Dedicated to Y O U for reading this:) Disclaimed...
Claire walked up the stairs to call Derrick and Massie. It was 7:46 in the morning, and Claire had been up since five. It was sort of Claire's thing; she's been waking up at five since she was 9—and it didn't even matter what time she would go sleep. She always woke up at five on the dot (Dez's thing:]). Massie and Kristen were the only people who knew that.
Walking up the stairs, she slowed down. Was it wrong that she had developed a little crush on Derrick, even if Derrick loved Massie? And what about Kristen? How would she feel about this news? And what if Massie found out about Derrick's feelings for her? Will she love him back? And was it wrong that Claire secretly wished she wouldn't so that he could fall for her? Claire sighed. This was all Derrick's fault.
If he didn't look so darn good, and if he didn't have the greatest personality in the world, I wouldn't have fallen for him. Ugh, why did he have to be so cute? she thought.
She sluggishly trudged up the stairs again, thinking about last night. Seven steps away from the top step, she stopped again. She plopped down on the stairs and rested her chin in her hand. She stared off into the distance, thinking…
_xoxoDDLSG_
"So this is Massie, huh?" Derrick asked.
"Yep," Claire replied. Claire enviously glanced at the limp body that was being carried by Derrick's strong, muscular arms.
"She's gorgeous, huh?"
Claire twitched slightly, but agreed. It's not like Massie was ever ugly, so I should just tell truth.
"I really missed her when I was gone," Derrick murmured. When he said this, his chocolate brown eyes flickered to Claire for only a little bit before returning to Massie's angelic face.
Claire nodded. They reached top step and walked to the end of the hallway. Claire opened the brown door and Derrick went in first. He carefully placed Massie on the huge bed, tucked her in, and kissed her forehead.
A knife dug through Claire's heart. Not only had she always wished to be Massie, but at this particular moment, she seriously craved to be Massie. "I need to change her clothes," she whispered.
Derrick nodded, eyes glued on Massie.
Claire bit her tongue and walked out the room. Searching through her closet in her room, she grumbled to herself. She was angry; angry at Massie, at Derrick, at Kristen… But mostly at herself.
It was unfair to her. Derrick had been Claire's neighbor first. They've lived near each other, and their families were good friends. But then again, Massie was beautiful and the awesomest person in the world. Who wouldn't fall for her?
She went deeper into her walk-in closet and pulled out a colossal box labeled, "Clothes I'll Never Wear". She pulled open the flap and duh through the available clothes. She pulled out purple and white shorts and a light pink tank top. Massie was into shorts and flip-flops. She was just that sort of person who could pull it off in winter.
She ambled casually back into the room and threw the clothes on an oak cabinet. Claire was surprised to see Derrick staring at a portrait of Claire taken last year. She walked up right next to him.
"You know, you should have more pictures of yourself. You're really pretty in that innocent way," Derrick commented.
Claire felt the blood rush to her face. "Thank you," she squeaked.
Derrick glanced her way and smiled. "No problem. You know, I've always wanted to ask you something."
"What?" Claire shifted her body so that half of it was turned to Derrick.
Derrick made the same motion. Sighing, he asked, "Why did you ignore me? Every time I talked—or at least tried to talk to you, you completely ignored me. Do you, like, hate me? Did I do something to hurt you?" His brown eyes sparkled with genuine concern.
Claire's jaw dropped only slightly. Shaking her head, she answered, "No. Believe me, I would've talked to you." Claire was half-lying and half telling the truth. She was guilty that she hadn't talked to her neighbor, but Massie was her best friend, and Derrick treated her like crap.
Derrick nodded. "Why didn't you, then?"
Claire's eyes widened. Was it possible that she had to lie to Derrick? Clare had never done that before. The last time she lied, she was eaten up by guilt and told the truth. And that was just 'cause she ate a cookie when Judi said not to. Plus, that was back in the fifth grade. Who says that I can't lie again? she thought. Clare took three deep breaths.
Derrick raised an eyebrow. "Claire, are you okay? You look kinda pale."
Oh, great, now I look like a nerd. You know what? The truth sounds perfect right now. "Because you treated Massie differently," she whispered.
Derrick strained to hear her. "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you. What?" He tilted his head to her and stumbled a step forward.
Clare took another deep breath. "Because you treated Massie differently," she answered, a little bit louder this time. She averted her eyes and scrutinized the portrait again.
Derrick's eyebrows shut up and disappeared behind his shaggy hair. "Excuse me?"
"I said you treat"—Claire shot the sleeping Massie an impatient glare—"differently."
"Say it again?" Derrick demanded. Was she seriously saying that to me?
"Ugh, are you deaf or just plain stupid?" Claire hissed at him impatiently. Her eyes bugged wide and she held her hands out. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean that. Please forgive me. I'm so sorry, it just slipped."
Derrick chuckled. "It's okay. But… What do you mean when you say that I treat Massie differently?"
Claire shrugged. "You know—pulling her hair, teasing her… Things someone like you would do." She offered him a "Sorry" glance.
Derrick faltered.
Claire continued on, seeing that he wouldn't say anything else. "So, why did you do it? I mean, how could you do that? Massie is so nice. How could you be such a…" She furrowed her eyebrows and bit her bottom lip. "Sorry for this word, but why were you such an ass to her?" Claire wrinkled her button nose in disapproval of her word.
Derrick looked around the room. Nothing but Massie caught his eye. He smiled at her beauty. He finally plopped himself down on the ground, near Massie. "It's 'cause I love her." He rubbed his hands slowly together, avoiding eye contact with Claire.
She blinked. Narrowing her eyes slightly, she sat down next to Derrick. She clasped her hands together and asked, "What? How can you say that? If you love someone like you say you do, you don't treat them like crap." Claire bit her tongue because she hated saying those kinds of words.
Derrick half-smiled. "It's 'cause I don't want her to know how I feel. It's kind of cheesy, don't you think?" He shrugged.
Claire raised an eyebrow. "You love her?" she guessed. It hurt too much to say that.
He nodded slowly. "I've loved her since the first time I saw her. I know it's a crappy excuse, and it may not seem real, but I love her. And I won't stop loving her. She just… completes me, you know?" he confided.
Claire nodded, even if she didn't get it. And she wasn't planning on getting it.
_xoxoDDLSG_
Claire gulped and wiped a tear that rolled down her cheek. "What the heck…" she muttered. "Am I crying over Derrick? You better not, Claire. Stop yourself this instant." She tilted her head back so that the tears didn't escape.
"Don't, Claire, stop it." She rubbed her eyes and stayed seated on the stairs.
She had fallen for Derrick's sweetness. But how? How could I have been so… Claire? She furrowed her eyebrows and sniffled. Yuck, yuck, yuck! Gosh, I'm so dumb!
In frustration, she gripped the banister, pulled herself up, and stomped her feet.
Claire had fallen for boys a number of times before. There was Dempsey Solomon, who didn't know Clare was alive, and there was Landon Crane, who asked Clare out to make Allie-Rose Singer jealous. She promised herself that it'd never happen again.
But why do I always seem to break my own promises? she asked herself. Because I'm not strong enough, a tiny voice answered her own question.
She sniffled and closed her eyes. Derrick's face popped into vision. She gasped lightly and twirled the ends of her hair. It was a nervous/scared habit, and right now, she didn't know what to feel.
Claire shook her head and decided that it'd be best to go up there and call them down for a talk, even if she didn't exactly know what to talk about. Pursuing her climb, she patted her hair to straighten it. Walking down the hall, she heard the two bickering.
Claire sighed. Good thing my parents aren't here, she thought. She opened the door and saw Derrick's hot body—Jeez, Claire—on the bed, catching pillows that Massie threw at him.
Claire gasped loudly at the sight of Derrick's flawless six-pack. "Uh… Massie, you naughty girl?" Claire said. It came out sounding like a question.
Massie froze. One hand was in the air, gripping onto a pillow. She was just about to throw it when she heard Claire. Massie raised an eyebrow.
"Thank God you came Claire!" Derrick heaved. In both of his hands he held pillows. He was on his knees on the bed.
Claire blushed.
Massie saw the exchange and rolled her eyes. "Don't even think it, Lyons." Massie shot Claire a knowing look.
Derrick's face lit up with amusement. "Ooh, jealous, Mass?" he teased.
"Ha, you wish I was!" she retorted.
Derrick's face fell a little, something that Claire caught. She felt bad for him, but she hated Massie for making him feel unwanted. I mean, that was so long ago when he bullied her. She doesn't have to be so hurtful. Claire huffed a little and wondered why she was acting a little bit meaner than usual.
Derrick rolled his eyes and smiled again at Claire who pressed her lips together. There was an awkward silence that filled the room. "Uh," Claire began. "Can you tell me why you're shirtless?" She directed her glance to Derrick.
He smirked. "Massie."
Claire's eyes widened as Massie rolled her eyes. "Claire, it's not what you think," Massie answered calmly.
"Then what is it?"
"Derrick," she spat angrily, "was talking about how so many girls loved him because he was 'hot'." She put air quotes on the last word.
"Well, look at him," Claire mumbled absentmindedly.
Sadly for her, the vibrations bounced off the walls and into Derrick's and Massie's ears. Massie's jaw dropped and Derrick blushed momentarily.
He regained composure and chuckled. "Thanks, Claire. Seriously, two saves in a row? You're my angel, dear." Derrick winked at Claire playfully, making her crimson.
Massie smiled and jokingly rushed over to Claire and took her by the shoulders, gripping them gently. Massie shook Claire and shouted, "How can you say that?" What did he put you on? Are you on drugs?" Massie buried her face into her hands and her muffled voice cried, "My sweet, sweet Claire, what's happened to you?"
Claire raised an eyebrow and rolled her eyes—something that she did on rare occasions. "Mass, stop it," she giggled. "I'm not, not, not on drugs, and never, never, never will I be." Claire smiled.
Massie knew that she was telling the truth. Repeating things three times was the way Claire emphasized things. She looked up from her hands and laughed.
Beautiful laugh, Derrick thought in awe. How could he have hurt someone so angelic? Because I was stupid. Derrick bit his bottom lip and laughed along with her.
Claire winced at how musical it all sounded. She wished she and Derrick could share something like that. Snapping out of her reverie, she remembered what she had to tell Massie. "Uh, Mass, I asked Mom if you could stay over. She said yeah. Apparently, Ma told Mother that Derrick was here. Kris should be here in a few hours. Uh, Mom asked what you would need."
Claire sniffed the air for a minute and smelled a faint Axe scent.
Claire wrinkled her nose. Yuck. How come I didn't smell that earlier?
Derrick scratched his flawless four-pack. "Well, I am very confused. How many moms do you have?" The question was directed to Claire, but he was ogling at Massie, who seemed content to just stand there with her tones arms stretching.
"Uh, see, Kendra, Massie's mom, said to call her Mom. Judi, my ma said to call her Ma, and Martha, Kris's mom, said to call her Mother. So, that's what we do. We don't feel comfortable saying stuff like, 'Your mom,' or 'aunt'. We find each others' parents to be our own." Claire smiled at Derrick who grinned appreciatively back.
Claire's cheeks reddened.
Massie bent down and touched her toes.
Damn, Derrick thought.
Massie seemed to remember that there was an Unwanted Flirting "Object" in the room. She instantly straightened her back and glanced at Derrick's perfectly sculptured build. Ugh, why does he have to be so cute? she thought. Oh, ew, Mass. Jeez, you are such a slut! I thought I was supposed to be mourning Chris? Why aren't I? God, I hate boys.
Massie looked at her bare feet. She wondered how long she felt like staying.
"Mass? So?" Claire pressed.
Massie nodded and answered, "Uh, clothes? And my guitar. Or you know what, I'll just go home and get my stuff. I need to tell my parents that I'll here for at least a week."
Derrick's face lit up. "Want me to go with you?" he asked.
Claire's heart tore into two. Her eyes slightly watered, but she was able to blink it back. She sighed and Massie glanced her way. Claire replaced her heartbroken face with a wide, innocent Claire smile.
But Massie knew something was wrong. She always knew when Claire or Kristen was sad or had a problem. It was her special power. She raised an eyebrow at Claire and examined her every move.
Derrick frowned. He put on his red t-shirt and got out of the bed. Massie looked too distracted, so he decided to anger her. Just one last time, he thought mischievously.
Claire was standing, watching Derrick move towards Massie. Massie oblivious to Derrick's mischievous movement. She was too busy watching Claire.
Is she heartbroken? But from who? It can't be Derrick, right? I mean, she keep blushing, though. But that's ridiculous. Claire has been on my side for too long. And Kristen is the one who likes Derrick, not Claire But that could change. Ugh, Derrick is so—
"Holy crap!" Massie shouted.
Derrick wrapped his arms around Massie's waist and hitched her onto his shoulder.
Massie screamed. "Aah! Put me down, Derrick Luke Harrington! Aah!" She flung her arms and kicked her legs, but Derrick was stronger. In the back of her mind, she found that sort of attractive, that he was so strong.
Derrick laughed in amusement. "If you say so," he chortled.
Massie's eyes widened. "What are you gonna do, what are you gonna do, what are you—" Massie gave one final scream and before she knew it, Derrick slammed her on the soft, plush bed.
She bounced twice before her body finally settled.
Derrick was learning over her. Her eyes widened as she saw Derrick's toothy, cocky grin. His hair was in his caramel brown eyes.
Massie thought that that was really cute. Oh, shit, Massie, stop it. God, I'm such an ass. "Get off me, Derrick," she hissed through clenched teeth.
Derrick was holding himself up with his hands, which were placed on either side of Massie's head.
Derrick liked that he was this close to Massie. He always longed to hold Massie, but this was close enough. Except, it's not what I want, he thought sourly.
Claire's heart was now officially broken into minuscule pieces. She was breathing heavily and the anger in her was boiling.
Derrick didn't even remember Claire being there, but Massie did. She lifted her head up and bit Derrick's arm.
He laughed. "That doesn't hurt, but that did turn me on. I like my girls feisty and hard to get." He winked.
Massie, to his surprise, laughed.
Derrick joined in.
The sound was like a whole symphony to Derrick. He stopped laughing so that he could listen to her laugh. It's always better the second time around, he thought.
The three didn't even notice the door fling open and a voice cried, "Oh, my God! How scandalous!"
A/N: =3
Review, dahhhh-lings?
Pizzazz,
xoxoDDLSG