Dasey Nation

[RoseGarden]

Casey waited patiently for the dim glow of the headlights pulling into the driveway. She more or less collapsed on her bed and took out her journal and began writing out her journal and began writing, for when she wrote it felt like she was in a world where she could control everything. Once people got to know her they would learn two things: one, she was very controlling, and two, she would give women’s scorn to anyone who dared to get in her way. But her friends and family didn’t mind that feature as much, some would even say it was a positive quality. They wouldn’t call her controlling, but rather driven and opinionated. In this journal were all her thoughts and emotions about a wide range from subjects from her mother’s dating relationships to her emotions linked to her friends. As her pen scribbled on the page, she couldn’t help but think of the guy that was taking her mom out tonight. Her mom had been seeing him for around a month and a half now; her record seemed to be 2 months. She frowned as she stopped writing. Her mother seemed to rush into relationships, partly because she was convinced that it was her fault that Dad left, and it was her responsibility to replace him. There was nothing that she could do and both Lizzie and she knew that. A knock on her door interrupted her little world

“Come in.” Despite the distraction, she kept writing. Lizzie walked timidly; she had great respect for Casey. She watched Casey close her journal, and turn all of her attention to her.

“What’s on your mind?”

“Do you think it will last?” Her question without explanation caused uncomfortable silence in the room .Casey half smiled at her sister’s concern.

“I would like to say it doesn’t…” Lizzie’s eyes fell. Since she was more of a tom girl it was hard to live without a father.

“But I’m sure it will.” The saying third times the charm, for their mother, it was more like 6th time is the charm, she would add one more each time.

“You’re lying.” Busted by her little sister, she was never good at lying.

“Cassie, I didn’t just come here to say that. I need some advice.”

“Ok.” Cassie patted her bed motioning for her to sit besides her.

“What’s your problem?”

“Well there is this boy.” Cassie had to hold back her giddy excitement. If she was too forward, Lizzie wouldn’t trust her with the rest.

“So what’s his name?” She restrained herself. “If you want to tell me that is.”

“His name is Jamie.” She said without wanting to see her sister squeal and jump. Casey and she were in two separate universes when it came to their interest. Casey was a romantic at heart, and most of the time, a drama queen. Lizzie once thought it was because of Casey’s friends. There was Emily, who never stopped talking. She didn’t even dare to pick up the phone when Casey wasn’t home. Emily didn’t like to go without a boyfriend, no one knew why exactly, but she got over people rather quickly. Then there was Sam. Casey’s best guy friend, there was absolutely nothing going on between them. This was partly due to the fact of Sam’s huge crush on Emily. Lizzie didn’t even need to go to the school to figure that out. In a way, she felt sorry for Sam, following the girl around and doing her bidding, always wanting to serve the girl he would never get. It wasn’t that Sam was ugly, but his only focus was on Emily, which turned other prospects away. Before they could get anymore in about the subject of boys, the two heard the car pulling into the driveway. The two raced to the window. Without a word they knew what the other was thinking. They waited, if their mom came in within 30 seconds, she had a crappy time. It she didn’t come in until a minute and thirty seconds passed, she was giving him a goodnight kiss. They silently counted before they heard the door close. They raced each other down the stairs to see their mother closing the door.

“How was it?” Their mother sighed.

“Let’s just say if this keeps up, you’ll get a new dad.” Lizzie and Casey exchanged secret glances.

“Step dad.” Lizzie corrected before running to her room.

“I’ll go talk to her.”


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“Lizzie, open up.”Casey knocked on her door.

“Go away.” Casey could hear the slight essence of tears in her voice. Her fingers reached up above the door till her fingers brushed the unlocking dev ice. She placed it in the door, and turned it.

“Lizzie.”

She stepped forward but remained Lizzie remained still.

“Lizzie, what’s wrong?” She heard a mummer. Her pillow blocked her words.

“What?”

“He’s not our father!”

“Oh is that it.” Casey walked towards her, and seated herself on the bed. Lizzie nodded before her head was flopped into the pillow.

“I don’t think mom is trying to replace Dad in that sense. She needs someone, and he obviously makes her happy. Why don’t we give him a chance?” Liz looked up from her pillow.

“But he will never replace Dad.” Casey assured. A ghost of a smile appeared on her lips.


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The bell gave a screech ring dismissing the students to rill their hunger for food and socialization. Casey headed towards her locker; Sam was waiting there for her.

“Hey.” He flashed on of his shy smiles.

“Hey.” She replied. Sam was her best guy friend. They did pretty much everything together. They just ignored the shouts of lovebirds and such, because they were just friends. He has grown a huge crush on Emily, there were only two problems: One she had a boyfriend, and tow, she didn’t know he existed as a boyfriend material. I watched his face as his eyes were locked on Emily and her boyfriend of 2 months.

“Sam.” Casey’s voice snapped him back to reality.

“I’m sorry.” He mumbled. Casey rolled her eyes, but didn’t hold it against him.

“Why don’t you tell her?” She suggested. The look she got in return suggested that she had grown another head.

“Are you crazy? I can’t do that.”

“I can’t do what?” He stopped instantly when the voice of Emily interrupted.

“Uh nothing.” Sam’s eyes shifted to the floor as a smirk grew on her lips. Emily dismissed the though that they were hiding something.

“So what are our plans this weekend?” Emily started the conversation.

“I’m up for going to the movies.” Casey spoke up.

“Maybe on Saturday?”

“I can’t I have a date.” Casey couldn’t help but notice Sam scowl. She took the duty of taking him out of this situation, because she knew what he was thinking.

“Um…Em, we’ll meet you in there.” She nodded, and went to start talking with another one of her friends.

“Are you ok?”

“I’m fine Casey…”

“Are you -”

“I’m fine.” He snapped and continued on to the cafeteria. As Casey watched him go, she felt sympathy towards him. There must be something that she could do to make it up to him. After regaining her composer, she joined the two sitting at the table. The two started gabbing about their history test. Casey zoned out. She started thinking about how she could set Sam and Emily on a date.

“Casey.” She snapped back to reality.

“Huh?”

“Are you ok?” They couldn’t know, not yet.

“I’ve got to go.” Casey heard her name being called, but she ignored it and kept on walking.


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As Casey entered through the door she never felt more relaxed. She tossed her bad to the floor and went up to the room. She turned on music and logged on to the computer. She had 12 emails waiting for her from a broad range. She must have spent more time that she thought because the next thing she knew, Lizzie walked in.

“Hey Case.” She set down the mail addressed to her.

“Mom just wanted to let you know that she should be out extra late tonight. She wants you to make dinner.” Casey experienced an epiphany. Tonight was their two month anniversary. If he survived one more week, they would break the record for dating since their father. Her memories rolled back to her conversation with Liz.

“Did something happen last night with Jamie?” She knew as soon as she saw Lizzie’s reaction. Something had happened.

“No.” Casey sighed. She would tell her in time. Her eyes glanced to the clock. Shouldn’t their mother be gone by now? She walked past Lizzie and proceeded downstairs. Her heart sank when her eyes landed on her mother sitting on the couch a box of tissue in front of her. She motioned Lizzie to stay there.

“Mom, what’s wrong. Why aren’t you out?”

“I broke up with him.”

“Why?”

“Well he was late in picking me up, so I called his cell, and he didn’t answer, so I called his house. Oh he didn’t answer.” Her voice was turning from grief to anger.

“Some young women answered. I heard him say Alice come back to bed.” Nora erupted into another fit of crying. Case was speechless. It was clear that he cheated on her.

“Don’t worry mom, you’ll find someone.”

“I thought he was the one.” He mom countered.

“He’s out there.” Casey hugged her mom, somewhere.


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“So I came down stairs and find out that the man that almost became my step father cheated on her.”

“That’s harsh.” Sam commented. Casey saw Emily.

“Hey Case.” She set herself up next to Casey and across from Sam, just like she always have.

“It happened again.” That was all Casey had to say to Emily. She looked up in surprise.

“When did this happen?” It sounded like she was insulted for not finding out first.

“Last night.” Casey replied.

“I thought that you said that your mom thought he was the one.”

“She did.” She stabbed a piece of the cafeteria’s food.

“Until last night when she called him and realized that she was cheating on her.”

“Ouch.”

“If only men weren’t such pigs.” She quickly added. “No offense Sam.”

“None taken.” He knew she that she was just ranting. He had dealt with this kind of behavior before. He learned that it’s best if you only speak when you have to, and side with her.

“I just wish that there was a guy out there for her.” She trailed off.

‘And me.’ She mentally added.


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“He shoots he scores! Derek Venturi scores the game winning goal!” The announcer yelled. Derek circled around the rink holding his hockey stick like it was the prize.

“And that’s the game.”


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After the game the players entered into the locker room, everyone in desperate need of a shower.

“Hey Venturi, nice game.”

“Thanks coach.”

“Hey D, want to go to a party I’m having.”

“I would love to, but my Dad has me under house arrest.”

“Great game dude.”

“Thanks. I gotta go. If I spend too long, my dad will go ballistic.”

“Alright man, see you Monday.” Derek flipped his black signature jacket over his shoulder and walked out.


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“Smerek!” Derek smiled at his pet name. Marti always did have trouble with the D sound when she was younger, and the name just stuck.

“Smarti.” He replied catching her as she leaped for him. He caught her and twirled her around.

“Right on time Dad.” He said sarcastically.

“To treat you to your victory, I propose to take out for ice cream.” Marti began to wiggle at the word ice cream. Derek rolled his eyes. He was giving up a party with hot girls to go to an ice cream parlor with his family. Why must his dad deprive him so? A thought suddenly occurred to him…what if the ice cream chick was a total babe? His eyes lit up maybe this wouldn’t be so bad.


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His chair was a sight for sore eyes. The ice cream visit was a disaster. The ice cream server ended up being a guy, and the girl ended up being the manager, and was his Dad’s age. There was a small group of girls at the shop, but he didn’t even get her number or her name. His Dad walked in carrying Marti on his shoulders.

“I’ll go put her in bed.” Edwin followed in right behind their. Derek mentally sighed. Edwin would be asking for advice in 3-2-1.

“Derek, can we talk?”

“Go ahead.” He replied keeping his eyes closed.

“Do you think Dad will date that chick?”

“From the ice cream store?” Derek asked.

“Yeah.”

“I don’t know it’s kind of hard sometimes to tell.” He sighed

“It’s just hard ever since Mom left, he just doesn’t seem happy.” He faded away.

“Repeat that and I’ll hurt you.” Edwin held his arms out in self defense.

“Whatever you say.”


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Derek swore that the principle had it in for him. She would blame him for whatever as wrong. Maybe it dealt with the fact that he broke her daughter, and it as too late to go back. He just managed to get in class on time before the teacher told him that the principle had requested to see him. He never noticed how quiet the halls were. It was becoming his tomb with every stp that he took. The chair outside the office as a death sentence, but inside was a slow painful death.

“Derek Venturi.” Speak of the devil. A smug smile coated his lips. He didn’t want to give the impression that she intimidated him.

“Sit Down.” It wasn’t a suggestion.

“Mr. Venturi,” He swore that she cringed when she said his name.

“I’ll be very frank with you,”

‘Isn’t she always?’

“You are no longer attending this school.”

‘Is she serious?’

“I’ve already talked with your father, and he agrees.”

“What?” Derek managed to squeeze out.

“This is your last day Mr. Venturi. Your next school is Sir John Sparrow Thompson High School.” She smiled. “A public high school.”

_________________
Carolyn.


Siggy made by AngelOfMusic123

[RoseGarden]

I was kind of hoping someone would comment, but whatever. Here's chapter 2.

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“Don’t be a wimp Venturi.” Derek muttered to himself looking at his new school to be. He already felt the eyes of his peers staring him down. He had gotten girls being drawn to him. This one girl Becky had practically threw herself as she “tripped.” The girls in this school were saps; it would be easy to win them over.


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“Why did I sign up to be office assistant?” Casey grabbed the stack of papers that were in the secretary’s tray. It was bad enough of all the teasing, but the staff didn’t treat her that well either. But she needed the hours for a scholarship. She was doing busy work when she heard the lady next to her.

“Hello. How may I help you?”

“I’m a new student and I need a locker.”Casey didn’t know what processed her to look up, but when she did she saw two pools of chocolate brown. He half smiled, and she forced herself to look down.

‘He probably thinks that I’m an idiot.’ She felt his eyes still on her and half smiled from the attention she was getting from the guy.

“On behalf of the staff, welcome.” The office lady finished lamely. Didn’t she know that none of the students cared what high school they attended? She bit her lip, it as a habit she had when she as nervous. She glanced at the clock five minutes till the bell rang for lunch.

“Thanks Casey.” She heard them call as she left the office. She saw Emily talking with her boyfriend, but what she didn’t know was there ere a pair of eyes watching her.


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When Derek walked in to the office; he had no idea hat he was getting into.

“Hello how can I help you?” Derek’s eyes landed on the high school girl that was filing paper work. Derek opened his mouth to say something, anything, but he couldn’t get anything to come out until.

"I need to get a locker.”

‘Did I stutter that out?’ He had now captured the attention of the girl. Their eyes locked until she suddenly looked down.

“Welcome on the behalf of our staff.”

‘Was she talking? Well maybe I would be paying attention if she was on staff.’ Derek noticed that she was biting her lip. That drew his eyes to her lips. He snapped himself back to normalcy and exited the office. He didn’t go very far in hopes that the brown haired girl would exit the office soon. True to form,three minutes later she exited the office. She glanced around as if she was looking for someone. He loved it when her blue eyes sparkled and yet he didn’t even know her name.


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Casey watched as Emily’s boyfriend left her. She started to walk towards her.

“Hey.” She greeted her.

“Hey Case.” The usual luster wasn’t in her voice.

“Is everything alright?”

“Yeah, he’s just acting really weird.”

“Like how?”

“Just now, I said I love you and he totally blew it off.” Casey listened patiently. “I’m sorry Case; I really need to go talk to him.” Emily excused herself from her presences. Once again Casey was all alone. The next bell rang issuing another lunch time. Casey made her way weaving in and out among the bustle of the students.

Derek finally worked up the courage to walk to her.

‘Alright Venturi, don’t screw this up.’ He pepped himself. ‘All you have to do is walk up and introduce yourself.’ He was right behind her had his mouth open to say anything when she just walked away. She didn’t even notice him. He watched her walk saying her hips as she went. He mentally cursed to himself. He heard the lunch bell ring but before he could reach her, a school of students separated them. He tried to weave through the crowd, but it as no use, she was faster. The mystery girl was still a mystery to him. As he worked at a slower pace, it hit him; he forgot to write down his locker number.

Another lunch period, another table of excited teenagers; except for Casey, Sam, and Emily that is. When Emily approached them, she didn’t have a smile on her face.

“Emily?” Case asked when her best friend didn’t sit in her normal spot but sat next to Sam instead. Emily couldn’t keep the tears in her eyes.

“He-He broke up with me.” She managed to get out. Sam’s eyes widened. He was half happy half sad. Of course he was happy that Emily was now free. But she usually was the one to break off with the guy not the other way around. She didn’t usually know how to handle it.

“Em, calm down” Casey cooed not wanting to attract a crowd.

“Tell us exactly what happened.”

“He just pulled me aside and told me that he wanted to break it off.”

“Did he say why?”

“No.” She paused for a minute. “You don’t think there’s someone else do you?”

“Of course not.” She looked to Sam for help.

“Em, he would be an idiot to brake up with you for another girl.” Casey rolled her eyes. She didn’t mean that he should use this as his opportunity to flirt with her. Sam even took it a step further and put his arm around her allowing her to cry on his shoulder. Despite the fact that Sam looked the happiest he ever had been, it was wrong to take advantage of Emily when she as in this state of emotional weakness.


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“Hey Lizzie.” Jamie smiled to catch up with her. A slight blush fell on her cheeks.

“Hey Jamie.” She fought the blush down. She wasn’t a girly girl; she wasn’t supposed to like guys yet.

“Jamie got a girlfriend.”One kid teased. Lizzie stepped forward to beat his face in.

“What if she is?” Lizzie stopped in her tracks. The kid mumbled something and walked away. Jamie and Lizzie’s eyes connected.

“Miss McDonald.” It was a daydream. “I’m trying my best to entertain the class, so you should pay attention.” Lizzie sunk down in her chair with her cheeks becoming redder every second. Jamie shot her a look of sympathy look on his face. The room became hushed when another woman came in and began whispering in her ear. The teacher nodded and dismissed her. Next thing anyone knew, a boy walked into the class.

“Everyone, this is Edwin Venturi.” Unbeknownst to her, Lizzie’s mouth dropped a little. Edwin glanced around the room. He stopped when his eyes landed on Lizzie. Their eyes locked for a second. Jamie glanced over at her. He didn’t like how the new kid was focusing his attention on her.

“Mr. Venturi, please take the second seat being Miss McDonald.” The two exchanged smiles as he took his seat. When Lizzie’s teacher was temporarily distracted, Lizzie turned back to him.

“Hi, I’m Lizzie.” She smiled.

“Edwin.” He returned.

“That’s a weird name.” She teased

“Well so is Lizzie.” He defended. They burst out into a small fit of laughter which was silenced rather quickly by the evil glare that the teacher sent them. They turned back to their respected positions. Jamie glared at the two of them.

“Looks like you have some competition.” The person behind him said.

“No way.” Jamie countered. He was telling himself more than anything. Lizzie already told him that she liked him she couldn’t fall for Edwin, could she? He wanted to gag when they broke out into another little fit of giggling. He felt relief when the bell rang for lunch. It would give him a chance to spend time with Lizzie and show this guy that she was his girlfriend.

“Miss McDonald, Mr. Venturi, please stay after class.”

“I’ll wait for you.” Jamie told her before exiting the classroom. The two expected the worst because of their behavior in class.

“Looks like you made a friend Mr. Venturi.” They both put their gaze anywhere but on each other.

“Yeah.” He answered.

“Ms. McDonald, do you think you could show Edwin around and introduce him to your friends.”

“Sure.” Her yes lit up with excitement, and then suddenly she realized how quickly she had accepted. Her eyes found the floor. Edwin smiled. She looked cute when she was flustered. The two walked out and immediately started talking about ho awkward that was. Lizzie stopped instantly at the sight of Jamie.

“Jamie, what are you doing here?”

“I said that I would wait for you, so we can eat lunch together.” He added the last half for Edwin’s sake. He needed to show him that Lizzie was with him.

“Jamie.” His smiled faded. He didn’t like where that tone of voice was heading.

“I need to show Edwin around the school. Mrs. Thompson asked me to.”

“Oh.” Was the only words Jamie could get out.

“But I’ll see you later.” She assured him.

“Ok.”

“Thanks Jamie, you’re the best.” They continued on their way gabbing as they went. Jamie stood there partly still in shock. She had blown him off for Edwin. He walked miserably and dejected to lunch.




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Psychology was the next class in her schedule. She loved the class, and just getting behind the thoughts about what others ere thinking. She guessed it was a little of Paul’s doing. She didn’t go to Paul that often, but lately she had been going there more and more. She took her normal seat second row, third seat on the right side. It wasn’t a very full class, but that way it gave an opportunity to be more personal. He wasted no time.

“Alright class, open your textbooks to page 57.” He was interrupted by a boy walking in ith a slip of paper clutched in between his fingers.

“May I help you?”

“New student.” He answered shortly.

“And what is your name?”

“Derek Venturi.” Casey didn’t know whether she looked up because of the name or the face that it was a new student. But once she looked up there was no going back. She was immediately taken in by those familiar chocolate brown eyes. Those eyes looked surprised and delighted at the same time. It stripped her away from everyone just her and him. Secret messages slipped unconsciously between them.

“Mr. Venturi, take this seat right here.” He pointed to a seat on the opposite side of the classroom from Casey. He nodded reluctantly, he was hoping for a seat next to his mystery girl. He felt his heart step, mind go blank, and his lips come dry at the same time. He threw a smile across the room. Casey received it and she glued her eyes to the board.

“So Mr. Venturi, why my class?” Derek shrugged.

“It was a filler class.”

“Brutal honesty, I like that.” He smiled and then continued on with the lesson.


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Jealousy was present in Casey’s eyes as she watched a girl named Grace flirted with Derek. She rolled her eyes. She hated the face that Mr. Kendall wasn’t even trying to stop them. But Derek was flirting back, which revealed his true nature; a player. She knew he was too good to be true.


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‘Could she be any more obvious?’ Derek rested his head on his hand. She had started out with a flirty greeting and she only continued from there. He genuinely had no interest in the girl, but as looked over on the other side of the room, he could sense her jealously, but strangely, it made him want to flirt less. In most casts it drove him to flirt endlessly. But somehow this time everything was different. He tried to shoot an apologetic look, but every time she looked away. He looked at the tick tocking of the second hand rounding the clock passing time.

‘When will this class be over?’


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Derek barely noticed Grace’s protest as he walked away the moment the bell rang. Mr. Kendall yelled some of the homework which he fully ignored as he walked over to the mystery girl ho was fumbling with her books. His eyes glanced to the 95 that was crossed out to be replaced with a 97 re-circled in red ink. He smirked. He suddenly realized that she was looking at him.

“What?” It as short, concise, and somewhat intimidating.

“Hi, I’m Derek Venturi.” He flashed one of his heart melting smiles. Hen she didn’t seem impressed, it faded. “But you probably already know that.” He trailed on.

“Is there a point to this conversation?”

“Well I, you see, I’m –“

“Wasting my time. So go hang out with Grace. I have to go talk to someone.”

“Like a boyfriend?” He managed to get out.

“That’s none of your business.” That as it, he decided, she liked torturing him while he stood there looking like an idiot.

“I didn’t manage to get your name.”

“Casey.”

“Well Casey, if you don’t have a boyfriend, do you want to go out tomorrow night?” He watched as her eyes grew a little obviously shocked at the question.

“I can’t.” All the hostility fled her voice.

“Why not?” He pushed.

“I can’t.” She retorted. She grabbed her books.

“Bye Derek.” It was meant for only her to hear, but Derek managed to catch it. He tried to give himself every reason that he was rejected but none of that took away the pain of those two words.




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Paul smiled as he saw Casey walked in.

“Hey.” She timidly said.

“Nice to have you back. Anything new?” Casey collapsed in the chair.

“The guy that my mom thought she was going to marry, he ended up cheating on her.”

“And how does that make you feel?”

“I guess I knew that it would happen. It’s happen with ever other guy that’s she’s been with. I just wish she would find a guy that will love her for her.”

“And hat about for yourself?”

“I’m sure every girl would Paul.”

“No, I meant have you found a guy like that.”

“I wish.” She snorted. “The only guy like that wasn’t who he portrayed.”

“What do you mean?”

“There was this one guy, Derek. He is a new student that is.” She searched for the word.

“Attractive?” Paul suggested.

“A player.” Casey corrected. Who’s side as Paul on anyway?

“And.” He prompted her to continue.

“Well when he first met, I do admit that I found him…attractive. But when we talked just now, he asked me out.”

“And you said.”

“No, Paul have you been listening at all?” Paul set down his coffee, this might be a long session.

“Why did you say no?”

“Because during class he was flirting with another girl.”

“He was flirting with her, or she was flirting with him?”

“Why does that matter?” Casey snapped.

“Casey, when it deals with a relationship one shouldn’t rely on first impressions..or second.” He had a know it all smirk plastered on his lips.

“Besides that’s not the only reason I said no.” She said in a matter of fact voice. This raised his interest.

“What’s the other reason?”

“Because girls like me don’t fall for guys without knowing him. Relationships especially the ones I’m in need order. I require order Paul. Not to go recklessly charging into a relationship.” She stood up almost declaring that the session as over. “Girls like that are doomed in relationships.” She walked to the door. “And I’m not like those girls.” With that she shut the door. Only moments later Paul wasn’t surprised to see Casey’s head pop in again. “Am I?” Although Casey was very mature for her age, she had this lack of confidence at some points.

“Just a little bit.” He admitted. A look of astonishment reached her face before she quietly shut the door behind her. Paul just smiled.


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“Can you believe he said that?” Casey joked to Sam about her pervious conversation with Paul.

“Yeah.” He was clearly out of it.

“Sam?” She questioned.

“Huh.” He snapped back into reality. “Sorry.” He rubbed the back of his neck on cue with the death glare she threw him. “Case, I’m sorry, I was thinking about asking Emily out.” Her eyes lit up, this was a big step for him.

“That’s great Sam.” She was truly happy for him. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Derek at the end of the hall watching them, watching her.

“Sam, what do you know about Derek Venturi.”

“Derek?” Sam answered in surprise.

“Yeah.”

“He is trying out for the hockey team tomorrow morning. Apparently he was a big shot at his old school. And from what I gathered he doesn’t have a girlfriend.” He teased.

“It’s not like that. He just,” she paused and glanced once more at where he stood. “Confuses me.” She finished.


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Two chocolate brown eyes focused on the two across the hall. She was one of the few that rejected him. That didn’t bother him as much as not knowing why. His fists tightened on cue as she was laughing with this blonde kid. What did he have that he didn’t? He recognized the kid from going to talk to the Casey. He continued to watch as the principal walked up to them.


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“Casey, just the girl I wanted to see.” Sam nodded in respect.

“Yes sir.”

“You’re the next in line for S.N.S.A.” It as a program designed to have students show new students around school, and hopefully have a friend at the end of the day. Most students joined the program so they could skip class that was excused.

“Who is it?”

‘Anyone but Derek. Anyone but Derek.’

“Derek Venturi.”
_________________
Carolyn.


Siggy made by AngelOfMusic123

[ericaxelectric]

Ooooh. This is So good. I'm so into this. I like how this is switched up. It's a totally different way to write a story. I can't wai to read more!


-erica
_________________

Myspace. Youtube.

[RoseGarden]

thanks, I do tend to switch the point of view but keep it in third person, I don't know why. But I think it makes it flow better.
_________________
Carolyn.


Siggy made by AngelOfMusic123

[RoseGarden]

The next chapter is called unattainable. Enjoy.
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If anyone would watch the behavior of the two meeting the next day it would be described as two shy children not giving any impression of meeting beforehand.

“Hi.” She avoided his eyes. They were her weakness.

“Hi.”

‘Pretend that nothing happen.’ She coached herself. “Shall we start?” He gestured forward.

“Ladies first.” He flashed a smug smirk as she started to walk. He half wished that the tour ended quickly, because he didn’t know how long he could control his behavior around her.


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“Over here is the library, they have strict rules about checking out books.” He was supposed to paying attention, but he was far from it. He was entranced by her beauty. “If you don’t want to pay attention, the tour stops here.”

“Why did you say no?” Their eyes locked. She didn’t mean to. Her lips quivered as she opened her mouth to respond.

“Casey.” She pulled away to find the owner of the voice. It was Kendra, one of the most popular girls in school.

“Hey Kendra.”

“Look, I have this big party planned this weekend, cool people only. And I want you to come.” Casey felt Derek’s sight switch back and forth between Kendra and herself.

“Sure.” Kendra’s face glowed.

“I’ll see you and your boyfriend there.” Casey’s mouth fell open and a special smirk found Derek’s lips.

“He’s not” A blush grew more, “We’re not.” Kendra didn’t listen to a word as she sauntered away.

“Don’t say a word.” She growled. He just laughed. Things switched to a more serious tone when his laughter died.

“So is the reason we can’t go out because of Sammy boy?”

“No, it’s your ego thinking that any girl you want should fall all over you.” She spat out. The words stung.

“You still don’t believe on that.” He rolled his eyes, how stubborn was she?

“You haven’t given me a reason to trust you.”

“But I haven’t given you a reason not to trust me.”

“That is the worst reply I’ve heard in my life.” She bantered.

“Let’s start over, I’m Derek Venturi.” She hesitated for a spilt second.

“Casey McDonald.” She held out her hand. He was tempted to bend down and kiss it; But Derek Venturi never showed that side to any one. He decided right then and there that he would make Casey McDonald fall for him. They stayed in that position till the bell rang knocking them into reality. She pulled away quickly.

“Casey.” Emily ran up.

“Where were”- Her question faded hen her eyes landed on Derek. Casey immediately caught Emily interest.

“Emily, this is Derek, Derek, Emily.”

“Hi.” Casey rolled her eyes. She was expecting Derek to flirt back.

“Um well this has been fun, but I have to go.” He promptly left leaving Casey in shock and Emily in awe. Casey was set off by Emily’s squeal.

“Why didn’t you introduce me sooner?”

“Em.”

“I think we had a moment there.”

“Emily.”

“Is he single?”

“Emily, he’s not you’re type.” She snapped. Why was she being so defensive? Maybe it was for a moment. She thought that he was as interested in her as she was in him.

“I can become his type.” The two entered the classroom.

“No, you can’t.”

“Fine, then what is his type?” She was tempted to say qualities that pertained to herself, but that would admit that she was one of the girls that rush into relationships.

“I don’t know. I just met him.”

“So you guys are friends?” She asked with a hopeful tone.

“Yeah.” Casey smiled not realizing that she had just set herself up for the next question.

“Can you find out for me?”

“What?”

“Just ask him if there is a possibility that he would go out with me.”

“Emily.” Casey replied with an annoyed tone.

“Please Case.” She did her best pout. Casey tried to ignore it, but she eventually caved.

“Alright.”

“Thanks Case, you’re the best.” With those words the bell rang and class had begun.


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“And that’s to end of the tour.” Lizzie explained.

“As a thank you to the pretty lady, here is a gift.” He waved around his hand in a mystical fashion with the end result of a flower in his hand.

“For the pretty lady.” She laughed as she accepted the flower.

“That is so cool, so you perform other tricks?”

“Yeah.” He cracked a smile. The two continued to walk even though her obligation was over with.

“So what do you like to do with your spare time?”

“Soccer.” She replied.

“Ah, so a tom-girl then.”

“Yeah and I’ll beat you at any sport any day.” She challenged.

“I’ll take that up sometime.” The bell separated them.

“I have to get to my next class, but thanks for the flower.” Without thinking she kissed his cheek, and walked away. Edwin took a couple seconds before his brain could register what had happened. Unfortunate for both of them the kiss hadn’t gone unnoticed by Jamie. He clenched his fists knowing that he shouldn’t have let her show him around in the first place. If that was the way Edwin wanted to play; this meant war.


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“About time you showed up.” The coach mumbled. “You’re slap shot better be worth it.” Derek laced up his skates.

“Just watch. “ He huffed out. He sped skated around the rink and applied a force to the puck and it made it past the goalie with a clean sweep. The coach nodded with approval.

“Good job Venturi. Welcome to the team. I have no doubt that you will do well.” He passed shoulders with Sam.

“No wonder why you were captain at your last school.” Those words stopped him in his tracts.

“Thanks but I don’t need flattery to become captain of this team.” He continued to walk on.

“She asked about you, you know.”

“Now you caught my attention.” He turned back to him. Sam walked toward him.

“I figured you thought that she and I were dating, that’s not the case.” Derek smiled.

“I think we can have a mutual friendship.”


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“Can you believe that Mrs. Peck couldn’t find the test?” Casey exclaimed. Although she had studied practically all night for it, she still felt unprepared. So she made plans to study in the afternoon so she could save time to go to the party that night.

“Yes.” Derek answered wiggling his eyebrows.

“Derek, don’t tell me you took the test.” She didn’t know whether she should hug him or scold him.

“No.” He laughed. “She just seems to be the forgetful type.” He answered. As the two walked down the hallway, his hand kept brushing against her side. He fully noticed and even smirked when he saw her jump.

“Ticklish?” His eyebrows rose. Casey scooted away.

“No.” She was lying. As he approached her again, she didn’t like where this was going. Before she could do anymore his hands were masterfully going up and down both sides of her body.

“Derek , stop.” She got out amidst the laughter. She tried to get out of his grasp, which made him instinctively wrap his arms around her body to cease any possibility of getting away. They froze when they noticed some of the student’s eyes on them.

“Want to go some where more private?” He asked. She raised her eyebrows in distain.

“To talk.” He added quickly. She agreed and the two teenagers walked to some place outside. A pair of eyes was glued to their figures. Emily couldn’t believe it. After what Casey said she would do, she went off and flirted with him?

“Favorite band.” She questioned. They had been asking questions back and forth for about five minutes. What she promised Emily she would ask lingered in the back of her mind. She hadn’t forgotten about it, but she was a little scared at what he might say.

“Don’t have a favorite, but Maroon 5 is definitely up there.” Casey leaned back against the tree.

“I like this. Hanging out, just you and me.” Their eyes connected, once again sharing secrets that passing bystanders would not understand.

“Derek, there was something that I’ve been meaning to ask you.” She broke the connection finding the ground much more interesting.

“What?” She didn’t dare look at him, but he was sitting right next to her, and his breath lingered in her ear.

“Emily, she- she asked if you would consider going out with her?” It sounded silly coming out of her mouth.

“Yeah.” The one word crushed her heart.

“You- you like her?”

“No, but you turned me down, and she seems like a decent girl.”

“Oh.” She couldn’t look at him. “I have to go.” She up and hurried away ignoring Derek calling her name.


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_________________
Carolyn.


Siggy made by AngelOfMusic123

[ericaxelectric]

Awww. The tickling scene made me giddy! lol. Poor Casey. Derek's moving on [or so we think.] haha. & Poor Jamie. Jealousy is a nasty color! Can't wait to read more! PMS!
_________________

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[RoseGarden]

Here is chapter 4! Enjoy.____________________________________________________________

After two hours of studying, Casey decided she had enough. Although the majority of the time she wasn’t studying. She was too preoccupied with thoughts of her conversation earlier with Derek. He was willing to go out with Emily, because she had rejected him first. The scene ran over and over again. She flopped down on her bed. This wasn’t normal for her to think about a guy like this. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Not at herself, but at him. He asked her out once, and she rejected the idea, and he gave up. A twisted smirk appeared on her lips. She had her mind made up; she was going to make Derek regret messing with her feelings.


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Dressed from head to toe in pink, Casey headed downstairs.

“Casey, you look beautiful.” Nora was also dressed classy.

“New date?” She asked.

“Yeah, do you think you can watch Lizzie?”

“No, I have a party to go to.”

“Is that why you have the blue eye shadow?” She teased.

“Maybe.” Casey paused. “So who is the lucky guy?” She tried to get the conversation off of herself.

“You know I don’t introduce till after the date.” The doorbell rang interrupted any further conversation. She rushed to the door to greet a man with blonde hair.

“Ready to go?” He asked flashing a smile. It would have been smooth except his hand slip and he hit his head on the door. Nora gasped and Casey tried not to laugh.

“Do you need ice, anything” She asked in concern.

“No, I’m fine.” He had a man’s reputation to uphold.

“Casey we’ll be back around 11.” With that the two left leaving Casey in charge. Lizzie usually made it a point to be scarce till the after the first date. The doorbell rang once again. Casey wasted no time answering it.

“Wow Casey, looking special for someone?” There as an edge to her voice, but Casey didn’t question it. She simply shrugged.

“No, I just thought that I would look nice.”

‘And break a heart.’ She mentally added.


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There wasn’t anything out of the ordinary about the party scene. A couple drunks which warned her not to drink anything open. A dew couples making out in some of the darker places. Her eyes scanned the cord looking for Kendra. Her eyes landed on Sam and Derek staring at them.

“Somebody is checking you out.”” She whispered to Emily. Her face lit up when she saw Derek.

“Shall we go grace them with our presence?” They linked arms and started the walk, but before they reached them, Kendra snatched her away.

“Casey, come on. There is someone I want you to meet.” Immediately Casey knew what she was doing. The same thing she always did with all the guys she met that were according to her standards for looks that she wanted. If Kendra found herself interested in a guy, she would simply introduce the girl to another guy to get hung over while she made her move. And judging how she was introducing her to other guys; she wanted Derek.

“I think he fits your personality.” She gushed.

“This is Josh.” Kendra introduced, and Casey had to admit, he as pretty cute.


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If beauty could kill; he would have died on the spot from Casey. If glaring would kill, all the boys at the party would die a slow painful death. He swore his mouth dropped at least a little when she saw her enter. Sam even teased him about it until he told him to shut his face. He watched them whispering in the loud music. He found himself smiling when they were heading towards them. It instantly faded when the girl he had met earlier pulled her away.

“Hi Derek, hi Sam.” Emily added the last part as an after thought.

“Hi, um Emily wasn’t it?” She was pleased beyond belief that he had remembered her name.

“Yeah.” She continued to ramble on. Derek tuned out. His eyes wandered on Casey till she disappeared from his line of vision. He couldn’t believe how much one girl could infuriate and confuse him at the same time. His mind recalled when they had first met in the office. He had sensed the connection no matter how cheesy that sounded. That was what separated her from the rest of the girls, and no matter ho much she denied it, he somehow knew that she felt it too, and unlike most girls it scared her. Things seemed to be going well until yesterday happened. They hadn’t talked since them, and it was bothering him to no end.

“What about you?” She asked with a smitten smile and eager eyes.

“I don’t know. Excuse me.” Nobody tried to stop him. He stopped at the doorway with a clear view of the next room. He didn’t need to scan the room to find her. Currently Kendra was introducing her to another guy. He waved as if she would see it. He rested his head on the doorway. Somewhere along the way he had screwed up big time.


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Even though Josh was very charming, he wasn’t Derek. She had let her eyes wander half way through their conversation. She saw Derek leaning on a doorframe. She saw him wave before directing her attention back to Josh. So this is what Derek felt like all the time, playing with the emotions of another human being. It felt oddly good. It gave her power.

“Casey.” She hadn’t realized that she had been staring at him that long.

“Want to dance?” She interrupted. Josh was grinning like an idiot.

“I thought you’d never ask.” He led her out on the dance floor with the change to an upbeat song. She knew he was watching. Let the games begin.


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The next couple minutes felt like eternity to watch. He just wanted it to be over with. There was his Casey dancing with a guy named Josh. And frankly he found out all he needed to know about him from Sam. If it wasn’t a version of him that attended the school, and if it was just a single dance with just a girl, he wouldn’t have minded it at all. But it was his Casey grinding with one of the school’s biggest players. He tried his best to retain himself. He felt relief flow through out him when Emily broke up their “dancing” session. Casey looked reluctant, but left with Emily off the dance floor. He took that as his opportunity to approach Josh.

“Stay away from Casey. She is my girl.”

“And who might you be?” He scoffed.

“Derek Venturi.” He answered.

“Never heard of you.” Derek continued to stare. It didn’t daunt Josh one bit.

“What? You think just because you told me to leave her alone, I will?” Derek grabbed his shirt collar.

“Let me make myself clear. You don’t touch her, talk to her”- He slammed him against a near by wall attracting a little bit of attention. “Or look at her. If you do, then you’ll wish you were never born.” He finished the threat with a death whisper. When Derek set his feet on the floor, Josh swung at him. Josh’s fist met Derek’s hand.

“Are you sure you want to do that?” Clearly Derek was stronger; no girl was worth a black eye over, because Josh walked away. Derek’s smug smile could be seen a mile away. He had silently threatened every guy in the room by making an example of Josh. He would like to see any guy with the courage to do anything with Casey. He had never felt so protective of a girl before, it would damage his reputation, that he had created, but right now all he cared about was finding Casey.


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"Why are you acting like this?"

"Acting like what?" Casey retorted.

"This isn't you. You don't just randomly go dancing like that with some guy you hardly know!"

"Well maybe the old Casey isn't good enough for me anymore." Casey hoped that Emily didn’t hear the last part, but her hops were futile.

“What?” Casey’s panic started to kick in. She couldn’t tell Emily about her feelings for Derek. Not after she had practically told Emily that she should go for Derek and the fact that she told her that she had no feelings for him what’s-so-ever. She had two options, lie to her best friend, or avoid the subject all together. She was one of the world’s worst liars in the world, so her only option was to avoid the subject like a plague.

“Excuse me Em, I hear the dance floor calling me name.” She promptly ignored Emily calling out her name. When she returned to the dance floor; Josh had disappeared. She mentally cursed, and then it dawned on her that it wouldn’t be hard to find a new dance partner. As the music played, she began to sing her hips. After a minutes hands glided on them. She smiled, until she turned around to her partner. It faded instantly.

“What are you doing?" She hissed. It shouldn't be him. It was supposed to be someone else. She was trying to fall out of the crush, not fall forward into it.

"Dancing with you." His hot breath in her ear didn't help her any. His scent was intoxicating, and at the moment she couldn’t form any more sentences. It felt like they had the first day they had met, when they were the only two people in the room. She couldn’t pull away from his tempting figure if her life defended upon it. As the song progressed, their bodies pressed further and further together. The closer they became, the more right it felt. The floor was theirs and no one denied them of it. The art of dancing does not get mastered with moves or practice but with passion. And no one, not even they could understand the passion they shared. Her arms slid around his neck, trying to close the space between them. She felt his heated breath on her neck that made her hairs stand on end but she didn’t want to grant him the pleasure of enjoying watching her squirm. As soon as the music stopped, she froze; and without warning; she ran. The crowd spilt for her like the red sea. But after she passed them, they just continued on with the party, it wasn’t the first time someone had run out of a party. Derek just stood there as if he needed a moment to recollect everything that just happened.


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She sat down on the front steps. The only people who were around were people passed out on the ground. No one would bother her. No matter how much her mind wandered over what had just happened, she couldn’t bring herself to think of anything else. What happened to standing up against guys like him? She had failed; she had showed him the side that he had wanted to see. He had seen right through her act, he knew that she didn’t normally behave like that. He had manipulated her again, and she had let him.

“Hey pretty lady.” A guy approached her with slurred words. She recognized him as the boy that she had met earlier; Josh.

“Josh, are you drunk?” She asked slightly repulsed. Josh just threw his arm around her.

“No.” He replied, but she could smell the alcohol in his breath.

“Josh, get off me.” She shrugged off his arm, but far more was needed to stop his persistence. He didn’t seem so eager to give in her request. She started to have a struggle against him. He was weaker than Derek, but he was above Casey in strength wise. The music dominated over her shouting, so there was no hope drawing a crowd. She was all alone with Josh, and that’s the furthest place from where she wanted to be.


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By the time Derek had registered what had happened, Casey had already disappeared. He hurried and found Sam and Emily talking in the corner, Emily looked a little upset, but he had more things to worry about. He knew that the subject of conversation was about him because it became quiet as he approached them.

“Hey D, are you alright.” Emily remained mute towards him.

“Do you know where Casey went?” He asked. He needed to find her.

“I think she decided to go home.” A little bit of hostility was in Emily’s voice. Derek nodded as he headed straight towards the door.


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“All I want is a good time.” Josh had firm grip of both of her arms. Casey felt fear rise up within her. All her feelings of hope had disappeared the first time she shouted and no one could hear her. Suddenly with out warning, Josh was ripped from her, it had all happened so fast. All she saw was Derek holding Josh up against the wall of the house. Something about him was darker then how he usually acted around her. She wouldn’t admit it, but it kind of scared her. Derek growled something to him, but the only words that she caught were stay away from her. He let go of Josh’s shirt, and he slipped to the ground. Then he turned all of his attention to her.

“Are you alright?” His tone changed in mere seconds. It was a totally different Derek than from what she saw only a moment ago.

“Yeah.” It became awkward between them. What could she say to him; especially since she had mixed feelings for him right now.

“Thanks for what you did Derek." She muttered as her eyes found the ground.

"He was being a jerk, and no one acts like that to you." He said in all seriousness.

"Uh, Casey, can I walk you home?" He wasn't used to this; pinning all his emotions with something so trivial. Unlike other girls, it mattered deeply to him what she said.
"Sure." She managed to smile despite the circumstances.


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The walk was rather silent as they were side by side. Conversations were mute except for a random question here and a one or two word answer. Maybe it was because both of them felt how much tension there was between them. Neither one of them brought up the dance; some things were better left unsaid. Something felt off to Casey, how exactly did Derek know exactly where he was going? She didn’t have to give him directions once. They reached her house.

“Want to come inside?” She offered, after seeing him go bug eyed she added. “To call your parents or something.” She glanced at her watch, 11; her mom should be home. As they entered, she noticed that Nora was home and with the guy she had earlier, they were all cozy on the couch, which made her suspect that the date went well.

“Casey.” Nora’s face seemed to light up at the sight of her.

“This is George Venturi”-

“Derek, what are you doing here?” The blonde man smiled at Derek. What was going on.

“Venturi?” Casey squeaked out, but no one listened to her.

“Nora, this is my oldest son that I was telling you about…” Every thing seemed to fade. Casey saw that Derek was avoiding eye contact with her. Somehow she had a feeling that he knew about his Dad, and for the third time that night, Casey McDonald felt played.
_________________
Carolyn.


Siggy made by AngelOfMusic123

[ericaxelectric]

Oh snaps! This is getting juicy. lol. Poor Emily. I hope she realizes Sam is the better guy for her. PMS!
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[RoseGarden]

Casey’s back was slipping in the chair. This wasn’t like her at all, at least not in Psychology. Her eyes were glued to her paper rather than on the board. She could feel a set of eyes staring at her; it made her squirm. It had been a week since meeting Derek’s father. She had promptly avoided him ever since. She figured that he would give up. But day after day he had tried different ways to get them alone, so they could talk. And day after day, Casey tried to pretend that he didn’t exist. She almost felt sorry for him, but then she simply reminded herself the pain he had caused her. One peek at him couldn’t hurt though, could it? As soon as she turned her head in his direction, it only confirmed her suspicions. Derek was staring at her. His eyes widen at the fact that she would finally pay attention to him. He gave a shy smile. She quickly turned away not wanted to lead him on about forgiving him. She started doodling, something totally that wasn’t in character, at least when the teacher was giving a lecture. She spaced out allowing her mind to take her wherever it dreamed of. To her surprising dismay, when she looked down she had doodled hearts along with the words Derek and Mrs. Venturi. Casey quickly looked around to see if anyone had glanced at her doodles. Then she started scribbling out all that was written. When the bell rang, she slammed her notebook shut and rushed out of the classroom rather than lingering inside. She was pretty sure that Derek was right behind her.

“Casey!” Right on cue, she quickened her pace.

“Casey, wait.” She sped u to a run, not caring if it as against the rules. During her attempt to escape she ran into Sam.

“Hey Sam, sorry I’m in kind of a hurry.”

“Derek?” Sam guesses. She nodded silently.

“Get in here.” He opened the nearest door which happened to lead to a janitor’s closet. Casey eyed him as if to say are you kidding me? But it was either that, or she would have to face Derek. She decided which one was worse. Derek won. She almost completely shut the door, but left a crack so she wouldn’t completely breathe in fumes. It was there in the darkness of a janitor’s closet, Casey McDonald officially considered herself a coward.


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Just like clockwork, Sam almost smiled when he saw Derek round the corner. He opened his locker and began shooting hoops. Like a magnet, Derek drew to Sam.

“Hey Sam, do you know here Casey is?” There was certain eagerness in his voice. Sam had to feel sorry for him, he was perfect for Casey, but she was too scared to commit anything.

“Yeah, she ran by just a couple minutes ago. She didn’t tell me where she was going though.” Derek was about to question his sincerity of the statement, but Sam interrupted by throwing him the basketball.

“Derek, if you don’t mind me asking, what’s so special about Casey? There are plenty of other girls out there.” Derek’s eyes were glued to the basketball in front of him.

“I don’t know what it is about her…” He truthfully answered, and if he had gone another step further, he would have admitted that he probably would never know. Casey was perfect for him, except she was the total opposite.

“Didn’t you guys just meet?” Sam pushed.

‘I’ve know her longer than I’ve know you.’ He mentally answered. Being with Casey, he had forgotten exactly how long they had known each other.

“Yeah, but I feel like I’ve known her forever.” Derek countered looking Sam straight in the eye. Sam merely shrugged.

“Whatever you say D.” He answered. He looked back at the janitor’s closet door, wondering exactly how much Casey had heard of that. Derek started walking down the hallway before calling back to Sam.

“Tell Casey, that she can’t hate me forever.” Just the way that he said it, Sam knew that he knew where Casey was all along. He shook his head chuckling as he opened the door.

“He’s gone.” Sam was tempted to tell Casey that Derek knew where she was all the time, but he figured he would let her have the victory for now. Casey silently thanked the heavens.

“Why are you avoiding him?” It really bugged him.

“I wasn’t avoiding him, just choosing not to speak to him.” Sam threw her a pointed look.

“I have my reasons.” She finished confidently. Sam simply shrugged. If Casey wanted to do something, she did it; it was what made up her character. Her thoughts were suddenly turned to her best friend.

“Speaking of avoiding, why are you avoiding asking Emily out?”

“That is different and you know it.” Sam growled pointing a finger at her.

“If you wait too long, she’s going to be in another relationship Sam.” Emily never stayed single very long. Sam mumbled something under his breath.

“What was that Sam?” She teased thinking that he said he was going to ask her.

“That’s why I wanted you to talk to her.” Casey looked into Sam's pleading eyes. Even though it was against her nature to force on the relationship, she couldn't seem the harm of helping them set up a date.
"Alright I'll talk to her." She was immediately pulled into a bear tight hug.

“Thanks Casey, you have no idea of what this means to me.” Casey simply smiled against his chest glad because in once in his life, Sam would be truly happy.


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When Casey saw Emily, excitement filled her chest. She usually didn’t get riled up about something so trivial, but this was an exception.

“Emily.” When she didn’t stop, Casey’s eyebrows knit together. She tried to recall any events that could make her best friend mad at her. It was then that it hit her, the party. Her dance with Derek, Emily must have seen that. She would have to change her strategy.

“Emily, wait up!” She wouldn’t give up that easily. She could tell that Emily wasn't happy with her decision to wait for her. Maybe if she reminded her of all the sweet things that Sam did for her. Sam wouldn't be man enough to ask her out, she would just have to make Emily ask him out. Casey could see right through the fake smile.

“Hey Casey.” The hostility was still there.

“Em, I know you’re mad at me because of the party. I didn’t mean to make a move on Derek.”

“You know that I like him Case. That was low even for you.” She tried to keep walking, but Casey was hot on her side.

“What if I can make it up to you?” This caught Emily’s interest.

“How?” Casey searched for something to say.

“I’ll set you up on a double date with Derek.” She just blurted out. Emily eye’s widened. Too bad she had spoken before she had time to register exactly what she was saying. She didn’t even have Derek’s approval. It wasn’t until then that a thought occur to her, she could use this to set up Emily and Sam. She wouldn’t tell Derek about the date, and then just ditch when she got into the theater. It would leave Emily and Sam alone.

“Who are you going with?” Emily questioned.

“Let me worry about that.” Emily didn’t need to dwell on such unimportant details. She hated lying to her, but it would be totally worth it, if Emily and Sam got together. Sam would treat her like she deserved to be treated.

“So is Derek picking me up?”

“No, we’ll meet up at the movie theater.”

“What time?” The grin couldn’t be taken off Emily’s face, even if Casey tried.

“Seven.” Casey answered. She was brought into a hug.

“Thanks Case, you have no idea what this means to me.”


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When Lizzie walked in to the classroom, there was a single rose on her desk. She was at first surprised, but when she read the tag she understood.

Lizzie,

A beautiful rose for a beautiful lady

-Edwin

She looked up in the doorway to see Jamie standing there.

“Liz, we need to talk.” When her eyes widened, and when he knew what she was thinking, he had to explain.

“No Liz, I’m not breaking up with you.” He reassured her. There then seemed to be a certain kind of calmness in the atmosphere around her.

“What do you want to talk about?”

“Have you felt that things have become distant lately?” He mumbled.

“Well, yeah, but you still know how I feel about you…”

“And how do you feel about Edwin?” He pointed towards the rose clearly upset.

“Is this why you’ve been acting weird lately?” Her eyebrows knit together. Jamie had been acting strange ever since Edwin came. Even though Edwin was her friend, he tried to shut him out in whatever they were doing.

“Because of Edwin?” The anger was building up inside of her. “Tell me one good reason why you hate him Jamie.”

“Because he’s not your boyfriend, and he’s trying to be!” He shouted, needless to say it was drawing a slight crowd. “And,” Jamie added. “I don’t know what I am to you anymore.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Look Liz, I care about you, but I won’t be put behind someone else. You have to choose.”

“Jamie.” She couldn’t think of anything to say. She had known Jamie her whole life, and then there was Edwin, she wasn’t sure how she felt about him.

“Let me know when you decided.” He brushed her shoulder as he passed her, leaving Lizzie even more confused than before. Edwin suddenly emerged from the crowd.

“Lizzie?”

“Edwin, I need some time to think.” She had to choose between her best friend and her boyfriend; but she never thought that she would have to make this decision.


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As the clock rounded 6:30, the butterflies grew even more in her stomach. It was the night when everything was supposed to be going according to plan. If everything went right tonight, Emily should see Sam in a whole new light. And then, maybe just maybe, Emily would the boyfriend she really deserved. She waited outside the theater for Sam and Emily. She found herself smiling when Sam showed up. They got lost in their conversation until the clock read five till 7, so they decided to buy their tickets and go in. Casey had tried calling Emily’s cell once, but it was in an off position. Once they walked into the actual theater she realized why Emily’s phone was off. Her heart shattered into a thousand pieces and then in another heart beat a million. Why had she interfered at all? She knew that Sam was deeply hurt as well. In the movie theater there sat Emily and Derek.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Casey asked hesitantly. Sam nodded. That was what she was afraid of. The two approached their friends; Emily looked up in excitement, her eyes widened when she saw Sam. She looked at Casey incredulously.

“Sam’s your date?” Emily asked. The question had Derek’s full attention, sitting there waiting on her response.

“Well yeah, he seems like a great guy.” Casey defended. Derek’s eyes searched her for any trace of a lie. The lights and Casey and Sam took their rightful spots in the same aisle as Derek and Emily. Casey could especially feel the tension that was building between all of them. She couldn’t help not to notice Derek boring a hole in their general direction. Half way through the movie she couldn’t take it anymore, so she excused herself to get some air out in the lobby. Everything didn’t turn out right that night; the only problem was she didn’t know how to fix it.


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She paced back and forth in the lobby running her fingers absently running her fingers through her hair.

“You know, you look cute when you do that.” Derek’s voice stopped her repeated movements.

“I don’t want to talk to you right now.” She growled.

“You haven’t wanted to talk to me in a week.” He retaliated.

“Everything is all your fault.” Derek just rolled his eyes.

“And prey-tell princess, how is this exactly my fault?”

“Because you were never supposed to come! I was trying to set Emily and Sam up.” She hissed the last part out.

“Well maybe if you were truthful with Emily in the first place she wouldn’t have come up to my locker blabbing on about a date that I had no clue that I had!”

“You want to talk about being truthful, then why didn’t you tell me about your Dad Derek? Or did it just slip your mind?”

“Is that what this is all about? Look Casey, My Dad said that he was going out with your mom once, but I didn’t know it was her until we got to your house. I thought he was dating another McDonald. Honest.” Casey looked him straight in the eyes and knew that he wasn’t telling her everything, but she didn’t push it.

“I believe you.” She answered. Both teens relaxed after the anger escaped from their system. A lazy smirk appeared on Derek’s lips.

“So, you’re not going out with Sam?” Casey rolled her eyes again. Their friendship consisted of a lot of teasing, so she better get used to it.

“No, tried that once, never going back there again.” She let out a chuckle. “How about you and Emily?” She teased.

“Oh, well we were thinking of dinner on Sunday”- Before he could finish the sentence, Casey’s fist had connected with his arm in a playful punch.

“Touché.” He mumbled under his breath. Casey smiled at him, and he returned it. She didn’t know what would happen in this new founded friendship, or her feelings for Derek, but things were looking up.


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A.N.- Don't you love me for not ending on a cliff hanger? Anyway something that I want to get your opinion on is whether Lizzie should end up with Jamie or Edwin. Since it is just a slide plot in this story, I wanted to ask what you wanted. I'll update as soon as I can.
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Carolyn.


Siggy made by AngelOfMusic123

[RoseGarden]

Chapter 6: Unforgettable


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Casey observed her reflection in the mirror. Tonight pretty much marked a month into her friendship with Derek, but it had seemed so much longer than that. She had spent the day cleaning the house because her mother invited over George and his kids over kind of like a introducing the kids. She was just excited that she got to spend the night with Derek.

“Casey, they’re here!” Nora yelled up to Casey who was checking every last detail to make sure it was perfect. Her lips curved upward into a smile like position. It had been two weeks since Derek and she had made up. Now every little event with Derek made her feel giddy. She rushed down the stairs to come face to face with and almost knocking over Derek himself. Her cheeks redden.

“Way to make an entrance Case.” He teased holding her upright, so she wouldn’t fall flat on her face. His hands lingered there longer than they should have, and one hand ran down the length of the arm. She pulled away in surprise, forcing her eyes to the ground.

“This is Edwin.” He introduced his brother who had seen their little moment. A younger boy looking around 13 stepped out from behind him.

“Hi Casey.” She couldn’t help but noticing that he lifted his eyebrows in a suggestive manner. All that was put to a stop he Derek hit him on the back of the head.

“Stop flirting Edwin.” He hissed. The younger child went off grumbling something that neither Casey nor Derek could understand.

“Smerek!” A little girl interrupted.

“Smarti, this is Casey.”

“Hi Casey.” The only thing that crossed her mind was the nicknames that they had given one another.

“Derek talks about you a lot.” Marti continued. “He says you are”-

“Ok Smarti, why don’t you go find Dad now.” Casey’s cheeks grew a light shade of pink. She started to become flustered. Before either one could say anything else, Nora yelled.

“The first course is ready.” They were called, and so they went.


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Casey took a seat right next to Derek smiling shyly. One question that seemed to rill a hole in her mind was what did Derek say about her when she wasn’t around? Obviously Derek was embarrassed, otherwise we wouldn’t have sent Marti away. She made a metal not e to talk to Derek later. When they were served salads Casey mindfully munched slowl