Let Me Love Him

IX.

Sometimes Derby Harrington reminded Pinky of her own father. It was about the hight, life attitude, love for golf, and, of course, the Aquaberry gold watch on his left wrist. If Derby was a little older, he would certainly become her father's doppelganger, not taking into account the difference in their appearance. Pinky had seen old photos of her dad, always distinguished by his thick black hair, bright blue eyes and thin, gracefully outlined lips — just what she inherited herself. In photos from the family album, her father had a bright smile and a special gesture — the index finger of his hand always touched his sharp chin. Derby was completely different. He had blond soft hair, brown, almost chocolate eyes and rather full lips. Pinky also looked at his family archive — in the photographs they often stood next to each other. And if she smiled, Derby didn't. In the old photos, he was grinning, his arms crossed tightly over his chest, showing with his whole appearance who the real Harrington was here. And Aquaberry gold watch on his wrist, just like her father's.

"Why didn't anyone tell me that we are friends with the dumbest people on Earth?"

The ability to ask right questions they also shared.

"Whose idea was that?" Derby asks with the same smirk, and then turns away from Bif. "Justin."

Justin and Chad, who have been staring at one of the paintings on the wall this whole time, turn almost simultaneously. Chad greets Bryce, who has just come in, and goes over to shake his friend's hand. It also looks like Tad should be here any minute now. In the daytime, the Harrington House is rarely empty — they have just finished their morning classes and instead of standing in line with all these scum to get some food from disgusting Edna, it is way better to spend some time here.

Actually, this is Gord's quote, who hasn't been to school or the Harrington House in a long time.

"I've been talking about this for two years," Justin shrugs and Derby seems to be rolling his eyes. "And I don't see why you don't want to ally with the jocks. It'd be a perfect match."

Justin really had been talking about this for a long time. He's probably the biggest fan of Ted Thompson around here. But Derby has always had a different opinion on the football team.

Pinky has been looking at the portrait of her cousin's father all this time, standing a little apart from the preps. And now she manages to see everything in Derby that scares her so much, both in Mr. Harrington and in her own father. Yesterday's dad's cold look and dry smile — Derby is looking at Justin the same way now.

"That's nice, but I wouldn't mess with Thompson," Harrington says, turning at the shiny knight's armor by the fireplace. "He'll be too arrogant when everyone is on his side, and that'll become a problem."

"The main problem isn't Thompson's self-control, but dirty, poor New Coventry," Chad remarks too sharply, and immediately smiles awkwardly when Derby turns to him.

"Don't interrupt me."

Derby and her father were great leaders.

Chad turns back at the painting as Derby approaches Justin, grabbing a glass of whiskey from the table.

"Well, if you really want to play with them, Justin, then go for it," Derby takes a sip. "I personally love how those greaseballs are getting from the jocks."

That's is exactly why it's no surprise that Derby and her father got on well, and of all of Pinky's cousins, he chose the blond heir of the Harrington Oil Empire.

"There's nothing better than a good old-fashioned class war, huh?" Justin laughs, and Pinky breathes loudly behind them.

The boys don't pay much attention — only Bryce turns around. Chad shrugs his shoulders, and Bif only gives her a short look. He's the least to talk to.