In the name of 'Friendship' [COMPLETED]

7: Change

"Don't let the concept of change scare you as much as the prospect of remaining unhappy."

"Favourite song?" Derek asked me.

"It Ain't Me" "Favourite colour?"

"So are we playing 20 questions now?"

"We have alot of time to kill. Besides, I wanted to go home but you didn't let me go." I stated.

"I couldn't let you go all alone at 3am. Plus, someone needed to make sure that these drunk idiots reach safely to Charlotte's appartment."

We left the club because it was late and moreover, Elena puked on Jacob! Yes, she actually puked all over him. It was really funny. All of them were wasted. Derek and I were the only ones who were sober. I wanted to go home but Derek didn't let me go. On seeing everyone's state, I thought it will be really selfish of me to let Derek handle everyone. So I decided to go with them to Charlotte's place. We couldn't take the car as none of them would be able to drive. We walked till Charlotte's appartment. It was just down the street. Luckily Derek knew where she lived as she passed out long back. I and Jacob were pretty much carrying her! Derek was handling Elena and Ashton. They were arguing about the elections. The rest of them were still at the club.

Charlotte's appartment was small, almost similar to mine. She only had one room. Her bed was small so only Elena and Charlotte managed to fit in. Jacob took the couch and Ashton couldn't find any place to sleep so he was lying on the table.
Derek face palmed himself at that!

"You're sleepy?" Derek asked.

"Nah."

"Wait in the balcony. I'll be back"

"Sure."

It had been almost ten minutes. It was getting chilly. The wind was crisp and I was starting to feel cold.

Just then, Derek came with two beer bottles and a rug. I noticed he had taken off his leather jacket and was looking much more casual now. The top three buttons of his shirt were open. He had a small smile on his face.
How can someone be so damn perfect?

"Black"

"huh?" I asked

"My favourite colour is black." Derek said while sipping on his beer.

I felt at peace. Sitting in the balcony wrapped inside a warm blanket, drinking beer and getting to know someone! This is definitely the best night of my life.

"Best memory?" Derek asked.

"Ammm.. Probably visiting South Africa."

All my favourite memories involved Ben, Darcy and few others. I didn't really have any best memory.

"Yours?"

"When I was a 11, I used to be very shy and my dad enrolled me for an elocution competition. I practiced for nearly three hours everyday for a week. I won the competition. The smile on my mom's face was priceless. That is by far the best memory I have. I always want her to smile." he said lost in that happy little bubble with a huge smile plastered on his face.

We were both silent for a few minutes and then he said "I know you're hurting inside. You think that you're alone and everything but you're not. You just need to love yourself and have faith in no one else but you. Overcome your fears Ashley. Everyone isn't the same. Let someone in. Make new friends, new memories and a new you. Be confident. I'm here for you and so is Elena."

It seems as if he has known me for ages and not just for a few hours. He could read me like I was an open book. All my wounds seemed to be opened up infront of him and he was trying to cure them. Not knowing what to reply, I just remained silent. He was right. I have to stop letting the past decide my future.

I'll change. I promised to myself.

With that I fell asleep.