Say You Love Me

Different [Derek]

Bethany spins and lands gracefully into my arms. Perfect. I bring her back up and slowly leave the stage while Bethany walks to the middle of it. I wanted to end this dance off with her, showing how she overcame all the struggle and how she truly loves herself.

The music ends and the audience goes crazy. I run up to her and give her a hug. We walk to the judges, my hand on her back.

"You did amazing, no matter what they say" I whisper to her ear. The judges were a little disappointed in the amount of rumba that was in it, but otherwise were moved. We ended up with three 8's and a nine. We hug.

"Hey Derek?" I pull back so I can see her eyes. "Sorry for being so overeactive. I just, feel so close to you, and I didn't want that gone. If that made any sense?" I chuckle. She was so cute.

"Oh Bethany. There's no need for you to apologize, its my fault. It's also my fault that we didn't get the best score. I guess I didn't add as much as usual." I tell her.

"I forgive you" she says with a wink. 

"Good. Because I couldn't stand to live if you didn't." And its true. Its only been a few weeks since I met Bethany, but I feel such a strong connection to her. She smiles.

"You did great tonight. You go relax before the elimination," I tell her. She nods, and I kiss her on the forehead. She heads to a bench nearby to sit with Whitney and Sadie.

As soon as Bethany was out of site, I feel anger. Anger at the judges, at the scores. But most of all, I was angry at myself. How could I let myself do this to sweet Bethany? I sat down at a bench alone. I put my head in my hands. I'm such a jerk. Bethany deserves more than this.

"Hey man, you ok?" I stop my ramble of thoughts and look up to see Mark.

"Yeah, I just feel like I could've given Bethany more."

Mark sighs. "Derek, you're so hard on yourself. That dance was beautiful! And even if some of the judges couldn't see that, the rest of the world will! Don't worry so much." I look up at Mark and give him a bro hug. "Thanks Mark, I hope you're right."

"Oh trust me, I am. Even if there wasn't enough rumba, there was definitely enough emotion and passion, and of course, chemistry. I could feel it, so could Sadie! In fact, I bet everyone did. I'm assuming you fixed whatever happened between you and Beth, because I thought this was the most powerful dance you've done with her." I think about the dance; I did feel powerful, and the connection between Bethany and I was the strongest its ever been. It was the closest we've physically been together, and it felt so damn amazing. I smile at the thought of Bethany, and I guess Mark caught me.

"Derek, were you just thinking about her?" He asks.

"Her? You mean Bethany?" He nods. "Yeah, how did you know?"

He smirks at me. "Ever since you guys have been working on this dance, you've had the goofiest smile around her or when you talk about how great she's been doing, well besides whatever happened at dress rehearsal. You were just doing that goofy smile again."

"Oh haha" I laugh nervously.

"Is little Derek falling for his dance partner? " Mark asks me in a baby voice.

"You know me, I don't want to make any drama in this show. It already has too much" I say automatically. We both laugh.Years of having interviews and rumours about me dating someone has trained me to say that whenever a personal question is asked. And when I so say it, it is usually true, but this time, it feels different. I feel like I'm lying.
Does this mean I'm falling for Bethany?