It's been a week since that party.
It's been a week since I realized I like Dev.
It's been a week since I've been having sleepless nights thinking about him and my feelings for him.
And because of said feelings, I have been acting peculiar for the past few days. Even my dad was concerned when he noticed me staring at nothing during dinner and asked if I was okay.
Well the question to that answer can vary depending on the situation.
Am I okay? Probably not. I feel like I'm spiraling while trying to make sense of this new . . . whatever the hell is going on.
My friends have been constantly teasing ever since that night. They were already teasing me about Dev before I figured out that I liked him, but now it was like they were on crack. Our group chat has been more active than ever. Farrah just sent an edited photo of Dev and I during the night of his game and edited bunch of heart and love related designs and put the words "My one and only OTP" on the upper part.
I tried to be annoyed with it, but it did evoke a laughing sound out of me.
So far at school, I tried to act normal around him. Pretend that I have not taken a liking to him. In fact, during the two classes we have together I really only see him half the time.
He's been excused out of class by some reason, my bet it's something related to basketball. My days at school have been sort of gloomy when I don't see him during our shared classes, which is ironic because we've been having beautiful sunny weather all week.
The only good outcome to this was we started regularly talking on the phone. Now every time my phone notifies, I always assume it's from Dev to only be disappointed when it's not.
I have never felt this way about anyone. I had crushes in the past, but nothing quite like this. It feels more than that.
I like him so much it's kinda gross.
° ° °
Monday morning, I was sleepy and bored out of my mind during my social science class. It's should be illegal to go to school this early.
My eyes were slowly drooping as the teacher went on with her discussion. I tried my best to stay awake because I don't want to be caught sleeping in class and possibly getting detention.
"So as the future leaders of the world, how can youâ" The teacher's sentence was cut off by a knock on the door.
I jolted in surprise and turned my head to the direction of the door and was found in shock when I saw Dev standing outside with a few other people.
"Good morning, Ms. Venice." Dev began, showing her a small smile. "We just have a few announcements to make to the class, if it's okay with you?"
"Alright then." Ms. Venice said. "Luck you, class is cut short. Since there's only a few minutes left of our time, we'll continue the discussion next meeting."
The class broke into a few grateful sighs. I guess they were bored with this class, too. Ms. Venice gestured for the people outside to come inside the room.
I straightened in my seat.
My eyes stayed put on Dev's figure, taking in his presence as he walked to front of the classroom. Suddenly it felt slightly overwhelming now that he was in near proximity.
I'm still trying to figure out how to act around him ever since I figured out I had this silly crush on him.
Having a crush is fun, they said.
What part of this is exactly fun? All I feel now is a mixture of anxiety and uncertainty, and throw in the constant over thinking. I'm starting to slowly lose my mind.
I must have been too busy up in my head that I forgot that I was staring at him, and when I realized what I was doing, Dev moved his gaze and he caught me looking at him.
He broke into a beautiful smile, the sides of his eyes crinkling.
That almost made me stop breathing and drop down to my knees. I have lost all of my senses just because some boy I have a crush on smiled at me.
"Hey, Bri!" Dev greeted, waving a hand. "I didn't know you were in this class."
I got some stares from people beside me.
I nervously chuckled. "Y-Yeah."
Yeah?
What the heck was I thinking replying like that?!
I slowly sunk into my chair in embarrassment. Thankfully I was seated in the third row, so he wasn't that close to see what big of a mess I have turned to.
Dev was about to say something else to me, when the girl beside him nudged him on the side and cocked her head impatiently. The realization dawn upon him that he had to start their announcement.
Clearing his throat, he began talking. "Hi, hello. So we're here to have a refresher about the school's Anti-Bullying Campaign. We've had some reports of bullying cases in our school," His tone sounded grim and disappointed.
The other people who was with started handing out brochures about the campaign while Dev continued on with his speech.
I grabbed one and started reading the contents inside. It contained a few facts about bullying and how to spot if you're being bullied or someone else is, and how to report it and help others who might be in need.
I frowned thinking about someone could be in this awful situation right now. I couldn't help but think back to the older days back in elementary school being teased and name called every day at school. I remembering coming home crying to my mom because of it.
"I know it's easier said than done, but talk to anyone who you can trust or approach a person of authority in school to help you or you can approach any of us and we'll do our best to help you out. We must make an effort to break the cycle of bullying because a victim can easily become the bully and inflict greater damage to someone more vulnerable." Dev finished his statement by a second before the bell rang.
Everyone immediately started packing their things, eager to get going to their next classes, but I was left in awe by Dev. The way he talked the entire time made me appreciate him more as a person. He was empathetic and he really knew what he was talking about and handled the topic really well.
While I was putting my things back in my bag, Dev approached me in my seat.
I looked up at him for only to see he was already peering down at me.
I inwardly smiled.
"Can I walk you to your next class?" He asked directly, which caught me off guard.
I backed off a little, but slowly nodded my head anyways. He patiently waited for me to finish before we went out of the room together.
"I forgot you were part of the Anti-bullying Club," I started the conversation. "You did good back there."
"Thanks." He smiled a bit, there was a hint of sadness behind it. "We're trying our best to help solve the bullying happening. I know the feeling of being a victim of bullying. I don't want anyone to go through that experience."
My brows furrowed. "You were bullied before?"
It's hard to imagine that Dev was bullied because he's such an amazing person as a whole, but I guess that doesn't make him an exception. People are justbthat cruel.
He snickered. "Not much since high school started, but it was brutal back in elementary school. I grew up in a small town before we moved. With small towns comes with small minded people. Everybody made fun of me because I was adopted and had two moms." Dev looked away for a moment, pushing his hands deep into his pockets.
I had my assumption that maybe he was adopted when I met his brother, but I was surprised to know that he had two moms.
"It's alright, you don't have to continue if you don't want to." I put a hand on his arm for a comforting squeeze. "But if you want to talk anytime, I'm here for you."
Dev placed his warm hand on top of mine. "Thank you, Bri."
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(Not Edited)