Chapter 4
Normally, the conversations between Derek and his sister Rose were kept short and sweet. He'd ask her how school was and Rose would respond with simple one-word answers such as 'good' or 'boring'. But today was different. The second Rose walked into the loft, he knew something was wrong. Whether it was the way she chucked her book bag to the ground or the way he could hear her heartbeat pounding just a little faster than usual, Derek knew this wasn't going to be a quick exchanging of words.
"Hey," He said casually, watching Rose from where he sat on the dark couch.
"Hey," She replied halfheartedly, barely glancing up to make eye contact with him.
Derek could immediately see she didn't look well. She was slightly paler than usual and large bags hanging below her eyes.
"How was school?"
"Same old, same old." Rose mumbled, dully.
"I heard about Emilie," Derek stated. "Did you know her?"
Rose shook her head, solemnly, a glazed look in her eyes.
"Something wrong?"
Rose's head snapped up so quickly, Derek had hardly finished his question.
"Why would you think something's wrong?" Rose questioned, hesitantly. Her weary eyes read worry and concern and her words weren't enough to cover it up.
"Well, there was just a death at your school...again," Derek noted, getting up from his seat. "And you're off."
"Did you ever think maybe I'm just tired?"
"Why are you so tired?"
"Because I couldn't sleep!"
"Why couldn't you sleep?"
"Because…" Rose cut her words off, realizing her mistake. Her anger by the annoyance of her brother's questions kept her from seeing what he was doing. Derek smirked inwardly. He knew all her weaknesses.
"Because?" Derek pressed, now standing a few feet from her, arms crossed over his chest,
concern written on his face.
"Because I couldn't!" Rose snapped back, scrunching her face up into a vexed expression.
"Because the nightmares are back?" Derek wondered, being all too familiar with his sister's middle of the night outbursts after a typical house fire flashback.
"No...just a nightmare."
"About?"
"About Stiles." She told him, reluctantly.
Derek could see her features relaxing as she began explaining her nightmare. The thought of what his sister was feeling the moment she awoke made Derek cringe. Such a morbid dream, nothing like her flashbacks.
"You could've come and got me, you know." Derek proclaimed softly, running a hand down the side of her head and brushing a strand of hair from her saddened face. They now both sat on the plump couch together as Derek did his best to comfort Rose.
"I didn't want to worry you. Especially after..." Rose's voice trailed off, but she didn't have to finish. Derek knew Rose had been going for months without flashbacks. Ever since her and Stiles were made an official couple, she had been more positive, more happy. Derek liked seeing his sister happy. He didn't want that to stop because of some freak nightmare.
"Hey, you don't have to worry about me, okay? It is my job to worry about you." He mused.
"Okay." She mouthed silently.
Derek pulled her over and planted a kiss on the top of her head. "Good. Now go do your homework."
"I'm going to Stiles's later to do homework," She proclaimed.
"Then go do...teenage girl things."
Rose playfully chuckled, heading off to her room, and leaving Derek to get lost in his own wandering thoughts.