Update 2/7

A few months later, Derek sat in English class, watching his so called "best friend." The day was free; the Friday before finals began, and she was as wild as he has ever seen her. She laughs and plays, throwing her arms into the air wildly as she jumps on her girlfriends back. He stared at her long, silky honey hair, and wished that she was his. But, she didn't notice him like he noticed her, and he knew it. Glancing over after her laughing fit, Meredith noticed Derek watching her. She smiled at him, running over to his desk and jumping on his lap, "We're gonna be juniors!!!" She screamed, throwing her arms around his neck. He chuckled into her ear, embracing her as he took in her precious scent.

"Yes we are," he confirmed, "This summer is going to be a blast."

"It sure is!!!" she said, jumping out of his lap, "Party time!" Many cheers came from the class at this remark, "At your house Mer?" One of the students asked.

"How about mine?" Derek said, afraid that if a party did happen, Meredith would surely get in trouble for it. This insured her safety during and after the party; considering that with high school student, they would surely bring beer to look cool, and then he could be punished rather than her as a result.

"Whhooo!! Shepherd!" Came the chants of the class.

Derek quickly turned his attention back to his best friend, hoping that she wouldn't leave him alone again this class period. Her eyes sparkled, even in the overhead school lighting, illuminating every feature on her face. Her bright smile -- the one he knew so well to melt him, did just that as he sank back into his chair. "It's so exciting isn't it? Oh! And guess what? Mom says that when I'm a junior, I can start dating!!!"

This was definently the other thing he needed to protect Meredith from; he wanted her to have fun, and experience having a boyfriend, but he would kill anyone who broke her. He decided right then and there that if she were to have a boyfriend, they would have to be interviewed by him first. Yes, that would definently do. Standing up, he pulled his books up into one hand, now looking down at Meredith. She plunged into him, practically knocking him over with her hug. "So, what do you have next?" She asked curiously.

"Chemistry," he replied, balancing the both of them out as the bell began to ring. She smiled briefly again, dashing toward her desk to her bookbag. Letting out a small sigh, Derek left out to the halls, confronting his locker. It was old, as many of the lockers were at the old, beat up school; it had blue chipped paint, and was slightly dented on one side. Instead of opening it with his combination, he simply smashed it with his fist, causing it to gently glide open as he pulled out his chemistry book.

"Derek!" His favorite voice called from behind him. He turned, a smirk already plastered on his face as she met him, "Do you have the review notes from yesterday? I wasn't here, remember?"

i'Of course I remember,'/i Derek thought, i'That was the worst day of the year.'/i Browsing through his folder quickly, he found his English section, "Yep," he said, pullig them out and handing them to her.

"Thank you so much!" She said before kissing him on the cheek quickly and running off to her next class. All he wanted to do at that point was take her into his arms and tell her, he wanted to tell her that he didn't want to be just friends, that he loved her, but he was just too shy, and he didn't know why.