Second Chances, Kimberly Berryhill [best short novels of all time .TXT] 📗

only two in the room when he came in that first day. “She reminded Cassie.
“Yeah I guess.” she admitted slowly.
“Oh, come on. You two are already acting like a couple.” Nicki accused lightly.
“It was only a friendly competition. I don’t see the big deal here.” However, even Cassie wanted to believe that Derek and her were becoming more than friends. She was confused as to what exactly was happening. She hadn’t felt this way about anyone except for him.
“You don’t even believe that rubbish. It may have started out that way, but it progressed into a whole lot more.”
“Yeah, come on. You aren’t even that blind.” Nicole agreed. Nicki laughed playfully at her remark.
“Fine.”, Cassie collapsed backwards onto her bed, sighing deeply. “I like him, okay? Are ya‘ll happy now?” They squealed, and Cassie rolled her eyes at them. “This doesn’t change anything, though.” she said over their delight. “He doesn’t feel the same. He couldn’t. It just doesn’t make sense for him too.” She sighed.
“Oh my god! Nicole, would you please explain to her that she’s being completely dim!”
“Gladly too, Nicki. Let me say this so that even you can understand. He. Like. You.” Nicole explained slowly like Cassie needed help with the simplest sentences.
“Shut up you two! You know what I mean, and I know for a fact you both have felt the same way when ya’ll have had crushes.” Cassie blurted.
“That’s true, but it means nothing. Every girl goes through it. Trust us on this, Cassie. He likes you!”
“Likes her? He’s completely head-over-heels for her!” Nicki shouted thrillingly.
“SHUSH!! Do you want the whole campus to know?!” Cassie panicked.
“CASSIE AND DEREK!!!” Nicole and Nicki screamed out in unison. Cassie tackled them to the floor, stuffing a pillow over their mouths. All three of them let out a chorus of laughter.
“Okay, okay. We have twenty minutes to get ready for class now. We gotta hurry!” Nicole reminded them.
“Oh, no.” Cassie said sounding defeated.
“What’s wrong, Cass?” Nicki asked, worried.
“I need to look extra pretty, and I only have twenty minutes!” she fretted.
“Ha don’t worry. We gotcha covered.” Nicole assured her.
“Yeah, now go take a shower. You do not need to be sweaty when trying to impress someone.” Nicki warned her roommate.
Cassie went and showered. She came back to their room, and was less than surprised to see her roommates, already dressed, waiting on her. They had already picked out a new cute shirt Cassie had bought a few days ago and her black skinny jeans and some matching heels.
“I figured you can borrow my shoes since your closet is dangerously low on heels.” Nicole feigned horror. “Just be sure to give them back undamaged missy or who knows what will happen to your favorite pair of converse.” She threatened jokingly. Nicki and she helped Cassie with her hair and make-up. By the time they had finished and Cassie was dressed and ready to go, they had five minutes to get to class. They rushed out the door. Cassie soon found out it was not so easy to run in heels. They finally reached the door of Mr. Bender’s classroom with one minute to spare.
* * * *
Derek threw the third shirt on the ground in front of him. Oh for Pete’s sake! Do I have at least one decent shirt that’s not wrinkled from my suitcase! He thought to himself despairingly. He wanted to make a good impression after running into Cassie not looking his best at all. “I’m acting like a chick!” he shouted out loud at himself. What was wrong with him? He never worried this much about his appearance. He, eventually, decided on some dark, almost black, jeans, a semi-straight green shirt with a black design on it. He slipped into his sneakers, and made his way out the door.
He pushed open the door to his first class with still 10 minutes until it started. His eyes immediately found his seat. They drifted to the seat beside him. Derek’s face fell. It was empty. Did she get sick? No, that wasn’t possible. He had just seen her. Was she faking sick? Maybe she didn’t want to spend another minute with him. Maybe he had been too pushy with her, but how? What did he do wrong? He asked all these questions to himself. He kept trying to think of what could have happened in the last thirty minutes that could have led to her not coming to class while he made his way to his desk. He sat down exasperated. He had never thought this much about a girl before. Sure, he had girlfriends, but he never really did like them. They were only mere things to entertain him until he moved to another place. Cassie was different. He didn’t understand it, but he was going to be sure to enjoy every minute of it. He kept hoping that maybe she was just late, but he didn’t let that hope make it so far. he learned early in his life to never hope for something too hard, because it come crashing down before you. You worked so hard to believe and wish for one thing, and then you see it blow up in your face. No, he didn’t dare hope or wish too hard, but he did as much as he allowed himself too.
The door to class room swung open suddenly. It was followed my at least three people breathing heavily. He stared, and he hoped more than his limit allowed. Cassie and maybe her roommates came around the door. Derek couldn’t really tell if it was her roommates, because he was too busy looking at a completely different person than he saw this morning. She was gorgeous. It wasn’t that she was not pretty before. Derek had to admit to himself that he did not see it coming at all, and he was surprised. She was down right sexy, and he fell for her all over again. That caught him off guard. He had never felt this much about anyone, not in this way. He knew the truth behind this, but he didn’t dare let it escape from inside. He couldn’t. It wasn’t right to be so happy, and have the scene ripped out from under you, literally. He felt a sudden flash of anger at his parents go through him. He didn’t want to dwell on the cruel reality that would soon come to reign. He only wanted to enjoy this moment. No matter the consequences. Derek hadn’t yet realized that Cassie was making her way up towards him..to her seat that is. She had a shirt that complimented her skin perfectly, and showed all of her curves. He quickly closed his mouth which had dropped when he had seen her.
“Hi.”. Cassie smiled shyly. She lightly scooted her chair back, and took her seat.
“Oh, uhm, hey”. I’m such an idiot! Derek thought to himself. Uhm, hey? What is wrong with me?!
“So, have you thought of a way to break that tie?” She kept her eyes locked with his.
“Uhm, sorry. What?” She must think I’m pathetic. Why couldn’t he focus?
“The racing tie? How to break it?” Her forehead scrunched up which made it harder for him to focus on what she was trying to say. God, she could make sexy. Okay, focus. He tried to snap himself out of it. He looked down toward his notebook.
“Oh, that. Sorry, I guess I’m a bit out of it today.” He admitted sheepishly. He was floundering like a tuna fish. “How about we discuss it over a movie and popcorn?” Bold, but he wanted her to know he didn’t normally act this stupid.
“Haha. Is that a date?” She questioned, raising her eyebrows.
“Only if you want it to be.” He passed her one of his famous looks. Apparently, he had a few looks that could make girls go weak at the knees. He didn’t let it go to his head, but he made sure they didn’t go to waste either. He could tell it was the perfect touch once her cheeks stained a light pink. It flattered her even more than any clothes could. He reached out and brushed a stray hair behind her ear. “The color on your cheeks looks lovely with your skin.”
“I’ll think about it and uhm, thanks.” She blushed even deeper. Ah, time to make her flounder. Derek plotted to himself.
“I think you’ll say yes. I mean considering I don’t do this very often.” He was mostly in control of his thoughts by now.
“Do what? Talk to girls?” she laughed playfully. Derek heard her roommates behind her giggle. They were obviously listening.
“Well, I’m actually talking to three right now,” he gave a pointed look at her roommates behind her shoulder, “but only one answer matters to me.” He gave her a smoldering look, allowing her to know she was the only one in the room that he was worried about. Nicole and Nicki rolled their eyes at him, but were smiling all the same.
“You seem quite confident.” She stated, her gaze wondering down to a tare at the end of her folder.
“Only if you like confidence.” He replied. Mr. Bender chose then to start the class. Derek and Cassie did not have a chance to speak again until the bell rang. Derek shot up from his chair. He was on edge. He guessed waiting for Cassie’s answer was why. He looked at her expectedly. She glanced at him for a mere second and turned away to converse with her roommates.
“Oh, it’s going to be that way, huh?” Derek stated this loud enough for their section of the classroom could hear. A few stopped and made a couple glances; but otherwise, they ignored him completely. Cassie looked as if she intended to do the same. “Well, I guess it would’ve never worked anyway. I mean I think you are far more petty to compete with me.” He teased her like a cat with a ball of yarn. She turned and grabbed on to the yarn.
“Excuse me?” she snapped, raising her eyebrows to the sky.
“So, now, you hear me?” she rolled her eyes at his remark. “All I said was I think you might be a little late to come up to my level. You know, if your too scared I guess I won’t bother you again.” By this time the whole class, what was left of it, was waiting to see what Cassie’s reply would be. Perfect, Derek thought, an audience.
“I wouldn’t say that. Maybe I don’t want to spend my time with someone so arrogant.” She challenged in return.
“Oh, arrogant am I? If memory serves me right, you’re the one that came pouncing onto me this morning.” He reminded her.
“Ha! You’re the one that couldn’t watch where he was going.” She took two steps forward toward him during this retort.
“You enjoyed being on top of me. Go ahead and admit it to yourself. It’s better to just get it all out there.” Derek took the challenge, and stepped forward two places also. Cassie poked her finger against his chest. By now, their shoulders were only a few inches away.
“You are so ignorant. You think the world evolves around you, huh? News flash, your not! So, do us all a favor and get over yourself!” A smile was playing at the corners of her mouth. Taking advantage of the breaking point, Derek dunked his head close to her ear.
“You just can’t keep your hands off me, can you?” he chuckled lightly. “I suppose that’s a yes, by the way?” he pulled back slightly to register her