When I found you... Chapter 9(Jaevon Fanfic)

She closed her eyes while tears fell from her eyes.

“BOO!”

She staggered and landed flat on her butt. She saw James laughing so hard at her reaction.

“Gotcha! Did I scare you?” he said laughing.

She was so taken aback that she was rendered immobile and speechless.

He was laughing so hard that he didn’t notice the furious and hurt look on Devon’s face.

She got up and stalked to the door.

How dare him! She thought angrily while tears still streaming down her face.

She was caught by a strong hand that encircled her arm and dragged her back to face the man she loathed so much at the very moment.

“Wait Devon… I’m-… You’re crying!” James said surprised.

“How dare you! Do you think it’s funny? Do you think Death is Funny?!” Devon said furiously crying so hard now.

“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to-…”

“You don’t know anything about death! You don’t know what’s like to see the people you love die in front of your eyes! You don’t know what it feels! You don’t know… You don’t know…”

Guilt was eating him like acid. He doesn’t know what to say… what to do to atone to what he had done. So, he resolved to the only thing he knew. He grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her close to him. She was shaken by the forceful embrace that she was rendered incapable. She knew that she should not linger on his embrace, but for the first time in many years she felt safe… comforted. She found it hard to breathe by the tightness of the way he was holding her.

He kissed her by the temple and traced his lips nearer to her ear.

“I’m really sorry…” He whispered achingly.

Her defenses crumbled. She can’t deny how his presence meant to her at that moment. She sobbed and sobbed in his arms… wetting his shirt.

“Please… don’t cry anymore.” He begged.

She tried her best to control her emotions that her body jerked trying to stop herself from crying.

James embraced her more tightly as he felt how Devon tried valiantly to stop from crying.

She stayed in his arms, savoring the feel of his embrace around her.

Just this once… Devon told herself.

Ivan who was busy cooking the meat looked over the garage.

“Hey, Ryan! Will you take over for me? I’ll just check Devon and James. They’re taking so long.”

“Okay.”

Ivan went to the garage and was almost at the door when James and Devon came out carrying the chairs. They stop when they saw Ivan.

“What took you so long?” Ivan said walking over to Devon and got the chairs out of her hold.

The two of them didn’t answer that Ivan look up to the both of them. He saw the puffy, red eyes of Devon that his protective side came over.

“Devon… Are you crying? What’s the matter?” Ivan asked her worriedly.

But Devon just stood silently and kept looking down, so he asked James instead.

“James, what happened?”

“Uhm… I…” James stammered looking guilty.

“It’s nothing, Ivan. James just made a prank and I fell for it.” Devon answered instead.

“What did you do to make her cry?” Ivan asked accusingly at James.

James who heard the tone in Ivan’s words made him irritated a bit. He looked him at the eye and told him everything that happened. When he finished, Ivan then noticed the gash on James right temple.

“You should have been careful. Let’s clean that wound. Yen can clean that one.” He said and turned to Devon.

“Just rest for now. I’ll carry these.” He said gesturing to the chairs then went to the others. Devon and James followed silently.

“Yen, will you please clean James’s wound? They got into a little accident back there.” Ivan said putting down the chairs near the table.

“Alright. Where can I find the first aid kit?”

“It’s in the back of the kitchen door.” Devon answered.

Seeing her red, puffy eyes, Yen went to her side and was about to asked what’s wrong when Ivan stopped her.

“Ask later. Just let her be for now.” Ivan said.

Devon cast a grateful look on Ivan and he smiled to her.

Yen conceded and went with James into the house.

Fretzie immediately arranged the chairs and went to help Ryan grill the chicken.

They went back to their own business and Devon was left alone in one of the chairs.

She wanted some air so she went down to the beach.

Barefooted, she walked to the shallow waters and bathed her feet in the cold water.

Watching the sea birds fly across the sea, Devon thought of how beautiful and serene the place is.

But she can’t feel the tranquility within herself. Her mind and emotions are in turmoil. Confusion, anxiety, sadness, excitement and something she doesn’t want to name are all raging inside her.

What is wrong with me?

Why do I feel like this around him… every time he’s near, I can feel him… hear him. It’s like all my senses are in tuned to his presence.

This can’t be happening again… once is enough, Devon thought resolutely.

She was so confused and terrified of what she’s feeling that she decided to ignore it… to forget about it.

“Devon! Devon!” Ryan called her.

“It’s time to eat. Come on!”

“Alright. Thanks. I’ll be right there in a while.” Devon said.

She stopped her musing and went to follow Ryan up to the winding staircase.

Delicious foods were on the table. Music filled the air. Everyone seemed to be in the mood to party.

She saw Ryan dancing while eating his barbecue that she giggled and went to join them.

They were eating, dancing, drinking and were really having fun. Ryan outdid everyone with his wacky dance. They were laughing uproariously to Ryan’s antics.

When everyone was full and relax, they all sat on logs placed at the edge of the cliff. Brett started playing his guitar. Everyone sang along while watching the sun descend from the sky.

Looking from afar, they seemed to be the best long time friends.

Yen and Ivan sat together in one of the logs.

“Ivan, what happened to Devon earlier at the garage?” Yen asked. Ivan looked at Devon who was now laughing at Ryan. Ivan smiled upon seeing the contagious laugh of her.

Ivan narrated the story to Yen. Yen who was listening cast an angry look at James.

“Yen, why did Devon react like that? It seems like she abhors death so much.” Ivan asked.

“Because she lost the two most important people in her life. Her parents died in a car accident. She was with them when it happened. She saw her parents covered in blood… if it wasn’t for the man who fortunately passed in that area, she would have died with them in that explosion.” Yen narrated sadly. Ivan looked back at Devon and couldn’t believe that the girl who could bring sunshine with just her smile had a tragic past. Ivan suddenly felt the urge to protect her from pain.

“She’s a strong girl. She never complains about the pain.” Yen said admiringly.

Ivan turned to her and smiled.

“What about you? You seem to put others first before yourself.” Ivan said tenderly.

Yen blushed and returned to poking the twig in the soil. From then on, they talked about each other’s life.

They were getting along so well. Devon who felt rather suffocated excused herself to the bathroom.

James looked at her. He has been waiting for a perfect chance to talk to her. And now seems the right time.

James followed her into the house. Upon entering the house, he heard a wonderful melody which evoked past memories of his grandfather… a memory he treasured the most.