on a rarer note

Derrick couldn't complain. So many things were falling in to place. Possibly, too neatly.

He still had a place to stay at Kyle's. The kids adored him. Just as they adored Sunny, too. It was a nice holiday. Even with his Dad around, and the new year looked pretty grand too.

That is if he followed Sunny around like an obedient puppy. She was quite bossy. He couldn't think of her having friends, but an army of people worked for her. According to her, that was how to get things done.

"Yeah, I know." He winced hard trying to break it down to her. He didn't really like how she was forcing Lola to work on so many play productions for her. As much as he didn't like her in the past, he kind of felt sorry for Lola now. "But..but she's an artist." He wasn't even sure why he was bringing this up to Sunny. Perhaps, as an example. Maybe he was talking about himself. "She..she needs time to do.. her..own thing."

Derrick braced a smile as he stood there in the wings of the empty stage with Sunny, styled as she wanted to see him, a black corduroy jacket with matching slacks and of course a nice cashmere scarf. This was so not him, but she didn't seem to notice.

"What are you talking about?" She finally looked up from her clipboard.

Just when he wanted to explain how he truly felt, she snapped at Fish, the kid who was in charge of props.

Everyone seemed to treat Fish as the worst Freshman ever. Although, Derrick wasn't exactly sure Fish was a Freshman. When Fish was perfectly still he looked so sweet, even if everyone never had a kind word for him. When he walked, he had a limp. His left hand would draw up as if it were in some sort of tender dance with his leg. It wasn't an awful thing to witness. But Derrick knew it was a struggle. However, he took orders from Sunny as if he were the solider always going to the front. He usually got the brunt of her attacks. Usually, it was props fault when a scene wasn't going well.

Derrick crossed his arms as he watched Sunny go off the deep end on Fish for not having everything in its perfect spot.

"See, can't you lighten up, on him." Derrick found himself going off on a limb for Fish. Somebody had to take up for him. Of course, Derrick as of yet, had never spoken to Fish.

Naturally, Sunny gave him a pissed look and walked off as if she had better things to do.

"Hi.." Suddenly, Derrick felt so clumsy in Fish's presence. Now that they were alone. "I'm..I'm Derrick." He offered a obligatory handshake, but Fish didn't take it.

"Yeah, I know who you are." He remained even lipped. Possibly, a bit sullen.

Derrick felt sad for Fish. "You're doing a great job." Derrick patted his frail back. Fish flinched slightly. It was easy to see Fish didn't believe him.