Linked

Chapter 3

NATALIE

I run outside the theater, and I'm fifteen minutes late for my date with Derek.

Practice never runs long, but Point wouldn't let me leave. So I performed again for the little fur ball. Derek will understand.

When I get out, the sun is just starting to go down so the sky is streaked with pink and orange. The school parking lot is mostly empty except for a couple stray cars; probably teachers who are part of after school clubs or just late night grading. I don't really care, I am only interested in one car.

I scan further down the parking lot and see it, the brand new black Audi. For his 18th birthday Derek's parents surprised him with it. They were so kind to him sometimes I wondered if they were parents at all! They never screamed nor yelled, they had rules but nothing unreasonable. But it wasn't like Derek was a bad kid either. He had good grades, stayed out of trouble, had great friends. The only flaw he might have had was having a demanding schedule. So I wasn't completely surprised when they wanted to give him a new car.

I walk up and open the passenger door, shoving my bag in the back seat. To my surprise Derek was asleep....his head back and mouth slightly open. I couldn't help but stop and look at him for a moment.

I never really understood why he choose me anyway. I mean the kid should be a model. Even slouching in his car with drool on his chin was extremely sexy! Every girl ached to talk to him and hated me for having him. To tell you the truth I never really saw him for his looks, I mean I did but I ignored them because I just thought he was as vapid as the rest of the pretty boys.

I was completely wrong, his looks were just a plus with his great personality and wit. He was the only guy who could keep up with me mentally.

When I realized I was into him, it dawned on me how interested he was in me. I was just to stubborn to see it. He always sat next to me, constantly smiled at me, and gave me the nick name Nat. Which I originally thought was weird considering it was the name of a bug...but later grew to love it.

It wasn't the only thing I grew to love.

I sat in the passenger seat and swiftly moved so that my face was facing his. Derek's breathing was slow and even, and his face was relaxed. I gently ran my finger across his forehead to clear the hair and continued down the side of his face.

My small gesture must have been bigger then I expected because I wasn't half way down his face when his eyes popped open and his back shot straight up, so fast that he knocked me aside. He's force was also more then I expected because I practically fell out of the open car.

Derek looked around widely as if he were looking for a giant monster. He realized where he was, just as I was pulling myself back in my seat.

"Nat!" he said still in shock.

"I'm okay." I stated trying to hide my embarrassment. I searched his face for an explanation but it didn't seem like he had one.

"Are you okay?" I asked after a moment. "That was not normal of you."

"Yeah I'm okay, I think. I'm sorry I have no idea what happened." he said looking as if he had personally hurt me. He's green eyes were a little red with exhaustion and there were shadows under his eyes.

"No, you don't look good." I said just noticing what was actually going on. He's eyes were just one thing, his hair was disheveled, his lips raw as if he had been biting them, and his finger nails were bitten so short.

"Derek." I said worried.

He look at me with wide and tired eyes.

"I haven't been sleeping." he said "I keep having nightmares"

"What about?"

"Nothing. I'm just super stressed" he said trying to get me to drop the subject.

"About what?" I asked "How amazing you are at everything?"

He smirked, knowing that I was right. But I will definitely keep an eye on him to make sure he is not under simplifying things. Derek starts the car and begins to pull out of the parking lot. I'm starving and secretly hoping Derek reads my mind about dinner.

"I'm starving" he said almost immediately. I chuckle to myself.

"What are you laughing at, huh?" he says grabbing my side making me jump. I begin to to giggle and squirm under his grasp. I try to slide closer to the passenger side door, but his large arms still have all the power.

"You're driving!" I screech. He lets go of me, side glancing me with a small smirk saying this is not over.

*****

We pull up to my house, and my stomach aches because I don't want to get out of the car. I just want to be with Derek. I've noticed how much time we have been spending together but for some reason I don't care. 

I don't know what has changed, I used to be so practical with Derek and I's relationship. It is really easy to get caught up in love but we were good about our space. Now I could throw my responsibilities in the air and spend days in bed with him. The idea of him and I in bed makes me stir.

Its dark outside now and the lights in my house don'y look very inviting. I know Derek's just gonna go hangout with his friends because his parents don't give him a curfew, unlike my parents. The idea of sharing Derek, makes me upset and it must of showed on my face.

"You okay?" he asked touching my face.

"Do you want to come upstairs?" I ask jumping to the point.

"He looks around me and points toward my driveway. I turn and see two cars sitting there. 

"Ugh" I say sinking into my seat. Those cars mean that my parents have guest over and having sex with company over is probably not the bet idea. Derek laughs at me.

"Were you wanting something from me?" he asks leaning over to me.

"That goes without saying Andrews" I say getting close to his face. We hover there for a minute letting our noses touch and sharing the air between us. Then he leans in and grabs my face. I let him invade my space. His kiss is intoxicating. He deepens our kiss and I follow suit. I hear my heart pounding faster and faster. I wrap my fingers into his hair and gently pull. The groan in his mouth only makes me stir more. He slowly pulls away from me and we sit with our foreheads touching. 

"Hey, I have an idea. Lets go on a drive" he says softly.

"Will there be an end to this drive?" I ask wondering if this is the last of our intimate nature.

"Of course" he says with a grin. I smile back with an excitement in my stomach.