Nineteen

On the way to the mall, Darcy asked Devon some basic questions. She asked about his family, to which he gave a simplified version of how he lived with his aunt and uncle and how he spent a lot of time with his cousins. She asked about what he was doing for school, if he had a job, just basic questions anyone would ask when you first meet someone.

But this was different for Devon. He wasn't used to new people asking him questions unless they were interrogating him. He was waiting for her to ask him about his fighting and all the things someone nicknamed the man, the myth, the legend would expect to be asked. A part of me also worried she would ask something like that, but I knew she wouldn't ask until they were far more comfortable with each other. Then she wouldn't hold back.

As Devon talked about the Bio class we all shared, going over the test we took last week, he grabbed my hand and clasped it. His fingers trembled and his hand sweat. but I refused to let go. I told him I didn't care if he held my hand or not, and while that was still true, I didn't want to let go. Not while he was desperately hanging onto me. Tonight, I was his landline. I intended to hold on tight.

We pulled up to the movie theatre parking lot section, and it was when we went to open the car doors that he let go of my hand. The moment I stood by his side, I grabbed hold of his hand again. He was still talking to Darcy, but he glanced at me in relief.

We walked behind the two inside, and I let go of his hand for a second to grab my phone from my purse. I pre-purchased the tickets for everyone, and Darcy already paid me back for her and Amber's tickets. Devon placed his hand on my lower back and leaned in to whisper, "How much do I owe you?"

"Nothing." I smirked. "Just buy me dinner, and we'll call it even."

"Deal," he said, smirking right back.

I didn't know what movie we were seeing, but the theatre had a Studio Ghibli event, each weekend showing a different movie. Based on Amber's excitement, I could tell Darcy specifically chose it for her. Staring up at Devon, I noticed he was excited about the movie as well. He and Amber seemed really excited about it, so we sent them into the theatre while Darcy and I bought popcorn and drinks. Devon seemed like he was going to be alright on his own. I was a bit worried, but Darcy trusted Amber with him, so I knew she would make a great ally for him as well.

"You seem like a concerned mother right now," Darcy teased as we stood in line.

I scoffed. "Excuse me for being worried. It's not like people see him as anything but a dangerous badass. He wants to make a good impression." I smiled and stared down at the carpet. "You should have seen him before you picked us up. He was so nervous about making a good impression."

"He's always made a good impression. Even when he punched Jett, I had a feeling Jett deserved it. And when you said the whole defense and protection thing, I knew I was right. Devon is a sweet guy. When he comes back to school, I'll stick up for him. Thankfully we share a class I don't have with either you or Buddy."

"Yeah. He's got classes with at least one of us in them." I sighed. "I just want him to come back to school."

"And show off your new boo?" she puckered.

"No."

"It's okay to like him. I know you have your band, but I'm sure he'll understand your busy schedule."

"It's not that simple. I will date someone if I have the time for him. If I don't, why should I bother? I am looking for a band above all else right now, and I know that once I find them, I'm going to be so fucking busy," I groaned. "Having a relationship will just be more stress, because I'll need to spend time with them, talk with them. I'll barely have time for my friends. Why would a boyfriend be any better?"

"I think it's more about whether or not you want to date someone. If you really like Devon, I know you would find a way to make it work. I know you that much, Mel," she insisted. We ordered a small popcorn for us all to pass around and asked for an empty bag to split it as well as two cokes. "So be honest. If he asked, would you consider dating him?"

"I can't make that call right now."

"Why not?" she said, rolling her eyes.

"Because he told me this morning that he wasn't attracted to anyone and that this was a great practice date for when he finally meets someone he wants to be with," I stated. "I'm not even in the running right now."

"And how does that make you feel?"

We walked into the theatre, and we stared at our dates sitting next to each other, talking animatedly. My heart sank.

"No matter what you say, I know the answer," she snickered, before walking up the steps.

I gawked and groaned as I followed her. I sat next to Devon, and he smiled at me, grabbing my hand again before continuing his conversation with Amber. Darcy smirked at me as she poured the popcorn into the empty bag with minimal spillage.

'Shut up,' I mouthed.

"I didn't say anything," she said as she handed Devon the bag.

He glanced at me, eyebrow quirked, and I shook my head. The official trailers began playing, and I shushed him before he could say anything. "It's not polite to talk during a movie."

He smirking, rolling his eyes before facing the screen.

Throughout the movie, he held my hand, letting go only to stretch his fingers or grab the pop after his chair made a loud noise the first time he shifted to grab the drink with his left hand. The movie was very cute with a sweet ending. I wasn't the biggest Studio Ghibli fan, but I enjoyed that movie a lot. More than I thought I would.

We stood up and exited the theatre. Amber and Devon talked about the plot, getting into a heavy discussion about one part they would have liked to change. He explained in thorough detail how he would change it, and Amber made a comment about how he should write that scene out as a short story. He admitted to enjoying writing, and she gasped and told him she also wrote.

As they began a lengthy conversation about writing, I slowly slipped my hand out of Devon's and walked behind him, and Darcy did the same with Amber. We chuckled as we watched the two, finding them both to be cute.

"Devon is adorable," she gushed. "I see why you like him so much. I have to admit that I'm getting a little jealous over how he's hogging my girlfriend to himself."

"Should we split and meet for dinner?" I suggested. "Give us a little one-on-one time?"

She nodded, and we both stepped up to our dates and linked our arms through theirs. Their conversation stopped when they looked at us. "Amber, there's a new movie poster store here that I think you'll love."

Before Devon could comment, I said, "There's a music store we need to stop by, so we'll meet you guys for dinner in, say, an hour and half?"

"Oh, sure," Amber said, and turned to smile at Darcy. They quickly linked hands and walked off, waving bye to us.

"Do you really need to go to the music store, or were you getting jealous?" Devon teased.

"This is an actual date for Darcy and Amber. They should have some alone time. We can check out the store later once they should be out if you want."

"I don't care." He nudged my shoulder with his and stuffed his hands in his pocket. "Let's go to the music store."

"I don't actually have to go."

"But there's a drum kit there, isn't there?" he smirked, and I froze. "I want to hear you... that is if they'll let you, play."

"Depending on the manager, they've heard me play before."

"Have you given any more thought to the variety show?"

I nodded stiffly. "Yeah, I have. Darcy and I are going to enter, and I'm going to have a drum solo," I drawled.

"Is Darcy doing a solo?"

"No. She didn't want to enter the show, but she told me she would if it would make me less anxious about playing in front of the school."

"She's a great friend," he beamed.

I blushed. "She really is."

"Have you decided on a song?"

"Keep Yourself Alive by Queen. It has a drum solo in the middle that I know like the back of my hand. It's better to play something I'm familiar with in front of the crowd who is most likely to eat me alive."

"Hey, if you play well in front of them, you can handle any critic who can 'make or break you,' because nothing will scare you musically anymore."

I snorted. "Damn straight."

"Could I hear it?"

We stepped into the music store, and the manager working was the one who had seen me play before. He was friends with Brody and donated the drum kit to the Clubhouse. He'd heard me play a few times, knowing I'd gotten better as the years went on. He was surprised to see me, but happy nonetheless.

The music store was very plain, with gray painted brick walls and carpeted floors everywhere but under the drum kit. That was on a little stage of its own, surrounded by the drum shield. Guitars were hung up on the walls, as well as basses. The rest of the instruments were in the middle of the store while the back held all the speakers and equipment.

"Hey, Mel, I thought you didn't date?"

"I don't. This is my friend Devon. Devon, this is Bill. He donated the drum kit at the Clubhouse."

"I'm also Brody's uncle."

I snapped my fingers. "I always forget that."

"It's fine. I'm not the cool one who started the Clubhouse or anything," he chuckled. "But we are a music loving household. Are you going to play something?"

"Yeah, I'm going to play him the drum solo I'm doing for our school's variety show."

"Hmm. What song?"

"Keep Yourself Alive."

"Play when ready," he dismissed.

Devon grabbed my purse from me as I stepped up behind the drum kit. While I hated to wear a skirt and heels while I played, I didn't care much at that moment. The store only had a few people in it, and the drums covered my bottom half.

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath before I banged the first note. Right after that, the rest came out, smooth sailing. The original solo only last fifteen, but I was going to play the solo from Night at the Odeon, which was roughly a minute long (fifty-three seconds to be exact). It played out into a quick guitar solo for Darcy before she would finish singing the song.

I played with passion, as always, and when I banged the last note, Devon clapped and whooped. I laughed as I climbed down to stand next to him, taking back my purse. "I knew you were incredible, Mel, but hearing you play... wow," he swooned.

My heart soared and I clasped my hands in front of me. "Really?" It wasn't as though his opinion meant the world to me or anything, but the genuineness in his voice made me feel vulnerable, afraid that he could have been lying really well.

"Yeah," he murmured. "You are going make an excellent addition to your band." He shrugged. "Well, once you find one at least."

I may have said, "Thank you," but I doubted he understood just how much that truly meant to me.

^^^

Darcy dropped Devon and I off in front of my house, as he claimed he would walk home after he walked me up to the front door. Darcy happily obliged, thinking he was going to try to kiss me, but it was more because we were going to say goodbye and it would lead into a conversation that would last awhile, and he didn't want to keep the two waiting.

We waved goodbye as we walked up the driveway to my front door. I spotted Rick spying on us from the window, and I gestured for him to go away.

"Is there a brother I should be worried about?"

"No, that's Jeanie's editor and manager, Rick. He's over here all the time." I gestured for him to lean in, and I whispered in his ear, "They're both in love with each other but completely oblivious."

"Seriously?"

I nodded. "I'll explain some other time when we're not within earshot."

Devon leaned in to give me a hug, and when he pulled away, he stared at me, confused.

"All good?"

"Yeah," he said, blushing. "I was just wondering if I'm supposed to kiss you goodnight or something. I mean, that's how dates usually end, right?"

"Not the first date, no. Not unless you're both okay with it, but typically that's like a third date thing. Maybe second if you're lucky."

He nodded, whispering to himself, "Good to know."

I smiled softly and placed my hands on his shoulders. He stared down at me, puzzled, until I pecked his cheek and pulled away. "I hope that was appropriate."

He smiled wide, touching his cheek softly before nodding quickly. "It was."

Devon leaned down and kissed my cheek as well, and I felt myself blush again.

"Goodnight, Mel."

"Goodnight, Devon." As he walked down the driveway, I called out, "I'll text you."

He glanced over his shoulder, smiling at me. "I'm looking forward to it."