Sidney’s POV-

I was shocked to find Devon still at my house when I got home from my library date with Tony. I looked at the time and realized that a couple of hours really does go by quickly, especially when you’re busy making out. Alright, so sue me! Who goes to a library with their boyfriend to strictly study? I thought so! So like I said, I got home and found Devon and Shane, giggling, full of white stuff which I could only presume as being flour because of the wonderful smell of cookies.

“What the?” Was what escaped my mouth. “What happened here?” I asked. Devon and Shane looked at each other and laughed.

“Minor baking mishap?” Devon said between giggles. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I had seen her laugh that uncontrollably. It was nice and contagious. I mean, how could I not laugh with how filthy these two looked with baking ingredients all over them.

“It’s my fault.” Shane explained. “I haphazardly turned and knocked the bowl onto the floor.”

“I should have figured you were the root cause of this.” I tell them. “The price you pay for letting him near the kitchen when cooking.” I walk to the sink to get a rag and help them out.

Once the kitchen was cleaned, I followed Devon up to my room where she headed for the bathroom to clean herself up. I wanted to know all about my brother’s plans with his photography and why he chose my best friend to be his ‘handy helper’. And so, I sat on the edge of my bed and waited until she came out clean and dressed. I watched as she grabbed her wet hair and twisted it up so it hung in a loose bun.

“What?” She asked me as she realized I was looking at her.

“You seem different.” I tell her. She looked at me inquisitively. “From this morning that is.”

“I don't know what you mean.” She ignored my inquisitive look.

“Well, at least you can tell me what this whole photography bit is all about.” I tell her exasperated.

“I'm just helping him with one of his projects. Have you ever looked at his work?” She asked me. To be honest, I had never taken the time to give his talent a noteworthy look. I shook my head. “You don't know what you're missing. He's amazing!” She tells me. “You should really ask to see his work some time.” At that point, there was a knock on my door and Shane slowly opened the door.

“Everyone decent?” He asked before poking his head inside the room. “I can take you home now if you'd like.” Devon nodded.

“I'll talk to you later?” She asked me and I found myself nodding.

Devon's POV-

We sat mostly in silence for most of the drive, listening to Shane's tunes. I looked over and noticed that he was smiling.

“What?” He asked me when he noticed me watching him.

“I'm trying to figure you out.” He gives me a look that basically asked me to elaborate. “I've known you for most of my life and I had yet to know that you were into photography.” I tell him. “Makes me think that I'm not the only one that was in the dark about your talent.”

“I just don't flaunt it. I know my stuff's good but you know what they say about you being your worst critic, right?” He tells me and I nodded at his statement.

We got to my house and Shane parked his car and undid his seatbelt. I undid mine and looked over at him.

“Did you want me to come in with you?” He asked me. I shook my head.

“I'll be fine.” I tell him and reach out for the door lever. “Thanks for today. I really had fun.” I made sure that he knew. He smiled as he took my left hand and pulled me back into my seat. He reached up and brushed a stray hair from my eyes.

“Me too.” He began. “Just promise me one thing. If he tries anything with you, tell me you'll at least give Sid or me a call. I don't care what time it is, I'll be here to pick you up.”

“I will.” I assured him. “You really have a hero complex, don't you?” I poked his chest as I made fun of him.

“I'm only like that with you.” He tells me as he looks at me seriously. I gave him a light laugh. “Have a good night.” He tells me. Oh how I wish I could just disappear from here right now. I got out of Shane's car and took my cell out of my back pocket. I began to text...

Shane's POV-

My phone buzzed in my back pocket. I was still parked in Devon's driveway, waiting for her to enter her house. I looked down and noticed Devon was the one that had sent me a text. I look up for her but I didn't see her. I read her text. You forgot something... And then a knock on my driver side window made me jump and there she is. I rolled my window down.

“Forgot something?” I asked her and couldn't help but smile at the smirk on her face. “What?” She bent over, poked her head in at me slightly, brought her lips just so they barely grazed mine.

“This.” She whispered as she studied my eyes. My heart was racing and my head felt like it was up in the clouds when she pressed her luscious lips to mine for a kiss I simply wanted to deepen but didn't. It wasn't the time or the place and I figured that we'd be better off letting her figure out how far she wants to go. She pulled away, circled the front of my car and backed her way to her front door, biting her bottom lip. I watched her as she opened the door and disappeared inside her house. My cell buzzes again. I looked down to read. Mmm... Definitely no longer a school girl crush. I couldn't help but smile at myself. I texted her back. I'll c u 2morrow.

Sidney's POV-

I sat in the living-room, studying, when Shane came back from dropping Devon off at home. He came over, sat down and turned on the TV.

“So?” I ask him.

“So what?” He looks at me with his usual cocky smirk.

“Can I ask you something?” I ask him. He shrugged.

“Sup?” He asked me. I took out a few photos and laid them out on the coffee table in front of him. One of them was of Devon. It was the most moving photograph I had ever seen. It pained me to see her the way she was portrayed in the photo but she also took my breath away all at the same time. I knew that she was beautiful but she looked almost angelic. I looked up at him. I knew there was something there.

“They're beautiful.” I tell him. “Why'd you take this one of Devon though?” I asked him.

“She just spoke to me.” Is all he told me and he looked down at the photo before looking away.

“Something's going on with her isn't it?” I ask him.

“If you think something's bugging her, why don't you ask her?” He tells me. He had a point. It still didn't erase the fact that I thought he was hiding something from me.

“Do you know what's going on with her?” I asked him firmly.

“Sid, for the last time, ask her.” He tells me and then gathers his three photographs. “Next time, just ask to see my work.” He says as he stands up and heads upstairs. I picked up my cell and headed for the kitchen. D, Can u gimme a call? I need 2 talk 2 u.

Devon's POV-

I sent a text to Shane asking him if he had any clue as to what Sidney wanted to talk to me about. He didn't. After I assured him that I was okay, I gave Sidney a call. My old man wasn't home which only meant one thing; he was at the local pub getting his drink on. I called Sidney up.

“Hey Dev.” She tells me.

“Listen. I need you to do me a favour.” I tell her. “Can you come over and spend the night here tonight? I'll explain everything when you get here.” She told me that she'd be there in the next half-hour. I hung up and took a deep breath. I had to come clean before everything blew up in my face.

Twenty minutes later, my doorbell rang and Sidney let herself in. She met me in my room.

“Hey chicky.” She greets me as she plops herself down at the foot of my bed. “What's going on with you?”

“What makes you think that something's going on?” I ask her.

“Come on D. We've been friends for how long now?” She tells me. “I know something is causing you to be off. You're edgy, jumpy, you barely laugh anymore. Did you know that the first time I've seen you really laugh in the last month was today and I couldn't even share it with you because it was between you and Shane?” I didn't realize that she had observed all of this. Perhaps I wasn't as great as I though about keeping this thing with my father a secret after all.

“I don't know how to put it, Sid.” I told her, looking away from her.

“Why don't you just try me.” She tells me. And so, I took a deep breath and started from the beginning. I watched as Sidney's face filled with horror when I got into further detail about what my old man had done to me when I tried to fight him. I even went to the point of showing her my bruises. They weren't nearly as bad as they were when Shane spotted them seeing as it's been a few days since then but they still weren't pretty.

That night, Sidney told me that I was moving in with her and the Donitelli's. Her parents would have to understand. We spent most of the night talking and packing all of my clothes. We heard Dad come back from the bar. He knew not to bother knocking on my door because Sid's car was in the drive. When I finally drifted off to sleep, I felt a sense of satisfaction with myself and I looked forward to leave this hell-hole. Tomorrow, my new life would begin.

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