Expose Them, sequel to Release Me (Editing)

12

I head back to the apartment just as the sun begins to rise. The voice in my head fought with me to go back, so I listened because I have nowhere else to go.

Derek is awake. He doesn't say anything, his dark eyes just taking me in. I don't look at him as I walk past, heading for my room.

Starting the shower, I peel off my clothes, and trail with my cool fingers the scars marking my arms. The faint scars only I can see. The scars that I was given from being poked with way too many needles--- 'The Cure'.

I step into the shower, the warm water engulfing me. The sweet scent of coconuts fills the air as I squirt the shampoo into my hair.

I don't exit the shower until the water has all gone cold.

Today is Saturday, the day I could take a break from everything. I change into a black crop top and gray sweatpants. Nice and cozy.

Peeking my head out of the door, I search the living room for Derek. The coast is clear. Thank God.

The cushions of the couch are like sitting on a cloud. Not that I've ever sat on one since that is impossible. I'm just imagining that they're really soft for they look it.

I fiddle with my comm.

Call her Alice; she'll want to hear from you.

"Turn on DLS," I say.

The screen lights up, casting a glow across the small room.

"Call my Biffer." I place the comm in my ear and it begins to ring.

"Alice." Elena's face appears on the DLS, a bright smile plastered on her face.

"Hey, Sunshine, what's up?"

Her smile spreads. "Not much, just getting ready for a hot date."

"Ooh." I lean forward. "Who's the lucky guy?"

She blushes. "Um, the cute college boy you don't trust."

"Oh him, that's nice."

"Yeah, I really like him. He's such an amazing guy." She gushes.

"That's great." I begin to play with my locket.

She notices. "So um let's stop talking about me."

"Okay." I let the locket slip through my fingers.

"How's work?"

"It's..."

"Hold on is that Derek?" Her voice rises to a high squeaky pitch by Derek.

I look over my shoulder to find him standing in the doorway. His dark eyes meet mine.

"Yeah, it is," I respond, turning back to the screen.

"I knew it," she squeals. "You guys interloped and ran off into the sunset."

"W-h-h-h-a-a-t-t-t?" I sputter. "That's gross."

"Then why are you with him?" she asks, laying back, her cotton candy pink linen coming into view.

"We're working together."

"Oh, I see." Her red lips curve up on the sides. "Well he seems not to be leaving, so I'll allow him to have your full attention."

"What no El? Don't go," I cry, putting my hand out.

She smiles weakly, placing her hand out too. "I have to. Remember I have a date that I have to finish preparing myself for."

"I know, but I don't want you to go yet."

"We'll speak again, I promise. Now got to run, bye." She blows me a kiss.

"Bye," I whisper, catching it.

The screen goes dark.

"What do you want?" I can sense his presence right behind me and it's extremely irritating.

"I believe we need to talk," he replies, sitting down beside me. Close enough that our thighs are touching.

I don't glance his way as I ask, "What is it?"

"Well, the first thing is, you shouldn't be running off late at night all by yourself."

"You're not my father," I hiss through clenched teeth.

"Thank God."

I now look at him, not that happy. "And what's the second thing?"

"Do you really want to know?" His dark eyes search mine.

I nod, curious.

"Okay, here it goes." He takes in a deep breath and then releases it. "Honestly you're driving me mad. I mean I thought we had a moment yesterday and then you go run off and ignore me. So Alison, what is it? Do you really hate me that much, or was that spectacular kiss you gave me really sincere?"

His words leave me speechless, so all I do is just stare, noticing how his eyes shine under the dim light. He places his hand out, touching my cheek. I flinch and he frowns. "You're not going to answer me, are you?" He begins to drop his hand.

I quickly take hold of it, making him relax. "I'm confused." My voice is low. "That's all."

"Oh." His fingers interlace with mine. "What can I do to make you less confused?" He gives me a charming smile.

Biting my lower lip, I think. Are you really confused, Alice? Because I believe your feelings for him are pretty clear. You like him a lot. And want things to move forward with him.

I meet his eyes. "Promise me that you like me for who I am, not because I remind you of Kimberly."

His other hand, the one that's not clutched in mine cups my chin and slightly tilts my head back. "I promise," he murmurs, bringing his mouth to mine.

Warmth spreads through me, setting my body ablaze. Positioning myself that I'm sitting on his lap, I deepen our kiss, by moving my mouth along with his.

He pulls away and instantly I begin to miss his touch. "Can I ask you something?"

I nod, placing my hands over his racing heart.

"Your locket, where'd you get it?"

I look down at the silver heart. "Hunter, I found it in his room." A single tear rolls down my cheek.

"Love is a strange thing, isn't it?" Derek whispers, tucking my stray strands behind my ear. "That you can still be tied down to those who you loved that are now gone."

"Like Hunter and Kimberly?"

"Yeah, them."

"But you have to move on eventually, don't you?"

He smiles, his adorable dimples on display. "You do."

I push him back, so he's lying across the couch. "That's what we're doing."

"Moving on, yeah."

Laying down beside him on my side so we're face to face I ask, "Is it possible for me to love someone just like I loved Hunter?"

"As I said, love is a strange thing, Alison, it's also limitless."

This gets me to smile. "Then I think I might be falling in love with this guy."

"Oh really? Well, I believe that guy might be feeling the same way that you do." His muscular arms wrap around me. "What would you do if he confessed that he's falling in love with you too?"

"This," I whisper, giving him a peck on his soft lips.

He grins sheepishly. "Well then, you just made that guy really happy."