(Lila's P.O.V)

I grinned and pushed the ten bucks into my pocket before taking a seat at the dining table of the Greyson household.

The house was decked in shades of brown and beige and seemed quite elegant. Grace came and sat besides me while the seat across from mine became inhabited by Derek.

I didn't look at him.

Though I still remembered his pretty copper colored eyes and the slight dimple on the left cheek when he smirked. Yes, he made me ten bucks richer but it also proved my theory right.

"It's good to have you here, Paul and Ally. Welcome to Ladenhill." My mom smiled.

My father and Mr Greyson were occupying the seats on either head of the table while my mom and Ally sat beside them. I was next to Grace who was opposite to Desiree but I was stuck across Derek. There was one spare seat but that remained unoccupied. 

You probably didn't catch all that. I know, I skip those parts of directional visualization when I'm reading books too.

The food was served and the turkey was real good. The lasagna too. I chewed slowly, observing my surroundings.

"I'm Desiree but you can call me Desi." The pretty brown-haired girl introduced herself and within no time Grace and Desi were gushing over similar interests since Desi was just a year older than Grace which made her twenty.

I, unlike them, was not having a good time. 

Glancing to my right I saw the adults were conversing very well with laughs and smiles being exchanged. 

I sighed and finally, discreetly looked up from my plate to Derek.

When Grace said he was H-A-W-T she was telling the truth. But I'd never give either of them the satisfaction of knowing that. After I entered, it took some willpower to not start checking him out at once.

He was in a casual dress code too but his toned muscles and abs couldn't be hidden. He had the hint of a tattoo peaking from under the collar of his shirt, like twined flames. I had a feeling it wasn't his only tattoo either.

From what I'd gauged when we met, he was around six feet tall which sucked because I was five nine - I love my height, though - so he was still taller. And boy did he have the height doing wonders for him.

Derek's hair was jet black and on closer inspection, revealed his hair was actually dyed a really dark blue which passed off as almost black but the lights and angles reflected it sometimes which was seriously attractive. Plus, his hair was the perfect length. The one where you just wanna run you hands through it, tugging slightly during a good make out sessio–

Shut up, Lila.

Copper eyes made his bad boy look complete but the dimple instead of looking only adorable made him look simply tempting and I bit my tongue.

I wasn't going to judge him based on first looks and meets but I wasn't going to get all chummy with him either.

I was happy keeping my distance from the magnets for trouble and popularity and we all knew Derek was one of those. He hadn't been rude thankfully.

Only playful, perverted and arrogant so far.

But I was expecting that anyways. 

I hope he isn't a prideful and hot-headed bastard.

Derek had the similar type of arrogance and obnoxiousness that Warren did though. And boy, we know how that goes. My heart skipped a beat and I realized how defined his clean shaven jawline was. 

Then suddenly a foot nudged mine under the table, and I instantly withdrew it.

"Discretion isn't your best suite, Kitkat." 

My eyes snapped up to see Derek smirking and I rolled my eyes.

"Having a good time appreciating my physique?"

"Did you think that was my intention anyways?" I asked.

It totally was and my luck meant he would catch me red-handed.

Which he did.

Derek rose a sexy brow, "It's fine to feel intimidated around me but please do try to get over that."

I snickered. "Oh please, nobody's intimidated by you." I ate my piece of turkey. The thought in itself was preposterous. "You're anything but intimidating."

"Meaning I'm hot?"

I clarified before that he'll never know that fact. I'm happy without stoking his ego.

"No."

"Awesome?"

"No."

"Amazingly drool-worthy?"

"No. You only have a big head."

"Which one?" He wiggled his bows suggestively and I groaned. I did not want to hear such an innuendo.

Perverted loon.

"Are you taking your daily meds?" I asked him with a concerned look.

"Denial, Kitkat, denial." He clicked his tongue, chuckling to himself and took a sip from his glass of juice.

Juice, yes, because the two of us were yet to be legal, we weren't to drink even wine.

Like we could ever get wasted on that. Or didn't have alcoholic beverages at high school parties.

"So, Kitkat, are you always this somber?" 

His question made me give him a flat look.

"Don't call me Kitkat." I totally avoided his question about being somber.

He smirked, "Kitkat."

It was worth a try. I know telling guys like him about something that makes you irritated will simply make them do it with more vigor. So I won't let it on. 

Again, I've read too many Wattpad novels and romance books overall. 

I shrugged. "Fine, whatever." 

He blinked and then an amused chuckle escaped him. "You sure are something."

"Yeah, a human. Unlike you." I snorted and muttered under my breath but the kids on the table caught it.

Desiree grinned at me and I returned the sentiment while Grace gave Derek a sympathetic look. Derek, on the other hand, just looked exasperated. I smiled in amusement.

"Overpowered by freaking females...." He shook his head and I was the one who rose a brow at him.

He shrugged, feigning sadness. "I only have my saving Grace." He shot my sister an acknowledging look and I gave her a bewildered look.

Grace laughed at the ironic comment but it seemed there was something else that made him say that. I'll grill her for details later.

Desiree shook her head, gagging. "Please don't hit on Grace, Derek."

I snorted. 

Grace made a look of distaste and....Derek mirrored it.

"Ew, no thanks. She's like another Desiree for me but better, okay?" He clarified.

Grace seemed satisfied and winked at him. "Yep. He already has his work cut-out for him, Desiree." 

I felt all heads turn to me and I stabbed my piece of chicken emotionlessly. I glanced up at them and rose a brow. 

"Yeah, sorry. He can try to aim for failure all he wants. It won't be like that saying  - aim for the moon and at least you might reach a star or something something."

They gave me flat looks.

"Plus, I'm totally not his type." I added.

Too straightforward? Nah. It's better than beating around the bush. They were insinuating something between me and him.

"What is my type, Kitkat?" Derek questioned but I was already prepared for it.

"Blonde, slightly smart, pretty, total flirt or probably a cute nerd you can play. Certainly not me." I fit neither of those categories and unless I tried, I wouldn't be an attractive female.

Okay, I wasn't bad looking but when you try staying out of the spotlight, your appearance gets overlooked as well. I was perfectly happy with it though.

I had Warren annoying me once in a while anyways.

All three sets of eyes blinked at me but no one argued. I know I wasn't being on point with my explanation but it was the most common and instead of pointing out the small differences, they all moved on with my provided information. 

No offense to nerds or blondes, I got nothing against them. Nora's a blonde and a nerd too.

Before we could continue arguing though, Mr Greyson AKA Paul as I learnt, asked. "So, Grace what are you studying?" 

Grace blushed slightly. "Architecture. I got into Cornell University."

I was proud of my sister's achievement in that for certain and I smiled at her. 

"That's amazing!" Ally praised and Paul nodded. 

I saw Derek giving her a thumbs up and she smiled.

When the hell did they become so cozy with one another? What was I missing here?

My phone vibrated in  my pocket and I discreetly took it out only to find a text message from Diego saying Blue would be closed tonight so I didn't need to go. I replied by telling him the plan had changed anyways what with the Family Dinner.

"Desiree is in Med school, that's impressive too. You two seem to be getting along well." My mom commented and elicited grins from everyone at the table.

I pushed back my phone into my pocket and then mingled as much as I could without talking.

But sadly now that the topic of conversation was over the eldest children, it'd be moving on to us.

"How about you, Lila?" Maya asked and I shrugged.

"I'm not entirely sure yet but most probably Journalism. So I'm hoping for NYU or Arizona State University. There's still time though." I smiled politely at them.

Everyone nodded and Derek smirked, "So she likes to debate."

"Yeah I do, thanks." I shot back.

Before we could get to the juicy part, I.e, knowing about Derek's future plans the course of the conversation changed. 

"You and Derek will be both going to Laden High starting tomorrow, by the way." My dad informed as if he just remembered. Which he probably did.

I wanted to groan but in Ladenhill, there were only a couple other schools and the best one was Laden High. Everyone who was anyone in this town went there. Our school had most of the teenage population of Ladenhill so it came as no surprise that Derek would become a common face at school for me.

I'm not really ecstatic with that knowledge for obvious reasons.

"Great." Derek smirked at me and I raised my brows impassively.

I'm not really big on showing many emotions in different ranges always. I just don't overreact unless it's absolutely needed. Or I feel like it. Heh, takes too much energy.

Mr Greyson sighed. "He could drop you but he has a bike. Wouldn't accept a car."

"Of course." I rolled my eyes, muttering so only I could hear.

And maybe Derek too.

Pfft, who am I kidding? I totally wanted him to hear that remark.

That was common deduction skills.

A badboy without a bike?

That'd break the image, man. And while I'd like to ride it I was not interested in spending ten minutes with my body against his as he drove us recklessly to our death. 

"But I'm fine with walking or catching the bus, so thank you anyways Mr Greyson." I smiled politely once more and Ally smiled becomingly.

"Just tell us if you change your mind."

I nodded. 

I won't.

Mom and Mrs Greyson started to serve us the apple pie Mom had baked. Finally something to look forward to. 

I absolutely love desserts but nothing tops chocolate and apple pie for me.

Derek turned his eyes on me and shot me a smirk. "So before we meet at school tomorrow, I have a question for you."

I quirked a brow and made a motion with my fork. "Ask away."

"What do you think of me so far?"

I tsked. 

Well, he's the one who wants to know and I wouldn't wanna disappoint him. Besides, I'm not big on dishonesty where such guys are concerned. 

"You're a nuisance. And extremely narcissistic so far."

He only grinned in response, seemingly satisfied with my insulting answer. 

"We'll just have to change that then."

Or maybe he wasn't that satisfied.

Ugh.

•♤•

A/N

Did you all like the chapter? How does the whole scene about our characters seem to you? Is there sarcasm and humor lol?

And I hope the chapter lengths are okay. Lemme know if its too short or long.

Also, what do you guys think about the new cover? Which one is better?

Thank you for your support guys! Means a lot! Keep up! Press the star button and don't forget to vote ^_^ Hope you enjoyed!!

[Fully edited.]

~Skyler