"You know, I still disagree with you on that thing," Derek said, as we walked out of the store towards Kyle's car which I was going to spray paint anyday soon.

"What? That I am better looking than you?" I asked non-chalantly.

"No," He smiled gently, "I know you are better looking than me. There is no competition."

And here we go again. Derek Callingham must have created a record on how to downplay himself in every way possible.

God, how I hated these kind of people who always felt sorry for themselves. I mean, I felt sorry for myself too sometimes but Derek was my teacher in this area. This was one of the things I hated about him other than his extreme shyness and overthinking about every single detail of life.

"Then?" I ignored his comment because we would again start arguing over how he wasn't bad looking and he would deny and we would start fighting.

"I am over Reina. I truly am," He stated.

"Look Dora," I stopped to face him, "You just me showed me many sites of your town. I met some people with whom you interacted till two years ago that includes shopkeepers and old aunts who got a heart attack seeing me. I am tired now. Lets not argue," I rolled my eyes.

"There is a small bridge few minutes away. Jake and I used to go there sometimes to hang out. Wanna see that or too tired?" He asked, nodding at my statement.

"Of course we will see," I said, "And then when you finally feel romantic, we will end our day today with a passionate kiss on top of the bridge in the night. How perfectly cliché," I clasped my hands together and pretended to swoon.

Derek just gave a chortle, shaking his head, "Did I ever tell you that you are crazy?"

"Surprisingly no," I said truthfully, "You can tell me now if you want."

"You are crazy, Nora Wright. Go check a doctor," He smiled cutely, his hair falling over his eyes almost.

I smiled back and gave him a flying kiss, "For you, baby. Only for you."

He just gave another laugh before starting to walk, running his hand through his hair and removing them so it wouldn't fall over his eyes.

He had no idea it was the sincere truth.

"Oh by the way," I paused.

"What?"

"I have actually never done my laundry before..." I trailed off.

He burst out laughing, "How did you manage back at Uni?"

"You know I didn't live at the dorms."

"Yeah but now that I think of it, I never knew where you lived. You rented a place nearby?"

I snorted, "Please. My dad owns a building nearby. I live there alone with a maid and cook."

He blinked.

"Of course. Sometimes I forget how rich you are," He shook his head, "I will teach you how to do laundry. Don't worry."

"My life is like Gossip Girl minus the drama," I sighed.

"Well, you will have to do your own stuff here."

"I get that. It's good, I will learn things which will help me later. I will ask your mom to teach me how to make an omelette. Has nobody got a maid here in Greywall?"

"Johnsons have one but once Jake and Reina moved out, they learnt to wash and cook, thanks to their better halves. And I guess Axel's uncle with some of his club friends might be having. Most of us don't."

"Cooking is easy though. How hard can it be?"

He snorted, "It depends. Some find it easy, some don't. Olivia told me when they moved in together, Jake set fire to the kitchen clothes, burnt his hand while making soup and almost had an accident with a pressure cooker. So, you see, I wouldn't put it past you to create a battlefield. Ma would be pissed though."

"Ha ha, I can't breathe due to all this laughing. I know how to make instant noodles."

"Pouring hot water in ramen cups is not cooking."

"Continue speaking and I will be willing to pull a Hannibal Lector on you."

"That still won't make you a good cook," He laughed loudly.

He didn't notice but I smiled all the way back, feeling glad I could make him laugh.

~¤~

"This is it?" I asked, looking down at the stream flowing below.

"Pretty much," Derek nodded, standing beside me with his hands in his pockets and peeking down.

"This is boring. What did you guys do here? Make out?" I asked innocently.

He narrowed his eyes at me, "Jake drank and sometimes smoked. I sat there waiting for him to get drunk so that I could carry him home," He snorted.

"So, basically you were his free babysitter?" I asked, leaning against the edge.

"Careful there," Derek grabbed my elbow and pulled me back, "Yes, you can say I was his guardian. The role is now played by Olivia."

"What did you think, I will jump off the bridge?" I said, looking amused.

"With you, I am not taking any chances," He looked drop dead serious, "You might feel like swimming and I am not going home with a drenched girl who is going to force me to swim. The current is pretty strong for the small stream and wind is quite fast tonight, so no way."

"My knight in rusted armor," I put a hand on my heart.

"You know, you are exactly like Jake," He noted.

"Ewww, no. I don't like him. Don't compare me with him," I wrinkled my nose.

"I don't understand why. Everyone loves him and Reina. Yet, you are the first one I know who doesn't like them much," He leaned against the railing, forgetting he prevented me from doing that exact same thing few seconds ago.

"I don't mind Reina," I mumbled the genuine yet unfortunate truth.

"But you prefer Axel over her, minus his looks, right?" He pressed.

I nodded, "He is hot. I can't deny the obvious."

"See? Nobody does that. You can say the Johnson siblings are almost like celebrities in the town, not Axel. He still became a known face after he started dating Reina," He explained, "Its impossible not to like them. I have never seen anyone not liking them."

"Its only because of the good looks and money," I scoffed,"I mean, don't common folk do the exact same thing with celebrities?"

"Yeah but they are not all over the papers or known in the entire country, unless you stalk children of corporate world. I don't know why you are not fawning over them. That's weird for me," He said earnestly, "You are actually not liking them. It doesn't happen ever."

I sighed and went in stood in front of him. His collar was folded inside. So, I arranged it and patted some of the imaginary lint away from his shirt, "That's because Derek Callingham, you have always remained in the shadows of others so you don't see the other side. First Jake, now Kyle who inspite of being weird, is better than you. You need to stop doing that."

"But that's how I am," He frowned and his warm breath hit my face, "I don't like the limelight. I never liked it."

Don't kiss him yet, Nora. He will freak out and run away. When the time comes, kiss him. Not now. He is an escapist and he will run.

"Shyness is good, Dora but only upto a certain point. You need to make an effort to make a name for yourself. Otherwise, be prepared to get thrown from one person to another like a ball," I replied.

"How come you have never told me this before?" He asked curiously.

"Its because Kyle is always stuck to you like a leech. We barely have any alone time. Believe me, I am much more than some dyed hair rich chick and crazy mumbo jumbo," I smirked.

"I don't doubt that," He said quickly, "I never thought of you like that. I actually respect and appreciate you a lot. You must know that obviously."

Of course he did. It was Derek afterall.
He looked so cute that I needed to find another topic to distract myself from attacking his mouth right now.

"I feel like dancing," I declared, stepping back.

I didn't feel like dancing at all.

"What? Here?" He looked around, surprised.

"Or else where? In the water?"

"No, no. Are you mad? If someone sees-"

"Nobody is here. This place is deserted and its nighttime. Even if they see, let them see," I sighed, "Let's dance."

"No. I can't dance," He stepped back and shook his head vehemently.

"Sure? Not even once?" I lifted my hands and did a pirouette.

"Nope. Not happening. I am not dancing," He stated, still shaking his head.

"Just once," I shook my hips and gave a wiggle of my butt. Derek laughed, still shaking his head as I saw him glance at my butt before quickly looking away, like he had committed a sin.

"Nora, you look funny."

"Just once, sweetheart," I started dancing, taking one step forward and holding out my hand.

He took a step back again, smiling, "You are not making me dance."

"If I were Reina, would you dance?" I sighed.

Immediately, his smile dropped and I felt like kicking myself for ruining the happy mood. Stupid Nora.

"Sorry, forget what I said," I brushed it off.

"No, I wouldn't have danced still. I don't dance," He said slowly.

"You have never danced in your life?" I asked, thunderstruck.

He bit his lip, going red, "Never with a partner at least, it just doesn't make me excited."

What a sad life. I had to rectify it. I had to, I didn't care it was forceful or not. Everyone had to dance at least few times in their life, it didn't matter if they had two left feet.

"Oh my God, you are no fun, Dora. You are acting like I am asking you to do acrobatics, its not that deep. Geez, you bore me to death."

"I know. Never said I was an interesting person," He agreed, raising his eyebrows and letting out a deep breath.

My god, he was so frustrating.

"Come on. Just one dance," Before he could protest, I grabbed his hands and put them on my waist. The man needed one dance.

"N-Nora..."

"Like this," I started moving. He awkwardly put his foot around, trying to move along with me. His hands were barely touching my waist as they were shaking violently and his face color was turning deeper shades of red which could be seen even in the night light.

"Dora, I am asking you to dance, not have sex. No need to freak out," I rolled my eyes.

His eyes widened, "In any case, freaking out goes without saying."
He was about to let go when I clasped his hands on my waist, "Nope, don't let go. Stay and enjoy."

"This is weird," He looked uncomfortable, looking anywhere but me. I felt my mood going down. Jesus, he looked so not into it that I felt wrong for making him do it.

"No female friends of yours ever offered?" I asked softly, stopping the movement.

"I don't have any female friends except Olivia and you," He muttered, looking relieved.

And Reina previously, I could see in his eyes.

"Poor you," I sighed, "Its not that bad if you try it with me. There is nobody to judge you here."

"You are making me do things I don't usually do," His face darkened, clearly not enjoying it.

I nodded and moved back.

"I get it but look at this in a different way, Dora. You are dancing for the first time! You have a partner and you are dancing! How cool is that! I am glad I got to be your first," I said softly.

He gulped and stared me, those eyes of his swirling in emotion. I assumed he was again about to say how weird and bad it was but he nodded to my surprise and slowly came forward, putting his hands on my waist again. I felt a grin etching on my face as he started following my steps again. I felt a twitch of my lips as he tried matching with me, looking still embarrassed but not trying to run for the hills this time.

"I really hope nobody sees us."

Ah, there it was.

"I imagine the position of the girl who will have sex with you someday. You will be sitting there all awkward and she will shout at you 'You have to put that thing in and move' and you will be like, 'Where? What next? How can I move inside a human body? That's insane!' " I mimicked a high pitch voice, hoping to distract him.

Derek chuckled, "I know how the process of reproduction works, Nora. I am inexperienced, not clueless."

He was. He was very much clueless.

"You will only have sex for reproduction?" I asked, bewildered.

"Of course. Why else?" He asked, "I have other ways of pleasuring myself, like video games and of course, self pleasure-"

"Shut up," I said, stopping the dance, "I have to work on you a lot, Dora. Your brain developement is not that of a twenty one years old bloke," I said seriously.

"Why? I am serious. I-"

"Believe me. The day you are gonna get it going, you wish it never stops. Then you will not just do it for 'reproduction', sweetie," I grinned.

"You say like you have a lot of experience," He raised his eyebrows.

"I don't know what you mean by a lot. But yes, I have had my share of really good sex and learnt all about giving and receiving pleasure," I shrugged, "Wanna let me show you?"

He blushed and shook his head, "No thanks. I am alright."

"Sure you are," I grinned wider and bumped his shoulder, "You don't know what you are missing out, Callingham."

"In no hurry to know either," He said in the same tone.

"Well, I assure you when you have it, you are gonna keep coming back for more. You have had kisses before, I presume?"

"Yeah, I have," He nodded, "I am not that innocent."

With Reina? I kept the thought repressed. Don't speak about her.

"Were they good?" I asked.

"The last one, yes," He said, looking away.

I bet it was Reina.

"Hmpf. I am sure you haven't had the best kiss of your life yet," I said proudly.

"Oh yeah? How would you know?" He challenged, looking competitive suddenly.

"How about this, then? I will give you two kisses during my stay here," I said, holding up two fingers.

It was just an excuse to kiss him, to be honest. The thought of competition didn't cross my mind at all. You are such a horny, thirsty girl, Nora.

"What?" His eyebrows shot up as he stopped moving and recoiled his hands away.

"Just as a game," I assured him, "I will kiss you two times during my stay here. They can be given anytime and anywhere I feel like," I smiled mischievously.

"Then, you decide whether it was the best kiss or not. I am not keeping it to one kiss because I know you will shit your pants the first time thinking too much. So, in order to give you a second chance, I will give you another," I finished.

These were all petty excuses. I just wanted to take advantage of his lips. God, the time I would have teaching him how to please a woman.

"W-what are you saying? H-have you gone completely insane?" He had started stuttering as he almost took ten steps back shaking his head vigorously like I had just wished to do a pole dance for him in a kimono.

"Absolutely not! You are my friend-"

Sure. A friend who wants to tap that fine ass for a while now.

"I am not telling you to fall in love with me, Dora. Just two kisses. Harmless smacking of lips. To see if you-"

"I don't want to see or compare anything!" He interrupted, "Kissing will complicate things!"

"Pussy," I snorted.

"You can't say things like that-"

"You are afraid to take a challenge. I am not asking you to involve feelings nor am I expecting anything from you! Put some fire and excitement in your life, will you? Its just a kiss, not the pleasurable act of taking in and out," I said a little loudly.

He blinked rapidly, "This is wrong. This is very, very wrong."

"A guy like you being friends with a girl like me is the first wrong thing you can do, Dora. Kissing is the second wrong thing. Two wrongs make a suspiciously correct right," I just made up the excuse.

Of course he was right. But I sure as hell wasn't telling him that.

"You are mad," He looked on the verge of puking, "I am not kissing you. Even if it's for a bet."

Prick, prick. There he goes, stabbing again.

"My breath is not that bad. I will chew some mint before the deed then," I pointed out.

"Its not that. I had long ago decided I would never kiss or look at another girl till I finish university. Maybe, when I start working. Not now," He replied like a holy saint, "Don't give such weird suggestions."

"Please. One kiss won't make you fall in love with me. One kiss is not even going to stir feelings in you, Dora. Stop being a coward. You claim to be daring. This is your chance. Think of it as a game of truth and dare," I shrugged.

"Nora, you are speaking nonsense. Not kissing doesn't equate to being a coward and it's normal if you don't want to have flings. Kissing has never been a game for me. It's always intimacy and tenderness."

Damn it, I need to go get my wedding dress. Derek's future wife would be so darn lucky. Hell, I didn't care he was an old school romantic softie. I was melting into a puddle, all the while seething with jealousy that I would never be the girl who could elicit anything romantic within Derek.

"You can just try out once. It really doesn't have to mean anything."

I just want to kiss you, goddammit. Can't you see? Have you been taking blind lessons from Reina? Is your radar so off?

He swallowed, looking conflicted, "We were both doing alright and you suddenly said this. It's weird..." He trailed off, looking at a dilemma.

"So, you are agreeing," A slow grin appeared on my face.

"I-I...uh..." He was unsure as he frowned deeply, mumbling something to himself.

"It's a deal," I grabbed his hand and shook it before he could change his mind.

"I am regretting this," He sighed, "This is wrong. I shouldn't agree."

Somehow, even though I knew he meant regretting the bet, I felt as if he meant kissing me. It always felt Derek regretted doing everything with me.

Don't get me wrong. Derek never said anything to hurt me, but deep down I often felt he was sick and tired of me and would leave me one day.

People leaving me always scared me. It made me clingy. I was not ashamed to say I was clingy. I got attached to people who gave me attention easily because most people refused to have any contact with me because of my ways. Not that I blamed them completely, I could be a lot to handle but that didn't mean it didn't stung.

"You won't regret it. Think of it as a method of getting over Reina," I said, my smile faltering a bit.

"I am only doing this because it's you. I know how competitive you are, so I am agreeing. I wouldn't have agreed otherwise. Also, maybe you are right. Its just a bet to prove something," He whispered, almost speaking to himself now.

"You wouldn't have agreed even if it was Reina?" I couldn't help but ask.

He paused, thinking. A scowl marred his boyish face as he thought.

"What?" I asked.

"No, I wouldn't have agreed even if it was her," He said.

******

Author's note:-

😇😇😇 'Holey' saint he is.