Beyond The Ideal (Chapter 7)

By the time we got to the little abandoned warehouse Derek led me to, I was definitely having some second thoughts. I didn't want to look like I was scared though, so I just followed him in without a word.1

I'll admit, when he took his shirt off I was a lot more interested, but my admiration was cut short when he told me to take mine off too. I guess I didn't have a problem with my body, but next to somebody like him..2

When he coughed impatiently, I closed my eyes and did it, trying instead to think of what was coming next.3

"See," Derek said, smirking, "now that we're done checking each other out, it's time to fight."4

He started out easily enough, just lightly tapping me when I let him get close to me. Once I stopped giving so many openings though, he started to hit harder. I kept blocking even though it hurt my arms, but my arms got slower and slower until he slipped past me and slammed me twice on the back.5

"Now I want you to hit me back," he said, dancing around me on the tips of his toes. I was still hurting from the last hits, but I was also getting worked up, and I wanted to give some back.6

I blocked three more punches that felt like hammers before I got a chance, then I ducked in right next to him and got a few good shots in on his stomach.7

He sat down, breathing heavy, so I sat next to him, trying to cool down.8

"So I guess I'll stop being a condescending dick to you now," he said, laughing. 9

I laughed too at first, but realized he was serious. "Why now, if you were being that way before?"10

"You just never seemed willing to fight back, to defend yourself after someone hurt you," Derek said, not laughing anymore. 11

Honestly I was more attracted to him right then than ever, not to mention grateful for his efforts. I wanted to kiss him so badly right then, and I even looked at him for a moment and wondered if I would, before I lowered and closed my eyes instead. 'I am such a pussy', I thought, sad all over again.12

"That's another thing," he said, interrupting my internal sulk-fest. I opened my eyes in time to see his face right up in front of mine before I felt his lips on mine. He even kissed violently, and it was damn hot. I was disappointed, not to mention out of breath, when he pulled back. "You're hot, you've got a mind and a personality. If I wanted to go out with a guy, you'd probably be the first I'd call, but I'll be honest, I don't think I'm ready to date another guy, and who knows if I'll ever be. But I'll tell you this, next time you're looking at someone like you wanna kiss them, you should try actually doing it, you might be surprised."13

To say I was stunned, and also very lightly heartbroken, would be an understatement. At the same time though, it solidified for me that this guy was meant to be a Friend, maybe a good one at that.14

***15

After Derek drove me home, I was still in a thoughtful mood. Maybe I was really being too hard on myself after all. Finding nobody home, I decided I really didn't feel like staying alone, so I invited myself over to Eric's. Letting myself in, I went to his room, expecting him to be passed out in something girls would drool over. Instead, his bed was still made (made?!) and his car keys were gone too.16

I walked back downstairs, resigning myself to a night alone. Walking out the door, I almost ran right into Alex, who was walking in with a plastic bag.17

"Hey," he said, smiling warmly, "Dave told me he was going out, and I just rented a bunch of shitty movies, wanna stay and watch a couple?"18

I was really tempted, but I didn't want to bother him, so I changed the subject. "Why is Eric not home, and why the hell is his bed made," I asked, smirking.19

Alex laughed. "He's out on a Date, with a real Girl," he said, almost giggling. 20

I almost died of shock. Even though he was definitely a 10 on the looks scale, Eric had kind of evolved into an almost asexual person to me.21

Alex interrupted my thoughts, with an offer I couldn't refuse: "Come on in, I'm busting out the leftover liquor from your party," he said with a wink.22

Not that liquor had ever helped my problems before, but I think a carefree night with a friend was exactly what I needed after my, interesting day.