'Hey Brooke, can I have your socials?'

The trip is over and we're back in Hollins. I exchange my socials with Sophie as we stood outside Hollins Transport Hub. I feel slightly exhausted from the flight and can't wait till I get back home and rest on my bed.

'It was nice meeting you, Brooke. See you at school.'

'See you at school.'

I wave as Sophie runs towards a car and hops in with her bags. The car drives off exposing another line of cars. I get a ping from my phone; I check to see if it's a message from Mariah:

Hey, I can't pick you up. You'll be fine.

You gotta be kidding me.

I leave her on read, contemplating how on earth I can get home? The next tram is 2 hours from now and I don't think I can hold on for even one. And I don't wanna burden Ava and Eloise from their time at the festival.

'You alright, Coffee Addict?'

It's Derek.

'Yeah. I'm fine. My way of getting home has been cancelled last minute that's all.'

'I can drive you there.'

I face Derek. No face of laughter or a hint of comedy. 'You're being serious?'

'Yep. I'll drop you off. As repayment for the incident.'

My mind went straight to the kiss. 'W-what?'

'You know, on the plane. I kind of have a little trauma with plane fights so I appreciated what you did for me.'

Yeah, Brooke. The plane flight. That was the incident. That weird mind of yours went ahead and thought of something else.

'Take the lead, then.' I follow Derek as he walks over to the parking lot.

I don't know whether to question the logistics of how he got his car there or the fact that my brain has had this memory on loop.

Stop it. It's now a core memory.

'Oh my, Derek!'

We both turn around to see another girl: short (hair and height) brunette, wearing a cutesy sort of outfit. I do remember her being in the same club as Mariah. She runs up to Derek and stops right in front of him and giggles. For some reason, I feel my cheeks burn and I knew for a fact it was not embarrassment.

'Are you free, Monday? The group wanna hang out at that internet cafe near the subway.' The brunette twirls her hair and smirks, swaying side to side.

'Ahh. Thanks for the offer but I got stuff to do. You know with my parents and stuff. I'm a busy guy.'

'Oh, I see.'

The brunette only now notices me and gives me a look. Which was honestly so rude. I didn't even say anything, and she treated me like crap. I don't even know why I'm so annoyed by this, anyways.

'Why is she with you?' The annoying brunette glares at me.

'I'm taking home. As always.' Derek smiles and I pull on his hoodie. I wanna leave so I don't have to deal with this chick.

'What's your guys' status? I'm kinda unsure. I don't think you guys are dating due to obvious reasons.'

That strikes a chord with me. I immediately grab Derek's hand and smile. 'You could be wrong. You never know who's with who. Bye.'

I pull Derek towards the middle of the parking lot before stopping in my place and turning to him.

'Sorry. Where's your car?'

'Over there. You done with my hand?'

I let go. 'Sorry, let's go.'

As we walk towards the car, Derek starts chuckling then looks towards me and smiles.' I couldn't help but sense a splash of envy.'

Envy?

'In your dreams.' I open the boot and place my bag and suitcase. Derek does the same and smiles while doing such. We close the boot and hop into the car; settling in and putting on our seat belts.

'I wasn't jealous. Just annoyed. It's been a long flight and honestly, I couldn't stand her rambling in about nonsense. Cause if it was jealousy, then that would mean that I consider you something more than a friend which is unlikely....'

I take a deep breath and finally get the courage to look over at Derek. He was smiling. That same old bright, gorgeous smile. He couldn't get it off his face and I couldn't control myself with how easily my cheeks were heating up.

'Judging by the paragraph explanation, I believe that it was indeed jealousy. However, I have decided to not challenge the idea with you since you are quite stubborn.'

Derek turns the key for the ignition and adjusts himself as the car boots up. 'I will just have fun with the information I have discovered.'

I hate how smug he looks as he drove onto the freeway. Continued that look for most of the car ride. I would be lying if I said that my heart wasn't going into a panic frenzy every time I looked at him.

Did I like Derek? That was a question that the answer isn't exactly that clear. The only way for my brain to someone to comprehend what's happening. I have to think, scientifically.

To confirm a hypothesis, you need to do at least three separate trials:

The Independent Variable (what's changing): the situation we're in?

Dependent variable (what's being measured): my reaction?? I guess

Controlled Variable (what stays the same): Derek and I

The kiss could probably count as my first test, so.... two to go.

God, the fact that I'm thinking like this is weird enough. What is wrong with me? Lord, help me.

I muster up whatever courage I have in me. 'D-do you wanna s-stay at my house for dinner?'