Derrick was stuck in the lip lock for about seven more seconds. He finally pulled away, Nina just wouldn't stop. Derrick was shocked in himself. What am I doing? What am I thinking? What does Massie think? Derrick had a hundred questions run through his head. Nina looked at him and everyone was 'ooohing' like a bunch of junior high kids.

"Derrick!" Nina said. Derrick could feel a bit of sweat on the top of his head. "Derrick." Nina said again. Derrick took a step back as she came closer to him.

"Kiss me!" Nina urged. Everyone got quite and there was no noise in the entire gymnasium. Derrick stood there, frozen and Nina took a step closer to him. She was ready to pull him into another kiss. Derrick stood there and Nina was only inches away from his face. Nina got closer and everyone stayed silent.

Just as she was about to kiss him, Derrick put his hands on her shoulders stopping her. Nina looked at him. "Derrick?" was all she could say.

"Nina-." Derrick started but Nina cut him off. "What? Why don't you just kiss me?"

"Nina I can't." Derrick said in a low voice, he was already dead of embarrassment and he didn't want to make it any worse.

But, Nina was not afraid of humiliation. "Derrick just kiss me!"

Derrick sighed. She wouldn't give up. "Nina, no."

"Why?"

The whole gym started with whispers but it managed to stay as whispers. Derrick looked out into the crowd. He couldn't see anything with the light in his face. Nina started screaming and everyone was whispering Derrick gave up and raised his voice. "Because, I love Massie and not you!"

That shut everyone up including Nina. She looked at him with her large eyes. The whole gym became loud and noisy. Derrick could see Nina was trying to hold back tears. Nina ran off the stage fallowed by her group. Derrick was left alone on the stage with everyone looking at him.

"You're hot!" some girls screamed happily from the crowds. Derrick smiled awkwardly and walked up to the microphone stand. "Uhm, Happy Valentine's day." He said nervously and walked off the stage. He got off the stage just as DJ played a song that everyone danced too. Derrick went to join his friends once he got there, the guys bursted into laughter. Derrick turned red of embarrassment. "Shut up."

"Derrick, did we hear you correctly?" Dylan asked with a confused look. Kristen nodded. "Di you say the three words?"

Derrick shrugged. He didn't even know what he was doing. "I have no idea what I just said but, I love Massie."

"Aren't you a little ahead of yourself?" Everyone said in unison. The blonde boy simply shrugged.

Alicia stayed silent for a moment and thought about it. Derrick Harrington never even called any girl his girlfriend, so it was ridiculous to think he could fall in love. His relationships lasted six days tops. It was a stupid thing to think about. But then again, Alicia thought. What Derrick felt for Massie was more than a stupid high school crush. It was real, it was serious, it was well… love.

"I think it's possible." The raven haired beauty spoke up. Everyone thought for a while then nodded. "Yeah totally."

Derrick smiled his famous 'Derrick Harrington smile'. The guys all exchanged glances Derrick in love?

"Where is Massie?" Derrick asked and looked squarely at Josh. Everyone turned to the dark haired boy too. "She went home." He said simply.

"Can I talk to you?" Derrick asked Josh. Josh nodded an the two walked off to a corner. The Briarwood students were dancing as if the song would play forever. The darkness and cool air made Derrick turned stiff.

"Dude, what's up with you and Massie?" Derrick asked right away. Josh just stared at him and replied with a simple, "Nothing."

Derrick just looked at him. "Josh, do you like her?"

His best friend just shrugged. "She's cool."

"You didn't answer the question." Derrick said.

"I can't answer that." Josh said quietly.

"Why not?"

"Because I'm not really sure what the answer is." Josh said. "But, dude, I can promise you I would never betray you."

Derrick just looked at him with doubt. Massie was what made Derrick insane.

XX

The next day at Briarwood, everything about the Valentine's dance was forgotten. Nina winning an award, everyone's outfits, Nina's fall, everything except Derrick saying he loved Massie. That was a different story.

Derrick walked nervously down the hallways he needed to find Massie. He walked over to his locker and girls passed by with bright smiles. Derrick smiled back and opened his locker.

"Hey!" Alicia greeted him happily. Derrick nodded at her. "Hey, where's Massie?"

Alicia shrugged and flipped her dark hair behind her shoulder. "I think she's in the main office, she's excused from homeroom today."

"I have tot talk to her." Derrick said as he shut his locker door. Alicia stared at her best friend for awhile. "About the Nina-kiss?"

Derrick smiled sheepishly. "Yeah."

"I so don't approve of that kiss mister." Alicia said like a concerned mother and Derrick just laughed. "I know it was stupid."

Derrick said good bye and walked off to the main office. He opened the swinging glass door and saw Mrs. Hill, the school secretary.

"Uhm, where's Massie?" Derrick said shyly. Mrs. Hill placed took off her brown glasses and pointed to the wooden door to her right. "In there, go right ahead."

Derrick smiled and went on inside. There he saw Massie in a black Marc Jacobs blazer with True religion jeans and a black pair of heels. He hair was in a bun and short pieces of hair fell on her face.

"Hey." Derrick said as he walked toward the desk she was standing in front of. She smiled and held a stack of papers.

"Can we talk?" Derrick asked. Massie looked at him and gave a small nod. She placed the heavy papers down and listened.

"Massie, about the other night-." But Derrick was cut off by Massie. "Derrick about the other night don't worry."

Derrick looked at her with confusion. "What?"

Massie nodded. "We are not together." She pointed out. "It was no big deal."

"Massie." But he was cut off again.

"Derrick when we kissed I knew that you were a player." Massie went on. "And it was natural for you to kiss someone else. I mean, we're not committed it' just your little game you play."

"But, I'm not." Derrick started but he was cut off again.

"Derrick, this is a different school and you are who you are so no worries." Massie smiled. "It's just the way you are."

"So you're not mad at me?" Derrick asked with an eye brow raised. Massie smiled. "Yeah I mean the moment I started liking you I knew I was officially playing your game."

Derrick just stayed silent. "So we're okay?" He asked once Massie was done.

Massie nodded. "O course. I mean we can casually date."

"So you like me?" Derrick said in an egotistical tone and took a step closer to Massie. Massie rolled her eyes and he walked around the desk. He go so close that he was already in Massie's breathing space. He leaned in and gave her a quick ye, romantic kiss. Once he pulled away Massie stared at him.

"So want to hang out tonight?" Derrick asked holding Massie's arm. Massie looked at him. "Hang out meaning a date?"

"Maybe."

"I wish I could but I'm going o the movies with Josh tonight." She said and he frowned.

"So we're just friend with benefits?" He asked and the amber eyed girl laughed. "No, but we are friends who date. Just no strings attached."

"You and Josh?" He looked hurt. But, Massie smiled.

"Don't hate the player, hate the game."

There you have it. =) well, please review?