Hey guys! Sorry about the long wait. This chapter is basically just one big flashback. Schools been kicking my ass the last little bit and I haven't had time to sit down and rewatch to see what I want Cora involved in and what not. But I've had this idea for a while so I figured I'd give y'all something to tide you over. Thank you so much to everyone that has favorited and reviewed. I seriously can't tell you how much it brightens my day when I get the notifications!! I love all of y'all. Hope you enjoy this next installment. Drop a review and let me know what you think and what you'd like to see!

If I could be the reason your hair's a mess,

The bass drum beatin' way down deep in your chest,

If I could be the voice on your radio,

Then I could be your long ride home.

If mine could be the name that changes yours,

The wine in your glass,

The swing on your porch,

The dollar in your pocket, and the peaceful in your sleep,

Then I'd be what you mean to me.

Mean to Me- Brett Young

"Well tonight went swimmingly." I stated as I crawled into bed next to Derek. He snorted as I curled up into his side. He leaned down and placed a kiss against my forehead.

"You scared me for a minute there." He told me as his hand took up its new favorite spot on my stomach. I reached up and laced my fingers with his.

"Eh. It all worked out in the end." He shook his head.

"You need to stop taking unnecessary risks. I know it's your thing, but things are different now."

"I wouldn't necessarily call that an unnecessary risk, babe." Derek sighed not having an argument for that. He was silent for a few minutes before I spoke breaking it.

"What's going on in your head, D?"

"Just thinking about how much I took you for granted when we were younger. If I'd just realized back then what you mean to me, meant to me, maybe Paige wouldn't have.." He trailed off and shook himself out of his thoughts.

"Any particular moment you were stuck on?" I asked trying to give him the time that he needed to think, but I was too curious to let it go completely.

"Just everything that went down with Chelsea. I just- I don't know. It makes me think about how you were always looking out for me, even when it probably hurt you. Especially then, to have to defend the person I was with." I nodded in understanding as I my mind began to wander lost in memory.


I sat with Talia at the game sitting anxiously on the edge of my seat.

"Watch him! Derek! Move your ass, D!" I yelled from my spot on the bleachers. Talia shook her head at me as one of the other mothers shot me the stink eye. I sneered at her. She harrumphed and turned back towards the game. The ball got tossed to Derek and he took off back down the court. I jumped up in excitement cheering along with Talia and the rest of the bleachers cheering on the Beacon Hills Varsity Basketball team.

"Woo! Shit yeah! Go D!" The mother turned around and scowled at me again.

"Would you watch your language there are children present." She snapped. I rolled my eyes.

"Lady, your kid goes to public school. There's worse things written on the goddamn bathroom walls that make what comes out of my mouth look like a children's book." I told her. She gaped at me as if it was unbelievable that I had talked back to her.

"Why I never.. You really should teach your children some manners! I have friends on the school board, I could have her supspended like that." The lady said snapping her fingers. I snorted.

"Oh god, please do I could use an extra few days off." Talia sighed.

"Cora, please. Just stop. Look the games over. Why don't you go find Derek?" I smiled sweetly at her and nodded.

"Yes, mother." I replied in my sweetest most sarcastic voice. I took off and headed down the bleachers trying to spot Derek through the crowd of people milling about. I finally spotted him and smiled waving. He waved back excitedly and rushed towards me. I smiled in surprise, he wasn't usually this happy to see me unless he hadn't seen me in a while.

"Hey, D! Good game!" I told him getting ready to open my arms for a hug. However, my mood fell as he rushed past me with just a pat on a the shoulder.

"Thanks, C! Catch you later!" My smile dropped as I watched him rush to a pretty, but shy girl with long dark hair. Paige, his girlfriend. My heart clenched. I forgot. A hand landed on my shoulder and I jumped startled, which was unusual for me. I looked up to see Talia looking down at me with a sad smile. She glanced up towards her son and the girl holding his affections.

"He'll realize what's in front of him someday, dear. I promise. The two of you have more in store than you could ever imagine." I quirked an eyebrow at her in confusion.

"What?" Talia just smiled at me as if I was missing some key information.

"You will find out eventually, dear." At that moment Derek and Paige walked up, holding hands.

"Find out what?" Derek asked curiously looking between his mother and I. I smirked to hide the confusion and pain I was currently feeling between him and his mother.

"I'll eventually find out what it is this sweet girl sees in such a pain in the ass like you." I told Derek with a laugh. My best friend scowled at me, and Paige laughed nervously next to him. I reached forward and shook her hand.

"Hi, I'm Cora. We have Trig together right?" I asked smiling comfortingly at her. She nodded and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"And I'm Talia, Derek's mother. Normally, I'd give you the third degree about what your intentions are with my son, but Cora here is under the impression that you're a sweet girl and that is good enough for me." She said giving Paige a wink and a sweet smile. I snickered as Derek let out an embarrassed groan.

"Mom!" I snickered. "Is it okay if Paige comes over to hang out? I already checked with Laura, she'll be home to take Paige home before her curfew at 1230." I did my best to stop my face from dropping completely. Friday nights after Basketball games were one of our traditions. Lame ass monster movies to cheer D up after a loss, or pizza at the bar then sneaking a bottle of my dads cheapest booze to celebrate a win.

"I, well I don't see why not. Although I assumed it'd be your usual Friday night post game ritual with, Cora. Will you be joining Cora?"

"Uh-" I looked to Derek who shot me a pleading look. He went to speak, but was stopped as Camden Lahey approached from behind and smacked him on the back.

"Great job tonight, Hale!" Derek nodded his apreceaction and thanked the older boy as his eyes drifted over to me. "Hey Cora!" He told me flashing me a dazzling smile. I smirked.

"Hey, Lahey."

"You're looking good. Plans for this fine evening?" I shrugged nonchalantly.

"Keeping my options open at the moment. You?" I saw Derek roll his eyes and scowl at Camden at the words that left his mouth.

"Tucker's having a little celebratory shin dig. I could give you a ride." I contemplated for a moment.

"Oh, I'm sure I could clear my schedule." Camden beamed at me and began backing away.

"Meet you out front in 20!" He called before turning and jogging towards the locker room. Derek glared at me. I quirked an eyebrow at him.

"Cora. You better call Laura or your father or someone for a ride if that boy drinks and tries to drive you home." Talia told me sternly and I nodded obediently. She gave me a loving kiss on the head and a side hug before turning to the other two teens in front of us.

"I'll be in the car. Just meet me when you're ready kids." She said before turning and walking off.

"Really? Camden Lahey?" He asked in mild disgust. I scoffed.

"Oh piss off. He's a total babe. Shit I wasn't planning for this. Paige I need a girls opinion. How do I look?" I asked her glancing down towards my outfit, black skinny jeans, a white tank top, and a flannel shirt. Paige looked nervously between Derek and I before answering.

"You look good. Not slutty, but not prudish either." I nodded my thanks.

"Good, good. That's good I guess. Kinda wish I would've went a tiny bit more slutty though." I huffed.

"Seriously, Cora? Lahey's a tool. He's only taking you to the party so he can try and get in your pants." Derek snapped.

"One can only hope." I said with a smirk. "Seriously D. What is your problem? It's not like I'm ditching you." I told him a little bit of an edge to my voice.

"I just don't want to see my best friend get hurt." I rolled my eyes.

"Okay, well pretty sure he can't hurt my feelings if all I'm trying to get out of this is a good ol' fashioned one nighter."

Paige's eyes widened and Derek rolled his eyes at me.

"Are you serious right now? What the hell's wrong with you?" I shrugged.

"Might as well get the first time outta the way at some point." Derek shook his head at me. He went to speak, but stopped as Paige spoke up.

"I'm gonna go use the restroom." She said softly and rushed off. Derek stared after her dumbfounded.

"Nice one, Cora. You scared her off." He turned to me and scowled. I shrugged my shoulders.

"Oops. Better watch out, D. If that scares her off, what's gonna happen if she ever finds out your secret?"

"Why are you such a bitch sometimes?" He asked going to turn away from me.

"Hey, it's a lot easier to get hurt in a relationship expecting it to go somewhere than it is in a hook up scenario knowing it's not gonna go anywhere. You're my best friend, D. I'm just looking out." Derek turned to look at me and glanced off in the direction that Paige went.

"I really like this girl, C." He told me nervously. I took a step forward and wrapped my arms around him in a hug. His arms wrapped around me as well and contentment washed over me.

"I know. And I hope I'm wrong for your sake." I pulled away from him and smiled softly. "Who knows maybe she'll surprise you." Derek glanced behind and extracted himself fully from our hug and took off towards Paige. I turned and watched as he grabbed her hand and pulled her out the door to head towards his moms truck.

"Bye, D." I mumbled softly before I went to head out front to wait for Camden.


I pulled on my jeans and buttoned them wincing at the slight soreness between my legs. I could feel Camden's eyes on me from his position at the edge of the bed.

"Are you okay? I know the first time can be a little... painful." He asked as he stood pulling on his shirt. I sent him a small reassuring smile.

"I'm fine. Nothing I can't handle." I looked towards the door as a few shouts of excitement from the party below drifted through. "I do think I'm gonna call Laura to come pick me up though. I'm supposed to go help my dad with stock in the morning." I told him. Camden nodded and stepped closer towards me.

"You sure you don't want me to take you? I don't mind." I shook my head.

"No that's okay. You get back to your friends. You deserve some celebration. It'll take Laura a little bit to get here anyway. I'll come hang out while I'm waiting." I told the boy. He sent me a grin and nodded. He reached forward and grabbed my hips pulling me close. I smirked as he leaned down and placed a long kiss against my lips.

"See ya downstairs gorgeous." I pulled out my phone and flipped it open as he was leaving. Scrolling through my contacts I quickly found Laura's number and hit the call button. She picked up after the first ring.

"Hey, what's up? I hear you're at a party with Lahey." I could hear the amusement in her voice.

"Yeah, you wanna come pick me up? I told my dad I'd help him with stock in the morning." Laura hummed on the other end in reply and I could hear her shuffling around.

"Yeah, but on the condition that you stay the night and give me all the juicy details." I snorted.

"Sure. Whatever you want."

"Let me round up the love birds. Paige has to be home in an hour anyway."

"Aight see ya in a bit." I told her before hanging up the phone. I stuffed it back in my pocket and headed back down to the party. Might as well get another drink in before I go.


Thirty minutes, two shots, and a beer later had me out in the makeshift dance area of the back yard dancing and laughing with Camden as I waited for Laura. I spotted Derek before I saw her. Paige was standing next to him looking awkwardly around the party. Large crowds obviously weren't her thing. I leaned forward and placed a kiss against Cam's cheek.

"Looks like my rides here." I told him and nodded towards Derek. Camden frowned slightly but nodded.

"I had a good time tonight." He told me before I walked away. I smirked and winked at him.

"If you're lucky maybe we can do this again sometime." He smirked back and nodded before I turned and headed over to Derek. I spotted Laura a few feet away talking to a girl in her class, just before I spotted the group of three girls standing a few feet away from Derek talking and eyeing up the couple. it was obvious from the cocky look on their faces that they were talking about Paige. I quirked an eyebrow as one broke off and strode towards them.

"Hey Derek. Good game tonight." She said to the boy with a flirty smile and a flip of her hair. I rolled my eyes and stepped up next to Paige and faced the girl.

"Thanks, Chelsea." He told her boredom clear in his voice.

"You know, I've always thought you were cute. Are you staying? Maybe we could hang out?" She told him with a wink. I rolled my eyes and scoffed as Paige shifted uncomfortably.

"Something to say, Cavanaugh?" She asked with a scowl on her face.

"I just think it's funny you're so desperate that youre gonna hit on a guy with his girlfriend standing right in front of you. Are you blind or just stupid?" I asked with a faux curious look on my face. The girl glared at me.

"I'm just letting Derek here know that if he ever wants a real woman, instead of this little band geek prude, the options there."

"Yeah no thanks." Derek said placing his hand in Paige's who shrunk closer to him in embarrassment. I snorted.

"Yeah, makes sense. Because guys are super into the whole throw yourself at anything with a dick thing you got going on."

"Did you just call me a slut?" She asked taking a menacing step closer.

"Cora." Derek warned as the party started to quite down taking in the scene. I could see Camden and Laura pushing their way towards us and Paige shrunk back into Derek even more if that was possible. Chelsea's friends stepped up behind her the same time Laura stepped up next to me. I smirked at Chelsea.

"You said it not me. But if the shoe fits..." I trailed off.

"You really wanna start something with me over some little freak?" She asked the anger clear in her voice. I shook my head.

"Keep talking shit, Chelsea. You're starting to really piss me off." She snorted.

"I just think it's cute that you're the one sticking up for her when it's obvious to everyone you're in love with her boyfriend." I sighed and Laura put a restraining hand on my arm.

"I know you drop your panties for every guy that walks by, but it is possible to you know, not do that. Derek and I are just friends."

"Call me a slut one more time." She told me taking a menacing step forward. I rolled my eyes.

"I'm quaking in my boots. What are you gonna do you? You gonna hit me? Good fucking luck." I told her. I saw it coming before it happened. Her hand curled into a fist at her side. Her arm came up. Laura's hand disappeared from my arm. I grabbed her arm mid air and flung it away quickly bringing up my other arm and delivering a blow to the side of her face. She cried out in shock, and staggered back into her friends.

"You psycho bitch!" She yelled at me as tears began falling from her eyes. I rolled mine as I felt Laura and Derek each grab ahold of one of my arms and start dragging me away. I struggled against the two.

"I'm a psycho bitch? You're the one that swung first dumb ass!" I yelled angrily.

"No wonder your mom crashed! I would've too just so I didn't have to deal with having you for a daughter!" Audible gasps could be heard from multiple people in the crowd. Everything began to drown out around me though as I focused on the girl in front of me.

"What the fuck did you just say to me?" I asked deadly quite. Chelsea smirked. I saw red and threw Derek and Laura's arms off of me. I charged towards the girl reveling in the realization that I saw in her eyes that she was screwed. However, I was stopped by someone grabbing me around the waist and lifting me off the ground.

"Let me go, Derek. You fucking shit."

"Nope. Last thing you need is a fucking murder on your rap sheet." I scowled and stopped my squirming as Derek continued to carry me away from Chelsea. Laura grabbed ahold of Paige's arm and led her away from the party.


Monday as I walked into school behind Derek and Laura I headed off towards my locker as the siblings split off towards theirs. Grabbing my stuff for my first class I headed towards the bathroom before going to class. The warning bell rang just as I was finishing up. Grabbing my stuff I stepped out into the hallway just to see Chelsea and her gang of misfits cornering Paige at her locker. I had apparently missed the beginning of the conversation, but Paige was trying to get away from the girls.

"Oh come on Paige! I'm just trying to help you out. If you try a little harder you might actually be half way decent looking." Paige tried to push past her, but Chelsea grabbed her by the arm and then pushed her back into the locker. Paige's face contorted in pain and I scowled dropping my stuff and heading towards them.

"I mean really I'm just curious how some one like you managed to land someone as hot as Derek." I shoved past Chelsea's friends both of them backing out of my way. I grabbed Chelsea by the back of her hair and pulled her away from Paige. The girl cried out in a mixture of pain and surprise.

"Seriously Chelsea? How dumb are you? Get the fuck out of here." I said glaring menacingly as I shoved her away. Ignoring the girl I turned to Paige, who was obviously shaken up from the scenario.

"Are you okay?" I asked her she nodded hastily before her eyes widened and I was shoved from behind.

"Stay out of my business, Cavanaugh." Chelsea said from behind me. I took in a deep breath before turning around to face the girl.

"Do you seriously wanna do this again? Walk away Chelsea. I'm not gonna warn you again." I told her noticing that there was a small crowd of people gathered. Likely stragglers on their way to class.

"You think you're so tough, Cora. I got news for you, I'm not scared of you." I smirked at the girl as the final bell rang signaling the start of the school day.

"Well, you should be." I told her just before she rushed me. She swung at me, but I stepped away easily. As she worked to regain her footing I struck. My fist connected with her face and she went down. I stepped over her and reached down bringing her closer to me by the front of her shirt. I hauled back and laid one more punch reveling in the crunching sound that was her nose breaking. I felt someone grab me by the waist and haul me away from her.

"Goddamn it Cora! Seriously!" Derek's irritated voice said from behind me as he held me back. Chelsea was screaming and crying on the floor at this point now and Derek set me on my feet.

"What's going on here?" I groaned as the voice of principal Winters drifted to us from a few feet down the hall. He rushed to Chelsea and helped her to stand. He surveyed the scene pointed between me, Derek, and Paige.

"You three. My office. Now!" He said before he took off down the hall taking Chelsea off to the nurse.

"Aw fuck." I grumbled out. Derek rushed over to check on Paige.

"Are you okay?" He asked her worriedly. I scoffed.

"Yeah don't worry about me. It's not like I'm the one that got in the fight or anything." Derek whipped around and glared at me.

"What the fuck were you thinking, Cora? Jesus Christ you might be able to take care of yourself, but you could've gotten Paige hurt!" I glared and spun on my heel and pulled my phone out of my pocket, as I was storming away I heard Paige speak up.

"Derek, she was protecting me." She told him in a disapproving tone.

I quickly dialed the number for the bar and waited for an answer.

"Cavanaugh's." My dads gruff voice drifted over the phone.

"Hey, daddy." I told trying to keep my voice innocent. He sighed over the phone before he responded.

"What'd you do now?" I grimaced at the tone of his voice.

"Well you see... there was this girl giving Derek's girlfriend Paige some shit and then she pushed her up against the locker.. So you know, I had to step in."

"Jesus Christ. Did ya win at least?" I smirked as I approached the principals office and dropped into a seat.

"I may have broken her nose. So you might want to come up here. They're going to be calling you anyway."

"I don't know how I'm not fucking gray yet." I chuckled as Derek and Paige walked in.

"Alright I'm on my way." I pulled the phone from my ear and hung up. Derek dropped into the seat next to me and Paige beside him. The secretary waved Derek forward to call his parents. Paige was silent for a moment before she spoke.

"Thank you." She told me sincerely. I smiled at her. "I'm sorry Derek yelled at you." I shrugged.

"It's okay. He was just worried about you. Incase you haven't noticed yet he's not the best at expressing his emotions correctly. You might say he's emotionally constipated." Paige quirked a smile before it dropped.

"Can I ask you something personal?" I shrugged and reclined lazily in the chair.

"Go for it."

"At the party on Friday, Chelsea said- she- well she said-" I cut the girl off seeing as she was having trouble spitting it out.

"Chelsea said that I'm in love with Derek and you want to know if there's any truth to it." Paige nodded sheepishly and I sighed sitting forward towards her.

"I'm not going to lie to you Paige. I like you and you make Derek happy. And the last thing I would ever want to do is jeopardize that for him." I glanced over at Derek and saw he was still on the phone. "Yes, I love Derek. But it's more than just being in love with Derek. He's been my best friend since I was seven, and his family is like family to me. I'm not selfish enough to ever try to get in the way of his happiness. And Incase you hadn't noticed he is absolutely crazy about you, and has never had any feelings like that for me. So am I in love with Derek? Yes. Do you have anything to worry about? No. I understand if you don't believe me, but I'd rather be honest and not have that kinda shit on my conscious." Paige looked thoughtfully at me for a moment before nodding her head.

"I believe you." Derek approached us then and sat down between Paige and I.

"Paige they want you to call your dad." Derek told her. She nodded and got up going over to call her dad.

"I'm sorry." Derek mumbled out turning to face me. I snorted.

"Yeah yeah. Whatever."

"Thank you, C. Seriously. Paige told me what happened. You were watching her back when I wasn't there and I acted like a dick."

"You're always a dick." I told him with a cheeky smile. He rolled his eyes and shoved me.

"You know I love you right? Just- uh just-"

"Not the same way. I know dude. Don't beat yourself up about it. I know you heard me talking to Paige. Everything I said was true."

"I know."

CarleighAlpha: hey girl thanks so much for your review! I know there's not much CORRK baby in this one but I promise we'll get more into it as soon as I can! Hope you like the new update!!

Twister60: thanks so much for your review!! Hope you like this one!! I know you like flashbacks ;)