(Derek's P.O.V)

It's been a week since the 'girlfriend incident.'

I snickered at the name again, mentally recalling how we'd laid claim to Lila and how annoyed she was by us.

But in my defense, I didn't feel exactly pleased when I came out and found Lila being hit on. I'd been in high spirits since we'd won and I'd spotted Kitkat. Although she'd said she wouldn't come, she ended up tagging along and I liked that. 

What I didn't like was her handing out her number to the opponent team's captain. But he was a good guy and he backed down with a smile.

Either way that's not a matter of concern any longer. The fact that I hadn't seen Kitkat since morning was. I mean I'd sensed that she'd been talking less the past couple of days but then she went into reserved mode yesterday and is nowhere to be found now.

"Have you seen Kitkat?" I questioned Michael as we exited from fifth period World Lit. 

He shook his head, "No. And you won't find her today either."

I frowned. Okay, I won't lie. Neither Michael nor Nora seemed to be very concerned regarding Lila's absence. Or even Warren for that matter and he was always butting into her business.

That reminded me, "And where's Warren? Those two aren't secretly dating or something, right?"

Michael gave me a brittle smile, his blue eyes swimming in untold emotions. "No, they'll never date."

That was.....ominous. And he sounded very sure. Strange.

So basically there's something going on today but it's like no one is willing to tell me what. I haven't seen Warren since second period and nobody seems worried about them. In fact the whole town had a gloomy cloud hanging over it. Even the sunshine boy Michael wasn't in high spirits and when Nora joined us, she had her eyes cast down even with Michael's arm brushing hers.

Now, that confirmed all my suspicions. Something was going on and I wanted in on it.

"Why is everyone in such low spirits today?" I glanced at Nora and continued, "And can someone please tell me where Lila is? I haven't seen her since yesterday."

There, I said it. Now they'd better give me a satisfactory answer.

They both looked at each other as we sat down on the grass with the sun shining down on us. "Well?" I urged them.

Nora sighed and played with a strand of grass. Michael looked at me and exhaled. "It's Melissa's death anniversary today."

"What?" I blurted it out before even processing the piece of information. 

He rose a brow, "You know, uh, she was a...close friend of Warren and Lila. They're, um, extra down today. It's happened every time each year so it's better to give them space."

I blinked, nodding slowly.

I still don't know how she died, what actually had happened and who she was. But the town was so hush-hush about her death as if it was taboo. That made me so suspicious and yet I had no means of gathering information. Sure, I could ask my friend Lance back in Florida to get me some details about her that'd be available in a database but I felt like that would be cheating. I wanted Kitkat and Warren to let me in on it themselves. It was a weird feeling of righteousness I'd never had before.

"Didn't you two know her?"

They nodded. "We did."

I concluded, "But you weren't as close." At my words they shook their heads.

"Despite that, we still knew her better than most others. we'll go after school to visit her. But Lila and Warren are a different case."

"It's better to leave them be today, Derek. Especially Lila. She....doesn't need to be bothered by anyone."

I stared at the blonde who met my eyes confidently. Giving her a smile, I spoke. "I'll see."

She frowned and Michael patted her arm comfortingly as tense silence stretched between the three of us. Things weren't the same without Kitkat.

And....I just realized.

Thinking of her mourning someone without a shoulder to cry on made my heart clench. It was a foreign feeling. Lila had been my escape from the world but could I be of any help to her? I wanted to be. Lila wasn't unnecessarily expressive but that was one of her charms and after having spent almost four months with her, I could at least claim I knew her to an extent. The dynamic of our relationship hadn't been a proper give and take either. She'd been my comfort each time I required but till now I could count that there'd only been one time I'd ever been helpful to her.

That was again related to Melissa when she'd stormed out of school after Veronica's blabbering about how anyone hanging around Lila would end up dead like Mellisa. Of course I hadn't taken the redhead cheerleader's words at face value but the reaction she'd wrenched out of Lila had definitely piqued my curiosity.

Although right now, I just wanted to see her.

Not to comfort or annoy her.

I just wanted to....see her. See her steel grey eyes sealed off and her mahogany braid hanging off one shoulder. Her face seemingly blank but the occasional twisting of her lips belaying her emotions.

My first fight was scheduled on the second Saturday of June which was day after tomorrow and I was super hyped. I was totally going to drag Kitkat to watch me in all my glory. There was something about the thought of her seeing that side of me as well that made me all giddy. She'd probably thought I had no redeemable qualities but honestly I wasn't that useless and I planned on telling - no, showing - her my worth.

Why? Yeah, that's one question I have no answer for. 

I leaned to rest my back on the tree trunk we'd surrounded, under the shade of it's green leaves. Musing over the new findings, I resolved to try finding Lila right after school ended despite what everyone had advised.

I wanted to see Kitkat.

And I knew I was being darn selfish.

•♤•

I sped on my bike, the wind warm on my skin. 

After much convincing that I was upto no mischief for real, I'd gotten the information from Michael regarding Mellisa's grave. He'd looked at me uncertainly and I'd assured him I had pure intentions. He'd simply given me a tired nod.

Apparently there were three cemeteries in this town and the one I was headed to was located near the edge of Ladenhill. By the time I arrived at my destination, it was four in the evening but the weather had changed not one bit.

When I was done parking and took off my helmet, I started on my way to her grave. The cemetery wasn't too big but it wasn't a gloomy place either. There were trees and flowers blooming around, the scent of jasmine hung in the air. Birds flew about, their chirping non-stop.

And there I spotted a short haired blonde laying a single rose on the gravestone clearly marked as Mellisa Waterbrook's. 

What was Rebecca doing here? 

Even Michael and Nora had yet to visit and they were still close to her. But I doubted Rebecca had any ties with Mellisa. Perplexed, I hid behind a tree and watched as she knelt by the grave and her shoulders shook for a minute. When she stood back up, she was wiping her cheeks and it was easy to guess she'd been crying.

But why?

I didn't feel like questioning her today, although I'd certainly revisit this incident sometime later, my main purpose had been to find Kitkat or Warren but since neither one was here, I'd planned what to do next. 

Without waiting for Rebecca to leave, I exited. I didn't go see Mellisa's grave because it felt like I'd be intruding. There was mystery surrounding her death and I was a complete stranger. I'd give her my dues once I felt like I knew who she was. Until then, I'd be digging around for information.

•♤•

I'd just passed a spacious alley and an abandoned building when I pulled on the brakes to my bike.

I think I just saw a figure like Kitkat's.

I reversed my bike because it was better to double check.

I'd made an almost complete round of Ladenhill in search of the two people and found absolutely nothing. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't need anyone to give me directions anymore after how much of the town and its smallest alleyways I'd explored. I was about to give up hope but something caught my eye. 

When I reached the spot I thought I'd spotted Lila in, there she was.

She was standing in the middle of the alleyway that led to the abandoned building, while I stood at the mouth of the alley that was an extension of this spacious street. I turned off the engine and took off my helmet, staring at the motionless girl. Her hands were tucked into the pockets of her straight jeans and her red shirt was loose.

Even though I had yet to see her from the front, I could deduce that much. My heart sped up at seeing her after almost a day. I felt a twinge of guilt for feeling happy when she was clearly in a sour mood. I cautiously walked over and observed my surroundings.

The asphalt road was uneven and when I glanced up at the three story office building with it's glass windows broken and the paint chipping off, I wondered what it was about this place that had Lila watch it with such intensity. 

I turned to look at her, aware she must know of my presence and was yet making no move to acknowledge me. I felt nervous - something I rarely felt - when I licked my lips and addressed her.

 "Hey." 

Damnit, why did my voice sound so hoarse?

Lila blinked, her head moving in a slow nod.

"Hey."

She tilted her head as she turned her attention to something else. I followed her line of sight and found a truck parked on the side. Again something that was definitely out of use and covered in a layer of dust, its front smashed in and a few windows shattered.

My brows knit together in confusion. This place was completely deserted and it gave me terrible vibes so why was Lila here of all places, especially today? A niggling suspicion crawled under my skin but I brushed it off for now.

Silence stretched between us and for once it was truly awkward and unwelcome.

Suddenly, Lila turned away and walked out of the alleyway until she was standing in the middle of the spacious street. Then she looked both ways slowly before facing me.

I finally got a proper look at Lila. 

And she looked haunted. 

Those steel grey eyes of hers that were so mesmerizing reminded me of ash in that moment. Her face wasn't utterly blank. No, actually, to others it might seem like that. But there was an expression full of guilt and pain that was subtly showing under her blank mask. It made my heart clench painfully. Lila looked tired and her hair was obviously messily thrown into a bun where most mahogany strands were falling out. Her shoulders were tense and her body movement languid at times and stiff at others. It was a change so minute that most wouldn't notice.

It wasn't just that I was used to it but that it was Kitkat and noting stuff like this about her felt like second nature to me.

For a split second I was torn between which approach to take. Should I be playful entirely and bring her spirits up by annoying her like I had last time or should I be more mature and add only a little bit of mischief in?

"They say she died here."

I got my answer when she spoke and it was the latter of the two options.

Her words were terse even though I could tell she was trying to speak casually. But more than that, the fact that she herself was initiating conversation and divulging information was what had me surprised. But I was never one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

I hadn't missed her insinuation with her choice of words though, "And what do you say?"

She met my eyes and searched my face before I saw a a painful look contort her features for a bare split second.

She walked closer to me and then broke eye-contact, walking on further again. I didn't stop her and turned on my heel to follow her.

"I say she died here." Lila stood at the spot she'd been in earlier when I came and I licked my suddenly dry lips.

"How do you know?"

She tilted her head to look at me, "Because I was here." Her answer was earnest.

Again, conversation stopped. I felt like I shouldn't ask any questions to provoke or hurt her, that'd make her relive bad memories but at the same time I wanted to satiate my own curiosity.

"How did Mellisa die?"

"Hit and run, they say." She pointed to the truck I'd seen her watching. "It was that vehicle."

I glanced between the vehicle and Lila. She again pointed the 'hit and run' as something 'they' said - probably the authorities. But she didn't deny it was that truck. So was it perhaps a murder?

A deliberate act?

I blinked and swallowed thickly as I stood besides her. I was finally getting some answers it seemed. 

Then Lila again spoke. "But she died here." She tapped her foot and her jaw flexed as she glanced at the street where she'd said they claimed Mellisa had died. "Not. There."

I could see her clenching her jaw tightly.

"I see." I nodded and met her ash grey eyes. "Thank you for telling me." I mimicked her pose and put my hands in my pockets.

Of course I wanted to know what Lila had meant by everything she'd just revealed to me but she wasn't comfortable with talking more and I was letting her know it was alright, that she could take her time. I wasn't here to prod her for answers today. I was here for some silent support and because I'd simply craved to see her.

I didn't want to see her grey eyes like ash, no. I wanted them steel like and filled with determination and snark.

I met her gaze, offering her a smile I hoped looked gentle and not flirty in this moment because I wasn't used to doing this. Comforting others, I had no idea what to do. I was just winging it. 

Surprised, I watched as she blinked repeatedly.

It took me a second to understand but when her eyes seemed to be shining, I realized she was blinking back her tears. 

Fuck.

She looked away, swallowing audibly and breathing deeply until she felt like she was once more in control of her emotions.

I didn't look at her, giving her as much privacy as I could in the situation. "What was Mellisa like?"

I'd learned from my ex-girlfriend that when it's about people who are dead or akin to being dead and we're mourning them....then thinking of the good memories is better than recalling bad ones. It was a simple solution but enacting it was hard. It was one of the many things I was grateful to her for. I'd tried my best and I was forgetting about her too but it wasn't easy. In moments like these, she was always popping into my head with her comforting embrace and her strong will.

I exhaled heavily, shaking my head to clear it of all thoughts.

I was with Kitkat right now, my ex didn't have a place here anymore.

"Brave." Lila's voice cracked when she said the word and I instinctively looked at her and found her avoiding my eyes. She was definitely on the verge of tears.

But I wasn't about to call her out on it.

I simply gave her time and remained silent. I didn't think I'd ever see a day where Lila would be crying but I guess I was wrong. I don't know why I had that concept as if she wasn't a human who'd show such a vulnerable side to someone, let alone a person like me. My chest swelled with pride at the realization that she was willingly trusting me to some extent.

"Mellisa was an extremely strong-willed person." She continued. "She was...righteous. Brave. Funny." I saw the bare hints of smile on Lila's face for the first time in two days and it made me swallow the lump in my throat.

She licked her lips. "Her favorite ice cream flavor was chocolate but she disliked actual chocolate." 

I snickered and she...she smiled. A small one but a smile nevertheless. 

Then Lila continued, "She liked photography a lot. And she loved her Grandma." She paused, biting her lip hard. "Her parents had died in a car crash when she was six and that was when Mellisa was sent here to live with her Grandma. It was that very winter when we first met. She'd, uh....." Lila chuckled, a watery laugh before resuming. "She'd been making snowballs to try and knock over some bottles and one of the snowballs had accidentally hit me. It was a fast friendship." 

Even though the girl was standing besides me, her eyes were unfocused and I could tell that she was mentally miles away. Her lips were parted nd I awaited her next words eagerly.

"Um. Mellisa's favourite color had been yellow. It was, it was actually kind of fitting. You know." She glanced at me for the first time in a while and I was taken aback, frozen as I met her eyes. Eyes that weren't so bleak grey anymore. "She was literally full of life. Like the sunshine."

A fond smile curved her lips and god, I stared at her. Unwilling to miss even a single expression.

"Mellisa was a part of my family and so was Grandma Elle." Lila's smile faded away.

Was. That meant they were both probably dead.

Lila looked up at the sky, her face tilted upwards and I knew she was again keeping her tears at bay so she wouldn't break down and cry.

She was so darn strong.

"Mellisa sounds like a wonderful person." Honestly, now I felt like I had the right to go visit her gravestone.

Lila sniffled and exhaled harshly. "She was." Kitkat was gritting her teeth, so unwilling to let anyone see her tears that I almost wanted to grab her face and tell her that 'It was okay, it was okay to cry and let others see you!' But she wasn't that kind of person.

I stared at her for one beat longer before rushing to my bike still parked at the curveroad tot he alley entrance. I grabbed my helmet and jogged back to Lila.

I stood in front of her and she looked up at me, her eyes a little dilated and wide with puzzlement.

I gave her my signature grin right before I put my helmet on her head and all that was visible were her eyes. "Now. You can cry as much as you want and no will see." I flipped down the visor and then stepped back.

I gave her a comforting smile, even though I couldn't see her face.

And when I heard her first sobs, something painful writhed in my chest. I never wanted to see or hear Kitkat crying. 

With a start, I wondered when I started thinking about Lila in such a manner. When did I start caring? But....

But as long as I could be there for her, I'd try my best to be what she needed.

•♤•

A/N

Heya guys, been a bit. Anyways, hope you're all good and you enjoyed the chapter.

So we got a little more insight into Mellisa and what seems to have happened, I presume? What do you guys think about Derek's behavior? And this ex-girlfriend? How about Rebecca's character at the moment? The helmet move, guys??

This was a super long 3.5K words plus chapter so I'm sure it must have made up for the two weeks you had to go without an update, right? Eheheh.

Lol, I hope you all enjoyed and keep reading. Please don't forget to vote and comment and share as much as you possible can! I'd appreciate it a whole lot! I also have exams soon so pardon me if I update a little late!

Till next time then!

~Skyler