Our Love (31 page)

"I know Derrick, but I don't care. I just wanted to come back," I said as I started to walk slowly away from Derrick.

Derrick started to walk behind me. When he finally caught up to me, he looked me straight in the eyes and wrapped his arms around me. When Derrick started to hug me, I felt like I could finally be myself again. And right then, I couldn't put up the brave act I'd been pursuing all morning.

Derrick looked at me and smiled.

"Let's get out of here."

I nodded my head and smiled.

Derrick looked at me as he grabbed my hand. We ran toward his car and hopped in before anyone could see us. While Derrick was pulling out of the parking lot, all the memories of Derrick and I were starting to become clear in my mind. I knew I could get through anything. And just being with Derrick, I knew everything was going to be okay.

Michael

After watching Charlie make a fool out of herself in front of half the student body, I realized that maybe she was on point about one thing. In high school, everyone tries to make an identity for themselves, no matter if it is good or bad. From the look she gave me in the parking lot, I could tell she was sincere about her speech and for what happened between us. To be honest, I think I could find it in my heart to forgive her, but I knew it going to take a lot of time to get to that step.

As I stepped back into Belmont, I noticed several people were looking at me as if I was on my last day of life. The guys looked at me with expressions of pity, while the girls were looking at me with concerned smiles on their faces. That's only because I'm back on the dating market and they were trying to figure out if they would be the next to pursue me. I shook my head at the desperate attempts the girls were making as I continued down the hallway. As I was walking, I looked over at Ms. Waters' English class and saw Brandy standing out by the doorway. I looked at Brandy and rolled my eyes.

"Michael, can we please talk," Brandy said quickly.

"About what? You said all you had to say at the party," I said as I started to walk again.

"No, I didn't," Brandy said as she started to follow me.

"I really think we need to straighten things out."

"Like what Brandy! What else can we possibly talk about? You lied to me about Steve and then you told me you still love me."

"I know I shouldn't have thrown that on you like that, but I had to get everything out in the open. I was tired of keeping my feelings for you a secret. I couldn't deny that to you or to myself."

"Well you chose a good time to express your feelings, didn't you?"

"I know it was bad timing. I know you're still hurting over Charlie."

"Don't mention her name," I said angrily.

"Sorry. I know what she did to you was terrible, but just think about the good things that happened that night. You found out you have a son."

I looked at Brandy and started to laugh.

"Are you on something Brandy? How can I be happy after you deliberately lied to me about Steve? In my opinion, you're just as bad as Charlie."

Brandy looked startled by my outburst, as she started to take deep breaths.

"I never meant to hurt you, Michael," she said softly.

"It's a little late for that, isn't it?" I asked as I turned my back on Brandy. As I walked off, I realized that I couldn't deal with another person lying to me. I needed to get away like Charlie did, but I knew I couldn't run away from my problems. I had to see them head on. But right then, I needed a drink. As I was walking to class, I was looking into my backpack for my keys; I bumped into someone, causing the other person to lose her balance.

"Watch where you going!" the girl said.

I looked at the girl and realized it was Danielle.

"Sorry. I guess I wasn't paying attention," I said.

Danielle looked at me and smiled.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you. How are you?"

"Better than ever,"

"Don't play with me Mike. I know you too well."

"You do, don't you?"

"Yeah, I do."

I know Danielle is not one of my favorite people, but at that moment, she was the only person I could trust. Besides, she was the one who kind of knew about Charlie and her misdeeds.

"You want to go somewhere with me?"

"Michael, first period is about to start."

"That never stopped you before. You want to or not?"

Danielle looked at me with a hint of hesitation in her eyes. She smiled and grabbed my hand.

"Let's go."

As we went toward the double doors, I knew what I was doing was wrong. At one point Danielle was my worst enemy, but as I looked at her pretty face and her gorgeous blue eyes, I couldn't resist the feelings that I had for her while we were together. Maybe I was confused, but maybe Danielle was the person that would help me get over my broken heart.

Charlie

Being with Derrick at this moment was the medicine I needed. Not only has he made me laugh the whole time we were together, but he made me forget about the horrible morning I had. Almost anyway. As we were sitting at the park near Parker overlooking the beautiful lake nearby, I looked over at Derrick who was eating a taco. He looked over at me with a bit of sour cream on his lip. I started to laugh at how cute Derrick looked.

"What's so funny?" he asked.

"You have some sour cream on your lip," I said as I took a paper napkin and put it against his lips. As I was wiping the sauce from Derrick's lips, Derrick took my hand and pulled it to his cheek. I looked at Derrick and gave him a tiny smile.

"Derrick, don't."

Derrick nodded his head and put my hand on my thigh.

"Listen, I'm not trying to start up anything. I know you're going through a tough breakup with Michael and you want to take some time to think."

"Yeah, I do."

"But before you had the fight with Michael, you and I were talking about us and rekindling our relationship. I know you're going through a tough situation right now, but I need to know where things stand between us."

"Why are you asking me that? You know I'm not thinking about that right now."

"You were going to break up with Michael anyway, so what's the problem?"

I looked at Derrick and sighed.

"Or were you?" Derrick asked quietly.

"Derrick, everything happened so quickly. I can't make that decision right now, especially after everything with Michael."

"Why are you avoiding the question, Char? Why can't you tell me if you were going to end things with Michael? Or were you going to string us both along?"

"I didn't think you were asking a question."

"Well I am. Char, I understand if you need time to think things through, but I need to know if there will be an 'us' in the future. Char, I love you and I made a huge mistake by letting you go. But this time I'm not going to let you go. Not now, not ever."

I looked at Derrick as I got up from the blanket covering the soft green grass, and went over to the sidewalk by the lake. Derrick got up and came up behind me. He put his arms around me and smiled.

"I'm putting you in a tough situation."

"Yeah, you are. Derrick, you know I care about you. But don't you think it would be soon for us to pursue any kind of relationship? I mean, after what happened with Michael."

"Charlie, you don't have to listen to me about what you should do with your life, but I know in your heart that you want us to be together. I was the first person you came to, to feel safe again."

"Technically I came back to Parker. You just found me."

"True, but I knew you were coming to see me."

"Oh, aren't you cocky, Mr. Marberry?"

"Well I tried to see the other side of things."

I nodded my head as I took another bite of my taco.

"I can't believe those snotty people vandalized your car. I really think I should go over and get this situation straightened out."

"How are you going to straighten it out? Beat up some people until you find the person who did it?"

"If that what it takes,"

"Derrick, don't. Just let it go. I can go to the body shop tomorrow and get it redone. It's fine."

"I wish it was something I could do. I hate seeing you like this. You wouldn't be going through this if it wasn't for me and Theresa. You would have still been at Parker enjoying your senior year with your friends. Instead, you probably wish this year would hurry up so you can move on with your life."

I smiled as I put my hand on top of Derrick's hand.

"It not your fault; in fact it's no one's fault. The fight and the transfer was an unfortunate event that occurred. Just like what happened with Michael. Out of all this, I realized that life is not always going to be an easy road. There's going to be some bumps. That's what makes a person stronger. In other words Derrick, don't worry about me. I'm going to be alright."Derrick smiled. "I know you are. That's one thing I have to admit about you, Char, you're a strong woman. You can get through any situation, no matter how big or small it may be."

"I know. Well enough about me and my drama. I know the prom is coming up in a few weeks. Tell me Mr. Marberry, who's the lucky woman that's going to be draped over your arm on the most special night of a teenager's life?" I asked in a playful tone.

Derrick looked at me with a hesitant look on his face. I stopped smiling and realized what Derrick was about to say.

"I was hoping it would be you," He said in a serious tone.

I looked at Derrick and sighed. I didn't know what to say. I don't know if I should go with Derrick to Parker's prom. Even the kids at Parker probably know about Michael and me. It was just too soon to be going out with someone else, even if it is with Derrick.

"Derrick, how will I go to Parker's prom if I can't even be seen on school property?"

"The prom is held off school property, so I'm sure you will be fine. If not, then we'll work something out for you to go. I feel I owe it to you since it was my fault that you transferred."

"I didn't say that Derrick."

"I know, but I feel partly responsible for what happened between you and Theresa. So, please let me do this for you
.
Besides, it will be fun. You can be with your friends and have a good time. What's wrong with that?"

"It just that Parker and Belmont's proms are on the same night. I was planning on going to my own prom, even if the whole school hates me."

"Why do you want to put yourself through that? Belmont is your school and you have every right to go to your prom, but why do you want to go through the agony and ridicule that people are going to throw at you?"

"I'm not going to miss my prom because some people are going to throw stones at me! Even though the rest of my senior year is going to be hell, I don't care because I'm going to make the best of it. If people are going to hate me for being human, then it's cool because I don't need to be around those type of people anyway. I can't let anyone bring me down because of one simple mistake. I have to show those people that I'm not backing down for anything or anyone."

"What's really going on with you Char? At one point, you didn't give a damn about what anyone said to you. You never had to prove to anyone who you were."

"What are you trying to say? That I changed into this girl who only cares about gossip and hearsay? Derrick, for the next two months, my life is going to be on the line because people can't get over the fact that I broke Michael Collier's heart and because I came to Belmont because of impending charges. No matter what people have done at that school, I have to prove myself a hundred times more because I was and always will be the new girl. Instead of me enjoying the last few weeks of high school, I'm going to be miserable because of something I've done that I can't change."

"Charlie, you have to stop blaming yourself over the situation with Michael. Besides, didn't you say a few minutes ago that it wasn't anyone fault?"

"Yeah, I did say that," I said softly.

"So don't start blaming yourself for this."

"Fine,"

"So, what do you say about you and me going to the prom?"

"I don't know, Derrick..."

"If it makes you feel better, I will even go to Belmont's prom. It will be like a friend helping a friend out. Kind of like an even exchange."

I smiled. "You know we're more than just friends."

"I know, but I don't want to push you into something you don't want to do. Instead of looking at the prom as a date, we could just have a night out with friends. We could get everyone together and rent a limo, have a pre-prom party, go to the prom and have some fun. We could even go out to Galveston afterwards. So what you say? You can't back out of a good deal like this one."

I started to laugh at the last comment. Derrick was right. I couldn't back down from that tempting offer. It would be fun to hang out with my friends and have a good time. I think I needed to have a night to get my mind off of things.

"What's your answer?"

I nodded my head and smiled.

"Sure Derrick. I would love to go to the prom with you."

Derrick smiled as he went up to me to give me a hug. As I was in Derrick's strong arms, I started to breathe a sigh of relief. That was the first time in days that I felt happy. Like things were back to normal.

As we pulled apart, Derrick looked at me.

"Since we have that straight, what about your prom? Do you want me to be your date, or not?"

As I looked at Derrick, I didn't know whether to say yes or to tell Derrick no. I didn't want to put Derrick in a tough situation that we both might not be able to get out of. But as I looked into Derrick's hazel eyes, I realized that he knew what I was thinking, and that whatever situation we may face at my prom, we would get through it together.

"Yes, you can be my date to the prom, but on one condition."

"What is that?"

"That we will leave the prom if any situation comes up. No matter what it is. Agree?" I said as I extended my hand out to Derrick.

Derrick looked at me as he accepted my terms.

"So I can't deck Collier in any way?"

"No Derrick. Promise me you won't."