Chapter 9

I wake up and look at my clock, its 6:30. I barley got any sleep last night. All I could think about was how sweet and protective Derek was. Then Ryan shows up and ruins my night. I don't even have the energy to get out of the bed, but mom and dad are coming today. My apartment is a wreck. I have not had time to clean it. I'm still not fully unpacked. I wonder if we are having practice today. I hope we have it though, I need something to focus on and get my mind off Ryan and his drama. I will just text Derek.

" Hey Derek, are we having practice today?"

Within in three minutes he has responded.

" If its fine with you. I know your parents are coming in, I wouldn't want to keep you from being with them. Do you have a time you would prefer?"

I text him back relieved that we are going to practice.

" They are coming at noon. Anytime before that would be fine with me."

He texts back instantly.

" Okay, why don't we go at 7:30."

" Okay sounds good to me."

I get in the shower and am out within five or so minutes. I put my hair in a pony tail that is still curled from last night, and my make up. I grab a t-shirt, black yoga pants, and my tennis-shoes. I glance at the clock and its ten minutes after seven. Perfect timing, I have twenty minutes to get there. I grab my bag and dancing shoes and head to my car.

I get to the dance studio. Every since I had the accident with that person I don't go in until Derek gets here. They have upped the security around here, but I'm still afraid. Derek is nice enough to just wait on me to stretch, he always finds something to do in the meantime. I see Derek pull up in his car, I get out of mine.

We walk in our studio together. We are the only ones here, people usually don't practice on the weekends. I walk over to the steps and put my bag down and slip my heels on. I start stretching while Derek puts the c.d. in the player. It only takes me five or so minutes till I'm done.

" Are you ready?" Derek asks

" Yes."

We get into our starting position. We go over the dance two times.

" Why don't we take a break." Derek says

" Okay."

I walk over to the steps to look at my phone. I have a missed call from a unknown number. I will call it back in case its important. It rings three times before somebody answers.

" Hello?" a husky voice asks

" Yes, did you call me?" I ask politely

" Yeah, Shawn this is Ryan."

My mouth drops open.

" How did you get my number" I ask through gritted teeth.

" I have my connections. You cant stay away from me. I always find out stuff."

" I can stay away from you. I've been doing it and have been perfectly happy." I'm so mad right now. I haven't been this mad in a while. I notice Derek is looking at me with concern in his eyes.

" Oh Shawn, you don't know how much I have missed you. We didn't get to finish our conversation last night. You ran off with him." he sounds mad now.

" We have nothing to talk about. I don't have anything to say to you. I've said it all."

" We have a lot to talk about. I still love you and want to be with you."

" I don't want to be with you. Get that through your hard head. I left you for a reason. Leave me alone!" I am yelling now. I don't even give him time to respond before I end the call. He makes my blood boil. I can get mad so easy just hearing his voice. I look up and Derek is standing in front of me.

" Are you okay?" he asks sounding worried

" I will be. Just crazy ex boyfriend problems." I say laughing

" So that was Ryan, I figured it was."

" Yeah, I don't know how he got my number. I will have to change it."

" Why won't he just leave you alone?"

" I don't know. Last night was the first time I seen him since I left him. I threw a remote at him and got my stuff out of our apartment." I say my voice cracking a bit.

" I didn't know Shawn J had a mean bone in her body. And a remote? I wouldn't want you to ever be mad at me." he says. I cant help but to laugh at his comment

" Yes, I have a very mean side. It hardly even comes out, but when it does I am dangerous. It takes a lot to get me mad."

" Do you mind me asking why you broke up with him?"

" I don't mind. He cheated on me." I say, I cant look him in the eyes.

" He is one stupid person to cheat on you. You can do much better than him anyways." he says smiling

" Thank you." I say blushing

" No problem. Do you want to go over our dance again?" he asks

" Yeah." I say smiling

We do our dance one more time. It is the best we have done it all week.

" Hey, let me check the time." I say

Its eleven forty five. Crap. I've got to go.

" Its eleven forty five. I've got to go pick mom and dad up from the airport. Thank you so much for today and last night. I really needed to get my mind off of him and you helped me so much." I say grinning from ear to ear.

" You are welcome. We are partners now, we will help each other with everything." he says

I reach up on my tip toes and give him a hug.

" I will see you Monday." Derek says

" Monday." I repeat. I walk out of the studio.

I arrive at the airport and see mom and dad standing outside. I get out of my car and run up to them. I have missed them so much. I about nock them over.

" Mom!, Dad! I have missed ya'll so much!" I yell

" Shawn, we have missed you too." they say in unison

" Well lets go home. I will take you luggage for you."

We get to my apartment. I just now remembered I didn't clean up. Oh well, they know how hectic my life is.

" Sorry it's a wreck. I didn't have any time to clean this morning. We had practice."

" It's okay. We don't mind."

I show them around my apartment, and to there room.

" You will never guess who I saw last night." I say to mom

" Who?" she asks

" Ryan." her mouth drops

" When and how?" she asks

" I was with Derek, Mark, and Tiffany at this club. Derek and Mark leave to use the bathroom. Tiffany goes to get a drink, I'm standing in the middle of the dance floor and he comes up to me." I say

" That is awful. I cant believe he is here. Did you talk to him?"

" For a minute, I turned around to leave and he grabbed my arm. About that time Derek comes back and we leave."

" At least Derek was there."

" Yeah, he has been very helpful and a great person this week."

" It sounds like it."

" At practice today he called me. I have to go change my number again."

" He just wont leave you alone. I don't get it." mom says

" I don't either. I told him I didn't want to be with him. He said he still loves me and wants to be with me."

" Shawn, don't go back down that road. You don't need him and can do way better than that."

" Mom, I'm not going to. Right now all I am focused on is dancing. I don't have time for his drama."

" Good." she reaches over and gives me a hug. Dad comes out of the room and joins us.

" I love you guys. I'm glad you're here."

" Love you too. We wouldn't be anywhere else."