https://youtu.be/TzdTMxD1q3w

[PLAY SONG WHEN SAID]

''You think he came?''

Jeffery Atkins sighs as he back his car up into what little was left of parking space. ''I sincerely hope so. Do you think she came?''

Devin Greene scrunches her lips to the side and lets out an indecisive hum. ''I don't know. I mean, she's been really bold lately, publishing her poem, getting that new hair cut. So, there's a chance.''

He perks up in his seat once his car was parked. ''I like her hair cut.''

She nods her head at him. ''I do too.'' She then unbuckles her seat belt and cheers, ''Now, let's go. We have a game of musical chairs to play.''

Jeff throws his head down and snickers while unbuckling his seat belt. ''Go on in without me, I'm gonna check a few things first before I head in.''

She furrows her brows, her hand already gripping on the handle to the passenger side of the car. ''Do you need any help?''

''Uh, no,'' He breathes out a smile. ''It'll only take a few minutes. Trust.''

She giggles. ''I love that we speak the same language.''

And so did he. He never really realized it until she mentioned it, but small little habits, little phrases that either one does, the other picks up on it.

It was sickening. They were practically one and the same. You could say that's what makes them so admirable, so iconic. It's why the whole Junior class sees them together. Because it was true, what they say. They're high school sweethearts, destined for a long and bright future together.

Devin removes herself from the car and heads for the crowded house that is of Jessica Davis'.

Devin Greene never really had anything towards Jessica. Sure she was on the team, sure she was in this competitive state to be co-captain, and sure, she was able to grasp Hannah's attention better than her's. But she didn't want to consider those a problem.

Amanda was enough to deal with on the team, the school year before. She'd prefer it best to keep thing neutral for the sake of being on the same team.

Jeff was watching her from inside the car; casually walking to the front door and disappearing into the mass of people that decided to attend tonight.

He goes into the pockets of his sweatpants and pulls a ruby red velvet box. He opens the case to reveal the rose gold ring sitting stilthfully in it's package. It was an Espiral Princess cut promise ring with accents and genuine diamond stone. He even payed extra to engrave inside a saying he remembered Devin commented back on New Years. The start of the year where he knew, he didn't just want Devin in his life. He needed her.

In cursive, wrote Forever & Always.

He looks back at the front door of the house and sighs. This was it. Tonight was the night, and he was sure to end the year with bang.

''Clay!'' Devin cheers once she seen him assorting chips and snacks at the dining room table by the living.

His features brightened with a grin. ''Devs, hey.''

He sets the bag of chips aside to engulf Devin in a hug.

Devin pulls away with furrowed brows. ''Why are you on snack duty?''

He looks around at the various choices to choose from and shrugs. ''Jess needed some help. I thought I'd help.''

''You,'' She points a finger into his chest. ''Are precious.''

He nods his head. ''So I've been told. Is Jeff here?''

''Yeah,'' She hangs her head to the side. ''He's doing something in the car. Probably checking if he parked his wheels straight this time.''

''They are parked straight this time, m'adam, thank you very much,'' Jeff encounters while coming up from behind her. He juts his chin out to Clay and smiles. ''Dude, you came.''

''What's up, Jeff?'' He greets back as they do their little handshake. ''I've actually, uh, been here for a while.''

Devin pouts. ''Awe, you should've texted one of us. We would've came sooner.''

His features went flat as he shakes his head. ''No. You wouldn't have wanted to come as soon as I came.''

Jeff narrows his eyes and tilts his head to the side, a small smirk playing at his lips. ''How soon are we talking?''

''6 : 55.''

''Woah!'' Devin exclaims while Jeff breathes out, ''Jesus.''

She looks up at Jeff and nods her head. ''He's right, we wouldn't have.''

Jeff cocks his head to the side. ''Well, let's give him some props. You've come a long way, Clay. I think our work together, you've made some real progress.'' He reaches over for a potato chip and tosses it into his mouth.

He chuckles. ''Right. Thanks.''

While Jeff went to plop another chip or two in his mouth, Devin was focused on Clay Jensen, the boy who seemed to be fixated by the front door and whoever it was that was coming inside.

She furrows her brows before turning to look. It was like a domino affect because Jeff had notice the both of them looking in one direction, so he turns around as well. It was an odd coincidence to see a girl with short wavy curls like Hannah Baker appear. She even had a facial structure that was similar to Hannah's. But it wasn't her.

Jeff and Devin look at one another before turning to a disappointed Clay.

''She coming?''

He jerks his head back. ''What? What do you mean?''

Devin smirks as Jeff chuckles. ''Okay, man.''

Jeff grabs the bag of chips Clay was working with, taking whatever was left in the bag and wraps an arm around Devin's shoulders.

''Beer pong!'' He cheers.

''Beer pong!'' She cheers right afterwards.

''Jeff and Devin!'' Sheri cheers from the living room. ''My faves, come, sit.''

Considering how much of a good mood they were in, Devin and Jeff decided to sit with Sheri and the crowd of people she surrounded herself with. Even if those people included Bryce Walker or Zach Dempsey.

''Girl, you have to tell me, how this happened?'' She nearly pleads.

Devin turns to Jeff and giggles. ''What do you mean?''

''Your story,'' She grins. ''There's no way you just became what you are from thin air.''

Bryce scoffs a smirk. ''I think that can be pretty simple. Atkins over here wanted a fuck and Devin was willing to do so. I'd say that's an epic story right there.''

Jeff was too busy looking inside the bag of chips to look at the obnoxious smirk he was pulling off. ''Watch it, Walker. We're all here for fun.''

He furrows his brows at Sheri before handing her the bag, wondering if she wanted some.

She perks up at the offer and grabs the bag.

''We don't really have much of a story,'' She sheepishly admits. It was simple. They started off as friends and slowly but surely developed feelings for one another. What else was there to say?

''Boo!'' Sheri exclaims, but she laughs right afterwards to show she was only being playful.

''Tell me something Devs-''

Devin couldn't help the twinge of her features twisting as Jessica Davis appears with a rose in one hand and Justin Foley in the other, using a nickname usually close friends use. Or, at least, anyone she considered a friend. Jessica was strictly an acquaintance.

''Does your boyfriend remember your two month anniversary?''

Sheri clasped her hands against her chest and grins. ''Seriously? That's adorable.''

Devin tilts her head to the side. ''Yeah, because it's totally fun trying to remember exactly when you first kissed, when you first made eye contact in class-'' Her and Jeff laugh. ''No thanks. No, but he takes me out on dates and vise versa.''

''What about the sex?''

Devin Greene couldn't help but wonder what was her deal? What was this consistent need to compete with her? Ever since she scored a spot on the cheer team, it's a who-done-better. It was annoying.

She smirks at her and says, ''Why don't we give you a sneak peek?''

She squeals when Jeff pulled her by her hips and onto his lap. Both her legs straddled his sides as her hands cupped his face, colliding her lips with his.

There were cheers heard all around them.

''Atta boy!''

Jessica rolls her eyes and didn't even bother to pull Justin with her as she got up from her spot on the couch, heading for a different direction that wasn't there.

Justin's grin slowly faded and shifted into a pout while furrowing his brows as he watched Jessica walk away. ''Wait, Jess!''

Devin pulls away from him and turns to find both Justin and Jessica gone.

''Thank god,'' She breathes out.  She gets up from his lap and lends a hand out to him. ''Let's go have some fun.''

He held his arms out. ''Was that not fun for you?''

She giggles, clasping her hand with his and tugs him forward. ''You know what I mean.''

As they made their way around the house, Jeffery Atkins and Devin Greene stopped at once, once they spotted who walked through the door.

''Shit,'' Jeff giggles, nearly bouncing his spot. Devin turns with the same estatic grin plastered on her lips.

They exclaim in unison, ''We need to find Clay.''

It was now Jeff's turn to lead Devin, though he was directing her the opposite way of where Hannah was and eventually found him outside.

''Hey, hey, hey,'' Jeff calls out to him. ''Slow down, man, where are you going?''

Devin grins as she points to the table behind Clay. ''Oh, cool, they got the beer pong out here.''

''Oh, I just, gotta get up really early tomorrow-''

Jeff points a thumb back inside the house. ''Dude, Hannah's here.''

''Oh, she is?'' He responds but it wasn't the reaction the were expecting. It was surprisingly stale. ''That's cool. Hope she has a nice time.''

He went to walk but both Devin and Jeff stepped aside to block him from walking away. They would literally pin him down if they have to.

''You need to go in there and talk to her,'' Jeff encourages.

''No, she's talking to someone else. She's busy.''

''Hun,'' Devin grips him by the shoulder. ''It's a party, lots of people walk in on conversations all the time. Nobody cares.''

''Exactly!'' He exclaims. ''Which is why that's your cue, man. That's your cue to cut in. Take a swing.''

''A swing?'' He stammers.

And here comes the hand motions that followed with Jeff's explanation. ''You've got a fat slider in your sweet spot. You've got to swing the bat through the strike zone and-'' He clicks his teeth. ''Knock it out.''

''See, I'm aware those were baseball terms, and if I'm interpreting correctly- I think that given my batting average, what I would actually wind up with a strikeout and not a home run. With that said a very good use of an extended metaphor.''

Devin blinks rapidly. ''You both have me fucked up.''

Jeff looks away and cursed, ''Oh, fuck me, Jensen! Just get the hell in there, man! Now, okay? Now, or I'm gonna kick your ass.''

Devin scoff as her and Clay counter knowingly, ''You'd never kick his/my ass.''

He points a finger at Clay, ''Don't tempt me.'' He then points over to Devin. ''And trust me, I can always do things to that ass.''

''Ew!'' Clay exclaims. ''Not in my presence, please.''

''Go talk to her, man,'' Jeff urged. ''You're the reason she came.''

He shrugs his shoulders. ''I don't know that.''

Raising a brow, Devin looks over at Jeff with a smirk as he says, ''I think you do.''

Clay Jensen was still unresponsive. Jeff threw his head back, exposing the prominent shape of jawline as he took a step aside. ''Go on.''

''Come on, Clay,'' Devin encourages. ''You got this. We know you do.''

''Okay,'' He mumbles under his breath. Devin steps closer to Jeff's side as they watch him head back inside. He sharply turns to them and raised his arms in surrender. ''I'm going in. I'm going in.''

''Now,'' Jeff breathes out. ''For the love of god, may we please play a game of beer pong?''

She groans. ''I thought you'd never asked. Any wagers you want to make tonight, darling?''

He shakes his head. ''No, not tonight, babe.''

She pursed her lips, suppressing her grin. ''Really?'' She props her hands on her hips. ''That's a first. Who are you and what have you done with Jeff Atkins?''

Like he thought earlier, he was in love. Why bet for his outcome when he can make it happen?

He smiles. ''I don't need to make a bet with you when I have all that I need.''

''Awe,'' She cups his face and pressed her lips against his for a chaste kiss. ''So sweet.'' She then takes a deep breath, still holding onto him. ''It's so sweet that you know you're gonna lose this time that you won't even bother.''

He scoffs. ''Game on, Greene.''

They didn't just play one round that night. Not two, nor three, or a four. By the time they saw Clay Jensen and Hannah Baker out int he open, they were on their sixth round.

It was an even tie. At this point they cared more about who was gonna win instead of the drinks, that they would even pass some of the red solo cup off to the people watching.

Devin cocks her head to the side. ''How's it looking over there?'' She tosses the ball over on his side, attempting to make it in a cup but incidentally missing.

He turns to look, waiting for someone to pass him the ball. ''They're talking-'' He turns once he feels the ping pong back in his hand. ''Thanks, man.''

He furrows his brows at a specific cup he was concentrated on.

And to much of Devin's dismay, it went in.

She didn't dig by much into the cup before grabbing the ball. She picks up the cup and passes it to someone along side her. ''Knock yourself out, hun.''

''Do you think it's going well?'' He questions, still staring at them as she was prepping herself for her next blow. ''I think it's going well. I hope it's going well. He looks terrified.''

''Don't make me laugh,'' She comments before throwing. This time she made it in. Another tie.

''Shit,'' He hissed. Devin watched as he jogged over to them. Troy Patterson was crouched between Hannah and Clay, an arm wrapped around them both. He had approached Troy from behind and wrapped his arms around his chest, lifting him up. He began dragging him over to the table, where she heard a faint, ''And you're beer ponging.''

''Whoo!'' He cheers. ''Beer pong!''

''Yeah,'' He laughs.

He stood Troy beside Devin, letting him go and grabbing his girlfriend by the hand. ''Come.''

She follows him away from the game with furrowed brows. Why were they walking away from Clay and Hannah? Doesn't he want to know how it turns out? She doesn't know about him, but she was eager to hear a good ending after a long chase.

''I wanna talk to you,'' He tells her.

She jerks her head back, chuckling softly, ''Sounds serious.''

''Uh,'' He tilts his head to the side. ''Something like that.''

He leads her through the house until they were back outside, only they were out in the front of the house.

''Jeff,'' She calls. She stops walking, tearing her hand away from his touch. ''What's going on?''

He turns to her. ''I-'' He sighs. ''I just wanted to find somewhere to talk to you.''

She shakes her head in a subtle motion. ''About, what?''

''Devin, I'm in love with you.''

She blinks her eyes wide, nearly choking on her saliva that was sitting in her throat.

''What?'' She whispers almost breathlessly.

''When we graduate,'' He takes a step closer to her. ''Whatever college you pick, wherever we want to go, we'll go there. I want to leave this town, away with you. It's you who I want to be with for a really, really long time. I wish I can say I can't imagine not being able to call you mine but I know what that felt like. It was complete shit.'' He shakes his head. ''I don't want to go through that again. I want to move in to a small and cozy apartment in the city- I-I-I want you to be my wife.''

She gasps when he digged in his pockets, revealing that same velvet box from earlier.

''It's not an engagement ring,'' He chuckles. ''It's just a promise ring. That one day, this promise- this pact will turn into the real deal.''

Oh, Jeffery Atkins. You always knew how to swoon a girls heart and make her weak right to the knees.

Her eyes were full of tears as she stares at the piece of jewelry. Forever and always. Why did that sound so familiar to her?

She regrets the moment looking into his with tears pooling hers.

''I love you, Devin Greene.''

She was speechless. Where does she begin?

''Jeff,'' She breathes out. ''We're only seventeen,'' She looks back down at the ring. ''You know, I care for you, I really do but this is our first and only serious relationship so far.'' She shrugs her shoulders. ''I don't think all of this will happen.''

His chuckle was dry, heaved from his chest. His lips didn't curve as he asks, ''What are you trying to say?'' There was a brief moment of silence. ''Do-'' He licks his lips nervously. He knew it, he knew she could've break his heart within a second. And he knew it was terrifying. ''Do you love me?''

Her mouth was just hanging open. The word love, it never really occurred to her until this very moment. She could tell that he's thought about this if he was in love. What the hell is the difference anyway? Love and in love?

Have they been together that long to agree she love or is in love with him back?

See, Devin never really thought with her heart. The heart allows you to make dumb, reckless and most importantly, naive decisions. The hearts allows people back in your life, people who don't deserve it. Like cheaters or fake friends.

She didn't understand why girls made stupid decisions when it comes to boys.

They needed to think with their head, they needed to know what was morally right despite on what they feel.

But logic couldn't bring Devin out of this one. It was like she was shoved into a corner, as if she was in a time out. She couldn't leave the corner until she figures out what the hell to really feel.

[PLAY SONG]

''Wow,'' Jeff looks back down at the ring and closes the case. ''Okay.''

''No, Jeff-''

''It's fine, Devs,'' He flattens his lips into a straight line. ''It was just too soon.''

The plan? Maybe.

But telling her that she was in love with him, there's no such thing as timing when it comes to that.

And she lets him walk away. She didn't have the right to call him back and explain all the wrong things.

Maybe he read into things wrong? Maybe he was moving too fast for her to catch up? No, he should've allowed her some time to think about it instead of getting upset right away. But he thought they were on the same page. Should he have even told her at all? Maybe all of it was a mistake.

And yet Devin was left standing there, pinning nothing but blame on herself. Why did she have to do that? Why wasn't she quick to tell him something, anything. A single word would've been better than her silence.

Devin stood there for a while. She didn't care how crazy it looked for her to just be standing in the middle of the pathway. it was like she was in the middle of a crisis. She needed to think about this, because the ball was in her court.

Suddenly, without another thought, her feet had a mind of their own. Slowly, but surely, she was walking away from Jessica Davis' party. She'd be sure to text him halfway home to let him know that she didn't need a ride from him. That she'll think everything over. That she didn't want a definite no.

Devin Greene was already a block and a half away from Jessica's. The music that was cranked at the highest volume, enough to bust an ear drum was growing faint in distance.

She had a constant question played on repeat in her thoughts. What was she going to do?

What was she going to do?

''Devin?''

She looks up from the ground and turns around. Surely enough, there was Clay Jensen.

''Hey,'' She mumbles. She stops walking, enabling him to catch up to her.

''Let me guess,'' He sighs. ''You're having a shitty night too?''

She bops her head, thinning her lips. ''Yeah. Things with Hannah?''

''I had it,'' He nods. ''I finally had it. But-''

''Ah,'' She cocks a brow. ''There's always a but.''

''I don't know,'' He breathes out. ''Then I lost it.''

She rubs his arm. ''Next time, my friend.''

He furrows his brows. ''What about you and Jeff? He told me he was giving you a minute to breathe before going to get you.''

She lifts her head high and sighs. ''Yeah, well, I think I'm gonna need a couple of hours on this one.''

''You should at least tell him you're not there.''

She chuckles dryly. ''I was planning on doing that once I was close to home, but once again, you're probably right. I should do it now.''

She pulls her phone out and sends him a quick text. That they'll talk about it on Monday.

Then it happened.

The screeching of tires and collateral crash being heard up ahead. Furrowing their brows, Clay Jensen and Devin Greene turned to each other.

''What the hell was that?''

She cocks her head to the side. ''Come on.''

They began to run.

They ran straight to a scene of a car accident. There was steams of gas flying, drifting into the night air. Headlights were one and shattered glass was on the ground.

Both cars were damaged. One in the front, the other dented right into the driver side.

But one these cars looked familiar. The beads that dangled in rear mirror, she could recognize those from anywhere.

But it was the fact that she could recognize those beads, caused her heart to drop.

And there went those damn tears.

''Oh my god, no,'' She gasps while running over to his car. She choked on her own breath once she got closer. Why was he sitting there covered in blood?

There was blood everywhere.

She couldn't even see where all this blood was coming from because it was so dark.

Why was there so much blood?

''Jeff?'' She cries out softly.

He wasn't responding.

Her gaze switched over to his pocket. His phone was lit, slowly dimming down into darkness.

She looks back up at him but he wasn't responding.

Why wasn't he responding?

''Clay!'' She screams. ''Clay, help! Help me, please-''

He runs to her side and saw what she was dealing with.

He tried to open the door, but it wouldn't budge. He was locked in.

''Jeff, hold on!'' He exclaims furiously while trying to open the door.

''This-'' She grips the roots of her while crying silently. ''Oh my god, this couldn't be happening.''

''Clay!'' She yells.

''I'm trying!'' He yells back. ''Jeff, wake up! Jeff!''

There was a moan heard. They both turn to find an elderly man stirring in the driver side of his car.

''Hey, hold on,'' Clay assures. ''I'm gonna call 911.''

× × ×

''Sweetheart-''

Devin shoots from her seat immediately, her nose stuffy and her eye's red and puffy from all the crying.

''Mom,'' She calls out. You could hear the desperation her voice. ''How is he? Is he okay? Can I see him?''

Alyssa looks down as she digs in her pocket. What she pulls out, she knew her whole world had came crashing down. That nothing, in Devin Greene's life, would never be the same as it use to.

It was the maroon velvet box.

''Sweetheart,-''

''No,'' She sobs. ''No, mom-''

''He was announced dead at 11 : 10 pm.''

''No-''

Alyssa Greene started to cry. Because she knows what good person Jeff Atkins was. She knows that he was perfect for her little girl. But to see her in this pain, this unforgettable pain that she's going to carry for the rest of her life, was the worst pain he could ever put her through.

''Sweetie, I'm so sorry,'' She cries.

''He's gone,'' She sobbed. ''I can't believe- Mom, he's really gone.''

''I know,'' she nods, pulling her in for a hug. ''I am so sorry.''

Why did he have to leave?

author's note; I want to apologize to all my readers who I have hurt now the second time around. I am literally drowning in my own tears myself while writing this. It may sound silly, but I could actually feel somewhat of this pain. I've been there for this relationship since day one, and knowing that he's dead- it just hurts. But I wanted that. That's why this book is so long. I want you guys to love Devin and Jeff, I wanted you to get to know them beyond what you see on the show. I wanted you guys to feel and understand what they have so when it was time to take him away, the pain would be there. So I'm sorry that I put you through this.

But the story's not over yet.