CPOV

This was what I wanted. This guy. This life. This me. I was never getting my old life back, and I didn't care. I was happy. I was safe. I was right where I wanted to be.

"Simon! Where are you going?"

Derek and I stopped. He placed me on the ground, backing away.

"Really?" he whined. I rolled my eyes. Of course. Another interruption. The one time we get a chance to be alone and in comes-

"Tori! I just need to tell Derek something!"

"Leave them alone!" Tori shouts at him. "Can't you see that that's why they came out here in the first place? They wanted to get away from you."

"Whatever!"

Derek and I stayed as silent as possible. Maybe they won't find us, I thought. But of course, there they come. I noticed I was clinging to Dereks hand. Normally, I would have pulled away, but right then, right at that moment, I didn't care. It didn't matter what they would think, or if Tori would say something. All that matters is that I'm happy holding his hand, and I wasn't about to let go.

"Chloe, I'm sorry." Tori said, now next to Simon. "I tried to stop him. He's just a thick-headed idiot"

With that she grabbed his arm and started tugging. He pulled away, looking at her sharply

"I told you, I have to tell Derek something." he turned to Derek. "Someone called for you. She said she really needed to talk to you, like soon." he paused for a second, then said, "And I'm sorry I ruined your little "moment"" He made little air quotes. "I just figured it was important."

Derek just stared at the ground, looking a little embarrassed. Why?

"Yeah, I guess it is." he mumbled.

He started walking forward, Simon joining him. His hand slid from mine without a word.

Tori just watched as they walked away, gawking at the sight.

"What are you staring about?" I asked her bravely.

"Did you see that?" she asked. "He walked away so easily."

"Well, I'm sure he didn't mean it like that."

Tori shook her head, almost jokingly. "You're too forgiving."

All I could do was shrug as we started heading back.

DPOV

Simon handed me the phone, whispering a quick "good luck" before walking out of the room.

I took a deep breath. Should I really be doing this? Calling some weird stranger just because she asked for me? But it was to late. No turning back now.

"Hello" asked a woman's voice.

"Uh, yeah, this is Derek."

She seemed to get really excited, like I was some long-lost best friend that she hadn't talk to in years.

"Derek? Is that really you?" she asked between choked little sobs.

"Yeah…" I answered awkwardly. Well, I said that, didn't I? "Who is this?"

"Derek, well," it seemed so hard for her just to say two words.

"It's your mom."