Say You Love Me

Sadie [Derek]

Walking into the dance studio not expecting to see Bethany is weird, but I'm thankful for this week of switch ups. I've been avoiding her since our dance at the restaurant, where she told me she liked me. I remember telling Mark.

"Dude, she likes you. Why are you making this so complicated?" Mark asks me.
"I don't know. What if it all goes wrong? What if she's doesn't like me as much as I like her?"
"She told you she likes you, isn't it enough?"

Maybe Mark was right. She likes me. Why am I avoiding her? She now probably thinks that I hate her! I'm at the door to the rehearsal rooms when I quickly grab my phone and call Bethany.

"Hello?" I hear her sweet voice.

"Bethany, hey! I know you're busy, but..:

"Derek, I'm just about to meet my switch up partner. Can't this wait?" She interrupts me.

Its obvious she's a bit annoyed at me.

"Please. I just want to talk to you about the dance at the restaurant." I can't just avoid it anymore.

"Look Derek, I have to go.." Before she could hang up, I blurt it out.

"I like you Bethany." It goes silent, but I can hear her breathing deeply. "Please Bethany, know that I'm sorry I'm an idiot that didn't get to this faster, but I really like you. Please, if you don't want to talk about it now, could we meet up after rehearsal?" I wait. She giggles.

"Sure Derek, I'll meet you at the smoothie place down the street." I sigh in relief.

"Ok, thank you Bethany." I wait for a reply.

"Bye Derek" She says with her cute little laugh, then hangs up. I take a breath in and walk into the room to meet my dance partner. Whoever it was, even if they were terrible, I couldn't care less. I have a chance with my dream girl, and that's all that matters to me. I look inside to see Sadie and smile. When she sees its me, she squels and runs over to me to give me a hug.

"DEREEEEKK" She yells. I laugh and hug her back. "Hey Sadie! Looks like we're partners for this dance!"

"Looks like it!" She laughs then looks down. "Hey Derek? I'm sorry." Her serious tone caught me off surprise.

"About what?" I ask.

"For ruining that night with Bethany and running away with her. I just needed to get out of there." She says and sits to the ground. "Did Mark tell you what happened?"

I sit next to her and nodd. "Could I just ask why you ran off like that?"

She sighs. "I have a boyfriend in Louisiana, you know that."

"Yes, but you could've just told Mark that and maybe just smoothed things out." Mark's usually very understanding.

"But I don't know anymore how I feel. Its complicated, but Bethany's gonna help me!" Hearing her name just automatically made me smile. Of course she would, she's always trying to make everyone happy. "Speaking of Bethany, can I ask what was happening between you two when I interrupted?" I look at her, shocked. I thought Bethany would've told her. I didn't want to tell Sadie before talking to Bethany.

"It's kind of a long story. I can't really explain it just yet, but maybe after we get this dance down." I joke.

She laughs. "Oh alright, let's do this."