cool! sensitively handled. sounds like real life or real dream-life, i guess. the story was fluid and well thought-out. Like a good short story author, you din't waste many words. things tend to be rambling or jumble when writing something of a reflective nature but this wasn't. everything had a quiet force behind it. there's a lot that we don't know but the story feels complete in the same way a poem does. the ambiguity really adds to the writing.

ahh...so romantic: "A picture of him slowly fizzled into being in my mind".
and: "Oh Derek, I thought. Where are you?"

what i like most about it all is the way the relationship between anonymous and Derek is not one-dimensional. it's interesting that you chose to start by describing how Derek was distant and then progressed to reveal the more romantic feelings that existed somewhere in the relationship. if it was just about how this person quests and longs for some wonderful typical friend, i don't think it would be as fascinating or original. your dream was a good idea.

This is really lovely. I like the style and the language use a lot. It feels very considered without being laboured at all.

"His favorite place was the library. Sometimes it was ours too,"

Very subtle. Nice. Really delicate handling.

Hmm. I think my only complaint would be that it is a one shot, because there are lots of unanswered questions about what happened and why? but I think the questions are part of what keeps the fine tension through the narrative and without it it wouldn't be so good, so I see why you've limited it.

Completely understand your pride at writing a short story. My oneshot was the first I've managed EVER. Even when I wrote short creative stuff for school it was always more like an excerpt from something longer rather than being complete in its own right.

Really enjoyed this.

Zeb