He's guilt-ridden and afraid of crossing Malakai off “like everyone else” did, Derek gambles with his future for fear of turning his back on his past. He's smart, confident, and loyal. Sara's first impression of Derek (after he corrects her comment in English class) is that he's cocky and rude.
But Chenille describes him: “Derek is about something. He's smart, he's motivated, he's for real. He's not just gonna go make some babies and not take care of them or run the streets messing up his life."