Even before I could comprehend, wednesday soon turned into thursday in an unfair manner and Nora packed her bags, all ready to leave. The morning was depressing enough for me but madame spoke cheerfully and laughed freely with Ma.

Two hours later, after a happy and emotional goodbye from Ma, Olivia, Reina, Axel and yes, Jake too, I found myself at the station reluctantly following Nora like an angry parent.

"We are so late! I told you take a dump when you get back home, you moron!" Nora shouted.

"I didn't take a dump! Your train hasn't arrived yet, idiot!" I argued.

"What if I missed the train, huh?"

It would be so damn good.

"You didn't, right? Stop freaking out," I rolled my eyes as I saw her relax that the train hadn't arrived yet.

"I can't afford to miss the train. My mom would kill me," She checked the platform number.

"You were supposed to stay for one more week. Five weeks minimum, not four weeks," I grumbled, as she trudged the luggage with her. I had offered to help, but the great brave soul she was, she declined of course.

"I would if my parents' anniversary wasn't there. You should be thankful I postponed it. I was supposed to go last Friday. Here I am going Thursday," She giggled, "Mom is going to kill me. She is already pissed off at me for delaying my visit."

She sounded she had given the most hilarious piece of news to me ever. I made a face at her.

"Call me when you reach there and when you reach home, actually just call me whenever you want. I wouldn't mind if we talked throughout the train journey but I wouldn't want you to lose out on your energy and battery life. Don't talk to strangers much. Don't make faces at babies or peep out of the window. Do not smoke or drink in the train. Do not pick up a fight with anyone or criticise them about their lack of knowledge," I ordered, "And why the hell do you have so many bags inside your suitcase? At least let me carry one."

"You are acting like my guardian, Dora. I am not a kid. These bags are my makeup kit and dresses which I had to shop from here because I won't have time in Manhattan," She explained, "I'll be fine. Don't baby me."

"Also, don't argue with old people or tell people that their kids are noisy. We don't do that," I said.

"I know that but I will definitely shout the entire train down if a kid continuously makes irritating grating noises. You don't need to order me and tell me what to do," She huffed.

"I am just looking out for you. You know how scared I get when you go alone somewhere. I know you won't wreck anything but still, just be careful-"

"Oh Lord, you need to have a little faith in me. I am not going to burst the place," She said, "Unless I could make explosives and people were irritating me," She wondered, a suspiciously wistful look on her face.

"Why are you getting angry? I am just worried because you don't have much habit travelling in trains and I am not there with you."

"It's because you are rambling on and on instead of showering me with your love," She pouted angrily. I looked at her face for few seconds before laughing and grabbing her face to give a kiss on each cheek.

"Better?"

"Loads," Her face split into a grin as my face automatically broke into a similar one.

"When is the train supposed to arrive?" I asked as we spotted some empty chairs and sat down.

"It should arrive any minute now. This station is almost deserted," She noticed, looking around and keeping her bags down, "We have more people at my place."

"I know. People usually opt for a car journey. You had to take the train, didn't you?" I rolled my eyes.

"Stop being so grumpy. We will meet again, pighead. I am not going away forever," She snapped.

"I am sorry but you are leaving too soon. We are not meeting for a month, do you realise it?" I whined.

"Aww, don't worry, you poor baby. We will call and message. It's going to be alright, Dora," She pulled my cheek.

"For gods sake, its Derek. Not Dora," I sighed, putting my head in my hands, "At least get it correct once in your life."

"Nora and Derek gives Dora. Not Derek," She raised an eyebrow.

I paused and stared at her blankly, "Dora... that's your name for us? That's why you always call me Dora??"

"No, it's because you act stupidly as that character, blinking continuously and failing to hear what I am saying. I just happened to realise one day that it's a good combination of our names," She shrugged casually.

"Call me Derek," I said firmly, shuddering at the reason.

"Or else what, Dora? You are gonna make fun of my height?" She snorted, "I have heard many jokes before about that."

"You have only heard the long ones, not the 'short' ones," I said with a straight face.

"Ah, you would know all about short things, wouldn't you now?" She batted her eyelashes.

"You are horrible. You are the devil reincarnated," I said, pointing a finger at her.

"I survive you everyday. I should learn to tackle hell by now," She argued.

"I..." I paused, thinking for a good comeback, "Well, just so you know. Its not short."

"Seeing is believing."

"What the-" I paused, a small smile threatening to break out as she wiggled her eyebrows, a teasing look on her face.

"Leave that. What are you going to do now once I leave?" She changed the topic.

I wanted to say she wouldn't have to wait long but I felt it would be too out of character for me and frankly, she would simply laugh at my face if I tried talking dirty. I would just have to continue to surprise her. I had a few plans in a month when we would meet again but that was for another day.

"Well, I will be hanging out with Jake tonight. Then tomorrow, Ma and I will go for shopping and spend the day to ourselves. Then, I might do something on my own, I haven't thought about it," I wondered, "Read a book, catch on a game or prep myself for the internship."

"That's great! Your mom is the best, you know. Anyway, I have to say it though. I was happy when you were happy at Reina and Axel's engagement. I know they haven't set a marriage date yet but I assumed you would be shocked," She said.

"To be honest, I did have an inkling but I was far more busy..." I began truthfully but was interrupted as I heard the loud noise of the train coming.

"Oh great. Let's get up," She stood up as the train entered the station.

I stood up with her and for the first time, a blast of emotions came rushing to me that Nora was leaving. She was actually leaving.

I didn't feel that intense momentum when she packed her bags or bade goodbye to Ma or the others who came to see her off at our place. But now, as she stood with her luggages and got up in the train, I felt lonely all of a sudden.

It was the same kind of loneliness I felt when Axel was at the hospital and I sat alone for hours, waiting for him to wake up along with everybody.

Who would irritate and annoy me now? Who would flirt with me and laugh at me? With whom would I have the time of my life and a never fading grin and a fear of danger lurking at every corner?

The answer wasn't Jake.

I saw her get up and blinked before a wave of panic set in. She didn't wave goodbye. She had already boarded the train and was about to leave me.

"Nora!" I shouted loudly as she got in.

I ran behind her and was about to get up in the train when she came out but without her bags.

"I was coming to meet you, Dora. I just went to keep my bags and the train is doesn't leave for another ten minutes. You really think I would leave without saying goodbye?" She flashed her familiar grin as she got down on the platform again.

"Why?" I blurted out.

"What?" She asked quizzingly.

"Why me? You never gave me a proper answer. Before you go, give me one. I am not the funniest, I cannot flirt even if my life depended on it, I am definitely not as rich as you are, I am not the best looking guy out there, I am good at studies but there are better than me at Yale, I am not even experienced in sex for that matter. I am a vir-"

"Hey," She looked concerned, holding my hand, "What is happening to you?"

"I tried so hard to ignore but why is it me? You could've had anyone but..." I swallowed, gripping her hand tightly.

"You are good."

"Good? That's it?" I snorted incredulously.

"That's the only thing that actually matters, Callingham. You are good, you have a strong and stable family and you ground and calm me. Okay?" She nodded, "It might sound bland to you but it's not to me. You are the brakes to my accelerator."

"Oh."

"You've also got the best ass I have ever seen with those full lips coming close second, if you want more saucy reasons. I have thing for it."

I chuckled, "Well, I have got thing for your toes and ankles."

She raised an eyebrow, the evil smile  etching on her face, "Really? You don't like the tits? I am disappointed."

I felt my neck heating up, "Jesus, lower your voice-"

"Give an answer and I won't shout it out again then."

"God Nora, yes," I lowered my eyes as she hollered in laughter, "That and the legs. Okay?"

"What about the butt?"

"Everything, okay! I love everything- ass, tits, legs, hands, ankles, toes, fingers, elbows, stomach, face, head, eyes, ears, personality, height, skin color, hairstyle and hair color, tattoos, piercings. There isn't anything I dislike beside your habits of smoking and drinking too much, alright? I also detest the nickname Dora with every pore of my being."

She was grinning so widely, I wondered if I had said something out of the box which I was pretty sure I didn't. I was definitely not very brave but I had been dropping too many hints for her not to understand anything.

"I am going to have so much fun teaching you about every kind of pleasure. You'll never want to leave the bed with me."

And it was pretty accurate to say I wouldn't, if it happened. Just saying.

It would.

Someday.

Later.

Sooner.

"You don't have to go," I sighed, the smile ebbing away, "Stay. For me. I know you gave some good reasons but I want to be selfish again."

"Idiot, I am not missing my parents' anniversary. Twenty fifth anniversary won't ever come again. My parents, after a long time, want me to be there with them and I don't want to miss it," She narrowed her eyes and stood aside for the other passengers to enter.

"I know it's selfish but they-"

"Everyone deserves a second chance, you would know that," She raised her eyebrows.

"I know but it feels you are running away-"

"Me? Please. I am the last person to run away. You are the one who runs, not me," She scoffed.

At that moment, I understood how much she still cared about her parents and vice versa. They might have ignored her for most of time I knew her, but eventually they did invite her and even asked for help. I wouldn't forgive them immediately but Nora did.

And if Nora could, who the hell was I to say anything?

She was trying too. Her encounter would be awkward but she would manage it. She always did. I felt like a selfish bastard to ever doubt her joking round about her parents.

Love was a subjective thing and different for different people. I didn't know whether it existed between them, but there was no coldness about it either.

"Did I tell you who was the happiest when I said I was going back to visit my parents?" She grinned.

"Jake?"

"Axel. After everyone had gone home that night and you were chatting with Jake and Olivia, I told him. He was happy that we both made an effort to reconcile. It didn't happen with him and he wished me good luck. He is such a sweet guy. I wish he had sorted things with his mom out," She sighed sadly.

"Me too," I said honestly. Her eyes flickered to me and her smile grew as she saw my sullen face.

"Now, don't you be jealous again. You know I would prefer your friend to his anyday," She winked.

"Oh Nora..." I shook my head, a laugh bubbling as my shoulders shook.

"Oh Derek..." She mimicked me, beaming at my laugh.

Why didn't I never notice this girl made me laugh so much? What was wrong with me? If someone could make you laugh this much, it was pretty much endgame.

"But I have so much to say and you are going away so soon," I blurted out, "I have stuff which will take long time to explain but for some reason, I cannot seem to find the words to articulate which is weird-"

"Well, you have to make it short then," She pointed out, "The train is going to leave soon and I don't wanna miss it. We're already way past the half mark for waiting time."

"Nora," I was flustered now, "I want to say that I'll miss you."

"That's it?" She laughed, "You have nothing else to say? Geez. I didn't mean a single sentence when I said to keep it short."

Without having much to think, I wrapped her in a hug, "Thank you so much. For everything."

"Okay..."

"I need you to know that I don't need numbers for you, so a nine out of ten Reina over a ten out of ten Nora is out of question. Thank you for being my silver lining. Sorry for taking it so long to realize," I whispered in her ear.

She rubbed my back, "Don't say that. You needed time and you took it. I was a spoilt brat but yeah, I can't deny I am not ecstatic you finally saw my awesomeness in its entirety."

"You are my silver lining, Nora. You are," I closed my eyes, trying to show her the intensity of my feelings, "You are the entire summer, you know. Bright colors and warmth."

"I am not getting your weather references and I also prefer darker colors. You know, you will fail miserably if you try to talk metaphors with me. You mean to say I am very nice and good, right?"

"Absolutely. More than that. You are everything and nothing I could expect from my someone at the same time."

It wasn't those exact three words but somehow, I knew she would understand.

I pulled back to see her face was expressionless. She had a look of disbelief on her face, "Oh, Dora. You are so sweet. I will punch you if you go more maudlin on me."

Without overthinking, I bent and pressed my lips to her forehead and closed my eyes. I did not retract immediately and lingered my lips on her forehead. Her eyes shut and her hands grabbed my elbows. I kissed her cheeks again before engulfing her body into my arms, tightening my grip around her.

"If this is the last time we are holding each other before we meet again after a month, then I want to stay like this for few more minutes, if you don't mind," I mumbled.

"Derek, I'll never mind you," She nuzzled her head at the crook of my neck, "Unless you tell me to go vegan. Sorry. And we have exactly a minute left."

We stayed there and I held onto her like she was my lifeline. I didn't want to let go of her just yet. But I had to. When I retracted, her face held pure mischievousness.

"I don't remember a promise of a third kiss. Or does a forehead kiss, knuckle kiss and cheek kisses count?" Her lips twitched in amusement.

How could she look so happy while I wanted to grab her hand and take her away from the stupid train to my house again?

"No, these are kisses I wanted to give," I said seriously, hoping she would just stop talking about that damn bet. I never wanted to forget something so bad before.

Her face turned serious slowly, "You are such an idiot."

I was. The biggest one.

"I'm ready for us," I blurted out, pulling her into a hug again, "No more bet kisses or games or anything. Just a proper rela-"

The fucking train gave a loud whistle as the remaining passengers boarded the train. I knew the doors would soon going to close and I was grabbing Nora tightly. No, I wasn't done hugging her yet. She was still mine for few more seconds and I was going to take full advantage of it.

Couldn't the steel caterpillar wait for few more minutes? Its not as if it had an urge to pee or shit.

If I didn't leave her right now, she would miss the train. The selfish, illogical part of me shouted at me to grab her and not let her go but the sane part reminded me it was only temporary.

This time, if I let her go, she would return back to me. She wouldn't leave. She was here to stay. She meant everything she said.

"I have to go," She looked back at the train, "I will call you as soon as I land. The train is going to leave after three whistles. So, you need to leave me right now," She gave a half chuckle, squirming a bit.

"Nora, I want to say that I -" I had already loosened my grip on her arm but she didn't hear the full thing.

"Meet you after a month. We will video call, okay? Don't let others dictate your life. Enjoy with your mom and friends. Give them my love and regards. Stay strong and happy," She smiled before she pressed a quick kiss on my cheek and booped my nose with hers, "Bye, Derek. See you at Yale again."

I bit my lip as she walked away. I looked around, feeling a bit low before I saw she had turned back and was running towards me again. My eyes widened as I opened my arms right at the moment  she jumped into them, wrapping her legs around my waist, kissing me full on the mouth as she grabbed my face.

I stumbled at the sudden collision before finding my balance and grabbing her tightly so I didn't drop her. I quickly recovered though - thank god for once in my life- and felt a shit eating grin forming as I kissed back. We kissed for exactly seven seconds before the second whistle blew.

But goddamn, what a seven seconds it was. Best seven seconds of my life. We kissed like there was no tomorrow and the apocalypse would arrive anytime soon and I would know she knew I loved her. Of course she would, she knew everything.

She got down, looking out of breath, "Damn Callingham, you learnt more than well enough how to kiss."

"I am a very fast learner and a good student, you know that already," I said breathlessly.

"God, you are such a dork. It's so freaking hot. I am so eager to learn your bedroom skills. Okay. Final bye."

I was barely able to say a bye over all the smiling I was doing recently before she turned back and ran to the train and got up. The train gave the final whistle as the doors shut close and it started moving slowly.

I saw Nora hurrying over to the window side. She probably didn't get the window seat as she pushed the man sitting out of the way and pasted herself against the window, waving energetically.

I couldn't help but chuckle as I waved back. The train picked up it's pace as I walked side by side, continuing to wave. The man whom Nora had pushed, looked very pissed as she said something to him and again smiled at me and gave a flying kiss.

"I love you," I mouthed too quickly, still feeling my heart beat rapidly from the adrenaline. I pressed my other hand against my chest, telling it to calm down.

She scrunched her face and shook her hand, indicating she didn't understand what I said. I gulped and smiled again. Then, I waved again, not repeating it. If I told her right now, I wouldn't be able to survive the rest of the summer here and as much as I wanted to go to Nora again, I wanted to spend the remaining time with Ma, Jake and Olivia because I wasn't coming back at Greywall for another year.

A month later. I wonder what color she would dye her hair. Would she keep it the original color? I loved it. I loved the red one, purple one, green one, pink one, lemon one and rainbow one too. I wouldn't even mind if she shaved off her head or got a face tattoo at this point. I just wanted to see her and hold her again.

I never realized how much I wanted her until she messaged me that day that she would be going. I had gotten so used to her presence since the last two years that I almost forgot Nora hadn't been a part of my life before that. She was the only person who always questioned my sanity and could send me to jail. I still wouldn't want to go to prison even if Nora thought it would be fun. As it is, my perfect record was broken.

I came to a stop as the train finally took up high speed and left the station, leaving me amongst the throng of strangers in an almost empty platform. She had left, taking a small part of me with her.

I heaved a sigh at the fading train and walked out of the station with people looking and snickering at the public kiss but I didn't care. I was glad we had that final kiss because I still felt a bit better than ten minutes ago. Trust Nora to end her stay with a dramatic scene and I didn't even fucking care. What a girl.

I came out and walked towards the car, my face scrunched up due to the sunlight falling on my face.

My phone rang as I was about to open the driver's door and I saw Jake's name flashing on the screen. I picked up the call, "Hey."

"She left?"

"Yup, just now. She should reach her destination in three hours and catch the plane to Manhattan from Hartford."

"Feels weird not to have her around?" He asked in a gentle tone, unlike the teasing or arrogant 'I-am-the-best' tone he usually wore.

"Already," I nodded, "I'm already feeling low but that's alright. I will see her again."

"Did you tell her what you told me yesterday?" He inquired.

"No. Though, I think she might have understood it by the way I was acting. I have never been more desperate," I sighed, rubbing my forehead but smiling at the memory of her leaping into my arms, "We did kiss though before leaving. It was short but fuck Jake, I was over the moon."

I was carving this memory into my golden archive of Nora memories. Next time we met, she would be the one surprised, I promised to myself. I still had to outdo her. The girl was already leading by many points but I knew one month later, I was gaining back all of them.

"Well, you fucking astronaut, you shouldn't wait for these kind of things. Getting a second chance is rare. People would die to be in your place," He said.

"I said it so badly to Reina without thinking through even after waiting for so long. I didn't want to make a blunder again. But I do love her and I know if I told her today, I would hop on that train myself. I wouldn't be able to stay here with so many resources and facilities that could immediately make me reach out to her."

"Then message her right now, you coward."

"I know. Where should I meet you, anyway?" I asked.

"At my place. I just bought this new game. You are gonna love it. Also, I am having some fried chicken which is delicious," He said, his tone getting a little excited.

I gave a small smile, not really sharing his enthusiasm right now.

"Did you really wanna board the train?" He asked after few seconds when he saw I wasn't responding with equal vigor.

I paused.

"It's alright, you know. I won't judge you."

"Yes," I said, "I wanted to go with her to her place. Then, we would go to Yale together."

"You truly don't wanna live here anymore, do you?" I could feel him smiling sadly.

"No. Besides you guys and Ma, there is nothing here for me. I just spent four years here. I am a lot happier in the city in only two years than I ever was in Greywall, in all honesty. I wish we could all go and live there. That place made me happy with myself. I wanted you and Olivia to come with me," I exhaled, "The only good things left here for me are you, Olivia, Ma and perhaps a bit of Reina and Axel. But I belong there."

"I understand, dude. But Greywall makes me happy with myself. There is everything I have and need here. I wouldn't trade it for the world. Not even New Haven."

"I know. That's why I won't pressure you to move there."

"So, there isn't any tiny chances of you shifting back here after you stay there for a couple of years, earn enough and then realise you could come use your skills to uplift this town?"

I chuckled, "Not at all my plan for now. That is my home. Nora is there and Kyle is there. And most probably, by next four years, I should persuade Ma to come there. I love the city life, Jake. It's where I stopped becoming a crybaby and tasted success."

"Except your girl charming skills. It still sucks. It's in the negative," He said immediately.

"Doesn't matter. The one girl that needed to be charmed has been charmed already since a while. So, who's the boss here?"

"Ohh, sassy Derek. I like this version better. Just please retain enough of the old version for me to make a fool out of you every now and then. You know it will get boring otherwise."

I laughed out loudly, "I am coming in ten minutes. Spare some chicken for me," I ended the call.

Instead of putting my phone back in, I went to contacts before I paused at Nora's name. I wanted to call her already but I figured I wouldn't be able to describe what I was feeling now. So, I typed in a message.

"By the way, when you left, it wasn't 'I like you' which I was about to say. It was something more. The answer you wanted. Yes, I do. Very much. You are everything I love. But I want to meet you face to face and say everything I want to say, not over text or video chats. Keeps the yearning and pining intact, you know. I hope you understand."

I kept my phone back and got inside the car, starting the engine. I should have said it to her before she left. Damn it, I had made the same mistake with Reina.

But then again, not telling her at the right time was the most correct mistake I had ever done. Not telling Nora today was the most sinful mistake and I didn't need another Axel.

I never gave the letter I wrote to Reina, but at least I typed in what I felt and sent it to Nora. Whether she would see it and act like I imagined her to act was upto her now.

I hoped I didn't make another mistake, I really hoped not. If she rejected me, I would go berserk and probably slam my head against a pillar.

I was overreacting again. This was Nora. I laughed as I recalled the day I gave a long speech to Reina about my love.

I suddenly jolted with realization as Olivia's words from two years ago in the hospital came to mind.

She was too perfect for me. I didn't prefer perfection in anything besides work now. I wanted flaws now, imperfections now. Reina had her flaws, no doubt but it wasn't for me to pick out and notice. I was more than happy to keep her as this perfect illusion in my high school phase of life now as some good memories that I would cherish.

It took me so long to understand that I had always been running behind happiness and not enjoying what I already had with Reina, Jake and Olivia. I thought my only happiness was being in a relationship with Reina.

Reina was like a searing love, the scorching heat of the sun that burnt me. I couldn't go too close because I knew I wouldn't be able to handle it. She was like the ocean which had the potential to drown me and leave nothing behind.

Nora was like cherry blossoms, a warm evening by the fireplace. She was the rain falling slowly on me. She was there to provide me a sense of comfort and warmth and yet not snatch away Derek himself.

Nora Wright was my haven and I hoped I was hers.

I didn't even tell her those three words directly. I gave no long speech or words of wisdom. I just said what I felt truly in a small message. Would she understand and appreciate? Would she get it?

I was leaving Greywall a couple of days early. I knew that. I knew I would spend the rest of my stay with Ma and Jake, Olivia, trying to milk out every second but I wouldn't last one month. It was too much.

My phone beeped again. I took a deep breath. This is it. Her message would direct our course of future. Feeling nervous as hell, I opened my phone and opened my messages.

"I know and understand everything. Welcome to my world finally, Callingham. We're gonna have a great time ahead (without jail). This is my promise to you.😉❤️ "

********

(END OF BOOK 2)

This was a lot shorter than 'Futile', almost by 20 chapters I think and hope you enjoyed it as much as I loved writing it.

It was very dramatic, I know. But I love a small drama because my life scores negative in it.

:/

I know it wasn't exactly the "perfect romantic" ending many of you wanted but I felt this is more suitable. Plus, their story didn't end there, as you can see. ;)

You can obviously imagine what will happen after Derek returns to Yale and meet Nora there. I just wanted to end it like this. It's neither an open ending nor a closed ending, but a happy ending.

Derek's story ends here fully. There will be no more stories on him. I might make some Jake and Olivia one shots compilation later.

If you would like to ask any further questions about Derek and others, please do so. Give a private message and once I collect enough questions, I will post a chapter answering them.

If one day, I get some ideas, I will add an extra chapter of Jake Olivia in this story.

Thank you for so much love for these two books.

Happy reading.✌✌🤘✍