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Chapter VII

Chapter 7

D e r e k

"Derek, wait up!" 

I keep on walking, hoping to lose her in the crowd, but unlike before. She catches up to me, taking my arm in her hold.  

"What's going on between you two." I remove my arm out of her hand and try to walk around, but her stubbornness clouds her head as she moves in front of me, blocking my path. I contemplate on moving her myself, but instead, I lean back onto the wall and stay silent. 

Her shoulders visibly relax as she quickly examines me.  "What's going on between you and that girl." 

My hands clench at her words. "Why do you care."

"Because last time I checked-" she steps a bit closer "-we were supposed to stay together." The slight sadness in her voice causes me to feel guilty, but this is what she's known for. Manipulating emotions to get what she wants. 

I shake my head. "Zoe move on. We only dated for a month. Besides, what I do now doesn't concern you."

"No, it does. Yeah, we only dated a month- one I won't forget." She glances around before setting back on me. Her emotions masked back to what she's become now. "I don't like her. Maybe you should be careful. Besides, you can do better at least, and judging by the way Luke and her seem to be getting along..."

My brows narrow, and all guilt quickly evaporates, replaced with a new and a different type of anger. 

"Look, Zoe. Leave her alone." Her eyes widen at my tone, but she instantly composes herself and lets a small smirk play on her lips. "Fine, I'll leave her alone, but just know that I'll do anything in my power to get you back on my side." 

She quickly leaves before I can respond, leaving me glancing around in what seems like hope of finding Amanda- alone without Luke insight.

~~~~~

"Dude, I'm fucking nervous."

"What are you talking about?" I look up at him from across the table, and sure enough, he looks nervous as hell. The most he's ever been. Not even during his basketball games is he this anxious.

"Remember that new girl, Linda?" My hand suddenly grips the fork I'm holding. "What about her?" 

A smile tugs on his mouth as he gazes down at the untouched food placed in front of him. 

"I asked her if she wanted to go to the movies with me tonight."

"What did she say." Please tell me she said no. Please tell me she denied you, But now these days I don't seem to have such luck.

"She said yes."

"Why did you do that?" My voice sounds rushed, angry even, but he doesn't seem to notice. 

"Do what?"

"Ask her?" I can feel my hand start to go numb as the fork digs more into my skin. 

"Because... because I think I like her."

~~~~~

I shake my head. Trying to clear these memories that Zoe seemed to have brought back. 

Come on, Derek. Grab what your going to get and go. 

I park close by the entrance and quickly enter. The mall isn't as crowded as it is on the weekend, but there is a lot of people, more than usual. However, as I go in and out of stores, nothing seems to draw my attention. I can't get her another stuffed animal, perhaps jewelry. Yet what if she doesn't want jewelry, especially after-

The sound of laughter draws my attention and from here, I make out a figure get carried- followed by her friends who watch her. My body stiffens as my eyes meet Brenda, which then immediately land on her in his arms. Causing my body to react in a way I haven't felt before.

Just seeing her in his hold reminds me of what Zoe mentioned earlier, and a feeling from years ago seems to resurface. Anger, disappointment, failure. I don't have a chance now, just like I didn't have a chance before. Once again, I've seemed to have lost to something I wasn't aware of before. 

Fuck. I shake my head. Come on, Derek, what the fuck is going on with you. Linda, remember her. Linda. She's the one you l-

Her eyes meet mine, causing me to forget these crazy thoughts swimming in my head, but not all. I can see her squirm in his arms until he finally sets her down, much to his dismay. The second her feet touch the ground, she starts walking towards me and at this. I notice Luke tense as everyone freezes and stares after her. She closes the distance between us, stopping in front of me with a small smile on her lips.

"Hi," She says, her voice soft and gentle. I can't help but think of Linda.

Stop it Derek Linda's not here.

"Hey." Her smile slightly falls at my expression. Fuck. I quickly smile at her, but her eyes don't seem to buy it. However, she doesn't press on my mood. Good, cause even I'm not sure of what the hell I'm feeling.

The rest come up behind her, looking at me with curious eyes except Luke. Who has no problem glaring at me.

"What are you doing here?" Amanda asks, raising a brow. I shrug, glancing at the stores around us before turning to her again. She seems guarded, and I find myself hating it. I quickly think of something, something that would ease this unknown tension between us. "I was following you actually," I joke. Watching as her eyes widen and her cheeks turn a slight shade of pink. There it is. The Amanda I know. 

I let out a chuckle. "I'm kidding. I'm here to buy a gift for someone." I say, noticing the group stiffen. Perhaps that's why I'm all over the place today. My countdown has began and just watching as the days seem to be passing by in a blur is causing me to become unease.

"Oh umm cool," she responds, biting her bottom lip.

For some reason, I want to hold her. I want to make her feel safe. Make her happy like she is now. I want to-

Derek stop.

"Derek, we're going to a party tomorrow night. If you would like to come?" Brenda says, breaking me out of my thoughts.

I look back at Amanda and see her looking down deep in thought.

"Would you like for me to go, Amanda? " I ask. She looks up startled, blue eyes wide.

"Umm... if you want."

"I'll see you guys there then."

I glance at the rest of the group; Sarah, Jessica, and Alexander talking among themselves and judging by their serious expressions, I can already guess what about. Brenda gives me a small smile as she grabs Amanda's hand and follows behind the rest. Luke, well let's say he didn't like the idea of me coming along, but leaves without saying a word.

Damn, I can't wait for all this to be over.

A/N: Wanted to give a little insight into Derek's mind. What do you think? Also sorry for any mistakes or grammar.