Emily shout.
"Yeah, Em. Derek." Casey continues. "As long as it isn't Derek."
"Well, actually..." Emily says sheepishly.
"Emily, you can't!" Casey shouts. "Do you not remember what happened last time he went out with you."
"Casey, he said that he is ready for a real relationship." Emily explains. "He said, Sally has made him mature into a young adult. He is getting tired of the one timers and is ready for a relationship like the one he had with Sally."
"Emily, since when is Derek true to his word." Casey refutes. "You know him better than me. When has Derek ever expressed being interested in you."
"Casey, he said he was just playing the role of a player. He is not going to start chasing girls every night like a year ago. And he always thought I was cute so I thought I would give him a chance." Emily says.
"YOU CAN'T GO OUT WITH HIM!" Casey yells.
"Why not?" Emily asks.
"Because he has not changed. He is just vulnerable now. Once he finds someone to replace Sally then he will return to being his normal obnoxious self." Casey answers.
"Casey, he said he had enough time to get over Sally. He is going to be a better person now. And I'm willing to take a chance." Emily says.
"Emily, please." Casey pleads.
"Casey, I'm strong enough to handle Derek. I've seen you do it a bunch of times." Emily says. "The minute he does get out of line, I dump him. And besides, my relationship with him is my relationship, so why should you be so worried?"
"I'm not worried about you." Casey says. "I don't want Derek to hurt you."
"Casey... There is no reason for me not to try. Which is what I'm going to do." Emily says annoyed.
"I can give you a reason." Casey mumbles.
"What is that, Casey?" Emily asks.
"I can give a reason." Casey says.
"Then tell me." Emily begs.
"Well...you see...I..." Casey stutters. "Look at the time. I've got to go. I'll see you tomorrow."
Casey runs out of the room. A line of dust following Casey out the door. Emily smirks when she sees Casey running at full speed, into the Venturi home. She squeals when she thinks back to the conversation and how much Casey was angered by what she said.
"Alan is a genius. Casey got so angry when I told her that Derek was thinking of asking me out. Let's hope Alan went through with talking to Derek about Casey."
During the Emily-Casey conversation, Alan and Derek are talking about the evening. Alan is sitting in Derek's computer chair watching Derek have a mild "freak out". Alan internally smirks as he knows why Derek is worried.
"Derek, why are you so jumpy?" Alan asks.
"I can't get my mind off this girl." Derek says. "I've never felt this way about a girl before. It's a strange feeling that I can't describe."
"Maybe affection, infatuation, love." Alan says.
"Maybe..." Derek thinks, then continues, "affection."
"So... who is this girl?" Alan asks.
"That's the thing." Derek finally says. "I don't know who the girl is."
"Can you speculate who it might be?" Alan asks.
"I could but it doesn't add up." Derek says.
"What do you mean?" Alan asks.
"I know almost everybody in school. I know about every single girl. This girl, Lucy, I have never heard about her, never seen her in school; it's almost as if she doesn't exist." Derek says sadly.
"You think, maybe, she was using a fake name." Alan guesses.
"If that is the case, why would she lie?" Derek questions himself.
"I can't answer that." Alan says.
"Unless it was...NO! It can't be." Derek says as realization spreads over his face.
"What?" Alan asks.
"Nothing, never mind." Derek says quickly. "Just forget. It was just a stupid dance. I don't know why we listened to Ralph."
"Sometimes things happen for a reason. Even stupid things. Those things cause us to view our lives in a different light, such as if a certain person wasn't in our life, how would we be affected." Alan explains. "I mean take for instance you and Casey. Both of you torment each other that is your role. Maybe making each other's lives miserable is a barrier for something else. Maybe deeper down you two do..."
"Finish that sentence and we won't have to worry about the whole debate on who's the better goal scorer, because I'll be the only one alive." Derek threatens.
"Just think about it Derek. Would your life be as good or bad as it is now, without Casey in your life." Alan questions Derek. "And this dance, maybe the girl you are looking for is right under your nose and you just need a little help getting her."
"I think you need to go Alan." Derek says quietly.
"All right. I'll see you tomorrow." Alan says as he waves goodbye.
"Casey is special to me. SHE'S FAMILY. But IF I ever wanted to get together with her, I have a system set up for that. YEAH RIGHT, LIKE I WOULD EVER GO AFTER A SMART, ANNOYING, BE..., KLUTZ. I would just need to find me golden opportunity."
Alan walks out of Derek's room and sees Casey running up the stairs. He slows her down before she falls down the stairs. As he catches her their eyes meet and Casey has this feeling in the pit of her stomach, but ignores it.
"Hey, Alan." Casey says. "Thanks."
"Casey. Be careful. Next time I may not be there." Alan says. "I'll see you around."
"Goodbye, Alan." Casey says.
Alan walks out of the house. As soon as the door closes behind Alan, Derek opens his bedroom door and shocks Casey. Casey jumps a little when Derek appears, but then a scowl appears on her face.
"Der-ek!" Casey screams.
"Cas-ey!" Derek mimics.
"Why are you thinking of going out with Emily?"
"What? Am I?" Derek asks, but quickly recovers to say, "I mean, of course I am." "Hello golden opportunity to mess with Casey."
"You are?" Casey says more of a question.
"Yes. Face it no girl, except you, will ever miss the chance to go out with the Great Derek Venturi." Derek smirks.
"Aha! I was right." Casey exclaims.
"About what?" Derek asks.
"About how you are still up to your usual tricks. You don't care about Emily you only care about your reputation." Casey says.
"Not true. I used to think that Emily was just obsessed with me, however, when we were talking last night, I felt something. Something different but exciting." Derek explains. "So now I think I will ask her out."
"YOU CAN'T!" Casey yells.
"Why not? I'm over Sally. I haven't been on a date in a long time. I may have .... for Emily. It's worth a chance." Derek explains. "And need I remind you of the McDonald-Venturi treaty which states for us to stay out of each other's private lives."
"Well the treaty is null and void when it involves our best friends." Casey says angrily. "So now your private life is my business."
"Oh, I get it. You're jealous." Derek says.
"WHAT?" Casey shouts.
"You're jealous because Emily is going to go out with me and you will be left all alone." Derek says.
"I am not jealous. Go ahead. Go ahead and date Emily see if I care." Casey challenges.
"Just consider it payback." Derek smirks.
"Payback... for what?" Casey asks herself.
Emily is sitting in her room. She is waiting for the call. She hears the distinct ring and immediately answers.
"Alan?" Emily says. "It is set."
"Derek is falling into our little trap." Alan smirks.
"Yeah, but what if it doesn't work?" Emily asks concerned.
"Trust me, It will work."
.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Okay, I'll admit it. Those last few scenes were not my best. In fact, I hate the way this chapter ended. Not because of the way I ended it, but how I wrote it.
And the next chapter (which I have been writing) will be funny, I'll bet on it.
Hopefully, you might enjoy it. By the way, tell me what you think. READ and REVIEW.
Update 3/17: My uncle passed away early this morning. It is a devastating loss for my family because he was always caring and generous to my whole family. So I'm dedicating A Little Push and Changes to my uncle, who told me to always have fun and enjoy life.
In Memory of my Uncle Tommy
1946-2009