Wow. I'm impressed that this made it to eleven pages. Second night in a row I'm posting this late... Or just posting, for that matter. I've got school tomorrow. Ugh. I'm going to need the reviews then.
Actually, I'm surprised I posted so soon, because I swore I wouldn't. I should be working on Chestnuts too... Oh well. I sat down last night and finished "Quintessential", so I figured, hey, why not force myself to write "Bring It On" too. And there, I did it. Weird, but I'm review-hungry. ;)
You might not get another update for a while, though... Anyways...
I don't own the song, "Bring It On". It belongs to The Weekend. In case you can't tell (if you haven't read my profile, lol), I love them. After all, I've named the past, what, four Casey chapters after them? Or is it three? I can't remember. Plus, her next chapter's one of their songs... Whatever. Nor, for that matter, do I own anything connected with Life With Derek. I do, however, own Gabby and Julia. Oh, and the stuff towards the end about witches comes from my Euro book, ahem, Western Civilization by something... Spielvogel. Anyways...
Several things... One, the first part of the chapter was written directly after I had watched Cruel Intentions, so don't be surprised if she's channeling Kathryn. Casey's completely different in this chapter... All over the place. She's naïve, she's confused, she's manipulative, she's defensive, she's happy... It's big on foreshadowing the future. ;) Let's just say she changes... a lot. So, if you're a little surprised, I don't blame you. Oh, and sorry about the dancing... I'm not big on dancing, so it sorta sucks. But just imagine that they were dancing really well, okay? Oh, and there's probably veiled Instant Star references in there, which is probably because I was listening to my Alexz Johnson playlist while I was writing most of this... Lol... Just watch, I'll be naming chapters Un-Sweet Sixteen and Twenty-One. Actually, though, Twenty-One's a pretty good song... It's by Subb. And I'm a big Wakefield fan, so don't be surprised if you see a chapter named Lost or Hors d'Oeuvres Avant le Coup d'Etat... especially that last one. I heart that song. Anyways, rambling, and you guys don't like that.
You know, if anyone can tell me what episodes the quotes are from and who said them, I'll give you a spoiler. I happen to love giving out spoilers. Especially to people who make long reviews or talk to me on IM, lol. ;) Anyways, HINT hint there... The quote below shouldn't be too hard to figure out. ;)
So, all I have to say before I give out the chapter is, lol, enjoy your Big Mac (do you think it's catching on, Heather? Nope? Damn). See, because it's like a Casey sandwich... Derek and Sam... Hehe, right, the chapter... Without further ado.
"I'm the stepsister you've always wanted."
Derek doesn't think I can keep up? Well, I'll show him. And besides, Sam's not here... I've got to do something. I can't just stand here, at my own party, and be a wallflower just because my idiot of a boyfriend didn't arrive on time. That's his problem, not mine.
I mean, does he think I'm looking this good for Derek? The answer to that question would be no. Hell no. I spent a lot of time looking this good, and he'd better appreciate it. That's why I'm going to make him wish he was on time. And what better way than by dancing with Derek, notorious playboy and girlfriend-thief. Not that Sammy has anything to worry about there. Of course not.
Getting involved with Derek is stupid, and every girl who has regrets it. Just ask Sandra... And, well, Vicky sure didn't look happy at the end of that date. Not that I blame her. If I went out on a date with Derek, I think I would have to excuse myself to the toilet to vomit. I don't care how good of a kisser he is. Not that I know, of course... I mean, when he fed me that cockamamie story, thinking I'd believe it... My first thought was that he had obviously lost his mind. Which, of course, I'm sure he has, but that was long ago and not something I need to be thinking of. So there.
Honestly, if I keep thinking about Derek, I'm going to lose my mind, and, well, I happen to like my mind and enjoy using it. That's the difference between me and Derek. I think with my brain, and, well, he thinks with his... you know what I mean, don't you?
Of course you do.
Derek pulled me on to the dance floor, acting as if he owned the place, which he does, as the song started up. He grinned, loving the way that people stared at him, shooting me a flirtatious look. Then he came up, really close to me.
Punk rock shows, DUIs...
Derek smirked at the lyrics. DUIs? Aren't we a bit young for that? I mean, Derek hasn't even been taking driving lessons that long... We were swaying lightly to the music... at first, anyways. Then things started... heating up just a little. Well, I guess that's Derek for you. One minute he's normal, then BAM, he's blindsighted you.
Leather jacket, but sweet brown eyes...
Speaking of brown eyes and a leather jacket... Derek was a really good dancer. He leaned in further, sliding his hands down to my hips. I turned away from him, so that he was facing my back. He still pulled me closer, swaying his hips back and forth slowly, getting closer and closer and closer! "They're staring at you, you know," He whispered in my ear. Me? Why are they staring at me?
Oh, because I look hot. Right. That's... weird. Plus, I'm dancing with Derek... Oh, how could I forget? Wrapping one of my arms around the back of his neck, I started swaying my hips too. The idiot doesn't think that I can dance... I'll show him, won't I? Haha, Derek, here's my revenge. I ran my other hand up his shirt... not his jacket, his shirt. Let's see who's victorious here. Derek groaned... personally, I'm not that fond of grinding. I detest it, but, hey, it's Halloween.
Flunk the test, drive me wild...
He flunks a lot of tests... I wonder why. Obviously, he's not stupid. Okay, maybe that's not exactly true. He is... I've learned, from all our run-ins, that he's not a moron. You have to have a brain to plot out things the way he does. Of course he has a brain... He just doesn't use it a lot of the time. It's really quite a shame. I've seen the things he can do when he uses it... just imagine what he could do if he applied himself!
Not that that's ever going to happen.
Derek forced me to turn around, grabbing my hand and spinning me out without a warning. I'm dizzy. Great! Flunking a test is no stretch for Derek. Driving me wild? Fat chance, Dere. He pulled me in quickly, and I fell into his chest a bit harder than I intended. Oof.
As if on cue, he smirked.
Naturally.
Crash a car, flash that wicked smile...
Considering the way he lives... I bet he drives faast. He lives life in the fast lane, after all. So crashing a car's not a stretch. I don't think there's much that Derek won't do, really.
He pulled me closer, illustrating my point.
Out late on a Saturday night...
What time is it? It feels like I've been dancing for ages. That can't be true, though. This song is what... two minutes? Maybe three at the most? This is ridiculous.
I backed away from Derek a little, and he moved towards me. Why can't he just stay back? I mean, I just got his hands off of me! He leaned in further, still grinning, and I leaned back. I'm not going to let him win. I am a good dancer in my own right, and I'll show him that!
You come around, yeah...
I leaned forward suddenly, shaking my chest. Derek's eyes widened exponentially, and this time I smirked. Derek's vices are his weaknesses. And girls (a.k.a. cleavage) are his biggest weakness. He is such a sucker for sex appeal.
You're looking all right...
Derek followed my lead a moment later, and it was as if it was planned. Every move I made, he made with me. Every move he made, I made with him. It wasn't like this with any other guy I've ever danced with. It wasn't ever this... easy... This free...
Pat your ride, leave my friends to you...
Don't drink, and we'll disappear...
One of my friends, Gabby, tried to cut in. Okay, in all honesty, Gabby really isn't a friend of mine. She's kind of... We hang out, but she doesn't like me. And anyone who knows Gabby knows that she goes completely boy-crazy over any remotely attractive guy, especially if she sees him with me.
Wait, did I just say that Derek was attractive?
You were checking him out the other night.
No, I wasn't!
Liar.
Oh, shut up! The idiot's driving you insane again! Not like that's anything new.
Derek took one look at her and practically flattened me against him. There was not even one inch between us. I could smell his cologne... It's really too strong. I hate it when guys put on too much cologne. It's like they want themselves to be smelled from a mile away. They're worse than skunks. Then he turned to her and said, real smoothly, of course, "Me and Casey are a little busy here, if you don't mind."
Gabby scoffed and walked off. Ha, so there, Gabby! Wait, am I gloating because Derek just blew her off to dance with me? I don't want to dance with Derek, remember! That could've been my out! Stupid Derek! Derek smirked yet again and I found myself wanting to slug him yet again. The song slowed a little and I tried my hardest to get away from him, but his grip was hard as iron.
Under the starlit sky...
Outside watching cars pass by...
Find out what's on your mind...
Just what, exactly, was on Derek's mind? I swear, lately he's lost his mind even more than before! What's he thinking asking me to dance in the first place! He knows I'm dating Sam... who hasn't shown up yet. I know Derek's up to something. I can smell it.
I just... don't know what it is yet. But I'll find out. I swear I will.
Derek twirled me around, spinning me out and pulling me back in. I would've just let go of his hand, but I was sort of afraid I'd fall and, well... Klutzilla myself again. No, wait, I only do that in the presence of Sam... and Derek... but mostly Sam.
We circled each other, pacing, staring warily at one another for a while. Derek smirked.
Bring it on!
Make me like it!
Make it worth it!
Turn it on...
Like a light switch...
Make it worth it!
Bring it on!
Our eyes locked. It was a mad dash to see who would grab the other first. His hands roamed all over me, but I didn't let it get me down. I would get my revenge soon enough.
I licked my lips, grinning evilly. And then I pressed against him, closing the distance between us. There wasn't an inch between our bodies. This was beginning to become a familiar position... ugh. But I wasn't getting close because I wanted to. I had to, with what I had in mind.
I moved naturally, gracefully, as the movements came to me. He moved in sync with me, and his eyes didn't stray from mine. I saw the challenge there. Bring it on, Derek.
Suddenly, everyone else was forgotten... but I still heard the whispers. About my relationship with Sam... Was Derek dating anyone? Try everyone... How hot was I? Who is that girl? How'd she wind up dancing with Derek? Because, hello, she's the hottest chick at the party, and Derek always picks a winner... Isn't she dating his best friend? Wait, he's her stepbrother, right? They're like... related. Eew. That's totally gross.
Aren't they dating?
So many questions, questions, questions... Driving me crazy!
But I just focused on the task at hand... seducing my stepbrother. Wait, no, that's not right. It can't be. I'm not trying to seduce him... I'm just trying to trick him, is all... Make him all hot and heavy and into me and then... crash his pathetic little hopes.
Man, that's manipulative. I don't think I've got the guts to pull it off. It's sort of mean, too... But, it wouldn't be the first time I've manipulated Derek... Hmm, I think I took that movie a little too literally last night. I don't want to be Kathryn. I'm not... like that. And yet, here you are, trying to emulate her...
No, I don't! I just... want to annoy Derek a little.
Yeah, right. You want to lead him on. You want to make him think you're into him and then leave him high and dry, what, wanting you? Please! As if Derek will even fall for that. He will see right through you.
Please... He's a hormonal sixteen-year-old boy. He'll be all over it. He laps up the attention like a dog. And, after all, I am a very good actress.
Uh, why am I doing this again?
Live the movie, life the lie...
Derek licked his lips, leaning in a little. There was a weird look in his eyes. Not lust though... I think.
"Why are you with Sam? He hasn't even shown up yet..." Derek asked, frowning a little. For some reason, he didn't look happy about it. Well, I guess Sam is his best friend. It's always nice to have a wingman.
What is he doing asking me questions like that? It just doesn't make sense. My relationship with Sam is none of his business. He might be my stepbrother and my boyfriend's best friend, but he is neither of our keepers. I wish he could just butt out of my business for once in his life! Doesn't he see how annoying it is?
I don't like him, I barely tolerate him, and I want to kill him half the time anyways. I don't want to talk to him any more than is necessary. It's bad enough that I have to live with him and... share one bathroom. One bathroom for five kids? Please.
"None of your business," I snapped, leaning hard against him. Derek raised his eyebrows, a little breathless, but he relaxed against me. His hands slid across the part of my back under my shirt but above my skirt. I felt sticky with sweat. I noticed that Derek was sweating too.
He shrugged nonchalantly. "You know, maybe there's a reason he's late..." Derek suggested, raising his eyebrows. I knew immediately that he was hinting at something, but what...
Did Derek know something I didn't? Do you think he and Sam talk about me when I'm not around? Or, or other girls, maybe? Like what about Sam's past girlfriends? I'm sure a cutie like him has to have had some...
Different story every night...
"Do you know something?" I asked without thinking, eyes wide. Derek frowned, confused, but shook his head no. He looked conflicted for a minute, but shook his head again.
"No," He muttered to himself, concentrating on the dancing. I let him dip me down low. It felt weird depending on Derek, of all people... Even if it was just to make sure I didn't fall and to pull me back up.
Come to think of it, Sam had been late a lot lately. Sure, he was already there when Derek and I got to the theater, but, still... He's always late picking me up. But that's because he knows I'm never ready on time. And maybe he was late to a couple of our dates at the coffeehouse, but that was only because I got there a couple minutes early.
I mean, it's obviously nothing. I'm just overreacting a little because stupid, moronic, idiot Derek has planted some clearly crazy ideas in my head. And Derek is not to be trusted... obviously. Plus... he has no point, no basis... Nothing.
I shimmied, twisting free of his grip a little. Okay, so sue me, I wanted a little space! Being that close to Derek is stressful! But Derek managed to pull me back against him, as he always did.
Just when I think I'm out, they pull me back in!
Make me twist, make me shout...
Hit the bottle, baby, let it all out!
That reminded me of my goal, which was, of course, to drive Derek crazy for a change. Payback. That's what I wanted. All I wanted. I didn't want Derek.
I stared deep in his eyes, pretending to look whipped and deliriously in love with Derek the Stupid. My eyes got all big and round... I let my knees buckle a little, and made sure the straps of my shirt slid down my shoulders a little. See, I can be sexy!
Under the starlit sky...
Outside watching cars pass by...
Find out what's on your mind...
You know, I bet I'm really confusing him right now. But that's just too bad, now isn't it? Let Derek think what he wants to think... After all, I'll be victorious in the end.
A smirk spread across my face with that thought. Finally, I would win over Derek... for a change. Complete victory over him. It felt nice. My eyes sparkled with an evil fire. Then I got an idea.
I turned around so my back was against him, pulling him against me. I was going to make him lose it.
Bring it on!
Make me like it!
Make it worth it!
Turn it on...
Like a light switch...
Make it worth it!
Bring it on!
I ran my hands up his chest, leaning against him, panting deliberately. He stiffened against me, and his breath sped up. It was then that I noticed there was this sort of empty circle around us, you know, like they have in the movies for the really good dancing couple who're really into each other? That was obviously not Derek and me.
I heard Derek swallow hard and then lick his lips. He grabbed my hand and spun me further away from him. Oh, so now you want to play it safe, Dere? Well that's just too bad. I tried to get closer, but Derek thwarted my attempts with precision. Impressive, but not quite good enough.
He did his best to show me off like some priceless jewel on the dance floor. Hmm, I guess he wasn't lying about how he could dance. There was a lot of chemistry. I wonder if he dances this way with everyone.
Yes, Derek was exerting himself, for some odd reason. To get his mind off things, maybe? A very nice distraction, 'Rek, but it's not going to work. Even though, as the moment, it was all I could do to just keep up... There was no doubt in my mind.
I just had to go about things very carefully.
In a different world...
And a different time...
In a different... state of mind...
I grinned slowly, feeling myself blink a lot. Might as well bat my eyelashes at him. Through heavy-lidded eyes, I noticed that he looked a little confused. I took advantage of his confusion to sneak closer to him. Closer and closer.
He wouldn't know what hit him. I kept on smiling, making my movements purposely slow. My hands kept slipping, and I kept blushing, as if on cue. I giggled stupidly, acting like a lovestruck fool, but no one else heard me over the music. It really looked like I was having a good time.
Too bad I wasn't.
Taking it slowly...
See right through me...
Yeah, you do!
You see right through...
I wrapped my arms loosely around his neck, leaning in a little further. I pulled my hips up against his, pretending like I didn't know what I was doing. I pressed my chest against his, balancing some of my weight on him. Derek's eyes were darker than usual... A little cloudy.
He was almost at his breaking point. I'm just... helping him along.
Man, Casey, you are evil. And I thought Derek was the twisted one around here...
Well, vengeance is a funny thing, after all...
Under the starlit sky...
Outside watching cars pass by...
Find out what's on your mind...
I leaned in still closer, plastered up against him. His hands gripped my hips tight, trying futilely to push me away. I wasn't having any of that. I just pushed my hips harder against his, straining my muscles. I grinned slightly, tightening my grip around his neck, forcibly dragging him closer and closer.
I wondered if I was making the biggest mistake of my life here, but I quickly forgot that thought. I just had to do it. There was no way of getting around it.
Derek's hands grabbed at my hips painfully. I looked down; his knuckles were white. I moaned, not out of pleasure, in pain. I wondered if this was going to bruise... Well, it wouldn't be the first time Derek's given me a bruise. I bit my lip, trying to suppress my cry of pain, but then I saw him smirk. I felt sick.
But I was determined to not let him win. So I steeled myself, trying to ignore his iron grip, and looked him hard in the eyes. "Bring it on," Derek hissed, leaning a little in my face.
I'll show him, all right. You'll be begging for mercy, Derek.
Bring it on...
I played with his hair.
Make me like it!
A coy smile wound its way across my face.
Make it worth it!
I looked him in the eyes, looking down shyly and then glancing back up.
Turn it on!
I could feel his hands, bruising, blazing, and burning my skin black and blue at the hips.
Like a light switch...
I forcibly slammed my hips against his, refusing to move.
Make it worth it!
Derek groaned, biting his lip, and closing his eyes in agony.
Bring it on...
I smirked victoriously. He was as good as gone. Your ass is mine.
Bring it on!
I leaned in closer, creeping my hand up his neck, caressing his cheek.
I licked my lips seductively, pouting a little, pushing my lips out.
There was only a few inches between our faces.
I had now blocked everything else, like tunnel vision.
I licked my lips again, staring at his, hoping he'd get the hint. Come on, Derek, SNAP already!
Punk rock show, DUIs...
I could feel his warm breath against my face. Yeah, come on, Derek, you know you want to...
Let me leave you looking like the fool.
I stopped moving, staring directly at Derek. The song was winding down. Finally, he started to lean in, closing his eyes.
Leather jacket, what a sweet surprise...
In fact, Derek was less than a millimeter away from my lips, about ready to kiss the hell out of me when...
"Casey?"
Oh, crap. Sam. My boyfriend. Derek's best friend. Crap. Derek opened his eyes and smirked at me. It was then that I knew that it was a total set up. I couldn't hide the surprise on my face, I just gaped at Derek, looking from Derek to Sam again and again. I couldn't believe it. I didn't know what to say.
And Sam was looking at me funny. We had stopped dancing in the middle of the dance floor, and were beginning to look out of place. Fortunately, the music hadn't stopped... A new song was playing, but I could only stand there, motionless.
Derek smirked, his arms still draped around my waist, leaning in to whisper in my ear. "I always win, Casey. You were stupid to think that you could change that," He drawled smugly. Then he pulled back, looking completely unaffected. Some bimbo flocked to him, grabbing his arm and dragging him off... not that I was too broken up about it. Derek's grin widened as he wrapped an arm around her.
"Don't wait up, Case," Derek yelled over the sounds of the party, saluting me mockingly and glancing excitedly at the girl who was dragging him off. He only thinks he's getting lucky tonight. I'll put a stop to those matters personally. Can't have any hanky-panky going on at my own party, now can I?
Still flummoxed by my mysterious encounter with Derek, I turned to face my boyfriend, who looked adorably confused. He frowned. "What was that all about?" Sam asked curiously.
Though I was panicking inside, I managed to shrug it off. "You know Derek," I muttered, grabbing Sam's hand and pulling him on to the dance floor. I made sure to give him a big kiss hello, but I still felt dirty, like I'd cheated on him or something.
But I hadn't! I'd just... danced with Derek. One single dance. One single stupid idiotic dance. What on Earth was I trying to prove? Trying to seduce my stepbrother? Am I mental?
I don't EVER want to kiss Derek! Now he probably thinks I do! Ugh. That would be horrible. I don't care what he says... Or what anyone else says. I don't want to!
I obviously lost my mind. I was so caught up in getting revenge that I didn't think about anything else. Derek was playing me. Ugh, I feel sick.
I feel like I need to make it up to Sam... for what's been going on lately with Derek and me. I feel so guilty... like I'm an emotional adulteress because Derek keeps hitting on me... And I keep winding up in these bizarre situations with him. Like stuck in the bathroom... I always wind up in the bathroom with him, for some bizarre reason. Or when I woke up in bed with him this morning with no recollection of how I got there? And he was... touching me inappropriately too! Oh, I just feel bad about it... and, sure, I know it's not my fault, right? It isn't my fault, right?
The scary thing is that I don't know anymore.
Besides back there, when have I ever deliberately done something to... to make him think that I... that I feel... differently towards him than... I mean, when?
As far as I can tell... never.
Uh, right?
I danced hard, throwing my all into it as a punishment. The throbbing in my feet became a reward. I lavished attentions on Sam all night, playing the role of dutiful girlfriend. I ran about getting him drinks and snacks, talking to him and letting him have his space. I held his hand, smiled at him stupidly, made goo-goo eyes, played with his hair... Kissed him, touched him... Like crazy.
Sam had showed up to the party without a costume, and, for some reason, that stung a little. But I remembered what had happened and forced myself to ignore the niggling feelings of doubt and irritation. His hair was messy too, but at least he wasn't wearing that ugly hat again! All he had to do was smile and... I forgot everything I was mad about.
I did go off and talk to my friends about my fabulous boyfriend. They were happy for me. What good friends I have. Unfortunately, however, they asked more questions about Derek than Sam, and these were not questions I wanted to answer. I had firmly drawn the line in my head separating Derek and Sam long ago... And I knew I could not compare them... for my own sanity!
So I just blew off their questions, dancing with my friends and Sam... Sure, some other guys asked, but I turned them all down. What kind of perfect girlfriend would I be if I said yes? I am not a slut! No, I'm not... Though maybe some of them think, you know, with this outfit and the way I was dancing with Derek (really a lot different than the way I dance with Sam)... Oh, I don't know!
The guilt was returning... Though, speaking of sluts, there was Derek, in all his glory, chatting up one of my friends in the corner.
I'd been discreetly keeping tabs on him all night. He had made out with a lot of the girls at the party... Man, he gets around. But I insured that his jobs as host kept him busy. Not as busy as the girls kept him, but still busy enough. It was enough to keep him from getting a little too close, too fresh, if you know what I mean...
My friend, Julia (not the mental one who made me go dance with Derek... That's Tiffany), saw who I was looking at and smirked. Ugh, not another reminder of Derek. Julia was sensible like me, though, and she also happened to be really smart.
I saw her talking to Derek before, and let me tell you, I was impressed! She didn't buy into all his crap like the other girls, even Sandra... She saw right through him. Not many girls can do that, for some odd reason... I don't get it. Does he think he's charming or something? Do they think he's charming? He really isn't charming at all... He's a huge jerk!
Julia sort of blew him off in a polite way... Derek went off, muttering under his breath. I didn't quite catch it... something about being frozen, having a mountain of ice shoved up her... you know... a lack of warmth, an Ice Age. Julia, in turn, muttered something about psychotic strangers and the full moon. Yeah, it does make people crazy, no matter what they say.
Like tonight. There's a full moon tonight. That's why I'm being so whacked about it. That has to be it.
"I couldn't blame you, if you wanted to, you know..." Julia said dryly, sipping her soda. She'd been in the bathroom when I had said that Derek was my stepbrother. This from a girl who doesn't like Derek? I shot her a look of disgust and disbelief. Julia snorted and rolled her eyes.
"Please, Jules! He's my stepbrother. That's gross... Practically incest. Besides, I have Sam, and Sam's perfect!" I responded glibly, hiding my deeper annoyance. Sam was looking at me. I smiled dreamily at him and waved. Julia gave me a disapproving look, gesturing to Sam.
"If Sam's so perfect, then why did he show up to his girlfriend's party late and without a costume?" Julia pointed out wisely, shooting me a look. She reminded me yet again of Derek, which irritated me to no end. Honestly, where did she get off, pretending she knew things I didn't? I forced myself to calm down. Her point was valid, and she wasn't hinting at anything... Besides, my Sam would never... I trust him, and that's all that matters.
Julia shrugged, downing a bit more of her drink. She raised her eyebrows. "I saw you dancing with Derek and I saw you dancing with Sam, okay, Case? And even if you weren't all over him, you still had more chemistry with Derek," Julia explained, putting a hand on her waist. I glared at her. What, was she encouraging me to... whatever... with Derek?
Did he put her up to this!
No, no, no! That's absolutely ridiculous! Julia is a loyal friend, I know!
If she's such a loyal friend, then why is she telling me something I obviously don't want to hear? Friends don't always tell you what you want to hear... Real friends don't, at least...
Did she think she was helping me? I guess I could understand then... Only she wasn't helping me. She was confusing me even more. I sighed, looking out at the dance floor moodily, biting my lip and taking another sip of my Coke. I still felt a little sick to my stomach from everything.
"I hate Derek," I spat venomously, narrowing my eyes at the very thought of him. I felt murderous. I could feel the hate burning in my eyes. Julia saw and backed away a little, pouring herself some more soda. She seemed pensive for a moment, pursing her lips, as if she was reflecting carefully on what to say. For a long while, she said nothing, but then her eyes lit up with knowledge, and I knew she had found her answer.
"Think about it, Casey... You're a witch. He's the Devil. You don't see the connection?" Julia asked, trying to make me draw a connection. I, on the other hand, was confused, and didn't see her point. Julia frowned, sighing frustratedly. She didn't want to have to explain... Too bad, Jules. Spill.
Julia rolled her eyes, playing with her cup. "Remember when you and I did that project on the Witchhunts in Europe during the fifteenth century?" How could I forget? I was the one who had to make the costumes and read for the witch. That was a long, exhausting project. I nodded, wondering where she was going with this. Her little attempt to jog my memory obviously hadn't worked. "You remember how the women almost always confessed... to things they never did? Like casting spells, putting curses on people, and, I quote, "cohabiting" with the Devil?" She hinted, shooting me a look.
My face fell immediately, and I understood what she meant... Finally, completely, really. Grreat. Ugh, kill me now! What she said... Witches were tied to the Devil. They met with the Devil, swore their allegiance to the Devil, were marked by the Devil... They worshiped the Devil at their stupid Black Masses!
Just because I dress up like a witch doesn't mean I am one.
Oh, really, then why were you being such a manipulative witch with Derek? I wasn't, though! He's the evil one around here!
I am not a witch, though! I'm no pagan or satanist!
I don't worship Derek, first of all! And I don't swear to him... Except truces, from time to time... I'm not tied to him... by blood bond. Our parents are married, though. And I don't meet up with him, like on dates! Except when I run into him in the bathroom or the hall or the foyer... Uh, what am I proving here, exactly? I can't really tell, but... I think there was something else.
Oh, yeah! Cohabitation.
And I most certainly don't sleep with him!
Uh... Except for this morning, you know, I ought to rephrase that!
I don't have sex with Derek on a regular basis! There... Erm, at all. At all. Not at all. None. Never. Never ever. Never ever ever ever. Ever. Never. Why would I? That's stupid and I hate him and, just, ew! I don't have sex with Derek the Devil, so you see, I am not a witch! So there!
But cohabitation also means to live together... with a sexual implication! I do live with Derek... But I'm not screwing him or anything and... He's rubbing off on me. Great, just great! You know, this has to stop. His influence is bad, bad, bad. Yes, it must stop.
"It means nothing. Just a weird coincidence, Julia. Drop it," I hissed through clenched teeth, throwing back the rest of the Coke without a thought. I raced over to plant a kiss on Sam, roughly tugging him on the dance floor and dancing even closer to prove a point... to Julia, to Sam, to Derek... but not to myself. Never to myself. I already knew, after all...
I couldn't help but notice, however, that Derek was a better dancer.
Oh, crap, I just did the unspeakable! I compared them. Bad, bad, bad thought! Get out of my head! NOW!
Good, good... Cool. Relax... You didn't think that. And... chill.
You need it, Case.
Before I knew it, the party was ending. It was eleven and they all had curfews. But that was okay because Sam was staying over (for a while, not the whole night) to have a Halloween movie marathon. I waved goodbye, hugging all of my friends. Derek gave a different type of goodbye, which was, pretty much, making out with over half of the girls at the party. Yeah, ew, gross. He had a pretty high stack of numbers when it was all over and done with... somehow. I still don't get it. Animal magnetism is a myth, really...
And whatever it is... He doesn't have it. Obviously.
Then we all sat down to watch some movies... Innocently, I thought. But knowing Derek, I should've realized the impossibility of that happening anytime soon.
After all, both Derek and Sam were there. I would wind up making out with one of them... Sam, in case you're absolutely moronic and think I kissed Derek. Bleh. That's sick, and you're twisted.
Derek didn't take too kindly to my kissing his dear friend. Too bad.
Personally, I think he was just pissed that he didn't have a girl of his very own to French, like, for example, our dearest cousin, Victoria. You know what they say... Victoria's Secret.
But, just what, exactly, was her secret? What had happened between my cousin and my stepbrother. I silently vowed to find out, all the while wondering why exactly I was interested.
Why am I watching horror movies? I hate horror movies. Halloween, Scream, Chucky, Nightmare on Elm Street? Silently, I prayed that we wouldn't finish the marathon.
But hey, there was always Sam's lap to curl up in... I could feel warm and safe and protected... Protected because Sam likes me. That little thought led to a huge revelation.
The revelation that I, Casey McDonald, am in love for the first time.
I'm in love with Sam. I'm in love with Sam. I'm in love with Sam!
I just want to shout it out to the rooftops and tell him how I feel. I love you, Sam. Love you, Sam. You mean the world to me, Sammy. I'm madly in love with you! I'm in love with Sam and I like it!
Wow.
I love Sam.
I can't stop smiling, you know... There's this stupid grin plastered on my face, and I just can't seem to get it off... I'm smiling like a total idiot, but I don't care.
I'm about to watch hideous horror movies, which I hate even more than I hate Derek, but I don't care. In fact, I don't even care about Derek anymore! He can bug me all he wants, but I won't let it get me down! He won't affect me...
Because I'm in love, love, love, a thousand times love, with Sam! And right now I feel absolutely, truly, incandescently content... for the first time! I'm in love, I'm in love, I'm in love!
All I can feel are the butterflies in my stomach, jumping up and flying around. My head is filled with visions of rainbows and unicorns and... Sam, my love, my one and only. Ah, Sam...
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways... Oh, Lord. I'm starting to spout poetry. I'm completely insane.
I decided then and there to tone down my ecstasy a little bit. I bit my lip to keep down the smile and grabbed Sam's hand. Sparks, soft, sweet, warm, rush, love! He smiled back at me, and I swooned internally.
It's Halloween, but it feels like Valentine's day because I love Sam... always and forever.
Loren ;
Yeah, I know, if you thought that part about her loving Sam was totally out of left field, me too... I was sorta trying to get to ten pages, so I started adding stuff. And BAMMO, she's in love with Sam. I'm trying to make it very symbolic... Lol... Sorta symbolic.
Review and I'll love you forever! Lol... Or I'll just blame you little ungrateful weasels for my sore neck, back, and shoulders, as well as my poor skinned elbows and near-blindness. Nah, just kidding. I love you guys and appreciate all of your reviews (seriously, the hit count for this story is only a couple hundred under my 20 chapter fic, and I haven't even reached ten yet, though, I assure you, you'll love chapter ten with the burning passion of a thousand suns, or, anyways, you will if you like Big Macs...)! Muah!