Cross My Heart I'm Dead

Chapter 21

"I'm so sorry for making you move and being harsh on you all these years, I've just been so caught up on everyone saying what's best that I didn't realize what really was best and how things would and did effect you," my dad started but I shook my head.

"Dad, it's fine, I know it wasn't your fault for this and I'm glad that you see that, but it is all in the past and I would just like it if we could forget the past," I sighed at the end and Derek patted the couch for me to come and sit next to him, which I did.

"Al, I've talked to your dad and, well, if you'd like to, you can move in with me or you can stay whenever you want to get away from things," he said awkwardly and I looked up at him in joy.

"Really? I can?" I asked and he grinned.

"Yeah, of course you can." I smiled and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you so much! Wait... Were is Jed?" I looked around and my dad just chuckled.

"He's in bed. Thanks for showing him he can't boss people around." My dad thanked Derek and I raised an eyebrow.

"No problem."

"Hold on a second. If I did that, would I get a congratulations?" My dad just chuckled and nodded his head.

"Yep." I pouted wishing I had knocked Jed out years ago. 

"Well, we should really get going. Gotta be out before Jade gets here and I have to meet up with Crystal later," I sighed and got up with Derek right beside me.

"Okay, just be back for the weekend?" My dad questioned. I smiled and nodded. He has never tried to spend time with me or done anything for me since mum had died. I always thought he hated me and I never realised it was actually everyone else who made him give me hell. Jade was always angry with me and made him punish me and stuff, Jed made sure to say that it's best if I go to a different school and stay away from my friends, the police tried to get me out of town and the schools suggested different ones just to get me out of their way. I got into Derek's car and looked at him with a smile. He actually got on with my dad and asked if I could move in with him. Is there anything he can't do?

"Thanks Derek," I said as he pulled out the driveway and got onto the road.

"Anytime, hey, since you're going to meet up with Crystal do you want to talk about what happened at another time?" I looked down at my feet, remembering the hectic morning at school.

"Sure. But, when I said 'meet up with Crystal' I meant that we can all hit the bar at midnight. The usual place and usual drinks," Derek smirked and shook his head.

"You never get tired, party 24/7!" I laughed and rested my head back on the window. "If we go out tonight, won't that mean we have to have a better drinking night tomorrow? Friday is the day for clubbing, not Thursday." 

I chuckled and shook my head, "so? Are you afraid of two awesome nights?" He just chuckled and shook his head. 

The rest of the ride was silent, only the usual radio and Derek tapping along to the tune of the song. After what felt like hours of thinking what he was going to say, we pulled into a familiar parking spot and I got out of the car. We walked up to his apartment in silence and the silence followed through as he lay down on the sofa and I sat in an armchair.

"C'mon, talk," I said but softly. 

"Do I have to?" He looked up at me with sad, pleading eyes and I gave him a small, warm smile.

"Yes."

"Fine, but you have to come here," I smiled and went to sit next to him. "Well, you know I got into the gang and got arrested. But that happened 'cause when I lost you, I felt that I lost everything, I never loved anyone as much as you, Al, I got a bit depressed and took out some rage in fighting. I loved fighting and it helped me get away from things so I started doing it for money and at clubs. I heard someone talking about Jed Redmond's sister being arrested and it took a lot of time for me to be convinced it couldn't be you. I got so angry at the thought of you being hurt and I knew that whatever illegal thing you did, you never got caught and never would. So I got enraged and scared. That's why I punched that guy with so much force." He sighed and I just leaned in and hugged him. He hugged me back and I smiled.