I thought it would take longer to get this out but thankfully it didn't everyone for your reviews and patience. Major thanks to Clarabell95! I originally planned on doing something different but decided to use her suggestion and my idea.

Chapter 7: Faded Teardrop

Derek sat on his chair appearing to be watching TV while his mind was on a certain step-sister of his. He couldn't get her out of his mind and it was all her fault. If she had said something when she learned of his name then they wouldn't be in this awkward situation.

Lizzie and Edwin watched Derek from the step trying to figure out why Derek was acting so weird. He wasn't even paying attention to the TV which was on his favorite program, hockey.

"Maybe he's tired," Lizzie whispered trying to conceal the fact that they were spying.

"No, if he was he'd be asleep by now. It has something to do with Casey. Did you see how Derek couldn't stop looking at Casey who avoided him? There is definetly something weird going on," Edwin whispered unaware of the fact that Derek could hear them.

"Alright you two, what are you doing?" Derek said as he got out of his chair and walked over to where Lizzie and Edwin were.

Lizzie and Edwin stood up shocked that they'd been caught.

"Um, nothing, right Edwin?" Lizzie said elbowing Edwin in the side.

"Yeah, right, nothing," Edwin replied weakly.

"Whatever," Derek rolled his eyes suddenly not caring anymore. His main focus at the moment was Casey. "Do any of you know where Casey is?"

"Why?" Lizzie asked curious.

This question caught Derek off guard as he struggled to find an answer. "You know, um, I just wanted to apologize for what happened last night."

Lizzie and Edwin looked at Derek a moment and then at each other before they both busted out laughing.

"You-you want to ap-apologize-," Edwin said while laughing. " to Casey"

"Yeah, I can't say I'm sorry every once and awhile," Derek defended himself.

"Since when do you apologize to anyone," Lizzie asked her curiosity getting the best of her.

"Since now, I can't believe we're still talking about this!" Derek replied annoyed. "Now, do you know where Casey is, or not?"

"Uh yeah, she's in her room getting ready for her date with Truman," Lizzie answered.

"Truman? She has a date with Truman?" Derek asked confused.

"We were as shocked as you are. Guess her break from boys didn't last very long," Edwin shrugged.

"Guess not," Derek muttered distractedly.

Casey stood in front of her mirror examining herself. Deciding she looked good enough to make Derek go crazy she sighed. She was nervous and scared that the plan would go wrong. Hopefully Truman would follow through with the plan like he agreed. Like Derek, Truman could be unpredictable at times. She was startled when she heard a voice behind her.

"Where are you going?" Derek asked with his arms folded over his chest. He decided not to tell her he knew where she was going so he could find out what was going on.

Glancing behind her she replied shortly, "Out."

"Where?"

"On a date."

"So, who's my competition?" Derek said tired of her answers and trying to get a rise out of her,

"Why would you be competing for me? I don't like you and you don't like me," Casey said knowing it wasn't true.

"If you don't like me then you wouldn't have a problem kissing me."

This caught Casey off guard as she whirled around to face Derek not realizing how close he was to her. "W-what?"

"You wouldn't have a problem kissing me if you don't like me because you won't feel a thing," Derek smirked. "But maybe you do like me that's why you're getting all flustered about kissing me," he taunted as he leaned in closer to Casey.

Casey was tempted to grab him and throw him on the bed. She blushed at the thought as she leaned in to kiss Derek. Their lips were almost touching when a loud voice broke their hypnotic state.

"CASEY! TRUMAN IS HERE!" Edwin shouted from the stairs.

Casey regained her composure and with one last look at Derek she headed downstairs. Derek stood there for awhile until he came out of shock and walked downstairs not far behind Casey.

Chapter is 7 done and I'm finally 16!