Most people wonder why I am the way I am. Why I am so mean, so insufferable, so distant. So cold. They keep digging and prying, and picking at my until there is nothing left, until all I am is raw and vulnerable. Casey McDonald was always the best at that, and because of it, all I wanted to do was make her life as miserable as mine.

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"Thanks for taking me to dinner, Mom" A handsome sixteen year old boy said, as he focused on the dark road as the Ventouri family drove home late on a Friday night.

"No problem, Hun." A slender brown haired woman smiled, glancing at her son. "We really needed some time to get away from Edmond and your dad. Have us a night out. I don't know about you, but their wrestling talk has really gotten to me-"

"Their just trying to establish their bonding. I think Edwin has felt a little left out ever sence we got Marti-" The boy replied, running a hand through his short blonde hair, catching his sharp green eyes in the rear view mirror. He looked back, seeing his little brother, curled up in a ball, eyes closed. "I feel a little bad about Derek- Do you think we should of left him home?"

"No, he is just being a martyr." Violet Ventouri stated, as she turned on the window wipers. It had been raining all day, but just the last few minutes had gotten crazy.

"Not really-" the boy said. "Derek had always been picked on in school, always made fun of, and today, it had gotten a little out of control. Some asshole just jumped on Derek, and started hitting him, beating every square inch of him, for no reason. Just went off on him." Aaron was lucky that he had gotten there when he did, pulling the two apart.

His parents view on the constant abuse, constant tormenting? 'He'll grow out of it, just let him catch up.'

"Derek just has to take control of his problems. He needs to toughen up. He's still young yet-"

"Fourteen? Come on, Mom. I think it's time we switch him schools. It would be better for both of us."

"Am I to much of a burden on your flawless reputation, Mister Soccer Star?" Derek suddenly said, as Aaron looked back, his eyes now open.

"Derek, come on. You know I didn't mean it like that-" Aaron stated

"I don't know, Aaron. I am sorry that I am just not as academically as gifted as you, as unbelievable at sports. I'm sorry that my hair isn't a golden blonde as yours, too" He hadn't meant it to be funny, but before he knew it, his older brother was laughing at him. His best friend. And that cut like a knife.

"Derek, please. We are trying to have a nice night, here." His mother noted.

"Really. I hadn't noticed-" Derek muttered.

"DEREK, SHUT UP"

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He woke up in the hospital, confused. Where was he? How did he get there? The TV was on, a chair next to him. He inched himself out of bed, every inch of him in pain, particularly his arm. He looked down, it being in a blue cast, almost up to his shoulder blade. The news was on. He turned his attention to it.

"Last night, a terrible car accident took the lives of two of Californias most envied members, Abby and Sixteen-year-old Aaron Ventouri. Another passenger survived the crash with only minor injuries.-"

Derek sat down in bed, a daze-

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So, why am I so cold, why am I so broken? That day, I lost my best friend, and my mother. The last conversation we had before going to dinner? Who was going to sit in the front seat.

I wish I'd won.