July 4th 2015, Monday

"No questions, you have to come to this party tonight!" Brad says, almost too eagerly and I look from him to Grace, then to Trent. Grace and I had gone to the cinema when we had seen Trent and Brad who watched the movie with us before all of us went to a coffee shop. I sigh, sipping on my smoothie and rolling my eyes.

"How necessary is it for me to come?" I ask Brad and he looks to Grace who turned to me and scowled.

"You promised me you'll come to the next party with me El, you're not dropping out now." She warned and I sighed.

"It's just that I wanted to do some last minute editing on my writing before sending it off to Ms. Smith." I replied. Ms. Smith was my English teacher, ever since I came to the school in year seven all the way up to year thirteen. She's the one who first got me into creative writing and urged me to continue when I felt like giving up.

She'd told me about a writing competition that they do all around Europe to find the "next big writer" for teenagers between 15 to 18 years old. Anybody that won the competition always got a two book deal with a random famous book company and she'd thought I had a chance.

"You can do that later, the deadline is not until Friday. And you've literally been working on this since February, I've read it, it's perfect." Grace assured me and I sighed.

"Then fine, but um, where exactly is this party?" I ask Brad who grins and brings out his phone.

"It's a secret location that is going to be texted to you. I'll just tell them to add your name to it and text them your number." Brad replies, texting someone then smiling.

"Trent are you on the list?" I ask him, not so secretly nudging Grace who glared at me.

"Um yeah, first one on as always." He replied, winking and I rolled my eyes. Trent was almost at popular as Brad in the school, him being the one to call when you wanted your party to be live.

"So you know this secret location?" I ask him as we get ready to leave.

"Yeah baby, Liam told me about it firsthand." Trent answered. I sighed, turning to Grace who rolled her eyes. I was glad to see that Trent's normal way of flirting wasn't affecting her.

"Speaking of, Grace, wanna come shopping with me. For the party?" Trent ask Grace who immediately nodded.

"Okay, let's go El, four's a crowd." Brad whispers to me, dragging me away from Grace. I smiled and walked with him to my car.

"So where to?" I ask, checking to see if I had any missed call or messages before pulling away from the coffee shop.

"Would you mind us going to the high street? Lola's birthday is tomorrow and me being the worst big brother ever, I haven't gotten her a present yet and she'll probably kill me if I give her nothing." Brad answers as he struggles to find a good radio station.

"Lola's turning eight isn't she?" I ask and he finally settled on a song before turning to me.

"Yeah and every day she makes sure to remind me, mum and Jack that she'll soon be a teenager and she therefore needs an iPhone." Brad replies rolling his eyes and I smiled, knowing just how fond he was of Lola.

Brad's biological dad had left them shortly after his mum Linda had found out that she had a tumour in her breast. He'd claimed he didn't have the willpower to deal with it and had left Brad and Linda to face the problem on their own. Thankfully, Linda stayed strong and the tumour was safely removed and she managed to find comfort in Jack and his six year old daughter Lola. They married two years ago, me and Grace being bridesmaids at the wedding.

Brad and Lola got on surprisingly well and although he still can't bring himself to call Jack "dad", I know that he does love him and he is grateful for the way he pieced Linda back together.

"I definitely need to get her a present then. I don't want her calling me up and giving me a lecture." I answer and he laughs. The very first time I had met Lola, she had given me a lecture on treating Brad right and making sure to care for her big brother, not knowing that there was nothing going on between me and him. Lola definitely reminds me of Ellie.

"She's well on her way to becoming the mayor like she wants." Brad informs me, proudness showing in his features.

"The town of Devon being run by Lola. Too bad I won't be there to see how it turns out." I say to him and he turns his full attention to me.

"What do you mean you won't be there?" He asks. I shrugged.

"I mean, Devon is a great town. Actually the best place in the world and I love it, but I've been on a plane approximately never in my whole lifetime. I want to explore other places, I'm going off to a university, like deep within London or if I feel brave, the US." I inform him. He was really silent and I momentarily took my eyes off the road to look at him.

"What? You think I'm crazy don't you?" I ask.

"No, it's just what will you do in London or the US? When all your friends and family will be here?" Brad asks and I shrugged again.

"I want to pursue the writing thing and hopefully become a teacher or a social worker on the side." I replied, although my initial thoughts and decisions were starting to falter a bit.

"Well, you still have some time to decide." Brad mutters.

"Um yeah, forget me. What do you want to do?" I ask him, trying to ease the awkwardness and steer the conversation from me.

"Become a police officer, though I'm staying in Devon." He answers and I nod, my mind on his response to what I'd just informed him. Although not Grace, or my mum, Brad was one of my close friends and I thought he'd be a lot more supportive.

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?" I ask, stopping at a traffic light.

"For being a dick about what you just told me. I mean, it would just be weird not to see Elaine Preston next year because she'll be living her life in the US forgetting about us Devon folk." Brad mummers, laughing lightly.

"As if I'll ever forget you guys. It's not like I won't come back to visit." I answer nudging him and he grinned, reverting back to his normal self.

"Well I think you'll make a great teacher or social worker, the way you are with kids is almost as impressive as the way your mum is." He replied and I nodded, knowing even if I tried with all my might, I would never be as great as my mum with kids. She would forever hold that title.

"Thank you officer Brad. You'll make a great police officer one day." I mutter, gazing out at the clouds that were starting to thicken and turn darker.

"You really think so?" He asked as I turn into the high street and drove towards Toys R Us.

"Yeah of course. You've always wanted to protect everyone and everything. Remember back in primary school when some people tried to bully me?"

"And even though I was probably the smallest kid in the entire class, I still attempted to beat them up for you." He finished and I smiled, remembering the event that had led to me and him becoming friends.

"And after that you promised to always protect me." He nodded as I pull into Toys R Us.

"And now our entire college wants us together." I laughed, getting out and locking Grayson.

"I can't imagine that ever happening." I gazed up at the building, a smile formulating as I remembered the last time I visited Toys R Us.

"What are you smiling about?" Brad asked, coming up behind me. I turn to him, then back at the store.

"Nothing." I answered, going in with him following.

"So Lola has been bugging me for one of those dream phone things? I thought I'd get her that. And maybe some clothes or something. I don't know how to shop for a girl." Brad informs me.

"I'll help with the clothes, don't worry. I just need to think of what to get her myself." I reply as we navigate our way through the store.

"Are you coming for her birthday party?" Brad asked. As much as I wanted to make it to her party, I also promised Suzie to go with her for her dress shopping.

"Erm, I dunno. I actually have something planned tomorrow. But I can call now and see if I can somehow make it to both things." He shrugged, and I smiled bringing out my phone.

"One quick second yeah?" I tell Brad and move a bit away from him, waiting for Devon to pick up his phone.

"Hey." He answers and I feel the familiar rush of rapid heart palpitations that he always seemed to give me.

"Hey, um, are you at the Home? Is Suzie there?"

"Uh yeah, she's downstairs." He informed me.

"Oh great! Can I talk to her please? It's about tomorrow."

"What, are you not coming anymore?" I heard some shuffling in the background, probably of him getting up.

"No, well, I don't know. I just need to know what time to get there?" He laughed.

"Calm down, I'll just give her the phone now. Can't please everybody Elaine." He reminded me and I smiled, feeling a lot more relaxed.

"Suzie, phone for you."

"Hello?"

"Suzie! Hey! Erm, what time are we going shopping tomorrow?"

"Around 4-ish. That's literally when everyone is off. Is that alright for you?" She asked.

"Sorry Suzie, can you hold on for about two seconds?"

"Of course honey, I'll put you on speaker, my hands are kinda tied now." She informed me.

"Hey Brad can I come by your house, around two. And leave around like 2:30? Is that alright?" I asked him, aware that I was on speaker and that Devon was probably still there.

"Yeah sure. Now hurry up and come to me!" He complained. I laughed, seeing his confusion over the two dream phone packets he was currently holding.

"Hey Suzie? I'll see you at four yeah? Should I meet you at the Home?"

"Sure! I'll see you tomorrow. Here Devon."

"Elaine?"

"Devon! Thanks for that. I'm sure I took you away from painting something." I murmured.

"It's alright. I was actually re-reading what you wrote for me." He answered and I grinned.

"It's nothing that special. Give me a stimulus and I'll write something a whole lot better." Brad waved at me and I rolled my eyes.

"Sorry Devon. I have to go, Brad's getting impatient. I'll see you. Bye." I hang up the call and made my way towards Brad.

"So who was that?" Brad asked.

"Devon. Some guy I know. Never mind that, what are you struggling with?" I asked him.

"So there's two dream phone things here. One promises "ultimate fun" another promises "ultimate mystery." He answered, looking at me totally serious.

"Oh my God. Brad Kavahn, the captain of the basketball team, confused over two dream phone packets."

"Elaine, I need you to shut up and help me." He replied and I rolled my eyes, bending down.

"Take the ultimate mystery one, it has like seven levels." I answered, holding both packets and turning it over.

"Brad, Elaine!" We both turn to face Kelsi Jameson, one of the girls on my cheerleading squad.

"Hey Kelsi!" I called and she came towards us, grinning. Kelsi was one of those people that you could never be mean to, she was that nice.

"You two look so much like a couple right now, you have no idea." I sighed, looking at Brad. Kelsi also happened to be one of the people who would probably sell their soul to see me and him together.

"What brings you here?" I asked, changing the subject instead.

"Shopping with my mum for my little brother's upcoming birthday. She's gone off to the toilet and left me wandering for presents." She explained.

"When's Trey turning six?" I asked and she grinned.

"This is why everybody loves you. Only you'd remember his name and what he's turning after I've only mentioned him like once. Anyway, this Saturday." She concluded.

"Are you coming by the party tonight? I feel like I haven't talked to you in a long time."

"I am! Brad, Liam and Trent are being super secretive about the location though." She accused looking at Brad.

"Relax! It'll be sent to you at 4 okay?" Brad replied. I turned to face him, crossing my arms.

"Are you three planning to sacrifice us to the devil?"

"Yeah, we totally are. I'd sacrifice the angel Elaine to the devil, so that God Himself can destroy me."

"Sorry guys, I have to go. Mum's pinging me like mad. I'll see you tonight El!" Kelsi called and she was gone before I could even say bye.

"Okay, so that happened." Brad muttered, grabbing one of the dream phone packets.

"Can we go pay now?" I asked him, linking arms with him.

"Why is it everyone calls me an angel, I don't get it." I ask Brad and he glanced at me as we started walking towards the till.

"Because you're one of those people that seem to love everyone and can't find faults in anything. It's hard being mean to you." He answered.

"I just like finding the good in people." I replied and he smiled.

"That's why the day someone makes you angry, I will truly feel sorry for them. The nice ones always have the worst anger." He stated.

"I don't think anyone can truly make me angry." By this point, we'd reached the till.

"Oh please Elaine, you may be the nicest person in the world, even nicer than Kelsi, but even you have anger inside of you." I sighed, looking around, for anything I could grab for the children. When my mum woke up today, her inbox was flooded with applicants from people who wanted to be part of her and Annie's project.

She had gone with Annie to her office to sort through the applicants and pick out the best families. Starting from Wednesday, some of the kids would have been allocated homes to go to, loving families to take care of them. And by the week after, they would be allowed to officially move to their new homes, closely monitored for a few months, until Annie and my mum feel that the children are happy in their homes.

I stopped, as something caught my eye, causing Brad to stop too.

"It's her!" I say and he stares at me as if I'd gone mad.

"Brad, please go pay and wait for me in my car. Here's my keys." I quickly say, giving him the keys before rushing towards her.

"Excuse me ma'am!" I cried, causing her to turn around. I watch as her face went from confusion to joy and I grinned.

"You're the nice young girl I met at the bus stop that day!" She exclaimed. I nodded, remembering that I had met her when I left my very first shift of working at the Home.

"Did you find your son ma'am?" I asked and she nodded.

"Please, call me Elizabeth. And yes, I did find him. But it is a long story my dear, one we must sit down to talk about." She informed me.

"I'm Elaine. And yes, please. I would love to know what happened after you found him." I answered. She smiled, bringing out a notepad.

"Here's my son's address Elaine. Please come by whenever you wish, I am mostly always home, looking after his children." She explained. I nodded, taking the paper from her.

"May I come by on Wednesday?" I asked her, eager to actually talk to her now that I knew her name and address.

"Of course dear! Come by around 2 if that is okay." She replied.

"It was nice meeting you again, ma'am, I mean Elizabeth." I smiled, as she waved, navigating my way through the store until I reached the car park. I found Brad inside my car, waiting for me and I knocked on the window.

"So what was that about, and who was the lady?" Brad asked as he opened the door and I rolled my eyes.

"Never mind Brad." I replied and he shrugged.

"Can you drop me off in front of KFC? Liam just texted me and we need to go set up for the party."

"Set up? It's only three. And what about shopping for Lola?" I asked.

"I'll quickly do that tomorrow or something. But yes we need to set up, so hurry up, Liam's waiting." He urged.

"Yes your majesty." I replied.

*

"El, the party's at Luna Creek." Grace says as soon as I pick up the phone.

"Yeah I know, I'm just getting ready for it." I replied, putting her on speaker and navigating through my wardrobe.

"I think you should wear the black high waisted shorts with gold studs. Oh and the black and white floral bralet, it's gonna be hot tonight El." Grace advised and I fished around my wardrobe until I found what she was talking about.

"Right..."

"You'll look hot Elaine!" She answered.

"Fine Grace. As long as I get to choose my shoes. I am not walking in heels all night."

"But this time you have to drink something." She warned and I sighed, bringing the clothes out of the wardrobe and going through my shoe rack.

"Look, you know I don't drink and I was pretty sure all the drinks were spiked. So no, I wasn't going to drink anything." I answered.

"Whatever man, I'll bring you a bottle of water." She agreed and I grinned.

"And for God's sake Grace, don't make me have to explain to your mother why you think you're Tarzan again." I reminded her.

"Elaine, please shush. I need to get ready, I'll see you at the party."

"Bye! Don't forget my water!"

I quickly got ready, opting for some light makeup and putting my hair in a ponytail. By the time I was done, I knew it was too early for me to make my way towards Luna Creek. I also knew my mum would be late coming home, so hanging out with her wasn't an option. With one last look at my mirror, I grabbed my bag and headed out; driving to the Home.

When I got there, the children were playing outside again, this time with water guns. I stepped out, looking for whoever was taking care of them. I couldn't see Suzie or Devon anywhere.

"Ellie!" I called as I spotted her and she turned around, running to me.

"Elaine!" She replied and I smiled.

"Where's Suzie, or Devon?" I asked and she shrugged, glancing around as if noticing for the first time that no one was outside taking care of them.

"Suzie's probably doing some wedding shopping and Devy is probably painting God knows what." She answered. I laughed, her vocabulary seemed to be improving day by day.

"Thanks Ellie, I'll just go check inside yeah?" I made my way inside the Home, surprised to find the door opened. Suzie was by her desk like Ellie predicted.

"Elaine, I didn't know you were coming by today! And looking all pretty too!"

"Neither did I! But I have about two hours to kill before I have to go somewhere and mum's gone with Annie so I thought I'd come by. Oh and thanks. Did you know there's no one out there with the children?" I asked.

"Oh for goodness sake, I told Devon to watch over them. I didn't even notice him come in!" I knew she was probably exhausted with planning the wedding and I smiled sympathetically.

"I'll go hunt around for him Suzie, don't worry." I assured her, making my way into the playroom. Sure enough, Devon was by his corner, strangely not painting anything. He sat fixated on the canvas in front of him.

"Painter's block Picasso?" I asked him and he jumped, before turning to me.

"Does that exist?" He asked, regaining his composure. I grabbed a seat and placed it beside him, before sitting down.

"Depends, are you experiencing it right now?"

"Maybe, maybe not."

"Do you need a muse Picasso?" I asked him grinning.

"Depends, will you be my muse?" He replied, his mouth slowly lifting in a smile. I tapped the side of my head, playing along.

"I'll be the Mona Lisa to your da Vinci." I answered finally and he breaks out into laughter.

"El, did you read up on art or something?"

"I did a piece based on art for English, so yeah."

"It shows. Really though, be my muse, every artist needs one."

"Oh so you finally address yourself as an artist, you've come a long way." I answered and he smiled, picking up his paintbrush.

"That didn't answer my question."

"Was it even a question, it was more like a command. Besides, I would not make a good muse." He dropped his paintbrush and turned to me, suddenly serious.

"Let's see, you've got some sharp features Elaine. Like your lips, not too full, but not too thin, and perfectly curved." He muttered, reaching out and softly touching the side of my top lip before drawing back

"So you want me for my face?" I asked, trying to hide my sudden nervousness in being playful. Unfortunately, Devon who was apparently good at reading people didn't sense my unease, or perhaps didn't care.

"And for the personality obviously, but yeah, your face would be amazing to actually paint. The detail, like the birthmark you have at the bottom of your left eye. Or the faded scar you have above your lips."

"Have you been watching me?" I asked, ignoring my playfulness, genuinely curious.

"Since the first day you came to the Home." He replied, truthful, completely facing me now.

"That I noticed. Was it the face or the personality?"

"None. It was the fact that you got Ellie to gravitate towards you."

"Ugh, I was hoping you'd say my face." I answered and he smiled, facing his canvas again.

"You still didn't answer my question."

"How does one become a muse for Devon?" I inquired.

"One allows Devon to paint them, properly." He explained.

"That sounds strangely sexual." He sighed, looking at me from the corner of his eye.

"You're evading my question."

"It wasn't a question."

"Fine, do you, Elaine Preston agree to be mine, Devon's muse?" He asked.

"I don't know your last name." I commented instead. He groaned, and I laughed, crossing my arms.

"Adams, Devon Danté Adams. In case you want to know my middle name too nosy." He answered.

"You have very sexy names." I commented.

"What did you actually come in here for?" He asked.

"Oh yeah! Suzie wants you to look after the children, stop evading your duties Danté!" He glared.

"You now have to tell me your middle name." I rolled my eyes.

"Elaine Isabella Preston." I answer, as my phone started ringing. "Sorry one second."

"Hmm Brad?"

"Did you get the details for tonight?" He mumbled.

"Um yeah, can you make sure that there's nonalcoholic drinks there please?" I begged and I could almost feel him roll his eyes.

"Just for you my princess, I have an entire cooler filled with soft drinks."

"You're an actual life saver."

"It's alright. I'll see you tonight, Liam wants me to set up the sound. Bye." He mumbled again and I shrugged, hanging up the phone.

"Same Brad you called Suzie for this morning?" Devon asked.

"Yeah. He wanted me to go to his sister's birthday party tomorrow." I explained.

"Brad, "just the guy from school." He quoted.

"Your memory, Devon, is annoyingly impeccable. I will forever remind you of that. And yeah, it's that Brad." I finished.

"You're going somewhere?" He questioned, looking me up and down and I stared down at my lap, suddenly self-conscious.

"Yeah, my friends finally got me to stop being a hermit and actually go to a party. So, um, yeah." I muttered, not knowing why I suddenly felt nervous.

"You look beautiful. I think I have inspiration now." He mumbled, and I finally let out my breath, trying to stop myself from blushing.

"Did you just make me your muse without my permission?" He smiled, his little dimple peeking out.

"You didn't say no, so I figured."

"Fine then, it's an honour to inspire you anyway." I whispered.

"Oh really? Then I make it my life goal to inspire you with your writing." He replied, swirling some red paint around and doing little delicate brush strokes on the canvas.

"Are you saying you want me to write about you?"

"I'm saying I need you to write about me, only when I inspire you though. Knowing you Elaine, just to make me happy you'd go home and write something now." I laughed, getting up.

"You're not wrong about that. But okay, I promise you anytime you inspire me, I shall write about you and deliver it to you first hand. I'll see you tomorrow." I say, bringing out my keys.

"Have fun at the party!" He called as I continued walking. I grin, turning around.

"Don't spend the afternoon painting Devon, you still need to go take care of the children outside. See ya." I replied, walking out of the playroom.

"I'll see you tomorrow Suzie, Devon should come out soon!" I called, running out of the Home. Luna Creek was a two hour drive away and I knew Grace would kill me if I came late and left her stranded.

"Bye Elaine!" Andre calls after me and I wave, getting inside Grayson and speeding towards Luna Creek. By the time I got to the little intersection that led inside the forest, I could hear music blasting.

I found the little spot where others had parked and after double checking that Grayson was secure, I followed the lights placed on the footpath that would lead me to where the party was.

I heard Grace before I saw her.

"You outdid yourself this time Liam, Brad!" She shouted and when I finally reached the main area, I couldn't disagree. Liam and Brad had strung up lights around the branches of the tree, silver and gold. In fact, they'd put up lights primarily anywhere. A bonfire was already blazing and coolers were designated around the seats. I laughed, seeing "Elaine" on one of them.

"Elaine, Jesus Christ! You look beautiful!" Grace shouts, seeing me and I grinned, walking towards her. Although a bit early, there were already a lot of people milling about, making it a mission to get to Grace. When I finally did, both Brad, Trent and Liam had joined her, sitting on logs supposedly for the VIP of the party.

"Do you still think we're planning on sacrificing you to the devil?" Brad asked me, grabbing my hand and sitting me down next to him. I smiled, as I saw Kelsi coming up along with her boyfriend Kyle. I patted beside me and she sat down, giving me a half hug.

"I dunno Kelsi, do you think they're planning on sacrificing us to the devil?" She played along, looking around before shaking her head.

"No, you actually outdid yourself. I think you even managed to get bugs to go away from a freaking forest." I nodded, reaching into my cooler and bringing out coke.

"A toast to Liam, Trent and Brad!" I shout as the music stops to change to the next one and the rest of them raised their cups.

"Grace your favourite song!" I call to her.

"Well then, may I have this dance?" Trent asked, not waiting for a reply and dragging Grace close to the bonfire.

"Kyle my man! I feel like we haven't talked in so long!" Brad says, moving to sit next to Kyle. Kelsi shrugged, shifting closer to me.

"So Elaine, any summer romances?" Kelsi asks and my mind shifts to Devon.

"I don't think so, no." I answer.

"Not with Brad?" She tries again and I shake my head.

"Definitely not with Brad, he's just a good friend." I assured.

"Come on El, don't friend zone him like this." I rolled my eyes.

"It's not friend zoning if neither of us like each other as more than friends." I argued.

"Oh please, as if Brad doesn't stare at you like you hold the world."

"Kels, Brad doesn't stare at me like I hold the world, please."

"Fine, fine, what about Grace and Trent?" She questions and I smile.

"Here's to hoping."

"You know his past right? He flirts with anything that breathes." She reminded me.

"I know, but Grace really likes him, as in since two years or something. People change." I assured her, thinking of Devon as an example. She smiled, holding on to my arm.

"You really see the good in everyone don't you?" I shrugged.

"I try to."

After five hours of dancing, and singing, eating and Grace puking five times, I finally convinced her it was time to go home.

"Honey, your mum will kill you for this." I whisper to her, steadily helping her out of the forest as she draped her arm over my shoulder.

"Mummy already hates me, it's fine." She slurred and I patted her head, helping her inside the car and getting in myself.

"Oh honey, your mum loves you." I assured her.

"Mummy isn't like yours Elaine. She can't love any one not perfect. She loves you though. You're perfect." I look at her, before starting up the car.

"Nobody's perfect Grace." I reminded her as her eyes closed. I smiled, grabbing the blanket I always kept from my little storage and draping it around her before speeding away from the forest.

*

a.n: has devon changed or nah? comment your thoughts on the chapter and vote if you enjoyed it!

happy reading!