AN: Thanks for your amazing responses to the previous chapter. I hope you guys like this chapter as much as I do. It's a little different from the rest of them.

::

Colorblind

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After punching Derrick in the nose, Massie locked herself in her room for a good two hours before she finally poked her head through the door. It wasn't right for her to be feeling so scared, but considering how unpredictable Derrick was, Massie would rather be safe than sorry. She had been internally preparing herself for the hell she was going to get when she saw Derrick again, biting her nails and tugging at her hair. She even paced back and forth in her room for a good half an hour before finally settling down and telling herslef she was being overdramatic.

Breathing in a deep breath, Massie opened the door and stepped out. But to her surprise, the house was empty - Derrick had gone out for a jog. Massie wrinkled her eyebrows; Derrick didn't make any sense to her. It was almost 9:30 at night, and he was out jogging. Then again, nothing he did ever made any sense to her.

Massie sighed; she was just going to have to prepare herself again when Derrick comes back later. For now, she had the whole house to herself, and she was going to take advantage of the few hours of alone time she had. Massie wasn't much of a drinker, but she could really use something to loosen her nerves. She walked over to the bar area by the kitchen and pulled open one of the cabinets, revealing rows and rows of expensive wines.

With her finger on her lips, Massie perused the vast collection of alcohol until she settled upon a deep red bottle that looked quite fancy. She never usually indulged herself in the materialistic things in life, and if she was going to do so, wine would be a good place to start.

Pulling out the brand new bottle, Massie felt a small smile curve upon her lips. She had never done anything this rebellious before, and considering she was only 16, she felt even more on edge. With steady hands, Massie found the bottle opener and removed the cork from the wine bottle with a satisfying pop. She then poured herself a half glass of the ruby red liquid and walked back over to the living room to watch some trashy television dramas.

As she fell down onto the soft couch, Massie instantly felt the tension of the previous hours drift away.

"Derrick who?" She giggled to herself as she pressed the cool glass to her lips. Just as she was about to open her mouth, the front door flew open.

Massie's eyes flickered to the figure standing in the doorway casually. She swallowed the sweet wine before speaking. "Good jog?"

Derrick stepped into the light, revealing to Massie that he was not wearing a shirt, and all the muscles of his tight body were displayed like an exhibit at a museum. A light sheen of sweat shone on his forehead and chest, making him appear as if he were glowing. Upon closer inspection, Massie noticed that his nose was slightly purple around the bridge, but it didn't seem that her punch did too much damage. Massie gulped and quickly took another sip of her drink, suddenly overcome with an unexpected wave of guilt.

"Stalking me now?" Derrick accused. The tension from there fight was still so obviously there, and he just made it worse by ignoring it.

Massie internally groaned. "You're the only person I know who jogs at night."

"I'm not like other people."

Massie scoffed, but her eyes flickered nervously to his face again. Maybe if he were more like other people, she wouldn't have punched him.

"See something you like?" Derrick smirked, pulling Massie out of her trance.

Massie looked into his eyes coldly. "You wish."

There was a pause, as if he was expecting Massie to say something more. But when she didn't, Derrick ran a hand through is messy hair. "Alicia told me to tell you there's a bonfire tonight on the beach at 10," he said awkwardly.

Without another word, Derrick threw his dirty shirt over the back of a dining chair and marched up the stairs.

::

"Cheeeers to the fricken weekend," Claire slurred as she stumbled around the fire, promptly landing in Cam's lap. A look passed between the two, and for a few seconds, Massie felt a pang of jealously, but it went away when Claire got up and proceeded to sit in Kemp's lap.

"Kuh-laire," Alicia groaned. "It's only Thursday."

Claire turned around in Kemp Hurley's lap and looked at Alicia, cocking her head sideways and blinked a few times to comprehend what the dark-haired beauty had just said. Suddenly, she smiled. "Everyday is a good day!"

The group all laughed and clapped when Chris Plovert raised his beer and said, "Amen to that! Someone get this girl another beer!"

Claire got up from Kemp's lap and reached into the cooler to pull out another beer. The ice had all melted and the bottles were covered with slimy condensation. Claire shook her wet hand. "This is nasty."

Alicia rolled her eyes. "Beer is beer."

Dylan smiled warmly and snuggled closer into Chris's side while Josh wrapped his arm around Alicia tightly. Kristen was in a deep conversation with Kemp while Claire - who had stopped sitting on people - was pulling at Cam's dark curly hair.

Massie suddenly felt alone, even though she was surrounded by the people she loved the most. She wished she could be more confident and tell Cam how she really felt. She wished she could be stronger and not be affected by Derrick so much. Massie took another gulp of her warm beer; it was her second one that night. But no matter how much she tried to drown away the hurtful feelings she kept getting, they just kept coming back.

"Harrington!" Kemp suddenly called out just as Derrick joined the group.

Massie's insides tightened as she watched a freshly showered Derrick walk into the circle. He sat down casually next to Josh and twisted open a bottle of beer, avoiding Massie's eye the whole time, making it harder for her to tell if he was still angry. Massie looked away into the black ocean and she wondered what it would be like to swim in it.

"Dude, what happened to your nose?" Josh asked. Massie's eyes suddenly flickered to them.

All of a sudden, Derrick glared at her, his brown eyes glowing from the light of the fire. "Massie punched me."

Massie's stomach dropped and she silently released a strangled breath. Derrick was not doing this to her. He wouldn't do this to her... not now.

Josh jolted backwards in shock. "What the hell?"

"It's a long story." Derrick rolled his eyes.

"That's... that's messed up, man."

Derrick rubbed his nose gently. "I don't wanna talk about it, kay?"

The look of shock was still written plainly on Josh's face. "But... oh man... I still can't believe it! Massie Block punched you?"

The crown fell silent, and Massie flushed ten shades of red. She could feel everyone's eyes on her - especially Cam's. They were looking at her with such a curiosity that it made her fidget in her seat.

"Drop it, man," Derrick warned.

Josh shook his head. "What could you have possibly done-

"I said fucking drop it!" Derrick growled as he slammed his beer bottle into the sand. "There is nothing to talk about here. It's none of your business."

"Oh, but I think it is," Cam piped in suddenly.

Massie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. This night was not heading in a good direction.

"Get out of here, Fisher. This is not your fight." Derrick kicked a pile of sand at his feet, sending small granules into the fire.

Cam stood up and walked over to Derrick. "What did you do to her?"

Sensing a threat, Derrick stood up too. He was about two inches taller than Cam, and ten times more intimidating. "I didn't do anything. Stay out of it."

"Massie wouldn't punch anyone unless it was for self defense."

Derrick laughed darkly. "Then why don't you ask her yourself why she punched me."

"She's a good person and you're ruining her!" Cam yelled.

"You say that like you know her," Derrick countered sharply, crossing his arms.

Josh stood up and grabbed Derrick's shoulder roughly. "Man, calm down. We'll stay out of it, okay?"

Cam turned to Josh. "Don't you want to know why Massie punched him? In fact, don't you want to know how he's been treating Massie for the past week and a half?"

"Shut up!" Derrick pushed Cam, sending him stumbling backwards a little, but he was still standing.

"Hey everyone! Derrick has been treating Massie like shit for the past 12 days and they have to room together. Massie's told me everything and it sounds like she's getting abused. We should seriously call the cops of something."

Kristen gasped. Massie cast her eyes down, looking at the cool sand, wondering if it were possible to bury herself in it.

Kemp stood up now, along with Chris, and they each stood on one of Cam's sides.

"You're drunk, man." Kemp took hold of Cam's arm, but Cam shook him loose.

"You're abusing her, Harrington, and that can get you arrested," Cam threatened. "I will call the cops! I will put your ass in jail!"

Derrick simply smiled. "Go ahead and call them! I don't give a shit! But I'd like to point out that Massie was the one that punched me, not the other way around."

Cam lunged towards Derrick. "You dick!" He tried to reach for Derrick's shirt, but Kemp and Chris held him back. "I'm going to get you!"

A feeling of dread creeped over Massie, and she tried to stand up, but Kristen suddenly grabbed her arm.

"Don't," Kristen pleaded. "It's messy enough as it is."

Massie sighed. "I have to. I don't want to be the reason for this."

"Massie, is everything Cam saying true?"

Massie looked down at her best friend with sad eyes. She didn't know how to respond to the question, so she just looked away instead. Kristen released her with a sigh and she walked over to the two fighting guys.

"Stop it!" Massie yelled, trying to stand between the two of them.

They both ignored her.

"Oh look! Massie's here to join the party! Ask her yourself, Cam! Or are you too scared?" Derrick was furious now.

"You hurt her, didn't you? You said something that provoked her. To tell you the truth, I'm happy she punched you. You deserve it."

Derrick scoffed. "I think you deserve her hatred more that I do. You're the one that's leading her on just to make Claire jealous!"

Massie froze.

Cam turned around and reached his hand out. "Massie, he's crazy."

"What did you say?" Massie asked Derrick shakily.

Derrick smiled triumphantly. "You heard me. Cam's using you to get back at Claire."

Massie's mouth went dry. She knew her relationship with Cam was too good to be true, but did it have to end this soon? "Is that true?"

Cam shook his head fervently. "He's lying Massie. He's drunk and he's just looking for a fight."

Without warning, Cam crushed his lips to Massie's. It took a few seconds for Massie to react, but when she did, it felt amazing. Cam's lips were sweet and gentle, and he tasted like warmth and longing. Massie reveled in the feel of his strong arms around her, and when they finally pulled away, she felt as if they were the only people on the beach. But then reality pushed its way in, and Massie stepped away from Cam.

Alicia's face wore a mask of shock, while Claire's wore one of anger. Dylan and Kristen avoided Massie's eyes.

Then, Massie's eyes fell on Derrick.

He shot Massie a disgusted look and walked away. But Massie noticed something else in Derrick's face. The light in his eyes were dimmer, almost as if he was betrayed.

Before Massie could do anything, Cam placed a hand on her cheek. "I'm sorry," he whispered as he pulled lightly on her hand and she sat back down. He wrapped a warm arm around Massie, and they continued to drink and have fun with their friends, as if the incident with Derrick never happened. Yet something in the atmosphere seemed wrong; tense and uncomfortable. But Massie didn't care about any of that at the moment; she couldn't help herself. Her mind kept wandering back to the hurt in Derrick's face right before he turned around and left.

::

"We're heading back, Massie. You coming?" Dylan shook her shoulder lightly, but Massie stayed staring at the dark ocean. The bonfire had turned into a small ember glow, only illuminating objects that were a few feet away. Everything on the outside was dark and unknown, giving Massie a sense of insecurity.

Dylan sighed and turned to leave, but Massie took hold of her hand quickly. The red-head looked down impatiently.

"Are you mad? Are they all mad?" Massie whispered, fear in her eyes.

"I don't know Massie. I don't know what to feel right now."

"Okay."

"I should get going. You coming?"

Massie shook her head. "I'll stay here for a while."

"I'll see you in the morning then."

Massie closed her eyes. "I'm sorry." She released Dylan's hand and turned back to look at the ocean.

It was so simple and so calm on the outside, with its rhythmic waves crashing against the shore.

On the inside, it was filled with dangers and fears that no human was brave enough to explore. It's salty depths were crawling with creatures just waiting to take a bite of human flesh. Massie shuddered; the ocean was so alike to herself. Physically, she appeared calm and collected. But on the inside, she was so twisted that she was capable of punching another person.

Disgusted with herself, and she could no longer remain sitting. She stood up and began walking along the dark beach, the slivery moon above casting an eerie glow on her surroundings.

She had barely walked for five minutes when a voice broke the silence.

"What are you still doing here?"

Massie jumped slightly, her heart pounding furiously. Derrick was sitting in the sand, facing the ocean, and Massie had almost just walked into him.

"My god, you scared me."

She couldn't see Derrick's face clearly, but she had a hunch that he was smirking with satisfaction.

"Miss me already?" Derrick shifted his position so that he was laying in the sand. The moon washed over him like liquid silver, and Massie couldn't help but feel a little warm.

"No, you smug bastard." She kept her voice cold, even though her insides were the total opposite.

"Then why are you here?" His voice was apprehensive and held back. Almost vulnerable, but he was Derrick Harrington and vulnerable was the furthest thing possible form what he was. "I thought you would be in bed with Cam by now."

"I don't know," she sighed. "I don't even know what Cam and I are."

"That's weird. I thought you were in love with him."

"You're being stubborn-

"No. I'm being observant. It's so plainly obvious that you want to be more than friends with him. I saw the way you looked at him after your kiss tonight." Derrick's voice was distant, and Massie had to lean down to hear him.

"Can I sit?" She asked.

Derrick tilted his head to face her. "Depends. Is it important?"

Massie sat down beside him, exhaling deeply. "My important is a whole other world from your important. But yes, it's very important to me."

Derrick crossed his hands beneath his head. "Okay, I'm listening."

Massie couldn't control the small smile that took over her lips. "Well that's a first."

Derrick was being oddly complacent. There had yet to be an argument between them, and it had already been at least ten minutes. Massie felt like their relationship was progressing. Maybe he was finally opening up to the fact that Massie was normal.

"Hurry up, Block. I'm falling asleep."

Massie twisted her hands on her knees, unable to come up with a way to phrase her words. Finally, after many moments of silence, Massie opened her mouth to speak. "I never thought I would be saying this to you, ever-"

"Ouch. That hurts."

Massie glared at him. "Shut up and listen! As I was saying," Massie paused to breathe. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for all the mean things I've said to you, and I'm especially sorry for punching you in the nose. Everything I did to you was rude and mean, and I regret that. I just want you to know that I am truly and sincerely sorry for what I've done."

"Where's this coming from?" Well that wasn't the response Massie was looking for, but it was something.

Massie decided to be honest. "This is coming from my heart."

Derrick didn't respond for a while. Massie thought he was angry at her, so she just stayed silent with him. The only sound between them was the soft splash of water against the sand. As the silence grew more and more prolonged, Massie grew more and more anxious.

"I knew this was a bad idea," she mumbled as she got up to leave.

"Wait."

It was one simple word, but the voice behind it was raw and true. Massie had never expected Derrick - of all people - to sound like this.

"Thanks, Block."

Massie almost cried. They were finally on good terms, and maybe not even good, but at least civilized. "Y-y-you don't have to feel compelled to apologize to me because I apologized to you... I just wanted you to know that I'm sorry and that maybe we could...start over?" Her last words came out like a question.

"Okay, Block. I get it." There was the tiniest hint of a smile in his voice.

Massie smiled and sat down next to Derrick slowly.

And they stayed like that the whole night, not touching each other, just sitting. And although they weren't anywhere near being friends yet, they weren't enemies either. Everything was okay for the night.