The Art of Falling in Love

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

1 year later

"Hi, I'm Derek." I opened the door wider to get a better view of the guy in front of me. No doubt I already knew who he was. He was Derek Shaver, the hottest guy in school. Tall, broad shoulders, strong jaw and lips to die for. No wonder girls drooled over him.

I had never seen Derek up close before but I must say that the stories and descriptions do not do him justice. Every girl in the school wanted him and Bethany had him here with just a flick of her wrist. I had to cut the girl some slack, because damn-she was good.

I smiled tightly and tipped my head to the side as if I found his introduction endearing but idiotic. "And I'm a homo sapien."

He chuckled, clearly amused by my sarcastic statement. "I uh, I'm here to see Bethany."

I hooked an eyebrow at him, he sounded way too nervous to have ever done this before; you know, the whole 'girl-boy-sexual intercourse-thing'. Way too nervous. Had Bethany done this to him? The girl had skills.

Despite his obvious discomfort, I continued to act oblivious as to why exactly he was here. I mean how many girls could say they watched Derek Shaver squirm with awkwardness? That's right. I was going to use this to my advantage.

"Bethany isn't here." I smiled when I saw him pull at his collar, why was this so funny to watch?

He smacked his forehead. "Oh yeah! She uh told me that you'd let me in. You're Lacy right?" Now he was sweating rivulets, looking everywhere but me. This was the life.

I leaned against the doorway and crossed my ankles and arms. Leaning forward I asked with as much intimidation as I could muster. "Did she?" I queried ignoring his question.

It just so happened that when Derek had ringed the doorbell I was sharpening my butcher knife, the tools were still in my hand. It was stained red, only because I was chopping up massive strawberries. But Derek didn't have to know that.

Derek had nodded to my question but he took a step back as I began to sharpen the knife again. Using sly, hard strokes that made looking like a crazy psycho chick, effortless.

"Tell me Derek, how do you feel when someone interrupts something very important to you?" I asked, making the sound of the knife louder with each passing second.

He coughed, cleared his throat, and ran his hands through his thick hair nervously. "I uh feel a little sad maybe." He replied meekly, not looking at me but directly at the knife; watching it's every move.

"So you don't feel angry?" I asked, using bigger faster strokes to make it seem like I was getting worked up.

Derek's eyes widened and he began to panic. "Angry?! No! Never! Anger is bad. Very-gulp-very bad."

Just as I was about crack up and tell Derek I was only kidding, we heard a car door slam shut.

I rolled my eyes, while Derek breathed a sigh of relief.

"Lacy! How many times have I told you not to scare people away?" Bethany was shrieking, and I had to keep myself from wincing at the pain she was causing my ears.

I smiled bitterly. "So good to see you sister." And I walked into the house, leaving the lovebirds alone. Derek started after me, ignoring a calling Bethany.

"You were kidding the entire time!?" He exclaimed. I didn't answer him so he grabbed my forearm and turned me around. I was flush against his body and my hands were braced on his chest. I was trying to push away but his hold was too strong. "I asked you a question." He stated, his face inching closer to mine. I wanted to stand firm but my pounding heart forced me to look down. I was brave enough to retort him though.