The Sweetest Devotion (The Affair Series Book 2)

West Wendover, NV (Part I)

11 1/2 years old

STEF POV

"Ok your turn Di." I said as we were sitting on top of my trailer playing checkers as the hot summer Nevada sun beamed on us.  Me and Sharon had been living in Nevada for almost a year and it wasn't the worst place we lived. Just as long as I stayed out of her way and didn't let her see me with Diane it was ok. To be honest I didn't even mind it and I actually had my own room sometimes. Right now I didn't and was sleeping on an old couch since Shanice was living with us but before that I did for almost a year which was crazy. The only thing I hated  was the fact that the trailer walls were super thin and I could hear my mother in there with her man friends sometimes.  

"So you heard them?" Diane asked with a grossed out look on her face as I did the same.

"Yeah I always hear them fucking."

"How, how do you know what it is? Or that it's that."

"TV and Shanice told me."

"Oh."

"Plus it's the only thing where you make those kinds of sounds and scream someone's name."

"Why would you scream someone's name? I don't get it." she asked.

"No idea I guess it feels good and you want them to know?"

"Gross. You're turn." She said pointing to the checker board as I took a sip of cola and handed it to her.

"I know it's real nasty. I mean kissing is ok but not that other stuff."

"Oh, have you kissed anyone?" Curiously asking me Diane often did for I knew certain things she didn't. Not that I wanted to or went looking for it but I just did and I heard everything. Looking her right into her dark eyes the truth was I knew I was close to 12 and I had a crush on Di. A big one and sometimes when we held hands I wanted to kiss her.  She was so beautiful that most of the time I stared and didn't know what to do and I didn't really understand any of it and it wasn't like I could go off and talk to someone about it. Maybe Shanice since she told me alot of random stuff and I always saw her hoping on  the back of her boyfriends motorcycle.

"Just one time. That's all." I shrugged.

"Who was it?"

"Back when I was young in Michigan. My friend Amanda."

"Oh. Did, did you like it?"

"Yeah. I mean it was only for a second. There wasn't no tongue or anything." I shrugged nonchalantly as I moved my black checker piece and I could tell Diane was more and more curious. It had taken time for her to really talk to me because she was so shy and didn't have any friends. Most of the time like me she stayed home but wanted to get away from her father who was a shitface and smacked her around hard for no reason. God did I want to punch him so bad all the time and kick his ass but lately it wasn't too bad for her since her aunt moved in so I didn't have to clean up too many bruises for her and she didn't have to hide as much.

"Stef?"

"Yeah?"

"What did it feel like?"

"MM I don't remember. I mean it wasn't bad. I liked her and everything."

"Was she you girlfriend?"

"What? No silly!" I busted out laughing as she smiled wide at me with a look only I knew the meaning of. 

"Can we try it?"

"Try what? I asked.

"I want to know what kissing feels like. I mean just so I know if I like it or not."

"Ok I can show you." I said trying not to seem to eager as I quickly leaned in and pecked her lips softly. She could only giggle as I frowned. "What? Why are you laughing at me."

"I'm not. But I didn't even feel anything. It was too fast!"

"Well there are different kisses smarty ass. Some are fast some are slow."

"Ok so what does the slow one feel like?" She asked as I shook my head laughing and taking another sip of cola.

"Why got a boyfriend?" I teased.

"Ewl no! I'm just curious you don't need to tease me." Turning her body around I could tell I hurt her feelings forgetting how sensitive she was sometimes.

"Aww I'm only jokin Di! Come on I'll show you but just relax ok? I never did it either and just remember it from TV and from seeing Shanice."

"Ok." She said  as I moved closer to her and stared into her eyes. My hands were really shaking now. "I think you gotta close your eyes."

"But how will I know where your mouth is?"

"MM I'll find yours then I'll close my eyes."

"Ok." She said closing them as I grew so nervous and licked my lips. Moving in closer to her I pressed my young lips on hers gently like I had seen on TV and closed my eyes.  We remained like that for what seemed like forever as we soon pulled apart and she blushed. She blushed and I was feeling all kinds of things.  Things I never ever felt and I wanted to kiss her again real bad but instead gently grabbed her hand.

"I guess that's a slow one." I soon blurted out as she smiled and we went back to playing checkers as if nothing happened. 

"Your turn!" She grinned and I gently kissed her cheek leaving her to giggle at me.

It was like that with me and Diane as we often felt like outcasts in school and home never quit finding our place in the world. With each other it was different as most days we roamed the grounds of the trailer park to collect cans and bottles so that we could get candy or cola. A few times I'd blow my half on her wanting to make her feel special for whatever reason and because I cared so much about her. One of the best times was when we found an old bike in the dumpster and I cleaned it up telling her I'd ride her anywhere and I did. We went all over with our bike Lucy as Diane sat behind me on the big banana seat  and we would take off.

"Faster Stef!" She would yell as I'd peddle the fastest I could hearing her giggle behind me and knowing we were having fun. And we did all the time together as some nights we would count the stars, or watch the drive in movie from the top of the trailers as I wrapped my arm around her holding her close.

Never did I have a friend like her in any of the places I lived and neither did she for  I learned Diane had moved just as much as me if not more. If anything our lives were similar in the fact that we only had one parent for Diane's mother died when she was born and I never knew my father. Often she said thats why her father hated her and beat her up but I reminded her it wasn't her fault. In no way and that he was an asshole for hurting her the way he did. At times she believed me but it wasn't always easy. What was easy however was caring for her in a way no one had even if I was barely 12.

"Di I'll always be your friend and I'll always protect you." I told her one night as we watched the stars.

"I will too Stef and I'll never leave you. You are my best friend for life."

"For life." I smiled as she kissed my cheek and we held hands tightly never letting go. Little did we know that promise would  remain true in our adult lives as our hearts remained connected.