Say You Love Me

Lucky [Bethany]

I scroll through my pictures on my phone. Every single one from the last few weeks have Derek in them. Every single one. I don't know how to feel. She's just a partner, he said. She means nothing to me, he said. I refused to believe that Derek actually said that. And I tried so hard to not let it affect me. But its obvious I failed. It's almost showtime, and I'm backstage, on the steps, looking through the pictures of Derek and I. My mind is jumbled up. I should've seen  this coming. What were you expecting to happen Bethany? That Derek Hough would feel the same way as you did? But wait. I don't even understand how I feel. Did I have a crush on  him? You bet I did. I'm only 18! Beth, he's 10 years older than me, what would he see in me? I sigh. I would've been ok if I didn't hear those words he said to Val. Is that all I am to him? Just another lousy partner? My thoughts are interupted by footsteps coming closer to me.

"Bethany?" I recognize that voice anywhere. I quickly lock my phone. "Bethany, please, can we talk?" Derek asks with a gentle tone. I take a deep breath in. I don't want him to think that I'm just a emotional partner, but I also just want to tell him the butterflies I feel when he smiles, the tingle I get when he gives me a hug... oh  Bethany, what have you gotten yourself in to.  I take a final breath in and turn to face him. "Hey Derek" I say to him, my voice shakey.

I watch as he sits down on the same step as me. He starts rubbing on the seam of his shirt. I had to remind myself that what he said hurt me, and not to smile at the adorable quirk of his.

"Look Bethers, I know you heard me." I stay still, not knowing what to say.

"In all honesty, I didn't think you heard me at first, but then you started to act... well differently. My radiating Bethany, full of sunshine and confidence just disappeared in that short period of time." I still couldn't get myself to look at him, but I could feel his eyes piercing my face. 

I ask quietly, "So, if I didn't act differently, you would just say that kind of stuff and assume I would never hear it?" At this point, I'm holding in my tears.

"No!" He gently puts his hand to my face and move it so I was facing him. "My dear Bethany, you know how much I respect you and am thankful for you being here. I only said that because Val was on my last nerve. Ever since I won last season, he's been trying to blackmail me so I would lose." I looked at his face and I could tell he was dead serious.

"I didn't want you to get involved, so I said the first things that came in to my head. Bethany, I'm so sorry that what happened happened, but could we just leave that in the past?" Derek looks at me and waits. "Plus, we need to beat Val to show him that we are MOTOUGH than him!" I laugh at the fact he used our team name. He's quite adorable. I nod, and we both come in for a hug. We both don't let go.

"Bethany, you can come to me if something's bothering you, or if I am" Derek says, as he chuckles. " I'll always be here for you".  I look up to his eyes. How was I so blessed to get a partner this amazing? Derek then kissed me on the cheek and asked "Are we good now?"

I smile and say, "Yeah, let's do this dance". I'm feeling nervous about this dance, but I know the burning passion that keeps growing about Derek will help me through it.