Seventeen Collision

            The scariest part about being in love isn't the feeling itself. It's the moment when he reciprocates the feeling. When your heart collides with his, it's an impact that's meant to leave some scars.  The moment when his eyes reflect the emotion deep inside your heart, the moment when you can't hold yourself and fall- are the most terrifying yet exhilarating fragments of love.  You break away from everything; eyelids are closed as you fall, deeper and deeper into a bottomless ocean. You can only pray for the collision to be perfect- to tie your broken pieces and not to shatter everything apart.

            Breaths leave me in a slow drag. There is light as the surrounding come to life. The first the thing I see is a portrait. Golden beading pulls the frame together, inside it there is a painting- not just any painting. It's Devlin. It's a Devlin I don't know. 

            Pale pastel pallets of colors weave through the canvas- brown eyes are painted hauntingly on the panel- he isn't smiling. He looks lost as he holds himself in a daunting manner. The softness of his contours reveals his younger self. A regal black coat holds his arms in place. His midnight hair are combed neatly to one side. The man in the painting doesn't resemble the Devlin I know.  There isn't a playful light in his eyes or the teasing smile on his lips. The pits of his eyes are hollow and dead. The man appears to be a dead corpse.

            A cold shiver runs down the length of my spine. I avert my eyes from the painting and take in the surroundings.

            My body is sprawled across a black leather sofa and there's a pillow neatly tucked beneath my head. The room is enormous and forebodingly dark. There is a spherical mahogany table opposite to me, long chairs with intricate craving of roses and thorns are placed by the table. The walls are painted black, pitch black. If it weren't for the coral shaped lamps, I would have never seen the walls.

            I lift my sore body from the sofa, nearly falling back down in the process.  My breaths halt when I take in the figure leaning on the windowsill.

            He stares at me, his eyes blank and dark. The placid expression on his face doesn't change as he watches me sit up on the sofa. A blue tie hangs off his neck while a grey coat covered his shoulders.  His hands grip the ledge- the skin around his knuckles is white. The starless sky peeks in from the parted window.

            He doesn't make a move to advance towards me.

"Devlin," I speak up, my voice resounds in the silent room. I feel scared. "Does my dad know?"

            He shakes his head, his lips drawn in a tight line.

            "Where are we?" I ask, standing up from the sofa. My legs give up and I fall back down. The room spins around me; I grip my head which was hurting like I've been hit by a cargo ship. The side of sofa sinks as Devlin takes a seat beside me. His cool fingers are pressed against my burning forehead. The beats of my heart increase drastically.

            He doesn't say anything and massages my temple- the tips of fingers running in small circles. The pain subdues to some extent. A sigh of relief escapes my lips.

            In a fraction of a second, his hands fall down and I instantly miss his touch. I pressed my spine against the sofa, trying to control the wild, flustering feelings inside me.

            "Where are we?" I repeat, my voice sounded hoarse.

            I turn my head to look at him. He holds my gaze, fiercely and protectively. I wait and wait for him to utter a word but not a sound leaves his chapped lips. My heart falls inside me. Why isn't he saying anything? Is he mad at me?

            "Devlin," Fear makes my breathing harder. "Say something," I can't hide the longing in my voice. My voice betrays me- it betrays all the feelings I've been hiding.

            He still doesn't say anything. There isn't an ounce of emotion on his features. The intensity of his gaze scares me. Goosebumps rise on my skin.

            "Please," I whisper.

No reply. Dull, haunting eyes stare back at me.

            I'm not going to give up.

            "Are you mad at me?" I grab his shoulders, the fabric of his shirt slips between my fingers- heat from his skin seeps into my hands, scalding the skin beneath my palms.  I search his eyes for something, anything- where are the warm brown lively eyes I love?

            "It shouldn't matter to you," His voice is quite, so silent that the passing winds could have easily stolen it.

            "It does," I say without a speck of hesitation. "It does matter to me and there is nothing you can do about it,"

            He shrugs my hands off his shoulder- I let them fall to the side. A wave of pain tries to pull me under. I don't let it.

            He looks away, out the window where the night sky is darker than it's ever been. I realize why. Because the sky is empty- no stars, no moon fill it tonight. Just like him. He's empty today- there isn't warmth nor happiness inside him.

            "Your dad won't like it if he finds out you skipped school,"

"I don't care,"

            "You shouldn't be here with me. Go back home Alice. It's the best thing for you," His voice is heavy.

            "I am home,"

His head snaps in my direction. "What do you mean?" Panic crowds his face- he fumbles with his hands before taking my arms in his grasp.

            "I can't go back to a place which doesn't feel like home anymore," Few tears leak out of the side of my eyes. "It's feels like home with you. After years, I've finally started living again. It's because of you. I can't leave you when you need me,"

            He brushes away the tears with his thumb, a saddening smile danced on the corners of his lips. "You shouldn't worry about me. I'll be fine,"

            "I'm not leaving you," My voice is firm. I stare right into his eyes when I say the words.

"This isn't about me," His hands still hold my face. "It's about you,"

            "No, this is about us,"

            The space between us seemed to be vanishing. I edge towards him. He doesn't move back. The brown in his eyes glows -with what? I don't know. Maybe it was my drowsy mind that pulled tricks on me. Maybe it was night that peppered magic. Whatever it was, it was beautiful and strong.  A bundle of courage grew inside me. It soared from the center of my chest and encased the tips of my toes.

            It caused me to press my lips against his. He froze against me. My heart hammered against my rib-cage- I'm afraid that it might break my bones, creating cracks which won't ever be healed.

            The gentle warmth from his lips sinks into me. 

I pull away after a second. My cheeks are stained red. Where did this courage come from?   I feel horrified, embarrassed, and terrified at what I've done.

             I just pecked his lips.

            With terror pulling its string along my center, I steal a glance at his face.  He looks shocked- the skin beneath his dark hair is colorless- ghastly white. He sucked in a sharp piece of air, his eyes briefly find mine- they were stunned to silence.

            My hands curl around my chest. I tip away from Devlin.

 He doesn't let me and grabs my wrist, his nails digging into my flesh.

"You deserve a better first kiss," He whispers.

            He pulls me into him, his arms curl around me. Before I can even react, his lips meet mine. Cold shivers run down my spine. Devlin's hands cup my face, bringing me closer to him. The autumn air whirls around us.

            My cheeks are buried in heat and red. The subtle taste coffee seeps from his mouth and drowns me. Our bodies are pressed against the others. He lowers me to the sofa, my head rests on the soft pillow as my heart beats drum inside me like a dangerous winter song. His fingers trail along the side of my face, caressing my cheeks gently. It sends my heart into overdrive.

His lips move against mine in a perfect, slow synch.

            My lungs ache.  I'm on the verge on fainting from the lack of air.

            I pull away, breathless and flustered. His eyes capture mine- they're glowing with a warm golden light.  He smiles at me; his arms pressed to the side of the sofa as he props himself above me.

            The faint smell of his fresh winter cologne surrounds me.

             I can't help but smile back.

"Let's get out of here," He breathes out, his voice husky. "You have school tomorrow,"

            I nod my head, unable to find the voice to reply. It warmed my heart to see how much he cared for me.

            "I'll take you somewhere for dinner," He lifts himself off me and sits on one end of the sofa. The tone of his voice is light and happy. The Devlin I know is back.  "There's this awesome place I know. They serve the best kind of Chinese. You do like Chinese food?" He asked, worried that I didn't.

            I couldn't help but laugh. "I do,"

He helps me sit up, his large hands taking my small ones. "Perfect,"

            I wrap my hands around my arms, a pert smile on my face.

"Come on, we have to try their stir fried noodles," He led me out of the room, his hand wrapped around mine. It's an amazing feeling.

            "Devlin, where are we?"

            The merry expression on his face falls and turns into something grim. "My cabin in Enlighten," He muttered under his breath. "I don't get why they haven't cleaned it out yet. I'm not coming back,"

            I want to ask him about it but I'm afraid that it might dampen his mood. Something about my expression catches his attention. He sighs. "I promise I'll explain later, Okay?"

            "Okay," I smile.

            With his free hand, Devlin reaches for the golden door knob. The instant the door is flung open,  bright, blinding yellow lights flood the cabin.

            On the other side of door, stood a chubby middle-aged man- he wore a regal designer suit and tie. The color of his hair is a shade too light to be considered black and a shade to dark to be brown. The front part of his head is bald and his sharp jaw has a small beard twisted into a single wisp of hair at the chin.  His brown eyes vaguely resemble with Devlin but their nothing like his. His eyes are sharp and calculating with a strong cunning undertone.

            The way his eyes pierce through me make me feel very uncomfortable. As if sensing my discomfort, Devlin tightens his hold on my hand. From the corner of my eye, I see a bead of sweat trickle down Devlin's tensed forehead.

            I gulp when I see my dad appear beside the man. Dad's gray eyes are burning with fury. His eyes narrow down to our entwined hands. The wrinkles on his face deepen as a menacing scowl forms on his face.

            I want to bury my head into Devlin's shoulder and hide behind him but my legs are paralyzed. Devlin and I look at each other- we both realize the deep trouble we're in.

            "Mr. Hutchins, I honestly did not know my daughter knew your son," My dad's voice is strained as he speaks to the stout man.

            So he's Mr. Hutchins- Devlin's father. I glance at Devlin- his jaw is in a taut position and veins in his neck were jutting outwards.

            I wove my fingers through his sweaty hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. His eyes meet mine-panic clouded them. Don't worry- I try to tell him with my eyebrows drawn together and my lips curved into a small smile.

            "The knowing part is not of my concern," A voice ringing with authority and power echoes through the glassed hall- outside the floor-lengthened windows I see the city lights flicker to life. Cars headlights and streetlight appear like glowing fireflies.

             "Who doesn't know my son? Afterall he's the son of the most prominent businessman this town has seen in ages," Arrogance is thickly laced with Mr. Hutchin's voice. "Something else troubles me here," His eyes briefly glance at out tangled hands- I don't let go nor does Devlin.

            I clearly understand what Mr. Hutchins is trying to imply. He doesn't like the idea of Devlin and me together.

            Dad stares at me, accusingly. "Mr. Hutchins I can assure you my daughter won't be seen near your son,"

            My eyes widen. "You can't decide that," I nearly yell, horrified. For a moment I feel my heart stop beating. Devlin holds my hand so tightly now that I'm sure my skin is bleeding from his nail marks.

            "You're coming with me. I've had enough of this rebellious teen act," Dad states, his voice firm. Nothing I say is going to change his mind..

            "I'm not going anywhere,"

            Mr. Hutchins clicked his tongue- giving us a pitying smirk. "Alice," He directly addressed me. I don't like how he said my name- as though I'm some kind of filthy rag doll.  "I think it would be in your best interest to listen to your father,"

            "Why are you doing this?" I cry- my eyes flicker to Devlin who looks shell-shocked by the turn of events.        

            "Well dear I have a reputation which my son cares nothing about," Even though his voice is coated with sugar, I don't miss the threating leer to it.

"What does your reputation have anything do with me?" I snap.

            Dad shoots me a warning glare which says shut your mouth right now.

"Reputation?" Devlin laughs. His laugh sounded forced and nervous."The owner of a sinking company is talking about his damned reputation,"

            "If this troubles you," Devlin wrapped his arm around my waist, holding me protectively. My dad looks like he's about to blow with anger. "That's your problem not mine,"

            He stroked his beard thoughtfully, curling his finger around the thread of hair hanging from his chin. "We'll see whose problem it is,"

            Mr. Hutchins pulls out his phone and swings it to his ear. "Security, we're having some trouble on the third floor. Send in the guards,"  

            He cannot do this to his own blood in flesh.

            "Mr. Hutchins you can't possibly force them apart!" Dad shouts, color drains his face. "They're kids if we reason with them I'm sure they'll listen,"

            Mr. Hutchins shakes his head. "I'm done with reasoning,"

            Devlin hand drops from my waist and he grabs my hand. He doesn't look surprised by his father's decision.  He leaned down to my level and whispered. "Don't think. Just do as I say,"

            I nod my head.  Petrified by the thought of being separated.

            The bulky men dressed navy blue and black uniforms approach from the left end of the hall. Their hands are burdened by hefty guns.  Fear churns my stomach painful.

                        "Run!" He hollers and drags me along him towards the right hall.

            The surroundings pass in a blur. Blood soars inside my veins,  We run hand in hand. I hear Mr. Hutchins scream on top of his lungs. "Catch them! I'm going to fire each one of you if you don't catch them,"

            Devlin laughs, breathlessly. "They won't get to us,"

            We dodge the office's staff giving us peculiar glares. I nearly knock into a lady carrying a tray filled boiling coffee mugs but Devlin catches me in time.  The entire building is thrown into chaos and disorder.

            People are shouting after us. I dare to look over my shoulder and see the guards approaching us- frantically their beefy bodies collide with the staff members. A lady with whom the one of the guards collided with slapped him straight across his face. The poor guy shook his head. I bet he's thinking this job isn't worth the pay. I stifle a laugh.

            "This is crazy," I breathe out- my legs aching as we take the stairs.  Devlin almost tumbled down the stairs. I grab his collar before he could fall.

            "Crazy is not the word I'd use," He smirk, his face dripping with sweat. "I'd say mad,"

"The difference?" I raise my eyebrow, my hands leave his collar.

            "I just wanted to contradict you," He shrugged his shoulders.  He took my hand and brought me to a pale colored door at the end of the stairs.

            "You don't have a fear of heights, do you?"

"Why?" I ask him. He pushed the door to an open. The cold autumn wind blows the sweat off our skin. Strands of my brown hair move along the breeze.

            He walked outside. In the dim light, I see that we're standing on a roof. Broken beer bottles and newspaper pages are scattered across the roof.

            "We're about to climb down a ladder," He edged towards the metal railing of the roof. I see a long, bamboo ladder clinging to the side of the glassed wall. We're at least one story above the ground- around hundred meters from the crowded sidewalk filled with people dressed in expensive suits.

I gulp. "Devlin, how many times have you done this?"

            He gave me a lopsided grin, the sharp counters of his face glow in the scant light.

"You don't want to know, trust me,"

            Devlin tipped his feet onto the railing and then he jumped off it- I nearly scream.  I lean over the edge to see his hands firmly planted on the ladder's step.  He peels one of his hands and holds it out for me. "It's perfectly safe,"

            "I doubt that," 

"I'll be here if anything goes wrong," He tries smiling reassuringly.

            I hesitantly place my hand in his and pull my leg over the railing.  Bile rises up my throat as I tightly grip the rungs of the ladder. The splinter from the wood dug into my hand.

            Suddenly the door flies open, a guard steps out onto the roof. His eyes meet mine, instantly he starts yelling like a mad man. "They're on the roof,"

            "Hurry," I yell to Devlin who's quickly climbing down the ladder. In the dark, I carefully make sure my feet are properly placed on the steps.

            The guard begins to climb down the ladder.

I look over to Devlin. He's standing on the sidewalk, waiting for me. "Alice, jump! I'll catch you,"

            The guard is nearing towards me. I feel my pulse rise as I throw myself off the ladder.

Devlin catches me like he said he would- his arm around my knees and the other under my neck. He quickly set me on the ground. "I parked my car just over there," He points to the other side of the crammed road with cars and people skidding down the sidewalk.

            We run to the other side of the road. Horns blare in our direction. Devlin's red Toyota Camry  is parked by some café. Fumbling, he quickly jammed the keys into the door and throws it open.

            He climbs into the car and throws the other door open for me. I hastily shuffle myself inside. In a second, Devlin has the car running. Pressing the accelerator, he zooms through the traffic.  

            From the rear view mirror, I see the guard with his mouth hanging open watching us leave.

             "What the hell did just happen?" I exhale, my lungs burning inside me.  "You have a ton of explaining to do, Mister,"

            "Where do we start?" Devlin stared hard at the road ahead of him.

"From the part why your father nearly got us killed,"  

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Note:  Honestly. Tell me guys if I screwed this up. How in the world did I end up getting Alice and Devlin death chased by a bunch of guards?  Lol

            I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter.