A/N: Hi readers!! I realize it's been a long while since I've updated, but my comp crashed and I was busy with other business. Sorry!! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter with the interaction between Dylan and Casey, I tried to make it as emotional as possible. There is a flashback in this chapter, which has not been used in this story so far, but I thought you guys might be interested in the scene (those who are Lizwin fans) and I've inserted it as such.
Enjoy the chapter!!
I made my decision. True, my feelings for Dylan weren't completely gone, but the love in our relationship was. I couldn't force myself to love him, not the way I felt for Derek.
I quickly freshened myself and made my way downstairs to find Dylan. He was in the backyard, standing with his hands in his pocket, looking up at the maple trees. It was the beginning of autumn; the leaves on the trees were bright colours, some red, some orange, some yellow.
"Hey." I said wrapping my arms around myself. "What are you doing?" I asked as a cool breeze played with my hair.
"Hey sweetie. Just looking at the trees," he paused to look at me, and then turned back. Both of us stood there, I looked up as well. It was a cloudy day, almost like it would rain, but dreariness of the sky just emphasized the colours of the leaves. A crow flew out of the trees and into the sky.
"I've never seen trees do this," he said suddenly, still looking up.
"Do what?" I asked. I was confused, I've never see Dylan act like this, there was something different about him.
"Change." He answered simply.
I laughed uneasily. "What are you talking about Dylan? The leaves change colours in New York too."
He nodded. "Yes, I know," he paused again. "I know they change colours, but I've never seen it. My whole life I've lived in New York and not once do I remember seeing this many colours on a tree. My whole life, the leaves were always green or gone. I've never looked at the trees and really see them" He turned around finally and slowly took my hands. His right thumb played with the ring on my finger.
I was scared. Dylan has never talked this way with me before. "What are you talking about Dylan? You're scaring me."
He reached up with one hand and played with a lock of my blond hair. "We've changed Casey, or at least our relationship has." He whispered in a slow voice.
Without realizing, my eyes began to water. "Dylan…" I began, but he cut me off.
"Shh Casey. Please", he wanted to continue. When he knew I wasn't going to interrupt he continued speaking slowly and quietly. "We had everything going for us didn't we? Both of us, at the beginning of a good career and clearly in love." He smiled sadly. "A match made in heaven." Tears were still falling down my face. We were happy together. "But we've changed. And while we were in New York, we couldn't see it, but we had. Up here, away from our normal lives, we see it all. Up here we can see the leaves change colours." He cupped my face to wipe away my tears, but they kept flowing silently. He whispered quietly, "You're not in love with me and I'm not in love with you". I shook my head slowly. "Pity isn't it? That two people so compatible aren't in love with each other." He pulled me close and held me. We stood there for a while, just holding on, for a little bit longer.
"I'm sorry." I finally whispered, still hugging him.
"Me too." He stroked m hair. I'm leaving now. We'll sort ourselves out when you come back to New York." We pulled apart. "I'll always care for you Casey, know that." With a final glance, he turned and walked back inside the house.
I continued to stand there. The wind felt harsh against my tears. I looked up at the trees. Dylan was right. Coming back made everything clearer. Even if I wasn't with Derek, Dylan and I would have never worked out. But still, he'll forever be in my heart, as a friend. I breathed in. My shoulders felt light. I didn't tell Dylan about Derek. Maybe I should have but I didn't and I won't because I knew that it would make no difference. I knew Dylan, he wouldn't have been angry, but rather sad and though our ending wasn't unpleasant, there was enough heartbreak for the both of us. I looked down at my hands, slid the ring off, and put it in my pocket. I'll return it when I go back to New York. I decided to remain outside for awhile; giving time for Dylan to pack up and leave without any interruption. I sat down on the picnic table in the backyard and continued looking at the trees. Again, tears started falling from my eyes. I couldn't believe that this part of my life was ending. This was a big change for me. Not once in my life have I ever felt like this; where I didn't know where I was going. An ending meant a beginning, but where would be my beginning…begin? I love New York, I still have a career there, yet at the same time, the people I love are here.
"Hey." A voice said behind me. The figure sat down beside me, both of us staring into the vastness of nature before us. "I just saw Dylan leave. Is everything okay?"
"It's over between us. I'm not sure who ended it, but we're through."
"Oh Casey." An arm went around me and I leaned against their shoulder. Feelings were still overwhelming me, but I felt a lot calmer. "What are you going to do now?"
"I don't know." I answered truthfully.
"You could always move back here. I mean, you've got us haven't you? And you could always find a job as an accountant here albeit not nearly as successful as your job now. But I bet you loads of people would trust you with you finance butt-kicking skills."
I laughed. "I know. And I wouldn't have to miss you guys so much. Thanks Liz, for being here for me." I hugged her tight.
"That's what little sisters are here for right? You can tell me anything." She said hugging me back. A guilty feeling rose up. I had to tell Lizzie about Derek. I just wasn't sure on how she would react. Oh god, I hope she doesn't hate me.
"Lizzie, there something else I have to tell you." I said as we released. "Please don't hate me for it. It's already hard enough that Dylan just left and I can't bear the thought of losing you too. It's just-" She cut me off, holding her hands in the air.
"Whoa. Casey, relax, it's just me. Spill."
I looked at her and burst out. "I'm seeing Derek."
"Where?" She turned to look around behind her.
"No Liz," I swiveled her head to face me again. "I mean, Derek and I", I took a breath. "Are seeing each other." I closed my eyes, like I was afraid she was going to hit me. Nothing happened. I opened my eyes slowly.
You and Derek are dating?" Lizzie said in shock. She looked a bit blown away. "I can't believe it…"
"I know, Liz-" she cut me off again.
"Casey, shut up. I mean, I can't believe that it took this long for you two to get together."
"What? You aren't mad? Disgusted? Surprised?" I questioned her completely bewildered by her reaction.
"Are you kidding me?" Everyone knew that you two had some sort of…inexplicable chemistry. When you guys fought, it practically tore the house in two. And when you worked together, you were awfully chummy. Edwin kept all of your 'accounts' so to speak all filed in one of his binders".
I sat there frozen. "Everyone knew?" I meekly questioned.
"Yes! Each one of you exes and Derek's too say how you two would have separate rules not to talk about each other. Even mom and George got some of the hints of chemistry. They just labeled it as 'teenage curiosity."
"Really?" I was flabbergasted. "Wait, how do you know all of this? It's not like you talked to Max or Kendra that much."
"Yeah ,well sometimes we run into each other at Smelly Nelly's. And you know, they ask how you two are…stuff like that."
"That has to be a lie. I know for a fact that Max is living in Toronto. He can't possibly hand out at Smelly Nelly's." I said smiling, glad that I caught Lizzie in a lie.
"People do come home and visit their families you know." She snapped and quickly looked away. I stared at her, surprised by her reaction but I knew I deserved it.
"Oh Lizzie." This time, it was me who reached around her for a side hug. "I'm sorry I haven't kept in contact. It's just been really busy in New York. I…I guess I kind of forgot about my life here." I confessed honestly.
"I noticed." Lizzie said bitterly, still not looking at me. We sat like that for a minute with me feeling guilty as hell. "It was really hard for me. I needed someone to talk to, a girl. Mart's still young and mom….well she wouldn't understand. I always assumed that you would always be there for me. Especially now…" Lizzie broke off, blushing slightly.
"Now what?" I asked, genuinely interested in what she had to say.
She finally looked at me. "Promise me you won't laugh? Or be disgusted or tell mom-"
"Lizzie."
"Okay, okay, fine. Last night, when Dylan came over," a slight pang hit my heart. I must have made a face because Liz apologized. "Sorry, anyway, when Edwin and I went upstairs to look at all the university brochures and once again Isaac's name came up.
Flashback
"You're not really going to follow Isaac all the way out to British Columbia are you?" Edwin questioned, insistently sitting on Lizzie's bed.
"Who knows?" Lizzie said lying on her stomach and dangling her legs in the air, smirking evilly. "Maybe I will and maybe I won't."
"Liz you can't. Remember how we said that we would live together once we get into uni? We had plans, I would cook and you would…"he threw his hands up slightly. "You said you would be there. With me." Edwin's voiced lowered slightly and his eyes darkened just enough to frighten Lizzie, or excite, she couldn't exactly tell what kind of shivers were running up and down her spine.
Lizzie breathed in and sat up to gain some composure. She had to clear the intensity that was all Edwin. She laughed slightly, nervously. "Edwin, it's not like we're married…" Edwin suddenly got very close, that Lizzie shifted ever so slightly so that she was pressed against her headboard. "Edwin." She whispered.
"You said you would be with me." He leaned in even closer so she could feel his every breath. He brought one hand up to graze Lizzie's face. "And you will."
End flashback
"And then he kissed me." Lizzie said dreamily, staring off, clearly thinking about the kiss.
"Lizzie." I smiled.
She refocused her eyes at me and blushed.
"Oh. Well he kissed me," she said, trying to maintain her calm. "It was really weird how he became so tense."
"Well?" I practically shouted. Grinning though. "What happened next?"
Now she grinned sheepishly. "He made me call Isaac and told met to dump him. In fact, he dialed the number."
"Lizzie! What did you say to Isaac?" It was uncanny how Lizzie's situation was so similar to mine.
"Well, I", she took a breath. "I did break up with him. Nicely. I'll probably have to talk to him face to face though. I made it kind of short." She frowned. "What am I going to say to him?" She looked at me. "What did you say to Dylan?"
Tears were staring to form again, but I smiled, "Nothing really. It just happened."
"Oh," She made a slight face. I waved my hand to tell her it didn't matter.
"It's okay Liz." So then what happened?" I asked with curiosity and wanting to change the subject.
"Um. As soon as I hung up, Edwin kissed me again and…"now she turned bright red. "You really don't need to know everything do you?"
I stared at her. She stared at me and then we broke out into giggles. "Lizzie!"
"Casey!" And we giggled again and when we stopped, which was a while later, we were jumbled together on the cold grass. We stayed like that until we regained our composure.
"We are so Jerry Springer."
"Liz." I rolled my eyes.
"It's true, our episode would be called 'Sisters…who break up with their boyfriends…and date their stepbrothers." She said dramatically, spreading her arms in the air.
I groaned. I got up and brushed myself off. "Come on let's go in. I'm cold." I said reaching for her hand. She grabbed my hand and we started walking in, she hadn't bothered to brush herself off.
"Is that show even on anymore?" I asked genuinely curious.
I hope you guys were satisfied with this chapter! I know some of you wanted more of Dylan, but I really didn't know how to incorporate him deep into the storyline without dragging on the story so this is where he ends. Anyway, please read and review!!
Much Love, D.