The next day at school, all eyes were on me. Apparently, word got out about my blow up and now everyone was giving me sad, sympathetic looks. I hated it. I hated the attention. I tried my best to ignore the lingering eyes but believe me; it's harder than it looks. (No pun intended.) As I slammed my locker shut, I was startled to see Meredith right in front of me.

"Oh, wow…didn't expect you," I said.

She sighed, tucked some loose strands of hair behind her ear than slowly said, "I heard what happened, about you and Webber. I'm so sorry Derek…"

"Does the whole school know?!"

She shrugged. "Basically. I heard it from Jenna who heard it from Andrew who heard it from Stephan who is best friends with Lauren who is Addison's friend, and Addison heard it from Mark."

"Mark…" I mumbled, "Of course."

She looked at me long and hard. "Are you okay? I mean, that really sucks."

"Could be better…" I replied dryly. "And uhm…I'm sorry. You're not a slutty liar."

A small smile appeared on her face. "Hey, no hard feelings. I've been called worse."

"Yeah but I really shouldn't have done that. You and…Brian...that's none of my business."

She nodded. "Yeah well its okay. Plus it seems like karmas going to come back and bite you in the ass."

I smiled. "That's true."

She laughed. God, she had such a cute laugh. "How's Izzie?"

"Oh man…she hates me."

"Yeah I kind of told her to, but I'll put in a good word for you."

I grinned then looked straight into her gorgeous green eyes. She did the same and for that split second, everything seemed to disappear. It was just her and I. There was no Brian. There was no Addison. I slowly leaned in, and to my surprise she did the same. There would've been definite kissing if some stupid freshman didn't knock into us. He pushed Meredith right into me and I automatically fell back onto my locker.

She quickly pushed her tiny body off mine. "Um, well I uhm…yeah, I got to go. So I'll uhm see you later?" she stammered.

"Uh, yeah sure…"

"Bye."

"Bye."

Wow. Talk about awkward.

After first period, I mustered all of my confidence and stepped into Mr. Webber's office.

"Mr. Webber? Are you busy?"

He looked up from his paper work and removed the glasses resting gently on his head. "No not at all. Take a seat."

I slowly sat down then quickly folded my hands. "Look, I am so sorry. I should've never done that. I was having a really rough day. I have just been so stressed with school lately…I'm sorry. And I understand if you want to expel me. I will respect any decision you make because I was completely out of line."

He looked at me long and hard. "Derek, I'm not going to expel you. It happens. Being a teenager is tough, I understand that. I forgive you."

He could see I was in complete shock with his answer and gave out a small laugh. "Derek, I am not going to punish you. But, I do want you to get a tutor for the subjects you're slipping in. It may not seem like it, but I do care about you. You have always been an A list student and have treated me with complete respect ever since you walked through those doors freshman year. You are allowed to have one day where you can yell at me. But, if it happens again so help me God…"

"It won't sir. I promise."

"Alright then, I will assign you a tutor and get back to you this afternoon."

"Thank you sir. Thank you so much!"

I shook his hand firmly then ran right into Addison as I exited his office.

"Oh hey Derek, how did it go?"

I gave her a huge smile. "He's not punishing me! All I need to do is get a tutor and that's it!"

"Oh my God that's fantastic!"

"I know…I can't believe it."

She grinned then gave me a quick kiss on my cheek. "I got to get to class but I'm so happy for you. Are you going to Chris Evan's party tonight?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I heard he invited every single senior. The guy is nuts."

"I know it's going to be so huge."

"Well I'll pick you up with Mark."

"Okay, see you tonight!"

"See you." I gave her hand a tight squeeze then went to my locker to collect my books. As I gathered my history books, I stopped. This was the same locker where Meredith was pushed up against my body. This was the same locker where we almost kissed. I quickly wiped the images out of my head. It wasn't going to work. I was with Addison, she was with Brian. I couldn't keep thinking about her. I had to stop. Maybe if I just avoided her I wouldn't think about her at all. In the end, that's what I decided to do. If I avoided her, I wouldn't think about her. If I avoided her, there would be no kissing and no sudden urges to stare deep into her eyes. If I avoided her, everything would be perfect.

After school I knocked on Mr. Webber's door and waited patiently for him to give me the okay to walk in.

"Come in!" I heard him yell.

I grasped the knob then quickly opened the door. "Hey. Do you have my tutor picked out?"

"Yes I do…" He picked up a sheet of paper. "Meredith Grey."

My mouth drooped. "What?"

"Meredith is taking all AP classes, and is a very strong student in the areas you're slipping in. Plus, you two already know each other from the service projects."

"But…but she didn't want to work with me anymore."

"Well I talked to her this morning and she said she would be fine tutoring you. Of course I offered her 10 credits for college if she accepted the offer."

"So she didn't want to do it?"

"Not at first. But after I offered the credits, she accepted immediately. You see Derek, it's all about business. She will really help you."

"You see, I don't think that's such a good idea because—"

"Derek, I am cutting you a HUGE break. Most principals would have you expelled. I suggest you don't argue with me."

My mouth immediately shut. "Sorry sir. Am I starting today?"

"Yes, right in the library after school. I'll check in time to time to see how you're doing. But, you are in good hands."

"Right," I mumbled, "Well thank you. I guess I'm heading to the library now."

"Alright, see you tomorrow Derek."

I shot him a quick smile then ran out of his office. After shutting the door, I leaned against it. Meredith as my TUTOR?! He had to be kidding. I was trying to avoid her! I had to avoid her! This seriously totally sucked.

I entered the huge library and looked across the room for Meredith. Finally, I found her sitting near the history book section.

"Hey," I said as I slid my backpack across the table. I quickly sat down across from her.

"Hey, long time no see."

"Yeah, let's just get this over with. I have to get ready for the party tonight."

She nodded. "Yeah, me too. Are you going with Addison?"

"Yeah, why?"

She shrugged. "Just wondering."

"Okay well let's start this."

"Alright, turn to page 300."

I did what I was told. "Okay?"

"And I want you to highlight all of the major battles and events that occurred between the Indians and the miners."

I sighed then grabbed my highlighter out of my backpack. I felt her eyes on me and slowly looked up. "What?"

"Sorry, but uhm…what was that this morning? At your locker?"

I shrugged. "Nothing."

Her eye brows furrowed. "What? Nothing?"

"It was nothing Meredith, drop it." I had no idea why I was lying. It just felt better denying the truth than actually admitting it.

I saw her eyes grow cold and she cleared her throat. "Fine. Not that I care or anything, I just wanted you to know that uhm…I don't like you in that way."

"Good cause I don't like you in that way either. Like I said, it meant nothing." Dammit, I was being a jackass again!

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

She shook her head. "Look, you obviously don't want to be here so how about I just give you homework. We don't have to do this here."

"Fine with me," I replied dryly.

"Just finish highlighting…" she gathered her books then swung her backpack over her shoulder. I could tell she was mad. But what was there to be mad about? All I said was it didn't mean anything. Wasn't that what she wanted to hear?

A/N: The next chapter is going to be the PARTY and boy am I excited for that!!! Thanks so much for all the reviews! I'm really loving them! (That's why I keep updating! I know I have readers!) Please continue with those lovely reviews and more updates will be on the way!