annie michael.

Derek laughed, “Yeah your right, You called to tell them you made it here rihgt? “Derek asked. “Your friends I assume?” Derek said gesturing at her phone. 

“Ive missed you more.” Derek said with a laugh, “Shes amazing.” He shrugged. “Tall, Lean, Beautiful personality. Her names Jazlyn. We are best friends…”Derek said with a pause. “I just made a move on her, I think.” Derek sighed. 

“Mom and dad need to just.. chill?” Derek said questioning. “ I havnt seen them ina. While. We could make the drive to go see them soon? “ Derek said. “Of course you would be a parade dancer.” He laughed. “I hope you like it here . It’s gonna be nice to have family around.”

Derek laughed nervously. “I mean I hope she is.” He rolled his eyes playfully and batted his sisters hands away. “Shes one of my closest friends. We went on our first date actually.” Derek blushed pink all the way to the tips of his ears.

“When have mom and Dad ever been ‘chill’?” Annie chuckled as she scrolled through messages on er phone, some of them understanding, others upset, and yet others heartbroken that she hadn’t even said goodbye before coming here. 

“I mean I’m not technically throwing my life away.. I’m still in classes and you will be too. You need to sign up pronto or else you’ll be behind.” Derek explained. Sometimes he forgot he was in school, with everything going on he wasn’t sure the last time he checked him online classes. “Yeah cast members,life guards,parade dancers , everything. I’ve been here for almost five years, you would think I’d know everyone by now.” Derek laughed. Derek squinted anlottle bit thinking about Jaz. “There is someone.. someone I do what you to meet though.” Derek said stammering over his words.

“I mean I’m not technically throwing my life away.. I’m still in classes and you will be too. You need to sign up pronto or else you’ll be behind.” Derek explained. Sometimes he forgot he was in school, with everything going on he wasn’t sure the last time he checked him online classes. “Yeah cast members,life guards,parade dancers , everything. I’ve been here for almost five years, you would think I’d know everyone by now.” Derek laughed. Derek squinted anlottle bit thinking about Jaz. “There is someone.. someone I do what you to meet though.” Derek said stammering over his words.

“Der, I know. That’s not what I meant, you know that.” Annie chuckled, “I just needed a break from school up there.” She immediately perked up when she heard parade dancers, “Like in the Magic Kingdom parades? I’m one of the trolley girls there!” 

“Okay fine, but your welcome to stay here whenever. I can get you a key made.” Derek smiled. “Any particular reason your avoiding mom and dad besides the fact of they are worry worts?” Derek asked. “You look so healthy and grown up. “Derek gushed. “You have to meet all my friends, they’ll love you “ Derek didn’t care hat he sounded like a little girl but he was just so excited.

“Thank you...may need to, crashing all those late nights after parades and things. And not really...well, I just don’t want to disappoint them. I don’t want them to think that I’m throwing my life away. No offense...” Annie trailed off, wringing her hands together.

“They just wanted to make sure your safe I’m sure.” Derek sighed. Derek hadn’t talked to their parents in a while. They were constantly texting and calling him but he couldn’t bring himself to call them back. He knew they would just ask all kinds of questions he didn’t feel like answering.

Derek’s face grew concerned when annie mentioned living with a “Him”. “ you’re living with a boy?” Derek said squinting his eyes.

“I got her cause I was lonely. I’ve been here for four years dude.” Derek said with a laugh. “Start from the beginning?” Derek suggested. She listened to her short rant with a smile. His sister was always so lively. “ You are always going ot be the baby okay? IT not a big deal though At least you don’t have middle child syndrome like me.” Derek confessed with a small chuckle. “ Where are you living now? You should have told me, we could have gotten an apartment together, I dont want you to struggle. “Derek said concerned. 

“Yeah yeah come inside” Derek said ushering her inside. “What do you mean you took a semester off from school?” Derek asked. “You can make yourself at home, Luna, my cat is around here somewhere. Do you want anything to drink?” Derek’s mind was running a mile a minute, worried because Annie decided to take a semester off but happy cause he hasn’t seen any of his family in a while.

He grabbed a water bottle and sat in his couch, “ So, tell me everything.” He said with a sigh.

“Since when do you have a cat? I haven’t spoken to you in ages!” Annie chuckled before sitting down on the couch, “And where do I start??”

Derek whipped the door open to see his little sister and almost cried tears of joy. It had been forever since he had seen his family. He laughed at her comment and hugged her hard. “ No way!? Are you serious?” Derek said holding her at arms length. “ I’m so happy your here.” He smiled.