Haunting

Chapter 2

        I can't help my surprise when at 8:17 Dev heads to his closet and starts rifling through his best shirts. When he grabs the light blue button up with the dark blue tribal dragon stretched across the left side, I know where he plans to go. He used to joke that it was his club shirt. We'd go once a week and each time he wore the same shirt. If it was still in his hamper, he'd dig it out and give me a lopsided grin.

        Tonight he takes a deep breath as he slips the shirt on, fumbling with the buttons for a few seconds. His fingers reach the top one, passing over it and going to the cross instead. He lifts it to his lips, kissing it softly.

        "Wish you were here, Averi," he whispers as he heads to the front door.

        The ride to The Junction seems much longer than it ever did before. From the tension in his shoulders and the way he's gripping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles are bleached of color, I know he feels it, too. We were supposed to have gone here the day... That's the part his friends don't know; Dev never told them. He never told anyone.

        He pauses outside the doors, staring at the neon green sign. The doors swing open as a couple exits. The guy has his arm wrapped around his girl's waist. He leans down to press a kiss to her forehead.

        I see Dev tense, see him consider turning around and walking back to the truck. But then he shakes his head, pushes forward with determination.

        He makes his way effortlessly to Trent and the others. They always linger near the pool tables. Dev taught me to play once. Turned out I was a natural. The guys used to joke that they should use me to hustle fellow pool sharks.

        "Hey, man!" Trent calls. "Glad you showed."

        "We were just about to get started," Ben adds.

        He hesitates and I almost think he'll decline. "Sure. I'm breaking."

        The game starts and I'm careful to keep close to the wall so as not to touch any of the guys. As the minutes tick by, Dev begins to relax. I even catch him smiling, a real smile for the first time in too long.

        "You guys want something to drink?" Ben asks when the game ends. The other two nod and he disappears into the crowd.

        "You good?" Trent watches Dev closely as he sets his cue on the table.

        "Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. It's just weird, ya know? I keep expecting..." He shakes his head.

        Ben returns with three Pepsis. "Hey, Trent, you remember Mike from Carter's party last weekend? He's over by the door. Wants to talk about that basketball game you mentioned getting together for."

        Trent glances over at Dev. "You coming?"

        "Nah," he says. "You guys go on."

        I see the sympathy reflected in their eyes before they nod and move away. Part of me wishes they would stay with him but the rational part knows their presence would only make Dev feel worse. His hand shakes slightly as he raises the glass to his lips. I can all but see the thoughts running through his mind. He's close to going home.

        "Excuse me."

        I look past him at the petite girl squeezing out of the throng of people. It's clear she's uncomfortable here. Someone bumps into her and she falls against Dev's arm. His drink sloshes, miraculously sparing his club shirt.

        "Oh! I'm so sorry! That guy just-- I'm sorry." She pushes several strands of dark brown hair behind her ear.

        "Don't worry about it," he says. He starts to take another drink then stops. I see the way his brows crease. It's a look I recognize. The one that says he's debating whether to say something or stay quiet. "I don't think I know you."

        The girl looks up, green eyes bright. "No, I just moved here with my mom. My cousin told me this was the best place to get acclimated." She gestures toward the door at the group Trent and Ben are talking to. "Are you a student at Jefferson?"

        "Yeah," he replies. "A senior."

        Her lips lift in a shy smile. "Same here. Well, as of Monday I will be. I'm Cassidy."

        He frowns and I know what he's thinking. She looks a little young for a senior. "Uh, Devin."

        It's strange hearing his full name. I only recall him ever using it three times before.

        "I know. I don't look like I'd be a senior. More like a sophomore, right? I just turned eighteen on September sixth."

        Dev tenses, his hand clenching the glass just a bit tighter. I understand his reaction. September sixth. The day I... His amber eyes close as he tries to keep his breathing steady.

        "Hey, Devin, are you okay? You look a little pale." Cassidy starts to reach forward then thinks better of it. "Do you need to sit down?"

        "No. I'm, um, I'm okay." He sets his glass down as if he doesn't trust himself to not drop or shatter it. "Excuse me, Cassidy. It was nice to meet you." He pushes through the people, uncaring about the glares he receives.

        I'm barely able to keep up with his swift long strides as he hurries to the truck. He climbs inside and I watch as his eyes moisten. He closes them again and then he's pounding his palms against the steering wheel, leaning forward to press his forehead against the backs of his hands. A sob wracks his body and I feel my throat contrict with tears I can never shed again.