Behind These Bruises...

Behind These Bruises...[Part 9]

I kicked off my black stiletto Jimmy Choos and picked them up. I made my way barefoot in the sand to my favorite rock. The cold October breeze blew in the air, causing goosebumps to rise on my bare arms and legs. I felt warmth on my skin and looked up. Derek had placed his soccer jacket over my shoulders. I smiled softly in gratitude. He sat down beside me on the large boulder. We sat in silence, our arms about an inch from each other.

The waves were crashing against the rocks. It seemed like they were fighting the wind, which was too over-powering. The water seemed to bend at the wind's power, going whichever direction it was directed to go, doing whatever it was told.

"Derek?" I spoke up, not looking at him. I felt him turn his head towards me, silently, as always. "Why did you ask me to homecoming?" I asked, not knowing why. He turned his head back towards the sea.

"What do you mean?" he asked finally. I touched the sleeves of his soccer jacket and then looked up at him.

"There were so many other girls you could have asked. You're the school's top soccer player-" I began.

"One of them..." he muttered in correction.

"...one of the school's top soccer players. Why didn't you ask any of the other girls?" I asked him.

"Did you not want me to ask you?" he questioned me in a quiet, soft voice.

"That's not what I'm asking," I replied quietly. I didn't know why I was asking him this. Maybe it was because I was still bugged out by how Kyle kept looking at me. Maybe I was a little annoyed that we had only danced once and he still hadn't said anything to me. What was I to him? I needed to know. I glanced at his face, trying to read it. It was as if he were wearing a mask, though. His expressions, his eyes; everything was so unreadable. I couldn't tell at all whether he liked me or not. He looked at me and we stared at each other for a few seconds before he spoke again.

"I asked you because..." he began. He paused. Something flashed across his face. But what? What was it? Regret? Guilt? Sorrow? It wasn't a happy emotion, that was for sure. "I asked you because I didn't want to come to the dance in the first place. Coach made all of the guys go. Jason told me that Alisha was forcing you to go, too. I figured that if I had asked any of the other girls, they would have wanted to stay at the dance the whole time. I wanted to leave early. So I asked you, since you seemed like you didn't want to go either. We both got what we wanted," he explained in his smooth-as-silk voice. I felt my stomach drop and a lump form in my throat.

He asked me as convenience? I looked down at my hands so he wouldn't see the disappointment that was surely etched in my face or else deceived by my eyes.

What was I expecting him to say? That he really liked me? That he had been attracted to me since the first time we met and that he enjoyed our nighttime adventures? That he wanted to get to know me better?

I was stupid to think so; stupid to think that he would fall for me as I had so quickly fallen for him. It was a silly crush, nothing more. So why was I getting so upset?

I took a deep breath and looked up as the wind blew against my face. I wished to God that it would blow away the disappointment away.

"Mila?" he asked. I turned towards him.

"I should probably get going," I told him, shrugging off his jacket and handing it to him. He took it, seeming unsure. What was that on his face? What was he thinking? What was he feeling?

"I'll drive you-" he started. I shook my head.

"No, I'll walk. My house isn't too far from here," I replied.

"It's cold though-" he began, but I interrupted again with my head.

"I'll be fine," I said, pushing myself off the rock. I went to my shoes and picked them up. I needed to get away from him. I couldn't let him see me like this.

As I walked away, I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. I wanted him to call me back. I wanted him to take everything that he had just said back. I wished I hadn't asked him the stupid question. Ignorance really is bliss.

I walked off, my shoes in my hands, my hair blowing all around me, getting stuck in the tears that were now falling from my eyes; my soul was heavy and my heart was crushed. My epic senior love story had ended before it had ever begun.

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*Derek's POV*

I watched her as she walked off into the darkening night. Her hair, her beautiful long brown hair, contrasted sharply against her ivory skin; it blew all around her. I watched as her petite silhouette disappeared over the horizon, her head down, clearly disappointed in what I had just told her.

I had to. It was the right thing.

I couldn't put the burden of my messed up life in her delicate hands. She was the kind of person that would care too much and I couldn't let her get hurt. She was so beautiful. She didn't deserve it.

No; I had done the right thing. I had to break her heart before my problems had the chance to. It's what was best.

So why do I feel like I've made the biggest mistake of my life?

I picked up a small pebble from the ground and threw it into the dark abyss above the ocean. I heard a small SPLASH! a few seconds later as it hit the water.

It was done. There was no going back now.

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A/N: Hey guys! Sorry this one's so short. It was a good place to stop for this part. Can I get a W00TW00T for Derek's POV?! I really appreciate everyone who's been reading. I would love some words of encouragement since I'm new to this whole Wattpad thing. I'd love feedback on my story and votes are pretty awesome too!

Thanks for reading! The next part will be up after Monday most likely. So stay tuned!

~XOXO