Derek

Derek is a character that appears in Luann. He debuted in the September 28, 1987 strip.

Personality
Derek is a sly, smooth, and flirtatious senior. He is a recovering drug addict.

Biography
Derek is a new student that just moved into town. He is a senior at the Pitts Jr/Sr High School. He immediately takes a liking to Bernice, asking to stick his bag of gym clothes in her locker because his is filled. Eventually, Bernice finds out that he's been storing marijuana in it, which explains why he needs her to get his bag out so many times (and his temper when he needs it immediately). He offers to go on a date with her, which takes a bad turn when he offers her drugs and he runs a red light, almost getting into a car accident. He was sent to drug rehab for six months.

Derek returns in the June 29, 1988 strip, appearing at the mall and meeting up with Bernice and Delta. He has completed his six month rehab program and is now "clean" off drugs, a fact he thanks Bernice for. He works as a trainer at the mall's health club and invites Bernice and Delta to work out. Bernice and Derek flirt a bit, and offers to take her on a date, but ends up getting a new job as road manager of a female mud wrestling team, leaving for Anchorage the following day.

In the May 08, 1989 strip, Bernice receives a post card from Derek, saying he's coming home. However, when Derek arrives, he goes straight to flirting with Delta, completing ignoring Bernice. During his time away, he sent a poster of himself, flowers, and chocolates to Delta, saying she is the one he was love, and him and Bernice were only friends. Bernice was upset, and Delta tells him off for leading her on and being a jerk in general.

Bernice Halper
Bernice finds Derek very attractive. He flirts with Bernice and uses her to store his "gym clothes" in her locker. It turns out that, in addition to the gym clothes, there were bags of marijuana. When she attempts to call him out, he quickly kisses her on the lips. He then proceeds to ask her out on a date because he has "fallen in love" with her. When he picks her up for their date, he's under the influence of drugs, offering to give her some. As he begins to drive he runs a red light and almost gets them into an accident, which Bernice scolds him for.