I'm very pleased and thankful for the last chapter's reviews. You were all very, very sweet! I'm late on replying to some of your wonderful messages, but I'm getting to them now.

This next update is a bit more M-ish, but not really. I'm just warning you.

2008, Meredith

Lexie woke me up the next morning by jumping on the end of my bed and shouting "get up, get up, get up!" Since she turned 10 or 11, Lexie had been the last one to wake up every morning. On Christmas morning, when she knew there were piles of presents waiting for her downstairs, she'd burrow beneath the blankets, call me a jerk, and go back to sleep. Lexie never, ever got up early anymore, so when she was jumping on my bed, I should've known something was up.

"Alexandra Caroline Grey, I will murder you in your sleep," I groaned and rolled over.

"No you won't," she teased and bounced next to me. "You have to get up."

I fisted the blanket in my hand. "Why?" my voice was whiney.

"Because Mark and Derek are here to take us on an adventure!"

I shot up in bed and faced my sister. "You should've led with that!" I pushed her from my bed and stood up. "What are they doing?"

Lexie shrugged. She was wearing shorts and her hair was tied up. She looked like she'd been awake for hours. "Daddy's talking to them. He asked to see Mark's driver's license," she giggled.

I rushed into the bathroom and almost turned the light off. My hair was a tangled mess, my face had pillow wrinkles on it, and I had a fresh pimple on my cheek. "What are we doing?" I asked and quickly washed my face, brushed my teeth, and started in on my stupid messy hair.

"I don't know. All Mark said was we have to dress comfortably and wear sneakers. Derek is wearing Converses and he looks like a dork."

I laughed and smiled goofily thinking of Derek. I had imagined our adventure would've been just the two of us, but I liked that he involved Lexie. Plus, Mark would certainly keep Lexie busy since she followed him around like a puppy. I headed back into my room and shooed Lexie out, telling her to tell the boys I needed five minutes. I found a clean-ish pair of shorts on the floor and pulled them on. I chose a lavender tee shirt and my most comfortable sneakers. I stared at myself for much too long in the mirror, practically twirling. Stop being such a girl, I chided myself.

Everyone was outside when I walked downstairs except for Susan. She was in the kitchen putting beautiful yellow flowers into a vase. She caught my eye and grinned. "Derek brought me these." I walked into the the kitchen to smell them. "He's very sweet," Susan said.

I nodded. "He's nice. And funny. And he likes me."

Susan reached out and touched my cheek. "I'm sure your father already gave you a speech, so I won't, but if you need anything, or have any questions at any point, let me know."

"Okay." My body flooded with appreciation.

"Run along now because I'm sure that boy is anxious to see you."

Mark, Lexie, Derek, and Dad were standing on my driveway when I walked outside. It was blistering hot out and I wished I had put my hair up. Dad and Mark's backs were to me, but Derek's wasn't. He met my eyes and grinned so wide it made everyone else roll their eyes. Mark made a gagging noise and I saw my dad laugh a little. Derek stepped around everyone else and held his hand out to me, which I took.

I didn't really care that my father was probably glaring at us, but even so I didn't kiss Derek. I wanted to kiss him, but I held back, at least until we got into the car. Derek just swept his fingers through my hair. "I hope you don't mind our adventure includes Mark and Lexie."

"Not at all. I like that you include her."

Derek grinned. "I like her, but not how I like you," he teased.

"I should hope not."

"Okay, okay," Dad grumbled, "enough with the whispering. Get a move on before I change my mind about letting you two go."

Derek and I joined the group again, but didn't drop each other's hands. Dad hugged Lexie goodbye and I moved away from Derek to hug my dad, too. He whispered for me to watch out for my sister and I nodded. Dad could be so dramatic sometimes. Lexie and I climbed into the back of Mark's Jeep and Derek slid into the passenger seat. He glanced at me over his shoulder and smiled, which made me blush.

Mark drove away from the house with a beep of his horn and headed towards the highway. "Where are we going?" I asked over the roar of the wind from the open windows. Mark just shook his head.

We drove for about 15 minutes and then headed off the highway. Lexie was staring out the window, but I was too busy watching Derek's hair blow in the wind. I felt like a weirdo until he turned to me and stared right back at me. I wanted to kiss him so badly.

Mark pulled off the road and into an abandoned-looking parking lot. There was a big park sign and hiking routes mapped out around a huge lake. We'd driven towards the mountains and the air was noticeably cooler. "I hope you two like hiking."

We both nodded.

Mark jumped from the Jeep and opened the back door, pulling out two backpacks. Lexie followed him quickly, slamming her door behind her. "We have tons of food," Mark began as he opened one of the backpacks to show Lexie, but I effectively stopped listening. I undid my seatbelt and wedged myself between the front two seats so I was resting against the center console. Derek turned to me and his hands slid along my hair. I kissed him. He kissed me back.

The backdoor slammed shut and I wrapped my arms around Derek's neck, pressing my chest to his. He gripped my hips and slid his one hand beneath the back of my shirt. I loved every single moment.

"Come on!" Lexie shouted and I pulled away.

"Let's go hike," Derek said and we both exited the Jeep.

Mark and Derek wore the backpacks which had a picnic lunch packed away (made lovingly by Derek's mom), some maps, a compass, tons of water, extra socks in case we got our shoes and socks wet, some rain gear, and flashlights. I teased Mark about being overly prepared. He replied, "We got lost out here once. Can never be too prepared."

"Great, so we're going to get lost?" Lexie asked and she sounded anxious.

Derek laughed and punched Mark in the arm. "Don't be a dick. Oops, sorry, Lex." He grinned at her. She probably said worse to her friends. "We never got lost. We stepped off the path for ten minutes once and it took us fifteen to find it again."

"Well, we could've been lost."

The four of us started along the path that wove a huge circle around the lake in the middle. The trail was over six miles long, but would bring us right back to the start. All around us were tall red wood trees, low lying hills dotted with rocks and flowers, and the mountains in the distance. The ground was hard from the lack of rain and the pine needles covered nearly every surface. Lexie had decided to start collecting pine cones and every once and a while, she made Mark stop so she could shove more inside his backpack.

Mark took up the lead with Lexie behind him, then me, then Derek in the back. Derek stopped a lot while he hiked. He liked to touch the trees and investigate things. I liked stopping too so I could watch him. It meant we trailed behind the other two, but it also meant we had some privacy.

"My dad said maybe you and I should tie some string and cans together so we can talk across the yards at night," he said as he handled a particularly smooth rock.

I laughed. "That's not a bad idea. Or we could just call each other."

Derek blinked at me. "Where's the romance in that?"

"Oh because your texts are so romantic."

He reached for me and dragged me against him. "Are you saying they're not?"

I wrapped my arms around his neck and leaned back in his arms. "Maybe I am saying that."

Derek growled and leaned in to kiss me. I pulled away before I lost my breath. "We're supposed to be hiking."

He acquiesced, took my hand, and we continued on.

The hike wasn't strenuous since the incline was not much more than a hill. Lexie kept up closely with Mark and he explained how to gut a deer to her, which I a) didn't listen in on, b) didn't particularly like him telling my little sister about it, and c) didn't want to know how Mark knew it. He didn't seem like the hunting type, but what did I know? By 11 AM, I was starving. I hadn't eaten breakfast and Mark said we still had an hour to our stopping point. I was growing cranky. I walked with heavy steps and a grumbling stomach.

Derek slipped me a granola bar with a little smile. "You're a god," I said and bit into the crunchy granola bar. The next 45 minutes were fine after I'd eaten. As we made it through the woods, I understood why Mark wanted us to wait. Ahead of us was the most extraordinary clearing with a perfect view of the crystal clear blue lake. The area was a small alcove with a picnic table, grill, a little beach, and some nicely placed rocks for sunbathing. Lexie sprinted ahead of us and took off her shoes. She walked down to the water.

Mark laid out his backpack and pulled out the food, Derek close behind. I walked down to the water with Lexie, also kicking off my shoes. The water was shockingly cold, but so incredibly clear. It looked like the sort of lake bottled water would come from. We wadded out to our knees before turning back in for lunch, which were sandwiches, chips, watermelon, and homemade cookies.

After lunch, Derek took Lexie down to the water because she had a question about a certain kind of fish, and I helped Mark clean up.

"You know, when we got here, Lexie was pissed all the time. She's not anymore and I think that's due in part to you." Mark glanced at me, but didn't hold my gaze. "You're good with her. You treat her like…I don't know, but you don't talk to her like a child."

"When I was her age, I hated being talked to like a kid, so I try not to."

"Well, thank you for it."

Mark grinned at me. "You're welcome. I like her. She's a cute kid."

I watched Derek take Lexie's hand and walk with her out into the water. "I like her, too."

We stayed at the lake for an hour. We all took turns walking through the water and splashing each other. It felt amazing to just be in the mountain air, not worrying about anything, and screwing around. Lexie was in her element. She ran when she was chased, laughed when Mark told a bad joke, and kept asking Derek questions. She thought he was smart, which made me happier than I cared to admit.

Derek and I walked along the lake barefoot. He kept finding ways to touch me, hug me, and kiss me. I'd always read stories about romances blooming in summer, but I never expected them to really be real. I never imagined I'd be the girl who ran through fields with her boyfriend, falling into the grass beneath the harsh summer sun and laughing my head off, but I was. I never expected to be kissed to the sound of tree frogs chirping in the distance, but I was. The fire in the air matched what I was feeling inside and I never wanted the fire to die down.

By 1 PM, we were hiking again, hiding under the cool canopy of the forest. I walked some with Lexie, who kept shouting at me to keep up. Derek and Mark walked together for a while and were chatting, but I couldn't hear them. I wanted to know what they were saying because I was pretty sure it was about me. Lexie ended up walking with Derek and Mark with me. It was nice and effortless.

We made it back to the Jeep by 3 PM and back to our houses by 3:30 PM. Lexie was exhausted and headed upstairs to nap and Mark drove back to his house, but I didn't really want Derek to leave yet. Dad was working and Susan was working, and I knew they wouldn't be keen on Derek and I being alone if they found out, but I decided I didn't care. We had about an hour before Susan would be home.

I took Derek's hand and walked upstairs. I didn't say anything because I was too nervous. I wasn't ready to have sex with him yet, but I didn't just want to kiss him.

Derek walked into my bedroom first and I felt self-conscious. My room was painted a light blue from the previous owners and I still wanted to cover it up, but I was too busy mooning over the boy next door. Derek headed to my bedside table where I'd stacked a bunch of books, most of them on my reading list for school next year—A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, The War of the Worlds, Anna Karenina. He set the books back down. He looked at a framed picture of Lexie and me from when we were 8 and 11. He stared at the posters on my wall.

When Derek turned to me, he was grinning. "This room feels like you."

"Really?"

"Mm," he nodded and leaned over my bed to stare into his room. "I've been trying to figure out what I was seeing on the wall." He stood up and nodded to my poster from MoMA in New York City.

"We went there last summer. I really liked New York. Have you ever been there?"

Derek turned to me. "A few times. I want to go to school there one day."

"Right, I remember you saying that."

Derek crossed the room and stood directly in front of me. His fingers played with the hem of my tee shirt, but his eyes stayed on me. "So why did you invite me into your bedroom?"

My stomach fluttered with nerves. "Well, I, uh…" my voice trailed away. Derek's one hand held my hip tightly. I wanted to reach out and touch him, but if I started, I might never stop.

He leaned down and kissed my chin. "Yes?"

My breath came out in a rush. "I wanted to…I don't know." I was blushing so much I could feel my legs growing hot.

Derek stepped away from me for a second and walked to the bathroom door. He peeked in before shutting it and locking it. He walked to my bedroom door and did the same. "Even if we just kiss," he explained, "I don't want anyone interrupting us."

I nodded.

"Do you want me to take the lead? Not for sex," he said quickly. "I can…try some stuff and if you like it, then good. If not, tell me to stop."

I nodded again.

Derek cradled my face in his hands and kissed me then. I could kiss him all day without feeling self-conscious at all. It was like I was made to kiss him, made to have his arms wrapped around me. He walked slowly back to the bed and sat down in front of me. I had to lean down to kiss him, but I liked having the higher ground. Derek's hands slid up my sides underneath my shirt. I shivered and my mouth opened to him.

As his fingers moved over my stomach, I wondered how many girls he'd done this to. How many girls he slept with. The thought of Derek touching anyone else made me irrationally angry. I couldn't fault him for his past. I guessed I was just uncomfortable because I had no past to speak of. Derek was the first boy to even get inside my clothes.

He pulled away and stared up at me. "Are you okay?" I nodded. "What's wrong?"

I shook my head. "It's stupid." My hands were resting on his shoulders and I was running his shirt between my thumb and forefinger.

Derek stood. "Hey, it's not stupid. Tell me."

I looked up at him and turned away when I asked, "How many girls have you…been with?"

"Does it bother you that I've been with other girls?" I shook my head. Derek held me tightly. "Hey, I have been with other girls. Not a lot," he met my eyes when he said it. "Only three. But none of them matter because I'm here with you. I only want you."

"You want me?" my voice was small.

Derek laughed and kissed me thoroughly, holding the back of my head as his tongue slid over mine, his hands caressed me and he pressed against me. All of him. I was breathless when he pulled away. "Yes, believe me, I want you."

I smiled then and kissed him.

We managed to lie down on my bed next to each other. I was playing with Derek's shirt again and he took it as a sign, so he sat up and discarded it. I reached out to touch his chest and shoulders. I sat up too and started to take off my shirt. Derek's eyes were on me the entire time. He leaned in to kiss me and wrapped his arms around my back. He laid me down below him and kissed over my throat, down my chest, and to the tops of my breasts. I gasped and fisted the sheets beside my hips.

Derek's hands moved over my bra and I watched his eyes watching me. I moved until he was lying on top of me again, our mouths fused together. His one hand moved over my butt and the other up my back. He stared at me as he touched my bra clasp and I simply nodded. He unclasped my bra and gently pulled it away. I didn't feel at all uncomfortable. Derek's mouth turned up. "You're so beautiful," he whispered and leaned down to kiss my breasts. I'd never felt anything like it and the feeling made my head fuzzy.

We continued like that for a while and then his hand was moving to my outer thighs and my hips were pressed up against him. I wanted to see more of him, but I was afraid. When Derek touched the waistband of my shorts, I knew I wanted him to take them off of me.

I reached for my button and Derek watched. I pulled down the zipper and lifted my hips. I was wearing purple underwear with a hole in the back, but I knew it didn't matter. Derek's hand moved over my inner thigh. I brought his mouth to mine and rolled my hips to give him a silent yes. When he touched me, I moaned, which he captured with his lips. His fingers moved into my underwear, sliding over me. I rolled my head back and he kissed my throat. He kept sliding along me, adding pressure that made my legs dance, before sliding a finger inside me. My eyelids were heavy and I jolted at his touch.

He kept doing it all to me and soon enough, he pressed his mouth to mine to stifle the cries. My entire body was shaking and he was holding me, kissing me, and petting my hair with his free hand. He pulled his hand away from me and leaned down for a soft kiss. I was so comfortable, I wanted to sleep. Derek smiled against my mouth. "I want to stay," he said, "but your parents will be home soon."

I nodded and watched him through hooded eyes. Derek grabbed my shirt from the floor and kicked my bra under my bed. He pulled the shirt over my head and settled my blankets up around me. For a minute, Derek lay beside me and I swear it felt even better than an orgasm. He kissed me slowly and then even slower stood up. As he walked away, I grabbed his hand. Derek sat back down. I sat up and kissed him. "You make me feel safe," I admitted.

His grin doubled. "I'm so glad because you make me so happy." We kissed but only for a second. Derek unlocked both my doors and paused in the hallway. I peeked at him through my lashes. "Call me when you wake up."

"I will."

I listened to his footsteps descend the stairs and the front door closing behind him. I sat up to look out my window and sure enough, Derek paused before walking up his front steps. He smiled at me and I swear I saw him blush a little bit. I fell back against my pillows and couldn't stop smiling.