Chapter 1: Times of Our Lives

Another Chance

October 21, 2011. Day 10.

Sitting down in the booth, looking around, I see leaves falling from tree roots, falling down to the ground. Like their life ended after a couple of months. Ironically, it reminded me of my life with her. I never really thought I could fall in love with someone till Tori introduced us. Love for me, was something I thought I was never going to experience in my life. Emily Barnes changed my view of love. I thought it was love, for sure. Even my father, Kit, thought that she was the one I was looking for all of my lonely years. It was a lie. She was a lie. She cared about no one except for herself and her secret boyfriend she was hiding from me. I should have followed my gut. My gut was always right, which is why I always listen to it now.

There was no way I was going to fall in love again.

Ever.

The sound of the waitress setting the coffee mug on my table brought me out of my writing mood. I quietly said a 'thank you' and she left, attending another customer. The rich smell of the coffee filled my senses, making me realize just how much of a caffeine addict I had become.

After the whole breaking-up thing with Emily, I got the hang of always coming to the small diner not too far from my apartment. Its red colored booth and light blue colored table were already claimed as mine. No one sat in the far corner of the diner, except for me. Lauren, a middle-aged woman, always knew my order the moment I walked through the doors. The regular black coffee, sometimes with a croissant.

Looking down at the leather bounded journal I had written in not too long ago, made me think what had made me accept it from my brother, Simon Bae. My mind searched for an answer, but it came out blank. Continuing to sip my coffee, I looked out the window again, remembering just how messed up my life had become ever since I found out Emily was cheating on me. I was never really expecting a surprise like this in my life. Maybe because love is a blindness.

Emily though, she was beaten pretty badly from my sister, Tori, clawing at her with her long nails. She was pissed at her once best friend, the moment she saw Emily, which was at the mall, Tori immediately jumped on her and began hitting and clawing. Sort of like how lions fight to get the female, only Emily didn't and couldn't fight back. No one is able to fight against Tori's wrath. My father, Simon, and myself all were able to see the security video taken as Tori hit Emily. Let me just say, Tori and I weren't really fond of each other, but now, we're like the brother and sister our father always wanted us to be.

After the whole mall fight, Emily was told that she could put charges on Tori for attacking her, but she didn't want to. All charges were dropped and Tori was released from jail the very same day of the fight. Tori did the unthinkable too, she hugged me and kept telling me how sorry she was for ever setting Emily and I together. Like the good person I am, I told her it was alright.

A small smile appeared on my face, remembering how much we used to disagree on everything and that all changed just a month ago.

The sound of a ding, made it a sign that someone had entered the diner. I didn't bother looking over, thinking it was just another business person coming for some coffee. Glancing down at my watch, I noticed that it was just nine-thirty.

My eyebrows lifted to my hairline, I always left the dinner at nine o'clock. Shrugging indifferently, I continued to sip my now cold coffee.

The sound of Lauren's voice rang out, "Chloe! You are late!"

"Sorry, Aunt Lauren. I woke up late," the voice sounded like wind chimes to my ears. It was a pleasant sound, making me whip my head towards the counter.

There, stood a girl who looked to be about five-feet with strawberry hair to her waist. She was wearing a white dress shirt with light blue jeans, ending with black tennis shoes. The waitress, Lauren, was standing with her back to the front door, looking sternly at the girl who I quickly assumed was her niece from her previous sentence.

I felt my eyes widen as the girl turned around. Baby blue eyes glistened against the strong rays coming through the dinner windows. Her skin was pale, with pink rosy cheeks. No trace of make-up where present on her face. She was talking frantically, making hand motions every once in a while. Lauren would just shake her head and look down at the ground.

Finally, Lauren held up her hands in surrender and patted the girl's shoulder. They both nodded and smiled at each other, then they both walked away from my sight.

While leaning against the booth chair, I couldn't make the image of the beautiful girl who I got to see minutes ago.

I then heard her voice, "Would you like some more coffee?"

Something inside me starts to stir, like the same thing that happened when I first met Emily. Quickly looking at my empty cup, I responded with a, "Yes, please."

Glancing up at the girl beside me, I noticed that her hair had been pulled into a ponytail. The make-up free face made her seem like an Angel. Her illuminating blue eyes were focused on the coffee mug, lips pressed tightly together.

"There you go," she said.

"Thank you," my hands immediately seek out the cup, body interested on drinking more caffeine.

"Would you like anything else?"

My grip on the cup tightened before I replied, "No, thank you."

She nods and shifting awkwardly on her feet, she moves on to the next tables. Something about her movement made me think that she wanted to say something else, but was either too shy or didn't want to bother me.

See it on my face I'm getting over you, ohh. I'm getting over you, ohh. The sound of my ring tone made me jump, something I never do. Glancing down at the screen, I answered the call.

"Hello?"

"Derek? Where the hell are you?" Tori asked. Confusion quickly took over my mind.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Wha- I thought Simon told you," she replied.

"I haven't talked to Simon since two weeks ago," I heard a snarl come from Tori. Chuckling, I ran my fingers through my hair. Feeling someone's eyes on me, I turned to look over at the counter. The girl was looking over at me, a small blush appearing on her cheeks. She quickly looked away and continued to clean the counter with a rag.

"Derekkkkkkk!" I looked away from her then.

"What?" I asked.

"Did you not hear what I just said?" Tori asked, the sound of whooshing air coming from her side of the line.

"Well, if I recall you said, "Derekkkkkk!" Am I right?"

"Ugh, noooo. Never mind, it's clear you weren't listening. Anyways, I was just going t-" Tori's voice had broken off. Picking my cup from the table, I listened in.

"SIMON, you IDIOT! You didn't tell Derek did you?" I heard her ask.

Simon's frantic and panicked voice sounded, "Yes I did!"

"He said he doesn't know anything! You both haven't talked to each other for two weeks!"

"Ohhh... yeah, about that... I forgot to tell him," laughing quietly at my brother's stupidity, made me almost choke on my coffee.

"Lousy kid. Why are we related to him?" Tori asked.

"I think that's a question you should be asking to Dad, not me."

"Yeah, well he always replies with "He was a miracle" a miracle, my face."

"Interesting. So what was it that you needed from me?" I asked, suddenly curious again.

I heard her sigh, "Just come over to my apartment, Simon will come back eventually."

Quickly saying an okay, and talking about some random things back and forth we finally hung up. Chugging down the rest of the coffee, I pulled out my wallet and left a tip. Catching a glimpse of the girl cleaning some tables not too far away, I pulled out another dollar and got up to leave. Nodding a thanks to Lauren, I headed for door of the dinner. I stepped out onto the sidewalk and looked back. The girl stood, looking at me, with a small smile on her face. I lifted my hand and waved a goodbye, she in return, raised her hand and waved goodbye back.

With a smile on my face, I walked towards my car. A feeling taking over my whole body.

A/N: I haven't updated for any of my stories at all, so to anyone that reads my stories, so sorry I haven't updated for such a long time. They sort of just don't connect with me anymore.

SO, I had this story in my head for a long time and finally had the chance to type it out. I've always wanted to try out writing in Derek's point of view. Even though he is not antisocial in this story, I will somehow keep him the same as Kelley's character.

If this story has any chance of updating, tell me in reviews. I accept flames also. Just tell me if you want me to continue or not, I have great ideas for this story.

Thanks for reading,

~ CielosDeNoche