To say that Derek feels terrible would be a gross understatement. He does, but he feels really terrible. Mostly because he can tell that she's perceiving it as him rejecting her when really, he's just putting the brakes on something he has a feeling she's going to regret later. And while he can see why it looks like rejection to her, on his end, it isn't anything against her at all.
When all she's got in response is okay, Derek feels his stomach twist again and his heart sink, because he's hurt her maybe more than she's hurt herself. She doesn't realize it yet, but he imagines when she snaps out of it, she'll be humiliated at herself if only because Derek's not exactly a catch, if she's going to be making out with random people.
He did the right thing. Right?
"Okay," he parrots back and takes a few steps further back from her. "Okay. We'll catch up tomorrow, then."
His eyes shift to the line that has formed near their respective work stations. Giving Katniss one more fleeting, apologetic look, he beckons his next client forward with a booming, "Next!"
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When all she's got in response is okay, Derek feels his stomach twist again and his heart sink, because he's hurt her maybe more than she's hurt herself. She doesn't realize it yet, but he imagines when she snaps out of it, she'll be humiliated at herself if only because Derek's not exactly a catch, if she's going to be making out with random people.
He did the right thing. Right?
"Okay," he parrots back and takes a few steps further back from her. "Okay. We'll catch up tomorrow, then."
His eyes shift to the line that has formed near their respective work stations. Giving Katniss one more fleeting, apologetic look, he beckons his next client forward with a booming, "Next!"