Derek and Casey have known each other for a long time. It seemed like it was just yesterday when she was banging on his door, yelling at him to turn down his loud music. When they first met needless to say they couldn't stand each other. Derek would spend most of his time finding ways to make Casey's life miserable. One time he even glued all her pages in her history book together.

As whatever relationship blunders came her way. Casey got used to Derek's caveman like behaviors passed the bond between the two of them became stronger. He suddenly began putting up with her annoying behaviors like studying non stop or constantly freaking out about whatever boy she was dating at that time.

Things were looking up for the two and it seemed like everything was going to be fine between them until one day...

Chapter One: The Perfect Day

Derek was getting up on a Saturday Morning. This was unusual for Derek because normally he'd sleep till about 2:00 in the afternoon. Thought this just wasn't any other ordinary day. This was the day. Derek was finally going to ask out that new girl, Sally. The one had kept his eye on ever since her first day at his work. He got up early, and showered, making sure he spent an extra amount on his hair. He decided he was going to wear his hottest shirt and tossed on a pair of jeans that best suited his features. I look so hot there's no way she'll be able to resist, Derek admitted vainly to himself.

As he trudged down the stairs for his morning breakfast routine, a surprised face, caught his eye. It was the girl he loved to hate. Non other than Casey McDonald.

"Derek Venturi, You do know that it's 8:00 AM on a Saturday Morning," Casey clarified.

He smirked, "Yes, Case, Even drifters can tell time." He hadn't noticed himself but he actually sounded cheerful while saying this. Which is a completely non-Derek like behavior. Has Sally made me a lovesick man? He thought to himself. No, not a chance in hell. It's too late for me to change, why would I even try.

Casey caught Derek's cheerfulness, "So...your disgustingly chipper today. Any reason?"

He grabbed a bowl of cereal from the Cabinet and poured himself a bowl of Cocoa Puffs. "Nope, just enjoying my day. I am however going out with Sally tonight," he said giving the world famous Derek Venturi smirk.

Casey looked amused, "Really? Does she know about it?"

Now he was getting annoyed. Yes he had struck out with Sally before but he knew today would be different. What woman can resist this,he thought. "No, but she will, I mean what women could resist this," he said. Did I just say that out loud, he thought.

Casey laughed half amused half disgusted. Too Easy, she thought laughing to herself.

When Derek found himself with nothing but the milk in his cereal, he grabbed his bag and headed into work. He knew Sally would be taking the morning shift. Perfect, he thought to himself.

When Derek left Casey turned to her room for some quiet time to read her book. She had broken up with Max not two months ago and still she was unable to begin dating. She feared that she would lose herself once again. She didn't want to date anyone new again. For once she just wanted to be herself. She had forgotten about the person she used to do be. One who was independent and strong and didn't let any man tell her what to do. One who would "Object to being objectified," as she once said when Ralph tried to convince her to show some skin during a D Rock performance. She now felt guilty because she paraded around for months worried about clothing, cheer leading, about if she quit the cheer team like she wanted and do poetry again whether or not Max would dump her. Now she felt stupid for even have thought this.

There had been two people in her life who made her see the light that what she was doing was stupid. Derek and Noel. Noel with his acting skills had made Casey remember why she loved the theater. The night before she and Max broke up. She went into Derek's room sobbing trying to remember who she was. Then Derek suggesting that she change back. Later Casey discovered that Max was the reason for all of this and when she suggested they take a break, he declared it over. Which now having months passed she was okay with.

School had become a lot easier since her break up and Noel had become one of her best friends. Countless evenings they would spend watching and reading the classics. Life was finally getting back to normal and Casey couldn't have been happier.

She turned back to her latest book craze, "Pride and Prejudice", by Jane Austen. She loved this story it was so wonderful. She loved the romance between Elizabeth and Darcy. Elizabeth was opinionated and had a mind of her own and Darcy loved her for it. She didn't have to be someone else, he loved her just the way she was. If only I could find someone like that, Casey admitted bitterly to herself.

-At Smelly Nelly's-

Derek had just walked through the doors oh so cockily. He had popped his collar and began looking for Sally. He gazed through the whole of the restaurant until his eyes fell on a blond girl clearing up table five. He smiled swiftly moving to get to her.

"Sally," He announced as he got to her. "Hey, want to check out a movie tonight at the old theater on 3rd street?"

She smiled at him, "Sure, pick me up at 7:00." Derek was in shock, he hadn't actually expected her to agree to go out with him. I mean every other time he had asked her she refused.

"So.. what changed your mind," Derek asked out of curiosity.

"I just decided it was time I took a chance and well decided I might as well start with a date with you. Pick me up at 7 and don't be late," She insisted.

"I won't," he smirked. I like how this day is going, he smiled.

-Back At Home-

It was almost 4:00 and Casey had spent the entire day up in her room reading. She was just about to get ready to go out when the phone rang.

A deep voice she knew and loved spoke when she answered, "Hey Casey, I..uh.. was wondering if you wanted to go to the movies tonight. Their showing Casablanca at the old theater on 3rd street. The show starts at 7:30. I think it could be fun," said Noel.

Casey smiled. She was just hoping she could go out tonight, "Well nothing could make me more happier."

She could feel the excitement in Noel's voice all the way from her house, "Great! I'll pick you up at 7. Is that good for you?"

"Perfect! Well I'll see you later tonight Noel! Bye!" Casey said and then hung up the phone. She glanced at the clock 4:15. She had little over two and half hours before Noel came to pick her up, so she decided to go over to Emily's house to hang out for a bit.

She quickly threw something on and walked over next door to the Davis's. She knocked on the door to her fortune it was Emily.

"Em! Hey want to hang out for a bit?" She asked.

"Sure, come on in." she followed Emily into her house. Casey had been in their house many times. She had come to know it very well. The Davis's house unlike her own was organized and clean. Kind of like how Casey liked her spaces. Since they only had two kids their house was clean usually all the time.

Emily led Casey into her bedroom and they began their usual teenage banter. They talked about music and upcoming shows they wanted to go see. Em dished about her latest gossip because Emily has that gift of knowing everything about everyone.

Then Emily asked what Casey was doing tonight, "I'm going to the old theater to check out Casablanca with Noel!" Casey said smiling excitedly.

"Oh, sounds serious, are you two like dating now?" Emily asked clinging to the gossip like it was her lifeline.

"Em, You know it's not like that. We're just friends."

"Does Noel know that?" Emily sassed.

"Of course he does. I just broke up with Max. I'm not ready to date anyone now. Besides Noel doesn't even like me like that," Casey insisted.

"Two things. Number One, you and Max broke up two months ago. I love you but it's time to move on and two I wouldn't be so sure."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I've seen the way he looks at you and didn't you say that you think those flowers you got from the night of the musical came from Noel?" Emily went on.

"Look Em, Nothing is going on between us. Can we just let this one go?" Casey insisted.

"Fine...So what is King Derek doing tonight anyway?"

"I don't know he claims he has a date with Sally."

"Delusional."

"Totally."

After spending an hour and a half at Emily's house. Casey decided that it was time she headed back home. She only had an hour left to get ready for tonight and she wanted to look nice tonight. This was after all a show at the famous theater that she had admire ever since she moved to town.

When she arrived back at home she went into her room and grabbed her things to take shower. When she went to the restroom to her displeasure Derek was still in there. "Der-ek! How much time can you spend staring at yourself in the bathroom! I need to get ready!" She said pounding trying to open the locked door.

After about five minutes of kicking and screaming the door unlocked and Casey was lunged into the bathroom.

"All yours," he smirked patting her on the back and walked out.

"She put her stuff down on the counter and climbed into the shower. She spent 10 minutes doing her hair. She decided to go with lofty waves. She didn't put on a ton of make up. She wasn't too obsessed with her appearance and she felt better. She felt better being herself without trying to be someone else. She spent an half hour's less time getting ready than when she was dating Max. Since it was a special theater Casey decided to wear something nice.

She decided on a white pretty halter type spring dress she had picked up last week when she was at the mall. She liked the way it looked, not too dressy, yet not too casual. Just perfect for a night like tonight. To put the final touches on her ensemble she clipped back a strand of wavy brown hair back with a butterfly clip. She had to admit she looked pretty good but she hoped she wasn't too over dressed.

It was 6:55 and Casey walked down the stairs. She was greeted by her mom and George. "Casey you look absolutely beautiful tonight, any particular reason?" Her mom asked smiling.

"No, just going out to a movie with Noel. Not a big deal." She said smiling.

Derek himself was finished getting ready. He was going to pick up Sally in a few minutes as he was on his way down the stairs a sight caught is eye.

It was Casey. She had looked absolutely stunning tonight. It gave Derek this feeling in his stomach when he looked at her. He didn't care for the way it was making him feel. He was also confused by this feeling. It almost made him forget that he was going on a date with Sally tonight. The girl to whom he's been dying to date ever since she strolled into his life.

He continued down the stairs trying to avoid Casey.

"So where are you going tonight?" George asked Casey.

"Well.. Noel is taking me to see Casablanca at the old theater on 3rd Street." Derek froze. It just so happened that Casey was going to be at theater where he was this could not be good.

"Well You know that's where I'm taking Sally. Just promise to stay out of the way okay?" Derek sassed trying to hide is discomfort.

"Fine, I was planning on it. Besides I'll be having too much fun with Noel to even notice you anyway." Casey said.

At that point the doorbell rang. Casey's mood changed she knew who was at the door.

"Casey, Wow. You look Great!" said Noel. Casey was happy to see that she wasn't the only one who looked decent for the event. He hadn't bought a tux or anything but he still looked very handsome. He tossed on a button down shirt with his leather jacket of course and a pair of jeans. His hair was still messy but he still looked cute. Casey smiled at him.

"Aw, thanks. Ready to go?" She asked.

"Why of course. Milady," Noel said in a Shakespearean way that made Casey laugh. Then he guided her to his car and the two of them left for the theater.

Derek left the house not long after they and went to pick up Sally. Sally didn't dress up a whole lot for the event like Derek. They both felt that there was no need to dress up for a movie that they would normally see in jeans and a t-shirt.

They got there around 7:15 and anxiously waited outside for it to open. They found Noel and Casey towards the back of the line and decided to drop by for a quick hello. Actually Sally wanted to talk to Casey. Derek would've rather to just ignore them and go into the theater. For some reason Sally admired Casey. Derek never knew why. Then again he couldn't understand why anyone would admire her.

"Hey Casey!" said a cheerful Sally.

"Hi Sally! Are you guys excited for tonight?"

"Yes! Casablanca is one of my favorite movies!"

"Mine too!"

Derek interrupted them, "Well I hate to break up this little friend fest, but the line is moving."

They moved up and the line quickly made it into the theater. When they arrived to pay Casey took out her wallet, but Noel put her hand away. "It's okay Casey, I've got it. Like I said it was my treat." Casey smiled and Noel smiled back and when they tried to move into the theater he accidentally got sidetrack and slipped not noticing the "Slippery When Wet" sign. Casey made a small laugh.

Since they all happened to be there at the same night. Sally suggested that they all sit by each other. Needless to say Derek was less than amused. Here he was an average guy on a date with his sister and her friend. Okay well Casey isn't technically his sister actually far from it but still it was weird. How the hell am I supposed to put the moves on Sally when I got Casey sitting right there beside me, Derek thought.

Instead of sitting directly next to each other in the theater. Noel and Casey sat a row behind them. Thank The Lord, Derek thought. Derek pulled the old yawn arm around the shoulder routine and then tried other ways to get closer to her throughout the film. Sally however seemed kind of annoyed by it and every time he tried something she set him straight. Out of curiosity Derek casually glanced behind him. When they got to certain parts of the film he saw Casey with tears in her eyes. How pathetic, Derek thought.

There were times throughout the film where Casey would feel Noel's eyes on her. It made her nervous. Maybe Em was right,she thought before remembering that they were just friends and this whole thing tonight was just two friends hanging out. Yes, she thought, Just two friends hanging out and having a good time.

That was until she felt a teardrop come down her cheek and Noel grabbed a napkin from his pocket and gave it to her. Aww...That was sweet, Casey thought.

When the movie was over the four decided to go over to Smelly Nelly's for some refreshments. As they turned to leave a voice behind them called out.

"Casey McDonald, I cannot believe my eyes."

They all turned around and Casey was in utter shock, "Oh My God, Justin!"

--

A/N: Okay so what did you think of the first chapter? I just began it the other day and wanted to continue writing in it. I'm sorry that Lizzie, Edwin, and Marti haven't really played a role yet. They will play a bigger part in the story later on. This is my second shot at a FanFic so try and understand if it's not perfect. I do look for reviews. So please review it would be very beneficial to me! Anything to make this better is appreciated!

Thanks!

-Ally