Hmm that's funny. Real funny. How he decides to put shampoo in my shoes and then proceeds to film me as I put them on. It's cold and squishy, and right now I'm just wishing I was stepping on his head instead of in my shoes. I chase after him in shampoo feet, slipping and sliding. He's laughing hysterically, and I'm trying to conceal that smile that's just itching to form on my lips. I can't help it. The shoes and the camera are abandoned, and it's just us, running around the house like madmen. And I'm having more fun than I've had all week. Except I'm going to be late for my date.

He pulls up and honks the horn, and I have no shoes to match my outfit now, so I put on some flip flops, and run out the door. But not before turning around and looking at the slightly troubled face staring at me from the living room. I wave goodbye to him, and it's so unlike me. But then again, I haven't really been myself since God knows when. Everything is a blur until I get home to him.

He's sleeping in his chair and for some reason the expression on his face makes me sad. He's the only person downstairs and all of the lights are out. It's late- past my curfew and I'll probably be grounded tomorrow. I wonder briefly what he's dreaming about. I walk cautiously up to him, ready to bolt the moment he opens his eyes. But the moment never comes. So I kiss his forehead and run up the stairs.

"Casey, you're in my way!"

"No, Derek, you're in my way!" We're in the bathroom fighting over the mirror space. Truthfully, we could both use the mirror. It's big enough. But what would be the fun in that? I hip bump him and he goes flying out of the way. Haha. He's quick to retaliate though, and soon I'm on my back on the floor, glaring up at him.

How much longer until university when I don't have to share a bathroom with him anymore?!

He looks at me and laughs, but then holds out his hand to help me up. Since when did he develop feelings? I reach for him and pull him right down next to me. I laugh as we engage in a full-on wrestling tournament. We are mature. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

We both pause as the doorbell rings. "Gotta go! It's Emily!" Derek jumps up and hurries away and I'm left to brush my hair alone.

How much longer until university when I don't have to share a bathroom with him anymore?

Hopefully not too soon.

I just watched T.V. while he was gone. I'm not even quite sure what show it was. Something stupid. He comes back absolutely livid, kicking the banister and saying a few words I wouldn't dare let slip from my mouth.

"What's wrong?" I ask, wringing my hands. He seems to notice me for the first time as he looks at me in surprise.

"Nothing, okay Casey?" he says harshly. Something must have gone terribly wrong on that date. Is it wrong to want to smile because of that? "I'm going for a ride to clear my head."

"Can I-" And just as quickly as he comes, he leaves.

She calls me on my cell phone in a panic, demanding answers. Why isn't he talking to me? Why is he so mad? Why can't we just work this out?

I don't know! Why don't you figure it out yourself?

I have more to worry about than her stupid relationship problems. He hasn't come home from his "ride" and it's been 3 hours. Where did he go? Was he alright? I was more than a little worried. I was freaked. It was not like him to be gone for so long. It was not like him to get so incredibly angry.

Then my cell phone rings and I check the caller ID. If it's Emily, I will seriously chuck my phone across the room. If it's Derek, I will seriously have a heart attack. If it's anyone else, I will chuck myself across the room. Maybe it would be better if I didn't look at it at all.

It was Derek. Or at least I thought it was. But when I answered, I heard a woman's voice on the line. She asked me if this was Casey. I told her yes. Where's Derek? She wanted to know who I was in relation to Derek. A friend, a girlfriend, a cousin? I told her step sister. Where's Derek? She asked me to hand the phone over to Derek's parents. I replied, where's Derek? And all she could tell me was to give the phone away.

So I finally listen to her and give the phone to George. And he steps into another room even though I'm not really sure why. I mean, I am 18. Anything that lady says to him she can say to me. He's in there for a really long time, and I can't hear what he's saying. And I'm 18 years old… I shouldn't be eavesdropping behind a door trying to get answers from my step father.

But then I have to wonder why he comes yelling out of the room with this horrified look on his face. He's telling us all to get over here and get in the car. And he's whispering to Mom about something. And I'm sweating bullets. My knees are jiggling and I feel as if the world is about to collapse beneath me. And it probably already has as Mom lets out a huge sob, burying her face in her hands. George ushers us all into the car and the only reason I'm able to move is because he's pushing me.

I hear George whispering to Mom about how 'they had called me because I was the last person he called.' I want to know desperately what they're mumbling about, but at the same, I'm afraid to even ask. Because it is serious mayhem in here. Marti's whining about missing a shoe. Edwin is laughing hysterically as he tries to sit on Lizzie. And she's angrily shoving the 130 pound boy of her lap.

And then it's even more chaotic as we pull up to a hospital. 'What's going on?' 'Where's Derek?' 'Mom, George, why aren't you telling us anything?' Mom starts crying again and that does it for Marti. She's crying too, questioning about Smerek and the hospital. She's smarter than most people realize.

Everyone stares at us as we rush into the hospital, my legs still threatening to give in. Marti's holding Mom's hand, Lizzie's in the lead with Edwin tailing behind, George is falling behind, and I'm blinded by stupid tears leaking out my eyes. I don't even know why I'm crying. 'Guys, slow down! Let me explain!' I hear from behind me. The rest of the family comes to a halt but I keep running. I don't think I could slow down if I tried.

'Casey!'

I'm already through the doors and at the check-in desk. 'Is Derek Venturi here?'

The lady at the desk has a perplexed look on her face as she asks me to sign in. I scribble my name as quickly as I can and it looks like Cay Mcland paid a visit to the hospital. She gives me a visitor's pass and tells me he's on the third floor, but I can't see him just yet. I have to stay in the waiting room until the doctors give me permission. Somehow, she's comforting, and I thank her. She gives me a warming smile and I rush up the third floor without the rest of my family. I even forget that there's an invention called an elevator.

There are doctors rushing by with clipboards and masks and even though they're the ones wearing them, I swear I'm more suffocated than they are. I literally collapse into a chair and the world around me starts spinning out of control, even more than it did before graduation. Because I don't take change well, and this could change everything.

I don't even know if Derek is seriously injured or just hurt. I don't know what happened or where it happened. All I know is that time is seeming to pass by quicker than I could ever imagine. One moment I'm alone, and the next I'm surrounded by anxious faces. And then the doctors are talking to Mom and George, and they are telling Lizzie and Edwin to stay outside with Marti as we go and visit Derek. Because I'm 18 and I can see these things. I'm brave and old enough to handle it.

But I know it must be bad if Edwin and Lizzie can't see.

I swallow as a lump forms in my throat. And there I see him, lying on the bed. Broken, pale, bleeding. Oh God. Oh no. I can't deal with this! Who was I kidding? I can't even watch horror movies without flinching. And suddenly I'm by Derek's side, pleading with him. 'Derek, please! Oh please, God. Don't let this happen! He can't, he won't leave me! You can make it, Derek! You're strong.'

I am seriously blind at this point. George pulls me away and Mom is crying too. And I try to fight them, try to get back to Derek, but I'm too weak to take another step.

'We tried to resuscitate him, but there wasn't much we could do.' The doctor says. What is that supposed to mean? Oh… no. It can't be. He's lying… he's… And then- 'I'm sorry.'

Sorry sends electricity running through my veins, and I break free of George's hold and grab Derek's arm. Lifeless. Sorry doesn't cut it. Trying doesn't cut it. Those things don't help people live. Those things don't allow Derek to sit up, smile and say 'gotcha.' He's just laying there. And I can't do anything. I'm worthless.

I scream and start pounding on the table beside his bed. And the doctors are trying to get me out of there but I'm kicking and punching at every inch. One strong doctor has me in his hold, and I struggle, slipping out of his arms and hitting the hospital floor. All is black.

"DEREK!" I cry out, sitting upright in my bed. It was all… a dream? A sick, twisted nightmare of some sort? I bolt from my bed and go to his room, looking for a sign, any sign that he's alive.

And then Mom is by my side, stroking my hair, tears streaming down her face. "Casey, he's not here anymore. I'm sorry, darling…"

"No, no…" It can't be true. It just can't be, because what is life without Derek? But if she says it, than it must be.

But I realize my nightmares have only just begun as I see a glowing white figure standing by the door smirking at me.

Remember those walls I built?
Well Baby they are tumbling down
And they didn't even put up a fight
They didn't even make a sound…

AN: I hope you enjoyed the prologue… well I don't know if "enjoyed" is the most fitting word. This fic is based on Emily's (kthxilyxxx) amazing, AMAZING AU video on youtube. youtube .com/ watch?v=voxZ6brF7wA (without the spaces) My word, go check it out now. It is freaking awesome! I only hope I can do her the honor of writing a good fic to represent her video!
All credit for the plot goes to her! And I do not own Life With Derek! Please review if you have the time!