Heavy.

I blink my eyes. My unsteady head still resting on the pillow. A ray of sunlight peeks in through the partly opened curtain. Re-adjusting my vision, I take a glance at the clock on my side table.

19:40.

Shit.

I'm going to be late for school. Why didn't anyone wake me up?

"Addie, I thought you're not going to school?" questions  mom when she sees me rushing down the hallway of our living room.

Well then your thoughts doesn't match the reality, mom.

"Why'd you think so?" I wonder, tucking my right foot onto my favourite maroon converse.

"You looked very sick when I was gonna wake you up earlier. You should grab something to eat first before you go," she demands, worried.

"No I can't, I'm running out of time." —I grab my keys from the counter table standing beside the door— "bye mom."

It is not even half of the day yet and my head is already begging me to go home. The ache has been bugging me since yesterday. Almost everything that I encounter, feels wrong. A part of me is crying for Dean, but another part of me just want him to be gone forever. To not ever come back.

Sorry Dean, but your kind of goodbye is a bitch.

Drinnnngggggggg.

Finally. I stand up, and quickly jog towards the door, not caring that I have been the very first person to leave the classroom. Busy corridor, as usual. My plan for the day is to sit at the park. Again. Will I be doing this until he comes back, if ever?

Before leaving, I make sure to have every single book that I need, packed into my back. Weekend's going to be a very busy one, I remind my self. Daily routine. Rush to locker, have everything loaded, then escape through the side door.

• • • • •

I stroll down the park's pathway, reaching the same exact spot as yesterday's. The bipolar sun's hiding behind its shell today, leaving the day very gloomy. One of the reasons why I wanna run away from Portland.

A tear unexpectedly escapes through my still-tired eyes. Again.

This is not only because of Dean, but also the thought of mom and dad going, leaving me handle the 12 days on my own. Going out of town to work on some projects for a day or two has been a habit of dad since I was still in middle school, and mom would usually come along with him. I'd stay home with Aiden but that was back when he was still in high school. Since then, I'm always alone.

Thing were always scary at first, but I've gotten used to it apparently. I'm never tempted to discuss about it to my parents though. I never want to be a burden to any of the two. It's just the solitary feeling.

I hated being alone.

When I have some free time, I'd usually Skype Aiden. Needing help on my math homework  also makes up another reason for me to contact him.

I must've been lost in my thoughts, I hadn't even realised my face is now soaking wet and a hand holding a small towel, appears out of nowhere. Shocked, I lift my head abruptly, straightening my posture before turning to see a beautiful set of icy blue eyes watching me. It's Devin. Is he still mad about yesterday? I sigh. "What the hell?"

"Did I scare you?"

I nod.

"Sorry. Here," –he motions the towel again– "wipe it off."

I take a quick glance back at the towel that's still on his hand. He's got a good hand posture— every inch of his arm is so well defined. He isn't muscular, but he isn't lean either, not with those built biceps and strong arms, veins visible enough to be seen. Woah. This creature is astonishingly hot.

"Don't worry, I found this in my football gym-sack, still unused."

I didn't even have a single thought of that, but I take it anyway. I wipe my tears away and murmur, "Thanks."

"What's bothering you? You okay?" he asks, then, "Well I know you're not, I mean like you were crying seconds ago, probably still crying on the inside right now, but what I—"

I cut him off, "Yes I'm fine. Now, what are you doing here?"

"Hey stop lying, I know how a girl looks like when they're not okay." He grins at me, and before giving me the chance to ask back about what he just said, he smirks, "Can I atleast sit? I mean like look, you have the whole chair to yourself."

No one needs to know about my problem with Dean, especially his friends, including Devin.

"Oh yes of course, sorry."

"Not a problem."

He unzips his back pack, digs inside, reaching for something.

A second later, it's a pink envelope on his grip. Dean's envelope. He hands it to me.

"I can swear to you that I didn't read it anything. I didn't even open it. I just thought its something really important to you," he says, in the most convincing voice ever.

I take the envelope from his hand. "No, not anymore."

"Right."

"Are you going to stay here forever? Don't you have any party to attend? It's friday," I declare.

"So? My mom once told me, when you're in the middle of a conversation with someone, you can't just leave because that is rude."

Surprised, I exclaim, "Woah, mama's boy huh."

He glares at me, "Shut up, kid."

"I'm not a kid!" I exclaim.

He chuckles.

"Sheesh, Devin Kyle. Please, stop." I blurb out. 

"Oh my god okay okay sorry," he giggles, running out of breath. "Anyways, about yesterday" –he pauses for a second– "I wanna apologise about what happened yesterday."

"No, that's alright."

Silence.

Unlike many girls, I'm not the kind that gets all wet when Devin approaches. Regardless, I'm more into wonder of how he found me here.

Breaking the silence, I ask, "By the way, how'd you find me here?"

He is drown in thoughts, when my question finally flickers on his head, "Oh, so I just had football practice, and since my car's on service, I've been going to school and back home by foot until spring break starts–"

No that can't be true.

I turn to face him, gasping and raising my eyebrows– "Yes I know, and when I was walking by the park, I saw you. And then I remember about you. Your letter. That's how." He adds, "FYI, I'm not a stalker."

I laugh.

Devin lives on the same neighbourhood as me, just a hundred metres away from my house. About a couple of months ago, the first week back after christmas break, there was a time where I had to wait for Dean after school because he had football practice. And beyond my surprise, Devin had asked Dean if he can get a ride back home, together with us.

I'm totally sure he didn't know that I was going home with Dean that day. That was legit, the most awkward 15 minute cat ride I've ever had in my entire existence. Until this point, I never expected him to ever talk to me. But then I'm always proved wrong.

I roll my eyes, then offers, "I'll pick you up for school, and drives you back home."

Regretting right after those words slip out of my mouth. There's no going back now. What on earth was I thinking?

Devin shakes his head and demands, "No you don't have to do that, thanks for the offer though."

"I mean like we go home to the same direction, besides like walking all the way to school then back home is a total wreck of journey, right? Take this offer as a sincere apology and thank you from me."

A smile crosses his face. "But let me drive your car for a thank you in return, aight?"

"That'll require more than just a day of trust," I joke.

It's true though.

It's getting a little bit late, and we decided to go home. Mom and dad are probably waiting for me already. Devin is not going to drive my car, not yet. It' still too early to trust someone that used to hate you with that.

I drop him by , then drives back home. Today wasn't that bad, thanks to Devin.

After dinner, I finally decide to power my phone on, surprised it's still got some life in it. Remembering that today's finaly Friday, I head out to my backyard, thought I'd give Aiden a call. Just a minute after my phone is switched on, an incoming call fills my iPhone screen. The name catches my eyes, causing my chest to heave rapidly, constricting my breathing.

Maybe now is the time to push my ego and selfishness aside.

I slide the screen to finally answer the call, putting my phone on my ear, the very familiar voice that I haven't heard in what feels like a century hits me up. The chill night breeze, shaping my whole body.

God it's been so long.

"Hello?"

- - - - -
Hey guys! Finally, the third chapter!

Thank you so much for the support, it really means a lot! Do leave me with great comments and votes. :) I honestly cant wait to show you guys chapter 4, its going to be a lot of surprises!

Ps. Let me know if you're #TeamDean or #TeamDevin in the comment box below!!!

Sending love to all of my readers out there.

-LDAI. x