Chapter 8

Drama class

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It was 6:30 am, 1 hour before Derek's usual time of awakening, when he realized that Anna was no longer next to him. Once again inhaling her scent, he got up and opened the door out into the hallway to make his way downstairs.

Maybe I can eat the last cereal bar if I'm lucky. He thought.

As he entered the kitchen, he found Anna over the stove cooking pancakes and other various breakfast items. Last night flashed like a blur across his mind.

"So, couldn't sleep?" he said.

He knew he startled her as her blond hair whipped across her face as she spun around, her blue eyes widened. But seeing Derek smiling back, she relaxed and smiled.

"Well, yes actually. I just thought I'd make breakfast for everyone since you all have made me feel so welcome." She explained as she turned once more to flip the pancakes.

Derek didn't know how to explain it, she wasn't like other girls he had dated. With all the other girls, he had to play up to his typical idea as the suave, type to each rude, slightly ditsy "bimbo" as Casey would call them. Yet, with Anna, he couldn't help but be himself and she'd somehow manage to be kind and well… amazing. To be frank, it spell bounded him, in a good way.

"Derek, are you okay? You're kinda staring into nothing." She pointed out waving her hand in front of his face. This time, he was the one startled and blushed alittle from embarrassment, but he saw her amused smile and relaxed a bit. One of the other effects she had on him.

"Are you hungry?" she asked. Derek nodded in reply.

"By the way, thanks about last night. I just couldn't seem to pull myself out of this state of mind. I don't know, it's just been happening a lot lately." She said rather solemnly as she placed a plate in front of him.

Derek didn't seem to notice and gave one of his infamous smirks.

"You know, every time that happens, just come by my room, it's always open to you." She smiled faintly and shook her head.

"Oh, and last night what I said about you…just know that I really meant it." She then left and went upstairs to prepare for school leaving Derek at a loss for words. She had that effect on him too.

At school Derek anticipated drama class quietly to himself. In English he enjoyed Anna in his class with him, to explain things to him in the notes they passed. The only negative aspect was that they would be assigned roles for the school play and Derek cringed at the thought of acting.

The whole class took their seats in the auditorium as the colorful, yet overly excited drama teacher, Ms. Waverly, took the stage with her clipboard in hand. She gazed at all the unamused faces and smiled brightly. She was always unaffected by the boredom with her love of theatre.

The girls sat on one side of the auditorium and the boys on the other. Derek could just barely see Anna on the other side. Anna was enjoying meeting new people but was also missing Derek's constant jokes he would crack in between the teacher's statements.

" Good morning everyone and welcome to drama class once again to witness the first steps of our fall play." Said Ms. Waverly in a rather sing song tone.

Derek couldn't help but yawn and roll his eyes in response.

"Now, our play for this year is a little something I just happened to conjure up over the summer. About cold December nights, the Christmas spirit, and love. The title you ask? 'December wishes'!"

The groans echoed throughout the entire audience but she merely shrugged it off and continued.

"The story revolves around a man named John Dober who loses the love of his life, Tracey, in a tragic accident 3 years ago Christmas day." She paused and smiled broadly at the class.

This is kinda depressing for a Christmas story. Anna thought to herself as she stared up at the stage towards her over ecstatic teacher.

"Anyway, John thinks that Christmas is nothing but just a cold reminder of how horrible life can be until he meets a woman named Dana. Dana reminds him so much of his old love and tries so hard to try to avoid her and eventually Dana invites him to the Christmas ball downtown, which he declines and Dana gives up. Till an angel appears to him in a dream and tells him that Christmas is a time of miracles, to give, to share, to hope and love. And that it's time to move on, forgive and forget and remember that life goes on and as the world turns, the love he shared before will always stay with him, but the love he has now should be cherished. And in one sweeping grand ending, he goes to the ball to sweep her off her feet and remember the joys of Christmas."

Derek shrugged his shoulders and looked on, but he couldn't help but think that the play actually sounded good, without such dramatics.

Ms. Waverly clapped at her own genius and proceeded with the auditions to see who best fit the parts. Some were partially good, some okay, and some were terrible! Derek laughed loudly along with the guys and Anna just smiled and shrugged her shoulders as she read her book.

"Okay, finally for the parts of Dina and John, let's try Anna and….. Derek." Ms. Waverly said not glancing up from her clipboard.

Anna and Derek couldn't help but hide their surprised looks but each made it up to the stage anyway. Derek noticed Anna's shy expression and pulled her aside before hand.

"Look, I know this is gonna be kind of awkward but I just want to let you know that I feel uncomfortable too and there is no other person I would rather do this with." He smiled affectionately making sure she understood.

"Okay, thank you Derek, you're a good friend." She smiled back as they were handed the scripts.

Yeah…friend. He thought.

"Okay you two, this is the crucial scene, John is at the ball and finds Dana and tells her how he really feels. Derek this is the most essential part of the play so read it with heart. Anna, absorb yourself in this character, okay? They do share a kiss, but that's only for the play night!" She took a deep breath and went to the side of the stage, "Now, action!"

Anna and Derek faced each other and with a quick glance of reassurance to each other began to read,

Anna: "What are you doing here? I thought you said you'd rather not show up?" she shifted uncomfortably as Derek picked up his line.

Derek: "I came to see you, to be here with you" Derek surprised himself with how true that sounded to him when it came out of his mouth.

Anna: "Well, you're here now, is there something you'd like to say? Say it already." She began to feel more comfortable in the part.

Derek: "Yes, I wanted to let you know, that no matter what had happened before, I really do care about you, you gave me back the joy of Christmas, you made me believe again and enjoy life. Yes, life does go on, and I would like to spend the rest of it with you." Suddenly, he realized he meant each word as he took her hand.

Anna: "That sounds lovely, but is that truly all you came here to say?" her voice was wavering as she was surprised the way Derek took her hand but figured it was just for the audition.

Derek: He took a deep breath and continued, "No, I came here to dance with you, to know you are here with me, and to make sure you know that," he struggled but continued, "I love you."

Both were shocked at the sincerity of the tone of his voice and he leaned slowly in for a kiss until Anna turned her head towards Ms. Waverly.

"And… scene." She said as Derek regained his position.

Ms. Waverly had tears in her eyes but clapped and exclaimed, "Brava! Brava! Well done! I have found my Dina and John!"

Derek smiled and turned back to find that Anna was already downstage headed back to her seat.

Well? Took me awhile to get this done but I did and wouldn't you like to see the rest of it? Review and I'll get the rest up as soon as I can!