(Derek's P.O.V)

"He'll pay."

My befuddled mind was still a little high on my accidental-but-not-so-accidental close proximity with Kitkat.

But when I came to, my eyes widened with incredulity.

Tell me she didn't mean what she said!

"Stop right there–"

I turned to Lila as she almost exited and ran after her but the cashier stopped me with a firm tone.

"Sir, you have to pay!"

I froze in my steps and my extended hand the way it happens in movies.

"Lila, I don't have money–"

"Online payment, Derek. It's the 21st century and the digital era." The girl chuckled, undoubtedly having the time of her life and I groaned.

I glanced back at the guy with an uneasy look on my face but he gave me a non-plussed reaction.

Shit, I wasn't getting out of this.

Lila left and I cursed under my breath. Moving back to the cashier, I grumbled, "How much?"

He typed in the computer and stated, "That will be $77.99."

I gave him a look and then again cursed under my breath, running a hand through my hair and taking out my phone. I wasn't exactly angry, I was just....really unwilling to spend, for obvious reasons.

And even in these circumstances, amusement at Kitkat's actions still prevailed.

Once I paid using PayPal, the cashier cracked a cheerful smile.

"Visit again, sir!"

Yeah, I'd don't think I'll be coming here any time soon for fear of revisiting the $77.99 trauma.

Of course I didn't say that.

I simply gave him a brittle smile, suspiciously feeling that he had enjoyed the little show Kitkat and I had unwillingky put on.

When I left, I sighed to myself.

I think I could cry a little.

That was my money! And I didn't spend lavishly damnit!

Kitkat did not play fair.

Well, I didn't either but it was justified.

I was Derek Wayne Greyson.

In the slightly cold weather, I pulled up the hood of my sweatshirt and the streetlight overhead flickered like the dying breaths of a smoker.

I pushed my hands in my pockets and slowly walked, aware that there was no use in trying to hurry up.

If I knew anything about Lila–and I did, at least enough about her behavior with me–it was that she would've rushed to get home and leave me in the dust.

She succeeded but I didn’t feel bad. Though I would have preferred if she hadnt left but that would would be praying for too much.

It was almost like a Cat and Mouse game version 2.0. I somehow knew her leaving me in the dust wasn't a mean act, there was a weird sense of fun in it all.

Thinking back to the moment when I'd been pressed up against her body sent heat traveling up my spine. She really was interesting in all senses. I knew she hid good stuff under her loose clothes but seeing and feeling were two different things.

And if I kept thinking about my front against her luscious ass or more, walking the rest of the way back home painlessly would be difficult.

Honestly though......

The idea of her saying "Yes, Sir." as she obeyed me on her knees was–

I internally cursed and felt blood rushing south.

No more dirty thoughts about Kitkat, Derek. Nope.

I turned the corner of the street but then stilled, glad I hadn't been whistling or making noise.

A hooded figure stood outside the gate to my house and looked about apprehensively. I ducked behind the light pole, easily blending in with the darkness and hoping he wouldn't spot me.

He too blended in the shadows but his actions were jittery.

I frowned and my heart sank.

There was only one reason I could think of for someone with actions like that outside my house and it wouldn't end well–

My frown only deepened as confusion lanced through my thoughts.

Because the guy had moved ahead to Lila's gate.

He took out something from his pocket, it looked like an envelope, and then silently slipped it inside the mailbox.

My heart beat fast and I exhaled silently.

He wasn't here for me

If it was about delivering a simple letter then why was the guy acting like he was delivering drugs? It could be a secret admirer or some shit but something told me to trust my gut.

And my gut told me this was shady as fuck.

As soon as he was done, he pulled the hood even lower and then vanished down the other side of the street.

I was 90% certain the letter was for Lila because I'd observed how often Lila was home alone. There were rarely any letters delivered too and especially for her parents or Grace. But I couldn't dismiss the possibility either.

I contemplated following him but I didn't want to risk it in case I was just making some assumptions like an amateur. I really wouldn't like to make a scene like that at this time of the night by following Jalapeño Guy.

Yes, I shall name him in honor of my best joke on this fateful night so far which was regarding Jalapeños.

Once he was out of sight, I stepped out of my hiding spot and walked up slowly.

For a split second, I'd been both terrified and hurt that it might be for me. But then it made me both intrigued and perplexed as to why Lila had been the recipient.

I licked my lips, standing outside the gate to her place and stared at her mailbox.

I was curious, so curious. And it was what usually got me in trouble. My brows knit together slightly and I looked up to see the window of Lila's room. One we frequently conversed through.

The curtains were drawn and no lights were on that I could see from here but there was no telling if anyone was watching. Even if they were I had plenty of excuses to give.

Dismissing that worry, I focused back on the cursed box where the source of my curiosity lay.

Should I just take it? What if it was something that would trouble her?

I tapped my foot against the asphalt and played with the lighter in my pocket, tempted to smoke.

Nodding my head, I arrived at a decision.

If the letter would be there by 6 tomorrow morning, I'd take it somehow. But if the box was empty then I would find some other way to pry information regarding the suspensions ongoings from Lila herself if I could.

Clenching my jaw tightly and feeling a strange sense of unease, I turned on my heel and to my own place.

•♤•

The next morning, I stayed true to my promise to myself.

And I found the mailbox empty.

Disappointment crashed over me.

Curiosity had burned a hole in my stomach and I had a restless night too. I didn't know why but to think Lila could be in danger did not settle well with me.

"Hey, pervert, why are you at my doorstep so early in the morning?" The snarky voice made my head snap up to see the mahogany haired girl leaning out of her window and giving me a suspicious look.

I instantly grinned and her brows wrinkled even further.

Surprisingly, just the sight of her had me in better spirits.

I thanked my stars I'd been about to leave and wasn't caught red-handed.

I waved at her, "You owed me some money and I was planning to take the due in some good ways."

That too was true.

She ignored the money matter.

Sly little Kitkat.

Lila's brow twitched, "It's Six in the morning, you asshole, what were you going to do?"

I shrugged before shooting her a grin as I made my way to my own house and closed the gate behind me.

"Ringing your doorbell until you opened the door, for one."

The horror on Kitkat's face made me chuckle in delight.

"That's so evil!"

I nodded solemnly, "But not more than you are."

"What are you, Derek? FIVE?!" Her steel grey eyes bore into mine, like a stormy vortex.

"If you'd said six, it'd make a better pun. You know what with the time......" I trailed off, raising a brow in amusement and she gave me a blank face, her messy hair in a loose ponytail and her cami finally drawing my attention to her really amazing figure.

Whoa.

Like any normal, hot-blooded male, my gaze dipped to the cinch of her waist and trailed up to drink in her cleavage.

Lila seemed to have realized the attire she was wearing was probably not a good idea when talking to a horny teenager like me because she groaned and glared at me hard.

I innocently blinked but my eyes still dipped down to her perfect tits–

Well, it was good while it lasted.

Without a word, Lila had pulled the curtains and left.

I sighed fornlornly, my body already having reacted to hers.

"Well, see you in school, Kitkat!"

I called out before smiling in amusement to myself.

Yet I couldn't shake off the sense that there was more to Lila.

Initially, I'd thought of her as entertainment and just a mystery as to where she stood in the social circle but now I did a double take. Perhaps she truly had some real secrets.

My conscience had suddenly come alive last night and I regretted its interference. Maybe if I had snagged the letter that moment only, I wouldn't have such a need for answers.

Alas, I act unlike myself when Kitkat is concerned.

But I'd had my hopes up that things would work out in my favor.

I'd thought I'd be able to get the letter because she wouldn't have taken it last night or so early in the morning.

Why was the letter gone?

There were only two answers for that.

Either Lila took it in the morning or she had checked the mailbox last night itself and both seemed unlikely but the only reasonable explanations.

I narrowed my eyes at her closed window before heading back to my bed so I could catch some sleep till I actually needed to get up for school.

As I flopped down, I looked at my iPhone.

There weren't any significant messages but I opened Rebecca's.

Rebecca: Heyyy, so I'm in a little bit of a fix and would appreciate if you did me a favor.
Could you come pick me up from my place today for school?

I rose a brow at the ominous message but then replied in affirmative.

Me: Sure. Just send me your address but you better give me an explanation.

I wasn't sure if it was an excuse or something really was up with her but I wouldn't leave her in need and I liked her company.

And it wasn't like I agreed with innocent intentions either. After all, leaving Kitkat's company in the morning would be sad.

I'd been enjoying having her ride on my bike behind me every other day because I made her miss her bus some way or another.

It was the true definition of fun.

Except maybe after our little ordeal last night and my vision of her torso this morning, having her touch me in any way would render me useless to maneuver a bike with a wayward appendage hard as rocks.

For a second I wondered what I was thinking.

Was I having attachment issues?

No, I couldn't.

Kitkat was entertainment and nice company. And she might have unwittingly started to weasel her way under my skin but that didn't mean much.

Yeah, I'm not convincing anyone but I'd like to think I am.

This is when I compartmentalize dangerous realizations and embrace my badboy reputation.

Better safe than sorry. I've learnt that.

But Rebecca would do, she was safe territory for now.

Maybe I could pry some information about the Mellisa girl from Rebecca.

I wondered why Lila had been awake at that hour when you so vehemently made it a point point be known that early mornings were meant meant be slept off.

Plus, why she had only addressed me when I was about to leave?

Had she seen me go through her mailbox after all?

My mind raced as I pulled on a black t-shirt and left my leather jacket off for today. Despite the early morning, it was comparatively warmer.

May was already starting and winters were behind us.

I shot a text to Rebecca.

Me: Will it be alright if I arrive a little early?

Her reply was instant.

Rebecca: Oh please yes! Thank you so much Derek!

Me: No problem. See you in fifteen.

I jogged down the stairs and pulling off a sticky note from the top off the fridge, I quickly scrubbed a message about my whereabouts for my father.

He wouldn't check his phone and then panic. But sticky notes on the fridge? He always made sure to see them. It was our thing.

With that settled, it didn't take me long before I was astride my bike and following Google Maps–I was surprised Ladenhill could actually be located–soon arrived at my destination.

Taking off my helmet, I silently observed the surroundings as the sun rose up from behind the many grand houses and light filtered in more abundantly along with the noise of awakened living beings.

A three-storey house greeted me when I turned off the ignition of my bike and just took a minute to soak in the beauty that was the Atkinson residence.

Blonde curls filled my view suddenly, "Derek!" Rebecca breathed out, relief filling her hazel eyes.

I gave her an easy grin, "Hey, Rebecca. Morning."

She smiled softly. "Thanks for coming. Really."

I nodded, "Sure. Anytime. But you need to pay me for this, you know." I wiggled my brows suggestively.

Pity it wouldn't be the kind of payment I most enjoyed.

But I wasn't exactly in the mood and I doubted Rebecca was either. This was just to make things lighter and the atmosphere something something would be more comfortable with.

She tucked her hair behind her ear and laughed. "No problem."

I could feel the tense set to Rebecca's shoulders despite the easy laugh she put forth.

It reminded me of myself.

I held out the spare helmet for her and she gratefully took it.

She glanced back at her house before she swung onto my bike without a word and wrapped her arms around my waist.

It reminded me of Lila, except instead of leaning into my warmth, Kitkat tried to place her hands as far away from me as possible and held on to basically anything.

Only when I drove at a speed that that would probably end up killing us did she touch me.

The thought made my lips twitch.

I enjoyed it a whole lot by the way.

But that also meant it felt like I was racing for the firt five minutes of the journey every single time I had Kitkat riding with me.

That was also fun for me though so I really didn't mind.

I blinked, a little taken aback by Rebecca's unfamiliar touch but then smirked to myself while looking at the blonde in the rear view mirror.

"Desperate to leave?"

She winked but I knew she was being serious. "Very."

"Alright, then. But where to?"

She rested her chin on my shoulder and my body stiffened slightly. I pondered over the strange reaction of my stiffening when usually I'd be at ease.

"You didn't have breakfast either, did you?" She questioned.

I could see where this was going and I wasn't about to let her down.

"Nope."

That was true though. It was seven by now and we had about an hour and a half before we had to reach school.

Also, I truly was hungry after a sleepless night and the stress Lila had unknowingly given me.

See? I'm a super honest boy.

And I have no ulterior motives whatsoever about how I'm going to utilize my private time with Rebecca over breakfast.

She grinned, "I know an amazing Bread & Breakfast place that serves the best blueberry pancakes you'll ever taste."

I rose a brow in both amusement and question and she smiled.

"Sounds good enough."

I nodded and turned on the engine. Flapping down the guard of my helmet, I made the engine purr loudly once.

Then I breezed out of the uptown looking street and followed the directions the pretty blonde sitting behind me gave.

And somehow, the tight feeling of her arms around my waist as we zoomed around Ladenhill only reminded me of a steel-grey eyed girl that would probably never willingly touch me the way Rebecca was.

Well, her loss.

Now let's fish out some answers, eh?

•○•

A/N

I wonder what Derek plans to do hehe.

So we got some new developments between Rebecca and Derek. What are your thoughts on their dynamic?

Also, next update will be on New Years so Merry Christmas in advance! Have a great day guys!

Hope you enjoyed and keep reading! Don't forget to vote and comment, you know how much I appreciate it!

And please do share the book with people you think might enjoy it!

Anyways, till next time then!

~Skyler