The Ramblings of Love

Chapter 1: Staring Contests, Revelations, and Conversations

By: RainStorm-grey

After we arrived, at the safe house with Andrew, we all clambered out of the van. I couldn't wait for a shower. Derek would want one first, though. So, while I waited for someone to call the shower, I looked at the exterior of the new "safe house." I scoffed internally at the term. I doubted we'd ever be safe again. The Edison Group would hunt us down until we were dead and buried. That or they'd capture us and put us down like dogs. Of course my thoughts moved to Aunt Lauren and my Dad. I missed my father and didn't want to cause him anymore pain, but he was safer this way. As for Aunt Lauren, I didn't want to believe she was dead, but at the same time it seemed like that was the only solution possible for what I had seen just hours before.

I looked up and shook myself out of my reverie. The first thing I noticed was that I'd sunk to my knees on the wet grass. Second, I'd been crying and third, that everyone was staring at me. Tori was scowling at me, Andrew was looking confused and embarrassed since he'd just met me. Simon looked concerned, almost pitying. I didn't need his pity. What surprised me most, though, was Derek. He had kneeled down beside me. I didn't notice before because even when kneeling he was still much taller than me. He was looking straight into my eyes and channeling feelings of understanding and concern. His concern was not like Simon's though. His was more wonderful to behold. More… sweet. Wait. When did I start to think of Derek as sweet?

Just now, my inner voice said. I stared back into his beautiful green eyes. Now that I was up close, I could see that there was more feeling in his eyes than anyone, even Simon, would see or comprehend. It was all just hidden behind a mask of indifference. Shoved beneath the surface of his scowl. Nobody had gotten close enough to see because all most people saw was his towering, glowering, burly physique. People were scared of him and so he hid himself away. He knew that even Simon, his own brother who he cared about more than anybody in the world, was scared of him. Even I had shied away from him at first but then I found out that there was more to him than what most people saw. He wasn't anything like what most people saw and I was the only person to see hat. The only person who wasn't afraid. I knew that Derek would never hurt me. Never. Not even when he finally Changed.

We kept staring at each other. Subconsciously, my hand had reached for his. Our fingers intertwined between our laps, connecting the space between us. As soon as my fingers touched his, a jolt passed through me. I didn't know if he felt it too. Heck, I didn't even know what it was. All I knew, at that moment, was that something had changed between us. My stomach was doing back flips and all sorts of difficult gymnastics routines and then I realized that I, Chloe Saunders, was in love with Derek.

Somebody coughed and Derek and I jumped apart and stood up. I avoided everybody's eyes, especially Derek's. It seemed that everyone was confused by what had transpired. Even Tori was silent, which I would have been grateful for if it weren't for the fact that nobody else was talking either. We all headed to the house and once we got inside, Andrew showed us to our rooms. I was sharing with Tori. Oh, the joy.

***********

Once we reached our room, and we'd both showered, Tori pounced.

"Okay, what was that about?" She demanded.

"What was that about?" I responded dejectedly, though I tried to sound curious and questioning.

"Don't play dumb, Chloe. That staring contest between you and Dog-boy. If I didn't know better I'd say you two were experiencing the touchy-feely's"

"Tori, don't call him Dog-boy."

"Okay, okay, fine. Derek. Answer my question!"

"I really don't know Tori. But, I do have something I want to tell you," I was about to tell her about my revelation but I remembered Derek's super-sonic hearing, so I said, "you want to take a walk?" She agreed.

D Pov

I was lying on my bed thinking about her. What was that about outside? I wasn't getting any answers from Chloe since she and Tori had taken a walk outside and out of my hearing range.

"Derek. DEREK!!" Simon said, forcefully. I shot a glance at him before replying,

"What?" I knew what was coming

"What was that about, outside?"

"It was nothing, Simon."

"Hey! Don't insult my intelligence here! That was something! You saw! Even Tori was silent!"

"I'm telling you Simon, it was nothing." I was getting annoyed. Simon seemed to calm down and he was silent for a few minutes.

"Derek?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you like Chloe?"

"No, Simon… I love her." Wow. Did I really just say that? I mean, yeah, I knew that I liked her but I had no idea my feelings had escalated. Now there it was, the feeling that I get when Chloe would look me straight in the eye. Whether she was angry, annoyed, or happy. That feeling that I get when she stays with me during my partial Changes. That feeling of protection when Ramon and Liam had approached us. What did Liam call her? My mate? What did that mean? Dad had told me some stuff about werewolves but I don't think he'd ever approached or knew about that subject. I decided I'd look for a book on werewolves, down in the massive library downstairs, later.

"Oh." Simon said sullenly

"Look, Simon, I know you liked Chloe first, so I'm gonna let you have her. I don't even know if she likes me back anyway."

"Derek, are you blind?!"

"Huh?" I said, confused.

"Did you not see the way she was looking at you out there?! She obviously loves you!" Once again, huh?

"But, what about you?! I know she likes you! Not me!"

"Derek, she loves you! Anybody with eyes can see it! Besides, I don't think I love Chloe. I think I just like her. So, for once, will you please do something for you?"

"I don't know Simon, I'm a monster, and I don't deserve her. And, even if she did love me back, I'd just hurt her! She's too good for me! I can't ever have her!"

"Ah, the ramblings of a man in love," Simon said mockingly, "Derek, no one deserves her like you do. Everybody in this house, including Andrew and Chloe, knows you wouldn't hurt her! Just think it over, ok?"

"Yeah, Simon, I'll sleep on it. Goodnight." Derek fell asleep and dreamed of Chloe.

Author's Note: Hey! This is my first fan fic so I'd really love some reviews!!!!! Pretty Please! I don't own the darkest powers. Sad face.