Fervent | D. Hale [ON HOLD]

ix.

everything has changed
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Ana didn't get home till late, hoping to stay as far away from her cousin as she could.

When she finally got inside, she shuffled into the kitchen to grab her bag of tapatio doritos and filled up her water before she quickly made her way up the stairs of the partially empty house.

Walking into her room, she let out a long sigh and stripped her clothes, changing and opening her laptop to see emails upon emails.

Most were from BHH administrators asking if she'd assist Finatock in his Economy classes, and a few were asking her to chaperone the winter formal.

Maybe if I delete and ignore those ones, they'll go away?

"I am so not babysitting a school dance." She grumbled to herself and deleted the evidence, only to hear a shuffle from the corner of her room.

She rolled her eyes and let out another sigh, not taking her eyes off her screen, "What do you want, Derek?" Her voice was cold and tired, the man flinching slightly before teasing her.

"Deleting emails. Very grown up of you."

Ana frowned, finally looking up to see the man with a sorrowful expression and hair disheveled, as if he'd been running his hands through it violently.

Over all, he looked a mess.

"What do you want?" She repeated, the man now groaning in response before coming a little closer, closing her laptop; which earned a harsh glare from her.

She then noticed the dark circles under his eyes and his pale skin.

She felt bad for him.

Sitting down, he placed his hands on his lap and looked at them, quietly.

Anatalia watched him expectantly.

There had to be a reason he came over, right?

Finally looking up, Ana could see the pain in Derek's eyes, her heart breaking.

"I-I'm so sorry, A.. I'm sorry that I forced you into this. I'm sorry that it hurt your relationship with Scott. I'm sorry I didn't talk to you about it.. I'm sorry I didn't let you have a choice in it."

"Why did you do it?" Her voice was soft and vulnerable, making Derek look up quickly at the change of tone.

There were tears in her eyes.