"You make me want to be a better man." - As good as it gets

There's this thing about Derek and I. You see, we always seem to find ourselves in awkward situations. For example, when we first met in kindergarten, he and I didn't hear the whistle blow for recess. While we were playing outside he fell into a puddle and soaked his pants. I, being the smart little five year old that I was, decided he should take them off. We were caught with me trying to snake his pants down his legs. Let's just say our moms weren't very happy when we got home.

Derek and I took one look at each other before running up to Mrs. Kentwood. We probably looked like a couple of fools, talking over each other and shoving the other one out the way while we tried so desperately to get the point across. We could not, under any exceptions, work together. It was a recipe for disaster and after everything I had done to distance myself from him, this would be completely wrecking everything.

I could hear Haden and Autumn's obnoxious laughter travel all the way over here. Those snakes, I was going to beat the crap out of them. I was going to rip their eyelids off. I was going to-

"Listen, this decision is final and it's for the best. You two need to get to know each other," Mrs. Kentwood's voice was stern but her face showed her amusement when Derek groaned.

"You don't understand! I do know this boy and he's a di-"

Her eyes narrowed at me and she practically dared me to say the words,

"di- distraction. Yes, he's a distraction from my learning. I'll enter into the stupid competition! Just don't let me work with him!"

She paused momentarily as if she was considering my bargain before shaking her head.

"No, deal with it. I can already tell this is going to be a very exciting pair! You know what they say, it's a thin line between love and hate," she smirked, walking towards her desk while Derek just let out another groan.

"You bitches!" he hissed at Autumn and Haden.

Our anger was now directed at the two manipulators that had gotten us into this mess in the first place. Who did they think they were?

Storming towards them with anger, they only seemed to laugh harder. I'm surprised Haden hadn't pissed his pants yet.

"You guys think you're so slick trying to meddle with everything!" I screamed and Derek shouted yeah behind me, agreeing with what I was saying.

"I'm going to get you both back when you least expect it! Why can't the two of you just ever stay out of anything!" I hissed, glaring even harder at them.

"What fun would that be?" Haden giggled, throwing his arm around Autumn's shoulders. They had a complicated relationship so don't even ask.

"About as fun as it'll be when I kick your fucking ass at practice!"

Now I was the one shouting yeah in agreement with Derek.

"Look, you two are getting along already. Can't wait till the two of you get married and I'm the maid of honor," Autumn grinned, throwing her hands into the air excitedly.

"Listen here, you little bi-" I started but was cut off when the bell rang. Throwing one last glare at them, I stormed out of the classroom. We still had another period together but I was going to ignore them to the best of my abilities.
                                         **
Do you ever have those dumb moments when you momentarily forget about something? Yeah, I just had one of those. Forgetting my car broke down today, I walked to the student parking lot. Imagine my frustrations when I realized it wasn't there and I was going to have to walk home in the fucking rain.

If I could punch something right now, best believe I would.

Instead, I marched my  on, letting the rain seep into the leather of my combat boots and soak my once warm socks. I pulled my hair back into a bun again, feeling my fingers shake as I did. My parents would be pissed if they knew I was walking through the rain.

I was about three minutes away from home when I felt a car pull up beside me. It was one of the moments when you feel a sense of paranoia. You don't know if you should run because you think you're about to get kidnapped, scream, or actually look inside the car.

"Angelina! Hey!"

Whirling my head around, I see a clearly upset Derek in the drivers seat and an Autumn poking her head out the back window.

"Why are you walking? Betsy have a melt down?"

I grinned at the old name we had given the car. My dad found it on one of his business trips and insisted on having it be my first car when the time came.

"Yeah, she broke down. You know that things only good for causing me stress."

I heard Haden let out a chuckle from the passenger seat. They knew it was true, but I loved that annoying car.

"Well, hop in! Will give you a ride!"

My eyes flickered to Derek but he kept his forward. His knuckles were turning white because of his harsh grip on the steering wheel.

"I- I don't want to get his seat wet. I'm only three minutes away, I'm fine," I answered, backing up from the car hesitantly and started walking again.

"Angel, if you don't get in the fucking car right now, I will burn all your stupid band shirts and hoodies. So get in. Now." His harsh voice has me flying into the car quickly, closing the door with a shiver. His jaw ticked as he started to drive again, green eyes darting back to me to take in my shivering form.

"You're turning blue," he stated bluntly, I could see a hint of concern on his face before he soaked it all up, becoming void of all emotion again. I noticed his hand flicking up the heat, even though it was already hot in here to everyone else.

"I-I'm fine. It's just something that happens a lot. I get c-cold easily."

The stupid temperature change had me talking like a dumb ass and I'd be surprised if my skin that was turning blue didn't change red instead with my embarrassment.

"You never used to get cold quickly before," he whispered, flicking his eyes back to the road.
Autumn flung off her heavier coat, wrapping it around me carefully.

I didn't know if they believed anything people said about me, but they were suddenly being extra cautious. Worry was on all their faces, even Haden's. He was humorous all the time, even in dire situations.

When we pulled up to my house, I thanked them, letting a gracious smile fall into my lips.

"W-why don't we walk you up to the steps? Make sure you get in ok?" Autumn offered.
They all nodded at her, opening their car doors to get out too. I let out a sigh. I knew this would happen. I knew it, I knew it, I knew it.

"Besides, it's your birthday! And it's a Friday! Plus the basketball game got cancelled so we have nothing to do." 

Autumn was a cheerleader while the boys were basketball players. I used to be a cheerleader too, until life went down the drain. I nodded my head, accepting her lame excuse. They were going to investigate.

Opening the door to my house, Riley greeted me triumphantly before going over to everyone else.

"I'm surprised she still remembers us!" Autumn squealed, letting the dog lick her face.

"I don't know how she'd forget us after the stupid dress up games you guys used to play on her," Derek grunted, rubbing Riley's fat belly while Haden just laughed.

"We can go up to my room," I sigh, starting to climb up the stairs. A wave of dizziness hits me but I pull myself together before I think anyone notices me. I turn around just in time to see them all share looks with one another but pretend I didn't see it.

"Your room hasn't changed very much, besides all the rock posters and stuff up," Haden smiles , turning around to take in what was once our greatest hangout.

I shove a bunch of my pill bottles into
drawers before they can notice it and nod my head in pretended excitement.

"You guys want anything to drink? I can get you something?" I question, really just wanting to get the fuck out of this awkward space. They all agree on lemonade, and I grab a big bottle of it and a cup before heading upstairs. I can hear the sounds of their voices speaking in a hushed tone from my bedroom.

"I heard Anorexics get cold easier. I mean, she only ate a fucking apple for lunch."

I heard Derek mumble hurriedly, his voice was tense.

"She's always been a skinny girl but she's gotten even skinnier. Maybe she is anorexic, or on drugs, maybe it's all true," Haden laughs awkwardly, not really knowing what else to say.

"Maybe we can force her to eat? Or at least make her try something and see if she struggles with it?" Autumn suggests, biting her trembling lip while Derek shakes his head.

"There's something wrong with her and I'm going to find out what it is." His words holds promise to it, and I wait a few seconds before opening the door with a fake smile on my face.

They all smile back at me, besides Derek. He's just looking at me as if he sees death walking.

Hello! I go back to school Monday and I honestly just want to jump off a cliff rn. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season, though. Deadass forgot it was even Thursday💀.

So there's OBVIOUSLY a secret here.

I'm excited to read all your theories!

Thanks for the votes so far and the comments, you all crack me tf up. My mom thought I was texting some boy when really I was just laughing at comments on here so that was awk

HAVE A BLESSED YEAR, AND MAY ALL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE!!!

All the love,

Aarika.