Once upon a time, in a little town in the Great Rift Valley...Le Fin

Posted by yz on Wednesday, July 01, 2009 in story,

Derrick couldn't understand the disappointment that immediately flooded through him. He should be relieved. He had Julia, his girlfriend of almost three years, beautiful sexy Julia, Julia who'd met his family. Julia who was happily settled in the belief that he intended to marry her. Another girl being in love with him was not a good thing. So he should be happy with Ann's "no" right? Relief would be appropriate since a bullet had just been dodged, correct? Unless he wanted Ann to like him? What did that mean? He shook his head to clear the thoughts swarming inside his head and took a deep breath.

He was being ridiculous. Of course he didn't want Ann to like him. He didn't do drama. It was just that he'd dealt with a lot more than he'd expected this morning. He hadn't prepared for any of this so it was taking a while to get his mind in the right place. If he wasn't happy or relieved now then it was just a matter of time.

He looked up at her and realized she was waiting for him to say something. So he took a deep breath and nodded as he raced back to the safety of her "no". Loosening his fists he asked, almost knowing the answer ,

"And we're we cool?"

Ann nodded and smiled as she lied, "Yes,"

Then there was an awkward silence until Derrick stretched then shifted.

"So..." Ann said.

"I have to get going," He said slowly.

She nodded, "I'll see you around,"

"Yeah" He said.

He stepped forward and gripped her in a loose hug. Both of them ignored the immediate feeling that they fit together, Derrick quickly letting go of her as he climbed into his car. His smile was distracted as he pushed the odd feeling of regret that had come rushing back. He would not go there.

When he let go, Ann stepped back and watched. She watched as he drove away until he turned the far corner then she entered her gate and walked slowly to the house. As she neared the kitchen door, her sister leaned out, Ann's phone in her hand.

"You got a text" She sang as Ann took it from her.

"Thanks" Ann replied as she flipped it open.

She ignored the text and went to her contacts, scrolling to D. When she got to who she was looking for she opened the options menu then hesitated. Do it! She told herself and scrolled down to delete then select contact. The phone lit up, in shock Ann felt, mocking her. Delete all Details? Trying to control herself, she paused, took a deep breath, shut her eyes and pressed yes.

In his car speeding to the city of seven hills, Derrick was pressing yes to delete too.