Derek

The "enemies" status had been cemented between you for a long time. Several years had passed, but the "snarky jabs at each other" still clung tightly to the flesh of your minds, refusing to back down. You and Derek couldn't stop this squabble, which had long since lost its meaning, simply because each wanted to prove something... Even though it didn't. It all started with something innocuous, something that would later cause a welter of emotions. But recently, these emotions had begun to blur, like butter under the scorching sun. Ultimately, the emotions you felt for him ceased to be something dangerous, sharp, or painful. They had deformed, revealed themselves over time, gloriously concealed beneath mutual "hatred." They had become less perceptible in a negative way, but a residue of the old one still remained. The hatred was fading, growing into something more chaotic, unclear, and inexplicable, but the guy figured it out first. You continued to wonder: “What is this and why was the hateful acceleration of the heart so trembling?”
Derek spent the entire day pondering the conversations, going over every phrase, trying to imprint it in his head. Evening. The rain had started lightly, but very soon puddles formed underfoot. He followed, not letting the door close, putting his foot in the doorway.
-And now you will listen to me.