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Everyone is gathered at the McCall house as per usual. Derek sips his beer taking in all the chaos.
Scott and Kira look lovey dovey. Isaac flirts with Allison every chance he gets. Stiles glances at Lydia every chance he gets trying to work up the courage to talk to her.
Valentine’s Day was coming up and suffice it to say everyone was acting up more than usual.
Boyd sits in the armchair next to him. He gives him a smug look. Derek tried to prepare for the onslaught of interrogation.
“Well, did you ask her?” Boyd asks, leaning in close to him.
“Things have been hectic. There was no time” Derek says, trying to avoid Boyd’s disappointed stare.
“Boooooooo” Erica says, inserting herself in the conversation.
“He still hasn’t asked her guyssss” Erica says.
Everyone’s gaze lands on Derek and he tries not to shake sense into Erica. He knew she meant well but he was fine. Romance wasn’t in the cards for him and that was fine.
“You’ve gotta tear it off like a bandaid and just ask her. What’s the worst that could happen” Boyd says.
Derek gives him a pointed look. “I could give you the same advice”. Derek wasn’t clueless; it was obvious Boyd had been crushing on Erica for months. Boyd flushed under Derek’s stare.
“What’s this? You’ve got a special lady friend?” Erica says. She gets into his personal space. “Tell me who it is? Do I know them?”
“There’s nobody,” Boyd says, getting up from his seat running away from Erica.
“Come onnnnn. Tell meeeeee” Erica says, chasing him down. Derek sighs in relief; at least those two will be too bothered chasing each other to worry about the state of his love life.
Stiles tiptoes close to Derek. So much for being left alone.
“You should tell her man”
“I don’t need any advice,” Derek says. Stiles giving genuine advice was a scary thought. He was used to giving stiles advice about Lydia.
“Listen, you're like a brother to me. I want you to be happy and she makes you smile like no has ever done before”
Derek says nothing to that because stiles was right. She was different from the other women he liked in a good way.
“As much as it kills me to say this, you’re right” Derek says. Stiles looks sheepish as he rubs the back of his neck. Derek’s face pales.
“What did you do”
Stiles puts his hands up in defense.
“Just hear me out”
“Stiles” Derek says. Stiles was mischievous and when left to his own devices chaos would occur. The doorbell is heard.
“I’ll get it,” Allison says. She brushes her brown hair out of her face. She opens the door and Derek wants to bolt out of the house. She’s standing in the doorway looking breathtaking.
Braeden has freshly done twists. She usually has her hair blown out and curly but she wanted to have a change. She opted for a clean makeup look. She looks effortlessly good. Derek clears his throat and shifts in his seat. This was really bad.
Paige, his ex-girlfriend, comes in after her. As if the night wasn’t bad enough. His current crush and ex girlfriend had to be at the same party.
Paige wasn’t a bad girlfriend in fact they got along well but Derek knew that the initial spark they had fizzled out.
“Hey Derek, how do I look?” Paige asks. She twirls in front of him showing off her fit. Braeden looks away from them and Derek wants to shout that they’re not together anymore but Derek wasn’t the type for loud outbursts like his friends. He was quiet by nature.
“You look fine” Derek says simply. Paige frowns but doesn’t let his comment get her done.
“Just fine? Anything else?” Paige prods with a lift of her eyebrow.
“Like I said, you look fine” Derek puts his hands in his pockets. Paige huffs and walks away from him. Paige wanted to get back together but Derek knew they just didn’t go together.
The friend group were eating together having their own separate conversations. Erica clapped her hands, quieting the table.
“As you all know I’m having a v-day party and having a date is mandatory so if you are lacking one you better go and catch one soon” Erica declares to the group. Some cheer while others groan.
Derek and Braeden make eye contact. Derek can feel his hands sweating. He hoped she didn’t try to shake his hand. Having sweating hands would be mortifying.
Braeden gives him a small smile. He smiles back at her trying to bury his nervousness.
“Well well Derek you should’ve told me the big news.. if you had told me sooner I would’ve stopped bugging you to ask a certain someone out” Erica nudges him in the shoulder.
“What news?” Derek asked, confused.
“You and Paige are back together. She just told me the great news” Erica says giggling. Derek’s mouth falls open agape. A drink splashes on the table. Braeden accidentally knocked over her wine. She grabs a napkin and gently dabs at the stain.
“Oh my god ! I’m so sorry”
“It’s alright Brae” Scott tells her. Braeden barely registers his words and books it away from them.
“Go after her,” Scott tells him. It’s not a request. Derek stands up immediately and rushes after her.
“Braeden, wait!”
Braeden is so fast as she runs out of the house and down the street.
“Braeden!” Derek yells again. She hears him and stops. She turns around to look at him.
“Congratulations” Braeden says out of breath.
"What?"
"On getting back with Paige" she clarifies. Derek knows if he doesn't say something now he might never get the chance to do so again.
"It's not like that!" Derek sayas quickly.
"You don't have to explain. I'd rather not hear"
"No! I want you to hear me clearly. Me and paige are over!"
Braeden looks shocked but unconvinced.
"Really?"
Derek chuckles to himself. Braeden and himself were way too similar. They couldn't believe someone by just their word they needed proof.
"You are all I can think about"
Derek pulls her closer to him. Braeden stands on her tiptoes to reach him. The kiss is impatient. He puts his hands on her waist. He can feel the blood rushing through his veins. This was what living must feel like. He doesn't think he was alive until now.
They stop kissing just taking each other in.
Derek's phone goes off. He checks his phone and smiles. Braeden is curious.
"What?" she asks.
He shows his phone to her. She reads the date on his phone: February 14th.
"I know it's a bit late but would you be my valentine?" Derek chuckles.
"Do you even have to ask?" Braeden giggles.
"Yes" Braeden whispers.
Derek picks her up and spins her around in her arms. They both laugh together. Unbeknownst to the pair another pair hides in the bushes.
"Should we tell them we planned this?" Boyd asks Erica.
"Absolutely not," Erica chuckles. She gives him a quick peck on the cheek. Boyd flushes in surprise.
"Yes Boyd" Erica smiles.
"Huh? "
"I'll be your valentine"
Boyd stutters in shock.
"How did you..!"
"I'm not oblivious"
Boyd laughs and Erica smirks. She kisses him on the lips.
This was going to be a good Valentine's day.