Tears in the Stars

My Romantic Side (Derick's Tale)

I know I've mentioned it before. I had a boyfriend named Derick. I feel as if I've betrayed my family, but I know and remember more about Derick than I did about anyone else. Green eyes. They always looked so soft, and like he was about to cry. They glistened in any sort of light. I remember something about the last time I saw him and Shannon. He was crying, as I said before, but somehow the shine I had always seen in his gentle eyes, that light that had always drawn me in, was gone. He had such pure-looking skin. It was an olive color that even the other girls envied. His hair was sandy blond. I would always run my fingers through his hair. We used to spend so much time together. Sometimes we'd just go to the football games and sit with each other in the stands. My favorite days were the fall football games. One day, my dad gave me permission to stay out really late with Derick. "I'm trusting you," he told me. He didn't have anything to worry about, but we probably went a little too far for his liking.

Derick had come to pick me up. I was waiting on the porch, as usual, despite the dropping temperatures of a fall evening. His car glided to a stop in front of the curb, and he stepped out looking more gorgeously handsome than ever. I looked at the holes in my jeans, my fitted v-neck blouse (Dad hated it,) and my converse. He was way too good for me. His shirt tugged slightly on his shoulders, and his muscular arms threatened the sleeves. He looked, well, hot. I smiled as he approached the porch and held out my arms. I felt his warm, tough arms wrap around my waist and laid my head on his chest. "I missed you!" I smiled. He tightened his grip and took a deep breath. "I missed you too. Happy Birthday!" He grinned. "You ready for tonight?" I pulled away and nodded. Stepping down off the porch, we linked arms and walked to the car.

I don't remember where we went after that. I think it may have been a football game, but I'm not too sure. My memory skips over a few hours and starts again at the movies. "Two please!" Derick smiled. I grabbed his hand and held it under the counter. The man in front of the register seemed tired, but kind. "Two for what movie?" Oops. I laughed and answered excitedly, "Infected!" Infected was the newest zombie movie to hit theatres and there was no way I would miss it.

I took a few pieces of popcorn and tossed them into my mouth. Derick put his arm around me. "I can't believe this is our idea of a date," he whispered. I laughed. "Well then, sir," I said in an English accent, "what is your idea of this...date you speak of?" Derick grabbed my hand. "Let's get out of here and I'll show you." Reluctantly i set down my popcorn and we raced out of the theater. "Where are we going?" I asked, laughing as we ran through the parking lot. "No questions." He replied, "Just wait until we get there." I slid into the passenger side, but didn't argue. He obviously had something in mind. Click, click, click. His hand darted in three choppy directions as he put the car in reverse and we headed out of the parking lot.

After grabbing some frozen yogurt, Derick drove me out way past the city limits. The car crawled along the endless highway with only trees in sight. "Where are you taking me?" I asked quietly, in awe of the beauty around me. "You'll see." I glanced at Derick while he smiled, his eyes on the winding road and the full moon lighting his face with its blueish glow.  I rolled down the window and let the cold night air roll into the car, blowing back my...my brown hair. I remember something. Derick stroked my hair when it happened. What happened?

The car finally stopped. I looked outside at all the trees and beautiful stars in the sky that was free of the city light. "Well, get out!" Derick grinned. I hopped out of the car and he patted the hood. I climbed up and we both leaned on the windshield. I shivered in the cold night air and Derick wrapped his arms around me. "This," he began,"is what a date is." I smiled and stared at the stars; kind of like what I do now. I felt Derick looking at me and turned my head to the side. He put his fingers gently on my chin and brought me closer. Our lips met for the first time. And they met again, but longer this time. He placed his hand on my leg and slowly worked his way to my blouse. I felt his fingers touch my ribs under my shirt, and I shivered, but he stopped there. Good thing.

We laid there for a while longer. He pulled a blanket from the back seat and draped it over me. Suddenly he was shaking me. "(name,)" he whispered, "come one, it's time to go." I sat up and grinned stupidly. He hopped off of his car and came around to the passenger side. He opened the backseat door and gingerly wrapped one arm under my legs and another around my waist. I clutched onto the blanket as he lifted me and set me in the back. "I'll wake you when we get there," he told me. I smiled. The door clicked shut and he climbed into the driver's seat. The road down the mountain was rocky, but it put me to sleep anyway. I remember dreaming about what had just happened. My mind replayed it, but I didn't feel guilty. I didn't feel bad or like I shouldn't have kissed him or allow his hands to sit on my bare ribs. I felt like it was okay.

I felt myself being handed over to someone. I opened my eyes just enough to see Derick hand my limp, sleepy body over to my dad. No one had carried me to my room since I was a really little girl. I looked at my dad and smiled. "He's a good dude," my dad smiled. He kissed me on the forehead and told me to get some rest. With a small thunk, the door shut and I closed my eyes; alone to re imagine the evening and everything that had happened with it.

So, here's what I know:

Shannon and Derick were there; crying.

There were flashing lights, and mom called me.

Derick stroked my hair.

I remember him whispering something, but I don't know what.