A/N: This is it! To all of the lovely people who took interest in my story, reviewed, or even just viewed it—you are the best people ever. It's the motivation from the reviews and views that make me want to write more. I know that Just the Way I Like is short, and I know that my scheduling for updating sucks. But, you guys are so nice about it. I just want to thank you all!

And, voila! Here it is~

Just the Way I Like It

Epilogue/Chapter 3

Derek was standing next to Chloe's locker waiting for her to come out of Theatre III. He convinced the librarian to let him out of Athletic P.E. a little early because he had to leave right after school. Well, he did. But, not for the doctor's appointment he lied to her about.

It's Derek and Chloe's two-year 'friend-aversary.' Chloe made it up last year when they their first year as friends. At first, Derek was ashamed to use it. What guy wants to be caught saying, "friend-aversary?" He sure as hell didn't. He finally got warmed up to the word, and now enjoys using it between him and Chloe. It shows how close they have become since that ice cream date two years ago.

Over the past two years, Chloe has become Derek's best friend. Of course she would have her drama friends. Derek had joined cross country and gained friends through that experience. But, they were always closest friends with each other. They would go out together regularly. Most of the time she would ask him to go to the movies, and Derek didn't mind. He enjoy seeing her happy about watching her favorite director in action, just as she enjoys watching him do what he loves—running.

They even tell secrets to each other without worrying about being judged or it being spread. Derek knows that he can tell her anything and she would keep it confidential. She also knows that Derek would do the same thing for her. There is just one secret that Derek hasn't told her. The one he promised himself to wait two years to tell her. The secret about his feelings toward Chloe.

Derek gave himself a dead-line. He promised himself that he would tell her that he love her before he leaves for college. Before it was too late.

The bell rang, and Derek waited patiently for Chloe at her locker. He saw her small figure running toward him with her arms wide open. She gave him a wide smile and jumped into his arms, engulfing them into a full-fledged bear hug.

"Derek!" she yelled. "Happy two year friend-aversary!" He let go of her while his skin tingled where her touch used to be.

Derek looked down at her with a serious face and said, "Two years is too long. I can't have the same friend for more than two months. It's over."

Chloe looked at him with mock sadness and replied, "If that's how you want it…" while she fakes sobbed.

Derek reached his arms out and gave her another hug while he said, "You know I will never leave my best friend."

"I know," she said smugly. She left him dumbstruck while she grabbed the books she needed for homework tonight. "Let's go," she said when she was done.

Derek grabbed Chloe's books for her as they made it out of the school entrance. He knew she wouldn't mind if he held her books for her. It is kind of an unspoken yes. Their friendship has gotten to a point where they don't need to ask questions, but just act.

While Chloe and Derek walked in a comfortable silence, her hand gently brushed his free hand. He noticed that has been happening a lot lately. She never brushed his hand before these past 6 months. Her fingers then started to play with his fingers. Derek lifted his hand up to scratch his head and Chloe just sighed quietly to herself. Girls. Derek will never understand them.

They made their way to the ice cream shop, and Derek opened the door for Chloe saying, "After you, fair lady."

She laughed at his words, and curtsied while saying, "Why thank you, dear sir."

The kids at the table closest to the door started giving them funny looks. It didn't seem fair to Derek that Chloe had to put up with a lot of people by being friends with him. Derek told her this once, and she was furious with him. It led into a huge argument, and, needless to say, Derek never questioned it again. But it still bothers him every now and then.

Derek walked up to the cash register and said, "One waffle cone with chocolate chip cookie dough and chocolate." He turned to Chloe and asked, "Small strawberry ice cream?"

She grabbed his arm and smiled, "Why, you know me so well."

The lady gave them their ice creams and they sat outside because the weather was nice. They made small talk about what is going on around school while they ate their ice cream.

"Present time! I go first," Chloe shouted after she finished her ice cream. Derek reached into his pocket for the small necklace he got her. Simon's girlfriend, who Derek thinks Simon will stick with for a while, helped him pick it out. She told me him that he should tell his feelings for her before he gave it to her, so he quickly put it back.

Chloe handed him his present while having a big smile on her face. It was wrapped messily in a bag that said "Happy Anniversary!" Derek carefully unwrapped and stared right back at a picture of himself and Chloe. She had gotten him one of those photo albums where you could put a picture on the cover. The picture is his favorite one of him and her. They took it when she came to the beach with Derek and his family last summer.

"So, do you like it?" Chloe asked nervously. Derek started flipping through the pages looking at all the fun times they captured together. The whole book wasn't filled, and Derek would like to hope that she plans on filling it out through the years.

Derek looked up at her with a huge grin on his face and said, "Like it? Psh, I love it!" He gave her one of those one sided hugs while looking at all the photos. There were some from vacations they went on together, days at school, and lots of silly pictures that Derek hoped nobody but Chloe would ever see. Then, Derek remembered his present to Chloe. "Chloe!" he exclaimed. "I almost forgot your present. But, there is something I want to tell you before I give it to you."

"A-actually," Chloe stuttered. Derek got worried, she only stuttered when she is really nervous. "Can I go first?"

"Sure," he said smiling. On the inside Derek felt his stomach feeling uneasy with the news that was destined to come.

"Well," Chloe started. "It's j-just that…I want t-to…W-what I am trying to say…" She breathed in deeply and looked Derek straight in the eye. "What I w-want to say is that I w-want to t-talk about u-us." Chloe closed her eyes and looked at me again. "I r-really l-like y-y-you. S-sometimes I wonder a-about your s-social skills, but y-you never t-take any hints. O-other people t-tell me t-that you feel the s-same way, but I n-need to hear w-whatever the truth is f-from you."

Chloe averted her eyes, and fiddled with her fingers until Derek gave her an answer. He was in complete shock. His heart was soaring with all the feelings that she just spilled to him, but he couldn't seem to get my feelings out, too. Derek felt like he was floating on Cloud 9. The girl that he loves likes him. It's not love, but still. Derek had a crooked grin on his face.

Chloe looked like she was about to cry and got up from her seat and said, "I am sorry I ever said anything. I should really get going. I have a lot of homework to do." She started getting her stuff together to leave.

"Wait!" Derek shouted to stop her. He put down the books in her hand and pulled her closer to him until their faces were almost touching. Derek closed the distance between them and kissed her with everything he had. Derek didn't want to explain his feelings with words, but with this kiss. She tugged on his lips softly, yet passionately. Derek could almost hear the unspoken words being told through her lips. It's as if all the words she said didn't explain anything, and this is how she truly felt.

Derek and Chloe parted ways slowly, but still embraced each other. Derek's hands were on Chloe's hips, while she wrapped her arms around his neck. Derek looked at her and smiled. Two years ago, in this exact spot, Chloe and Derek became friends. This is where they learned so much about each other. And, right in front of this doorway is where Derek made a promise to himself that I would wait for her. Now, two years later, Derek understood why he made that promise. He knew that good things came with time, and that Chloe was worth the wait. He thought she was perfect at the time. But, now he knows she is not perfect, but perfect for him. Just the way he likes it.

Derek looked into her blue eyes, and said the words he has been practicing to say since day one. "I love you."

Chloe brought Derek's face down to her lips and whispered, "I love you, too" before kissing him again.

xxxXXXxxx

Derek got home late again, just as he did two years ago. Although this time he and Chloe didn't get carried away looking at the town, but got carried away with holding hands and sharing a few kisses.

Derek knew he should have been home an hour ago, and he knew he should be grounded. But nothing could stop this happy feeling that he felt. Derek walked into the kitchen to grab leftovers when he was greeted by his dad.

"Now is it time for the girlfriend talk?" Kit asked smirking. Derek took one look at his Dad and groaned. He would rather be punished.

The End.

A/N: Fin! Tell me how you feel about it. I feel pretty good about this story, and I want to hear what you have to say. As always, please criticize harshly!

I might be starting another Darkest Powers Chlerek story. If I do, it will be longer than this one. I think. Just look out for it, please! I am starting to brainstorm already. If you have an idea or suggestion, please share!

Thank you all! Every single one of you is simply marvelous.