Thanks for all the reviews! To clear things up, this is all human—no powers. I promise to keep the stuttering to not as bad, and make Derek a little more concealed. Thanks for being understanding to Derek's a little occ! It means a lot to me. You guys rock!

Ps. I am going to end this soon. I know what you are thinking. "What! It's only two chapters long!" Well, you see, that was the point of this whole point of me writing this story. Short, simple, and sweet! Consider this work more like a three shot.

DISCLAIMER: I own nada.

Just the Way I Like It

Chapter 2

Derek figured that he would be soaring when a girl he likes asked to hang out. For a second, Derek was thrilled that he and Chloe made a get together. But, the more Derek thought about it, it seemed a little rushed and unexpected. Not many people accepted Derek the way Chloe did. So when Simon asked Derek what he thought about Chloe, Derek was lost for words.

"Come on, D. She is perfect for you! You both could compliment each other. You have to have some feelings for her. I know that you don't have an empty pit for a heart," Simon said.

Derek rolled his eyes at this comment. Derek could list many reasons why he liked Chloe. Her whole physical appearance, that cute stutter, how she is different from others, and those eyes. God, those eyes. Derek could stare at them all day if he could. But, how could Derek say that he likes her just for those reasons? Heck, he doesn't even know the girl. He likes her body, and that is no reason to have feelings for her. Derek is not like every other guy—he believes in knowing a girl before dating her.

"She's nice, I guess. We just said about five words. I personally think that she is better for you; she seems more like your type," Derek lied. He would never be selfish enough to date Chloe in any shape or form. She deserved someone right. Plus, her eagerness to become friends would seem more appropriate with Simon. Derek looked down at his hands and wondered how someone would want to be friends with a big, hulky guy.

"Dude, I am not going to lie. She fits the description of my type. But, that doesn't mean I have to like her for it. I saw the way you looked at her when we were walking, and I most definitely understand how you feel right now." Derek opened his mouth to protest, but Simon shushed him. "Bro, you don't think I get you? Let me guess how you are feeling. Hm, confused? Why would someone want to be friends with the most rejected guy in school? How about happy? A beautiful girl who caught your eye wanted to get to know you. And then there are the nerves. I know you are worried and that you think this might be a set-up. But you know what I think to all of your emotions? Forget them. Go on your date, get to know the girl, and then work out everything else later."

Derek stood in silence taking in all of Simon's words. Simon had been correct about everything. Derek never appreciated having Simon for girl issues as much as he did now. He had given Derek a solution to all his negative feelings that are running haywire right now. Just forget them. And that is exactly what he was going to do.

"Hey, Simon. Thank you so—"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Simon replied. Then in an imitation of Derek's voice he said, "Thank you so much. You are the best brother ever. Blah blah blah." Even Derek had to laugh at that one.

xxxXXXxxx

Last period just ended, and Derek's nerves were getting the best of him. Earlier that day, Chloe had given him her locker number and asked him to meet her at it. He hoped that this was a sign that she really wanted to go out with him today. Not many people wanted to be seen with Derek, and it confused him why a girl was suddenly interested in him. Derek made his way up to Chloe's locker to see her having issues with her combination.

"Need help?" Derek asked. He doubted that Chloe would say yes considering it's the code to her locker, but it is always nice to ask. Plus, Derek needed something to say before creating awkward tension. He wasn't very good with words, and from what he knew, neither was Chloe.

"I-I'm good. After m-moving from p-place, I have to r-remember which combination is which," Chloe stated. Derek noticed her stutter wasn't as bad as yesterday's, and he took it as a sign that she was warming up to him. Derek got happy just thinking about her being comfortable talking with him. Derek watched as Chloe thought about what she needed for homework and what she did. Once she finished, she looked up at Derek and said, "Ready?"

"Let's go," Derek smiled at her. Together they walked quietly throughout the halls. Tension was beginning to form once they got further down the hall, so Derek pulled out a trick that he saw Simon use on girls. "Here, let me hold your books for you." Chloe looked relieved once the load was removed from her arms. Derek made a mental note to use that one again.

"S-so, w-where are we going?" Chloe asked.

"Ice cream, then I am going to show you around town a little bit. Well, if you want too," Derek spoke speedily. Even though most of Derek's anxiety had left him, he still was worried about rejection. It seemed sill, though. She is already on the outing with him. Chloe doesn't seem like the person to leave in the middle of a get together.

"Of c-course I d-do, P-please lead the w-way," Chloe smiled. No, she is definitely not the person to stand someone up. She is too nice. Derek walked with her to the ice cream shop. It wasn't too far from school. Chloe and Derek's silence was pleasant, but Derek was still curious why someone so nice would want to be friends with him. The nicest people at their school didn't want to be friends with Derek, either. They didn't stare as much and they weren't rude, but the dislike was still there. Derek could ask her now and ruin their date or he could wait and have tension throughout the whole time. He decided to just get the question out of the way so he wouldn't be guided by some false hope.

"Chloe?" Derek mustered up to say.

"Yes," Chloe replied. She looked up at him, and their eyes locked. Derek almost forgot what he was going to say before she asked, "What's up?"

Derek took a deep breath to give him time to organize his thoughts. "Why me? Out of all the people you could have wanted to be friends with, why did you choose me? I don't know if you are aware of this yet, but being friends with me is social suicide."

Derek and Chloe reached the door to the ice cream shop. Neither of them reached for the door; instead they just looked at each other. Derek's heart was pounding so loud that he wouldn't be surprised if Chloe could hear it.

After a few short agonizing seconds, Chloe opened her mouth to speak, and then shut it. She looked down at her feet as it were easier to speak without looking at Derek. "W-when I c-came o-on the f-first day for r-registration, I h-heard to p-people gossiping. T-they noticed m-me and started telling m-me about you, and t-to stay a-away. I asked w-what was so bad, and t-they t-told me t-that y-you just weren't accepted. They s-said that you were b-bigger t-than m-most, and d-don't have a b-biological family. A-and that's when I knew I w-wanted to b-be your friend. I a-always get m-made f-f-fun of for b-being short and my i-irritating stutter, a-and m-my dad i-is never around so I a-am always on m-my own. B-but what I d-don't understand is why they w-would want t-to be friends w-with me, when I am v-very similar to you," Chloe said shakily. Derek could tell she was nervous by her stutters and by the way she was pulling on her shirt. It took a lot to hear stuff about Derek, and then ignore it. Most people wanted to run and scream when they saw him, but Chloe is different.

"You know," Derek began. "I thought that someone set you up to this at first. Not many people want to be friends with me. They usually get scared and ignore me. But, you saw past that, and it means a lot to me." Derek tried to make his words sound genuine and real because he meant everything he said.

Chloe looked up from her shoes and gave Derek a hug. At first, it was awkward because of height differences, but then Chloe was on her tippy toes, and Derek hunched over a bit. Chloe felt nice in Derek's arms. She molded almost perfectly into him. At that moment, Derek realized that he would take his time with Chloe. He didn't want their friendship to slip over a relationship. Derek would wait for her until she is ready.

Derek doesn't care how long it will take, and it really doesn't matter to him because Chloe is worth it.

xxxXXXxxx

Derek got home later than anticipated that night. He and Chloe lost track of time as they walked around town enjoying their ice cream. Derek was happy that he asked her his long awaiting question beforehand because everything seemed quite easier once that was out of the way. Chloe and Derek found that words came smoother once all the tension was gone. They talked about everything from colleges to childhoods. Sadly, it was 6:30 when Derek realized that he had to go home. So, he dropped Chloe off—with no goodnight kiss—and walked back home.

Derek walked into the door of house anxious to hear what his dad was going to tell him. A) He would ground him. B) He would be excited that he was out with a human. C) A little of both.

Derek made his way to the kitchen to see that dinner was done, and his dad was waiting for him. He didn't seem disappointed, actually he seemed happy.

"Son, do we need to have the girlfriend talk?" Kit asked. Derek rolled his eyes at this question.

With a smile, Derek replied, "Not for a while."

One more chapter! It's kind of an epilogue, but not really. You will see. Like it? Love it? Hate it? Review harshly, please!