Prologue
Emily Tanner ran out of the classroom just as the last bell rang, making a dash towards her car.
Just as she reached her car door handle, she was pulled away and spun to face the bright blue eyes of her boyfriend, Derrick Young, slightly covered by brown, shaggy hair.
"Leaving without a goodbye kiss?" He put a hand over his heart feigning a hit.
Emily leaned on her toes. He pulled her in tight at the warmth of her lips on his, one hand coming to the back of her head.
"Much better." Derrick grinned as he pulled back, brushing the sleek straight strands of hair away from her face.
"So needy, aren't we?" Emily joked, giving him another peck. Slightly pulling away, "I would love to continue this but you know I have practice right now and I can't be late."
"I know, I know. I just-" He sighed, "I miss you, I feel like I haven't seen you in forever."
"We just saw each other during lunch." Emily narrowed her eyes smirking, "but I know what you mean, I miss you too. I know we haven't spent much time together but I promise once I become a pop star, we'll have all the time in the world to do anything we want. Together." She emphasized the last word, putting both hands on either side of his head.
"I love you, D."
"Love you too, Em."
"Gotta go. Call me later? Maybe we can meet up after practice."
Derrick nodded his head quickly as she went in for another kiss before turning towards her car and getting in.
He watched as she tied her long, thick hair in a messy bun before driving off. Derrick chuckled to himself. She was always in a rush and did just that as if it unlocked a superpower or something.
Emily and Derrick grew up together as friends and fell in love their freshman year of high school. They were the couple everyone wanted to be, always on the same page.
He loved how strong-willed she was and how much she cared for those around her. She worked-hard to help her parents support the family even though they never asked her to. And she never judged anyone, especially him for his not-so-pretty, extremely poor upbringing.
She fell in love with him for all the same reasons. Derrick grew up with an abusive father who never failed to remind him he was a "waste of space". He struggled to overcome that shadow even after his mom took them away for a better life. Emily loved that Derrick, although shy, was strong and a fighter against his own insecurities. Caring for everyone around him as deeply as he loved.
Emily had dreams of becoming a pop star, and with the raspiness yet wide range of her voice, she had potential to go far.
Derrick, on the other hand, couldn't sing for his life but reaching the skies, literally, was his ultimate dream. He had wanted to be a pilot since as young as he could remember. He knew he wanted to pursue it once they graduated that upcoming spring.
They were the perfect match, supporting each other's futures. Or so it seemed on the outside. Derrick rubbed the back of his neck as he watched Emily's car drive out of the school lot, leaving him behind. He was happy and proud of her but felt like she was doing great things while he was left out.
"Yo, why the long face? I thought whipped boyfriends were always happy like a puppy."
Derrick rolled his eyes as he turned to the voice of his friend, Jay.
"HA HA very funny. What's up?"
"A few of us are gonna kick it by the pier, wanna come? We got some drinks and-" Jay smirked, inhaling a fake joint between his fingers.
"Ah, sure why not." Derrick sighed. He needed to get his mind off the fact that Emily was taking steps towards her future while he... was doing nothing.
"Nice, let's go. I'll drive." Jay put an arm around Derrick's shoulders, guiding them towards the empty road.
"You don't have a car. And the parking lot is back there."
"Exactly. I'll drive us directionally as we walk... seriously though, you two good?"
"Yeah man. Just missing all the time we used to spend together, that's all."
"I get it. Imma tell her she has to meet us there after practice, no choice in it. " Jay said matter of factly. Derrick shook his head and laughed.
Emily walked out of practice with a smile on her face. She had finally hit that high note without running out of breath. Her coach said with that skill, she was a shoe-in for becoming a famous singer.
With the sun still out, she pulled out her phone to call Derrick, wanting to hang out and celebrate the good news.
Jay: Yoo with D. come to pier when ur done or I'll drag u here myself :)
Derrick: Text me when ur done. Love you.
Emily chuckled at their friendship and started driving to the pier. That was where some kids of school would go to drink and do whatever without getting caught.
She thought it was a perfect timing for a kick back and decided to surprise them.
"Hey Derrick, how'd you do on that pop quiz we got in History today?" Demi asked him, swaying her hips as she moved closer to pass the joint. She was a classmate of theirs who always had a thing for Derrick.
"Not bad, Em made me read the chapters last night." Derrick took a hit of the joint then chased it with the rest of his beer.
"Where is she? She won't be happy to know you drank 6 beers in the past-" Demi checks her phone. "2 hours we've been here."
"First off, that's none of your business. Two, Em isn't my boss so she won't have anything to say except that she loves me."
Demi smirked and placed a hand on his arm. "She loves you but I haven't seen you two together that often anymore. Trouble in paradise?"
"Back off, Demi. Again, that's none of your business."
"Relax, D. I'm just asking as a caring friend." Batting her eyelashes a little too much.
"Yeah whatever." Derrick said, annoyed as he threw his beer can with too much force and staggered back a few steps.
"Woah there. You good?" Demi quickly grabbed his bicep tighter, holding on as if that would support him.
"I need to piss."
Derrick pushed away and looked around attempting to find a restroom.
"Come with me. You can use my parent's house boat, it's docked over there." Demi held onto his forearm as she dragged him in the direction she pointed.
"Here, you can piss in here. Bathroom's in the bedroom down the hall."
"Thanks." Derrick put his hands on both sides of the narrow hallway to keep balance as the boat gently rocked.
After he finished, he opened the bathroom door and froze. Demi was laying on the bed, completely naked from the waist down with her legs opened wide in his direction.
"I know Em hasn't been giving you the attention you need. Let me take care of you." She purred, "we can take care of each other."
Demi leaned up and took her shirt off, revealing her chest in a lace navy blue bra.
"Demi, what the hell! I'm getting out of here." Derrick looked around for an escape route in the tight space.
Moving quicker than his feet could in that moment, he overstepped and grabbed the edge of the bed to prevent from diving straight between her legs. His head was spinning, the weed made everything move slow.
Demi smiled in victory, thinking she had finally convinced him. She grabbed his hand and placed it over her crotch while pulling on the back of his neck to kiss him.
As Derrick felt both of her lips at once, he realized what was happening and tried to pull away.
"WHAT THE FUCK!"
They both froze and turned to the door, finding Emily watching them.
"Are you kidding me right now? Seriously, Derrick? I never want to see you again!" Emily, with tears in her eyes, turned and ran off the boat.
"No! Emily, wait! It's not what it looks like!" Derrick stood up to run after her. "Demi, you bitch!"
