S.M.S(Save My Soul)

Chapter 18: Kiss of life

"When will they be letting you out?" Lila asked with tender eyes.

"I'm not sure yet but I think anytime from now," I said watching through the corner of my eye as my dad argued with my grandma while Malcolm was playing a game with Devontae so no one seemed to pay any mind to Lila and me.

"That's good we can't wait for you to visit us, you won't believe how much the house has changed since Devontae joined us," she smiled fondly.

"Really, what changed?" I asked curiously.

"A lot honestly but mainly the house is less quiet and feels more homie I suppose and even Alice agrees even if she doesn't admit it aloud," she chuckled lightly.

"I'm glad to hear that, you have no idea how happy that makes me feel," I beamed," Did he ever give you guys any trouble?" I asked her, her eyes quickly darted to Devontae who was laughing at something Malcolm said and all of a sudden her smile dropped.

"He did in the beginning," she said with a tense jaw.

"What did he do?" I asked with worried brows.

"He began stealing any jewellery he could get his hands on around the house and hid them where we couldn't find them. 

When I confronted him about it he lied and said he didn't know where they were until Alice caught him in the act trying to steal a family heirloom, " she said sadly with her head hung low.

"I'm so sorry he did that it's my fault because I forced you into taking him in. I promise I'll pay back every cent that that jewellery cost," I said in shame, feeling tears well up in my eyes. The medication I was on was affecting my emotions a little too much.

"It's not your fault, you were just trying to help him and no one can blame you for that. Unfortunately, no one can also blame Devontae for what he did because stealing is all he's known most of his life to survive but the most important thing is that he's sorry for his actions and trying to be a better person." She explained to me with a small smile squeezing my hand reassuringly.

"What do you mean he's sorry for his actions?" I asked with a raised brow.

"He returned everything he stole, you should've seen him, he was crying like a baby with snot running down his mouth," she chuckled lightly, fondly remembering the moment.

"What changed to make him return those items?" I asked with a small smile.

"Well Alice wasn't easy on him after she found out he took her precious jewellery," she smirked.

"Oh no she didnt," I gasped in shock, unable to hide my laughter.

"Oh yes she did, she gave him such a memorable hiding that he peed in his pants," she laughed loudly gaining everyone's attention, her laugh was quite contagious especially her little snorts in between. I couldn't help but chuckle alongside her just imagining grandma giving Devontae a hiding of his life.

"What's so funny?" My dad asked, sitting next to me.

"Nothing," Lila quickly cleared her throat looking at me with a devilish smile.

"If you say so," my dad said looking at Lila sceptically before he turned his attention back to me," You have some schoolmates who came to visit you." He informed me.

"Oh ok," I awkwardly said, not sure why anyone from my school would want to come to visit me unless they thought I was on my deathbed.

"We'll let you catch up with them. Come on everyone, time to go." My dad led everyone out like a horde of cattle except Malcolm who didn't follow.