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.Ch. 7: The Date

"Lonely eyes

Well, it sure looks like

You just might

Be looking for something

For something, whoa

Look at me

And I think You'll see

Those Lonely Eyes

Don't have to be alone tonight

They analyze your glass of wine

Roll away a pickup line

Now and then they check your phone

Catch mine and let 'em go

From the little bit I've seen

They're the perfect shade of green

Next time they come my way,

Heaven help me make 'em stay"- Lonely Eyes, Chris Young


After the talk with Tori I went to search for Jamie. After not seeing my teacher for the last few days I wanted to catch up Me and Derek parted ways; me toward the stars and him toward the bathroom for a quick shower. He gave me and I'll find you soon as the bathroom door closed.

I searched the lower level until I found her seated next to Jeremy chatting her cheeks red and glowing. Her attention turned to me as I entered the room. I curled up on the couch, tucking my cold feet under my body.

She smiled launching into if I have had any ghost problems since they have been gone. I shook my head, "only problem seems to be a certain Sorcerer." It came out more annoyed than I intended.

"Boy problems?" she chirped, Jeremy chuckled.

I looked at her, "you have no idea.."

She looked like she wanted to saw something but chose not as Derek came into the room. "Why don't we go upstairs, I have some books to show you." Confused by her sudden lie I followed her out of the room.

"Sorry I didn't know if Derek is aware of his brother's…persistence?" She apologized from my desk chair.

I smiled, "Yeah he caught wind of it. Lets hope for Simon's limbs that he does not get mauled by Derek."

A red eyebrow rose, "That bad, huh?

"He's been rather protective lately but with Simon's possessiveness it's understandable." I cleared my throat, "Which move on to our next problem. Simon has decided that he wants to take me on a date, and Derek wants me to go!"

Her brow rose even more, "Well that is quite the problem now isn't it?"

I sighed, "He thinks that Simon will lay off the flirty, that's my property thing he has been doing. But I'm just-"

"Feel like its wrong?"

I nodded. She sighed, "Boys can be difficult, but you know maybe Derek is right. Maybe Simon will back off if you two went on one date"

"maybe.."

She smirked, "Just be warned that your mate may be a little jealous. So just don't kiss him or he may die."

I laughed, "Got it."

"So what are you going to wear on this date?" we spent the next hour picking out an outfit from my clothes. I felt somewhat okay about doing this, even if I was tricking Simon.

The next morning I knew something was about to happen. Simon's eye hadn't left my face since I sat down for breakfast. It wasn't until I had ducked outside to find Derek, that I knew something was wrong. He had been tense all morning, the change would happen any hour now.

He sat on the back deck, "How long?"

"Won't be for another few hours. Probably tonight." He grumbled. His head swerving to the right, I focused then heard the sound of footsteps. Simon walked around the house his hands shoved in his pants pockets.

"Hey guys!" he smiled at us. His eyes lingering on me, "Bro I think Andrew needs some help with the dishes."

I looked at Derek his body going tense. His eyes met mine and I nodded. He hauled himself up and leaped up to the top of the steps. His muscles rippling under his shirt; I had to tare my eyes away. As soon as the door closed, Simon made his way over vacating the stop his brother was minutes ago.

He grabbed my hands, "umm listen, Chloe. There is something I've been wanting to ask you but I can't seem to catch you alone." My stomach dropped the bad feeling I had all morning had to be caused by what came out of his mouth next, "I was wondering if you would like to go get some ice cream after dinner?"

I blinked. Right Chloe play it cool, think of this as a play. "Like as in a date?"

His face flushed, "yeah, like a date."

I looked away, "umm sure I guess." The words felt like a punch to the gut.

He jumped up excitedly, "right! I will go ask Dad and Andrew now!"

I didn't know I had been holding in a breath until the screen door shut, deciding there was nothing I could do now about the situation I went inside to find Tori. Girl time was a must now. I found her and Jamie sitting in the living room watching reruns of America's Next Top Model. Her eyes caught mine and she grabbed my arm pulling me onto the love seat with her.

"Give me the deets cause first wolfboy walked in looking like he could maul a large bear then wizard boy wonder walked in with the biggest smile on his face. What the hell just happened?"

I groaned my head dropping into my hands, "Simon asked me on a date."

Tori grinned, "So operation Simon thinks you like him is in motion!" I gave her a heated glance, "What I'm loving this. It is the perfect black mail, maybe it will knock him down a notch or two."

Jamie cleared her throat, "So when do we start with the make over?"

"What?"

Tori snorted, "For the date duh! Every girl needs to have a make over before the first date, chloe!"

"It will be the only date." I murmured, "I guess tonight."

Tori grabbed me in a hug, "This will be so much fun!"

I shivered, fun? More like hell…

Much to my delight, Andrew and Kit Okayed the outing for Ice cream. So after running Tori out of the room with her bag of Make up. I brushed my hair putting it in a ponytail, and threw on a hoodie over my T-shirt. I deemed myself decadent enough.

Before I left I went to check on Derek, who had been in his room since he finished his dinner. I cracked open the door, he laid on the bed his arm thrown over his eyes.

"Derek? I'm about to leave. I-I just wanted to make sure you are ok…"

He dropped his arm, "Your wearing that?" his voice was raspy.

I looked down at my outfit. I wasn't about to try and impress Simon. "Why do I look bad?"

"No you never look bad…I mean you look good…I mean… Damnit!" his face flushed.

Did Derek just compliment me?! My stomach fluttered.

He coughed and tried again, "I mean shouldn't you, and you know dress up for your first date?"

I shook off the butterflies, "I'm not really looking to impress your brother…"

"R-right…um be careful."

I paused at the door, "I will. Just take some Tylenol, it will help your fever."

I left him with that finding Simon rather quickly. We didn't stop walking until we were a mile or two in the woods.

"Is this ok? Being in the woods I mean…" He stopped tugging me to a stop, "Derek had said the forest bothers you."

I shook my head, "I'm fine. So were are we getting this Ice cream?"

"There is a service station I saw the other day while on a jog with Derek. They have an ice cream counter."

The rest of the way we joked and fell into our normal comfortable routine. The pang of guilt at ate my stomach, but what could I say? Oh Simon I'm sorry but I'm mated to your brother and have a complicated relationship with him. Oh and by the way I may be in love with him? No that wouldn't go down well…

He left me on a log at the edge of the forest to get our orders then came back with a single and a double scoop. I tried to let him have the double but he only laughed telling me he's ok with it. We ate talking about the comic he had been writing, and soon enough we we're walking about to the house. I let him hold my hand.

We we're close enough to the house that I could see the lights through the trees. Simon stopped pulling me close to him but not close enough to be touching.

"So I had a good time."

"Me too. The ice cream was good. Thanks." I acted normal even though my gut said something was wrong.

His face got closer and closer to mine. One hand dropped mine gripping the back of my neck. I froze I felt like a statute. The panic rose in me and I couldn't tell him no or back away. His lips brushed mine and I didn't dare kiss him back. This kiss felt weird and not right, nothing like what I feel with Derek. Derek! My gut twisted I felt like I had betrayed him, the panic swelled at the thought. Simon released my mouth .His lips drooping in a frown and a knowing look in his eyes.

I don't know why but I ran. I took off toward the house. The sound of footfalls came closer to me, then the silhouette of a man. The world tilted and before I could fall arms wrapped around me. I braced myself on their bicep.

"Chloe?! What's wrong?" Derek sounded worried before he growled out, "What did he do?"

I stepped away from him, "He kissed me…and I ran."

His mouth opened and closed but before he could answer Simon came from the direction I just fled.

He paused looking from Derek to me before setting his glare to his brother. "This is your fault!" his voice held fury.

Derek's eyes widened. I quickly stepped between them, "Simon! It's not his fault! I just don't.."

His hate filled eyes turned to me, "you what Chloe!? Do not like me? Want my brother!? He's a mutt!"

That was my breaking point. My body acted on its own, the slap sounded through the forest. "What the fuck Simon! He's your brother! I yelled lunging for another slap. Derek gently grabbed my arm pulling me back toward him. My back against his chest, I turned to look at him. His gaze was in the direction the wind was blowing from. His nose turned up smelling a scent.

His voice grumbled out, "We need to get back to the house."

Simon rolled his eyes rubbing his now swelling cheek, "Liar! There is no one there! We just came from that way, you are just trying to avoid this conversation." Derek glared at his brother.

"You know what! What ever! I don't care any more, not about you, not about Chloe, just fuck you." Simon glared stomping to the house.

He left me and Derek to follow him, I looked at Derek sympathetically I don't want this. To come between brothers.. The hurt from Simon's words showed in his eyes briefly but he hid it as we crossed the threshold into the house. Derek didn't say anything to me as we walked up the stairs; he just slipped into his room.

I ran into Tori trying to escape to my own room, she bombarded me with questions. All I wanted was to go curl up in bed; I quickly escaped her questions and slipped into my room. I changed into my most comfy pajama bottoms and a lose tank top, curling up in bed. The tears wanted to be let lose but I held them in, falling into a restless sleep.

I was woken up to knocks at my door. A sweaty, glistening eyed Derek stood at the door.

I sighed, "Let me get a jacket." I threw on my gray sweatshirt and followed him down the stairs.


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