AN: I don't own LWD

Chapter 11

Derek POV

We headed home after the sun went down. I noticed Casey was being unusually quiet so I lightly nudged her arm. "Hey, what's wrong?" I asked her. "I just realized we forgot one important thing.. What are we going to tell our parents?" Casey asked softly. I too had forgotten about that one crucial detail. "We'll just tell them and they will have to deal." I replied, feigning bravery. "Do you really think that's going to work?" She asked dubiously. "Stop worrying Space-Case." I said, taking her hand and squeezing it.

When we got home I yelled for everyone to come to the living room. "What are you doing Derek?!" She hissed in my ear. I gave her a glance and shrugged at her. Everyone soon entered the living room and sat on the couch. "Everybody, we have an announcement to make." I stated. Nora and George glanced at each other with a look that was unreadable to me so I continued, "Casey and I are now dating." I looked at them, expecting a freak out but instead we got a unanimous, "Finally!" Casey and I looked at each other confused. George finally spoke up, "We expected this to happen. We all saw the bond forming between you two and we both knew you really care about each other. Congrats, we are all so happy for you." With that, everyone stood up to give a group hug, which I uncomfortable attempted to squirm out of. "Sorry, we know the only family member that can hug you is Casey." Edwin said in a sing-songy tone. I lightheartedly smacked him on the head, but I couldn't help but smile.

That night all was right in my world.

Casey POV

The next day was Sunday, the day before school started again from break, so as usual I was on a mission to get organized. First I triple checked that all my assignments were completed, then I made sure all my notes and school supplies were in order. Then I planned my outfits for the week.

I was planning Friday's outfit when Derek knock and came in. "Hi my gorgeous keener." He casually said, walking in and sitting down on my bed. I rolled my eyes and continued my agenda. "Since you're here, you might as well be useful. Jeans or leggings?" I asked, holding up both pairs of pants. "I don't do fashion Case. Besides you look beautiful in anything." he said sincerely. "Thanks Der." I said walking over and kissing him. Derek stood up and too my hands. "C'mon school doesn't start up again until tomorrow, let's do something." He suggested. "Sure, sounds good." I replied.

We drove around for a while until we reached a beautiful park. We stepped out of the Prince and walked until we reached an outdoor skating rink. I looked at Derek quizzically. "Now that we are dating, you will be spending a lot of time at the hockey rink. I have never seen you skate, so I asked Nora and she said you can't, so today I'm going to teach you how to skate at the same rink where I learned to skate." He said excitedly. I was nervous, but very excited.

We skated around for a long time, I never fell because Derek always caught me. We skated around hand in hand, lost in our own world. "My favorite thing to do with my favorite person, it doesn't get better than this." Derek whispered in my ear. I turned around and kissed him. He then lifted me up and quickly skated around the rink, carrying me the whole way.

A while later, we returned our skates and got hot chocolate. We walked around the picturesque park, hand in hand; life was perfect.

Derek POV
As we pulled into our driveway, I turned to Casey, "Today was absolutely amazing, thank you for giving me a chance." I said, leaning over and kissing her.

Casey POV
The next morning I woke up early to take a shower. I got dressed in a brown cashmere sweater, with a khaki colored skirt, black tights, boots, and my hair down and curled. My injuries still weren't fully healed and this made me nervous. My ribs were still hurting, but slowly getting better. However, my eye was still bluish-black and my lip still had a cut on it. I tried applying makeup to hide it, but it was no use, I still look damaged. As I was trying to think about how to fix my appearance, Derek came in. "It's about time to go Case." "I can't go to school looking like this." I wailed. "Casey you were hurt and you did nothing wrong. You can't help how you look right now, and trust me you look fine right now. If anyone says anything, you let me know and I'll deal with it." "Okay, thanks." I said, still feeling very unconfident.

As we entered the school I felt nervous, but excited to start learning again. "Well I have to go, talk to coach, I'll see you later!" Derek said quickly walking off. That was fine with me, I knew hockey was important to him, and it gave me a chance to catch up with Emily.

As I walked down the hallway I felt people watching me, whispering about Truman and I. As uneasy as I felt, I just shook it off and walked quicker to my locker. Emily soon walked up to my locker as I put my books away. "So how is Chris?" I asked, while putting my binders into my locker. "He's great, we just celebrated our 3 month anniversary and he got me this necklace!" She squealed happily. I looked up at her and found a beautiful gold heart necklace around her neck. "Wow Em, it's beautiful!" I gushed. "What about Derek?" Emily asked. I blushed deeply and Emily gasped and grabbed my arm "Tell me!" I laughed and started, "We are officially dating! Our family is fine with it and I'm so happy!"

We both jumped up and down, happy about our lives.

Derek POV

I knew I kind of ditched Casey in the hallway, but I needed advice from my friends. I wasn't great with relationships and PDA, but I didn't want to mess things up. "D I think you should make sure that you are comfortable, as well as her. If you don't like PDA don't do it. Or at least only do what you're comfortable with. Casey wants to make you happy too." Sam advised. I nodded, Sam was right.

I didn't want PDA extreme, but I knew Casey liked that so I skipped lunch to avoid hurting her feelings.

I guess I kind of took it too far because a few days later, when I finally approached her at school, she gave me the cold shoulder. "Hey Case, what's wrong?" I said grabbing her soldier. "Oh nothing, I thought this was just what we did at school, ignore and blow each other off completely." She replied venomously. I knew I messed up and hurt her feelings. She walked away quickly and I didn't see her again until Spanish last period, a class we shared. She wouldn't look at me all period and she drove home with Emily. I knew I had to apologize and make things right.

Friday at school I stood on the stairs and yelled for everyone's attention. Being the popular guy that I am, everyone stopped and listened to me. I saw Casey in the crowd and continued, "Hey, well everyone I made a huge mistake. I hurt the feelings of a girl I really care about. I'm in this new relationship with this amazing girl and I was scared. Yes I know, Derek Venturi was actually scared. I don't want to mess up this relationship and PDA makes me uncomfortable, so I was trying to avoid hurting her feelings and ended up exactly doing that. Well Casey McDonald I'm so sorry and I hope you can forgive me. I can't promise that I won't mess up again, but I will always treat you the best I can. Please forgive me." I finished nervously and a loud silence filled the hallway.

Suddenly I hear the thud of footsteps and it's Casey and she runs up to me and kisses me. I smile and pick her up. "Do you forgive me?" She nodded in reply, so I kiss her hard, completely ignoring everyone around us and forgetting my unease with PDA. Right now, this moment with Casey is all that matters.