Chapter 9: Contagious Insomnia

Casey tossed and turned in bed, trying to go to sleep but she couldn't get Derek out of her mind. Her plan had obviously failed to make him jealous but he was still acting weird even though he was somewhat like the Derek she used to know. It was weird not seeing him once glance over at the waitress. Not like I care about him or anything, Casey thought. I didn't even like him before that incident. If he didn't affect me during high school then he definitely has an affect over me, now.

Opening her eyes, Casey looked at the alarm clock sitting on her night-stand. Casey grabbed the clock making sure that it was actually one. I've been up for 3 hours just thinking about him. How pathetic can I get? Casey pulled the blankets off of her and headed into the kitchen being careful not to step on anything left on the stairs.

Casey stumbled into the kitchen. Blinking she realized she wasn't alone.

"Derek."

He looked up from his cereal bowl and stared at her. "Couldn't sleep either huh?"

Casey nodded not wanting to start another fight and trudged over to the refrigerator. She grabbed the milk and a cup. While pouring her milk she could feel Derek following her every move again.

"Are you going to stare at me all day?" Casey asked amused and nervous as she sat next to him.

"Why didn't you tell me it was you when you heard my name?" Derek asked suddenly.

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know? You had to have some reason other than 'I don't know'."

"I was afraid." Casey finally admitted.

"Of what!?"

"That you would start teasing me again and I wasn't in the mood for it especially since I just broke up with Max," Casey explained.

"You looked like you were in the mood when we were dancing," Derek retorted back angry.

"I'm sorry," Casey flinched backed at Derek's words. She knew she would be held accountable for the whole mess.

"What were you thinking? You can't just toy with people's emotions like that."

"I know. I wasn't thinking and I got caught up in the act."

Derek sat silent not knowing what to think and obviously hurt.

"I'm really sorry, Derek. I know we don't usually get along at all but do you think we could try being friends, for once?" Casey said knowing it was a start and hoping their friendship could blossom into something more.

Derek looked at her hurt for a second before he masked it. He had hoped that his plan had work but apparently it didn't. Pushing his empty cereal bowl away, Derek held out his hand, waiting for her to put out her hand. "Friends," Derek said when Casey put out her hand and shaking in agreement.

"Friends," Casey attempted a genuine smile.

"So as a friend, I am telling you that I think Truman is a loser and you shouldn't get back together with him," Derek started causing Casey to form a real smile.

"Don't worry, Derek. We're just friends. Speaking of that, I don't think Sally is the right person for you," Casey said

"Casey, when are you going to learn?" Derek said shaking his head in a joking way. "I'm over Sally, she's just a friend."

"Derek Venturi, has a friend that's a girl, besides me, and he's not dating her," Casey stated shocked. "What happened to your theory that girls and guys can't be friend unless there is some sort of feelings?"

"I've grown up," Derek said seriously.

"Yeah, I can tell," Casey replied sarcastically.

"What, I have."

"Are you wearing Scooby-Doo pajama pants?"

"So, Scooby- Doo's the bomb."

"Derek, you did not just call Scooby-Doo the bomb."

"Yeah I did. What are you going to do lecture me on how uncool that was."

"De-rek!" Casey exclaimed.

They stayed up for hours just talking and the occasional mocking each other. Casey yawned and looked over at the clock on the wall. "I better head upstairs and get some sleep," Casey said repressing another yawn.

"Night, Case," Derek said with his voice sounding husky with sleep.

"Night, Derek," Casey said faintly as she headed up the stairs.

YAY! Now hopeully I can get some sleep.