Not too long after the whole brainwashing fight scene, Derek returned. But the minutes that had passed seemed like hours to me.

I still wasn't sure whether or not I should tell him how I feel. What if he just laughed in my face?

As much as I hate to admit it, I don't think I could handle him rejecting me like that. But.. maybe he'd just accept my creepy fangirl crush, and not do anything about it or let me do anything about it.

Maybe he'd just go, "You like me... more than a friend? Well, that's wonderful. By the way, your dream was a little too cliche for my taste, but whatever floats your boat."

...

I think that'd be even worse than rejection.

But, so far nothing has happened. I hadn't admitted anything yet, so that meant it wasn't too late to chicken out.

Even though I really, really wanted to get it off my chest.

"You're still here?" I jumped slightly, looking up to see what had snapped me out of my thoughts.

Derek, of course. He was pulling on a T-shirt, covering up his magnificent abs.

Poop.

Well, I guess that's a good thing. If he was still shirtless, he'd have probably caught me staring at his body the whole time.

Couldn't let that happen, now could we?

I was still processing the fact that I had been pretty much taken over by a freaky mind-controlling creeper. That itself freaked me out enough.

But not as much as the thought of Derek rejecting me if I did decide to tell him.

I shuddered just thinking about it.

I realized I still hadn't said anything, so Derek probably thought that I was in shock or something.

Me? No way.

He calmly walked over to me, slowly sitting down right beside me. So close that our shoulders were touching, making my breath hitch in my throat.

Gosh, I so pathetic. I'm a freaking love-sick loser. Not to mention a total idiot when it comes to boy troubles or dating, reminded myself.

Yeah, maybe I really am pathetic. 16 and never had a boyfriend, or even kissed a guy for that matter.

Other than Jackson.

My eyes widened as that thought hit me.

"EW!" I blurted out. Derek looked at me in surprise.

"Sorry. I'll... move," He said slowly, getting ready to stand up. I put my hand on his arm, surprising even myself. He looked back at me.

"No... stay. I didn't mean you, it's just..." I trailed off, too embarrassed to tell him.

He sat back down, relaxing a bit. He stared at me patiently, slightly raising a dark eyebrow.

"I wasted my first kiss on... on Jackson. Ugh! Please, go get me a bucket so I can puke my guts out." I mumbled, feeling nauceous. I felt the muscles in Derek's arm start to tense again, and I could hear his heartbeat rising up.

I realized I was still gripping his forearm, so I awkwardly patted his shoulder, blushing like an idiot.

"Relax. We can kill him another day. Stiles is full of revenge plans," I smiled slightly. He let out a deep, long breath, as if he was forcing himself to calm down.

Why did Derek seem so jealous of me kissing Jackson? Maybe, just maybe he liked me back.

I almost snorted at the thought. No way would that ever happen, as much as I wish it would, I reminded myself.

I didn't want to raise any false hope, so I just pushed that thought aside.

For now, at least.

"I never asked you..." He spoke, trailing off. I slowly removed my hand from his arm, looking at him, silently telling him to go on. He shook his head slightly.

"Are you alright?" He questioned. I had a feeling that wasn't what he wanted to say, but I let it go for now.

"Yeah.. I'm fine. Just a little freaked out about that.. mind-controlling thing. Who was that guy, anyways?" I asked, hoping he would know.

Derek furrowed his eyebrows, looking pretty darn cute right then.

I mentally smacked myself. This was serious business, not the time to admire his adorable-ness!

"I.. I'm not quite sure. I've heard stories about hypnotists, born and bred to brainwash werewolves, tricking them into doing things they would never do. I just..." He seemed to be struggling for the right words, something so unlike him.

"Didn't realize they were real?" I finished for him. He met my eyes, nodding a little.

We continued to stare at each other in silence. We were so close, our noses were almost touching now.

He suddenly looked away, making my heart sink, just a little bit.

"Derek. I need to tell you something.. I-"

"Ari. There's a lot of things you don't know about me." He interrupted me from spilling my guts. I closed my slightly open mouth, leaning back against the wall.

"There's a lot of things you don't know about me." I replied.

"No.. this is different, Ari." He turned to look at me again, opening his mouth to speak but I stopped him.

"Derek, we all have our secrets."

"While that may be true, this.. this is different, Ari." He said.

"Different how?" I pried.

"Different, as in it could change things. Some for good, some for worse. Certain secrets need to be said, while others are better off kept to yourself."

"What are you trying to say?"

"As you said yourself, we all have secrets, Ari." Okay, he was seriously confusing me right now.

"Well, then I dare you to share one." I said.

I couldn't help myself. I was just a challenging person.

"Fine. But only if you share your honest thoughts about this." He replied. I pretended to think for a moment as his eyes studied my face.

"Deal. I'll share my thoughts about whatever you want to tell me. So, what exactly is it?" I questioned.

He continued to stare at me, and I couldn't help but stare back. Minutes passed as we sat in silence, minutes that, again, seemed like hours. Cliche, I know. But it was true, it seemed like it was forever, but eventually the silence was broken.

"This." He whispered, before closing the gap between us, his soft lips meeting mine.

I must admit, never in a million years would I have ever guessed that he was going to do... that.

But that wasn't all. You know what the best part about this moment was?

Knowing that this was definitely NOT a dream, and Derek was in fact kissing me!

Ooh la la! The moment you've all been waiting for is finally here! You probably hate me for leaving you guys with a cliffy, right? Sorry, buddy, you'll have to wait until I update again to see what happens next! Muahahaha! I'm going to start putting a random little question at the end of each chapter, you guys can answer in your review if you want to.

So, today's question: How do you guys pronounce Ari's name? Like Air-eee or Arr(like a pirate)-eee? Or some other way I don't know about? Oh, and either way you say it is correct, I'm just curious.