Hello Beautiful people! Before I start, I would like to apologize in advance for being absent in writing. My summer is not going as planned at all, not even slightly. I have spent most of the summer in the house taking care of people and I did not enjoy it at all. I feel like its excuse after excuse, but I will do the best I can before my classes start back up again in like 2 weeks. Thank you for being so patient and supportive guys, you don't know how much it means to me. And thank you to those who read Melanin, it means the world to me. Enjoy! And review!

"Change is difficult but not changing is fatal"

-Unknown

Chloe POV

I watched Incy bolt up the stairs, I didn't miss the steady stream of tears on her face. I looked at Derek and he started to walk up the stairs but I stopped him. He gave me a look.

"Can I try?" I asked

Yes I know she is mad at me but maybe if I could explain that I would never ruin their family,she would see that.

Derek nodded and I ran up the stairs, hitting the cases on every other stair.

I walked to Incy's door and knocked softly. I got no response.

"Incy...its Chloe. Can I come in? I just want to talk to you. Just hear me out please and you can make up your mind about everything I say. I deserve a chance to defend myself right?"

I got nothing but silence.

I hoped that would get her to unlock the door and thankfully it did eventually.

I walked into the room as she walked back to her bed. She had her art stuff all over the bed. She went back to her drawing after I closed the door behind me. I don't know where to start and to be honest a small part of me didn't think she would open the door at all.

I took a deep breath and sat down on the edge of her bed that was covered in color pencils and markers.

"Incy why do you think I'm trying to ruin your family?" I was staring at her and she continued to draw.

She looked up at me and frowned. Otherwise she said nothing.

""You know Derek loves you guys to the moon and back so me being here isn't going to change that. I am not-at least- I'm not trying to ruin your family. I think you guys are a beautiful family and like Derek loves you guys and so does Kit and Simon. And Tori and Liz. Even me but I don't think you care about that part-"

I was rambling and this was a terrible idea. I should have let Derek come fix this. This is what I get for trying to be Super Chloe, now I look like a super dickhead. Just because I connected with Iyzo doesn't mean I am going to connect with Incy.

"And I am sorry if you hate me Iyzo." She wasn't responding so I was about to get up and leave in defeat.

Then I heard a mumble of "I don't hate you but I'm not your biggest fan either."

I looked at Incy and she was finally looking at me. Her gaze was intense and I have never felt slightly uncomfortable under the gaze of a 14 year old girl.

"So you don't hate me. That's a start I guess. But why do you think I am ruining your family because trust me that is not my intention at all."

She frowned again and I thought she had shut down on me again but I was wrong.

"because well b-b-b-because I see the way you and Derek are with Iyzo and you guys look like the picture perfect family. I wasn't a part of it. I love Derek and Iyzo but it was easier when it was just the three of us. I don't want to not be a part of Derek's family, he is the only family I have ever knowing. He has been one of the only people to care about me or anything I do. He cares about my stupid drawing, no matter how bad it is. He cares when I tell him I don't want to go to school anymore b-b-because" she looked down at her fingers then continued "I have special problems and they weren't helping me. I see you and Iyzo and she loves you. She talks about you when she thinks no one can hear her. She loved that you like her too. I want- I don't know what I want actually. Maybe I want you to go away forever so it can be just the three of us again or maybe I want you stay because Derek and Iyzo love you so much even if you hate me. M-maybe you guys are better family with just the three of you.I just...I don't know. I don't hate you even though."

I was shocked and I sat there dumbfounded by what I just heard.

Incy felt left out and she was afraid she was going to lose Derek and Iyzo.

She thinks I hate her.

Oh my God.

For the first time in my life, I wanted to grab Incy and hug the life out of her.

I started quietly, "Incy, I don't hate you. Not even close. I thought you hated me so I kinda made a decision not to get in your way or anything because you are a big part of this family.I am so sorry, I made you feel left out but I didn't think you wanted anything to do with me so I just kinda left you alone. This family wouldn't be the same without you. It wouldn't be complete without you. Derek and Iyzo love you more than you will ever know. Did you know Iyzo has been trying to learn to spell your name because she wants to write it on a cake? And Derek, he worries and talks about you all the time. And by the way, He thinks you're planning a prank with Simon that involves his taking a shower with paint." She smiled at that. A genuine smile from Incy.

"They both love you so very much Incy. So does Kit and everyone else. I know how you feel and how scary it is when someone new comes into your life especially when it isn't someone you've known well. Can I tell you a secret?"

She nodded as she pulled her legs to her chest and wrapped her arms around them.

"When my mom died, and years past without my dad bringing anyone new to the house, I assumed it would always just be the two of us and my aunt. So the day he actually brought someone home, I hated her even though she did nothing to deserve my hatred. I hated her because I was afraid she was here to attempt to replace my mom and me in my dad's life. For the whole time span she dated my dad and spent time with me, I hated her. I would act out a little bit just to get my dad's attention but eventually he figured out that I was only doing to get his attention so he stopped giving me it. He stopped bringing her around the house so sometimes he would be gone for weeks at a time. Then they broke up. I never realized how happy she made my dad till she wasn't in his life anymore and I think that's why me and my dad aren't that close anymore. Sometimes I still blame myself for it. I wonder maybe if I hadn't pushed her away maybe he would be happy now. So I know how scary that feeling is, but I can promise you one thing Incy. This family is not a complete family without you."

She smiled again. Two genuine smiles in one hour. Omgosh, this has to be like a world record or something. Then her faltered.

"Is Derek mad at me?" She asked quietly

I smiled and answered no and she took a deep breath .

Then there was silence. It wasn't an awkward silence. More comfortable than awkward.

"So what do we do now?" I asked

"I dunno know" she said, still smiling to herself

"Well lets make a pact right here, just the two of us."

" A pact about what?"

"Well a pact that we will try to be friends and that I will make sure I am not making you feel like isolated in family stuff. So friends or at least acquaintance?" I held my hand out for her.

"at least acquaintance" she took it and shook it.

I laughed at least we were getting somewhere.

"Can I give you a hug?" I asked, knowing damn well I was pushing my luck

Incy made a face, not her usual I-dare-you-to-touch-me face, more like a stop-being-so-embarrassing-woman face.

"Well I am coming in for a hug…." I say as I lean in and hug Incy, she stiffens for second then relaxes a little. I held the hug so she awkwardly patted my back like a mother. I laughed as I let go and stood up from the bed.

"Well shall we go rejoin the pool party and celebrate?" I asked

She nodded as she closed and her sketchbook and hopped off her bed. We walked out of her room and started walking down stairs.

Derek was sitting at the last stair, looking at his phone. When he heard us coming, he turned around and got him in the same movement.

"All better?" He asked Incy as she reached him.

"Yeah. Derek, I'm sorry-y" she said quietly

Derek pulled her into a hug and smiled, "its alright. Its all those teenage hormones floating around in your body. Ugh the next few years should be very interesting. No boys with tattoos!"

Incy blushed and responded "Okay okay. What about piercings?"

"I can see the gray hairs on my head growing already. Go to the pool and get something to eat before Simon eats the house." Derek answered

Incy nodded and ran off.

"Derek, don't you have a tattoo? Because I am pretty sure you do." I said smiling

Derek rolled his eyes, "Of course I do but she doesn't need to remember that in this particular moment Princess."

"Don't call me that Souza."

"Yeah yeah" Derek's hands found my waist and pulled me closer, his lips finding mine before I realized what was going on. My hands went around his neck and I don't know how long we stood there but eventually we came up for air.

Derek had a beautiful smile on his face, "Thank you" he said

I smiled back as he led me back to the pool, hands intertwined and all.

I could get used to this.

Chloe Souza does have a ring to it….

A/N: Thank you guys for reading and writing reviews, they make my days guys! So review this chapter because I loved it and it wasn't what I planned but here it is. I hope you guys can understand where Incy's insecurities are coming from! Thanks again!