DEVOTION

chapter sixteen -

Hi Hi Hi !!!

It has certainly been a WHILE.

Firstly, I wanna say that I've missed this and all of you. I never had any intention of leaving devotion, life just happens. Around the time I updated. I'd just graduated high school and this last little chapter of my life has been so confusing and isolating. I moved out, started working, left relationships and started new ones, and I'm very happy to say that I feel like I've reached a good spot, but adulthood is insanely emotional. I can't promise that I'll update super often but I will try.

Full honesty, much of the beginning of devotion, I no longer connect with and so writing anything past it was very difficult, so bare with me. I'm gonna continue on, but I might get some plot lines mixed up or repeat something, that's because as I'm writing new chapters, I'm going back and revising old ones. I can't ask you to go back and reread everything, but I will try to make everything line up as best I can, or clarify when I can't. I would also like to go back and clarify some things now.

I no longer will be referring to Ryne by that name. I realize using that name is insensitive towards the storyline. I won't spoil it, but my intention was to use Ashe's song about her brother, referring to Eden's. I just realize that isn't super appropriate or fair, so Eden's brother is now Ryland. I'll be working to go through and change it. I also want to clarify some storyline pockets that weren't super clear before. Eden is 19, Harry at this stage in the story is 22, Aaron is 21. Eden and Aaron started dating when she was years from being of age, whilst he already was. That is important, I am not glorifying grooming, it is important to the storyline. I also am working to anchor Harry's character away from him, and more just his music. If I could go back and rework it that way entirely, I would. Basically, I just want all of this to make sense to all of you because I wouldn't be writing anymore if it wasn't for all of you. I can't explain how much I appreciate how you have kept up with this after so long and all the messages I still get about devotion.

I think that rounds up the changes being made, but again, thank you all so so so much. I can't explain how you all have inspired me.

This is still dedicated to Dariana, Rashika, Lina, Audrey, Amber, and all of you honestly. Oh and Eden, love her.

Okay, here we go.

Eden's Pov -

Missouri is cold in September. That's what I've taken from the last three days. Ryland also plays piano more than I do, and that's not something I'd remembered from when I was sixteen and he still lived with Dad and I. He has a cat now, named Olly, a Bombay and he's the sweetest. Ryland always wanted a dog growing up, so when I finally got here and set down my bags to get a glass of water and meet the sweet little guy in the kitchen, I was shocked.

I didn't go home, not to Chicago. I couldn't see Aaron yet. And I didn't go to see my dad because, frankly, a spontaneous trip to France would likely not help my case, but I also didn't want to have to explain to him that the boyfriend he's been skeptical of for years has been cheating for months, and the person I moved to Los Angeles for is currently not speaking to me. I just don't have it in me. He would say all the right things, I know he would. And listening to my father speak thoughtfully makes me sob.

I remember coming home from a date with Aaron and barely getting through the door before my dad asked me what was wrong and I lost every ounce of composure I had held up on the drive home, playing my mood off and just telling Aaron I was tired.

So I bought a one-way ticket to Ozark after calling Ryland, and flew out the next night. Mitch drove me to the airport and only asked how long I'd be gone, and that I'd call him at least every other day, and didn't bring it up again. I've called him every day I've been here, the first call was awkward, the both of us obviously avoiding what neither of us wanted to bring up, but I asked him about his date with Sarah and he talked for probably five minutes straight, pausing to let me share his excitement for just a minute just to continue on. The second call, Harry stumbled into frame and said nothing, and I can't say it surprised me. It's not like I expected it, and the face he made when he saw who was on the phone made me cry once the call was over... But I guess that's exactly why I'm here. I just have no room for another man that shows absolutely no care for my feelings. He can say he understands them and that he supports them all he wants, the words are a very thin veil to what he actually practices.