Chapter Seven

(Reagan's POV)

I heaved a big relieved sigh as the final bell rang, letting us know school was over for the day. I stuffed my books in my backpack and stood up, walking out of the room, ready to head out of this hell hole.

Walking on a snail place, my mind drifted to Derek. He acted rather strange and aloof when he had taken me out for lunch. It was a sweet gesture but, the sudden change of his body language was unnerving. What had me baffled though was that it happened after he met Bryson. Especially the part where they shook their hands, and the way they stared at each other was as though they were having an internal conversation. I thought I knew what was there to know about Derek, since I had lived with him for two years, but I couldn't help but think he was withholding something from me.

Not bothering to stop by my locker, I exited school and went straight to the parking lot. My mood had abruptly changed from brooding to irritation, as I saw Ciara and Bryson leaning casually at my car. Not only that, freaking Bryson was necking her. Oh the joy, I thought irritably.

I approached the horny necking duo and cleared my throat to get their attention. They jumped a mile high and looked at me, blushing from embarrassment, "Uh... next time you guys can't contain yourselves, please avoid having a threesome with my car. You can jump at each other by getting a room." I said with a scowl on my face.

Ciara grinned mischievously at Bryson, "That's not a bad idea. Why don't we get a room, baby, and have some fun?"

Bryson sneak a peek at my face then looked at Ciara uncomfortably, "Um, baby I think that's--" but I cut him off mid-sentence.

"Do you guys want something from me or are you just here for a necking exhibition? Not that I care, since it's none of my business on what you do on your alone time, but has it occured to you that I'm not really that ho-ho-santa-jolly right now or," I paused for effect, "does the word 'respect' ring a bell to you, Ciara Lockwell?"

That wiped out the flirty look on her face.

Bryson let out a small sigh and gave me a sheepish look, "I'm sorry about that Reagan, but to be honest, you don't have the right to react that way. Ciara and I are a couple. We can do stuff like that."

I surreptitiously looked at Ciara. She had that smug look on her face, truimphant that her precious boyfriend came to her rescue.

I flailed my arms in the air exasperated, "Yeah, well, you may have a point but, really? Necking while leaning on my car? Yes, you are entitled to act lovey-dovey like a peck on the lips, or hugging, that I can tolerate but, having to see you guys jumping at each other is awkward enough. Can't you see the pattern here? If the situation were reversed, how would you feel?"

He was in deep thought and after a while, he sighed, "I guess I would be okay with it, but you're right, it would be awkward considering our circumstances." He stepped forward to give me a hug,"I'm sorry, Reagan, for being an jerk."

I chuckled slightly, my irritation subsiding, "You've been an ass Malty. I'm used to it." I patted his back in a friendly way. He released me from his arms and beamed at me.

"Hey! You called me Malty. It's been awhile I haven't heard that nickname you gave me."

I chuckled at the memory when I deemed him that name, "Yeah, you were 15 at that time. You were obsessed with Malteesers. You practically inhaled those chocolate balls."

He laughed, "Aw come on! Malteesers are the best! Unlike you puddycat, your obsession for pudding puzzles me." He said, shaking his head.
I glared at him playfully, "Pudding is the bomb. Fo shizzle. And ugh! I hate that nickname. I'm sure you got that from a yellow canary looney tune character. What's the name of that bird?" I asked, snapping my fingers to recall.

He tapped his chin then he snapped his fingers remembering, "Tweety bird!" he exclaimed. We both laughed hysterically then covered it with a cough as we looked at a scowling Ciara.

Oops.

I shifted my feet uncomfortably,"Uh, so... haha... is there something you guys would uh..." I squeaked, unsure what to say next.

Ciara cleared her throat, “Since you both are done reminiscing down memory lane," she said the last part with disdain, “Bryson and I thought we three should hang out. You know, eat and talk; we have a lot of catching up to do."

"That's not a bad idea. I'm hungry anyway, so how about we eat at the La Jolla strip?"

She gasped, "But the restaurants there are insanely expensive! Are you sure you can afford it? Bryson and I will pay for you. We don't mind."

Was that an insult?

To prove a point, I took out my unlimited platinum credit card, not in Derek's name, but in my name, and flashed it in front of Ciara's face. Yeah, I'm cool like that, but with the help of Derek anyway.

I grinned, "Don't worry. I got it covered. My treat."

"Is that an unlimited platinum credit card? And oh my gosh! It's under your name too!" She stared at it with envy.

I chuckled, "Yeah. Now come on. You riding with me or you have your own car?"

She shook her head, “No. Bryson's car broke down so our limo driver took the liberty of driving us to school."

I shrugged, "Alright. You can ride with me."

She grinned, "Shotgun!" she yelled, calling dibs first because she noticed Bryson was about to yell out as well. I think she did that on purpose.

We all climbed into my car then I glanced at them, "I suggest you buckle up. It's going to be a one heckuva ride."

They looked at me puzzled. I rolled my eyes then started the car, "Suit yourself." I muttered.

************************
The smell of burnt rubber wafted at my nostrils as I made a 180 spin, just to park the car outside the restaurant. I killed the ignition and glanced at my passengers. The sight of them had me laughing like a donkey.

Ciara was gripping at the dashboard for dear life with eyes wide as saucers. Bryson was frozen stiff in his seat, pale as snow with his eyes shut tight.

I chuckled, "You can open your eyes now, sleeping beauty." I teased.

His eyelids fluttered open,"Am I in heaven? I feel like I lost my soul back there."

Ciara regained her sanity, “Where the hell did you learn to drive like that? You used to be slow and cautious."

I shrugged, "From a formula 1 racer." I said nonchalantly.

Then they burst out laughing.

"That was really funny, Ree." Ciara said, snorting after each word.

"Yeah. That was a good one." Bryson agreed with her.

As they took in my blank expression not finding it funny one bit, their laughter died down as they saw that I was serious and mumbled a sorry.

I rolled my eyes, "Let's go. I'm hungry."

We all got out of the car and headed towards the restaurant, Jacobos. It was a high end restaurant, but the decoration was contemporary, not the fancy shmansy one that you see on classy restaurants. They had a dress code, but if you were wearing shorts, tank top, slippers and a ragged shirt, you couldn't get in even if you are the daughter/ son of the President of United States of America.

The waiter, Stan, beamed when he saw me and greeted, "Reagan! It's good to see you." He looked over my shoulder and frowned,"Where's Derek?"
"Just my friends and I for today. Derek had business to attend to." I said.

He nodded,"Well then, I'll lead you to your usual table."

I nodded and he lead us to our table.

"Do you come here a lot? I heard it's hard to get in here or get reservations because it's fully booked." Ciara said.

"Derek knows the owner and we eat here a lot." I said then shrugged.

Stan gestured the table for us and we took our seats. He handed us menus and walked away. After a while, our waiter took our orders. Ciara and Bryson were practically clueless, so I did the honors. I chose Tea infused Quail with lemon sauce and glazed onions. For drinks, a pitcher of lemonade with sliced citrus fruits and herbs.

"I'll be back with your drinks." He said, taking the menus from us and walking away.
Catching up with Ciara and Bryson was surprisingly okay. Although Ciara couldn't help but brag about the dates she had with Bryson, which had him glowering at her, but it was fine. It was not that painful anymore compared to the day I found out their together.

We finished our food and Ciara gushed about how fantastic the Quail was. We decided to head home so I called for the waiter. He came over to our table as I handed him my credit card. He gave me polite smile and walked off.

"Thanks, Reagan. The food was great." Bryson said.

I rolled my eyes, "The food tastes great when it's free."

He chuckled, "True that."

The waiter came back and handed me my card and a paper for me to sign. I gave him a tip and walked out of the restaurant.

"Please come again, Reagan. Send my regards to Derek." Stan said.

I smiled, "Will do."

We were laughing all the way to my car on some crazy ass green joke Bryson told us. As we were about to get in, a familiar voice called out my name.

"Reagan?"

I slowly turned around and saw the person who I never thought I would see again.

"Mom." I whispered softly.

All the bad memories which I repressed so bad came flooding back like a tsunami. She was standing there, holding a baby in her arms. There was a man standing next to her which I didn't recognize. I wondered, 'that is not my so-called father, Michael'.

I cautiously approached her, trying to keep a straight face. I stopped a few inches away and spoke," It's been a while, Lilly."

She flinched when I referred her by her first name,"Yes, it has been awhile. How are you, Reagan?" she said casually.

Was she for real? How could she be so calm?

"Good and abuse free." I said the last part out of spite.

She flinched again but said nothing.

"Mrs. Sheldon! Good to see you." Bryson piped up behind me.

My mom looked over my shoulder and smiled as she saw him,"Bryson, how are you, sweetie?" and flicked her eyes to Ciara,"How are you, Ciara?"

"Good. I see you have a baby." Bryson said.

My mom smiled lovingly at the baby in her arms, "Yes. He's my precious angel." she said. "And I'm not Mrs. Sheldon anymore. I'm Mrs. Marks now. Michael and I got a divorce a year ago." She said and looked at the man beside her with adoring eyes.

So she finally split up with that jerk, huh? I couldn't help but feel jealous at the way she looked at the baby, "So Lilly, what's that thing's name?" I sneered.

"Don't talk to Lilly like that, and our baby is not a thing." The guy growled at me.

I glared,"I have every right to talk to my mother like that, since she deserves it. She allowed her ex husband to abuse me because I am the reason of their failed marriage. Ask your wife. She would love to tell you the details. And I wouldn't care less about your son."

The man just stared at me shocked.

"You know what? I'm done. I'm out of here." I spun around to go back to my car. I stuck the key in the ignition and my car roared to life.

"Reagan! Wait!" my mom yelled.

But it was too late. I gunned it out of there not looking back.

************************

I slammed the front door open and banged it shut.

I needed to vent out. I want to let this anger burst out in the open.

I needed to talk to Derek.

I stomped towards the living room, hoping to find him there. I heard loud rock music and by the time I entered the living room, I saw Cooper rocking it out like he was on Woodstock. He did an air guitar while sticking his tongue out like a rabid dog. If I wasn't so upset, I would have laughed at him, but I couldn't.

I sauntered towards the stereo and unplugged the power cord. Cooper stopped and spun around to bite the person's head off for ruining his rock moment,"Hey! I was-- oh! Hey, Reagan."

"Where the freaking hell is Derek?" I asked impatiently.

He frowned, "In his study. Why? Is something wrong? You look upset."

Not bothering to answer, I walked out of the living room, heading to Derek's study. I whipped the door open without knocking and I saw him staring at me with a puzzled expression. "Little one? Is something the matter?" he asked. He was sitting behind his mahogany desk, reading a book.
Without warning, I ran to him and jumped onto his lap curling my arms around his neck. Derek was taken aback but nevertheless, hugged me back.

Then, I started to break down and cry.

I cried with a force that was equivalent to my anger.

Derek caressed my back soothingly, saying reassuring words,"Shh. It's okay. Please don't cry, my little one. It's going to be fine." He cooed.

My chest constricted with every sob and it was painful. I hugged Derek even tighter, afraid that he would evaporate out of thin air. He pressed his lips on my forehead and it felt nice. He lingered his lips for a bit, then pulled back and soothed me again, saying everything was going to be alright.

With a faint whisper he said, "Je t'aime, ma cherie. Je t'aime."