Devon

"Yes Kels I understand, I'll speak to her. No Kelsi I won't tell her you told me. Okay? Don't worry. Okay bye babe. Yes, yes I love you too." I glanced at her as she said those three words easily to Kelsi, words I'd been desperate to hear from her. I knew it didn't make sense considering we'd only been going out for the shortest time, but it still didn't stop me from knowing that I completely loved her with all my being.

"Jesus, this is what comes with being nice, you get asked to deliver all the bad news." I smiled, mentally thanking her mum for inviting me round. I was starting to discover things about Elaine that I didn't know and nothing made me happier.

"What bad news?" I asked her.

"Some idiot of a boy is cheating on a friend of mine and Kelsi found out and she wanted me to tell her. Maybe I'll get Grace to do it, she doesn't mind delivering bad news."

"Is Grace coming back tomorrow then?" Her mum asked, placing the food on the table, having declined my offer to help.

"Yeah, she should have left by now actually so by 4am or something tomorrow they'll be back. I think she's coming over as soon as they get back. I've been texting and calling her and no reply so."

"And you are most certainly replying back to universities tomorrow aren't you?" Annabelle asked. Elaine rolled her eyes.

"Yes mother, yes I will reply to all 20 plus unis."

"And what about you Devon? Elaine said you're most likely going to California, any particular schools?"

"I've actually applied for the California College of the Arts some time ago. They're meant to reply back to me tomorrow." I replied.

"Oh that's also when you're meant to hear back from the writing competition isn't it Elaine?"

"I'm so nervous though, I keep thinking I could have written something better I don't know."

"Elaine Isabella Preston, I have told you countless of time you're far too talented in writing, believe me you will be picked. Right Devon?"

"Of course. I read it remember, it's amazing, don't worry." I assured her as her mum's phone started to ring.

"Hello? What, right now? How bad is the case? Okay I understand, I'm on my way." She quickly said and moments later, she was putting her shoes back on.

"Mum what's going on?" Elaine asked.

"I'm so sorry honey, but I'm gonna have to leave now. I just got called for a case, it's a child abuse one. I have to go. Sorry Devon, we'll have dinner some other time. Bye honey, love you." She said and minutes later she was out of the house.

"Guess it's just me and you until she gets back. Now just taste my mum's mash, it's the best thing in the world."

"You don't mind? Her leaving?" I asked her.

"No, it's her job. The only thing is she hasn't eaten since this morning and I don't even know when she'll be back."

"Wow she trusts you."

"Because she left us alone in the house? Yeah mum's like that. Why Devon, what were you planning in the first place?" She asked, grinning and I rolled my eyes chucking peas at her.

"I was planning on sleeping."

"Okay sure whatever you say. Just letting you know I never sleep with my door closed and my bed's big enough for two people, hint hint."

"Your mind's corrupted." She laughed chucking peas back at me.

"I meant if you wanted to cuddle me to sleep, what exactly were you thinking?"

"I was thinking I really love steaks and you should shut up and let me eat."

"Okay Devon Danté Adams whatever you say. Why are you called Devon anyway?"

"My mum came here when she was pregnant with me, she actually gave birth to me in Devon, and she couldn't decide what to call me. My dad told her I needed to be called something special since my eye colour was also special and she liked this town for how bright and colourful it was and decided to name me after it." I said, remembering when my mum had sat me down and told me about my past.

"Wow it's almost like you were destined to end up in Devon. I can't believe you were born here."

"There's no place like home after all. Do you want to know something?" I asked her.

"What?"

"My mum told me how she'd like to come back here one day since she liked how serene everything was. And I always think, what if she's here now? Or what if she's seen me? I can't help but think whether the woman I have wanted to see and resented for years might be in the same town as me and our paths haven't crossed yet." I explained.

"And if she's here? What do you want to say to her?"

"I don't know. I want her to be able to justify her actions I think. I just need to know her reasons for leaving me."

"I'm not saying that there could ever be a good reason for what she did but if, and that is a massive if, she does manage to give a decent enough reason for leaving you, would you ever be able to forgive her?"

"If you asked me last winter, I'd probably say no. But with you around, I know that holding grudges won't get me anywhere. She'll never have a good enough reason for abandoning me, ever, but I just want to talk to her and at least find out why."

"What does she look like?"

"Should I draw her? I look nothing like her so." I asked.

"Yeah, but not now, right now we're gonna eat because I'm starving." I was expecting her to smile when she said that but she looked a bit confused, as if trying to decide something.

"Are you okay mi cariño?" She looked up at me, giving me her usual smile, the one that always made my heart beat just a little bit faster.

"Yeah I'm fine, just thinking about things."

"Like what?"

"Like how you have crazy intense eyes and need to stop staring at me, don't be a pervert now." I laughed, moving my chair closer to hers.

"You were the one who told me to appreciate the good things in life." She scoffed.

"You did not just say that oh my God!"

"What?! It's true."

"Maybe I should lock my door just this once, I may be dating a pervert." She muttered, biting on her bottom lip. I knew she was completely joking but I genuinely couldn't control myself even if I tried. I reached out, managing to pull her off her seat and on to my lap in the space of three seconds.

"And what if you were dating a huge ass pervert?" I asked her and she looked down on me, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"And what if I was? What were you possibly considering on doing to me?" I smiled, using one hand to pull her closer to me and the other to tighten my hold around her waist.

"You'd have to leave your bedroom door opened for that." She laughed leaning down to kiss me softly.

"If you wanted to cuddle so badly you just had to say so God."

"Well you are making me sleep alone on a big bed, not really fair."

"Aw am I being unfair to you? How do I make it up to you?" I looked up at her, knowing I wasn't being fair with how I was gazing at her, since she always complained about how intense my eyes were for her. But I apparently couldn't help it whenever I was with her. I wanted nothing more than to tell her she got too intense for me sometimes, even by doing something as simple as smiling, which was exactly what she was doing right now.

"Kiss me." Her smile widened as she leaned down again.

"I'll happy comply." She whispered, capturing her lips with mine, her hands going up to play with my hair. I pulled her even closer, and she gasped softly, giving me the opportunity to trail small kisses along her neck.

"Devon." She whispered and I smiled, going up to bite softly on her earlobe.

"Now who's being unfair?" She asked, gazing down on me, her eyes darker than I'd ever seen, probably mirroring mine.

"Should I make it up to you?" I asked her.

"Don't think you can." She muttered.

"You know I love challenges." I said reaching up to kiss her again and slowly getting up and carrying her with me. I didn't realise when we got to the living room and I'd manage to somehow get her on top of me. She looked down, completely trusting as expected. It was that trust in me that made me stop, knowing if I went too far it could end up in a situation I never wanted to put her in. I reached up, pulling her down until she was resting on my chest, stroking her hair.

"Did I make it up to you?" I asked her as she played with the buttons on my shirt.

"Hmm let's see, you took me away from my food and I'm still hungry."

"Hungry for me?" She laughed getting up to look at me.

"I thought I was the one with the corrupted mind. How bad of you Devon. I meant hungry for food but okay."

"Whatever you say Elaine, come back here." I demanded and she smiled, resting back down on my chest and continuing with playing with the buttons on my shirt. We stayed in silence for a while until I had to break it. "What's on your mind?" I asked her.

"I told you to try and know me a little bit less. It's just, why did you stop?"

"Because, mi cariño, if I didn't it would have gotten out of hand right? I never want to put you in a situation you can't control."

"You wouldn't, I completely trust you. But good, I'm on my period anyway and that would have been a very messy situation." I laughed as she turned on the TV and immediately put it on to Mulan, finding where we were.

"I'll make everything special for you." She looked up at me completely serious.

"I know you will, you always do." She answered, getting her blanket from the floor and using it to drape the both of us.

Around two, her mum finally came back, heading into the living room, completely surprised we were still awake. She glanced at the TV and shook her head.

"This girl and her obsession, sorry Devon. Ugh I'm so tired and hungry." She said, turning to go into the dining room.

"Oh good, I'll go warm your food for you. Neither of us ate that much anyway, so we'll all eat together and watch that movie after all." Elaine said, getting up and heading into the kitchen.

"I'd normally argue about eating in the living room but I'm way too tired. Please bring me cranberry juice." Her mum agreed, sitting down on a chair. I got up and dragged the coffee table to her.

"Thank you Devon. Watching her mope about the house for seven months killed me. Anyway, please set up the movie whilst we wait for her. Otherwise, she'll come back and make us all re-watch Mulan and I can only watch that movie so many times."

"That's Elaine for you."

"What about me?" Elaine asked, coming in and placing the tray of food in front of her mum.

"Nothing." Her mum answered.

"I'm not gonna question it but if it's about that one picture in the album, I was young okay? Mud looked nice." I stared at her.

"What? That wasn't even it but now I really want to see that." She glared before going back into the kitchen and coming back some time later with both our food on one tray.

"So what movie did you guys actually pick for me?"

"You mean the movie Devon picked for you? Freedom Writers, he knew your favourite movie." Elaine glanced at me, looking surprised.

"He didn't know that five hours ago."

"Oh! Then he must really know you." Her mum commented.

"Yes, yes he does." Elaine answered.

*

July 13th 2015, Wednesday

"Good morning sunshine!" I groaned, slowly opening my eyes to see Elaine peering down and grinning.

"If I woke up to this everyday my life would be complete." I muttered, still half asleep.

"Way too early for flattery babe, come downstairs I'm making us breakfast. Mum's gone over to the home so it's just me and you till Grace gets here." She informed me, going downstairs. I showered, brushed my teeth and got dressed, packing up before heading into the kitchen where she was dancing to some random song in her head. I was about to hug her when I heard the front door being unlocked. She left the bread she was buttering to run to the front door.

"Grace! I missed you so much!" She shouted.

"So did I! God, my mum drove me crazy." Grace replied.

"I was just making me and Devon breakfast, have you eaten yet?"

"Um no dude I'm starving, you really think I'll eat my mum's oatmeal? But most importantly, what do you mean you and Devon?"

"Wait what? You didn't get my voice note, I sent it yesterday! I told you mum invited him over. He's in the kitchen."

"What the actual fuck man, no I didn't get it. If I'd known I'd have turned up wearing my interrogation shoes. Oh my God are you still a virgin Elaine?!" I almost laughed.

"We had sex all over the kitchen counters." Elaine replied back, completely serious.

"Haha very funny. I see that hickey on your neck don't try and hide it. Now let's go meet the guy I want to see his face."

"Grace please be nice, please try to control your mouth." I heard footsteps coming towards the kitchen and I quickly sat down on a chair trying to pretend I wasn't just listening to their conversation.

"I'm always nice shut up Elaine." I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around to face a very petite girl, ever shorter than Elaine, with possibly the most amazing green eyes I would ever see in my life. Surprisingly she had long black hair curled up to frame around her face. She also had on light makeup and a dress; basically not like the girl I'd pictured in my mind.

"Was expecting a macho tomboy weren't you? Yeah I get that a lot." Now that she was actually talking to me face to face, I realised her voice did sound incredibly feminine.

"Devon, meet Grace, the most amazing person in the world who I love very much. Grace, be nice." Elaine said, leaving us to go continue cooking.

"I see what Kelsi meant when she said I should wear sunglasses when I meet him, he's like an alien. He's not real."

"It means she likes you Devon." Elaine assured me.

"I can speak for myself. Hi, I'm Grace. Say something so I can hear that deep voice of yours again." I almost laughed for the second time.

"Hey." I replied.

"Elaine I'm taking your boyfriend to the living room, come Devon." She said and Elaine looked back at us before shrugging.

"I'll be there soon. Good luck Devon." She said, going back to dancing. I followed Grace into the living room and sat down. She locked the door before turning to me.

"She's incredibly sensitive. I know she's a whole lot different from the person she used to be last winter okay? She's more outspoken and she tries less hard to please everyone and I'm proud of her for it, but she's very sensitive. And even though she doesn't tolerate everyone's bullshit anymore, she is still the most nicest person in the universe, she would go through hell for who she loves and making people happy is still her top priority." Grace said. I nodded.

"Just like how she stood up against Kemi to make sure Suzie left with the wedding dress she wanted." I inputted.

"Yeah, she told me about that. So yes you get it, she's not so much of a pushover anymore but she is still incredibly kind and sensitive and I know I've said this before, but you will never hurt her. Ever. She means the world to me and no matter how petite I look, I will still find you and fight you."

"Right okay you'll never have to do that."

"I know I won't, you love her almost as much as I do." We both looked up to Elaine banging on the door.

"Um did you guys want ice cream or nah?"

"Come on honey, you think I wouldn't want ice cream after spending all that time with my mum?" Grace answered, going to unlock the door.

"Of course. Devon?" Elaine asked.

"No I'm alright."

"Alright I'll be back in some time." Elaine replied.

"I'll go change then, and bring your laptop downstairs, we need to sort out those universities, I'm not letting you waste your future because of you being too scared." Grace complained, going up the stairs.

"So that's Grace. She's gorgeous right? Yeah I know. I'll be back, I think my toast's burning." Elaine said, rushing off to the kitchen. I went back to looking at her old pictures, finding some with Grace in it.

"Hey broody boy I'm back. How are your eyelashes that long?" I looked up to see that she was wearing what Elaine had said were her favourite pyjamas and carrying Elaine's laptop.

"Um I don't know." I answered and she sat down next to me, navigating to Elaine's email and going to all the starred ones.

"Hmm, help me with this? I need to choose the best Unis for her to reply to first and I want them all to have a good writing program." She said, completely concentrated on what she was doing.

"How many replies does she have?"

"A lot, as in a whole lot. She studies hard so it's to be expected. So I was thinking this Uni first? It's in the UK but the writing program is amazing." She said, handing me the laptop.

"Breakfast is served." We looked up to Elaine carrying in a huge tray filled with food. She dragged the table over to the both of us and placed it there.

"What about you?" Grace asked.

"I wanted cereal."

"Ugh you know you can't lie, at least not to me. I'm about to have your food aren't I?"

"I didn't want to start on a new one, but it's fine. You have mine, I don't think my stomach can handle it anyway. So Unis?" Elaine asked, sitting down opposite us.

"There's one we've found, it's in the UK. Their writing program is incredible."

"Okay let's reply to that. When do they do their interview processes?"

"August; just a week after grad. I'll reply to them now. I'm staying over by the way."

"Okay, mum wanted to talk to you anyway. Devon have that school replied back to you yet?" Elaine asked.

"I still have to wait until tonight. And your writing thing?"

"I have to wait for them to reply back to my former English teacher, she's my representative. So I'm waiting for her call. Oh by the way I was thinking of visiting Esmeralda tomorrow, do you want to come? I think she'd like that." I smiled, remembering the sweet lady I'd met at the hospital last Christmas who had continue to strive on despite all the health risks.

"Yeah of course, did you visit her recently?"

"No and I know she's gonna be so mad about it. But she likes you a lot so you can act as my shield."

"First Uni replied to." Grace said.

"Eat Grace, it'll turn cold. We can worry about this later." Elaine scolded, going to take away her laptop.

"Yes mum. Speaking of, she wanted you to come to a barbeque she's hosting. Mercy's coming home too. And Devon can come if he wants to." Grace said, turning on the TV.

"Wait, your mum is hosting a barbeque at your house? Your spotless, never messy house?"

"Right? But she's trying to impress people I think, some high society thing she's part of I don't know. It's on Thursday and Mercy's coming home tomorrow."

"Oh okay I'll come. You coming Devon? You can always bring Ellie, change of ambience you know." Elaine said.

"Um, sure. Why not? Speaking of Ellie, I'm gonna need to go right about now. Chelsi's leaving around noon and I want to get there before she leaves." I said.

"Alright I'll go get my keys."

"Elaine, it's fine. Grace just got here and you need to look through the replies. I'll just go get my bag." I said, standing up and making my way upstairs. On top of my bag was a book Elaine had apparently left for me.

"The Hunger Games?" I asked, turning around knowing fully well she was right behind me.

"One of my favourites. Trust me you'll love it. You should come over more often, spend the entire weekend, make me more cupcakes. Kiss me some more." I laughed going over to hug her.

"That sounds incredibly tempting, so tempting." I muttered.

"Yeah? Because the weekend's coming up. And we have a spare room you know."

"I'm getting so tempted, but you sure your mum wouldn't mind?"

"Not at all. So will you come?"

"I'm still not entirely convinced." She leaned up, kissing me softly.

"Need any more convincing?"

"No not really, I'm sold. Now I better go before Chelsi leaves, I don't want Ellie to be alone for that. I'll call you." I said, walking downstairs with her. I quickly looked inside the leaving room. "Bye Grace."

"Oh see ya. Nice meeting you at last, remember what I said." She said, going back to looking at the Universities.

"I'll see you later, say hi to Ellie for me." Elaine said, hugging me.

"You kinda have to let me go after saying bye." I said, laughing as she held on tighter.

"Only because I'm seeing you tomorrow." She said, letting go.

"Don't make me sick please!" Grace called from the living room.

"Bye babe, I'll see you." I said, hugging her again before leaving.

By the time I finally got to the Home I could see a couple of cars outside which meant that a few of the parents were probably there already. I saw Ellie sitting on the steps of the Home hugging the teddy bear I'd made her.

"Hey Ellie. Are you alright?" I asked, and she shifted a bit to rest on me.

"Chelsi is inside with her new parents." She muttered, staring at her bear.

"You will always be best friends with her El, you know that, and you still have me." I assured her.

"Until I have to leave."

"And even then you'll still have me, you know that Ellie. I'm your brother and you matter to me more than anyone in the world, you'll always have me."

"I think, I think I'm ready to leave. I wasn't really worried about going to a new family, I was more worried about leaving you, but I feel less worried now."

"That's my girl. Wanna head inside to wait for Chelsi?" I asked, getting up and she held on to me.

"How's Elaine?"

"She's fine, she told me to say hi to you." She grinned.

"I want to go to the beach with her again!"

"And I'm sure if you tell her that she'll go with you. Do you like her then?" I asked, as we went into the playroom where Suzie was sorting through wedding invitations.

"Of course devy! She's the best, I love her!"

"Yeah? Well you and me both."

"I think you should get married to her, don't you Suzie?" Ellie asked, going over to sit beside Suzie as I went to my art corner.

"I think that's his life goal Ellie, if he had it his way he'd probably marry her now. Though take my advice and make it a small wedding otherwise you might cry."

"Don't worry Suzie, we'll all make it the best wedding in Devon. Speaking of I have your backdrop for the slow dance ready if you want to see it."

"You're the best artist boy, seriously. I'll sort through these invites and I'll come see it. Wanna help me Ellie?" Suzie asked her as I made my way upstairs to leave my bag in my room. I brought out the book Elaine had kept, actually meaning to read it when something dropped out.

"I wrote you little things in random pages that I want you to know, the last page has the most important thing, please don't skip ahead to read it." I read off the note she'd written. I felt incredibly tempted to skip to the back page and read whatever it was until I remembered she'd probably realise the next time I saw her.

"Devy Chelsi's leaving!" Ellie calls from downstairs. I turned to go when another book in my bag caught my eye. I opened the first page to see a picture of Ellie and me smiling when we went to the beach and she'd written at the front, this one's for you Ellie, turn a new page every day. And remember you'll always be with Devon, no matter what. From Elaine.

"And this is exactly why I love you." I muttered, going downstairs to Ellie.

*

a/n: just a clarification, the chapter started on tuesday night just in case you didn't realise that. and i really wanted to write in devon's pov so why not this chapter? so i'm very much interested to know your thoughts on this chapter so comment away. and tell me if you want me to write in devon's pov more, i do like doing it. and don't forget to vote if you enjoyed this chapter!