.
.
They're sitting on a park bench and she's cuddled into him. He smells like a mix of his soap and whatever cologne he's wearing right now and it's musky but familiar. Then she remembers she bought it for him on some birthday. Smiling she snuggles against his chest taking in the slight warm from his body on the November day. Derrick hands her the hot chocolate he's been holding, only after blowing on it a bit to cool it down for her, and she decides this is what love feels like.
.
.
"I love you."
He says the three words easy, as if it's something that doesn't take thought to her. It's not because he's confessing or apologizing or anything. Sometimes he just says it out of the blue. He'll look at her and just say it because it's the only thing he's really sure of some days it seems.
.
.
Danny Robbins spent all of third period trying to convince Massie to dump Derrick. Robbins claimed he would never treat her the way Derrick did, that he'd take care of her, and never break her trust. It was a sweet and in a way well meaning offer, but Massie just gave him a poliet smile and firmly turned him down. Forth period Danny had a black eye. Derrick would have done much worse, but her knew how much Massie hated violence. Still the message was more then clear.
Don't fuck around and try to screw over Derrick Harrington. Massie Block is his girl, and all the other bastards out there better know it.
.
.
Derrick Harrington isn't so bad.
He loves Massie in the way only a highschool boy can.
Buying her presents at random just because something reminds him of her. He introduces her to all his favorite bands, (lots of Hollywood Undead & loud head banging music) and even sometimes lets her listen to him playing classical music on the piano (something he's always felt self conscious of). He remembers little things about her tht she never thinks he would (she loved Winnie the Pooh growing up). And he'll always stick up for her (not that she ever needs it). Everynight he at least texts her goodnight, if not calls her. And usually he thinks about her when ever he needs to not feel so shitty about losing a game. Derrick isn't so bad. He loves Massie Block. He really does.
.