I woke up because the room felt like a blast furnace and I was sweating profusely. There was also this slight feeling of needing to shit, but it wasn't extreme. I turned around and found it was evening already. The sky had turned dark orange and the birds were screeching and shouting as they returned home in flocks.

My head was throbbing but not too much which was weird because I had taken a full raw drink. I have had worse hangovers than this. Like where I wanted to take a hammer and crack my head open.

Yawning, I woke up and immediately recalled what I had said earlier to Derek.

And immediately, I sat down on the bed again. Fuck, I had opened my mouth and spilled out my entire guts. I had actually told the real reason of me not going back to Manhattan. I also remembered me saying that I actually wanted to say it because I would chicken out otherwise.

I had planned on telling him sooner but not like this. I wanted to sit down and tell him, not blurt out like this.

Knowing Derek, either he would throw me out politely giving excuse of something or he would never speak to me, giving me the famous silent treatment.

Thank God I didn't tell him about how I felt, otherwise he would probably run away from his own house and land at Timbuktu.

I just had to say about the family matters, didn't I? I couldn't keep my mouth shut and rant out about them to Derek who had his own problems to deal with.

I smacked my head. Stupid, stupid Nora.

Someone knocked from outside at that moment, "Nora? You awake yet?"

Maybe I could just pretend to sleep again. But then again, how long would I pretend? I had to get up at some point of time. For now, if I could pretend to pass out, he would leave.

No, I had to face him. I wasn't a mouse, I was a lioness.

"I am up," I said, my voice wavering, the lioness going away to hiding and the mouse taking over.

Derek poked his head in, "May I come in?"

"It's your house, Dora," I rolled my eyes, snorting a little. Always the decent one.

I wish he would be toxic, rude and presumptuous for once so I could get over my ever growing crush once and for all.

"Here. I got you some meds and water," He came in, his hands full and passed the packet of pills to me.

I took one pill and chugged it down with the water as Derek sat down on my bed, "Killer headache?"

"No, subdued dull one," I smiled forcefully.

"Yucks. That's worse," He cringed, "Will you be having dinner here tonight? I can make up some excuse to Ma if you don't feel like having."

"Not really. I am alright. I will be fine within an hour or so," I shrugged.

"Okay. Good to know," He was staring at the floor.

"Tell me what you are itching to say," I sighed, "I will answer all your endless questions."

"Do you remember anything you said earlier?" He finally asked with utmost seriousness, no hint of shyness or hesitation visible.

I groaned and buried my head in my hands, "Unfortunately, yeah. I am so sorry, Dora. You shouldn't have heard that. It's stupid and-"

"Nora?"

"-I admit I am weak sometimes but I assure people like us are actually pure hearted people. I don't think you-"

"Look up, Nora," He said gently.

I shifted my fingers and looked at him from the middle of them, "What?"

Then, he surprised me. Derek suddenly leaned forward and hugged me. Not a casual, one hand hug. A full, tight hug. Like I was loved by him.

"You stupid girl, why can't you ever tell me what's going on? You know everything about me. Yet, you can't tell me? You know how guilty and selfish I feel?" His voice was muffled as his hands tightened around my back, his head on my shoulder.

Fuck. Feelings. I could feel those forbidden, strong feelings bubbling inside me. They had been bubbling since I met him but somehow, it had worsen when I came here. Like the day before, Derek had taken me for sight seeing at places where he, Jake and Reina used to hang out.

He was taking long strides as he showed around and the sun was bright when he turned around and started recounting some incident from four years ago but the shameless minx I was, I was busy staring at him.

I had never felt such strong feelings over someone talking about fishing and camping. His brown curls were long enough to be flying and all I could think of was running my hands through those thick mesh. His eyes sparkled, his nose scrunched from time to time and his awkward chuckles resonated something deep inside me.

I felt what Derek felt for Reina, perhaps not that deep but I was beginning to understand something for sure.

I would die to have Derek smile and laugh forever. I wouldn't like anything more than for him to explain the world's operations, tell me stories about him and just be there with me.

I was in deep trouble. I had managed to speak normally but right now, his hugging was doing things to me. I didn't want this reality to crash so soon.

"Dora, are you okay?" I asked, feeling concerned, "You do realize you are hugging me, right?"

"I know. I want to hug you. That's why I am hugging you. Simple," He said, "You're one of the few people I would never mind hugging."

Simple. Everything was simple, wasn't it? If only it were so simple. My heart was again thudding loudly. Why would he say these things? He was putting thoughts inside me. He was putting hope inside me. Hope was dangerous.

I cautiously moved my hands and rested against his back, "I'm fine, really. I am actually enjoying here."

"Are you?" He didn't leave me.

"It's better than not getting invited to my own parents' anniversary. I had plans to stay back this time or go to Argentina most probably, until you sprung this idea on me. It was a good idea," I nodded, resting my chin on his shoulder.

"You are always welcomed here, with or without my presence. Ma has her doors opened for you always," He said and slowly pulled back, smiling shyly once again, like Derek Callingham actually did while I resented the coldness again. I missed his warmth.

God, just grab his neck and kiss the life out of him. I can use my first bet kiss. I would tell him it is a game we agreed on.

Good god, I sounded so desperate. To hell with it, I wouldn't let pride and ego come in between us. The only reason that kept me from saying anything wasn't either of those two but the fact he wasn't ready for it. He wasn't fully over her and I wouldn't be too ecstatic having her unseen presence among us if we were together.

"Who forgot to pick you out from the jar of kindness, Dora?" I asked.

He chuckled, "It's nothing like that. I have made some really selfish mistakes in the past and I don't wanna repeat that. I don't want to go back and relive those things. So, I plan on going selfless and helping out other people during their needs."

Bet you can't fulfill my needs, you virgin tomato, the dirty side of my brain spoke.

"Oh yeah, I remember you saying you said something to Axel and then he broke off with Reina which led to a fight between you and Jake," I recalled.

"Darkest time of my life till now. I spilled poisonous words regarding his status, character and even accused Reina of sleeping with him because he is good looking in a very crude way," He rolled his lips in, "I still cannot associate myself with that Derek. If I could, I wouldn't stop apologising to them everyday."

"Then, Axel got into an accident. You realized the intensity of the things you said and then patched things up. You have apologized a lot and stayed true to your words after that. So, it turned to the brightest period of your life. It became a good thing," I shrugged.

"Not the brightest. But-"

"Oh. You didn't get that Reina chick. Hmpf. Doesn't matter. You have me, baby. I won't leave you," I winked, making a spider crawl movement on his arm.

He started laughing again, "Why do you always call her Reina chick? Her name is Reina. Call her Reina."

Derek called her Reina. Definitely, I wouldn't call her Reina purposely. By accident, sure. By purpose, no thanks. It wasn't personal but I was very insecure and Derek needn't know that.

"Just like that. My life, my rules."

"Promise me something, don't hide things from me. You have a shoulder to cry on with me. Don't think you are alone. I am here," He said softly but firmly.

Thud. Thud. He should stop saying such words. I could feel how deep I was going in every second. This was not good.

I nodded, "Think you can handle my mood swings?"

"I have been doing for two years, haven't I? My report card is very impressive, I might add. I have had practice with Jake Johnson too, in case you forget."

"But he is a boy. I am a girl. Things are different," I looked down, for some reason.

What was wrong with me? I never shied away from eye contact.

"You must know this Nora, I don't commit easily to a person for whatever reason. If I couldn't handle you, I wouldn't have spoken to you ever again. That's got to say something."

"Maybe you can't get over my nice tits."

He let out an odd puff of wind from his mouth, "Let's just say you are precious to me and I take care of my precious people."

Great. Fantastic. Awesome. He just had to say these words? Now, nobody could blame me.

"If you want, you can have dinner early today."

"I'll have it with you guys. I am already feeling okay. See? Your love for me now relives me of body pain," I flexed my arms.

He gave a wry smile, "You..."

"-are the best. Why thank you, monsieur," I bowed my head a bit.

"I was going to say you are weird, but whatever," He snorted.

"I hope you haven't forgotten our deal, Dora," I sang.

"What deal?"

I started making kissing sounds, smacking my palms against my lips. He raised his eyebrows before looking away, his ears going pink.

"No, I haven't forgotten," He shook his head.

"Be prepared. You are going to get the first one very soon," I wiggled my eyebrows.

His ears were growing red now. This guy could change his facial colors faster than I could say, "Blush, Dora!"

"Please don't announce it like that," He mumbled, playing with the edge of the bedcovers.

"Oh, so you want a surprise kiss? You naughty boy," I smirked.

"No, no. I didn't mean it like that," He said earnestly, "I swear."

"Sure you didn't. You want it too, don't deny," I pointed a finger at him, enjoying it.

"Nora, I swear I-"

"Have you kissed Reina ever?" I asked, changing the topic randomly.

He blinked, not saying anything. His mouth opened but closed again as his silence told me.

He had.

And it hurt. A lot more than I was willing to accept. That freaked me out. It cannot be helped anymore. The deal had been made. The fate had been sealed.

How did he manage himself around Reina ever?

"Well," I shook that feeling away and rested my hands on his shoulders.

He didn't jerk back. He was simply watching every move of mine, his mind calculating already.

"When I kiss you Dora, believe me, even if God himself wants it, you won't even remember Reina. She will be the last thing on your mind," I gave a quick peck on his nose and pulled away.

His mouth had formed a perfect 'O' as he stared at me, "Um..."

"If you are feeling uncomfortable, you can run away for now," I snickered, "I won't hold it against you."

He got up, "I...I...Ma is calling...I will go. Bye," He quickly walked away from the room.

I watched him go before giving a long sigh. I knew shit was gone. I had crossed that threshold, the challenging one. Not the type in books, but the one occuring in reality. The symptoms were so prominent that the virus had spread right through my body. Oh yes, it had and in a very slow, evil way throughout the two years. I knew that boy had raised my interest when I saw his pencil sticking out of his nose and dreaming on while staying awake.

Yes, I had caught the virus and I don't think it was going away anytime soon.

I picked my phone and messaged mom everything was fine before I called someone I never thought I would call and would just remain a name in my contacts list ever.

"Witch?" Kyle asked as he picked the phone, "Why are you calling? Did you do something to Derek!? What mistake did you do now?" He started rambling even before I could say a hello.

Typical of him to think like that.

"Derek did something. He commited a crime, not me," I snorted.

"Derek? Please, we both know-" He was about to say something more when I interrupted him.

"He made me fall in love with him, Kyle."

****

Author's note:-

The last part was so cringey to write. Their banters and arguments are much more fun and easy to put in words.

:-)