Author's Note: Edited.

Enjoy!

Forbidden

Distractions

I decided not to force anything with Nate considering our fragile relationship at the moment, so my free Tuesday before the new term started came and went with me turning in my course dream sheet alone as well as catching up on some laundry, cleaning around my dorm room and checking up on the latest news from the cinematic universe.

Around two in the afternoon, I found myself rather bored having finished cleaning my room and reorganizing my supplies in my book bag in preparation for classes to resume the following day. So, I did something I hadn't done since New Year's and hadn't intentionally done since given the opportunity back before Christmas break.

I called Derek.

"Hello?"

"Hi." I said, smiling when I heard his gruff voice on the other end of the line.

"I'm afraid I'm busy, Ms. Saunders. I have quite a few preparations to make for the new term and I don't have the time to chat with old students."

For a second, my brain stuttered. Ms. Saunders? Since when did he revert back to addressing me by my last name? And old student? I wasn't calling him for academic reasons. I was calling him because he was my boyfriend- or so I thought- and I wanted to hear his voice.

What the hell-

"Um, that was a joke." Derek muttered after a minute where I hadn't replied.

"Oh." I said, mind gathering this new information and processing it into our conversation.

"And a really bad one, apparently. So much for Simon's idea of an icebreaker during the first phone call. I should have known better than to listen to his relationship advice."

As Derek rambled quickly the situation clicked in my brain and I realized that he was nervous. So nervous that he was taking horrible dating advice from his own brother- which didn't really surprise me that he was aware of which as I'm sure Simon badgered Derek about me as much as Liz did the same to me about Derek.

Suddenly, I was laughing.

"It really wasn't that funny of a joke, Chloe." Derek deadpanned.

"No," I giggled. "It wasn't funny at all. That's why I'm laughing."

"Whatever." He mumbled in a tone where I could just imagine him rolling his eyes as well.

There was a pause and then he asked, "Isn't there a rule where we can't talk to each other for three days or something?"

I was laughing again, this time so hard that I was doubled over on my bed gasping for air when I was finally done.

"T-that's after you first get a girl's number, Derek." I rasped out through fits of laughter.

"Oh."

"Let me guess. More of Simon's expertise?"

"Shut up."

It took a lot of effort but I kept my giggles to a minimum.

"I think you should just stick to your own thing and toss all your brother's advice out the window."

"That would probably be best." He replied after a snort.

I wanted to ask him what he was doing, how he was feeling, what he's been thinking about since the day before. But it all seemed too cliché to do over a phone call. We were just starting out this thing after making a huge leap as far as relations went. Yesterday morning, he had been my teacher. Today, he was my boyfriend. And though I knew I was going to see him tomorrow when classes resumed, it would merely be as his student again. I really wanted to see him outside the whole school environment without the interruption of work like all those times he came to the diner.

The diner was a common interest and did seem like the ultimate icebreaker, however, and it appeared as if the two of us still needed that.

"So, I was thinking about heading to the Michael's for dinner." I said. "I was wondering if you wanted to join me."

Though I knew how Derek felt about me, I still felt an uneasy squirm of nervousness in my gut at my request. Despite our status, rejection was still a factor and I felt like a silly school girl asking the popular, cool guy out on a date. Not that it was necessarily a date. Just a mere get together since the two of us had the day off and an opportunity to relate to one another without math having anything to do with whatever conversation we might have.

There was a sigh on the other end of the receiver and my heart sank.

"I'd love to, Chloe, but the part about preparing for the new term wasn't exactly a joke. I have to finish my weekly lesson plans and I procrastinated enough by going out and tossing around a football with Simon."

Though I still felt the stab of rejection, my curiosity became the dominant emotion.

"You play football?"

An amused chuckle. "Recreationally. I was never on a team or anything. Moving around a lot made the concept unappealing to me. It was more Simon's thing anyways, but with basketball."

"Huh." I stated simply, mind veering in a direction that held an imagining of a younger Derek yielding Buffalo High School's colors in a football letterman jacket. I had never really been the jock type, but the image did suit his build quite nicely.

"Yeah. So, I'm afraid I'll have to decline your offer for tonight. You do work this weekend though, right?"

"Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but I was kind of hoping work wouldn't get in the way if we were to meet up." I answered.

"I'm sure we'll figure something out." Derek rumbled. "However, for now, I'll be sure to stop by Saturday morning. I could go for some of that pie."

I laughed.

"I'm starting to think that you only befriended me for Michael's pie."

"Definitely. Because it sure as hell wasn't because of your mathematical talents."

"Hey!" I scoffed.

"No offense." He added.

"Yeah right."

There was a light chuckle on the other end and though I was already smiling like a giddy child, I felt my stomach erupt into a fit of flutters at a sound that I knew was reserved for only those who were important to Derek.

"So, I'll see you on Saturday then?" Derek asked, tone holding just the slightest hesitation. I smirked.

"Well, I suppose if you just happen to show up, I'll have no choice in the matter."

Derek snorted and gave a quick teasing remark before expressing that he really had to get back to his lesson plans. He promised to come by the diner early Saturday morning while business was slow and then signed off, leaving me stretched out on my bed and grinning like an idiot. If he was really convinced that he wouldn't be seeing me until Saturday, he was sure in for a surprise.

I knew there had been a reason why I had chosen to skip Physics when Nate had opted into taking it right away the previous year. It was boring. As I left Professor Wang's introduction lecture, I couldn't depict whether I was more eager to leave because I was minutes from passing out to the sound of the physics teacher's low droning voice or that I was just a few classrooms and moments away from Derek's class. Either way, it was a good thing that I had signed up for the follow-on honors course, that way I'd have something to look forward to as I suffered through the mind draining subject.

Well, less of something and more of someone.

Walking into Derek's lecture hall, just like I had done the whole term before, I stole a glance towards his desk. He wasn't paying much attention to the students filing in. Instead he had his back to the classroom, his daily apple in his right hand as he wrote the lesson on the chalkboard with his left. I cocked my head to the side noticing this. I hadn't ever realized that he was left handed. In fact, I had always just assumed that he used his right hand.

Actually, it wasn't really an assumption. I could have almost sworn that he was right handed, as much time as I had admired him from afar and watched him while in class, I had always seen his dominant of the two be his right.

Perhaps the new fact about him that I hadn't known was not that he was left handed, just ambidextrous. I couldn't help smiling at this fact. I loved the thought that I still had so much to learn about Derek and that I actually had the chance and the time to.

I decided that I would just take my regular seat in the back though I somewhat regrettably didn't have Nate to neighbor me. However, when I found myself at my desk, Nate's was occupied by a light haired girl I recognized from my English class. Miranda I think her name was.

"Do you have this seat saved for anyone," I asked her politely, knowing full well that she was a rather popular girl and had a plethora of friends that she might want to sit with. After all, since I didn't have Nate to accompany me, I didn't have to sit in any particular spot.

Miranda's pretty hazel eyes met mine and she smiled nicely enough, recognition igniting in her orbs.

"Hey, weren't you in Professor Carter's lectures with me last term? Chloe, right?"

"Yeah, that's me. Actually, I'll still be in Professor Carter's class. I decided to take the follow-on." I answered with a shrug. Miranda gasped.

"No way, me too! Oh and yeah, you can have this seat. None of my friends wanted to take honors calculus with me, meaning I'm on my own. But it's nice to see a familiar face."

I nodded an agreement and took the seat next to her, finding it personally funny that she reminded me somewhat of Liz as being rather chatty.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. I was in second year calculus last term with my best friend and he wouldn't even consider continuing. I'm actually surprised that I convinced myself to take another math class when I have more than enough credits already."

I was merely trying to make conversation before class started and Derek finally realized that I was here. Though Miranda and I had never even once said a simple hello to each other, she seemed pleasant and it wouldn't hurt to have a partner to get through the class with if I couldn't have Nate. Except, she gave me a slightly knowing and cheeky grin at my words and I was suddenly under the impression that I should regret my decision to have taken the seat next to her.

"It's because the math teacher is a total hottie, isn't it?"

"Excuse me," I blanched, taken off guard. Miranda smirked.

"Don't think you're fooling anyone, Chloe. I'm on to you."

At her words my heart staggered. What was that supposed to mean? On to what? Did she know about Derek and I, about our less professional and more personal relationship?

"Gosh, you're blushing like a ripe little tomato." Miranda laughed. "So I'm right then?"

"R-right about w-what?" I asked.

"Come on, Chloe. I know you're only in this class because of Professor Souza. I can tell because that gorgeous man is the only reason in hell I'd sign up for an honors class, let alone one about math. I suck at math. I kind of have this crazy little fantasy that he'll have pity on me and will offer to tutor me and then, well, you know." She finished, waggling her eyebrows.

I stared at her for a moment, brain trying to comprehend, trying so damn hard to piece together what she was saying. Something in the back of my head nagged and expressed that I should have been wary, or maybe even jealous as any normal girlfriend would have been about hearing her boyfriend being talked about in such a way by another girl. However, my movie brain put Miranda's 'fantasy' together in my head and I wound up busting up with laughter from what my imagination came up with.

"That sounds like the beginning to an awful porno."

Although, I shouldn't really poke fun. After all, the beginning of Miranda's fantasy with Derek had in fact been my reality. Just far more innocent and relative. Miranda giggled along with me and shrugged nonchalantly.

"Hey, for someone that rugged, I'll take what I can get."

"Good lord," I chortled.

I didn't have anything to worry about. Miranda just had a little more crude of a humor than I did and she was only having some fun. What was important was that she had no idea about me and Derek and that pushed away any jealousy I might have towards even the slightest chance of Miranda living out her dirty little desire with NYU's best looking math Professor.

We moved on to different topics and chatted a bit before the bell sounded, signaling that class was beginning. The class settled as Derek- in full blown Professor Souza mode- called it to order.

"Good morning, students. Welcome to honors calculus, I am your instructor, Professor Souza. If you're looking for third year calc or you're not even sure how the hell you wound up in a math class while searching for a less meaningful subject as perhaps liberal arts, the door is there." He gestured towards said door with a jerk of his chin before picking up his clip board sitting on his desk.

"However, though any of you are free to leave if you don't desire to be here, stay long enough for me to take role from my roster. That way I can give your place to someone who wants it sitting on the waitlist."

Derek read through his roster and only a couple students informed him that they didn't want to be in the course. He filtered through the names without looking up from his list. As he reached the R's I couldn't help the leer from tugging at my lips.

"Caitlyn Ruthmore."

"Here."

"Ramon Santos."

"Yeah."

"Chloe Sau-"

Derek's head shot up and his eyes instantly trained to my seat, jade orbs meeting mine as the rest of my name slipped between his lips. His brows bent just a fraction, his true colors seeping through his professionalism as he seemed to ask What the hell are you doing here, Chloe? with his look.

"Here." I replied, smirk growing.

Derek frowned and there was just the smallest hint of a roll in his eyes when he glanced back down at his roster and continued to call names. I sat back into my seat, crossing my arms in somewhat of a victorious manner as I observed him. I knew he could feel my eyes on him, for his shoulders tensed just slightly and his features were taut. I was sure that he wasn't mad, just a little peeved by the surprise.

Derek didn't like surprises. Good to know.

The class wasn't anything more than an introduction as to what we would be accomplishing this term as well as all of Derek's expectations and class regulations, which weren't any different than the previous term. He was sure that most of his students wouldn't be too focused on the lesson considering it was only the first day and he didn't want to get too far ahead when he would be expecting a few new students come Friday due to the now open slots. So he simply read through the syllabus, informed the class to read over the fourth chapter in our textbooks, then released us ten minutes early.

When I wasn't in any hurry to leave the classroom, Miranda asked if I was coming and I simply told her that I had a couple questions to ask Professor Souza. She winked and bounced out of the room. Not without uttering 'Goodbye, Professor Souza,' and giving him a cute little wave before passing through the door frame. Derek had merely nodded in her direction, then dropped his syllabus atop his desk once the door clicked shut and tossed me a stern look.

"Chloe, what are you doing?"

"What?" I asked, batting my lashes innocently. I leaned against the back of my desk before continuing.

"I can't take advantage of how great my credit sheet will look after I ace the follow-on to my second year calculus course?"

A snort. "Yeah, I'm sure that's why you decided to sign up for this class."

I clutched the left side of my chest in a very Simon-like manner, portraying to be wounded by his words. Derek rolled his eyes and made his way around his desk.

"Of course it is, Professor Souza. Why else would I have-"

"-volunteered for a course on your least favorite subject?" Derek finished for me, moving closer. "I think I have an idea."

"Actually," I said. "I think I'll have to change my least favorite subject to physics, which I completely and entirely volunteered for with academic reason. So, really, you're argument is invalid."

Derek stopped in his trek as he was drawing closer to me and gave me a perplexed look, nose scrunching in displeasure.

"Physics is not that bad."

"It's boring. How and why you majored in it, I have no idea."

"How can physics be boring? Maybe you just need someone to explain it to you better."

I shrugged.

"Well, that's what I have you for. Unlike your invaluable reasons to use me for the diner's pie, I was smarter about it. I'm using you for your brain so that I can get myself through classes and lectures on things I really don't need."

I got a look for that one. Soon, though, it became a smirk and he closed the rest of the space between us. Derek, leaned forward and placed his hands against the desk on either side of me, caging me there. His green eyes met and held mine, doing that thing where he looked at me so intensely, I wouldn't be surprised if I'd melt into a puddle of mush at his feet.

"This is a very rigorous course, Chloe. Mathematical theories and equations can be broken down into thousands of connected ideologies and logistics. So, though a lot of what you're going to see in this course may seem familiar, they're not. Do you think you can handle it?"

I swallowed audibly, for the first time really thinking about what I might have to endure in this class. Calculus had already been hard enough. Of course an honors class would be more challenging. But, Derek had taught me all the tricks to grasping, understanding and not second guessing myself as I worked. On top of that, he was an exceptional teacher.

It might be tough, but I was sure that I was more than capable of managing it. If anything, my boyfriend would be able to help me if I got stuck.

"I know I can handle it," I answered.

Derek's lips twitched, forming that small smile of his.

"If you're sure then. However, you'll need to be pretty focused. There's no room for distractions."

"And what do you mean by distractions?"

Derek leaned closer and I happily met him halfway. His lips brushed mine gently, making my heart stagger. He hovered there, waiting and I inched closer, ready to leap away from my desk in order to make the full connection.

Derek pulled back a fraction of an inch and it took me a minute to realize that he was making me chase him for it. When he figured out that I made the discovery, he stood up straight and smirked at me.

"That's what I mean by distractions." He rumbled. I fixed him with a frown which caused him to chuckle.

Ambidextrous, doesn't care for surprises and a complete tease. I definitely still had much more to learn.