[complexion] ⇒ [devin gordon] [✓]

f i v e

"Sneak me through the back window, I'm a good field nigga I made a flower for you outta cotton just to chill with you."

THERE WAS A TAPPING against my window that caused me to wake up. I move my hand around the bed looking for my phone. When I find it I press the power button and read the time.

12:00 am

I heard the tapping again and sat up. I got up and turned on the light to see Devin at the window motioning for me to open it.

What the hell is wrong with this boy?

I sigh and walk over to it letting him in.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I ask angrily but quietly not wanting to wake up my mom.

"What do you mean?" He says as he places his legs onto my hardwood floor carefully. He closed the window then faced me smiling.

Is this kid on drugs?

"Its 12 o'clock in the morning and you're sneaking into my room, why are you even here?"

"I never knew it was against the law to want to hang out with a friend." He said raising an eyebrow at me. My heart kinda sunk when he said I was just a friend but I didn't let him see that it hurt me.

"Oh so we're friends now?"

"We've always been friends, what are you talking about ari?" He reached out to touched be but I moved away, he looked kinda hurt but at the moment I really didn't care.

"Don't call me that, only friends can call me ari," He opened his mouth to speak but I cut him off. "You ignored me for basically a month and now you're trying to come back as if nothing happened? You already left once might as well not come back at all."

"It's not like that, just hear me ou-"

"It's never like that! Excuses excuses just leave!"

"No, I need you listen to me but we can't talk here." He ran his fingers through his curls, I wanted to reach over and do the same but I controlled myself.

"What if I don't want to talk." I crossed my arms, looking him up and down in disgust.

"Ariella please."

"Fine, where are we going." He smiled widely and tried to hug me but again I moved away and mumbled a "don't touch me."

He just scratched the back of his neck awkwardly and walked towards the window opening it.

"Cmon you'll see." He put his legs outside of the window and started to climb down the ladder. I placed the pillows on the bed to the shape of my body and quickly put on shoes then I turned off the light.

I carefully went over to the window and did the same thing he did. I left the window open slightly so when I come back I can get in easily.

When we reach the bottom he starts to walk so I follow. He grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers together. I looked up at him but he was looking forward smiling.

This kid really got some issues.

After walking for like an hour, well it felt like that to me, we finally reach our destination. He brought me to a little waterfall in the woods, I've never seen this part before. The moon reflected off of the water making it glow.

I sat down on a rock near the edge and took of my shoes letting my legs dangle down, he did the same.

"Where did you find this place?" I ask.

He just shrugged his shoulder. "I was walking around one day and randomly found it, thought I should bring you here."

I just nodded, we sat in silence for a long time but it wasn't uncomfortable.

"Why did you ignore me?" I blurted out, playing with my sleeves avoiding eye contact.

"I was ignoring everyone honestly."

But you weren't ignoring that girl the other day.

"Who? Aliyah?" I hear him ask.

"Did I say that out loud?" I look up at him and he nods.

"Are you dating her?" I ask slowly, scared of his answer.

"I wouldn't call it dating."

"Then what would you call it?" I start to grow angry. "Because if you're just fucking with her that's pretty messed up."

"Why do you care so much anyway. It's none of your business?"

Because I like you dumbass.

But of course I don't say that I just nod my head and start to get up.

"You're right it's none of my business I'll just be going." As I start to walk he grabs my leg stopping dead in my track.

"Stay, please." I huff loudly and sit back down, he mumbles a "thank you" but I just shrug it off.

"You know," he began to speak. "This place reminds me of you a lot." I glance at Devin but he was looking up at the sky.

"Why?"

"The way the moon lights up the water is the same way the sun lights up your skin, you have this glow to you ya know. You see how the trees are so close together keeping everything out? That's like you because you keep everything in and keep the people out. And the sky," he says pointing up making me look. "Represents your complexion, it's almost like a blue-black sky after it rained and rained (a quote from "The skin I'm in) and the stars they remind me of your eyes because whenever you smile, laugh or talk about anything you love your eyes sparkle."

Devin looked back down at me and I looked at him.

"You're beautiful Ariella."