He told me he loved me. And now he stared at me. Wanted a response. Well of course he wanted a response. He just put himself out there in a way I'm sure he never had before. Not even with his brother or adoptive father. And I didn't know what to say. Was I suppose to return it? I hadn't even thought Derek liked me until now. Let alone lo…loved me. I couldn't even say the word mentally. But, thinking back, this hadn't really come out of nowhere. The protective way with which he stood by me. Maybe his yelling and taunts was his way of dealing with the situation.
But then there was the dilemma. Hadnt it been just moments before that Simon had confessed to the same thing? That he too loved me? I had been as evasive as possible with my answer. Now I would have to do it again. Unfortunately evasiveness never worked with Derek. Even when he let it slide I would receive a side glance, announcing that we would discuss it later. But apparently evasivness wasn't necessary. Neither was an answer. For it was just after I opened my mouth that Derek spoke again. The first time since the three damning words.
"I don't expect anything back Chloe." He muttered with a smirk, not quite able to cover the hurt and regret in his eyes. "In fact, I want you to go and tell Simon you love him back." My surprise at his knowledge must have shown on my face because he gave he added in a sarcastic grumble: "Supersonic hearing, remember?" Once I nodded he carried on. "I want Simon to be happy and he's liked you a long time. You obviously want him back and I wont get in your way. I'm not going to be the jealous brother that messes everything up." At the thought of Derek jealous I almost laughed out loud, despite the inappropriateness of a laugh in this situation. Derek was the most selfless, rude, grouchy, amazing, sweet, kind… That's the moment I decided, for once in my life, what I wanted.
Derek turned around to leave, muscle bulging through his tight white tank top. "Wait." I called out, so quietly, that if it had been anyone else, they would have missed it. Not Derek. He turned around, conflicting emotions in his eyes. Hope, disgust at feeling that hope, and weariness. "Derek, wh-what if…" He stared at me soundlessly, for the first time in a long time there was no impatience on his face at all. "What if I want you?" The words were out, hanging in the air, and now I couldn't take them back. Derek looked at me, all emotion washed from his face, a blankness in his eyes. Then out of no where he surged forward, with such speed I couldn't help but expect violence. But when he reached me he held me with such gentleness. More gentle with me then ever before. Then we were kissing.
It was incredibly strong at first. It was like the feeling between us had been a slowly growing flame and someone had just dropped a can of ax on that flame. Gradually it slowed in to a gentle embrace. A hug that was so much more than a hug. And I never wanted it to end. But it did. In the absolute worst way imaginable.
"So I guess the feeling isn't mutual." Came a sarcastic, hurt bark from across the parking lot. I looked up startled, to find Simon staring at us, eyes burning holes, not in me, but in Derek. I looked up at Derek and he seemed to be at a loss for words. His cool, unruffled attitude was gone. He sent a helpless look down at me and broke away.
"Simon. Let me explain." he pleaded, but Simon was already gone. Disappeared in a cloud of red fog. Seemed like we had quite a night ahead of us.