I know its short...but more is to come. Thank you again Sinistera of the Akatsuki, lwd rocks, wprincessannw, and S girl you are the reason I want to keep going with this story...

I do not own LWD or the characters (but i would totally let michael seater own me ;)

Casey POV

Part of me wanted to bolt. Part of me always wants to run, because its safe running. Quiet, peaceful that's who I was. I wanted the white picket fence. At least that's who I was around everyone but Derek. The sweet, caring, helpful, girl who never stepped out of line.

But when I was with him I couldn't control it anymore. The me who screamed and got into fights. Not a shell of me or someone he wanted me to be, just me.

And ok, he is immature and a bit of a man whore and that smirk is not half as cute as everyone thinks… ok it is but he should not be aware of how adorable he can be it only makes his head bigger.

So what's it gonna be Casey. Run back home to mommy or see how far the rabbit hole goes?

"Derek…" she his name.

"I, I think I love you too. But there are so many things to consider, so many people. I mean we leave for school soon… do we tell mom and George? What about Lizzie, Edwin and Marti. Plus the new baby…"

I didn't get another random thought out due to a certain someone crashing his lips to my own. I didn't hesitate to respond this time opening my mouth slightly. I wanted to memorize the way he felt. The way I felt. He ended our kiss slowly exaggerating his movements.

"Sorry Case, what were you saying," he commented as he nuzzled my neck.

"I, uhh, it doesn't matter anyway," was all I could think as I captured his lips with my own. Amazing, wonderful, terrific, none of these words were quite right.

Free. That's was I felt. Free and alive.

Derek POV

She started rambling on and on about who cares what, all I could hear were four words over and over again. I love you too. Again pansy, I know but give me a break here I have been playing cat and mouse with this girl for years.

"Say it again," I commanded. I wanted to hear it again.

She giggled, "You first."

"I love you," I said without hesitation.

Her smile melted me…Jesus when did I become a marshmallow?

"I love you Derek Venturi," her words were music to my ears.

Knock, knock, "Casey," a shorter brunette walked into Casey's room without waiting for her sister to say come in… "oh my gosh. I didn't see anything I didn't see anything I didn't see anything," Lizzie kept muttering as she tore out of Casey's room.

"Aghh, I thought I would get a few days to enjoy this before we had to tell everyone," I muttered to myself.

Tune in next week to see if Casey and Derek can survive DUN DUN DUN telling the family…

How doth the little crocodile improve his shining tail. And pour the waters of the Nile, on every golden scale. How cheerfully he seems to grin, how neatly spreads his claws. And welcomes little fishes in, with gently smiling jaws.

I truly love Alice in Wonderland…

Love Always,

Artemis