Delicate

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A/N: Okay so this is a pretty long chapter, so I'll keep this author's note short. Thank you all so, so much for the amazing reviews! I love you all to pieces. Reviews are love and if you want to make my day, review me! I'll love you forever. I'm really excited for the next chapter so hopefully I'll get that to you super soon… yay! Chapter title is a song by Ted Leo & the Pharmacists.

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Chapter Seven: Who Do You Love?

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Now while it's true that I'm maybe not Sally's biggest fan in the world, I've always been very cordial to her. I've responded to her if she asks a direct question, I've smiled at her—occasionally, I've (reluctantly) allowed her to sit next to Derek at dinner almost every night, and I don't lunge across the room to ring her bony neck whenever she kisses Derek goodnight. (Okay, so maybe I've spied a few times with Edwin and Lizzie, but so what? It's my house too!) The point is, I've always been polite and accepting. Never once have I rubbed in Sally's face that he prefers me to her, mostly because that would be giving away a major secret, but also because that's rude.

However, what I don't appreciate is having my face rubbed in the fact that Derek is with Sally, and not me. It's bad enough that I have to see her every day after school; the situation only gets more frustrating when I have to hear Derek whine about his problems. I enjoy sharing. I enjoy listening. I especially enjoy giving advice. But what I don't enjoy is listening to Derek complain about precious, perfect Sally. I guess I'm the only one he has to turn to since Derek obviously doesn't show his sensitive side to anyone but me. But give a girl a break.

Now those two fight a lot. But they also make up rather quickly—I don't even really want to know what they do while making up, but what I would like to know is what they keep fighting about. Derek babbles on about how it's always the same argument over and over again, and how Sally can't let go of something. But what? Even though my curiosity tempts me to find out just what exactly they fight about, I can't stand to listen to him ramble and complain about Sally any longer.

"Do you know how it feels?" I blurted one day, "To hear you go on and on about the same thing every second night? Especially when that one thing is your girlfriend?"

Derek flinched and something—was that hurt?—flashed across his face. "Sorry my problems are boring to you, Case," he shifted around and pulled his comforter up around his shoulders. "I won't bother you again."

I sighed. "You're not, it's just—"

"Who else am I supposed to talk to about this stuff? Sam? My dad? Edwin? I don't think so."

"I hear Sir Monks-a-lot is a good listener," I offered with a weak laugh.

He was silent.

"I'm sorry," I whined. "I didn't mean to make you feel bad… you know you can always talk to me about anything. We're best friends, first and foremost. It's just, you can understand why it bothers me right? I don't… I don't like to think about you with another girl."

Derek sat up in his bed. "You see Sally and I together every day."

"Yeah, but do you think that's easy for me? Cause it isn't. It hurts. And," I continued quickly. "I understand your reasoning for us to not be together. I'm okay with being your friend, and though I won't lie and say I'm happy about it, I get that you're going to date other girls. But, that doesn't mean I'm not going to get jealous sometimes."

Derek's face brightened into a smug grin. "You're jealous?"

"Well… yeah. Of course I am. Wouldn't you be jealous if I dated another guy right in front of you?"

"Nah," Derek shrugged, laying back down. "I don't get jealous."

"Derek Venturi!" I exclaimed. "That is a lie and you know it! Of course you get jealous. Everyone's jealous sometime; it's a perfectly natural human emotion."

"Yeah, for other suckers who worry too much and think that everything is the end of the world—" he paused and glanced at me. "No offence."

"Wha… I… that…" I tried to speak but nothing coherent came out.

"Luckily," he continued. "I'm not one of them. If you haven't noticed, my laid-back demeanour leaves me very little room for worry and stress, which causes jealousy. Nope. I'm not the jealous type."

"I don't believe you!" I exclaimed, finally able to string a sentence together. "What if your girlfriend flirted with another guy?"

"Get a new girlfriend," he smirked.

"What if your best friend started hanging out with someone else instead of you?"

"Get a new best friend."

"What if you liked a girl, but she liked someone else?"

"Never happens," Derek shrugged. "Nope, never. I always get what I want with girls. And I mean always. But, if in some alternate universe it did happen, I'd just find someone else to like."

"You're infuriating!" I exclaimed angrily.

"And cuddly," he grinned at my annoyance, grabbing me for a hug.

…………………

Now, I don't get stubborn about proving a point very often—okay, scratch that. Maybe I do. And this situation was no different. Derek Venturi needed to be knocked down a few pegs. He needed to learn that jealousy is natural, and that it does not feel especially pleasant. Mostly, he needed to see what it was like to be me.

I marched up to Tinker and tapped him on the shoulder, Friday afternoon. "Hey," I gave him my most charming smile. "How's the project for Mr. Haskell's class?" I asked.

He dropped his books, and scrambled to pick them up. "G-good," he replied nervously. "How's yours?"

"Fine," I smiled. "So…" I didn't exactly make a practice out of asking guys on random dates. "Do you want to hang out tomorrow night? A group of us are going to Smelly Nelly's for an open mike night. I thought you might like to check it out!"

"I…I'd love to!" he exclaimed. "You will be there right?"

I laughed. "Of course! Oh Tinker," I touched his arm. "You're hilarious. Pick me up at 7?"

"Sure… bye Casey!" he called after me as I made my way down the hall. Success.

I smirked at Derek who was leaning against his locker, his arms crossed over his chest. He'd witnessed the whole thing. "Lurking in the shadows again?" I asked with a coy smile.

He simply arched an eyebrow in response.

………………………

"So, Case," Derek said as he shrugged himself into his leather jacket. "Will I see you crazy kids tonight?"

"Luckily for you, yeah. You will," I smiled triumphantly from my place on the couch. "We'll be coming 'round at about 7."

"Who's the motley crew you've assembled this time?" he asked.

"Hmm, Em, Sam, Ralphie… Sam's new girlfriend Shannon. Oh. And Tink," I grinned.

Derek's eyebrows furrowed. "What is it? Like… a triple date?"

"Oh, something like that I guess," I sighed happily as I leaned back on the couch. "But don't worry, we won't bother you. If you want, we don't even have to sit in your section."

"No, it's fine. Sit in my section, I don't care."

And with that, he was out the door without another word. Ah, to be in control for once. It felt all kinds of wonderful. Bells were ringing, almost like a chorus of church bells. Hallelujah. Oh wait, that was just the door bell.

"Tink," I greeted him. "Welcome. Here, I'll get my coat."

"You look… you look beautiful tonight, Casey," he said kindly.

"Aw, thanks Tink. You're sweet. So, let's go… we don't want to keep the others waiting!" I said brightly.

"The… the others?" he looked confused.

"Yeah, I mentioned that right? We're meeting a bunch of people there. Kind of a group thing, you know?"

"Oh."

"Come on!" I exclaimed, smiling as I led him outside. "It'll be fun! I promise. And hey, the best part is… Derek's working! So we get to boss him around for once!"

Tinker laughed. "Awesome."

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"Derek!" Ralphie exclaimed as a certain messy-haired waiter approached. "Happy to see us?"

"Friends," Derek grinned. "And Casey." I rolled my eyes. "No, not really all that happy. Now what can I get you guys?"

Everyone gave their orders, and finally he approached me, pad and pencil in hand. "Case?" he raised his eyebrows.

"Hm… Derek waiting on me," I smiled thoughtfully. "I could get used to this."

"You say that every time you come here," he replied dully.

"Yes, yes I do… now what will I get tonight…?"

"Tick-tock, the offer expires in five seconds. Spit it out, café queen."

"Hm… a grande extra hot soy with extra foam, split shot with a half squirt of sugar-free vanilla and a half squirt of sugar-free cinnamon. Stirred please."

He grunted a response as he scribbled the order down and I smiled brightly in response.

"Hello everyone, I'm Sally, and welcome to our first ever open mike night!" Sally exclaimed into the microphone, to a polite round of applause. "Up first we have Richard Smith singing a folk song on his guitar!" Again, everyone clapped politely.

"Well this should be hilarious," Ralphie smirked at Sam. "If the performers start to suck we can throw packs of sugar at them."

"Casey, remember when Sheldon sang at the battle of the bands last year?" Emily sighed. "He was such a natural."

"Miss him huh?" I replied sympathetically, giving my best friend's arm a squeeze.

"That obvious?" she smiled stiffly. "I miss him, but I also miss being in a relationship you know?"

"I know the feeling," I sighed, putting a comforting arm around her.

"Sheldon was awesome," Tinker cut in. "But Casey was great too! A total rocker chick."

"Hah, thanks Tinker… but I think my singing career is over for now. It looks like D-Rock is doing fine without me." My eyes instantly traveled over to Derek; he was whispering something to Sally as she threw back her head and laughed. I rolled my eyes and sighed.

"Hey speaking of D-Rock, remember when I busted them for performing in the cafeteria, and Casey got detention too?" Tinker asked.

"Oh yeah!" Emily exclaimed. "That was classic. But that wasn't as bad as the one time that Casey made up a story about her dog dying to get out of a science project!" she laughed.

"I remember hearing about that!" Tinker agreed. "But what about that one time when she played that prank on Derek but it went wrong and she almost got him kicked out of school?"

"Guys," I interrupted. "As amusing as this… slightly embarrassing trip down memory lane is I…"

"Oh, I don't know if you remember, but right when Casey moved here, she fell down an entire flight of stairs and landed on some guy's butt! That's when she got her 'Klutzilla' nickname!" Emily laughed.

"Ah, fond memories," Derek cut in as he delivered our drink order around the table. "Hot drinks coming through."

"What is this, 'Laugh at Casey day'?" I sniped.

"That's everyday in my world," Derek smirked as he placed a drink down in front of me. "A medium black coffee. Enjoy."

"Hey!" I called after him as he sauntered away. "I didn't order that! Come back here! I… I know where you live!" I huffed, as I returned to my seat, reluctantly taking a drink of my disgustingly plain coffee.

"Remember that one time when Casey made a fool out of herself yelling at her step-brother in the middle of a crowded place?" Emily suggested with a smile.

"Which time?" Tinker replied, and they both burst into throes of laughter.

…………………………………

Okay, so my plan wasn't exactly successful so far. Derek wasn't even remotely jealous; in fact, he kind of ranged in between amused and busy—busy flirting with Sally that is. Not to mention, my 'date' and my best friend were spending most of the night recounting hilariously embarrassing stories starring yours truly. Nope, if this night was going to have any success, I was going to have to kick it up a notch.

A relaxing female singer was on stage, singing in-tune as she strummed a guitar. Ralphie and Sam were enraptured; they couldn't take their eyes off her.

"Come on Tink," I said, as I stood up, extending my hand to him. "Let's dance."

"B-but… no one else is dancing, Casey," he replied nervously.

"So? We'll start a trend," I smiled encouragingly at him, and pulled him onto the dance floor. I placed his hands upon my waist and wrapped my arms around his neck, as we started swaying to the music. Gradually several more couples began to join us, and I glanced over at Derek, who was eyeing us with a stony expression on his face.

I danced a little closer to Tinker then, smoothing down his hair with my hand and smiled at him. Over his shoulder I could see Derek; standing still behind the counter, simply watching us. He wore no expression on his face, but I knew. He was jealous.

Suddenly his eyes connected with mine, and almost immediately he turned on his heel and walked away. I shrugged and continued to dance with Tinker. Let Derek stew in his own jealousy for once. Just as I was happily imagining his heartfelt apology to me that evening, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

"Derek?"

"Casey, you need to come with me," he said, his voice low.

"What? No!" I exclaimed. "I'm dancing, right Tink?"

"Uh, you can go if you need to…" he said, eyeing Derek in terror.

"Nora called and she needs me to give you a message," he said through gritted teeth. "Come with me now, please."

I sighed. "Sorry Tinker… you know how lame step-brothers can be." I followed Derek through the crowd and into the staff room. He closed the door behind us, standing with his back to the door so that he'd be blocking the way if anyone tried to enter. "What is wrong with you?" I rolled my eyes.

"What's wrong with me?" he hissed. "What about you? The way you're acting out there…"

I smiled coyly. "You know, for someone who claims he never gets jealous, you're doing a bad job of it."

"What?" He raised his eyebrows. "You think I'm jealous?"

"No," I said happily. "I know you're jealous. Why else would you pull me aside in the middle of a slow dance with another guy?"

"Casey," Derek shook his head. "I did that because I wanted to talk to you. It's not about jealousy… why would I ever be jealous of Tinker?" he grimaced.

"Because… because he's on a date with me?" I offered lamely, beginning to feel like my plan hadn't exactly worked after all.

"Okay, but that's not exactly threatening," Derek pointed out. "I mean, it's Tinker. If you wanted a guy to make me jealous, at least choose someone that I could see you with," Derek smirked. "I know you don't like Tinker."

I sighed. "I just keep on making a fool of myself lately in front of you, don't I?" I said sadly.

"Yep. I mean…" he reached out to hold my hand. "No. You're not making a… total fool of yourself. Just, Tinker's a nice kid. Don't use him like that."

"You're right," I frowned. "I'm a horrible person! I used someone, Derek. And it didn't even work. I'm a user and a failure!"

"Casey, relax," he stroked the palm of my hand with his thumb. "I just wanted to pull you aside to let you know that you don't need to try to make me jealous."

I paused. "I don't?"

"No. Okay, I don't admit things like this easily… with my tough guy rep and all, plus… you know, guys aren't supposed to care too much, but… if you were with another guy, I would be jealous. Okay?"

"Okay," I smiled, as I stepped closer to him, taking his other hand in mine as well.

"Can I tell you a secret?" he asked me, as he stepped away from the door, closer to me.

"Of course."

"I was… a bit jealous tonight," he admitted. "But not because of you and Tinker. Because he got to dance with you in public," he reached up to tuck a piece of hair behind my ear. "And I can't."

"Aw," I smiled slightly, lifting my hand up to place my palm against his cheek. "That's sweet. I'll tell you what, I'll dance with you sometime in your room."

He grinned, placing his hands on my hips and drawing me closer. "Is that a promise?"

"Sure," I slowly removed my hand from his face.

He leaned forward then, whispering in my ear. "Can I tell you another secret?" he breathed, his breath hot against my skin.

I nodded, wordlessly.

He moved even closer; if that was possible, his lips practically grazing my earlobe. "I really want to kiss you, right now."

I bit my lip thoughtfully as he slowly pulled back, simultaneously cupping my flushed cheek with his hand, gently stroking the skin with the tip of his index finger. I had a close-up view of his eyelids then, his lashes fluttering as he moved closer, now. His breath was warm and inviting, his lips looked moist as if they were screaming to be tasted.

This was it; my moment. The kiss that I had been trying to achieve for weeks, but in reality, months… ever since the first night we connected I'd wanted this kiss.

Here I was, every dream I'd ever had about to come true, but something… something just did not feel right.

"Stop," I whispered, his lips an inch from mine. He did as I asked, and slowly pulled back, his eyes blinking and then opening. He looked hurt, confused.

I took his hands in mine, wanting him to understanding, needing him to understand. "You have a girlfriend," I stated softly, tears welling up in my eyes.

He nodded in response, his gaze downcast. "Yeah," he said. He was only speaking in a normal volume, but after the whispered secrets and hushed reminders it seemed loud and shocking. His voice practically echoed.

"Hey, I'm sorry," I said, reaching up to touch his face again. "You know how much I've wanted to… you know. But I can't be… I can't be the other woman."

He looked up at me, and I shrugged helplessly as if to say 'what can I do?' I had a conscience, as much as sometimes (like now) I wish I didn't.

"Casey," he said, a genuine smile tugging at his lips. "You'll never be the other woman. You'll always be the woman."

He turned then, and left me to my mixed-up thoughts.

…………………

About twenty minutes later, I finally left the staff-room to find Tinker sitting alone at a table.

"Hey," I said, and sat down across from him. "Sorry about that. There was…" I paused. "A family thing. Where'd everybody go?"

"That's hard to say," Tinker replied. "Emily's in the ladies' room but as for Sam and Ralphie… I think they took Sam's girlfriend and that female folk singer out for coffee."

I smiled. "Good for them. Listen Tinker, I want to apologize…"

"For what?" he raised his eyebrows.

"For… okay, I feel really bad for admitting this, but for kind of… using you. This wasn't a real date, I was just trying to make… someone jealous."

"Derek?" he asked.

I was speechless in horror. "How did you know?!" I asked quickly.

"You're going to have to work on your response if someone accuses you in the future," Tinker said with a half-smile. "You didn't even deny it! But it's kind of obvious Casey. I can see the way he looks at you… the way you look at him."

"Oh," I sighed. "Do you think it's too obvious?"

Tinker shrugged. "I doubt it. I'm just a keen observer of human behavior, that's all. I'm thinking of becoming a psychiatrist."

"Well that's cool," I smiled. "Can we keep this between us? Derek and I aren't exactly ready for the whole world to know about us yet. At this point I'm not even sure myself what 'us' is."

"Of course," he agreed. "I won't tell a soul."

"Thanks," I replied, relieved. "So… forgive me?"

"Of course," he grinned. "It was awesome just hanging out. And actually… I asked out your friend Emily. We're going to a movie tomorrow night. Is that okay?"

I laughed. "Tinker! Of course that's okay! I'm happy for you guys, really."

"Thanks," he grinned, and Emily suddenly arrived from the bathroom.

"Hey, Case," she greeted. "Everything okay? Derek said you were lying down in the staff room because you didn't feel well."

"Oh, I'm… I'm fine now," I replied.

"Well, this place is practically deserted," she pointed out as she glanced around. "I think it's almost closing time. We should probably get out of here."

"Yeah, I'll give you girls a ride home," Tinker offered, as he stood up.

"No, you know what? You two go ahead. I'll blackmail Derek into giving me a ride or something," I insisted.

"You sure?"

"Of course! Have fun guys."

They said their goodbyes and left, as I made my way outside to wait for Derek by the front entrance of the restaurant, bouncing around to keep from freezing from the cold. However, suddenly I heard voices. Was that Derek?

"You're making a big deal out of nothing!" he insisted loudly.

"Nothing?" Sally's voice scoffed. "It's not nothing. You're totally into her!"

"That's ridiculous!"

"Admit it Derek. Admit you like her." My eyes widened and I strained harder to listen.

"No, you know what? It's pointless. We have this same argument almost every day, and I'm getting sick of it. I'm sick of denying it, because no matter what I say, you're never going to accept it. Why do I even bother?"

"Why do you bother? Why do I bother when I know I'm never going to measure up to her in your eyes?!"

"Whatever."

"Don't whatever me, Derek Venturi. I've seen the way you look at your step-sister and it makes me sick. You can't tell me I'm crazy or I'm making all this up in my head. You said what you did; and now everyday when I see you with Casey it becomes more obvious that I'm right."

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Next chapter: Casey, Derek and Sally all go to the same party. Major disaster right? Well arguments, witnessed make-ups and a very drunk Casey seem to spell disaster. And a surprise ending to the chapter that you won't expect.

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A/N: Like I said before, I'm extremely excited to write the next chapter, so please review away so that I can write it and upload it! Sorry this chapter was slightly long, but there was a lot of plot to cover. Just to let you know, this chapter takes place in mid-December. Oh and fyi, you'll find out what Derek said to Sally eventually. Thanks for reading!