Summary: Derek falls in love with Casey, knowingly. He backs away- scared of what could happen. It isn't until one day that their feelings are revealed and then they're forced to go their own ways. But will they meet up again in the future? Of course they are!

AN: This story is my first fanfic all togtherrr. So please, review as you please. It isn't done. This isn't a one-shot. I have more plans for it based off of two Plain White T's songs. And as usual, reviews are welcomed with open and loving arms :D

Disclaimer: As much as I would like to, I regret to say I don't own Life with Derek. Though I'm sure I could maybe work something out with Mr. Michael Seater.

--------------------------------------------------------------
One day, she was here, still arguing with me everyday. Still bugging me with her all-knowing personality. She was still yelling my name all throughout the house when she would find my latest attempt to hear her voice screaming at me. Because for me, that was always the best part of my day. I knew the smallest things would bug her. I knew bringing home girls and flaunting them right in front of her would annoy her. I knew it'd piss her off. That's why I did it. But I also knew she would fight back. She wouldn't take my crap. And that's how I ended up falling in love with her. Which, in itself, is just as strange. I'm Derek. I don't fall in love with girls. Especially said girl being my step-sister. But I did. Unconditionally. I don't just do that. I usually use my charm and wit to win over some girl's heart over and over again. I don't have to feel nervous when I see them or stutter when I talk to them. But I did for Casey. When I'd see her.. That's just how I would get. And I couldn't help it. I tried to stop talking to her altogether. I went out on more dates. Avoided her more. I tried to quit the feeling that was boiling inside me.

--------------------------------------------------------------

"Derek?" Casey nervously asked one morning before school. "Derek, why aren't you bugging me? If you have some rude plan for me at school, please just take care of it now, instead of in front of everyone. I don't need any more nicknames to add to the list with 'Klutzilla' or 'GradeGrubber' or--"

"It's nothing, Casey. Stop thinking the world revolves around you." Derek quietly replied.

"But then why aren't there any snotty remarks on my outfit? Or my hair? Isn't there someone at all wrong with me today?" Casey quickly shot back. She had a feeling something was wrong with him. He just wouldn't miss out on a perfect opportunity to tease her for no good reason.

Derek's eyes shot up to look at her for the first time in the conversation, previously only seeming to find his cereal interesting.

"No, Casey. You're fine today. Now please, as much as I enjoy hearing your voice so early in the morning, can you please leave me alone?" God. Why DO I enjoy hearing her voice so early in the morning? This has to stop.

"But Derek--"

And she was cut off with him grabbing his backpack and slamming his way out the back door.

---------------------------------------------------------------

That whole day, Derek avoided me. I noticed it. Emily dismissed it like it was nothing. But for Derek to go that long without harassing me, it was just weird. I waited on the edge of my seat all day. Waiting for him to make his grand appearance with a slew of insults and new nicknames. But none came. I noticed him throughout the day taking different paths to get to his classes. That's when the thought struck me. He was ignoring me? What did I do to him? We fought. It's what we did. It's all we knew to do. Only once in a blue moon would he be nice to me. This morning included. He actually said I looked fine today. He didn't make his comment into some rude thing, he kept it as it was. A compliment. And in that instant, my stomach bunched up into nerves and butterflies flew. I had to figure out what was wrong with him. Because whatever was wrong with him, was starting to make me weary and something was becoming wrong with me, too.

The next few days, things changed. Less yelling. Less traps set in random places of the house. Less Derek. I noticed he'd been going on more dates. He was hanging out with friends more often. I rarely saw him at home or school. Which meant I never got a chance to talk to him about it. And the scary thing was that I missed our areguements. I actually began missing him. Mom and George shrugged when I asked them where he always went. Edwin wasn't any help either. I tried to ask Sam about it but he said Derek was acting strange around him, too. Why was I going through so much trouble to firgue Derek out? I should care less about him. But that seemed to not be the case. It was becoming harder and harder for me to get angry thinking about him. I began to worry. I don't worry about Derek. I never care what he's up to. But since that day in the kitchen, I worried. And that was how we ended out our last year of high school. I worried, and he disappeared. Every now and then I would pass him in the house on the way to the bathroom or he'd be in his room with the door open. I'd see him for a couple seconds before he would notice me. And then we would stare in each other's eyes before he'd break the lock and begin avoiding me. It always lasted only seconds, before I could get any words in. The look in his eyes always frightened me. They always seemed so filled with this emotion I didn't understand. I could never place it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
I didn't mean to. I didn't mean to fall in love with this girl. Not so hardly. It scared me, and all I could think to do was ignore her. Attempt to leave my feelings behind. I began viewing her secretly. So she would never know I saw her. I told people I was hanging out with other friends. Going out on more dates. But I really wasn't. I locked myself away. I went to the park where I grew up. I went and I would think. I would try and imagine her having the same feelings. I always thought about her. It was always her. And she would never leave my head. Sam told me she had asked him about me. He said she was worried. And I knew that was strange. Casey doesn't get worried about me often. But she was. Even Edwin and Lizzie told me they were confronted by her. And they lied for me. They knew my truth of course. They were smarter than everyone thought. And it was always in those few seconds where Casey and I would meet eachother's gaze. When I knew it would never be possible. And it always hurt. But meeting her gaze, it always seemed.. right. Impossible but right. I knew she and I could never work out. And it killed me.
------------------------------------------------------------------

That last day of school came for the both of us faster than we could have anticipated. And then, before we knew it, it was graduation day. We were both going to be going our seperate ways. Which is what I wanted, right? But I had to set things straight. I had to let her know my feelings before we left. Before this day ended..

He stood in the doorway of her room, always open and inviting. But this was the first time in months that he was actually standing here. Shaking with the nerves that were bundled up in him. .

"Casey..?" it was a weak tone. He hated that this is what she reduced him to.

"...Derek? Is something wrong?" He was actually trying to talk to her? She was shocked. She was in utter shock. And all of a sudden, she was even more nervous than she was before.

He tried to casually walk into her room and make it look so easy. It was near impossible.

"No, I just have a favor to ask of you." He replied, standing awkwardly near her as she fumbled with the necklace she was trying to put on.

"What is it Derek? I'm trying to get ready here and this necklace is not working with me! Nothing is going right today!" She cried out angrily.

Derek finally giving up on trying to be coy about it. Came up beside her as she stood in front of her mirror and grabbed her hands where she was trying to put the necklace on. Both shot their eyes to the other's in the mirror. Locked in a seemingly endless gaze. And then she figured out the look he always gave her. It was love.