A/N: Hello everyone! A big "Thank you" to everyone who took time to read my story (I know it was pretty long) and a sloppy kiss to those who reviewed. I know I said this story would probably be a 4-shot, but I've been busy drafting chapter 2 and 3 and I've realized they are going to be absolutely massive. Since they are getting so out-of-control big, I'm having a little trouble with the pacing and flow, so I've decided to break them up. Now, instead of the initial estimate of 4 chapters, it's looks like it will be a 7-parter. Also, I've put a little history/background information in this chapter like the first one, and my intention was to give the reader an idea of where the characters are so they don't seem too OOC, so bear with me. Again, I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: Still don't own Darkest Powers. *still sigh*
Derek peered out the window in history class, his last one of the day. It was one of those wet, misty days when the rains swirled around and the air smelled cool and fresh, unlike a musty classroom.
He glanced at the clock, one minute passed since the last time he checked. He groaned internally. He liked history okay, but Mr. Stevens voice was so monotone, he made the landing on the moon excruciatingly boring.
Twenty-two minutes until I'm out of here and get to see Chloe.
His eyelids felt heavy as Mr. Stevens voice droned on in the background. He turned to look at Simon who was miraculously riveted, eyebrows scrunched in concentration, his pen a blur as he took notes.
How the hell does he do it? Derek thought. I know he likes history but for the love of Christ, this class is so boring it's stupid.
Simon was so engrossed, he didn't notice almost every girl in class sneaking side-ways glances at him. All except one. Derek could feel her eyes boring down on him, some annoying cheerleader who was totally enthralled with him. She knew he had a girlfriend, but that didn't stop her from blatantly checking him out and trying to catch his eye.
A few weeks ago, Derek tried staring her down, it usually worked on most people, but it completely backfired. She took it as a sign of encouragement, thinking it was some kind of invitation. She followed him out of one of his classes when Chloe wasn't around and cornered him at his locker. Her perfume burned his nostrils as she inched towards him and Derek had to stifle the urge to snarl at her. The wolf didn't like feeling trapped. He was going to have to be rude, since his death stare didn't work, and he didn't have a problem with that, but he wondered if it would be enough. This girl seemed relentless, and something about her told Derek she wasn't firing on all cylinders.
Luckily, Tori was close by and swooped in, getting into the girl's face and saying in her not-so-subtle way, "Back off, skank!" That, thankfully, did the trick but she still stared at him in her wide-eyed, creepy way. He was grateful enough with Tori's help that he mumbled a "Thanks" and she raised her eyebrows in surprise, then smirked, before walking away.
It was disturbing to find out Tori was in some way, a sibling. But after some time had passed, he had to grudgingly admit she was useful.
In the beginning, when they were on the run, his dad made extra cash by doling out legal advice to other supernaturals. All communication and payments were done via email and Tori's role was to make sure no one could trace or locate them when information was exchanged. She also helped Kit and Simon perfect the spell to ward off spirits from certain places. Essentially their homes and school were ghost proof, allowing Chloe a few places of respite.
However, what was really surprising for Derek was how fiercely loyal she was, a trait he possessed himself and greatly admired. Her honesty, although usually irritating, was always dependable. And underneath all that attitude, she was a caring person. But more shocking than that, he actually gave a crap about her, more than he would ever admit to anyone or himself.
Derek's eyes flicked to the clock again. Nineteen minutes left. I'm not going to make it.
Struggling to keep his eyes open, his thoughts drifted to Chloe. She was in British Literature right now and he was sure she was having a better time than he was. She's probably pouring over some Jane Austen right now, he thought smiling. Chloe was really into Austen ̶ "Jane" ̶ that's what she called her, like they were long, lost friends. She would explain why "Jane" was a literary genius and go on and on about how "awesome" and "brilliant" she was. Derek always listened, it was definitely not his thing, but he would listen to her read the dictionary and be happy, he was so crazy in love with the girl.
In his mind, he could see her bent over her book, taking notes as vigorously as Simon, the curve of her neck peeking through her shiny, brown hair. A neck so delicate and lovely, he wanted to nuzzle it every time he was near her. Thinking of her neck made him naturally think of the rest of her, and the closest he's ever experienced the rest of her was in his dad's van two weeks ago.
God, I will never look at that van the same way again.
That event was one of the biggest highlights of his almost eighteen years of existence. He replayed it over and over again in his mind, going through every exquisite detail. Sometimes he would add to the memory, pretending that his family hadn't returned until much later.
She was so unbelievably sexy that night, he thought. His sweet, innocent girl opened up to him, so vulnerable and wild. He couldn't decide what turned him on more, the smell of her excitement, her soft gentle curves, the adorably strange sounds she made, or how tight and wet ̶
Okay! I need to think of something else before I completely humiliate myself. He cleared his throat and looked at Simon who was still scribbling like the wind.
He tried to think about something else ̶ anything else, and maybe if he was in one of his science or math classes it would have been easier, but he couldn't. Every random thought seem to lead him back to Chloe.
Before the van incident, she always seemed to be in the back of his mind, and he always desired her, but he knew she needed to be ready. So he didn't allow his mind to dwell on something he couldn't have yet...except sometimes in the shower.
He knew she was almost ready, though. For awhile, she had been showing signs, not consciously, but Derek instinctively noticed them ̶ actually, the wolf noticed. It was a subtle shift in her body language and the way her eyes met his, but most obvious was her scent. It was stronger, sharper. Intoxicating. However, Derek knew there was a big difference between subconscious signals and making a deliberate decision, and he patiently waited for Chloe to make hers.
But things were different now. He couldn't stop thinking about her or how much he wanted her. She dominated his thoughts. It was as if they crossed an invisible line in the van, and now all the built up emotions and desires he worked so hard to control, came crashing down on him and he was powerless to stop it.
The last two weeks had been agonizing. For whatever reason, his dad and Lauren's schedule had been the opposite from each other and there was always one of them around. Derek felt like the universe was punishing him. For what? Maybe all the dirty thoughts I've been having about my girlfriend?
He was feeling so desperate, that a week ago, while everyone was in the kitchen preparing dinner, he dragged Chloe into the laundry room, hoisted her onto the dryer and kissed her until they both were lightheaded. His hands were halfway up her shirt when his dad called for him to help set the table, ending their impromptu make-out session. He thought some kissing, however brief, would relieve some of the tension but it only made him more frustrated. He was officially obsessed with Chloe and he hated how out of control he felt.
It didn't help that he found everything about her desirable. She was ridiculously pretty, in a quiet way. She was a little taller now, and still petite but there was a round softness to her body that always drew his eye. Not to mention how much he loved her heart and character ̶ strong and sweet, brave and calm. A wonderful compliment to his abrasive personality. Even her pendant is sexy, he thought ruefully. Probably because in many of his fantasies, it was usually all she was wearing.
An image flashed in his mind. Chloe naked, sprawled underneath him. Her pendant sparkling at her throat, a small smile on her lips.
Derek felt himself twitch and swell in his boxers. Crap. I seriously need to get a handle on this situation. It was getting pretty snug in his jeans, when the thought of that crazy cheerleader seeing him his current state, pretty much cured him of his problem in record time.
His eyes shot to the clock. Nine minutes left. He slipped his math homework out onto his desk, hoping it would distract him until class was over. He would have to borrow Simon's notes from history later. He just completed a long, complicated equation when class finished.
As everyone shuffled towards the door, Derek noticed his stalker had angled herself next to him.
"Bye, Derek," she said in a breathy whisper. He didn't respond, just looked ahead like he didn't hear her. He heard Simon snickering behind him and wondered how his brother handled all the unwanted attention. Derek had just one obnoxious girl to deal with and it just about made his skin crawl.
He raced out of the room, while Simon hung back to talk to a few friends. Derek made a bee-line to Chloe's locker, smiling when he saw her crouched over her backpack. She looked up and met his eyes and gave him the sweetest, sexiest smile and he was sure his heart stopped.
"Hey," he said, bending down to kiss her cheek.
"Hey," she replied, reaching for his hand.
Grabbing her backpack, they made their way to the exit, weaving through students. It stopped raining so the walk to the parking lot shouldn't be unpleasant.
Once outside, Derek spotted Tori leaning against the building, making eyes at her boyfriend. Johnathon? Jason? No...Justin. Some guy who was on the basketball team with Simon. He seemed nice enough and treated Tori like gold, so there was no reason for Derek to kick his ass.
Tori finally noticed them and practically skipped over to meet them, a huge grin plastered on her face. Derek had to admit, he preferred Tori in a relationship. She was less moody and almost bearable to be around. He kind of wanted to thank Justin for doing such a great public service, or for the very least, making his household a much calmer place.
Justin trailed after Tori, throwing an arm around her as she explained to Chloe and Derek that they were going to hang out and run errands.
"Run errands? Riiiiiiiight," Simon said, as he approached them. " You got protection, dude?" He clapped a hand on Justin's shoulder and Justin had the sense to look embarrassed.
"Oh my God, Simon!" Tori cried. "You are so much more obnoxious when your in between girlfriends."
"In between girlfriends? You mean single?" Simon smirked. "Not anymore."
Derek heard Tori mutter "disgusting" and "pig" before she added, "Just tell dad I'll be home at ten. C'mon, Justin." She glared at Simon before dragging her boyfriend towards his car.
"Be safe!" Simon yelled after her.
Chloe gave Simon a look, eyebrows raised.
"What?" Simon shrugged, a smile on his face.
"That wasn't very nice, embarrassing your sister like that." Chloe said.
"Excuse me?" he said, looking a little incredulous. "May I remind you what she told Kimberly Newton ̶ about that bullshit fishing accident I was supposedly in," he protested. "Involving a hook and my...boy parts. It was a little payback."
Derek smiled as Chloe cringed and ceded her point. Clearly, she had forgotten that one particular rumor Tori mischievously spread to a girl who was interested in Simon. She knew Tori could never pass up an opportunity to mess with him. So instead, she asked about the new, lucky girl in his life as they walked to the old SUV they shared. By the time they arrived at Chloe's house, they were discussing dinner options. Kit was working late and Lauren was due home in less than an hour, so they were going to study and eat dinner at Chloe's.
They were all situated in the kitchen, their books and papers sprawled out on the table, when Simon swore. "I forgot my math book in my locker," he sighed dramatically. "Can I have the keys, bro? I gotta head back to school and get it."
Derek handed him the keys, and when Chloe wasn't looking, Simon flashed him a smile and mouthed "Have fun" and left. Suddenly, Derek felt like he was ten years old on Christmas morning and Simon had just given him the best present in the world. His breathing hiked in anticipation. He had roughly a half-hour of alone time with Chloe.
Not much time, but God, I'm going to make it count.
Oooooooh boy! I should have Chapter 3 ready in less than a week.