They met Justin out front.
"Hello...glad you decided to join me."
"Don't flatter yourself. I'm only here because of Casey," said Noel.
"Whatever..." Justin didn't bother to ask what Derek's reasoning for being here. Thank god, thought Derek. There's no way anyone was going to find out that I actually care about Casey. "Okay, we shall go then," finished Justin.
The three boys hopped inside the car. Derek hopped up front while Noel trailed behind in the backseat.
"So...where are we off to?" Asked Derek.
"I don't know...thought we'd go boating."
"You have a boat?"
"No," said Justin. Oh no. Nuh-uh. No way! Thought Derek. I mean I've done loads of bad things but stealing doesn't seem like the greatest idea to me. Luckily Derek didn't have to say any of this aloud because Noel spoke for him.
"You can't mean stealing a boat! You know for a guy whose trying to steal Casey's heart you're not doing a great job of it. She'll hate you after learning this!"
"Okay first of all there are so many things wrong with that sentence. Number one who said anything about Casey. Number two, I cannot believe you guys would actually think I'd steal a boat. What kind of Jerk do you take me for anyway? For your information it's my parent's boat and yes I have my own set of keys and permission to use it," said Justin.
"Yeah and here I thought you were some sort of rebel but you're no more a rebel than Noel over there," said Derek.
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Noel. He looked questioningly up at Derek.
"Well come on let's face it man. You were the lead in the musical, you write poetry, and 90 percent of your friends are chicks," said Derek.
"First of all they aren't chicks, they're girls and you're just jealous because they don't hang around jerks like yourselves who treat them like yesterday's news. They'd rather hang around guys like me who treat them with respect, you could learn a thing or to," sassed Noel.
Of course, Mr. Perfect. He's always right, thought Derek.
"Ladies. Can we are argue about this later? Come on we're not too far from the marina. You two can have your little cat fight after we get home. Okay?"
Both Derek and Noel rolled their eyes and gazed lazily out the window at the meadows of the grassland. Eventually they ran into a great body of water and suddenly Justin said, "Okay boys we're here." They pulled into the parking lot which prompted the three boys to get out of the car. Justin headed to this little shop next to one of the docks. Derek and Noel stood by the car waiting for him to come back. After about five minutes Justin returned with a set of keys dangling around his fingers.
"Ready to go?" he asked.
Justin led them to the dock and stopped when they got to this high class speed boat. It was huge at least 25 feet across with a lower deck and the craftsmanship was incredible. It was called, "The Lost One." How appropriate, thought Derek. If only he would just get lost.
Justin climbed aboard alongside Derek and Noel.
"So... what do you want us to do?" asked Noel.
"Untie those buoys," Justin pointed to two buoys on both sides that were attached to the dock. Derek took one side and Noel took the other. "Then I want you to..." he continued on a list of more various things for them to do before taking to the open waters. When it seemed like they had done just about everything you could possibly do to get ready for a day out at sea, "Alright guys, that's it. I'm going to start pulling out now be on the look out for neighboring boats and what not."
The boat then began to jet backward into Lake Ontario. After they made it out of the marina and into the open water, Justin put the boat into high gear and they were going so fast the faces on the land and beaches suddenly became unreadable. The boat jostled from time to time and the nose of the boat sometimes went way up into the air. Both Derek and Noel were so afraid that the boat was going to tip over and they were all going to suffer. Though nothing bad seemed to happen Derek sat up beside Justin on the passenger side and Noel decided to go into the back to rest it off.
After what seemed like hours the sea began to feel unfamiliar and Derek and Noel became nervous.
"Um...where are we?" asked Noel nervously.
"Oh... well we just passed the border about 10 minutes ago. So we're in Michigan I presume," said Justin.
"What?" asked a confused Derek.
"Michigan. United States."
"We crossed the border!" yelled Noel.
"Yep," said Justin calmly.
"How can you be so relaxed? We crossed over illegally! I don't even have my passport. Oh no, we're screwed!" exclaimed Derek as a federal boat came rushing towards them.
"Will you relax! It'll be fine." The boat slowed down and came rushing up beside them.
"What's going on boys? Do you have your passports?" asked a federal guy.
Justin spoke first, "Sir, we simply got lost on our way back to the Marina. We really didn't mean to crossover into different waters. Let me introduced myself, My name is Justin Banks. I believe you may know my father, Kevin Banks. He owns the successful oil company, 'Banks and Son.'"
The federal guy, "Oh why yes I do. He donates over 500 dollars every year to the federal academy. He's a good friend of my father's. He's a great guy."
"Yes he is, oh but he's going to be so disappointed to know I got in trouble for accidentally crossing over into the next border."
"Oh.. I'm sure we can overlook this. It was just a mistake."
"Well.. why don't you tell me your name and I will tell my father what a fantastic job you are doing."
"Oh well if you insist it's Frank Hansen. F-R-A-N-K H-A-N-S-E-N."
Justin pretended to write it down and said, "Why thank you sir. You have been so kind."
"The pleasure is all mine. You kids be careful and have fun," and then the boat began to pull away.
When the boat was gone Derek asked, "Who are you?"
"Someone who got really lucky in life," said Justin.
They all silently agreed to head back to shore it was nearing 2:00 and apparently Justin had more tricks up his sleeve for the rest of the day. It seemed like forever until they got back. It seemed much longer than actually leaving shore that was for sure. The waves crashed beneath them at it was soothing.
They eventually arrived back at shore around 5:00. Derek knew that George and Nora would be asking for him. He decided to give them call at home. He picked up his cell and waited anxiously for someone to pick up. Eventually someone did, just not the someone he wanted.
"Hello?" Casey rang into the phone.
"Casey," said Derek.
"Derek? Where are you? You didn't come home after school and I know you don't have hockey practice tonight. I won't ask you again, where are you?"
"Out," said Derek.
"Is Noel with you? I didn't see him at school and someone said they saw him leave with you this morning. What is going on?"
"Nothing just spending some quality time with your boyfriends," said Derek sarcastically.
"Okay I'm not even going to dignify that with an answer, but Justin is with you? I knew this was going to happen, I knew it. Grr..." Casey sounded angry. "Get home now!"
"I can't we'll be out for awhile longer. Tell dad and Nora I'll be home later and not to wait up for me."
Derek spoke loudly into the phone and Noel overheard. "Is that Casey?" Derek just shook his head.
"But Derek-" said Casey.
"I'll talk to you later Case. Bye," he said and then hung up the phone.
"Alright. Where to now?" asked Derek.
"Well hop in the car and I'll show you." This does not sound good, thought Derek and Noel at the same time.
They got into the car and Justin once again began pulling them into an unfamiliar area. We should really get used to this, thought Derek.
After about another hour of driving they pulled into this town. It seemed just like the kind of place that you'd see in a college movie. Bars on every corner and drunken students on their way back to their dorms. It seemed like they weren't here to look at colleges.
Justin parked on one side of the street into a tight parking spot in front of this bar called, "Sam's Tavern."
"We're here," said Justin.
"A Bar? You do know we are underage right?"
"Oh loosen up, Covington," said Derek.
"Hey, I'm plenty loose Venturi. Forgive me for not wanting to get sent jail," said Noel.
"Please, they don't card here. Why do you think I came here? They never card you on a college campus. Just have a beer and both of you shut up," said Justin.
They walked into the bar and sat down at the counter. A lady wearing a very tight out fit that looked a lot like babe raider's approached them. "What can offer you guys?"
"Well I'm pretty sure these guys can't handle much more than a beer so two beers straight up please."
She smiled dizzily towards them and Justin rushed a hand through is feathery dirty blond hair. Not too long later she slid two beer bottles towards them and justin laid a 20 dollar bill down, "Keep the change," he said.
Noel rolled his eyes but decided not to take a drink. "Come on, Casey isn't watching you can finally get off that leash she has you on," sassed Justin.
"She doesn't have me on a leash," said Noel than downed a a huge swig of beer.
"Good man," said Justin, "So how about you Derek?"
"Please... I'm not that much of a wuss," then he chugged down a lot of his beer too.
"Alright so boys take your picks for the night?" said Justin looking around at the room.
Derek and Noel looked at one another not sure what to make of that statement.
"The girls as I take it both of you are single," said Justin.
"I'm single because I'm not the type to be tied down," said Derek.
"Great than take your pick for the night," insisted Justin.
Derek just rolled his eyes and continued to take more swigs out of his beer.
"How about you Noel or are you too scared Casey might not want you after finding out you found someone," said Justin.
"You know what? I've kept my mouth shut for Casey's sake but really are you that much of an ass? Seriously what the hell did she ever see in a jackass such as yourself," said Noel.
"Look you know nothing about me and Casey so why don't you just butt the hell out," exclaimed Justin.
"Make me," said Noel getting so close up to Justin that he was towering over him again.
It looked like it was going to get serious and so Derek of all people stepped in. "Look, why don't you guys just stop arguing and cool off for a bit alright." Noel walked away to one side of the bar while Derek and Justin went over to a table somewhere.
Leaving Noel off by himself, Derek and Justin decided to have a little one on one, "Me and you need to have a little chat," said Derek.
"Whatever," said Justin and the two sat down at a table.
"Look. I don't like you. I mean I don't blame you for wanting to wreck Casey's life. That's pretty much been my goal ever since I met the Princess. Though you've crossed the line when you show up out of the blue and start trying to pin everyone in her life against one another. Don't think you're getting some cheap thrill out of watching little Noel over there get drunk and this whole trying to find a chick for him to hook up with, just because you know that when Casey finds out, she's going to be disappointed in Mr. Perfect over there."
"You know what's surprising here is that you keep bringing up Casey. As I take it you claim to hate her. Isn't that interesting?"
"What are you talking about?" said Derek.
"It just it seems a little funny that the guy that hates Casey as much as you claim to is sitting here with me having this conversation," said Justin laughing to himself. What the hell is he talking about? Thought Derek. "It's quite obvious you have feelings for her otherwise why the hell would you be fighting this like you are."
Is he mentally insane? Thought Derek. I mean he thinks I have feelings for her? Idiot!
"You're more crazy than I thought you were," said Derek. Then he grabbed his beer and walked away from Justin.
-With Noel-
Noel was just sitting at the bar, drinking, and looking down at the floor, when the bartender walked over to him.
"What's going on?" She asked.
"Life sucks," said Noel looking down into his mug.
"You're way too young to have such a negative outlook on life. What's wrong?"
"People."
"That's specific," she said sarcastically.
"People who come down and ruin everything when everything is just going perfect. When you're with someone you care about then Mr. Jerkoff from out of town comes and spoils everything. Then your just stuck being the side kick, the friend, all over again."
"Sounds like a girl problem?"
"You could say that," said Noel.
"So tell me about the girl?"
Noel sighed, "Well she's smart, really smart, she could run the world with her brains. She's also very sweet and caring. I mean she cares about everyone. She's even kind to her enemies, even though she has very few. She's really independent especially when she broke up with her loser boyfriend months ago. She's talented, she has the most beautiful voice you have ever heard. She's stubborn, but in a good sort of way."
"Is she pretty?"
"Oh she's beautiful. Every time I see her I get these enormous butterflies in my stomach."
"It seems to me that she's pretty special?"
"Absolutely," Noel said.
"So what's the problem?"
"Other guys are the problem. Every time I feel us starting to get close somebody always has to come and ruin it. Like right when we first met. We were both cast as the leads in the musical and we got really close and that's when I began falling for her. Than when I sent her flowers after the musical and was telling her that she was the real star of the musical her boyfriend, Max came and I had to hide the fact that I was the one who sent the flowers. It was horrible. There were many times like that and then now the worst is happening."
"What's going on now?"
"Well her ex is in town and he's basically sabotaging everything and now I'm starting to get the feeling that she only sees me as her friend. I've tried hinting to her that I like her but she doesn't seem to get it...I just feel so stupid... and idiotic." He banged his head down on the bar.
"That's good way to get a concussion. So stop," she said as he began to lift his head back up again. "Look have you flat out told her how you feel?"
"Well no.. but..."
"To let true love remain unspoken is the quickest way to a heavy heart," she said.
"What's that from?"
"I read it on a fortune cookie once," she said and Noel laughed.
An hour later
It was already 9:00 and they were already late getting home. Derek and Noel were completely drunk. Which in reality had been Justin's evil plan all along. To get them drunk and for Casey to be completely disappointed in them.
As Justin was the designated driver of the evening he hadn't had one drink that night. He knew that in Casey's eyes he would look like a hero and the other two would like two idiots who got drunk.
He pulled both of drunken boys into the car. Noel was past out in the backseat and Derek was singing the theme song to the popular show, "Degrassi." Very off-key by the way to say the least.
After about an hour and a half later they pulled up in front of the Venturi-McDonald Driveway. Justin decided he would leave the two boys there while crashed at a buddy's of his for the night. He thought it best to avoid a talk from Nora and a phone call to his mom.
He basically doorbell ditched the two boys on the steps while he ran off. Unaware of their surroundings the two boys stumbled lazily on the doorsteps.
Casey who happened to be up heard some noise coming from outside and decided to check out the scene. When she arrived at the seen she was shocked to see the two figures completely zonked and Derek was still singing.
"Whatever it takes... uh..huh.. I know I can make it through..." Derek sang.
"Derek, Shut up! What in the world is going on?" She asked trying not to let her voice carry.
"Cassssssssey... how vunderful it ezzz to see yooou," said Derek.
"Are you two drunk?"
"Just a little bit I swearrrr..." he put a finger to his lips and said, "Shh...They'll know we're drunk." Then he smiled and went back to singing.
She turned to Noel who didn't seem able to stand on his own, "Noel you aren't talking? Are you okay?"
"Where am I?" he said lazily.
"You're at my house. Now I can't take you home like this. You'll parents will freak. Why don't I get you both upstairs," she then tried to sneak them into the house and took one arm linked with both of the boys. Silently she marched them up the stairs trying not to wake anyone.
She finally got them up the stairs. She helped Noel into her room and set him down on her bed. "Noel, you rest there and when I put Derek in his room, I'll help you okay?"
Noel lazily nodded and she took Derek by the arm and took him into his room.
"Casey...Why is my beer gone? It was just here, I'm so sad... aww.. poor beer," he said.
"Oh, I'm sure you'll get over it," she said as they approached his room. She opened the door and Derek stumbled a bit.
Just as she was about to set Derek down into her bed. "Casey.. I..." he said and then just like that his lips crashed into hers. Casey was totally freaked out and didn't know what to do. Oh my god, Derek is kissing me. What the hell? How drunk is he right now? She thought. She seemed lost in the kiss for a moment than snapped herself out of it as Derek began to lift his hand up her.. She stopped him, broke their embrace and tossed his drunken self onto the bed.
"Derek, you are too drunk to talk about this right now but just wait till morning," she said and stormed out of the room.
Derek fell vastly asleep completely unaware of what had just happened. Casey ran back into her room and found Noel lying on her bed.
She couldn't very well move him so she decided to find a place on the floor to crash.
Noel spoke up though, "Casey what are you doing?"
"Trying to get some sleep," she said.
"Lay up here with me," he said.
"What?"
"I...can't let you..sleep down there.. join me..."
She got up and smiled. We are all adults here, she said. Then she took one side of the bed..
As she began to fall asleep she heard Noel say something...
"What was that?" she said.
"I love you Casey," he said.
What? She thought.
A/N: Chapter 8. What did you think? Sorry I left you on a cliffhanger again. I'm also sorry for not updating quicker I knew I promised to give a quicker update last time but I got so caught up with everything. I'll try and write chapter 9 within the next week or so pending on how much homework I get. Thanks so much again for the lovely reviews! They mean a lot and inspire me to write more! So I hope you continue to review! More surprises come within the next chapter so keep your eyes open.
Thanks again,
Ally :)