When I found you... Chapter 7(Jaevon Fanfic)

Devon was running, not caring of the coldness of the wind whipping her wet hair and dress. She thought of her friends’ angry faces and worried looks, she must hurry. She reached the entrance towards the hotel, James just behind her. There stood her friends all looking worried and mad just as she thought. When they saw her, they charged at her with such anger in their faces that Devon stopped on her tracks.

“Where the hell have you been?!” Yen asked burning with anger and worry.

“We were looking all over for you, Devon. Where did you go?” Fretzie asked worriedly.

“I’m sorry… I-I got lost track of the time.” Devon said feebly.

“You… lost track of the time?” Yen said in an ominous voice.

“Devon you could have called us.” Fretzie said.

They noticed the man standing just behind Devon.

“Who were you with?” Yen asked suspiciously eyeing the tall guy.

Devon looked behind her and faced her friends.

“I was with him. We were just touring a place nearby and really… I completely forgot to go back here after buying something for breakfast.” Devon reasoned out.

They noticed that both are so wet and wondered where they’ve gone to. They’re even more surprised to see their friend in a company of a total stranger swimming into the sea if that’s what they’ve been doing. It’s not her at all.

“That’s not an excuse, Devon! This is totally irresponsible of you.” Yen said exasperated.

“Don’t blame her.” The man spoke and the two looked up at him.

“Stop meddling in other people’s business.” Fretzie said.

“It’s my fault. Please, don’t blame her. I was the one who invited her to go with me.” He insisted.

“Who are you?” Yen asked and turned to Devon who was looking at her toes.

“He’s the guy who saved me last night.” Devon answered instead.

Both girls looked up at him as if scrutinizing unknown species.

“We’re grateful for saving our friends but really… no need to interfere in our affairs.” Fretzie said.

“You could at least let her in so that she won’t get sick. She’s wet and cold.” James pointed out.

Yen and Fretzie looked at Devon who was shivering slightly due to the soft air of the early night.

They felt guilty. Her two friends hugged her and apologized for their behavior.

“I’m sorry. I was just worried.” Yen apologized.

“Please don’t do that to us again.” Fretzie said to her kissing her cheek.

Just when they’re about to go inside, three men came running towards them.

“James! Dude, where have you been?” Ivan said stopping in front of them together with the two guys at his side. Ivan recognized Devon and was about to say something to her when he noticed that she and James were wet.

“What happened to the two of you? Why are you so wet?” Ivan asked, looking to the both of them.

“James, you could have called. What’s the use of your phone?” Brett asked.

“Yeah, James. Don’t make us look for you like that again. It’s tiring.” Ryan said sighing.

“Really!” James said in a loud voice.

“Stop shooting us questions. We’re cold and wet. I don’t want her to get sick.” He added pointing to Devon.

“We’ll explain everything later after we have changed to dry clothes, okay?” he said and turned around and push Devon towards the hotel.

Their friends stared at their retreating back and looked at each other.

After a while…

It was a balmy night. The gentle air of the sea is brushing softly into the night. A group of people were sitting on chairs with a rectangular table.

“That’s what happened… we just really took a swim. We forgot the time. The next thing we knew the sun was already setting.” James explained.

After introducing each and every one of their friends, James and Devon answered all their questions.

“Okay, but please take your phones with you in case the idea of another escapade comes to mind.” Ivan said.

“You better do that.” Yen said who is sitting beside Ivan.

Devon who was quietly drinking her juice was observing her friend, Fretzie, who is now laughing at something Brett had said. She transferred her gaze to Yen who is talking to Ivan.

She had never seen her friends act like this for years.

It’s time for them to find someone they could love perhaps, Devon thought smiling.

James, who was beside her, poked her by the ribs. She looked up at him and saw him pointing at Fretzie and Brett. He leaned over to her and whispered.

“I bet those two would become lovers.” James said, grinning. Devon giggled.

“Me too.” She seconded. She sipped her drink and looked back to Ivan and Yen.

Just by looking at Ivan now, she remembered Enrique instantly. The mannerisms and gestures, made the excruciating memories fly before her eyes. She can’t seem to help herself.

Ivan who was having an animated talk with Yen looked at Devon and saw her watching him. He smiled his winsome smile, which made Devon blush. She smiled back.

Devon took a sip again of her drink, then out of nowhere James’s face came to her mind… the smiling James, the grim-looking James, the James who played a wondrous melody, the James who complimented her… the James who is now sitting at her side. She doesn’t want to dig deeper to her feelings toward him. She doesn’t want to analyze the feeling… for she’s afraid to be hurt again. The pain she’s been hiding for years…

She closed her eyes and blot out the images of the handsome man who made her feel the exquisite sensations he seemed to evoke in her.

Why does he have to keep creeping into my mind? He’s nothing to me, she thought desperately.

She gulped the remaining juice in her glass and made a decision.

I’ll ignore him from now on, she thought resolutely.

She never knew the man on her mind at that very moment was just watching every reaction that flickers in her lovely face. He didn’t say or ask anything about the bothered expression he saw in those enchanting face.

They ordered another round of food and drinks… talked the night away, laughing and teasing each other. Only the two at the far end of the table seemed oblivious of the people around them… so lost in thought.

Laughter drifting through the night, a sign of blooming friendship and perhaps more… love.