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"Stef, it's okay! You can honestly relax," I told her over phone.

"It's not okay! Josh cannot be beating me the 'Burger Gobbling Competition'. He can in no ways eat more free food that me! He cheated, I'm telling you. I don't know how but somehow he did," she cribbed.

I sighed.

"You know what, don't give him any Ferrero Rocher for a couple of weeks. Tell him you gave all of it to me. That will be the best revenge ever!"

I laughed since I could literally picture her beaming on the other side.

"By the way, last weekend was too much fun! Devon was so sweet and quiet. Like one could really mistake him to be a very shy guy!"

I giggled. Stef, Adam, Devon and I had gone for dinner. Devon was literally struggling to watch his words and be polite so much so that it came across as super comical. Let me make this clear. If this guy can go without being blunt for one hour, then it is really, really something huge.

"I still can't believe Devon actually agreed for this double date thing," I mused. "He is a very private person."

"Devon agreed only and only because he knew it would make you happy! And the way he always looks at you is so intense and passionate like he worships you! I'm so so so happy that you guys are together now!" gushed Stef.

I knew I was blushing like a silly lovesick girl. But I couldn't help it. Damn.

"Hey, listen," I said grimly when a disturbing thought crossed my mind. "Is everything alright between Adam and you? I think I had felt some kind of a tension between you guys on our double date."

"Oh, it was trivial, really! Adam and I sorted that out!" Stef laughed it off. "Besides, every couple has some stupid issues. It's no big deal really."

"Okay, if you say so."

I then heard Stef's mum calling out to her in the background.

"Gotta go," said my friend. "Have to run some errands. Byee!"

After keeping the phone down, I combed my hair and got dressed to go to my neighbors' to read with Jackson. I couldn't stop grinning to myself because I would be seeing Devon.

The last couple of weeks have been filled with the most amazing days that I've ever lived. At the risk of sounding cheesy, holding hands with Devon and spending time with him was the most magical and unworldly feeling that had ever crossed my heart. Before him, I was broken and after him, I was made. Again. Somewhere between life and dreams, Devon and I had created our own world where only the two of us existed. And it was perfect. Because we had built it with our imperfections.

But at times I felt so high with happiness that I feared my wings getting clipped off. But I wouldn't let my apprehensions touch Devon. Because I noticed changes in him as well. His face glowed like never before. He looked relaxed and at ease these days. He was in a great mood most of the time. The fact that he was still unabashed and blunt was a different story altogether. And I was okay with it. As long as I could make a quick comeback.

When I got next door, I saw Devon in the living room struggling to tie his shoe laces. I watched in amusement as he always ended up making nasty knots. And then the scowl on his face when he literally fought with the laces to disentangle them! But the most horrid business for him was when he got one of his little fingers trapped in the laces and then he was hopping all over the room on one leg trying to free his finger from the web of his laces. That left Devon so royally pissed, I tell you!

I was finding it hard to restrain my laughter seeing his antics and a loud giggle escaped my lips. I clamped a hand on my mouth at once but it was too late. Devon grew aware of my presence and was now looking at my direction. I ended up laughing out loud anyway.

"It's not a good thing to just stand and laugh for no reason," spoke Devon, his voice bearing a deep grudge.

"Oh, no no no no no! I wasn't laughing at you! I was—I was laughing over a funny poem written by Edgar Allan Poe."

He narrowed his eyes into slits. "Edgar Allan Poe wrote sad poems. Just goes on to show your poor concentration skills in Literature class."

I rolled my eyes. He simply had to taunt me alright!

"Since how long have you been standing here?" he asked uncomfortably in his version of 'how much have you seen?'

"Since the time you have been sumo wrestling with your shoes," I remarked cheekily.

"I was just discovering different ways of doing my laces. I was bored of the regular way," Devon shrugged, playing it cool.

"Yeah, and you were so engrossed in making a discovery that you no longer saw any difference between your fingers and your laces," I drawled.

The frown on his face made me feel likr I've achieved a Grammy.

"I must go somewhere else 'cause this place is full of people who are proud of their imbecile remarks," he said grouchily.

"Let me do your laces," I said, stepping in his path.

"I'm good," said Devon curtly and walked past me.

A few seconds later I heard an expected thud behind me. I turned around and saw Devon on the floor with his face scrunched up in an 'Ow'. I walked over to him and lend him a helping hand. He gave his hand in mine but instead of rising to his feet, he pulled me onto him.

"Devon, what are you doing?" I gasped in shock as I landed over him. My untied hair fell like a curtain all around his head

"Nothing much. Just lying comfortably under you," he smirked.

"That wasn't funny," I said, narrowing my eyes.

"It was, sweetheart. Upgrade your sense of humor," said Devon huskily, as he tucked a few of my loose tresses behind my ear.

His touches sent sparks of electricity shooting down my spine.

"Devon, stop," I said breathlessly as he caressed my nose with his while our hands intertwined.

"No."

"Wha--What if someone saw us? What if Jackson saw us?" I said, holding on to my sanity, when he ran the tip of his hot tongue across my lower lip while placing his other hand on my waist.

"I'll think of something decent to tell him," he said carelessly before pulling my lower lip into his wild mouth which made me gasp.

"Um, Eleanor? Is that you?"

My eyes widened in horror hearing that confused baby voice. I immediately slid off Devon and sat on the floor gaping at Jackson who was stood a few feet away. Devon also rose to a sitting position but he didn't let go of my hand. I tried to free my hand from his hold but he had his fingers firmly intertwined with mine. I can't even explain the awkwardness I felt as Jackson continued to stare at us with a cute thoughtful expression.

What must the kid be thinking?

But hey, my hair had hidden our faces so Jackson couldn't have seen Devon and I kissing...

"Devon, why were you hiding under Eleanor?" asked the little boy, "Were you playing hide and seek with me?"

I thought Devon would answer with a Yes and get done with it but...

"Actually, buddy, Eleanor and I have got into a bit of a situation, all thanks to her," Devon said, shooting me a sly sideways glance.

My mouth hung open. What the frickkin' hell is going on in that notorious head of his?!

"Wha?" Jackson asked.

"Which book are you reading right now with her?"

"'Matilda' by Roald Dahl," the kid beamed.

"But unlike Matilda, Eleanor wasn't careful with SuperGlue and thus got her palm full of it and since I shook hands with her without knowing about the glue, my hand is stuck to hers and unfortunately, there is no way I can free myself now," said Devon, feigning a deep sigh.

My jaw dropped when he smirked at me. What. The. Actual. Fuck.

And thus Devon sat holding hands with me throughout as Jackson and I read 'Matilda'. I just wasn't able to focus with my fingers locked with Devon. I could neither tone down my heart rate which seemed to be exploding. So when it was my turn to read, I could do nothing much except stammering foolishly. And Devon seemed to be enjoying my plight. That got me so damn pissed on him!

"The recent update of the reading app in Google Playstore has a lot of bugs. So annoying." This was one of the ways how Devon taunted me for my shabby reading.

I rolled my eyes while he smirked. Like really?

"So delete the app," I drawled.

"I can't! My life depends on it," he said huskily and I bet I was turning crimson. So much of cheese!

Damn.

***

I was in my own world as I walked down the lane, giggling and blushing to myself thinking about Devon when suddenly Kelly came across me.

The smile on my face disappeared at once. It was like every joyful feeling was cruelly sucked out of my system in that split second.

"Long time no speak, right?" she sneered, giving me a poisonous look.

"What do you want?" I asked, trying to sound sharp.

"Devon," she said firmly. "He is mine, you bitch. I was this close to getting him on bed with me but you fucking stole him from me. Better stay away from him bitch!"

"Don't lie," I said pointedly. "Devon was never interested in you. He has always pursued me. He is my boyfriend and dare you try to touch him."

Kelly scowled, her heavy make- up face twisting in an ugly way as she spoke, "Get the hell out of his life whore and find some shitty asshole for yourself instead 'cause that's what you deserve."

I promised myself to not get intimidated by her. Gathering all my courage in my voice, I spoke, "I swear, Kelly, if you try to get close to Devon, you'll regret it all your life."

Kelly looked at me maliciously as she closed the distance between us. Fear was creeping into my veins and I felt powerless against it...

"You will regret. Big Time. Wait and Watch," she threatened darkly and walked past me swaying her hips.

I was shaking. And I wouldn't dare to lie about that....