Hey, thanks so much for the awesome and most sweetest reviews ever. Let's just say, I was very surprised. But, alas, I figured I hated not updating, so here goes. By the way, for you 'Pure Solitary' fans, looking for updates, rest assure that I will update asap! But now, onto the story!

Because They Said So - Chapter 2

"Derek, you are the biggest idiot ever," Casey hissed, pacing back and forth across his room. "We don't even have $150..."

"Relax," he said, not looking up from his comic book. "We won't need it... we're going to win."

"You can't be so sure," Casey groaned, rubbing her temples. "Besides, I hate you."

"Thanks," he chuckled. "I'm not so fond of you either."

"You see?" She cried, throwing her hands in the air. "We can't get along for five minutes, without starting an argument."

"Casey," he said, finally shifting himself so he was looking at her. "Like I said, relax. Whenever we see Emily or Sam, we just need to... eh, act like a couple." He didn't sound too assuring.

"Der-ek," she groaned, plopping herself down on his desk chair. She placed her face down in her hands and shook her head. "I can't believe you did that. Just for the money."

"Sorry," he said, sounding anything but. He buried his nose back in his comic. "But obviously, you don't know anything about me."

She snarled, making her way to his door.

"Y'know, we have a double date with Emily and Sam tomorrow. We're gonna watch a movie here," he said. "Better put on your acting face."

She groaned, closing the door behind her.

000

"Hey Casey," Nora greeted, upon Caseys entrance into the kitchen the next morning. She noticed the unenthusiastic nod from her daughter and added, "Something wrong?"

"Well," Casey said slowly, not sure how to put what she was about to say. "My... friend... at school, you see, her guy friend accepted a bet without her acceptance..."

"What was this bet about?" Nora asked, eyeing her carefully.

"Well, it was kind of about... if her and her guy friend could stay together as a couple for a whole month, without fighting," she answered quickly.

"Unh huh..." Nora raised her eyebrows. "And these two... 'friends'... they don't exactly like each other, I take it?"

"Well, no," Casey cried. "And my friend strongly disagrees with this bet, because she knows that her and the other guy can't get along..."

"Would these two happen to be related in any way, perhaps?" Nora asked suddenly. Casey's heart started to thud uncontrollably.

"N-no, of c-course not-t," she stammered.

"Alright," her mother answered slowly. "And what were the stakes?"

"One hundred-fifty dollars..."

Nora raised her eyebrows again. "Wow."

"Yeah," Casey sighed. "I know."

"Well, my opinion is just this. One hundred and fifty dollars is quite a sum of money... I would personally give it a try. I mean, it would give the two two 'friends' an oppurtunity to learn more about each other, maybe giving them a different outlook on each other," she said, using emphasis on the word 'friends', causing Casey to hold her breath.

"Thanks Mom," she said, offering a half smile, before running up to her room to get ready.

000

"The Messengers," Emily read as the Title Screen came up. "It looks kind of scary."

"That's alright," Sam said, resting him arm around her shoulder. "Us tough guys'll save you," he said jokingly, then diverting his gaze to Derek. "Right dude?"

"U-uh, yeah," he said, swinging his own arm around Casey's. She flinched and immediately stood up.

"Um, I think I'll go make some popcorn," Casey said, making face signals towards Derek.

"Oh, um, I'll come and keep you company," he said, catching on.

"Making popcorn..." Emily started, but the two had already rushed into the kitchen before hearing her comment.

000

"What was that?" Casey hissed, ramming her finger on the microwave buttons.

He shoved his hands into his pockets and shrugged. "Might as well be convincing..."

"Well can you keep the convincing PG?" She whispered, giving him her dagger glare.

"Chill, Case, I just put an arm around you..." He said, but was immediately cut off.

"Where are you guys?" Emily called from the living room. "We're not getting any younger!"

"We'll talk about it later," he sighed, making his way back to the living room.

Yeah, she thought. Somehow, she highly doubted that.

Alright, well I spent the whole day with friends, and I'm exhausted. I know this isn't my best chapter, but soon, I'll be back up in no time. I'd love hearing from you! Loadsa love.