Author's Note: Oh, just read ;)
Because They Said So - Chapter 14
Trrr. Trrr.
Casey bolted up. In her bed.
What happened last night...?
She rubbed her eyes and glanced down at her clothes. Her jeans and shirt from yesterday. She must've forgotten to change. Nothing was different... nothing was Derek's.
Her head was spinning and buzzing with confusion. No, the buzzing was her alarm; she jammed her finger on the 'Snooze' button.
What happened last night!?
She could've sworn she was in Derek's room. On his bed. In his arms. And they were...
Oh God.
Oh God.
Oh God, oh God, oh GOD!
Casey jumped off of her bed frantically, and, being her klutzy self, tumbled over a loose article of clothing. She held it up shakily. It was a tank top; she sighed with relief. Nothing revealing, and nothing Derek.
"W-w-what...," she stuttered to herself. Okay... what the heck happened!?
A knock on her door made her jump.
"What?!" She cried instinctively.
"Are you okay?" Came Lizzie's worried response.
Lizzie!
With one swift move, Casey jumped up from the floor, made a dash for her door and threw it open. She grabbed a shocked Lizzie by the arm and jerked her inside, slamming her door shut again.
"... the heck is wrong with you!?" Lizzie demanded, while Casey took hold of her shoulders.
"Liz, what happened last night?" She asked with wide eyes.
"What d'you mean?"
"Didn't you come in my room and talk to me?"
"Yeah...," her little sister said slowly, eyeing her as if she were taking over-doses of Vicodin.
Casey removed her hands from her shoulders and backed away. How could she say the next sentence without sounding like she was over-dosing on drugs.
"D'you know if--uh, did I, um... uh, did I go to Derek's room last night?"
Sounded normal enough.
"Like I know," Lizzie snorted. "You pretty much passed out on me after, like, ten minutes. You should've seen your eyes; it was like there was an anchor weighing them down or something."
Casey exhaled deeply, relieved. "So I didn't wake up or anything?"
"Look, I don't know, Case, you seemed pretty dead to me. Why, what's up, what's going on?"
"Nothing, I just," she sighed, "Uh, I had this really vivid dream. I didn't go into Derek's room...?"
"Casey!" Lizzie cried. "I don't know! Why don't you go ask him?"
She turned on her heel and made her way towards the door slowly.
"You kept muttering," Lizzie said softly, and Casey perked up. "Something like 'Derek, Derek, now', or along those lines. I won't even ask what you were dreaming about."
Casey shuddered.
"Mom sent me up to tell you breakfast's in five minutes," Lizzie told her, then scurried off, closing the door behind her.
It was a dream.
All of it was a dream.
Half of Casey was relieved, almost happy. But the other half almost... almost dissapointed.
Her fingers traced alongside her waist line. It's like she could almost feel Derek's hands tugging them down.
... she smirked and said, "Does this mean I'm officially on your list?"
Casey shook her head. Stupid, stupid!
It was just a dream. A figment of her imagination, practically.
She slapped her cheek unwillingly.
Okay, ow.
It might've worked.
After a couple minutes, she finally stood up and made her way downstairs.
"... jerk, Edwin! Give it back!"
"Come and get it!"
"Edwin!"
"Edwin," George chided. "Let's be a gentleman, now, give the box to Liz, please."
Derek's muffled laugh filled the kitchen.
"Morning, Case," Nora acknowledged, once she made herself present.
But Casey's attention wasn't on her mother. And it wasn't on her two siblings fighting over the last of the Cap'N Crunch. Or on her step-father attempting to break it up.
It was on the completely care-free guy with brown, shaggy hair, shaking with laughter at his brother and sister's breakfast brawl.
She stood akwardly against the kitchen door frame.
Then he finally looked up at her, his smile still wide.
Her eyes widened and his brow furrowed.
"--sey, hon, are you alright?"
Casey nodded, the corners of her mouth forcing into a smile, "Uh huh."
"Then get something to eat, will you? You're flushing. Get some color back into you," Nora patted her daughter's shoulder and exited the kitchen.
She turned her back on the island and pinched her cheeks discreetly until they started to sting. When she turned back around, she was faced by a completely empty room.
Or so she thought, until she heard the clanking of a spoon to a bowl.
Great.
She clamped her eyes closed, and went to get a bowl and a box of cereal.
"Afraid to bask in my glorious-ness, Princess?" Derek chuckled cockily.
She snarled.
"Shut up," she attempted to bark, but instead was shocked when it came out as a whisper. She took her bowl to the island, farthest away from Derek.
"I wont bite, sheesh."
She didn't answer, just sloshed her spoon in the milky flakes.
"Cat got your tongue?" He murmured.
"Ididn'tcomeinyourroomlastnightdidI?" She breathed quickly.
Derek's eyes were wide with confusion, "Crazy-ass-step-sister said what...?"
She sighed, and stretched out her words, "I didn't... you know, go in your room last night, did I?"
He raised both of his brows so high, they almost touched the ceiling.
"What are you on?"
"Just answer the question."
He thought a moment.
"No..."
"Good," she sighed.
"What the hell is wrong with you, McDonald? Long night?"
"I guess you could say that."
"You're such a freakette," he shook his head and got up from his seat. "I'd dump you if one-hundred-and-fifty dollars weren't on the line."
"Thanks," she spat. "It would save me all the trouble."
"What're you doing today?" He asked suddenly.
This caught Casey by surprise.
"W-what?" She sputtered.
"You wanna goto the mall or something?" He invited nonchalantly, picking at his fingernail.
"I don't get it," she shook her head. "One minute, you're throwing insults at me like Walter Johnson and the next, you're asking me on a date?"
"It's not a date," he rolled his eyes. "I have nothing to do today and I guess I kind of owe it to you for not being such a prick about the Michaela thing."
Her mouth was gaping. There had to be some kind of catch if that was the best excuse he had.
"Why don't you take out Sam or something?"
"I asked, and he gave me some crap about helping his Mom with her book club."
"Ralph?"
"He's out of town for the weekend."
"I uh," she started. "I guess I could. It's kind of sudden, and I may have to cancel some plans, but..."
He snorted, "Puh-lease. Stop trying so hard and just yes."
She scowled, "Fine. But I get to shop. And no complaining."
Derek groaned, "Nevermind, can I take back on my offer?"
"Nope," she smiled sweetly, her mouth popping purposely on the 'P'.
00
"Ugh, we've been to every store that sells a mini skirt, can we please stop and eat?"
"I said no complaining!" Casey scolded.
"Why did I even think about doing this?" Derek groaned.
"'Cause you have no life?" She tried sarcastically.
"You can say that again..."
"Look, feel free to leave at any time," she sighed, reaching to grab at a pink Victoria's Secret bag that he was carrying.
"No!" He cried, jerking the bag away from her reach. "I'd rather be seen with you rather than being seen a loner. Believe it or not, you're better than nothing."
"Gee, no need to sugar coat anything," she said, somewhat offended.
"Speaking of sugar coating," he said suddenly, changing the topic. "Let's head to the food court."
She formed her mouth in a straight line and followed behind him.
"Pizza or Burger?" He asked.
"Don't care," she murmured.
"Oh c'mon," he said, tilting his head back. "Please, please not the guilt trip. I'm so not in the mood."
She looked away.
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry, okay? Are you happy?"
Casey smiled proudly and in triumph.
Derek rolled his eyes for what seemed like the umpteenthtime, "Great, now can we eat?"
"Alright, alright, don't get your boxers in a bunch," she smirked.
"I'm hungry," he whined.
"Immature," she darkened her eyes.
"Hey, you're depriving me of food..."
He trailed off and his eyes went wide.
"Crap!"
"What?!" Casey glanced around frantically. "What is it?"
"Take my hand!" He hissed quietly.
"What...," she started, then felt his hand close in around hers.
00
"Book club, Sam? Really?" Emily asked into the phone incredulously.
She rolled her eyes, "Yeah, yeah alright. Nah, I can handle it. I'm at the--"
Her eyes widened and her brows shot up.
"T-th-th-the...," she said. "Let me call you back, Sam."
She scurried off behind a pillar, then peeked around it.
It couldn't be. Her eyes were definitely deceiving her.
There was no way that Casey and Derek were there. Together!
She watched as they made their way towards the food court.
"Unbelievable!"
What she saw next was almost enough to give her two heart attacks.
Derek. Venturi. Was. Holding. Casey. McDonald's. Hand.
No... way!
Without an audience, too! There was no way they knew she was here. But... but... there was no other explanation.
Emily watched as Casey's eyes shot open as Derek led her to the nearest table. She had to go confront them.
--
"What're you doing?" Casey hissed, though making no attempt to disengage herself.
"Shut up," he muttered under his breath.
"Derek! Tell me what's going on!" She whispered.
"Hold on, Casey, just go along with it!"
He led her towards the nearest vacant table and did something that could only mean hell was freezing over.
Derek Venturi, the Derek Venturi, pulled out a chair for Casey McDonald.
Say what?!
She glanced down at it, then back at him.
"Are you serious?"
"Shut up and sit," he ordered, smiling fakely to no one in particular.
She obeyed hesistantly and when he let go of her hand, she almost cringed. She regained herself, though, when he sat, and took her hand across the table.
"Now can you tell me what's--"
"Yeah, I think that band is totally cool!" Derek said suddenly, chuckling.
"What?"
"Hey guys...," Emily came up to the table.
Casey suddenly realized, and held Derek's hand a little firmer.
"Em, hey!" She greeted, playing along.
"What're you, uh, what're you guys doing?" She asked, attempting to hide her surprise.
Derek and Casey saw right through it.
"Just hangin' out," he shrugged. "Whatsup?"
"Just wanted to say 'hi'," Emily's voice cracked.
"'Hi,'" they smiled simultaneously.
"Hi," she scowled, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Casey held back a giggle.
"Well, I'll see you later," she said through gritted teeth.
They waved Emily off. When, she was fully out of sight, they sniggered.
"I can't believe we pulled that off!" Derek howled with laughter.
"Did you see her face?" Casey said through breaths.
"My God, that was hilarious," he sighed, his belly aching.
She was still shaking when he noticed her hands still in his, in clear sight on the table.
His lips pushed together, then he scoffed.
"What?" She asked, confused.
Derek pulled his hand away abruptly, then found himself almost sighing. Derek Venturi... sighing. For Casey.
"Uh, let's eat."
He tried to cover the break in his voice, but he was sure she saw right through it.
--
"They were holding hands, Sam!"
Emily stopped at a red light.
"I think you're just seeing things," came his reply.
"Seeing things? Do I look mental to you?" She hissed.
He sighed on the other line.
"Oh, oh, oh!" She cried. "And, he held out a chair for her!"
Sam snorted, "You're definitely seeing things. Derek has no common courtesy whatsoever."
"Well, this one does," she said, making a left turn.
"Man, I missed Derek showing manners to Casey for a book club?!" He wailed. "This so bites."
"And the thing is, there was no audience!" She ignored his complaint. "Like, they weren't showing off for anyone... except when I butted in-"
"Woah, woah, back up!" Came Sam's interruption. "You butted in? Why?"
"It seemed way too odd, I couldn't just sit there."
When he didn't say anything, she continued, "Anyways. When I butted in, I couldn't tell if they were faking or not. They seemed pretty sure of themselves if you ask me."
She veered onto her street.
"Nooo," he groaned, sighing exasperatedly. "This is real bad. Real, real bad."
"You don't think I know that?" Emily spat. "I practically blew all my bank money shopping today 'cause I was so sure we'd win!"
"Maybe they saw you," he attempted.
"No, no, I didn't see anything. He was holding her bags before I saw them, anyways."
"Damn."
"Are we screwed, Sam?" She whined, pulling into her driveway and cutting the engine.
"I would say so."
00
"Would you mind helping me?"
Derek tossed his toothpick onto the sidewalk, "I accompanied you to the mall and back, didn't I? You should be grateful! Had you been walking alone, you might've been kidnapped."
"Derek!" She wailed.
He grumbled something inaudible under his breath and reached for the bags on her left arm.
"Thank you."
"Whatever, whatever," he waved off.
"I don't know why you're giving me such an attitude," she said.
"Look, you made me endure Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and J Crew all in one day. You expect me to go through that preppy-trip and come out feeling lad-i-da?"
"What an ass," she muttered to herself.
"Watch yourself," he warned over his shoulder.
"Just open the door," she sighed, following him up the driveway.
"You open the door!"
"That's real mature, Derek," she rolled her eyes. "Will you please?"
"I'm serious, I don't have my keys!"
"How could you not have your keys, idiot?"
"It didn't occur to me that I would need them," he mumbled. "Easy peasy, Ice Queen, we'll just knock."
"It's gonna get you anywhere," she said, as if stating the obvious. "The car's gone."
"Great," he moaned, slumping down on the porch step, letting the colorful bags drop off his arms. "Why don't you have your key?"
"Because I thought you had yours!" She countered.
"Prissy-Missy-Casey forgot her keys?" He smirked.
"Shut your face."
They both faced away from each other for a long period of time.
"Wallet!" Derek called so suddenly that Casey jumped.
"Huh?"
"Give me your wallet!" He cried.
"I don't think now's the best time to try and mug me, Derek," she scowled, reaching into her purse.
"Just hand it over."
She slapped it into his palm, irritated.
"Why do girls have so much crap...," he murmured frustratedly, finally pulling out her driver's license.
Casey caught on immediately, and bolted towards the card, "No, no, not my license!"
She snatched it out of his hands.
"If you're gonna break in, at least use a less useful card," she snapped.
He rolled his eyes, digging through the slots. He held one up, "Border's Rewards Card? Are you serious...?"
She reached out towards it, "Ah, b-but..."
He pulled it out of her reach, "Casey."
She retracted her hand slowly, and pouted, "Fine."
Derek threw her wallet on the ground and went over to the front door.
"Try not to damage it too much," she pleaded, bending over to pick up her stuff.
"As you wish, my Queen," he rolled his eyes, wiggling the card into the door crack.
He grunted and huffed whenever the card would slide out, not cooperating.
She exhaled impatiently.
"Give it to me," she demanded, holding out her hand.
"I got this," he argued.
"Yeah, that explains why we're still out here. Now hand it over."
"No!" He grunted.
"Derek, give it to me now, you're acting like a child!"
Casey reached for the card in his hand, which he repeatedly slapped away. She finally grasped his hand in both of hers and yanked them away from the lock. She tumbled back ungracefully, her hands still on his wrist.
There was, then, the moment where he gripped her waist tightly in one hand, and her hand in the other.
"Klutz," he breathed.
Then, with sudden speed, even before Casey could scowl, Derek jerked her up and against the door, cornering her with both his arms on either side of her head; the Border's card flying to the ground.
Casey stared down at his mouth, her heart pounding wildly against her chest, and licked her lips. Her tongue was instantly replaced by his mouth, smashing against her painfully with pleasure. It was what he'd been waiting for. No one to act for, nothing to shut her up about.
She found her arms, formerly limp against her sides, now looping around his neck.
He leaned in more urgently, all the bubbled up emotions finally raging against her mouth. Her eyes shot close.
Just to make sure, she pinched the back of her hand with her forefinger and thumb.
This time, she wasn't dreaming.
A/n: Any props, yo'?! That was a fairly long chapter, I'm almost surprised! BTW, did you guys see that coming? (;