Eye of the Storm -SAFE HOUSE BOOK 2-

10

"Whoever wants to go home with me, meet here as soon as school lets out. Everyone else is riding with Courtney or finding their own ride. We're leaving at 2:50, three o'clock at the very latest. No exceptions," Devon reminded his foster siblings as everyone rushed off. They knew the drill by now, especially Briana and Austin. He realized they were typically the first ones to reach the car after school, but that might be because Briana hated Blakefield Cross as much as she did. Devon wasn't entirely sure.

Now that he was alone, he knew what he needed to do. He wasn't too happy about it, especially given the circumstances, but it was time that he broke up with Vivian for good. There was no way he was going to stay with a girl who tormented his foster sister. That always had been, and always would be, a deal breaker. She looked so happy to see him, dressed up in her blazer and perfectly checkered polyester pants, shining black heels to match.

He hated himself for what he was about to do, but his family would approve. Wasn't that all he wanted, in a house of kids who were always coming and going, new sets of rules with every few that trickled in? Don't talk too much to this kid but try to get a good bond with this one. Show you can be a good brother to her, but not to him. Sometimes, it was hard to keep track of the guidelines his parents set for him... but not this one.

Vivien took his hand as she approached him, swinging her car keys as she gave him a kiss. He kept his eyes opened, barely holding her hand as she clutched his in her own. Devon only allowed her lips to linger on top of his own before he pulled away. "I can't do this anymore, Vivi. I'm sorry," he finally admitted, feeling a weight fall from his chest. He had been dreading this moment only to feel lighter and freer than ever before.

She stepped back, dropping his hand in shock. Whether her eyes showed hatred or sadness, Devon couldn't tell. Maybe that was okay- she wasn't his girlfriend anymore, after all. He wouldn't have to navigate through her puzzles- that was someone else's problem now. Devon knew she would react like this. They had made so many plans together, and now all of that was ruined. It seemed that her life either revolved around having him on her arm or making others miserable. Weren't those the only times he saw a true smile on her face? Shaking his head, Devon pushed away the naysaying thoughts. He wasn't going back to her... he couldn't.

When she asked why, all he could do was tell the truth. "She got enough torment from her biological family before my parents got custody. Briana definitely doesn't need more of that from you, or anybody else at Blakefield Cross," he said finally, turning on his heel and walking away.

People stared in awe as he went, but he didn't care. He and Vivian had been on again, off again since they started dating freshman year. He was used to the eyes by now, as one of the most popular guys in school. How else would the girls look at him? This was all that he knew, but not what he typically expected. Didn't they think he would go running back, just as Vivian must have been thinking as he left her?

"Baby," she called, voice loud as it carried through the entrance of the school, "why is this so important to you? It's not like you care about her. She's only your foster sister." Devon stopped dead in his tracks, slowly turning to face Vivian as she tossed her golden locks carelessly over her shoulder, eyes cold and lifeless like the demon she was. How had he never seen that before? Why was he only seeing her evil now? "She's probably only going to stay for a few more weeks, and then she'll be gone like all the others." What did that say about Courtney and Caleb?

Seething now, Devon clenched his fist to keep from yelling. "What did you just say," he demanded, "Take it back. I love Briana and Austin, and they're not going anywhere as long as my parents want them. I know they've been thinking about keeping them for as long as they can, they just don't want to tell them yet. They're talking about taking Briana to Pearson instead." He hoped that would be enough to get her to back down, but he knew Vivian. It was never enough with her. With a cold cackle, she shook her head. He had to say it now, or he would never do it. "She's going to leave Blakefield Cross because she hates you, Vivi... and so do I."