Derik pulled me to a stop as we neared his car. I didn't understand why he wanted me to stop, "CiCi," I turned and looked up in those beautiful eyes, "are you okay?"

I nodded before I looked at the ground. He didn't seem upset that my entire family was making fun of him. It pissed me off to no end, but Derik was perfectly fine with it, "I can't stand them at times! My father threatened you and," I sighed as I looked up into those beautiful eyes again, "you were frightened. You shouldn't have to be like that. Never again!"

"Do you really want to know, CiCi?" it was the question that was permanently burnt into my brain. It was the very question that Derik had asked me only a week after we met. I had irritated him so much that he turned to me with eyes bright with unshed tears, "Do you want to know the nightmare I came from?"

I stepped up to him as I nodded, "Yes," I smiled at him, "I want to know everything."

Derik sighed as his shoulders sagged. It wasn't until right then that I saw how horrible it had to be, "My father started beating me when I was five years old. If I spoke I was taught my lesson. It didn't matter what it was I said. I was beaten, CiCi," it was at this point that a single tear slid down his cheek, "My father nearly beat me to death. I was in the hospital for three weeks, two of those a mini coma," he pulled his sleeves back at this point to show me the bruises that covered his arms, "See this, CiCi. This is what I came from. This is what's wrong with me. Are you sure you still want to be my friend?"

I had looked up into those pained eyes as I felt the tears that spilled over and down my cheeks. He had thought that by telling me the horror story that I would run away. Most people didn't like to deal with someone with so much baggage, but I couldn't leave this boy. He was only fifteen. I stepped up to him and wrapped my arms around his slender waist, "Derik," it was the only word that escaped my lips before my body was taken over by the sobs. No one should have anything like that in their life.

Derik tensed for a moment before he wrapped his arms around me. It was then that we became friends. It was then that started his courageous side around me.

"CiCi, don't worry about me," he gave me that impish grin, "I'm fine. I can defend myself now," he placed his hands on my shoulders, "You know that. I know that. I just don't like the idea of fighting."

A heavy sigh escaped as I nodded, "Okay, I still don't like the comments. You know me," I smiled at him, "I'm a bit temperamental."

Derik nodded, "Yep, your rage is fiery and I love it," he leaned down and gave me a simple kiss, "So do you want to go back in there or do you want to go out and get something to eat. It'll be something like our first date," he stopped as his gaze became thoughtful, "Though, I'm sure it won't be much different than any other time we went out together."

I rolled my eyes and I pushed him, "Derik!" he laughed and I couldn't keep myself from smiling, "You are such a strange man!"

Derik nodded, "Have to be. I do love you."

I stuck my tongue out at him as he tucked a stray curl behind my ear, "Oh, bite me, Derik!"