Echoes

Derrick

    "God, I'm sho clumsy," Hope slurred. She looked around at a wavering forest of legs. The tile floor chilled her forearm as she propped herself up on one elbow. "How'd I get down here?"
    Her head throbbed with the rhythm of the blaring music, each beat pounding the liquid sloshing in her stomach. She decided killing the DJ wasn't off the table.
    A hand reached to help her up, but she slapped it away. "I am fine," she said, a little more adamant than she meant. She pushed off the ground and the world spun. "Sorry, Claudia," she said, "maybe I could use a hand."
    A deep voice chuckled as the hand clasped hers. "Not sure where she is, but I hope mine will do."
    Hope looked up, confused and pleasantly surprised. The guy sported bleached highlights in his brushed-up hair and a movie-perfect Tony Stark gotee. He squatted in ripped jeans and a 5SOS shirt, with his muscular arm extended toward Hope's shoulder, gentle and hesitant to touch her without permission. "Hi there, I'm Derrick."
    "Hi," Hope said with an eager smile, rising to her feet. "I'm Ho--ohh God--"
    She hissed at the pain that shot up her leg and pierced the alcohol-induced fog. Her ankle gave out beneath her, and she hit the floor with an unceremonious "ulph."
    Derrick rushed into motion, scooping her up in his arms with no visible exertion. "What happened? Are you okay?"
    His furrowed brow and intense tone touched her heart despite the pain, and she responded with a breathy "Yeah."
    Claudia jostled through the crowd and reached Hope's side.
    Before she could ask, Derrick answered her questions. "I think she broke a heel and twisted her ankle. Can't put weight on it."
    "Get her to a seat," Claudia said. "Elevate her foot while I get some ice." She elbowed through onlookers to speak to the bartender.
    Derrick turned sideways to keep Hope's foot from bumping into anyone. "Hope you don't mind us not going back to Claudia's regular booth, but I'm going to stick to the ground floor. So... weren't you here with Matt?"
    Hope sighed.
    "Yeah, I see that went well, sorry."
    "It's okay," Hope said. "I guess he and Jenna were a thing... or they are again, or... hell, I don't care. Screw her." Her ankle sent jolts of pain if she moved it, but otherwise settled to a constant ache. She rested her head on Derrick's shoulder and focused on the pleasant fragrance of his cologne.
    "Well, I think our introductions went a little awry," Derrick said. "But if your name is really 'Ho Goddess' then Jenna should be your most loyal follower."
    He kept his eyes fixed on the booth ahead and delivered the line in perfect deadpan. Hope gasped, unsure whether she was offended by his jest at her expense or delighted by the insult on Jenna.
    "I'd slug you if you weren't carrying me," she finally said.
    "I don't want to drop you," he said. "But you seem capable enough of that on your own."
    He grinned this time, then stooped and eased her onto the cushioned seat of the booth, concern etched on his chiseled face.
    Hope slowly scooted into the booth, and Derrick sat at the edge. "Here," he said, patting his knee. "Hope, right? Claudia's mentioned you before. Rest your foot on my leg, and let me take a look at that ankle."
    She did so, and winced as he gingerly prodded the joint. "It's gonna bruise until it looks like a smashed plum," he said. "But with consistent icing and a decent brace, you should be able to put weight on it."
    Claudia appeared with a bag of ice wrapped in a fresh washcloth from the bar. "I got some--"
    "Thanks," Derrick said. He plucked the ice out of her hand and softly laid it over Hope's ankle. "Stop me if anything hurts too much."
    Claudia slipped into the booth on the other side. "Hope, I am really sorry about Matt. I didn't mean to drag you out to be some pawn in their drama."
    "I know, Clawz," Hope said. "Sorry for losing it earlier. I just couldn't believe what was happening."
    Derrick shook his head. "I pay that dude to kick my ass at the gym, and hang out with him every now and then. But that was no way to treat a lady. Maybe next time I'll kick his, sound good?"
    Hope nodded and relaxed as Derrick massaged her swollen foot. Every so often, he looked her way. When their eyes met, his face lit up. Claudia watched their unspoken interaction and her features darkened into a look of concern.
    If Derrick noticed, he didn't react. Instead, he patted Hope's ankle and flashed her a wink. "Better?"
    The combination of ice and cosmo-induced buzz numbed the ache. Hope felt a dopey smile spread across her face, and she knew it wasn't just the alcohol making her feel warm. "Yeah," she said. "So much better."
    ----
    Forsephore watched the massive monitors in the darkness far above the Hub's central chamber. Gasps and murmurs filled the room, and Echoes called attention to someone on Forsephore's right.
    She didn't need to wonder who.
    Tuwonyne marched from the rows of seats to the center of the chamber. Her gown swayed with each crisp step, her long legs and arms gleaming with splendor of Inspiration.
    Sevnynate glared with narrowed eyes, teeth clenched. "What petition do you bring, Echo? What inclination would you have the Prime seek?"
    "Come off it," Tuwonyne snapped. She raised radiant arms and stretched her hands toward the crowd of Echoes. "You can see, as can all gathered here, that I deserve an Alpha seat. The Prime has already chosen what I represent."
    "And that is?"
    Tuwonyne clasped her hands behind her back and bounced on the balls of her feet to keep giddiness in check. "I," she declared as she surveyed the room, "have found the man of my dreams."