Chapter 5 - Partners

The bell rang signalling the end of class. Everyone poured out of the classroom, murmuring to themselves. I however, sat still on my seat wondering what I'd done to deserve this.

I looked up at Derris who was still seated with Caleb and Jeremy. Nellie was already making her way towards Caleb, obviously to talk about the project but I couldn't bring myself to do it, for fear of being embarrassed again.

What if he hit me? No, he couldn't do that... right? He did seem pretty pissed that we were partners so who knows? What if I tripped again and...?

"Hey," a deep voice resonated beside me. I was so startled that I jumped off my seat in fright. Looking up, I felt myself flush when I realized it'd just been Max. 

"Oh! It's just you," I mumbled, rising from the floor. "Yeah," he said, moving a nearby seat and placing it in front of my desk. "Sorry if I scared you."

"Oh, don't apologise. I was kinda zoned out so it's not your fault."

"Hmm. So what were you thinking about?"

"It's nothing," I waved dismissively.

"Is it about Derris?"

"N-no. Of course not. Why would you say that?" I chuckled nervously.

"Well, you just got paired with him for a project and you're not already by his side, fawning over him like one of his many fangirls. I can tell something's up."

"Well, if you didn't notice during class, he hates my guts so I'm not exactly eager to approach him."

"I noticed. Was he the reason why you were covered in cheese and chocolate before?"

"Yeah," I affirmed sheepishly.

"Want me to talk to him?" his voice was dangerously low and sent a shiver down my spine. I bit my lip nervously and shook my head sideways.

"There's no need for that. I'll be fine."

"If you say so," he pushed the chair backwards and slung his backpack over one shoulder. 

"Wait, who did you get paired with?"

"Oh, Jeremy." He gestured towards the table where Derris, Jeremy, Caleb and Nellie were seated. 

"Okay," I muttered, watching as he approached the table, said something to Jeremy and whispered something into Derris' ear. He glanced once at me before leaving the classroom.

After Max left, I closed my eyes and took several deep breaths to try and find the inner courage to approach Derris.

You can do this, Allison. You can do th-

"Hey Red!"

"Wh-?" the word hung in my throat as my eyes came face to face with the figure towering over me, a figure that was Derris Fox. His eyes were narrowed into slits as they glanced down at me. His medium straight pink lips pursed tightly together, showed his displeasure.

"H-hey Derris!" I stuttered, struggling to keep my voice even.

His scowl deepened. My eyes widened and I gulped. He placed a piece of paper on top of the table but I couldn't tear my eyes away from his to check what it was.

"Come to the address on there by 4pm sharp. Don't be late!" he emphasized sternly, leaving with Caleb and Jeremy before I had the chance to react. 

After they left, Nellie came up to me and took the seat Max had sat on. 

"So what did he say?"

I stared at the piece of paper on the table and then back at Nellie. "Tell me Nellie, how long does it take for a girl run away to Mexico?"

***

Despite everything, I ended up not running away to Mexico and by 4pm, I was walking down the halls of Derris' luxurious mansion, on the way to his room.

I'd only ever seen his house in celebrity magazines and the fact that I was actually in it was nothing short of daunting. It made me even more nervous about seeing Derris again. I was elated of course but also scared because I had no idea what would happen.

Eventually locating the room I'd been told was his by the butler, I took a deep breath to prepare myself and knocked on the door. There was a brief moment of silence and the door opened to reveal Derris in all his shirtless glory. 

My jaw dropped and my eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. His muscled chest seemed to call to me and I fought the urge to reach out and touch his pecs. Oh, how heavenly it would feel to run my lips all over those abs of his. I could see it now...

"Uh, are you done drooling or should I get you a bowl?" Derris' voice penetrated through my thoughts, not sounding the least bit amused.

I looked away, my cheeks red with embarrassment. "Uh, I'm sorry about that."

"Whatever," he stepped away from the door and walked away. I stood still at the doorway, unsure of what to do. "Well, what are you waiting for? An invitation?"

I quickly walked into the room and closed the door behind me. I turned back and felt my jaw drop as I took in the room. It was so much more amazing, seeing it in person and being in it."

My eyes found still shirtless Derris lounging on a red leather chaise lounge in the room, playing with his PlayStation 5. Not knowing what else to do, I sat beside him. 

After concluding the game he was playing, he tossed the console aside and stood. My eyes followed him until he reached what I took to be his reading table. He grabbed a book from the table and came to sit beside me again. 

"So we're supposed to be writing a book report on this, right?" he asked, waving a copy of As You Like It which the teacher, Miss Terrence had assigned to us to read.

"Yes," I nodded, struggling to keep my eyes on his face.

"I guess we could start by reading this, right?" 

"That sounds like a good idea," I answered, already reaching in my bag for my copy.

"Great," he mumbled, flipping his book open.

I looked away from him and opened my copy of the Shakespearean text. Ten minutes later, I realized I'd gotten virtually nowhere. My eyes kept darting to Derris numerous times, wandering over his body imagining things that were best left unsaid. I could feel my body heat up as Derris licked his lips once more, something he seemed to be quite fond of doing.

Gosh, why did he have to be so darn cute? Focus, Allison, focus!

But despite all my attempts to keep my eyes on the book, I couldn't for the life of me. The words kept getting mixed up and I found Derris a much better sight than the literary work of Shakespeare himself.

I'd been so engrossed in my sordid thoughts of Derris and I that it caught me off guard when Derris suddenly looked up and caught me staring at him, probably drooling. This time however, he seemed to find it funny and gave a little crooked smile.

"I take it you like what you see?" 

"Oh... uh- I don't know what you're talking about?" I choked out, a little flustered at being caught in the act.

"Is that so, Red? So you weren't just staring at me, ogling me?" he drawled, leaning forward. Confused and now a lot flustered, I kept moving back. To my surprise, Derris kept leaning in until he was so close that his chest was brushing mine. His steely gray eyes gazed into mine like he was searching for something. I gulped, struggling to breathe.

All over, he pulled back and rose from the chair. I blinked repeatedly, still confused as to what just happened. 

"I'd like some privacy to throw a shirt on so we can get this over with," his voice was curt and without emotion which meant whatever that was was over. 

"Sure. I'll be outside," I mumbled, standing and making my way outside the room, closing the door behind me with a sigh of relief. I could finally breathe even though part of me would miss seeing Derris shirtless.

While I waited for Derris to call me back in, my eyes were drawn to a painting just opposite the door to his room. I crossed the hall and observed the painting which probably cost what I was worth and a lot more. 

"Hey Red!" Derris yelled from across the room, startling me. I whirled around, bumping into the pedastal beside me. I was quick to grab the pedestal but not before the antique vase on it fell to the floor and shattered to pieces.

My eyes darted to Derris who looked as horrified as I felt and it was right then and there that I knew it. I was dead. My life was officially over...