The Masquerade

13.Be mine

Jared's P.O.V
 

   I thought it was a good idea to go buy some coffee to help me stay awake. I hadn't slept all night and since it was day time I didn't want to mix my sleeping schedule. I walked into Starbucks putting my glasses on my eyes before going inside. I ordered a coffee, the boldest there was and walked outside into the sunny outer seating area. I was about to make my way back to my car but instead I spotted Devin from the corner of my eye. What a coincidence. I thought but when I turned to walk in her direction I noticed she wasn't alone.
   She was with that Lucas, him having his arms snaked around Devin's waist. 
   I gritted my teeth together as I walked up to them, I noticed Devin trying to push him away with all her strength but he wouldn't move a bit.
"Lucas, leave me alone will ya? What is it with you?" Devin growled at him and was kicking his legs.
"Hey, you again. Get your hands off of her," I said setting the coffee I had in my hand on the table, some of it spilling out the small hole because of the way I rapidly set it down. I grabbed him and ripped him away from Devin, who took a few steps back.

"Who are you to tell me what to do?" he said in return pushing me back but I just came closer holding him by the shoulders so tightly that it hurt.
"That's for me to know and for you to find out," I said and punched him in the jaw. "Stay away from her or there's more than that," I hissed and  turned back to Devin. I saw him walk off from the corner of my eye. "Are you alright? Did that idiot do anything to you?"
"I'm just fine, but if you didn't come I'm sure he would of," she mumbled and sat down by a table, pulling her half empty cup of coffee closer to her. I took a seat in front of her taking mine as well.
"Well this was an awkward way of saying welcome back to town," she let out a small laugh and I nodded.
"I know what you mean. Wasn't he supposed to be with your friend?"
"He's supposed to be but instead he keeps creeping around me. I have to meet up with Kristen to tell her about this." 
   I nodded and took a drink from my now almost cold coffee.
"So how was your trip?" she asked looking up to meet my eyes.

"It was okay I guess, just didn't get enough sleep," I said staring into her eyes but then she looked back down at her fingers. 
There was a few seconds of silence between us. "Devin can I tell you something?" Her eyes shot up immediately.
"Sure," she said finishing her coffee and putting it aside.
"I don't think this is exactly the best place for that, would you come with me?"
"Yeah, I guess so," she said and stood up, I did as well and we both threw our empty plastic cups into the garbage bin. "Where to?" 
"Just follow me," I said taking her by the wrist gently and walking straight forward. I glanced at her and saw her pale cheeks turn pink but she turned to look away. I smiled to myself as we walked to a park that was just a street down from the coffee shop. 
   We walked inside, the fresh air of the trees hitting my nose and also the shade that they provided for us to walk under. I soon let go of her arm and sat under a tree where there weren't many people around. She sat down next to me and faced me directly. "So..." she started. "What were you going to say?" 
   I bit my bottom lip before starting, "Well you know that it hasn't been long since we officially met, only a few days."
  She just nodded.
"I don't know how you feel over this time but I can't hide my feelings any longer. I can't stand to see that Lucas kid or anyone in general to be around you. Devin, I want you to be mine," I said looking into her brown eyes, just melting into them as I set one hand on her shoulder. She seemed lost in some other world, confused not knowing what to say. "Devin I love you and I always have, I can't wait another second longer."
   She just continued to stare at me. I waited for another 5 seconds, yes I was counting before leaning in and kissing her. She kissed back and then we both pulled away. She put her head on my shoulder, coming closer.
"You don't know anything about me Jared, I'm sure if you knew, you wouldn't want me that way anymore," she mumbled.
"I know all I need to know and I know that I want you and only you," 
"No you don't, you don't know why I live with my aunt. You don't know that my mother was killed, that my dad left us, you don't know that I can't love anyone anymore."
"I know now," I said putting my head against hers. Of course I knew all those things long enough but if I told her that I did she would be suspicious. 
"I-I'm too afraid to fall in love, because I don't want to lose another person."
   I gently ran my fingers through her hair, from the top to the bottom. 
"I know what it feels like, I lost both of my parents too, and no one else accepted to take care of me. I've been living on my own for many years already." She soon lifted her head to look at me again, he eyes seemed red around the edges. I'd never seen her cry before. I wiped her eyes with my finger.
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Devin, I just want you to be you again. I know this is all just a mask that you're hiding under. What are you trying to show to others?"
"I was constantly bullied in school Jared, if I didn't change then it was just going to continue that way," she said wiping her eyes again. 
"No one can bully you now," I assured her.
"Not with you around," she leaned in and hugged me once.
"Devin," I sighed, "I'm still waiting on your answer from before."
   She sat up and faced me, running her hands through my hair. I watched as her lips formed into a smile that I hadn't seen for 2 days already.
"I'll be yours, only if you promise not to leave me alone."
"I promise," I returned the smile and pulled her close for another hug, then kissed her forehead.