He gently and hesitantly opens the box. Inside the box he finds pictures and an instruction manual for the Marking. He reads a few pages and goes wide eyed. He puts it away. He closes the drawer and starts to pace the room. He takes a couple of deep breaths calming down. He picks up the chair and looks at the books. There are so many. He sighs and decides to pick a book at random. He reaches for the book but stops. He looks at the number on his hand with a blush. He decides to text Kyle after a few moments of thinking.

“Hey, it’s Kyle,” He sends after pulling out his phone. He grabs the book and sits down. He opens it and it reads ‘Herbs vol 4: Poisons’. 

‘Fuck. I just had to grab a book like this after seeing that,’ He thinks as his phone goes off.

“Hey cutie, I’m glad to hear from you. What are you up to,” Kyle answers and Derek smiles.

“Nothing much. Just reading. What about you,” Derek sends back as he starts to read. His phone goes off again.

“My dad is making me train some more,” Kyle answers and Derek cocks an eyebrow.

“Training? What are you training for,” Derek asks as he reads more. He is about a fourth of the way in the book. He finishes the page he is on and turns it. Then come to a page that says Aconitum. Reading every word with hyper focus. His phone goes off but he doesn’t bother with it. He finishes the page and takes a deep breath. He grabs his phone.

“He wants me to be ready. I don’t know what for. What are you reading,” Kyle asks.

“It’s a herb book that I found. It’s really interesting and informative,” Derek answers looking at the page.

“Oh? Maybe we should get together again and you can tell me about it,” Kyle answers. Derek smiles and blushes.

“Are you asking me out on a date,” Derek teases.

“And what if I am,” Kyle answers.

“Then I would say what day and time,” Derek answers with a big smile.

“Tomorrow around noon, good,” Kyle asks.

“Tomorrow at noon is fine with me,” Derek says still with a smile.

“See you tomorrow. The cafe’, again,” Derek says as he starts on the book again. He ends up reading the whole book and it’s late out when he finishes. The sun is setting. Their mom isn’t home. He goes to his room and gets changed for bed. He then lays on his bed thinking of Marie.