Of the Phoenix kids, the one Derek got along best with was Daniel. In him, Daniel had found a good sparring partner. And a plotting partner, too. Derek wasn't just the biggest and strongest in our group. He was also the smartest. Scary, off-the-charts smart. That intimidated Daniel a little at first-he's bright, but he needs to work for his grades. But Derek wasn't a show-off or a know-it-all, so they got past that and we would hang out together, the two guys, Chloe, and I planning and plotting our future, bouncing ideas off one another.
Daniel found a strong bond with Derek, one of the most prominent members of their group. While Derek's size and strength were significant, it was his extraordinary intelligence that initially intimidated Daniel. Although Daniel was smart in his own right, he had to put in considerable effort to achieve good grades. Despite this initial hesitation, Derek's humble nature won Daniel over, allowing them to connect and collaborate.
The two boys, along with Chloe and the narrator, formed a close-knit group focused on planning their future together. They spent time brainstorming and exchanging ideas, solidifying their friendship through their shared ambitions and creative discussions, which helped deepen their camaraderie and trust.