So, I am writing a novel and this is it...except I changed the names to fit Life With Derek. And I changed a couple of things to fit them. But, it's my new story...still working on the others, but I had to do this. I've got to know what people think of my novel :D So, I thought this would be the best way! I hope you like it!

She sat in the rocker on her front porch. Her hand traced patterns on the smooth, white surface of the furniture. Her face still held stains from the tears that fell from her eyes not an hour before. He was gone. She just couldn't believe that after being together for almost two years, he was gone. She was happy for him, she really was. He was going to pursue his dreams at some fancy college where he had gotten a hockey scholarship. She was stuck in the little town they grew up in alone, going to a local college because they could not afford to send her away. He promised to call and text whenever possible, but she knew nothing would be the same again. There would be no more holding hands after the hockey game. Or going out to eat and to the movies on the weekends. They would visit each other, sure, but who would hold her during those lonely nights when it seemed the storm would never end?

She had walked him to his car to say goodbye. Her eyes were already swollen from crying herself to sleep the night before. She didn't want him to see her cry. But, her emotions got the best of her and the tears had crashed around her. He hugged her fiercely and kissed her passionately and told her he loved her more than anything in the world. She could barely get out those four words, "I love you too."

As soon as the car door shut, she ran to her front porch and plopped herself down in the rocker to cry. She watched him pull out of her driveway, like he had done so many other times before, and wave goodbye. Except, unlike the other times, he wasn't going to be back the next night. Or the next weekend. She had instantly pulled her cell phone in and text him, "Babe, just don't forget about me." To which he had replied, "Babe I won't forget about you. Never."

After she sat like that for another hour, Edwin finally came outside. He sat in the other rocker in silence, knowing his step-sister was in pain. He didn't know what to say to comfort her. He had never been in this situation before. She looked over at him and sent a quick smile. He realized that she looked sad but she would be alright. Derek still loved her and was going to try to make it work. He remembered her Derek coming into his room at midnight and waking him up. He had a girl problem and did not know who else to go to.

"Edwin, wake up. I need to talk."

"Derek, we have school tomorrow. Can't it wait until the morning?"

"No. Up. Now."

"What is it?"

"There's this girl I like and I don't know how to tell her or even if she would be in to me."

"Derek, girls have never been your weak point."

"But.."

"What Derek?"

"It's Casey."

He remembered being shocked at what Derek told him. He knew that if Derek was this afraid to ask Casey out, he must really like her. He looked up at his step-sister again who had her knees pressed to her chest. She looked so vulnerable. He felt so bad for her. But he knew there was nothing he could do.

"Hey Casey, I think you should come inside. It's getting hot out here."

"I will in a minute, Edwin."

"Okay," and then he got up out of the rocker and walked in the door, taking a final look at his somber step-sister.

She was alone again. Alone with her thoughts. At least when Edwin had been there, she didn't concentrate solely on Derek leaving. But, here she was again. She really didn't want to go inside. Too many memories awaited her in every room of the house. The living room is where they made a bet about who could eat a really hot pepper and not drink anything. And after he had won the bet, they lied on the couch together watching TV. The kitchen is where they had gotten into a food fight during Thanksgiving. She had been covered in mashed potatoes and he in green bean juice. They had shared a crazy, wonderful, fantastic kiss afterwards. The den is where she had fallen asleep on his chest while watching some DVD. When she woke up he was just looking at her even though the DVD was still playing. He told her that night that it felt so right, her falling asleep with him, and he looked forward to that feeling everyday for the rest of his life. Lizzie's room, where they had played a dance game for hours. Edwin's room, playing a basketball game and laughing because she could never beat him. Marti's room, where they had tucked her in to bed together every night. The bathroom, where he had watched her put on her make-up time and time again, saying that she didn't need it because she was beautiful without it. And then their rooms. So many late night talks and kisses were shared in their rooms. He gave her the promise ring in her room. He had hidden it in her room a week before and when they were watching a movie, he reached under the bed and threw it to her. He promised to love her forever. Tears formed again when she began to recall all of these wonderful memories that would surely haunt her until she saw him again.

Finally, she managed to move from the rocker to the front door. She paused a second, trying to collect herself, before opening the door. And there they were. The memories. The flashbacks of every thing they had been through together. It all hit her as she walked through the front door. She made her way to her room and sat down slowly on her bed. She looked up at her bookshelf that held her best friends. Her wonderful books. It also held so many pictures of her and Derek together. It was a bittersweet moment in the eighteen year olds life. She picked up the box that had once held the promise ring that resided on her left hand. She tossed it in the air, but missed catching it and it fell in the floor beside her dresser. She went to pick it up and she happened to look up at the cards from Derek. They were Christmas cards and Valentine's cards and birthday cards. All with loving words written. She picked up the last one she received from him. It was from Valentine's that year. She read the sweet words over and over. The words that said he wanted to be with her for the rest of his life. A slow tear trickled down her face and fell to the card in her hand. She silently placed it back on the dresser along with the ring box. She knew it was going to be a long day.

This is all I have done right now. I don't know how long this is going to be, because it is a novel...we'll see though...if you like, I'll continue but if it's no good, then I'll start over...So leave reviews as to what I should do!! Thanks

-C