Cross My Heart I'm Dead

Chapter 29

----Derek's POV----

I was so glad that we could still hang out and be together but more and more people were looking to adopt. That was one of the reasons I decided that we should go out today - just because it could be the last time. I mean, if she were to be adopted by a family that lived far away I can't just say no and stop it. As well as that, we couldn't really be a free couple as Alexis was supposed to be dead. How bad would that look? How odd would it seem? The person I love died in front of me and I suddenly have a new girlfriend called Astrid? No. Not allowed. So we just have to lay low. Thankfully we haven't had trouble from the Jester gang but that doesn't mean others can't fight us. We own this area and we won't give it up. People die all the time.

"Derek? You okay?" I hear Al ask as I'm pulled out of my thoughts.

"Yeah. Perfectly fine," I reply with a smile but she just rolls her eyes.

"I've known you for over a decade I know when somethings wrong D. And you've kinda just been standing there."

"Oh, right. I was just thinking. C'mon lets skate." She sighed and let it drop after that. I wonder what's happening at her school? How have they reacted? Do they believe the story we gave? Oh well. I set all thoughts to the back of my head and started to skate carelessly doing tricks and spinning off the ramps. 

"Derek." I hear the voice of the one and only Jed Redment (AN: I know sometimes I spelt the name as Redmond because of autocorrect so sorry if there was confusion).

"Jed." I said back with no emotion. I had stopped skating and so did Al or I guess I should really be calling her Astrid. Jed and his group of friends were casually just standing around and thatswhen I remembered I was using his skateboard. Crap.

"It appears you have something of mine."

"And what would that something be?"

"My skateboard you retard."

"Okay I'll give it back if you answer my question. Why have you always hated me?" I asked him genuinely. Ale- I mean Astrid, was now standing by my side looking at Jed. Guess she wanted to know if he'd recognise her.

Jed sighed and looked me straight in the eyes, "she was a good kid, Derek. I didn't want her in any trouble. But I guess I failed at that and failed at being a good brother. I didn't know what was good for her. Getting her into different schools, hurting her, making her feel like all she could do was run away."

"Jed, stop. She was amazing and don't even dare say otherwise. But you hated me before. We were friends since 4 years old but you only knew that we knew of each other when we started dating and got in trouble. Do you honestly not remember who I was? The little kid ypu'd torment and hurt. Remember? The unwanted nerd? Any of it ring a bell?" Before I was popular and strong I was bullied a lot and one of my major bullies was Jed. Another reason for me hating him.

"That was you? I'm sorry for what I did to you but I've lost the only girl who meant something to me and it wouldn't of happened if she didn't know you so just leave me alone." All this time it was silent and none of us spoke with any emotion but sadness and anger.

"Take your board and leave." I dropped the board by his feet and turned to walk away when I realised that Astrid and some others Jed was with where here. Astrid - I hate using her fake name so fucking much - followed me with a sad look and as we walked down the road she stopped causing me to pause and turn to face her.

"He was the one that hurt you?" She asked me in a broken tone. I nodded and replied a short answer.

"And some others."

"He makes it so hard to actually like him," she whispered. I just pulled her into a hug before walking back to my car. 

"Come on. It's getting dark and you have to be back before curfew," I say without emotion. She nods and we both get into the car. It was another silent ride but I didn't feel like talking. Things aren't the same anymore.

---- Astrid's room----

I sighed as I stared at the ceiling above Astrid's bed but before I could get into any deep thoughts her roomate walked in. Her roommate was  a girl that I knew when I was here but this was the first time we met again.

"Derek.. Is that you?" She asked in a soft whisper and I nodded. 

"You're still here?" I asked her but again with no emotion. We use to be close over here and she was one of the few I actually talked to as people tend to stay away from me yet there are never fights here as everyone has gone and is still going through pain and shit.

"Yeah.. I still can't believe you ran off like that. I was so worried. Rumour says you're a gang member now," she said quietly and I just nodded.

"You two knew each other?" Astrid asks shyly. I gotta admit it is reeally cute but I miss the loud and laughy Alexis. The girl I fell in love with.

"Yeah, but Derek decided to run away when he was around 12 so I guess I don't know him propperly anymore."

"Wait.. That's when we split up... Derek?" Both girls were now looking at me and i sighed.

"I went through shit after you left and I'm sorry that I don't talk about it even though you have told me a lot. And I -" I was interrupted when Jennie walked through the door telling us that a family was here.