The Set of Rules

Austyn’s Pov

The monsters we fear aren’t the ones under our beds.

They’re the ones inside us. Mine was created three years ago. It doesn’t haunt me every day anymore. Not like it used to.

Sometimes, I can go weeks without thinking about it. Sometimes, I catch myself laughing and almost forget it exists. And then, without warning, it reminds me.

A dream.

A memory.

A voice.

A smell.

Anything can pull me right back under. But tonight, exhaustion wins. I curl deeper into my blanket and close my eyes, hoping for a few hours of peace.

“Austyn!” my mom yells. “Come down now!”

I groan, dropping my head back against the pillow. Apparently, peace is overrated. So much for sleep.

“Coming!” I yell back.

I get out of bed, run out my room, and head down the stairs. My feet stumbles a little as I approach the last set of steps and start falling. My choice of running was a diaster just waiting to happen.

I close my eyes in preparation for the impact that is about to happen. Before my face can collide with the floor, two arms wrap around my waist holding me in the air. Opening my eyes, I take a small look at my rescuer, and immediately regret it.

Derek Black.

My best friend. Not. He’s not even my friend at all. I despise him. I only know him because of our stupid parents. They met when my parents took a vacation to Italy. Apparently they went to this random party and just met Derek’s parents and they all instantly became the best of friends. Not long after my parents went back to the States, the Blacks moved permanently to the States.

Unfortunately that means I've known Derek my entire life. Literally. He was there the day I was born. He’s a year older then me. Once our parents found out I was a girl in the womb, they couldn’t stop talking about how one day Derek and I would grow up together be such great best friends and hopefully marry each other one day. They still can’t stop talking about it.

The thing is, only one of us kids loves that stupid idea, and it definitely isn’t me.

For as long as I can remember, I've never been left alone by Derek. I’ve only ever been by myself when Derek has to go home due to his parent's orders.

I honestly didn't mind him being around me until I got to pre-k. That's when I started to hate Derek. Every time a boy would come to talk to me, he would push them away and tell them to leave me alone. They never did anything but approach me.

My life has been a living hell ever since then. His actions have only gotten worse over the years. I don't know what his problem is either. I can't do anything without him right beside me. And I mean, I cannot do anything at all.

If I need to use the restroom, Derek will follow me and stand outside the door until I'm done. Whenever I ask why he does it, he just shrugs his shoulders.

I seriously wish he would leave me alone for the rest of my life. Oh, and get this, when I ask him to leave me alone, go home, and don't bother me anymore, he throws the biggest tantrum ever. Then he’ll go and tell my mom, getting me into trouble. And it works too. I'll get grounded for two weeks each time, leaving me to have more time with the devil himself.

And by grounded, I mean I am literally forced to do things with him. Most kids would be sent to their room for eternity. Me? No. I have to be connected at the hip with the spawn of Satan.

I pushed myself out of his arms, throwing him a look of disgust. A smirk plasters across his stupid face. I wonder if he thinks he's all that and a box of chocolates. That's one box of chocolates that I would never eat.

I look over at my mom to see her smiling and shaking her head at Dereks and I’s interaction. I rolled my eyes. I hate how much she loves him. I hate Derek so much.

"What do you want?" I asked. My voice as deadpanned as can be.

Mom gave me one of her "seriously" looks and rolled her eyes. She walks towards the kitchen. She waves her goodbyes, leaving me with the one person I hate.

Why does my mother hate me so much to leave me with him?

I slowly turn away from ym retreating mother and turn towards Derek, I silently pray and hope that he will leave my house to spare me this one time. Unfortunately, my prayers are not answered. Amusement dances through his eyes as he watches me.

Suddenly I remember something. Derek is supposed to be leaving today. He's going to Italy to start working on his family business. I'm about to be free of this controlling moron.

"Don't you have a flight to catch?"

"Yes, I do. But I came here to tell you goodby-" Derek said, rolling his eyes.

Me being me, I start squealing and jumping up and down happily.

"Okay, goodbye! Have a fantastic flight to Italy!" I started to try to push him out the door. My tiny self trying to push away a human being that’s taller than me is like trying to drive a car in park. He literally wouldn't budge.

I guessed he got tired of me trying to push him towards the door because he puts both hands on my shoulders and forced me to look at him. He gives me this annoyed, stern look. Finally, he lets go of me, walks toward the couch. He sits down on it and pats the spot beside him. The look im his eyes tells me that he wants me to sit beside him.

Like hell I'll do that.

I walk over to the armchair across from the couch and place my butt on it. The look he gives me is excellent. The anger that’s easily on display on his stupid ugly face is such satisfaction for me.

"We need to talk." He crosses his arms and rolls his eyes at me.

I raise my eyebrows at him. What do we need to talk about?

“I’m giving you a set of rules to follow,” Derek said, his voice firm—like he’d practiced this. “If you follow them, you’ll be rewarded.”

I frown. “Exc—”

“I’m not done.”

I snap my mouth shut, glaring at him. Since when did he think he could talk to me like that?

“If you don’t follow them,” he went on, “there will be consequences.”

My stomach drops. “Derek, you’re being—”

“Rule one,” he cuts in quickly, like he doesn’t want to lose his nerve. “You don’t talk to other boys. I’m the only one you can talk to.”

I blink at him. “What?”

“Rule two: you don’t date anyone. You don’t fall in love either. You… you wait.” His jaw tightens. “For me.”

My lips part in disbelief.

“Rule three: stay innocent. Don’t… don’t do anything weird or gross.” He avoids my eyes for a second, then forces himself to look back at me.

Okay. Now I know he has lost his mind.

“Rule four: your friends can only be me and girls. No guys.”

“You cannot be serious right now.”

“And rule five…” His voice drops, more certain this time. “You don’t forget me. Or these rules. Ever.”

The air between us feels strange. Heavy.

“I’ll be back,” he said. “And when I am… you better have listened.”

I stare at him. My heart pounds as my brain tries to catch up. What in the world?

Is he actually serious?

“Austyn, do you understand?” Derek asks, his voice is calm, but firm.

I blink, snapping out of my state of shock. I shoot up from the armchair.

“Oh, hell no. Who do you think you are coming into my house and giving me rules like you’re my father?” My voice rises with every word. “You’re not my dad. So stop telling me what to do and get a life. Because if you think I’m listening to any of your stupid rules…” I take a step toward him. “You’ve got another thing coming.”

I'm so mad right now. Who in the hell does he think he is?

If I were a cartoon character, I would look like Yosemite Sam having smoke coming from my ears. My body is shaking. I need to calm myself down before I lose it even more than I already am.

I so want to punch him right now.

Amusement is dances in his green eyes. A smirk planted on his stupid face. Before I could tell him to leave my house again, he stands up and takes long, slow strides toward me.

I stare at him warily as he steps right in front of me. He is way too close for my liking.

I take a sharp breath as he slightly bends his face down towards the side of my face, lightly brushing his lips against my ear. The light contact of his lips against my ears runs a shiver through my entire body.

Suddenly, he pulls me into a bone-crushing hug. It takes me a second to register what he’s doing. I wrap my arms around him, soaking in the warmth of his hug.

I guess I’ll be nice and hug him back. I mean, he is leaving today and never coming back.

I stay in his embrace for a good minute or so, before I try to release myself from him. His arms tighten around me as I struggle. With a huff, Derek finally releases me from his grasp. I look up into his eyes about to give him another piece of my mind. But I don’t.

His eyes sadden. An emotion that he is clearly trying to hide from me. I know him better than he thinks I do. He can’t hide his emotions from me.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

Derek stares at me. A feign of shock on his face. I don't think he knew that I saw that look in his eyes. He sighs and plops himself down in the armchair, pulling me down with him onto his lap. Usually, I would protest being in his lap, but something is wrong, and I want to know.

He rubs his fingers in slow, small circles on the lower part of my back. He looks into my eyes.

"I'm going to miss you. I don't want to move away from you.” His voice breaks.

The sadness in his eyes and the tone of his voice bring tears to my eyes. How am I supposed to hate him when he goes and does stuff like this?

My mind starts wondering about how my life is going to look like without him. I can't remember a time I haven’t spent without him. It's honestly going to get lonely around here. I'm going to miss his annoying self.

"I'm going to miss your annoying self too." I give him a small reassuring smile.

His sad self lights up at my words. A small smile brightens up his face. Slowly, his smile turns into a smirk.

"You're going to miss me, huh?" Derek wiggles his eyebrows at me with a newfound amusement.

“Ugh!” An annoyed huff slips out. “Don’t you have a flight to catch?"

He chuckles lightly. His amused expression quickly disappears within a second, turning into on of serious and intense. Gracious. How can he change his expressions so easily?

"I am serious about those rules, Austyn. If you don't follow them, and I find out about it, there will be consequences my love."

I stare at him to see if he is lying. Honestly, I can’t crack him this time. He's serious, as far as I can tell. I nod my head slowly. A small smile returns to his face.

Derek gives me a quick hug with a peck to my forehead. He grabs my waist, gently standing the both of us up. He moves me to the side slightly, and starts making his way towards the door. He stops suddenly. He turns around and winks at me, before opening the door and walking out.

I stand by the armchair, turning his stupid rules over in my head.

Is he actually serious? Does Derek honestly expect me to follow them? A laugh escapes me. Jokes on him. I’m not following a single one.

He can’t control my life. Not anymore. Especially not when he’s halfway across the world.

I can do whatever I want with my own life. It’s time for me to start fresh. Without Derek Black. Without his rules. Without him.

I just don’t know one thing.

While I’m standing here planning a future without Derek, he’s already planning one with me in it. And he has absolutely no intention of asking for permission.