Derek Fraser

**Derek Fraser** is a major character in Season 1 of Ward University. He is portrayed by starring cast member Dale Drau and debuts in the third episode, The Auditions Begin.

First introduced as Travis Lockhart's old flame, and provider of a safe space for The Black Sheep to rehearse their music, Derek soon proves to be a lot more than that - his storyline getting progressively entangled with many of the show's main plot points, not to mention the numerous consequences that are directly tied to his less than stellar decision-making abilities.

In Season 1, Derek's character serves his main role as a direct link between the star-studded world of the 1% and the cruel, harsh environment inhabited by everyone who doesn't fit into the more privileged categories: rich, famous, white, fortunate enough to have a supportive family - all things Derek has only ever witnessed from afar. His story is one of missed chances: never got the chance to complete his education, never got the chance to slow down or properly focus on his own well-being. His need for quick and "easy" solutions drove him to where he is at the beginning of the show: just another drug dealer living in one of the most decadent neighbourhoods of Del Sol Valley, with a bad self-esteem and an even worse company.

## Early Life

Derek faced the challenges of growing up in a chaotic and difficult environment, which included a violent and unstable father, John Fraser, a drug-addicted mother, Liliana Fraser, and the burden of supporting the family in the absence of responsible parental figures. His father's disapproval of his passions and independence was always rooted in a power dynamic that fueled John's ego and need for control over the household.

This inner conflict prompted Derek to question his self-worth and even his own sexuality, a journey he began to explore after meeting Leland Carvell. The uncertainty surrounding these aspects of his life led him to make impulsive and rash decisions, such as using drugs and agreeing to work with drug lord Alexander Maverick: this was also prompted by his need to take care of his maternal grandmother, Mariela Ramos - the only person in his family who ever truly loved and cherished him. As Mariela's hospital bills piled up, Derek's need to make a quick buck became stronger, and he expanded his territory by working with students of Ward University to be able to sell drugs directly inside the school. After his grandmother's passing, he was already in too deep to give up on that lifestyle, and kept dealing while living in the house she left him.

## Throughout the Series

* Season 1
* Season 2

Episode 3: The Auditions Begin

Derek first appears in the series when Tia Frost tells Erika Bell the truth about her brother, Jasper Bell - that he's a drug addict and is currently staying at Derek's house, instead of the WU dorms. When the two girls show up at his doorstep, Derek and Gideon Jones escort them to the attic where Jasper's been sleeping and after an intense arguement, Erika and Tia leave. As they're leaving, Travis Lockhart shows up at the house: he's looking for a place to rehearse with his band, The Black Sheep. Considering their past as a couple, Derek is hesitant to lend him his basement at first, but very quickly agrees, and the two almost immediately end up in bed together, rekindling their flame.

After a few days of Travis and his band hanging around Derek's house, Derek decides to talk to Jasper about the situation. Per Derek's request, Jasper promises not to mention Derek's sexuality to Gideon and Ryan Flint, but he's hopeful: he believes Ryan and Gideon might be able to accept Derek if he were to come out to them.

Episode 4: Flashbacks

Derek is frustrated about living with Jasper Bell, and complains about it to Ryan Flint and Gideon Jones - it's hard to sell drugs when your housemate is "snorting and smoking everything he finds". Ryan counters with the fact that they're the ones who got Jasper hooked on drugs, and reassures Derek that if Jasper will ever run out of money to pay for the drugs, Ryan will help him out - he's sure they'll find some use for Jasper in the future and doesn't want to alienate him. Ryan then places a big order for the upcoming Halloween Dance at Ward University.

Episode 5: The Halloween Dance

Having learned about WU's upcoming Halloween Dance from Ryan Flint, Derek calls Travis Lockhart to ask if they can go together. Travis is surprised by Derek's proposal, but agrees - though after deliberation with his best friend Charlie Zimmer makes sure to reiterate the fact that Tati Hall and Nadeem Mansour - his partners - will be there too. Derek is obviously disappointed to hear that, but decides to go along with it.

On Halloween night, Derek arrives at the venue with a bag full of drugs. He's immediately stopped by two bouncers, but Ryan intercedes for him and the bouncers let him through. Ryan then leads Derek to the venue's bathrooms and the two place the bag inside a locked malfunctioning toilet so that people won't find it by accident. Derek, Ryan, and Gideon Jones then spend most of the night in and out of said toilet selling drugs to the partying students. At one point during the evening, Derek leaves his station looking for Travis: the two soon find each other and slowdance in front of everyone. Derek is apprehensive about showing their relationship in public, but Travis reassures him. After their dance, Tati and Nadeem finally arrive to the venue: they are extremely friendly to Derek, but Derek is obviously uncomfortable - he feels inferior to them and deep down was hoping they wouldn't show up. He leaves the scene almost immediately, and when Travis follows him to the bathroom, the two get into a heated arguement where Derek criticizes Travis for his polyamorous lifestyle and breaks up with him. As Derek leaves the venue, he stops by one of the windows of Ward University, looking longingly at one of their Fine Arts classrooms - one with woodworking tables.

Episode 6: I Made You

When The Black Sheep show up at Derek's doorstep for their weekly rehearsals, Derek - remembering the events of the previous episode, The Halloween Dance refuses to let them in. Candy Ward then offers to pay to rent the room, stating that Derek "sure looks like he needs it" given the conditions in which he lives. Derek accepts the payment and lets the band in.

Derek and Gideon Jones talk about Jasper Bell's addiction. They're both angry and worried about the way Jasper's been wasting his life, going as far as not showing up to class, but neither of them comes up with a solution to help him. During their conversation, they see Lori Caberera sitting in Derek's backyard. When Gideon awkwardly denies his relationship with Lori, Derek reassures him that he "can keep a secret".

Episode 7: Harvest Fest Heist

Derek's only appearance in this episode is during a montage: while everyone's traveling to meet their families for Thanksgiving, Derek is seen sitting alone in his bedroom looking at an old photo album that features pictures of him and his deceased grandmother.

Episode 8: Gaslighting

One evening, while The Black Sheep are rehearsing in his basement, Derek is surprised to see Jasper Bell up and about - stating that his housemate is "usually in a deep coma by this time". Jasper expresses his need to "do better" in order to pass his exams, and Derek is relieved by his "surprisingly reasonable" attitude. The two then discuss Derek's relationship with Travis Lockhart: Jasper had no idea the two had broken up. Derek expresses regret and guilt over the way he treated Travis on Halloween, and talks about his insecurities: why would Travis want to be with him, when he's already dating way better people like Tati Hall and Nadeem Mansour? Jasper argues that that's exactly the reason why it's so obvious that Travis cares about Derek, stating that:

> It's easy to fall in love when you have nothing, but if you already have everything and you still feel like you need that one person, I think that one person has to really be fucking special, right?
>
>

Episode 9: Defying Gravity

At the beginning of the episode, Derek is seen standing in line to buy tickets for the Ward University production of the musical "Wicked". When Ryan Flint sees him, he promptly makes fun of him, but he has to excuse himself almost immediately. Derek, after seeing Travis Lockhart in conversation with Ezra Hunter, also leaves to find his seat.

That same night, after Derek walks outside for a smoke break, Travis follows him - just like Ryan, he's also surprised to see Derek there. Following Travis's snarky remarks, Derek admits he's not there for the show, but to apologise: he states that he didn't mean most of the stuff he told Travis at the Halloween dance, and while he still can't wrap his head around Travis's polyamory, he agrees he "was a jerk about it" and that if Travis and his partners are happy, then he's happy for them. Travis replies saying that Derek was the first person to ever manage to make him feel bad about his relationship with Tati Hall and Nadeem Mansour, but that all that matters to him right now is that they all love each other and they're all fine with it. Travis also adds that he loved Derek too - he still does - but he feels that he pushed Derek too far, and recognises that Derek has enough "shit" to deal with already, and a complicated relationship like theirs is probably too much for Derek at the moment. Travis's mood than swiftly changes as he offers Derek an olive branch, telling him about Ryan's upcoming dance number. Derek seems relieved and states he "wouldn't miss it for the world".

Episode 10: I Won't Be Home For Christmas

When Erika Bell decides to visit her brother Jasper Bell before the beginning of the Christmas holidays, Derek leads her to his room, but Jasper doesn't answer. Derek immediately gets angry at Jasper, stating that he told him time and time again not to lock the door because it's "dumb and dangerous". Having just finished rehearsing with The Black Sheep in the basement, Travis Lockhart points out that they can see Jasper through the window - he's perfectly fine. Before leaving, Erika asks Derek to call her if anything happens with Jasper - she's going to stay in Newcrest for the holidays to keep an eye on him. Later, Travis asks Derek if he's also staying there for the holidays, to which Derek replies that he doesn't really have anywhere else to go. Derek then asks Travis if he wants to join him and Jasper for dinner on Christmas Eve, and Travis happily agrees - though he notes that he also has a date with Tati Hall and Nadeem Mansour planned. Both Derek and Travis agree to keep things friendly between them - though Derek seems a bit uncertain.

On Christmas Eve, Derek is seen preparing dinner and enjoying the evening with Travis and Jasper, as planned. When Travis has to leave, Derek makes an attempt to join him, but Travis says it's best to keep Derek separated from Tati and Nadeem - especially after Derek's outburst in episode 5, The Halloween Dance. Derek is hurt, but understanding, and lets Travis go. When he walks back inside the house, he finds Jasper hunched over his chair, looking a bit depressed. Derek asks what's wrong, and Jasper admits that he's sad because he knows he should miss his family on Christmas Eve, but he doesn't. Hearing this, Derek blows up at Jasper: from his point of view, Jasper is acting immature and should be thankful to have a family at all. Jasper is offended and retreats to his room.

Later that night, Derek regrets yelling at Jasper and knocks on his door with the intention to talk things through, but Jasper's door is locked once again. When Derek looks through the window, he sees Jasper lying on the floor next to two syringes: he looks like he had an overdose. Distressed, Derek screams at Jasper to open the door in hopes of waking him up, but Jasper doesn't seem to be able to respond.

Episode 11: If This Is Goodbye

After finding Jasper Bell unconscious in his room in the previous episode, Derek calls for an ambulance, but is promptly arrested when the authorities are made aware of the amount of drugs in his residence. Once at the police station, Derek is interrogated by Detective Jonasson, who tries a gentle approach on him - highlighting the fact that Derek risked everything to help his friend, while many others would've left him to die. In response, Derek handles the entire interrogation with aloofness and an air of defiance: when he realises he's being asked to snitch on his partners in crime, Derek adamantly refuses to cooperate.

When Ryan Flint visits Derek at the police station that same night, Derek's first question is about Jasper - he's immensely relieved to discover that Jasper is fine. Derek then asks Ryan if he can help him get out of police custody, but it soon becomes clear that Ryan isn't there to help him: he's there to taunt him. Derek quickly realises that he's more useful to Ryan as a scapegoat than he is as a partner: now that the police have identified a culprit in their drug-related investigations, Ryan doesn't have to worry about being found any longer. As a cherry on top, Ryan comments that Derek might end up enjoying prison due to his sexuality: this sets Derek off, and he starts screaming at Ryan that he's going to kill him in front of every police officer currently standing guard.

During a montage, Derek's sad backstory is revealed, as Travis Lockhart tries to make sense of how Derek ended up where he is today. Having to quit high school so he could work to sustain his violent father and his addict mother sure put a wall between Derek and any lucrative career opportunities, and his love for art wasn't encouraged either - his father actually destroyed all of his teenage works in a fit of rage. Even Derek's scar was caused by his father, when he hit him in the face with a glass bottle after he tried to defend his mother from one of his many aggressions. Derek only found solace in Travis's company, but they were separated when he moved to his grandmother's house, and even his grandmother - the only family member who was ever kind to him - eventually died, leaving Derek alone once and for all.

Nearing the end of the episode, Travis is finally allowed to visit Derek: during a montage, the two meet in the police station's no-contact visitation room and are seen leaning towards the window separating them and "touching" each other's hands through the glass.

Episode 12: Crossing The Threshold

At the police station, Derek is once again interrogated by Detective Jonasson: she informs Derek that his trial is going to happen sooner than anticipated, and Derek doesn't seem surprised. Jonasson comments that such a rush could be indicative of someone trying to use Derek as a scapegoat, and insists that Derek should talk so that she can help him and find the real culprit. Derek angrily responds that he's the real culprit and that he deserves what's coming to him, as he's a drug dealer who almost got his friend killed. When Jonasson then suggests Derek should find a lawyer, Derek calls Travis Lockhart for help.

Episode 13: Date Night

While in police custody, Derek meets Reese Willis - an older criminal who was just arrested and locked in the same room as him. Reese immediately recognises Derek as "The Christmas Pusher" from the news, and Derek is incredibly frustrated to hear that that's what people are calling him.

After yet another interrogation with Detective Jonasson, Derek returns to his cell and talks to Reese about the fact that the police continue to ask him questions even though he knows nothing of importance to their investigations. Reese comments that Derek should try to be more convincing, and asks why he is refusing to cooperate with the police. Derek replies that "some people can't be taken down in court", and that he wants to be the one to bring this person - Ryan Flint (implied) - down. Reese seems pleased with Derek's confession, and tells him that he wants to introduce him to some "friends".

One night, the police station is attacked by a group of people armed with guns and wearing black balaclavas. One of these people hands Derek the key to his cell, and he and Reese escape in a hurry. Reese tells Derek they need to get to the Abandoned factory in the port district. In an attempt to escape from the police, Derek and Reese climb to the top of a building and try to outrun them by jumping from roof to roof, but Reese unfortunately falls and loses his life. Derek keeps running and is eventually seen reaching the port district, as Carmen Castellona watches him from one of the factory's windows.

Episode 15: Clipped Wings

At the end of this episode, Derek makes a surprise appearance next to Kaci Reign, who erroneously thinks she's solved the mystery of Cleo Harper's kidnapping that took place at the end of episode 14, Spring Break. It's unclear, at this moment in time, how Derek and Kaci know each other and, more importantly, why they're working together.

Episode 16: Rags To Riches

During a flashback, we see Carmen Castellona welcoming Derek at the abandoned factory after he's escaped police custody. She tells him Reese - the man who had been his cellmate - was planted there by her as a way to communicate with Derek: she knew he might be interested in joining her cause, but she wanted to make sure before she helped him break out of jail. She then informs Derek that she and her crew are trying to bring down some of the people in power at the moment - George Flint being one of their main targets. She then assigns Derek the nickname of "Crispy" - an abbreviation of his newspaper name, "The Christmas Pusher".

During another flashback, Kaci Reign is seen explaining to Derek the main reason motivating her and Carmen's crew's quest for justice - they're seeking to find the true reasons behind Venessa Jeong's murder, Venessa being their foster sibling when they were growing up. Kaci also informs Derek that joining them might help him get his revenge on Ryan Flint, whom they both despise.

Back in the present, Kaci is seen threatening a tied up Ezra Hunter in Ward University's basement: she firmly believes him to be the one who kidnapped Cleo Harper and kept her down there. Ezra tries to plead with Derek, asking him why he's doing this and what Travis Lockhart would think, but Derek states that Travis needs to forget about him.

Later that night, Thorne Bailey returns to the basement - where he's been hiding for the entirety of the school year - and as soon as he sees Kaci threatening his son, he shoots her in the shoulder with his last bullet. Derek and Thorne then get into a physical altercation - which Derek, being strangled almost to death, loses. Luckily for everyone, the keys for Cleo's handcuffs fall from Thorne's pockets during the altercation, and Ezra manages to slide them towards Cleo, who frees herself and hits Thorne in the head with his own baseball bat. Thorne falls unconscious and is promptly disarmed by Kaci. Cleo questions Kaci about what is going on, and Kaci reveals that she's been spying on her and Ezra this entire time - her goal was to find out more about Venessa Jeong's murder, and she suspected Ezra to be involved with it. Cleo yells at Kaci for lying to her and invading her privacy. Then they all hear police sirens outside. Derek frees Ezra and runs away alongside Kaci. Instead of running to the abandoned factory, though, Derek decides to make a deviation: he sneaks inside the university dorms with the intention of finally murdering Ryan like he promised, but when Ryan starts crying and begging him to spare him, Derek lowers his gun and leaves.

Episode 17: Boys Will Be Boys

Derek is seen brooding on the docks near the Abandoned factory. He is approached by Carmen Castellona, who questions him about what happened the other night - Ryan Flint is still alive, after all. Derek, who is deeply ashamed of his failure to kill Ryan, goes on a rant about how he doesn't know what to do with himself now that he's "fucked up" his entire life just to achieve that purpose. Carmen tells him that him not being a murderer is not bad news, and that he's going to have to figure out where to go from here by himself.

Episode 18: TBA

text here

TBA.

## Personality

Derek is a determined and strong-willed individual, recognized for his ability to overcome obstacles and his remarkable resilience. He is deeply passionate about woodworking, which highlights his creative side, but is very secretive about it - only few selected people know of his talent.

Derek's complex nature is underscored by his struggle for self-acceptance, as seen in his failed relationship with Travis Lockhart. Derek, being monogamous and in need for someone to be there for him and only him, struggled to understand Travis's polyamorous lifestyle, which ultimately led to tension and the eventual end of their relationship. Derek also has a fundamental lack of social filters, which is exemplified times and times over by his sudden outbursts and his insensitivity and impatience when people come to him with problems that he considers trivial.

However, Derek's compassionate nature is evident when surrounded by people who accept him for who he is. His selflessness and willingness to put others first were demonstrated when he became sober to care for his grandmother, Mariela Ramos, in her final days and continued to stay sober in her memory. Another instance where Derek proved his kindness was when his friend and housemate Jasper Bell overdosed and Derek put his own life and freedom on the line by calling for help.

## Relationships

* Travis Lockhart
* Ryan Flint
* Leland Carvell

Derek and Travis first met when they were in high school: he was the first boy Derek ever kissed, but they kept their relationship somewhat of a secret during that time because Derek hadn't come to terms with his sexuality yet. They split up because of Travis's polyamorous lifestyle and Derek's need to leave Britechester to get away from his parents, but rekindled their passion when Travis moved to Newcrest to attend Ward University. Their bond is incredibly deep due to the hardships Travis helped Derek through during his high school years, and they love each other as friends just as much as they love each other as romantic partners, but they aren't romantically compatible and this becomes obvious very quickly when Derek refuses to condone Travis's relationship with Tati Hall and Nadeem Mansour. It's painfully clear to both of them that if they're ever going to be in a committed relationship, one of them is going to have to give up a significant part of themself, and neither of them is willing to do that.

Derek never really liked Ryan, but he was willing to put up with him as long as he was bringing him customers. This abruptly changed after Derek was arrested in episode 11, If This Is Goodbye, where Ryan showed Derek his true colours by kicking him while he was already down and abandoning him in police custody to use him as a scapegoat for the criminal activities they both were equally guilty of. After Ryan's homophobic joke that Derek would probably have a good time in prison, Derek vowed that he would kill Ryan one way or another. Ryan, on the other hand, doesn't care about Derek enough to hate him, nor does he respect him, so he doesn't fear his threats in any way.

On a fateful night, Derek mustered all the courage he could find and resolved to visit Tin Lizzie's, a popular bar in town. He had done extensive research about the place, gathering as much information as he could in order to be prepared. Upon arriving, he attempted to play it cool, posing as a casual patron. He brushed off any advances made towards him by claiming to have a girlfriend, saying he was there with friends, and using similar excuses to deflect attention. The longer he remained in the crowded bar, the more claustrophobic and overwhelmed he began to feel. The walls seemed to close in around him, intensifying the sensation of being trapped. Eventually, Derek succumbed to a panic attack and had to step outside for some fresh air to regain his composure.

It was at this moment that Leland Carvell, a seasoned and perceptive older man, approached Derek. Leland had been observing him for some time, identifying and sympathizing with the "closeted young man" behaviors that Derek was displaying. Initially, Derek reacted aggressively towards Leland, attempting to intimidate him and drive him away. However, Leland, with his wealth of life experience, was not so easily frightened by an insecure 18-year-old. As they conversed, Leland managed to soothe Derek's anxiety and establish a rapport between them. He offered Derek his phone number, encouraging him to reach out if he ever needed someone to talk to who could empathize with his struggles. Over time, the two became friends. Not wanting to burden his grandmother any further, Derek inquired about potential job opportunities from Leland.

Recognizing a chance to expand his influence within the Ward University campus, Leland proposed they go into business together. Alexander Maverick, a mutual acquaintance, had long been interested in extending his domain inside the university, and someone as young as Derek was the perfect means to achieve that objective.

## Notes and Trivia

* Derek is a Scorpio.
* Derek's sim was created by GabeSimmer.

## Gallery

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