Author's Note: I think I'm taking a new spin on some things, because of a certain review I got, you know who you are ;) Don't worry, it's completely a good thing, I suppose, for those who are sick of the 'Casey-drama-blow-out' cliche :D Enjoy!

Because They Said So - Chapter 12

She didn't run. She didn't even yell. She just turned on her heel, towards her theater.

Derek shrugged out of Michaela's grasp and hurried over to Casey.

"It's not what it looked like," was the first thing she heard when her came up next to her.

"It never is, Derek," she sighed, refusing to make eye contact. Just keeping her eyes dead straight ahead of her.

"Honestly, Casey. She came onto me..."

"Don't all girls?"

He laughed at her comeback. "Of course."

"Look, Derek, I'm not in the mood to talk about this, okay? I came here to see a movie, and that's what I'm going to do," she said as she stopped in front of Theater No. 12. "Just go home."

He opened his mouth to speak, but he considered where this would get him.

Nowhere.

He clamped his mouth shut and shoved his hands into his pocket.

"'Kay. I guess I'll see you when I see you."

She nodded, her eyes glued to the stainless steel doors, one hand on the handle. They both just stood there, maybe for a moment or two. Then, she pushed open the door.

"Bye."

Derek ran a hand through his messy hair and sighed. He walked back over to his group of three, where Michaela was waiting anxiously and a tad impatiently.

"Derrie-poo," she said, irritated. "Where were you? You went so AWOL, there."

"Yeah. Sorry," he mumbled, anger from hearing the word 'Derrie-poo' building up inside of him.

"Anyways," she said passively. She latched onto his arm, for the umpteenth time. "Let's go out to eat. Your treat? Whad'ya say?"

The word bitch came to mind.

"Or," he said, pulling his arm from hers, then burying his hands in his pockets again. "I could just go home."

"Wha--?" She pouted her lip.

"My treat," he added, smiling impishly, then turning on his heel.

"Derek!" Michaela called after him. "I thought we were meant to be together, but apparently not, considering you're a frickin' jerk!"

He smirked, then turned back to face her, "And you happen to be a real bitch. Ever heard of the term 'Opposites Attract'? Guess it wouldn't have worked out in the first place."

He winked at her, relishing her embarrassed, taken back expression.

Then, he walked away, feeling her eyes burning through his back.

000

Casey closed the door behind her discreetly, turning the latch.

The lights were off in the house, so she took it that everyone was asleep. She checked her watch, 12:03. She sighed. After the movie, which ended about an hour ago, she told Emily she'd walk home. That she needed time alone.

She took a long breath. She'd seen Derek. With another girl. And let's just say there was no gap. He looked pretty into it, too.

She shook her head violently.

Derek was probably telling the truth, maybe she did come onto him. Most girls did.

Casey didn't reallyknow why she cared so much. The regular Casey McDonald would roll her eyes and walk away, waving it off as nothing more than a one-night-stand.

Whatever.

She was tired and all thought-out.

She made her way up the stairs, in the dark, refusing to look up when she passed Derek's door.

"Ow, crap!" She cursed.

"Umf," someone hissed.

"Edwin?" She tried, looking for whoever she collided with.

"Nah, you're other, favorite step-brother." Empasis on the 'step'.

She froze.

"Movie end late?" Derek asked.

Casey could make out his silhouette in the darkness.

"Uh huh," she mumbled.

There was silence. She started to walk off in the direction of her room, brushing past him. He grabbed her arm suddenly.

"Case, uh, I think we need to talk," he said, his voice raspy and deep.

"Whatever it is, I think it can wait until tomorrow."

"C'mon, you choose now of all times to not speak your mind?"

She rolled her eyes, "Derek, I'm tired."

"Well, I'm not," he retorted, "So now is pretty much the best time to talk."

"And tomorrow would be an even better time." She pulled her arm away.

"Fine." He huffed. "Tomorrow."

Something was wrong with her.

000

"So, what happened to you last night?" Emily asked.

"I went home?" Casey tried, managing a chuckle.

"You know what I mean, Case..."

"I do?"

"I'm pretty sure you do." Her best friend stopped her in her tracks. "You were so spaced out during the movies. Even more than usual, Space Case."

She shrugged, "I guess didn't notice."

"Right," Emily said simply. "Look, Case. If you want me out of your business, just say so. I'm a big girl, I can handle it."

"Okay," Casey said. "Emily, I want you out of my business."

Emily's mouth formed an 'O' shape and Casey burst out laughing.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding." She snorted. "But, honestly, Em, nothing happened and nothing is happening. I promise."

Yeah, Casey thought. That's it. Lie your way out, little coward.

Emily 'hmf'ed and pouted her lip, "Fine, whatever."

They walked a little farther when Emily suddenly said, "How're you and Derek?"

Casey's heart skipped a beat. Or two. Or maybe three. Four tops.

"H-huh?"

"You and Derek? The last bit of action I saw was the cafeteria scene, and you stormed out so fast, I thought we'd get sucked into your tornado," she laughed.

When Casey didn't answer, Emily continued, "Speaking of, where is Derek? Shouldn't you and him be putting on some kind of act to win me and Sam over?"

"I don't know," she said shortly.

"Don't you guys, like, live in the same household? How could you not know?"

"Look, I just don't know, okay?" Casey said, a little snappier than she'd wanted. She'd rather not mention that she bolted out of the house in the morning in order to avoid seeing or talking to Derek.

"Okay, okay," Emily said softly. "Take a chill pill, Casey."

"Sorry," she muttered.

"Are you guys... fighting?"

"No, what makes you think that?" She asked, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.

"Because whenever you and Derek fight, you get all tense and frantic..."

"I'm not tense," she said. "And we're not fighting."

"Good. Because you know what that would mean, right?"

"Losing the bet," Casey nodded. "So why would I want to risk it, right?"

"I suppose..."

"Right, so here's drama," Casey said suddenly, motioning to Room 48B, glad to have an excuse to leave. "Talk to you later, Em."

Without giving Emily a chance to respond, she twirled around and swiftly went into the classroom.

000

"So, what's up with you, dude?"

"What do you mean, 'what's up with me'?" Derek asked, throwing his book bag over his shoulder.

"You're so... distant," Sam shrugged. "Like something's on your mind."

"Nope," Derek said instantly. "Nothing."

"You sure?" His friend asked, concerned. "You need to vent?"

Derek sneered, "No, Sam, I don't need to vent."

"Touchy," Sam said, raising his eyebrows.

"Look, whatever, okay?"

"'Kay."

They walked in silence to fifth period English.

"So, is D-Rock gonna meet up at your pad after school?" Sam asked, changing the topic.

"Uh, no, not today," Derek said quietly.

"Excuse me? Why not?" Sam questioned.

"'Cause I have to do something today."

"Oh, um, okay then," he said slowly, taking note on Derek's out-of-the-blue-seriousness. "You're not like... doing drugs or anything, man?"

"What the hell?" Derek snapped. "No, Sam! Why would you even..."

"Well, what else could possibly make you flake out on your own band?"

"I'm not flaking, dude." He sighed. "If you must know, I have to have a little chat with Casey."

"Why, what'd you do this time?"

"Nothing!" Derek lied. "Sheesh, do you ever think that sometimes the fights aren't always my fault?"

Sam scratched his chin in thought, "Nope, not really."

Derek rolled his eyes.

"Is this something that, let's say, would benefit me and Emily? An argument of some sort?" Sam asked cockily.

"Not at all."

000

Casey inhaled. Then, she exhaled. Then, inhaled once more. Then, unlocked her front door. She turned the knob, and opened the door slightly, peering inside. When no trace of Derek was found anywhere, she made a full body entrance.

She took off her coat and went to hang it up on the coat rack.

"Looking for me?"

She gave a little shriek, whipping her jacket with her head, and turned to see Derek at the top of the staircase. The coat rack came clattering to the floor, sending a flurry of fabric everywhere.

"God, Derek!" She barked, bending over to gather the coats. "Are you trying to give me a heart-attack!?"

He smirked, galloping down the stairs to assist her. "It'd be a hell of a lot easier to tie you up and get you to talk to me."

She didn't respond, but narrowed her eyes at him and stood up the coat rack.

"What's up with you, Casey?" He asked.

"Funny, Emily asked the same thing earlier," she huffed.

"So did Sam."

They hung up the coats silently, not making any eye contact.

"So," Derek said, once all the damage had been cleaned up. "Are you ready to talk or do I have to get the rope?"

I hope it was worth the wait, guys. I'd appreciate it if you'd me know how I did and how I can improve. Oh, and also what you'd guys like to see in the next chapter? Thanks much. DASEY NEXT CHAPTER, FOR SURE :)