Chapter 4

The Game

Practically everyone in the stands was hyped before the big hockey game was about to begin. Edwin and Lizzie sat in a conversation alongside Nora and George who were also talking. Next to them, Casey sat scowling out into the ice rink since she didn't want to be there anymore than Derek wanted her there. Yet, Nora made her go and so she sat in total silence. Anna patiently sat next to Casey with Marti dosing off in the seat next to her. She didn't want to show that she was excited about the game but she was for the sole purpose of seeing Derek. Just then, Derek's team the Demons, skated onto the ice rink as did the opposing team the Bobcats. He looked into the stands and saw Anna with the rest of the family.

Good, he thought, now it's really time to bring it!

Throughout the game he skated vengefully, making so many checks, assists, and points to make Wayne Gretsky blush.

Wow! Anna thought to herself, He's really good! And he looks hot scoring those goals!

She shocked herself back to reality and once again regained her composure to clap and shout appropriately with the family.

Finally, Derek's team won and he became that season's MVP as everyone could have foretold. Soon afterwards, they decided to go home in the car that they brought since Derek usually brings his own car to his own games. But as they began to leave, Derek approached them.

"Your car is gonna be crowded anyway dad so I can take Anna home and you can take the rest of them." He said as innocently as he could.

Anna was simply just tired from the game to really think and simply replied, "Okay… Yeah… sure"

Casey shot a suspicious look at Derek before turning to leave with the family. Once they had left, Derek suddenly took Anna's arm and led her towards the rink. Anna's heart pounding in her chest. Once there, he let go of her arm and she looked deep into his brown eyes questioningly.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

Derek simply looked at her comfortingly and asked, "Anna, will you…"

He smirked slightly at her nervous expression and held up a pair of skates her size, "…skate with me?"

She grinned slightly at him and shook her head in relief as they both laced up their skates to venture into the ice alone, just them both.

Derek skated like a pro, weaving in and out and turning expertly. However Anna was incredibly shakier and uneasy. With a mischievous smirk he approached her from behind and put both hands on her waist to steady her. It surprised her incredibly but Derek knew exactly what he was doing. Yet to his dismay, she wriggled free from his hands.

"Thanks, but I think I got this myself." She said skating towards the middle of the rink with the same shakiness.

"You're gonna fall if I don't help you!" he chuckled following after her.

She rolled her eyes and next thing she knew, she found herself with her but firmly planted on the ice and her skin on her hands and backside cold.

"Damnit!" she cursed to herself as Derek laughed loudly and reached out his hand.

"Need some help?" He laughed.

"No I think you do!" she smiled evilly as she pulled him to the ground right next to her.

Anna sat and laughed up a storm while Derek sat there staring at her with mock anger before joining her laughter fest.

God I love that laugh! He thought to himself as they each brought themselves to their feet.

As they turned around to face each other their laughter died out and Derek gazed at her. Maybe if I kiss her… he thought, …I need to kiss her.

He leaned in slowly getting closer and closer to her lips and Anna followed suit leaning in before she regained her state of mind and said against his lips simply, "I'm sorry."

She pulled away to skate to the edge of the rink and exit leaving Derek speechless. The ride home was relatively quiet until, "What is wrong Anna? Did I do something, was I too forward?" he really seemed concerned yet his eyes firmly focused on the road.

"There are just somethings I can't tell you." She replied looking straight out her window.

Derek glanced at her before returning his gaze to the road, "I really need to know if we are going to live in the same house, go to the same school, and be 'just friends.' Maybe I can even help you through what you're going through." He said sternly yet patiently which pleasantly surprised her.

She turned to him and just spoke calmly, "I just want to know you first, and for you to know me. Before you know what my problems are. I just don't want you to judge me before you know me." He looked at her and knew the discussion was over and he didn't press the matter

Damn! He thought.

Meanwhile, Casey had her headphones on as she danced along while vacuuming the room. She like keeping things clean. While dancing along she accidentally knocked over Anna's nightstand, spilling the contents of Anna's jewelry box onto the floor. As she hurried to clean it up, she picked up an item that made her gasp loudly and sink to the ground.