AN: I don't own LWD

Note: In this one-shot Derek and Casey are not step-siblings, only best friends.

#24 Type

Derek and Casey had been best friends as long as they could remember. They grew up together, with their houses being right next to each other, and being the same age. They knew each others secrets, likes, dislikes, fears, and dreams. They shared countless stories and experiences together.

As Casey and Derek grew up, their bond only grew stronger. Then when their senior year of high school rolled around, they were delighted to find out that they had been accepted to the same university, and both planned to go there.

One night while at a bar in the university area, Casey and Derek went out for some drinks. By 9 P.M both were a little tipsy, but were having a great time. They were laughing and talking about the old days. Out of the blue Derek asked, "Do you think that if we hadn't grown up together and been best friends, that if we met like in high school or here at university that you would date me or at least be attracted to me?" Casey was caught off guard, but replied "No." and she giggled because she was so drunk. Derek had been less drunk then Casey, and sobered up even more by Casey's answer. He was a little offended and asked Casey, "Why?" Casey just giggled and replied drunkly, " I don't know, you're just not my type." She finished the last of her drink and hopped off the barstool. "I'm gonna go back to my dorm to sleep." Derek too hopped off of his stool, "You can't go alone, I'll walk you back." Derek and Casey walked home in silence, it was a cool evening, so Derek put his zip up sweatshirt on Casey's shoulders.

When they arrived back at her dorm, Casey flopped right on her bed and instantly fell asleep. Derek pulled off her shoes, tucked her in, and kissed her forehead goodnight. He then closed the door and headed back to his dorm. As he walked, Casey's words haunted him. He wasn't her type? What did that mean? What is her type? he thought, a little bummed out about the whole thing. Okay Derek was in love with Casey, and he had been ever since Sophomore year of high school. He could remember the day he realized that he loved her. It was a Friday night in April, Casey had gotten asked out on a date by some bonehead in her gym class. She was so excited, and got all dressed up in this red, sun dress with her hair curled. At around 9 P.M Casey went to his house and knocked on his door. Derek opened the door to find a crying Casey, whimpering that she had been stood up. Casey hugged her, and invited her in where they had an old movie marathon all night long. Derek felt jealous and rage towards the boy and started thinking about how Casey should really be treated, and he realized that he was the one who wanted to treat her special. Ever since that night, Derek Venturi had been completely in love with Casey McDonald.

The next morning Derek headed out for an early morning run as usual. He liked to stay in constant shape, especially during hockey season.

On the other side of campus, Casey woke up with a bad hangover. Her head was pounding, and everything seemed too bright. She got up and realized she had Derek's sweatshirt on, she smelled it and could smell his cologne on it.

It was a Saturday morning, and she had no classes or work today, so she got up, put on sweatpants, uggs (don't own), Derek's sweatshirt, threw her hair up in a messy bun, and headed down to a café on campus. She ordered a hot chocolate and bagel, then found a seat to sit at. A few minutes later, Derek jogged in, covered with sweat from his morning run. He ordered a muffin, and Casey waved him over. "Hey how you feelin'?" Derek asked with a smirk as he sat down. Casey blushed and looked down, "Ughh," she grunted. Derek chuckled and shook his head.

Later that night Casey was at the bookstore trying to find a new book to read, when someone behind her cleared their throat loudly. She turned around to find a boy, named Colin, from her Literature class standing behind her. "Anything good?" Colin asked, looking at the book in Casey's hand. "Just looking for something new to read." Casey replied with a smile. Colin nodded his head understandingly. "I love that book, maybe we could talk about it sometime." Colin said to Casey. She was taken aback, no one had asked her out in a long time. "Y-yeah, that sounds great." She stammered back. Colin smiled, "It's a date then. Tonight, 8 o'clock? We could see that new independent movie." Casey nodded in approval, and said goodbye to him for the time. What Casey nor Colin knew was that Derek had seen the whole thing, and he was heartbroken.

He decided that to win Casey's heart, he would have to be her type.

On Saturday Casey headed back to her dorm after her date with Colin, he was nice and all, but Casey definitely did not want to see him again. He was a little conceited, but mostly very boring. He was nothing like Derek, who was fun, kind, and excited. She knew he would never go for a girl like her, so at the bar he told her that he wasn't her type. If she couldn't have him romantically, she at least wanted him as a friend. She decided that to get over him, she had to see people opposite of Derek.

Monday came quickly, and she had her first class of the day with Derek. She was meeting up with him at the café so that they could walk to class together. She got to the café before Derek, and when he finally arrived, she almost didn't recognize him. Derek had his hair slicked back with lots of gel, had on khakis and an itchy looking sweater on. "Derek? What are you wearing?" Casey asked with a giggle of disbelief. "Hello, Ms. McDonald. I'm just wearing sensible clothes." He said seriously. "Okay.." Casey said unsure of what was going on with Derek.

The rest of the day was just like the morning, Derek was acting very peculiar, and Casey wasn't sure why. She missed her best friends, and was determined to get to the bottom of it. That night, Casey walked to Derek's dorm and knocked on his door. Derek opened the door and his eyes lit up. "Casey, what a pleasant surprise this evening. I was just getting some good studying in." He said in a monotonous tone. "Derek, what is going on with you?" Casey asked. Derek looked stunned, "What do you mean?" "This! What is this?" She asked pointing at his whole look. "This is not you. What have you done with my best friend?" Casey asked frantically. "This is me, Derek" He added, "At least it's the Derek that is your type." he mumbled so quietly, Casey wasn't sure she heard him right. "What?" She asked. "I said this is the Derek that is your type! Like Colin." He said bitterly. Casey looked at him, then burst out laughing. "What's so funny ?" He grumbled. "Colin is not my type at all! Why would you think that?" She asked. "Well you said I wasn't your type, and I knew you went on a date with him, so I put two and two together, and I thought this is what you wanted." Casey's face softened, and she walked closer to Derek. "No, that date was horrible. I went out with him because you are my type, and I knew I could never have you and I wanted to get over you." "Wait, I am your type? You like me?" He asked quietly. She nodded slowly, and Derek pulled her into a passionate kiss. When they broke away, he whispered, "You have been my type since sophomore year."

From then on, they had each other, and they knew that their only types were each other.