Nine

With Darcy needing to head to work, I hitched a ride with her to Devon's. Buddy told me to text him if anything happened. Brody did as well, but that was just the type of person he was. After promising, Darcy pushed me out the door with a giggle.

"Is he always that way with you?"

"Always. You know what kind of guy Brody is. He's a-"

"No, not him," she said, violently waving her hand in a shooing motion. "Buddy."

I snorted. "Bitch, you know what kind of guy he is. He's that way with you, too. He's just more uptight since it's Devon."

"He needs to relax. You wouldn't go over to Devon's house if you didn't feel safe or uncomfortable around him."

I placed my hand on her shoulder, and she cocked her eyebrow. "Thank you."

"Let go of me," she laughed, swatting off my hand. "Are you sure his concern doesn't stem from a different place?"

"No. I don't think so." I glanced at her. "Wait, what way are you talking about?"

"Jealousy."

"No way," I scoffed. "Buddy is not the jealous type."

"Okay," she sang.

"Why? What could he possibly be jealous of?" I snorted.

"You're spending time with someone else. Could be why he's giving you those weird looks you're seeing."

"Doubt it."

When Darcy pulled up in front of Devon's house, her jaw dropped and she glared at me.

"What? Not expecting it to look so normal?"

"You two are practically neighbors," she spat. "Why did you have me drive you when you could have easily walked?"

"Because then Buddy would have walked with me and invited himself over when he wasn't invited. He'd most likely bring up something stupid Devon did in the past and make everyone uncomfortable, and since he's my friend, Devon would give me the cold shoulder," I explained. "I just want to get to know him without judgement."

Darcy was silent, most likely agreeing with me.

"Do you know if he plans to come back to school?"

"So far, no idea. I can see it going either way."

"Do you want for him to come back to school?"

"I want for him to get an education. Lord knows he's going to need one with this shitty job market."

"I hope you can convince him to come back," she stated, her voice soft.

"Me too."

I exited her car, waving goodbye before walking to the front door. Remembering the last time I was over, I said, "Ding dong," loudly and waited ten seconds before Rena threw open the door.

She bounced on her heels as she smiled at me. I instantly felt welcomed, smiling along with her. "Hi, Mel!" she greeted with more enthusiasm than I'd ever seen her have. She shook her head, still smiling, and jumped up to hug me. I laughed as I caught her and hugged her back. "Devon is not here yet. He's still at work for the next hour."

"Oh," I said and glanced behind me. "Should I come back later than?"

"No. You're more than welcome to stay here," she giggled, opening the door wider and stepping aside. "Can I get you something to drink?"

"No, thanks. I'm good."

Finally able to inspect the house, I found it to be beautiful. There were abstract paintings on the wall that anyone could buy at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. A large TV the size of two flat screens with a large box in the back was pushed against the wall with a red leather couch, a blue cloth couch, and a brown recliner in front of it.

On the chipped coffee table was half a blanket and a ball of yarn in different shades of purple with knitting needles in it. "Are you making a blanket?"

"Yeah," Rena said as she sat back down in her spot on the leather couch. "I'm always making things. It's a lot of fun for me."

"Do you do a lot of DIY things?"

"All the time. I'm always in the middle of making something." She held up the blanket and said, "This is going to be for my grandma for Christmas. And I'm making one for grandpa and auntie and Uncle Nester and all the cousins. So I've got to start now while I have the time."

"What do you normally do for Christmas?" I asked, as I sat down in the recliner.

"We usually all come here or to one of the cousin's houses."

I wanted to ask her if her mom was going to be back for the holidays, but I wasn't sure what their relationship was like. Plus, if she was heartbroken over being left behind like Devon seemed to be, I didn't want to make her upset before a barbeque with her family.

"What do you like to do in your free time?" she asked.

Smiling, I told her, "I drum."

"Oh, right. You mentioned that when you brought Devon's homework over. You know, he was really excited when you came over. Wouldn't stop talking about it all day. And he was equally excited to talk to you at work. I swear, you made his whole day when you called him your friend."

My heart sank. "He really has it rough, doesn't he?"

"I guess. He never lets me see him when he's upset. He wants me to rely on him, and he's afraid that if I see him cry, I won't see him as someone I can rely on." She lowered the knitting needles to her lap, staring at the blank TV. "Life's been hard for him. I don't know if you know this, but our dad's in jail for pimping a minor."

"Oh, God."

"Yeah. Eight long years. People who find out view him as a dirtbag. It doesn't help that he has resting bitchface and gets physical when people piss him off- but he only throws the first punch when he's defending someone's honor. Otherwise, he just fights back to protect himself. But because of his looks and attitude and the fact that he hangs around other troublemakers, they always assume he's the bad guy."

Rena looked up at me and smiled. "But not you. You were always kind to him."

"I'd say indifferent," I mumbled, knowing it was true.

"That's still nicer than anyone else genuinely treated him outside the family. His so-called friends back at school were actual dirtbags who kept him around for show. The moment Devon needed them, they left. He's been afraid to make new friends ever since. He doesn't want them to go away again. But you won't. Right?"

"No, yeah. I won't."

"Can you promise me something?"

"Depends on what it is."

"Can you help Devon make more friends he can trust? That way when you make it big as a drummer, he'll know how to make the right kind of friends who won't keep seeing him as a dirtbag."

I thought I was going to cry. There was so much care for her brother. If Rena could see Devon as a sweet guy, there was no way I wouldn't be able to as well. He had to be a sweetheart. All remaining doubts were gone, because I wanted to trust him as much as his sister did. I was proud to call Devon Quid my friend, and I planned to make my friends say the same thing.

"I'll do my best."

"I bet you have a lot of friends who are going to fear him, huh?" she softly asked.

"Not exactly. I mean, I only have two friends at school. One of them I know would love him, but the other I'm still trying to convince."

"Already?"

"He's my best friend, and with all the surrounding rumors at school, it makes sense why he's concerned. But I trust Devon, and I'm trying to get him to trust him too."

"Maybe they should meet. Then they won't have anything to worry about."

"Yeah, but I'd like to get to know Devon better first. Just because I know my friend will say something stupid, and I need to defend Devon with hard evidence."

She smiled. "Thank you."

A car door slammed shut. Rena ran up to the window and peaked outside as the laughter outside grew closer. She unlocked the front door and opened it, saying "Hi" to everyone outside. Two women and a man walked in before Devon did.

The first was a slender woman with messy, short brown hair. She wore a spiked leather jacket with ripped nylons and short leather shorts. She held hands with the other woman, a bigger lady with long dirty blonde hair down to her breasts wearing a loose white tank top, a black shirt, and a netted tan vest that went down to her knees.

"Oh," the punk-ish one said when she saw me. "Hi. Is this your friend, Rena?"

"No, this is Devon's friend," Rena smirked.

"Hi, I'm Mel," I said, and held out my hand to her.

"You're Mel?" she gasped before hugging me. "It's so nice to meet you! I'm Francine, Devon's cousin. That lovely lady over there happens to be my girlfriend, Bella. Isn't she just the cutest?"

Bella blushed and pushed her hair behind her ear. "Franny," she murmured.

"She's shy, so don't take it personally if she doesn't talk much tonight," Francine said. "And that there is my brother Sylvester."

Sylvester had a handlebar mustache that he twirled up at the ends. His brown hair on top was short and split directly in the middle, with his hair hanging over both sides of his head. He wore a plain gray t-shirt with black pants and suspenders and nice loafers. It was obvious to anyone who had been on the internet that he was a hipster, but that had to mean he had good taste in music. He seemed to be the person to talk about my drumming with.

"Nice to meet you, Mel," Sylvester said and shook my hand, and I shook Bella's, too.

Glancing back to find Devon, I spotted him heading for the kitchen.

"Don't worry about him," Francine stated. "He had a long day at work today."

"Are you the owner of Twisted?"

"No, that would be our cousin, Dave. He'll be coming over later with all the side dishes."

"I wasn't supposed to bring anything, was I?"

"Not at all. You're a guest. We won't ask you to bring anything over until the... let's say fourth time you come over," she laughed, and Bella giggled softly behind her. "So tell me, what about Devon do you like?"

"Huh?"

"Most people get scared off by him, so I'm curious as to why you haven't run yet? Are you hoping to get some cred? Maybe a whore who wants to get at her boyfriend-"

"Excuse you," I snapped.

"Or girlfriend," she nonchalantly fixed.

"No," I snarled. "And I don't appreciate you using derogatory terms like that. I'll have you know I can be a bitch. I get called that ever fucking day in the halls. But Devon is one of the few people at school who has been nice to me for a reason other than personal gain. Excuse me for wanting to get to know someone who isn't a dick."

Francine smirked. "Okay. It's just not the first time a woman has tried something on him. I have a reason to be worried."

"Mel isn't like that," Rena stated, popping in between us. "She's a friendly person."

"Okay, okay. I just need to make sure he doesn't get hurt again," she stated, before walking into the kitchen. "Lord knows we need another person to leave his life."

I wasn't sure if I offended her and caused her to assume the worst in me, but knowing the rumors surrounding Devon, his family obviously knew them, too. It was no wonder she would be concerned over his wellbeing, but I didn't like being judged without them knowing anything about me. I got that enough from my peers. I didn't need it from his cousin.

"Don't take it personally," Bella stated. "She knows about the bullying Devon used to experience and why he now has a reputation. And there were some girls who had tried to use him for their badassery. With how excited he was in the car talking about you, she worried over how much he's fawning over you. She doesn't want to see him get hurt, so she's trying to scare you off in case you are someone who's going to leave him after getting something from him."

"Thanks," I whispered, and she nodded before walking off to Francine and Sylvester in the backyard.

Rena stared up at me with doe-like eyes. I chuckled and wrapped my arm around her shoulder. "I'm good. Don't worry."

"Sorry about her."

"Don't be."

Devon remained in the kitchen, seasoning the steak that would be grilled once Dave arrived. While Rena walked outside, I stayed back and asked if he needed any help.

Devon turned to face me and smiled. "No- Wait, actually, could you grab the chicken kabobs in the fridge?"

"Do you want me to put them on a platter or something?"

"No, they're already in a container."

I took out the kabobs and placed them on the counter next to the steak.

"Francine is my favorite cousin. Don't let any of the others know," he smirked, leaning in close to whisper.

I chuckled. "I bet. She matches your style."

"She's always just been there for me ever since I was a kid. Without mom around, and with my aunt mostly going out on business trips, I never really had someone around who I could talk to about my problems. She's like my Brody."

I stared at him.

"She knows about everything at school, why I don't want to go back. She knows about a lot of things I haven't been able to tell you yet, things I'm afraid to tell you." He gazed up at me. "She's just worried that I'm going to make friends with the wrong people again."

"Is it because I look like all the assholes you used to be friends with?"

"Maybe. Can you open the door for me?"

I opened the screen door for him as he grabbed the steaks and the chicken kabobs. Sylvester was starting the grill and he placed everything next to him. Devon quickly ran back inside to wash his hands.

"She likes you," Devon added. "I know she does. And that's why she's more worried about you being like everyone else."

"Oh, that's relieving," I smirked, and he laughed before ushering me outside.

Ten minutes later, Dave was over with all the side dishes. Devon and Rena helped set everything up. Bella and Francine sat by the grill as Sylvester cooked, and I sat close by, but not close enough. With the three already in their own conversation, I didn't want to invade. I could feel Francine's eyes glance over at me every so often, and I didn't know if that was supposed to be an invitation or a warning to stay back. I chose to sit back.

I would have liked to help set everything up, but Devon told me to relax when Dave showed up, so I doubted they would have wanted me to do anything. Plus, they were talking more than setting anything up.

"I'm going to use the bathroom," I told him as I passed him to head inside.

"Alright," he chirped, before returning to his conversation.

I saw Buddy had texted me, asking me how the barbeque was going. I told him it was good, even though I felt lonely. It was like I was back at school. The stares. The isolation. Only this time I didn't have Buddy or Darcy to back me up. Was that how Devon felt at school? Completely alone and anxious as people whispered around him and continuously looked at him? I hated it. I could only imagine the resentment Devon had towards the behavior.

When I walked back outside, I sat back in my seat as everyone grabbed their food. I waited for everyone to finish before I went up there, but before I could stand up, Devon was bringing a plate over to me.

"I really hope you're not allergic to anything."

"I don't think I have any allergies."

"Good," he hummed. Devon pulled a chair beside me and sat down as he ate. Everyone was already in the middle of their own conversations, so it was only the two of us talking.

Glancing up, I spotted Francine staring at me again. She quickly looked away with a smile. Devon glared at her before smiling at me. "Sorry about her. I know she does like you. If she doesn't, she'll learn to."

"I hope she only hates me because she's afraid I'm using you than actually hating my personality or something," I snorted, and Devon laughed too.

"It'd be impossible to hate someone like you. Unless they have some inferiority complex when it comes to you."

"Like most of the girls at school?" I smirked.

"Because of Buddy, right?"

"Yeah. At least I have him and Darcy to make it through the day. It's always easier to deal with the looks when you have someone by your side." I faced him. "Just so you know, if you ever decide to come back to school, me and my friends will have your back. We won't let you go back to the way things were."

He stared down at his food, smiling and blushing. "Thank you, Mel. You don't know what that means to me."

I probably didn't, but I could understand. There were a lot of times when I would be alone. When Buddy was in another class or out for the day. And those days were hardest with all the girls whispering behind my back, trying to spread rumors so everyone, regardless of their fan status, will want me to leave him alone.

I was lucky to have Buddy. If there were ever any rumors spread around, he never believed them. He'd even laugh about them with me. If he had a reason to be concerned, he'd come and talk to me about it. We didn't shy away from confrontation, which kept us tight.

Devon was all alone. He didn't have anyone who would stand by his side. The moment a rumor came out, everyone ditched him. Or, according to Francine, would use him. I'd heard the rumors, and when we worked together, I would think about them, but I never let it affect my work. It wound up causing me to forget them. He never gave me a reason to be afraid of him. A couple rumors would not do anything. Even if one of them actually happened a month ago.

"I want to go back to school," he added. "I'm just scared to."

"What of?"

"I have anger issues. I don't always resort to violence, but I'm not afraid of confrontation. If someone says or does something to offend me, I'm not afraid to punch someone. And I have a lot of issues with the people over there. I want to better myself before I decide to go back to school. Why would I go back to the root of the problem if I'm not ready to face it yet?"

"But isn't that a good reason to go back?" I questioned. "Yeah, you have unresolved issues with some jackasses over there, but if you ignore it, you're not doing yourself any favors in the long run. If you go back and face it head on, you will better yourself. You'll be dealing with your issues at the root of the problem."

"I'm just worried I'm going to want to punch someone again."

"I'll be right by your side. If you think you're going to punch someone, put your focus on me. I will be right by your side."

Devon smiled and was silent. I continued to eat, and he did, too. We didn't say much else, but when he finished, he said, "I'm still not ready to go back."

I nodded. "If you think it's going to hurt you, don't do it. But when you are ready,"–I placed my hand on his shoulder–"I'll be right by your side."