Stranded

Chapter 26

Derek scoots closer to me and wraps his arm around my waist. I see Harry glance back at us through the mirror and for a second, my eyes plead with his. But, there's nothing he or I an do until I tell Derek about us. 

"So Derek, how did you and Cass meet each other?" Harry asks.

"We go to the same college. I met her at a college party and we started talking. I finally had the courage to ask her out after a couple weeks." he answers. I keep my head down and focus on the intricate patterns on the palms of my hands until Harry asks a question that makes my head snap up.

"Interesting. What's your major?" 

"Cassidy and I have the same major actually." 

"Oh, so you're studying art?" Harry asks and Derek gets a confused look on his face.

"Art? No, of course not. Neither of us draw or are artistic in any way." Derek laughs. "We're both studying law." 

Harry shoots me a questioning look through the mirror.

"I'll explain later." I mouth and he inclines his head ever so slightly, that I barely catch it.

"Law, ey? So you're gonna be arguing with people and wearing monkey suits all day. Sounds boring as fuck to me." Harry says and Derek's eyes go wide. He hates it when people curse and scolds me about it frequently.

"Well Cassidy and I find it quite interesting. Now, if I may ask, what do you do for a living?" Derek asks with a hint of stiffness in his voice.

"Well, I used to sing. In a band. But that was years ago. Now, I'm just trying to enjoy the life I didn't get to live back then." Harry answers.

"Oh, a singing career. Were you any good?" Derek asks with humour. I see Harry smirk and I can't help but laugh.

"Cassidy, what's so funny?" Derek asks.

"Nothing, nothing. Continue Harold." I say, using Harry's full name.

"Thank you, Cassidy." he says, using mine. "I'd like to think I'm pretty good. My band did make it pretty successfully." he says, speaking more formally to imitate Derek's formal way of speech.

"What was your bands name? If I haven't heard of you then certainly you musn't be that incredible." 

"I was in a band named One Direction. Surely you've heard of us." Harry says and Derek's mouth drops a little. I'm not sure if it's in fascination, surprise, or something else.

"Why yes, I have of course. I don't live underneath a rock." he says stiffly.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't implying anything. It was simply an innocent statement." Harry smirks again and I wonder why Sam's been so quiet. I look up at her to find that she's asleep.

I lean my head against the window and close my eyes, trying to tune out Derek and Harry's talking. 

~A Few Hours Later~

"Okay, here we are." Harry says as he pulls into the driveway. Derek and Sam's eyes bulge out of their sockets at the sight of the very nice flat.

"Oh my God. You guys live here?" Sam asks as she gets out of the car.

"Yea. You guys go inside. I'll get the bags." Harry says.

"I can get my own, thank you." Derek says and grabs his bags and then walk up the driveway and inside the door.

Harry turns to me.

"Cass-"

"I know, I know. I have a lot to explain to you  but just...not right now." I say. He wraps his arms around my waist and forces me to look up into his eyes.