Chapter 3:
And that how my relationship with Derek began. He was cute, well most girls thought he was hot, and nice and we had fun together. PE was the only class we had together. Even though he constantly made fun of me in the beginning for being a slacker he soon learned that I could run, it only came about because he was being cocky and I decided to do the 100-meter dash against him. I didn't exactly defeat him, but it was close and he ended up tying which considering he was super fast and athletic, he respected me and you know, quit annoying me about my lack of effort.
We hung out a lot those first couple of months. Like I said, most boys run as soon as they know a girl has a boyfriend. He on the other hand seemed okay hanging out with me knowing it was strictly a friend thing. He did go on a couple dates with Amanda in the beginning, but in his words "they weren't compatible in a romantic relationship". He also confessed he didn't want a relationship because he was use to being in them and wanted to be single. Back in Raleigh, where he was from, he had continuous relationships that lasted for about 5 months each time starting freshman year of high school. He honestly said that he wanted nothing more than to be friends with girls or just date them. He wanted to "live out his bachelor years" as he put it, before settingly down. That was cool with me; just cause I was in a committed loving relationship didn't mean everyone had to be.
The bonus of being friends with Derek was that he had a car. All students were allowed to have cars on campus for a small fee of $100 a year and considering how much college counts anyway, it really wasn't bad. I didn't bring one, I mean I was from Massachusetts and my first year in unfamiliar territory it seemed stupid to bring my car, plus paying for gas and insurance when I wasn't working didn't seem very likely either. Julie didn't have a car either, so really the one way to get out was to bug Dere Bear that quickly became him lovely nickname, and to bring me places. He never seemed to mind though, he'd just say that there was nothing to do on campus anyway.
When time came for Christmas break, Derek did me a huge favor too. The airport was in Raleigh, and I needed a ride or else I would have to take a bus or worse yet never get home! Well not really I would have found a way, but luckily for me Derek was willing to give me a ride. I kept offering him gas money, but he kept refusing it because after all he lived there anyway and it wasn't like he was going out of his way for me.
Dropping me off at the airport he gave me my Christmas present. Our group which consisted of me, Julie, Gabe, Derek, Amanda, her roommate Lydia, Jerry, Mike, and Lana had given presents out the night before with the exception of Derek and I because we were seeing each other later on anyway and he said he wanted to just give it to me.
I know that should have been my warning sign that he liked me more than a friend, but I just thought maybe it was joke gift or something from one of our long personal talks that he'd be embarrassed about showing it in front of others. Sometimes, I'm too dense for my own good.
And that how my relationship with Derek began. He was cute, well most girls thought he was hot, and nice and we had fun together. PE was the only class we had together. Even though he constantly made fun of me in the beginning for being a slacker he soon learned that I could run, it only came about because he was being cocky and I decided to do the 100-meter dash against him. I didn't exactly defeat him, but it was close and he ended up tying which considering he was super fast and athletic, he respected me and you know, quit annoying me about my lack of effort.
We hung out a lot those first couple of months. Like I said, most boys run as soon as they know a girl has a boyfriend. He on the other hand seemed okay hanging out with me knowing it was strictly a friend thing. He did go on a couple dates with Amanda in the beginning, but in his words "they weren't compatible in a romantic relationship". He also confessed he didn't want a relationship because he was use to being in them and wanted to be single. Back in Raleigh, where he was from, he had continuous relationships that lasted for about 5 months each time starting freshman year of high school. He honestly said that he wanted nothing more than to be friends with girls or just date them. He wanted to "live out his bachelor years" as he put it, before settingly down. That was cool with me; just cause I was in a committed loving relationship didn't mean everyone had to be.
The bonus of being friends with Derek was that he had a car. All students were allowed to have cars on campus for a small fee of $100 a year and considering how much college counts anyway, it really wasn't bad. I didn't bring one, I mean I was from Massachusetts and my first year in unfamiliar territory it seemed stupid to bring my car, plus paying for gas and insurance when I wasn't working didn't seem very likely either. Julie didn't have a car either, so really the one way to get out was to bug Dere Bear that quickly became him lovely nickname, and to bring me places. He never seemed to mind though, he'd just say that there was nothing to do on campus anyway.
When time came for Christmas break, Derek did me a huge favor too. The airport was in Raleigh, and I needed a ride or else I would have to take a bus or worse yet never get home! Well not really I would have found a way, but luckily for me Derek was willing to give me a ride. I kept offering him gas money, but he kept refusing it because after all he lived there anyway and it wasn't like he was going out of his way for me.
Dropping me off at the airport he gave me my Christmas present. Our group which consisted of me, Julie, Gabe, Derek, Amanda, her roommate Lydia, Jerry, Mike, and Lana had given presents out the night before with the exception of Derek and I because we were seeing each other later on anyway and he said he wanted to just give it to me.
I know that should have been my warning sign that he liked me more than a friend, but I just thought maybe it was joke gift or something from one of our long personal talks that he'd be embarrassed about showing it in front of others. Sometimes, I'm too dense for my own good.