The Badass Behind The Girl: The Choice of Love

Chapter Three

My eyes slid across the room until I found which one of my brother's friends was checking me out. When I spotted him my jaw dropped and my heartbeat unexpectedly started beating faster. I snapped my head back to my group while a blush it's way up to my cheeks. Leah started squealing next to me and we were getting curious glances.

"Oh my gosh! Derek's interested in you! I can't believe it - I mean, well, I can but still... He's so- hot and he's, like, how can I put this? I don't know, reckless!" I groaned and put my head in my hands. This so cannot be happening! I'm not ready for another boyfriend. I slid my eyes back to Derek who was now drawing in his sketchbook. His dark brown hair fell across his face making him look mouth-watering. I couldn't see the rest of his face but I didn't mind because what I could see now was enough to make me stare for days. I hadn't realized that Leah was trying to get my attention until she threw me with her book.

"Ow! What was that for?" I whisper shouted. She smiled and shrugged. Her blue eyes sparkling with amusement.

"I'm sorry, But you have a piece of drool on the side out your mouth." she said sarcastically, pointing to the side of her mouth. My cheeks became hotter and I pulled my hair forward to cover my cheeks. With my face covered I wiped both sides of my mouth with my sleeve. A little snort from my right told me that she had guessed what I had just done.

"Come on," Jake said calmly - but I knew that that was a cover to hide another emotion like concern - leaning back in his chair, "Derek has some mysterious sides but the sides that we know are pretty awesome. Think of him as the male version of you before you went all shell-shocked. He could be good for you."I shook my head frantically which only mad him smile wider. Irritation was starting to replace my embarrassment.

"Seriously, you think I'm going to just come out of this protective shell that I have cocooned myself in and start being this don' -give-a-shit girl that I was before mom died? I don't think so. It's going to take a lot more than convincing to do that." I said as I crossed my arms over my chest, pouting. Jake moaned.

"Avie, don't do that. You know I don't like it." all playfulness was gone from his voice and I snuck a look at him. His face was fully concerned now and my heart dropped. I really felt guilty if I make him so concerned. I sighed.

"Look, the last time I had a boyfriend he ended up in the hospital with a broken arm and a mild concussion. Not to mention that he just pecked me on my lips and I giggled." I looked at him accusingly but he just shrugged as if it was no big deal. Trust me; it was.

"The hell I won't if he did something to you. You come first and you know that. As for that jerk-off, well, he just rubbed me the wrong way. Did you forget his last words to you?" I shuddered as I remembered.

*•*• two years ago *•*•

I was sitting on the couch watching pointless TV when the bell rang. I ran to the door and opened it, wondering who it could be. My nerves started going crazy - the after effect if watching too many horror movies alone - and I slowly opened the door. Breathing a sigh of relief when I saw that it was just Brian. Standing as tall as ever.

"Hey, how you doing?" I asked smiling. His blonde hair was a slight mess and his green eyes were wide. He had a small smile on his face. He was dressed in blue jeans, green shirt and white chucks.

"I'm doing okay. Is your brother home?" I shook my head and he relaxed. The tension I hadn't seen at first in him disappeared.

"Thank goodness. Can I come in?"

"Sure. Do you want anything to drink?" I stepped aside and let him in. He walked into the living room and sat down on the couch while I went to go fetch us some coke.