Derek was a little startled at the sudden hug and rush of emotion, though he caught her and tentatively patted her back soothingly, still a tad bit stunned at the force of her gratitude but glad he could help and make someone feel so thankful.
Summer couldn’t remember the last time she’d wished so desperately that she could speak. She wanted to tell him how long she’d been losing hope, how many people had passed her by or even pushed her away. She let him go, scrabbling for the paper, and wrote, ‘you are the first person who wants to help a freak like me’