𝑪𝑳𝑶𝑺𝑬 𝑻𝑶 𝒀𝑶𝑼 | 𝑱𝑱 𝑴𝑨𝒀𝑩𝑨𝑵𝑲

Chapter Ten - Midsummers

Ward is waiting at the end of the stairs for the two girls who come down hand in hand. Ward sends them a smile, "You girls look beautiful."

Devon smiles politely, "thank you Mr. Cameron."

"Rafe is waiting for you outside, Devon." Ward tells her. Devon's smile drops and her face fills with dread.

Sarah looks at her best friend, wanting to save her. "Actually, Dad, I'm not walking in with Topper anymore so Devon can just walk in with me. Rafe doesn't need a date." Devon's eyes fill with hope as they await Ward's answer.

Ward smiles at his favorite daughter, "Sure, honey. I'll go tell Rafe."

Devon squeals and hugs her best friend, "Thank you! You're my savior."

Sarah laughs, "Come on, let's go." The two girls go out the door and into the car, ignoring Rafe's complaints about the change of plans.

...

The Cameron's plus Devon finally pull up to the event, getting out of the car. Devon pulls Sarah aside, not being able to hold in her comments any longer. "Sarah, oh my God. What the hell is on Rose's head. She looks like Lady Liberty!"

Sarah lets out a loud cackle, "I know! It's so ugly."

"Girls! Come on." The girls quickly put on a straight face but when they look at each other, their smiles break through.

They walk through the doors and into the crowd, the applause surrounding them. Devon hooks her arm with Sarah's, staying away from Rafe. Ward and Rose offer waves and smiles to the people around them when Topper stops the two girls. "Hey, hey, Sarah. I waited for you. I thought you wanted to walk in together?" He smiles slightly.

"Yeah, well, I came with my parents and Devon." Sarah says with a straight face.

Devon tries to lighten the mood by offering a laugh and a smile. "Sorry, Top. I stole her!"

Topper gives the girl a quick glance before looking back to Sarah. "Can we talk for a sec?" Sarah lets go of Devon's arm and follows after Topper, leaving her friend alone.

Devon purses her lips, looking around for somewhere to go. She spots Rafe coming towards her from across the room and panics, quickly walking away before he reaches her. She heads over to Pope and Kie by the grill. "Hey guys!" She hugs both of them. "Kie, looking beautiful as always."

The group falls into conversation as the sun sets, creating an orange hue in the sky. Devon dismisses herself to go find Sarah, who is sipping on champagne and laughing, clearly feeling the effects. Devon takes the glass from her hands and pulls her onto the dance floor. The girls dance as the sky turns dark, night taking over.

Sarah is spinning Devon around when JJ comes up from behind them, tapping Sarah on the shoulder. "JJ?"

JJ brings his fingers to his lips, signaling to be quiet. "Yep." Devon's eyes snap to the boy as he starts dancing to blend in with the crowd. "I got a note from Vlad."

"Oh my God!" Devon goes to hug JJ, but he stops her, taking her hands and dancing with her instead. "I was so worried."

"I told you not to worry about me, Dev." JJ says. "Sarah, read the note."

"Okay," Sarah says, walking away and leaving the two alone.

Devon analyzes the cuts and bruises on his face, "obviously I was right to worry. These weren't here before." She brings her hand to his face.

JJ flinches away, shrugging as he puts on a smile, "no big deal, I've had them before."

Devon furrows her eyebrows, "from the cops?"