Chapter13-Can't Stay Away Long

"Let me see." He said softly, reaching for my arm across the bench.

I was hesitant, not sure if I wanted him to fix this. Could he?

"I'll be gentle." He said, stroking my hand first.

I gave him my arm and watched him. He ran alcohol over the burn, holding me as I cried from the intense pain.

He put a burn cream over it then wrapped it up in gauze. "It might hurt for a few hours. By then, you'll be used to it."

I wiped my cheeks and looked up at him. "I shouldn't have went to her."

"Why did you go anyway?"

"It's a long story." I said, pulling my knees up to my chest.

"We have time." He said, nodding to the windshield.

I sighed and told him. Told him everything.

He looked miserable. Like I shot him in the chest. It crushed him... deeply. "I kept driving you away."

"I know that if I date you, I'll feel like I did it so Lydia couldn't. And I really do love you. But I just can't keep doing this. It's too hard on both of us." I said, wiping my cheek. I wish it was easier. I didn't want to have to do this to him. But it had to be done. Or I just wouldn't be able to live with myself.

He nodded. "I should've seen this coming. I never was good to you."

I sat back and stared out the window. "Can you take me home?"

"Lydia's still out there, Mandy. It isn't safe." He said, trying to reason with me.

"I'll be fine at my house, Derek. Just take me home." I growled, narrowing my eyes. What was so damn hard about getting home? I wanted to get away from him. It was just too hard to see him.

"She could still hurt you!" He yelled, his voice filling up the silence in the car.

I flinched but kept my ground. I glared at him. "I don't care anymore. I know I can't protect myself but that doesn't mean it could've stopped her before."

"Why can't you understand that I'm only trying to protect you?" He asked, sounding mad.

I tried to get out of the car but it was locked. I gritted my teeth and climbed to the backseat. I moved the lock to the door and got out. I started walking towards my house but Derek caught up quickly.

He grabbed me around the waste and pinned me to the back of the silver car. "Mandy, why won't you listen to me?"

I leaned my head against the window and shut my eyes. If he kissed me, I was going to hurt him. I meant it, too. "I just can't do this... I can't be with you anymore. It's too hard on me. And all your questions and yelling isn't making things easier on me. Why do you think I wanted to go home?"

He stared at me for a second. I saw sadness and pain flash through his brown eyes. It was quickly covered my anger and hatred. He let go of me and went to the car. He opened his door and sat down on the seat, running his hands down his face.

I sat down where I was on the road. He wasn't going to take me home. And I knew it was too far to walk. He made this too hard on me.

I took my phone from my pocket and called Sam.

'Now you want to talk to me?' She asked harshly.

"Sam, I need you." I said, wiping my tears away. Ugh, I hated crying like this.

'So? I've needed you more than you could possibly think. You can forget it.' She said before hanging up.

I sighed and dropped my phone in my lap. I never meant to hurt her. I never wanted things to be ruined like they were. I was just a big screw up.

Laying my forehead against my knees, I curled up. I let everything bottled up inside me come out. I don't know how long it was. I wasn't keeping track of time.

Derek came around and picked me up in his arms. He laid me over the backseat before starting the car.

"I'll always love you, even when you don't think so. I brought you here as you wanted but I am going to keep an eye on things. If you ever need me, just call out the window. -Derek."

I laid the note on my desk and stared out one of the three windows in my room. He was out there somewhere, waiting for me.

I turned my back on the sunlight and shut my eyes. I remembered loving him so easily it was a second nature for me. He was everything I loved and wanted in a guy. Yet I was making excuses and shutting him out.

I was the one ruining things.

"Someone's here to see you, Mandy. She says her names Lydia." Mom said, outside of my door.

I froze. Lydia was here, in my house? No, she couldn't be! I pressed myself against the door to make sure if she was with mom, they couldn't get in. "I-I'm not feeling too well. Can you tell her to come back in a few days? I think I have the flu or something."

"Sweetheart, just talk to her." Mom said in a whining sort of tone.

"Mom, she'll get sick. Please." I begged, wishign, willing for Derek to come.

"Okay. I'll tell her. Do you need me to get you anything?"

"No, uh, I'm just gonna sleep. Maybe that'll help a little." I said, moving from the door slowly. I went to the window and yelled his name. No answer. I did it again only this time he came running from the trees.

I smiled at him but fear was everywhere in my eyes. "I need you."

He climbed his way to my room and wedged himself through the small window. "You look freaked. What's wrong?"

"Lydia was just here, outside my door." I said, moving further from the exit of my room. Maybe she was still there, waiting to prance on me or something.

He went to the door and opened it. No freaky girl waiting to kill me. He headed down the hall, checking the doors to every room. He went into the bathroom and looked out the window to the front of the house. She was gone.

I'm in need of some stories, either fanfiction or fictionpress, to read. I will review them... as long as you review this story for me :D Thanks bunches!