I was so disappointed in myself. I just couldn't believe it. I'm still in love with my step-brother, Derek Venturi.
You know when you see someone and it's like your heart subconciously pounds? Butterflies, blood-rushes, shaking, you name it: all of it happened.
I tried to play it as cool as I could. I smiled and hugged Casey first, but eventually it came to Derek. I gave a little gasp as we hugged, hating the fact that it would be over in less than a second.
"So Liz, it's going to be like old times again?" said Edward, practically beaming at me. Casey and Derek were freshening up, Mom was taking care of dinner and George was with the baby.
"Yeah, this is nice... I was really missing Casey, and all." I replied, with my mind somewhere else.
"And Derek."
"What?" My attention 'surprisingly' came back.
"He was gone too... He is also your sibling."
"Yeah. Yeah, him too..." Exactly, he's your sibling, I thought to myself.
I left Edwin talking to Marti and made my way up the stairs, initially to see what Casey was doing, but I knew who I was secretly hoping to see. And I did.
It looked like he had taken a shower, since he was only in a towel. I began to blush uncontrollably. What was wrong with me? I had seen him out of the shower many times before - and sure, I ogled a bit - but that was it. I guess with him being gone, it was going to take some time to get used to it all again.
"Calm down Liz, I don't have cooties." He chuckled, ruffling my hair. I hated that, he was treating me like a kid.
I ran my fingers through my hair - Gah, what was I doing? Was that my attempt at looking sexy? Shit, he'd noticed. He was now frowning at me as if I was some freak.
"Hmm, but I think you may have developed some..." he walked towards his bedroom still frowning. But before he went in, he turned to quickly reveal a grin, and then made his way to his bedroom again. I sighed, now looking at his closed door, then made my way to Casey's room.
"Come in."
"Hey, Casey." I said, making my way towards her bed.
"Hi, Liz. Aawh, I've missed you." she said, leaning over to give me a slightly awkward hug, as I was now sitting on her bed. "You look so different everytime I come back!" she said, touching my hair as a gesture.
I smiled at her, "So how've you been?"
"Awesome, I'm really starting to loosen up and adjust to college life. It doesn't even bother me when my roomate doesn't tidy her half of the room anymore!"
"Well, that's great." I sniggered.
"And Derek's not as much of a pain anymore, he's actually kind of beginning to mature."
"Hmm..." I mumbled, staring at my toes.
"I mean, it's happening about five years late, but whatever."
"Uh-huh."
"You okay, Liz?" Casey asked, frowning. Now I was going all weird just at the mention of his name?
"Yeah, um -"
"- Guys, it's time for dinner!" Saved by the Edwin.
The atmosphere at dinner was so great, like Edwin had said, "like old times". Dinner without Casey and Derek wasn't the same. The whole family just sat there and talked about almost everything: school, college, hockey, the baby (he had just learned how to walk).
When I was in my bedroom and thinking about it, it made me feel even more guilty. There was just such a 'happy family' atmosphere, and here I was, in love with my own family member.
There was a knock at my door. "Come in." I called.
"Hiya, Liz." Casey said, shutting my door behind her.
"Hey-hey" I said jokingly. I took the towel off my hair and sat on the bed next to her.
"I know when I usually come home we 'reminisce' throughout the night, but I'm going out to see Emily early tomorrow, but I swear we'll catch up after that."
"It's fine, we have almost two whole months," I giggled, "and I'm going out early tomorrow too, to see Salma. So what's everyone doing right now?"
"Well, George, Mom, Marti and the baby have packed-it-in early, as per usual. Edwin's in his room, I don't think he's asleep though. And Derek's out with Sam and Ralph, I think."
"Oh, right."
"So, I think you know what I'm going to ask - how's the boy situation?" She grinned.
I rolled my eyes. "There isn't one." I lied.
"... Are you sure? There's not even one you like?" Her tone of voice suddenly changed and she was looking at me intently. I stared back in confusion. I think she noticed, as she suddenly relieved the tension with a smile.
"How's your 'boy situation'?" I asked, sneakily turning the question to her.
"Well, you know, I'm just dating around, having a bit of fun." She smiled.
"That's cool."
"Well, if I'm getting up at seven tomorrow I better go to bed now. 'Night Liz." She kissed me on the cheek and left the room.
While I was lying in bed I kept thinking about that one awkward moment I had with Casey in my room earlier. Was she referring to Derek? She couldn't. It would be like me accusing her of having feelings for Edwin. Although it's possible, it's just not something that would cross my mind.
But as usual, in those last moments before i fell asleep, there was one thing I always thought about: Derek.
So sorry my chapters are so short, I can't help it, whenever I start to write a lot I get tempted to turn it into a seperate chapter. But I'm trying to upload regularly, so hopefully that makes up for it x) If you have ay ideas, suggestions or want anything to happen next, feel free to message me or mention it in a review - it would actually be really helpful (: