CHAPTER 7

MIRABEL

"Where do I start from? How do I approach Derek? " I pondered on in class, looking lost.

I didn't know what or how to carry out this plan. All I've been feeling ever since Tania made that deadline, was nothing but intense fear.

My heart has been racing since morning, unable to concentrate any more.

"Mirabel! MIRABEL!!"

"Yes?!" I answered loudly, turning to look forward.

I saw all my classmates gawking at me with their mouths filled with laughter.

"I have been calling you for more than four minutes straight. Seems you are thinking outside studies, huh?"

"No, Ma'am. I'm sorry, " I apologized to my professor, feeling ashamed already.

I lowered my head down in embarrassment, hearing my classmates cackling at me.

When I lifted my head a little, my eyes met with Tania and her friends. They were also laughing at me.

Only Tania's grin and gaze terrified me more. She signalled with her hand tapping her wristwatch, mouthing the word Friday.

I gulped down my saliva, giving her a faint smile before dropping my gaze down on my desk.

"Goodness! Please help me heavens. Help me out of this mess," I prayed within.

After lecture, I exited my class to look for Diego and talk to him.

Since it was a Monday, I believed he was going to be at the gym with his friends, since that's where he hangs out on a Monday.

I will know all these because I used to spy and study everything about Derek then.

If it was a course, I bet I would get an A in it, because I made Derek's school routine a part of my daily life.

But not anymore.

I ended that gawking and spying habit after discovery we're going to be siblings soon.

"I'll just ask for a brief time to talk to him. I just hope he doesn't lash out?" I prayed, heading for the gym.

Students were rushing towards the gym as well. The way they were racing over there, left me wondering if something was going on.

"Hurry! We can't miss this, " Someone yelled at a friend as they ran to the gym with other students.

This got me following, curious to find out what was going on.

On arrival to the gym, which was now crowded like a stadium, I spotted Derek and his friends going head to head in an arm wrestling.

This is why everyone was rushing down here to watch. It's because Derek was here, arm wrestling with the others.

"You can do it!"

"Derek we love you!!"

"Derek! Derek!! Derek!!" They all chanted, making a big deal of it.

"What's there? " I lifted my brow, trying to look Unamused.

Honestly, I didn't see anything quite amus...

I froze at the sight of Derek's clear view. He wore an armless top which was never on him when we came together, flexing his muscles with sweat drooling down his skin.

My cheeks came burning just staring at him, as he battled with his friend, looking so calm and... Cool.

I wanted to take my eyes off him but I couldn't. It was hard.

Just then, Derek slammed his friend's hand to the table, winning the final round.

"YES!!" Everyone roared out, jumping like crazy.

I just stared at his point, smiling proudly at him.

Honestly, I couldn't resist.

"YES! Tania, your soon to be boyfriend just won!" A familiar voice cheered from my front, leaving me shocked.

"Shit! It's them!"

I looked closely and realized Tania and her friends were standing in front of me.

Quickly, I retraced my steps back quietly, exiting the gym, and running away.

"I hope they didn't see me? " I panicked, racing away from there.

Why did I forget that anywhere Derek goes to, Tania is there?

She also has a crush on him. And just like every other girls in this college, Tania and her friends would follow Derek like flies, just to be noticed by him.

"I think I should be heading home now. I can't stay any longer," I decided, feeling my whole body turning hot.

Already having my bag with me, I exited the school, making my way back to Mr Hallman's mansion on foot.

"Maybe I'll talk to him when he gets home. I'll just try and get him on a face to face conversation, " I decided.

.

At around five in the evening, I was done eating my lunch.

I arrived home at three and did some works in my room, before coming down to have my lunch.

Mr Hallman was still at the office while Derek...

Well, he wasn't back from school yet, and I didn't even want to call him. If I do that, it'd spoil my chance of having a better conversation with him, concerning Tania.

But wait. How do I want to start this conversation?

"This is bad. Do I just start that Tania loves him or first act like she's mysterious? Damn, this looks harder than I thought."

I remained at the dinning, thinking of how to carry this task, when I heard Derek's voice coming from the living room.

"Lunch, room, now!" He yelled out.

My innocent heart skipped when I heard his loud deep tone.

He's finally back.

I got to my feet and made my way out of the dining, only to spot Derek climbing the stairs, heading for his room.

I stayed close to a pillar, watching him race upstairs, with my mind thinking of what next to do.

Should I go and meet him now or wait?

"Mirabel, you don't have much time. Go and meet him now and tell him about Tania," A voice from my head spoke to me.

Summoning my courage, I walked up to the stairs and made my way towards Derek's bedroom.

But before I could get close, my mind flashed to my last attempt and what went down between us.

His roars that day echoed in me, sending my feet halting.

"No, not... Not here. Not his room." I withdrew my steps back, looking at his room with memories flooding again.

My heart ached with my arms wrapping my body.

"Don't meet him there. Maybe somewhere else."

"What are you talking about?" I heard Derek's voice from behind.

I was shocked, turning around with speed to find him there.

I thought I saw him heading to his room? How is he out here?

There he was, without his shirt on, but hanging on his shoulder, staring at me.

"De... Derek."

"Where you heading to my room?" He asked, glancing at his door then back at me.

My body came trembling, thinking of what to tell him. I didn't want to tell him it was his room I was heading to. I needed to think of something else.

But what?

"I asked you a question," He sounded deeply with harshness in his tone, with his steps slowly coming towards me.

Feeling scared, I stammered, hovering my eyes around while drawing back. "It... Was... I had..."

Behold, the heavens provided me with a solution. The empty room before Derek's bedroom was opened.

An idea immediately came into my mind, and I lied to him, "I was about checking if that room was convenient for me to stay in and read."

"What?" Derek uttered, lifting his brow at me in confusion.

"Yeah. You see, my class has a test this week, soon, and whenever I want to read, I make use of an empty room. It... It helps to calm my mood, " I lied further, spicing it.

Derek glared at me then at the room.

A scoff escaped his mouth, saying, " Weirdo. No wonder you get bullied for being a creep. Out of my way."

He bumped me aside with his shoulder, leaving me standing there like a nobody.

I was glad that I escaped with a lie, but hurt he called me a creep and insulted me over the only school problem I'm still battling with.

It got to me.

"I am not a creep," I said, trying to make myself feel better, before storming to my room without looking back.

.

The following day, Mr Hallman couldn't drop us at school like the previous day. He hired a guard to drop Derek and I, since he was heading for an early morning meeting.

Derek didn't wait. He immediately zoomed out of the mansion, leaving me behind.

I thought we could talk together in the car while heading to school, but that opportunity was ruined by Derek.

He doesn't care about after all. I'm just a burden to him.

"Oh Geez. I have to speak to him in school then. That's the only way out now. I have no choice. "

I was taken to school by the guard, in one of Mr Hallman's vehicles.

I got to school on time and spotted Derek and his friends heading into the school building, laughing.

I gulped down my saliva, going after him. I didn't want to postpone this or get scared of being around him.

I don't have much time.

I followed Derek and his friends from behind, watching them heading for the school cafeteria.

Not wanting us to meet in there...

"Derek! DEREK!!" I began to yell out to him, ignoring the students passing by.

And luckily, one of Derek's friends heard me. He turned back and saw me coming.

Quickly, he patted Derek and pointed at me. That got Derek turning over, dropping his eyes on me.

"Oh he finally stopped. Just pull yourself together, Mirabel. Don't be afraid," I encouraged, getting closer.