He Thinks I'm Jealous

Chapter 11

I STAND UP in a daze and look at him like a dog looks at human food.

Like he's a prize.

Then I spring into action and hug him so tight I can hear him cough slightly in my ear.

He's even still in his uniform. A photo snaps somewhere while I'm lifted in the air by him and my arms wrapped around his neck while tears roll down my face from happiness.

It's been about a year since I've seen him.

I still can't believe Derek is here right now. 

I sob on his shoulder while he shhs me petting my hair. I remember seeing those reunion videos of people surprising people and thought it was all a fake until it happened to me.

It really is amazing.

We pull away after a full five minutes and hug again quickly when Cara comes in at tackles him in a hug as strong as mine but quicker.

I wipe my eyes and turn to the cafeteria to see them all watching in awe, but Noah...Noah is trying to kiss a girl but she's watching this with tears in her eyes. I shyly wave at them all and shrink back, but Derek grabs me from behind and pulls me back to him.

"Hi everyone! I'm Derek!" He was always the one to be loud, and crazy.

I look down as everyone says hi, and then I see it. A boot is on his leg and I look up at him with a scowl, and it's his turn to shrink away.

He knows I hate him getting hurt and every time he does I go crazy and help him with everything. But he's walking perfectly fine now.

"I'm Senna!" She shouts and comes to the front pushing everyone out of her way. I walk backward, and Derek seems to get it.

"Cool," he says kind of bored. 

"Wanna hang tonight?" She asks in a flirty voice looking him up and down like he's water in a desert. 

Now Derek is two years older than me, and may possibly be better looking than anyone I know, well maybe he and Noah are tied, but he is super hot to girls eyes. 

And secretly I had the biggest crush on him when we were teenagers. Messed up I know.

"No. I'm hanging with someone else tonight."

At that, Noah's head snaps up and he seems to really notice Derek for the first time.

And he doesn't like it. By the way his eyes squint and he moves closer, forgetting about the girl, it's clear he wants more information.

I look around and see my mom and Principal Holland talking. Then mom smiles and bounces over to me.

"You're free to go."

I look at her with an 'are you serious' look, and she nods.

I don't wait a second and grab Derek's hand, intertwining our fingers, and pull him to the front doors of Centers.

I see Noah making his way through the crowd when we turn the corner, and I see Cara going up to him and he looks at her then to me and walks away from her toward Derek and me.

Which makes me run.

I run with Derek to my car and pull away from school smiling and bursting with joy.

~<><><>~

After getting ice cream and sitting on the beach, Derek and I end up home. I grab the last two cupcakes off the counter and hand one to Derek, which he takes proudly.