Thanks for the reviews, as always! LOVE YOU ALL. Anyhow, yeah, here's the next chapter. There's going to be a lot of changing of P.O.Vs, but I need to cover all perspectives. AND- there's going to be more dialogs than description, but it's needed. I can't update this quickly every time, though, with all the homework and such. BUT- REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW!!
Derrick P.O.V
(A few minutes before the dreaded CLAM kiss)
"Are you serious? That's SO funny!" Massie giggled. "I can nawt believe that Josh actually got blackmailed into going to a 'Taylor Swift' concert by his little sister! So cute!"
"Yeah." Derrick laughed. "You know how he had threatened to destroy her dolls if she wouldn't clean his room? Well, she got smart and threatened to cut up his autographed Derek Jeter poster. It was pretty intense."
"Nice!" Massie smiled. "I love Jenna SO much. She is like, my idol now."
The two laughed. Derek glanced behind her to see Claire and Cam dancing. His hands were on her small hips, and her long, tanned arms were wrapped around his neck. His insides twisted, and, subconsciously, a frown replaced the smile on his face. Massie noticed the change, and turned her head to see what he was looking at. When she turned back to look at him, a knowing smile was on her face.
"Someone's jealous..." she whispered, and poked his chest. He gave her a sheepish smile.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Yeah."
"Oh."
They were silent. Derrick decided now was the time to break the news to Massie. If everything was going to be perfect, he needed some help.
"Mass, I have to tell you something."
"Shoot."
"I'm in love Claire."
"I know."
"No, I really love her."
"I said I know, Harrington."
He took her hand, and put in near his shorts pocket, where there was a small bump. She felt it, and looked at him questioningly. Sighing, he put her hand in his pocket, and she felt the outline of a small box. Her amber eyes went wide, and an ecstatic grin was on her face.
"EH MY GAWD!" she squealed. Quickly, he clamped his hand on her mouth.
"God, Block, keep it down!"
"You love her. You really love her, Derrick. I am so happy for you!" She whispered excitedly, and gave him a swift kiss on the cheek.
"Yeah." Derrick said, obviously pleased by her reaction. "I'm not exactly proposing, cause, I mean, we're only high school graduates. But I want to show her that I'm serious about our relationship. It's a promise ring. I know Claire will love it. I got it personally made at that place- Tiffany's, I think? It has her birthstone in the middle- ruby- since her birthday's in July, and two smaller diamonds on either side. On the band- it's platinum by the way- it says, 'The greatest summer of our lives- when we became one.' Took a good chunk out of my bank account, though. But she's worth it."
"Wow." Massie breathed, gazing at him. "You really... wow."
Derrick gave her a shy smile.
"I think I'm going to propose on July 18th- you know, her birthday? It has to be perfect."
"Well Mr. Harrington, I think you've got everything figured out, but don't worry, I'll help organize everything. Claire is such a lucky girl."
But suddenly, Massie's smile dropped, and her face was replaced with a look of horror.
"Oh my-"
"Massie? Are you okay?" He started to turn to see what she was looking at.
"No, Derrick, wait-"
Too late.
He took one look at Claire and Cam, and angrily stormed off into the crowd- as far away from them as humanly possible.
Cam P.O.V
"Cam! What are you doing?" Claire whisper-screamed as she pulled away.
"Kissing you." Cam said innocently, and smiled. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his other hand stroking her arm.
"You can't do that! I'm with-"
"You're not with Derrick anymore."
Claire stopped suddenly.
"How did you know?"
Cam sighed, and ran a hand through his dark, wavy hair.
"I, uh, overheard Josh and Massie talking about it."
The truth was, Alicia had overheard Massie and Josh talking about it, and she had told Cam the whole story. He already knew how he was going to use the information to his advantage.
"I need to find Derrick. Now."
"No!" Cam said quickly. Claire glared at him. He continued, "Look, I should talk to him. I mean, I screwed things up. Do you really think Derrick will listen to your excuses? After the whole 'cheating-with-Josh' fiasco? He'll listen to me. I'll tell him I messed up- it was my fault, and that you had nothing to do with it. Okay?"
Claire looked at him suspiciously. Finally she sighed, and shook her head.
"Fine, you go. Tell him- tell him that... that I love him."
"Sure to pass on the message." he said, saluting her.
Not.
Derrick P.O.V
He had usually been the one breaking hearts, not having his broken.
Derrick mused, his elbows on the edge of the yacht, as he stared out into the distance. The party was still raging, and, for all he knew, Claire was probably still enjoying the feeling of having Cam's tongue down her throat. Damn him. Reaching into the pocket of his Abercrombie cargo shorts, he fingered the small, Tiffany-blue box, and sighed. He had kept it with him at all time- he couldn't risk losing it- or having it be found by an unsuspecting Claire. Not that it mattered anymore.
Maybe it was because he wasn't a romantic. Yeah, that was probably it. Cam was always the 'Roses are red, violets are blue', gummy bear-giving, CD-mixing, type of guy, who none of the girls could ever resist. And what was he? The hot, sexy soccer captain who could make you melt with a single smile, but was a total player- a 'love 'em and leave 'em' type guy. Dating Claire and Massie had changed that.
"Hey Derrick! What's up?" came a perky, over-excited voice behind him.
He didn't even bother turning around.
"What do you want?"
Kristen sighed, and gave him a bright smile.
"Just catching up, you know? We haven't talked in forever!"
"I guess."
She tapped her foot impatiently. She was getting aggravated, but tried to hide it.
"Look at me Derrick. Claire doesn't deserve someone like you. You are an amazing person, and if Claire can't see that, then frankly, she can go to hell."
Derrick turned to look at her- maybe even snap for dissing the love of his life. Kristen had that face on- he had seen it on many girls before when they talked to him. That desperate, 'please-bang-me-now' type look, that most sluts had. It was horrible seeing it on a girl who he had thought to be pretty cool- even liked at one point.
Kristen was wearing the same emerald green BCBG halter dress that Claire had worn that night, when they had dinner on the yacht. It looked better on Claire. Kristen's hair was blonde, but lacked the shine and silkiness that Derrick had always admired on Claire. Kristen was thin, but much too muscled from soccer. Claire had the perfect shape. Kristen was amazing at soccer. Claire was good- but she stumbled over the ball in such a cute way, Derrick always wanted to catch her when she fell. Kristen was pretty. Claire was beautiful- in a way that no amount of make-up and starvation could attain. He wanted Claire. No, he needed Claire. Kristen would only be a rebound- a low-quality 'highlight- only part of it- copy, paste' version of her.
"Hey, Kris, you don't mind if I talk to Derrick for a while, do you?"
Derrick turned to see Cam, who had a solemn look on his face. Kristen gave Cam a small, significant nod, and walked away. He glared at the guy who had the balls to kiss the girl he loved, and clenched his jaw.
"What the fuck do you want, Fisher? Come to shove it in my face? Haven't I made it clear enough? I hate your fucking guts. Get the hell away from me, you bastard."
Cam raised his eyebrows.
"Okay, Harrington, cuss at me all you want- I don't give a shit. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you something." He leaned in slightly. "I promise you, I did not kiss Claire. She kissed me. We were just talking about 'us' in eighth grade, she got a little sentimental, and made a move on me. I swear I didn't have anything to do with it."
Derrick gave a mirthless laugh.
"Yeah, I'm supposed to believe that?"
Cam shrugged and added, "Well, I don't really care if you don't believe me. But you know, I'm not the only guy she's cheating on you with. I overheard her and Josh talking. They were talking about the amazing sex they had on the beach, after swimming or whatever. And that, well, Josh was going to visit her at Stanford a lot so that they can get together more often." He raised his hands in surrender. "That's just what I heard. Just thought you should know." He glanced past the crowd of people and pointed to Josh and Claire, who were standing very close together and speaking in low voices.
Derrick felt a strong pang in his heart. How could she? She was the most incredible girl he had met in his entire life- how could she break his heart like this?
"Tell Claire, that, I..."
"Don't want to talk to her again?"
"Yeah."
"Alright."
Cam gave him one last, sympathetic look, clapped his back with his hand, and walked away.
"I would never do anything like that to you." Kristen declared, moving next to him.
"Yeah, well, that doesn't help."
She laughed, with that annoying as hell phlegmy 'cackle'.
"Derrick, you have to get over that girl. She's nothing special. Not like me." she declared, sticking her flat chest out a bit. Derrick tried very hard not to roll his eyes. Who did this girl think she was?... Claire? Damn it, he needed to stop comparing her to Claire so much! Even though she was annoying the shit out of him, maybe he could give her a chance. Claire had already moved on...
"Derrick, please, I know you're upset, but maybe, could you give 'us' a chance?"
Sighing, he turned to her to say no- he still wasn't up to the idea of moving on, but saw Claire and Cam wrapped in a tender embrace, and changed his mind.
"Yeah, okay."
"SERIOUSLY? OMG! This is going to be so amazing!"
What the hell had he gotten himself into?
"Josh, I'm serious, he just came up and kissed me! I need you to impale him for me so I can talk to Derrick."
"I believe you, C. Why would I doubt you for an ass like Fisher? Don't worry, I'll kill him for you."
Claire smiled gratefully, and gave him a hug.
"Thanks."
"Hey, no prob. I know you guys are, like, meant to be. So just chill. He'll come around."
"Kay..."
"Hey, I gotta go find Mass now, before Sluticia latches onto me again. But, I'll talk to him, yeah? Don't stress, I'm here for you."
"Love you, Hoshy."
"Love you too."
Josh gave her a smile, and pushed back through the crowd to find his girlfriend. Claire sighed, and tugged at the hem of her Victoria's Secret dress. It was pitch black, but large, multicolored techno-lights were flashing, illuminating the drunken, grinning faces of all the A-listers on the yacht.
"Claire?"
She turned to see Cam, with a sad, regretful expression on his face.
"What?" she asked, worriedly. "What did Derrick say?"
Cam took her hand in his, and laced his fingers through hers.
"He said... hell, Claire, please don't get angry. He said that he didn't want to see you anymore, and that- and... well, that he thought that Kristen was a way better girlfriend than you could ever be... the asshole."
Her blue eyes started watering, and she hastily blinked, causing the small, clear tears to go down her cheek.
"He said that?" she choked out, her voice trembling. She felt as though her heart had been ripped out, and was being stabbed repeatedly.
"I'm so sorry." Cam whispered sympathetically.
Stab.
"It's... I can't believe this..."
He enveloped her in a tight hug, and she breathed a bit easier. She was shaking, she realized, but Cam's strong, toned arms were holding onto her protectively, and she felt safe and a bit more comforted in his grasp. Sniffling, she glanced over his shoulder to see Derrick and Kristen- looking like a totally fake knockoff of her in the same exact dress she had worn a few nights ago- dancing closely, with her arms on his shoulders; and one of his hands on her waist, and the other on the small of her back, just the way he kept it when he danced with Claire.
Stab.
"Hey, dance with me?" Cam murmured in her ear, and wiping her eyes quickly, she nodded.
"Yeah, alright."
Derrick's P.O.V
"Hey, so does this mean I can stay with you at your beach house for the rest of the summer?" Kristen asked hopefully.
"I guess." he replied, in a monotone voice.
"Great!" she squealed, a smirk crossing her face. She pressed herself closer to him, and he cringed. God, would she just leave him alone for a second? "Oh, look who it is..." she drawled, and shot an evil glance past him. He turned and saw his ex-girlfriend and the asshole of the century dancing together- actually, they were so close, it was more like they were just hugging and swaying. Derrick sighed, and closed his eyes, hoping that they'd just vanish into thin air, so he wouldn't have to face anymore heartbreak.
"Eh my gawd! I love this song!" Kristen shouted, causing the people around them to turn around, and stare at her in disgust.
Hey baby girl, I've been watching you all day
Man that thing you got behind you is amazing
You make me want to take you out and let it rain
I know you got a man but this is what you should say
Why don't you tell him that
I'm leavin' never to come back again
You found somebody who does it better than he can
no more making you cry, no more them gray skies
girl we flying on the G5 G5
And I'm leavin' never to come back again…
So go on shawty and tell him you found a new man
The one who's so so fly
The one that keep you high
have me singing all night night night
Oh oh oh man she gonna sing
Oh oh oh oh
Now if I talk it girl, you know that I will walk it out
Man I'll put my money (money) where my mouth is
Cause you the baddest little thing that I've ever seen
So ima ask you one time if you got a man
Why don't you tell him that
I'm leavin' never to come back again
You found somebody who does it better than he can
no more making you cry, no more them gray skies
girl we flying on a G5 G5
And I'm leavin' never lookin back again…
So go on shawty and tell him you found a new man
The one who's so so fly
The one that keep you high
have me singing all night night night
Oh oh oh man she gonna sing
Oh oh oh oh
Don't stress, don't stress, don't stress
Just tell him to the left left left
Don't stress, don't stress, don't stress
Cause we gone & we gone & we gone
No stress, no stress, no stress
Girl you deserve nothing but the best
No stress, no stress, no stress
Girl you need to tell him…
That I'm leavin' never to come back again
You found somebody who does it better than he can
no more making you cry, no more them gray skies
girl we flying on a G5 G5
And I'm leavin' never to come back again…
So go on shawty and tell him you found a new man
The one who's so so fly
The one that keep you high
have me singing all night night night
Oh oh oh man she gonna sing
Oh oh oh oh
Derrick watched as Claire, who was trembling slightly- probably from the cold- stared up at Cam with a heartfelt look in her eye, with the edges crinkled, and a soft, delicate smile- the one that used to be aimed at Derrick.
The one that made him ask her out.
The one that made him spend half his bank account for her promise ring.
The one that made him feel like the luckiest guy in the entire world.
The one that he hoped to see everyday, for the rest of his life.
And yet, as that stupid gay guy, Jesse McCartney put it, she was 'leavin'. Leaving him for someone better, more deserving of her. And he doubted that she'd ever come back again.
Aww, poor Derrington. -Heart wrenching sob-
Next chapter faces the aftermath of the Clairington separation; some Derrick/Josh trouble:
"I can't believe you, man! I thought you were supposed to be my best friend!" Derrick shouted, and shoved Josh toward the wall threateningly.
"What the hell are you talking about dude?" Josh wheezed, barely able to breathe in Derrick's grasp.
"YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE! You slept with my girlfriend!"
"DERRICK! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? LEAVE HIM ALONE!"
"Shut up, Claire." he snapped, turning on her. "If he was the one you wanted, why couldn't you have left me alone, goddamnit?"
Claire's eyes filled with tears.
"But Derrick..."
"Go run back to that bastard, Fisher. I'm sure the both of you will enjoy fucking each other for the rest of the summer."
A resounding slap rang through the air. It was dead silent. Derrick clutched his cheek, and gazed at Claire in shock. She, sending him a deathly glare, turned on her heel and ran away.
WOO- longest chapter so far...
BTW- I love Jesse McCartney (and the song, "Leavin") to death, but if it's going to be in Derrick's perspective, it seemed like something he would say (or think, whatever). Review if you want to read more.