Edwin was just about finished spying on Derek, with his stethoscope pressed tightly against the door, when Lizzie creeped up behind him, "What are you doing?" She said.

"Wha!" Edwin jumped, "I could ask you the same question."

"Don't question me Edwin Venturi! Seriously.. what are you doing?"

"Fine...I'm spying on Justin and Derek," said Edwin finally.

"Edwin! How could you!? That is so-"

"Justin still loves Casey," Edwin interrupted.

"Oh my god! Are you serious? What did you hear?" said Lizzie frantically.

"Well okay I heard Justin say 'She's great' and 'What I wouldn't give to have another chance with her'"

"Oh My God."

"Yeah, I know," said Edwin frowning.

"That's awesome!"

"What?"

"Justin loves Casey! They are so getting back together!" yelled an excited Lizzie.

"Are you serious? That's terrible!" exclaimed Edwin.

"What? Why?"

"Are you blind Lizzie? Derek is obviously in love with her!"

"Derek? As in Derek Venturi? The boy who wrongly set Casey's alarms just so that she would be late for school The guy who super glued all the pages of her book together and pretty much makes Casey's life a living nightmare on a daily basis. Are you crazy Edwin because as far as I know he pretty much hates her?"

"Lizzie...Lizzie...Lizzie. Have I taught you nothing?" He pulled out a notebook and showed it to Lizzie. "Here, just look at my research. Okay...Exhibit A, Derek gets into fist fight with Sam over dating Casey. Exhibit B, Derek wants to destroy Scott after hurting Casey. Finally, Exhibit C, Derek convinces Casey to change back hence break up with loser boyfriend, Max."

"So? He was just being protective. I mean he's like her brother," said Lizzie exhaustedly.

"Derek protective? Mr. Sincerity? Even you don't really believe that, do you?"

"Well no... but..."

Edwin stared her down as Lizzie tried to put all the pieces together.

"Oh My God. Your right! Derek is in love with Casey," said Lizzie finally.

"Yep."

"Wow.. this is... wow," said an awed Lizzie.

"I know.. but this is a good thing," said Edwin.

"I don't know... I really like Justin..." said Lizzie.

"Really? Why?"

"Why not? He's gorgeous, awesome, and so cool to me! Not to mention he and Casey were a perfect match!" Exclaimed Lizzie.

"So you think he's perfect?"

"Pretty much..." Lizzie began to say and then began to watch Edwin's face fall. "Wait? What do you know?"

"Wait till you see what I found...He grabbed something out of his pocket and brought it to Lizzie's eyes.

"Okay, we definitely have to step in. What do you propose we do?" asked Lizzie.

Edwin smirked, "Don't worry, I have a plan."

-The Next Morning-

The next day Casey awoke to a surprise. She lazily rested her head back and swerved around in her fluffy pajamas. She then began to smell a sweet smell of a mocha latte. Mmmm, She thought. She then blinked her eyes a few times and almost screamed when she thought she saw someone standing over. That was until she saw the friendly face of Noel.

"Morning Sleepyhead! Did you know you snore? Really loud by the way. Your lucky your cute otherwise you wouldn't stand a chance of getting a date," said Noel jokingly. Oh my god, he totally said I was cute! Wait..do I want him to think I'm cute? Wait.. oh my god I'm in my pajamas! My hair looks horrible, I can't let him see me like this. He already is.. wait why do I care what I look like when he sees me...we're just friends. Are we just friends? Oh so many questions, but I need to get decent to save myself from further embarrassment! She panicked.

She grabbed the blanket and tossed it over her head to try and prevent him from seeing her in any more embarrassment. "Noel, what are you doing here this early? Why are you in my room? Not that I don't like your company, but really I look horrible, I just woke up."

"Well.. a little birdie told me you had a rough night, last night so I brought you some coffee to cheer you up and I am taking you to school again." He said. Aw that's so sweet! Casey thought. He is seriously the sweetest and best friend in the world! I don't deserve a friend like him!

Noel started smiling at her and she didn't realize how long she was staring at him with that Casey smile. That was until she attempted to get up and ended up falling on the ground.

"Casey! Are you okay?" Noel asked.

Oh yeah, I'm fine just suffering from embarrassment, thought Casey beginning to go bright red.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just going to take a quick shower and get dressed. Then I'll meet you down stairs all right.."

"Okay see you downstairs.." Then they both left through Casey's door when they were fronted by Derek.

Derek eyed them both suspiciously after watching them both leave from Casey's Room at 6:00 in the morning.

"Noel, just came over this morning to bring me coffee," muttered Casey.

"Right, and was just heading over to shower.." rasped Noel. Derek stared him down with a scary look in his eyes. "Not Together! I mean she's going to shower and I'm going to wait for her to get ready downstairs. On the couch, in the living room." Derek just nodded his head disbelievingly.

"Right. So I'm just going to shower now," Casey said turning to leave.

"Right me too. To the living room," for a second he accidentally went in Casey's direction. "That way," he said pointing to the stairs and began heading for them.

That was um awkward, thought Derek. Though what the hell is she doing with Noel at 6:00 in the morning in her bedroom. I mean Casey's not that kind of girl. Noel doesn't seem like that kind of guy though maybe that all nice guy routine is just an act. Either way I'm keeping an eye out. There's something wrong with this picture. I mean I live with Casey all the time but I've never gone into her room that early in the morning if I didn't have a good reason. Hmm, thought Derek.

Derek then walked down into the living room to follow Noel. He spotted Noel on the couch talking to Marti.

"Do you like ponies Noel? One day I want a pony but daddy says that ponies need room to run around in.. So I was going to ask him if we can put it in my room or put it in the garage there's lots of room in there," said Marti looking at Noel.

Just as Noel was about to speak. Derek lifted up Marti into the air and picked her up into her arms, "Hey Smarti! Do you mind if I go talk to Noel here for awhile."

"Okay Smerek!" She said excitedly and then put her down and then Marti ran into the other room.

Derek then went to sit down in his chair. Trying to find Noel's gaze. "So.. Noel," Derek said finally.

"So...Derek," Noel repeated.

"What's going on with you and Casey?"

"Nothing. We're just friends."

"Right..." Derek said rolling his eyes. "Well I give all my friends morning wake up calls and coffee."

"She just had a bad night is all, I was trying to cheer her up."

"Oh why don't you just admit it.. you like her," Derek said.

" Okay fine I like her. Who wouldn't? She's a great person with a wonderful personality. She makes me laugh and we have a great time together but as to the way that your implying I really don't think that I need to tell you how I feel about her. It's none of your business about how I feel," said Noel.

"That's fine and dandy but you still haven't really answered my question. What's going on with you and Casey?"

Just then Casey came running down the stairs. Her hair was wavy and she was wearing a white halter with a pink laced sweater and jeans. She looked pretty. Derek and Noel seemed to notice and their conversation then came a to screeching halt.

"Ready to go?" Casey asked.

"Yep," said Noel giving Derek one last look before turning away.

They got into the car and made their way to school.

When they arrived at school. Casey made an announcement "Hey Noel! I have got to go I have a meeting with Paul this morning. I'll see you at lunch?"

"Okay see you at lunch!"

She then hustled out of the Car and rushed to go to the guidance counselor's office where her long time friend and mentor Paul sat.

"Why hello Casey! Look at what cool new office gift. My kids got for me," He pointed to a set of knockers and then began to play with them and he watched them go back and forth and then began to giggle. He is really weird sometimes, thought Casey.

"Okay... Serious now. So.. what is going on?"

"Well.." Casey began, "JustincamebackintomylifeandtotallybeganscrewingeverythingupheshowsupeverywhereigoandIcan'tescapehimhe'sseriouslyinsaneandnowheapparentlywantsmetodothisgigintorontoanditotallydon'tknowwhattodoandthenthere'sthiswholeweirdnesswithnoelandIdon'tknowifIlikehimandit'sallsoconfusingandthenDerekscrewseverythingupicannotstandhim!" Then Casey took a deep breath from talking so much.

"Okay..what?"

"Okay..." She said calming down. "Here's the story," She then proceeded to tell him the whole story rationally. Paul nodded from time to time and began really listening to her. He took down a few notes and listened to Casey as she vented about the horrible events of the last few days. "So, what do I do?" She asked finally.

"Well it seems your in quite a dilemma. Let's start with Justin."

"Okay," Casey nodded.

"Now he's come back into your life for a reason correct?"

"Yes, he claims he wants me to front his band at this gig in Toronto."

"Do you want to do this gig?"

"No!" Paul stared her down. "Yes! I love singing but I don't trust myself when I'm around him!"

"Because of your history?"

"Yes!"

"I see well Casey. Justin aside this is something you really want to do! I'm always encouraging you to take risks and this one seems just about right. Though if you are truly afraid something might happen don't let yourself. Take a friend along that way you will be less tempted and you have someone to have your back. If this is truly something you want of course?"

"That's a great idea I'll think about it."

"Now let's move along to Justin specifically. How do you feel about him?"

"I hate him!" She said.

"Do you really?" questioned Paul.

"No... but I hate that he's here and I still think he has ulterior motives for showing up here! I mean I can't trust him like I can trust.."

"Noel," finished Paul.

"Yes, I trust Noel completely."

"So how do you feel about him?"

"Justin?"

"No.. Noel."

"Oh.. I don't know... I mean he's so sweet and incredibly funny and he's an amazing friend and knows exactly what to say and do to make me feel better and there's this feeling in my stomach when I'm around him and I become nervous and geeky and not myself. It just I don't know feels right when I'm around him!" She then began to get giddy and forgot where she was for a moment

"So you like him?"

"I don't know...It's all so confusing because at the same time he's my best friend."

"Quite a conundrum! So lastly what's this you say about Derek?"

"I hate him! He's ruining my life!"

What else is new, secretly thought Paul.

"Other than your supposed hate for him," said Paul.

"Well he's been acting really weird lately. Like last Sunday, I caught him reading to a little girl from the hospital. Then he's taking me home and like pretty much threatens guys. Then he goes off and tells Sam all these things that are happening between me and Justin and then when I confronted him about it. He seemed to kind of care and it was totally weird because Derek NEVER cares!"

"I see..." began Paul. He knew what was going on but apparently Casey didn't and then he rolled his eyes, "Maybe he's changing?" said Paul.

"No.. he's up to something and I'm going to figure out what it is?"

"Casey, I really don't-"

"Thanks, Paul for the advice! Now I must go do some spying and prying."

She then began to walk out the door.

"Casey, I really just think that.." He began again only Casey left his office. "Oh well..." he said finally. Then turned back to his knockers and watched them pound against eachother and then began to laugh excessively...

-Meanwhile-

Noel was just about to go to his locker when he was stopped by a figure. Justin tapped him on the shoulder, he looked behind Justin and saw Derek trailing behind.

"What's going on?" Noel asked finally.

"I'm taking you two out for a day. I figured all the men in Casey's life should do some bonding," said Justin.

You wish you were in Casey's life, thought Noel bitterly.

"What kind of bonding? I have class you know!" said Noel.

"So? Skip a day? Meet me out front in 10," said Justin walking away.

"Don't tell me you actually signed off on this?" asked Noel to Derek.

"Why not? It's not like I haven't done it before," said Derek.

"Yeah," said Noel.

"Besides don't you want to see what he's up to? Maybe protect Casey?"

"Of course. Let's go," said Noel.

Then the two boys took off to meet Justin up front.

A/N: There ya go Chapter 7. Rather short I know. Though it's a basically a filler chapter. Chapter 8 will be posted tomorrow. I've already got most of it written. Be prepared for Boys Day Out... :P

-Ally