Stranger

ch22

I lied to Devon.

I never was much of a liar, I never practiced lying to people, but I sometimes would do it just to prove a point or something along those lines. But, this time, I did it for something far more petty. I lied to him just to hurt him.

I know, I know, I'm a terrible person, but in that moment, I just couldn't help myself. The reasonable side of my brain was off and the hurt side was in full swing, coordinating my thoughts and I didn't even hesitate to speak the lie like it was the most honest thing ever.

Since I have you all wondering about what I'm talking about and what this awful lie is, I will put your mind at peace right now. The lie I so easily threw in Devon's face was that I didn't know if I could forgive him. 

Yes, I said that people because he deserved to feel hurt and rejected. He said some mean and harsh things to me, ones that really stung and hit deeply and I deserved some payback. So yeah, I made him think that I had doubts about forgiving him.

But, it wasn't true. In fact, it was the furthest thing from the truth. All it had taken was for me to hear the things he said, to hear his side of insecurities and I couldn't keep my grudge anymore. 

It pained me to know that after all this time, after all the things he has gone through, bellow all that hard and tough exterior, was a hurt and vulnerable guy that hid behind the walls he put up. Devon had been mistreated, hurt, shoved away and all that had let him doubt himself in the worst way possible. And when I saw how easily was for him to accept the idea that someone would turn their back on him opposite to the idea of wanting to be his friend, my heart had hurt for him.

No one deserved to feel like that, him the least. He tried to play it cool and cold, but I knew he had a good heart, a caring one too. It was his little acts, some words that he'd slip so nonchalantly, all the little things he thought I didn't see, but I did that made me think otherwise. Devon had been abandoned by the people that needed to support him most and it had left him with the worst trust issues, towards himself and towards others. I saw it now, clear as day. 

However, that didn't stop me at being a bit evil. Yes, I had forgiven him, but I hadn't forgot the words he had said. They may have been in an effect, not really thought through, but they had come out of his mouth and they had been in his head. Now, I needed to teach him a lesson before I let him off the hook. One of them was to do my best to at least mention them once a day, more if the mood called for it, but not over do it.

So, to say that Monday morning when we saw each other was awkward would be an understatement bigger than any ones before. 

He had decided to walk to school. Points for effort on his side, but he made it hard for me to keep away from him and give him somewhat of a cold shoulder. And on top of that he was nice. He actually asked me if it bothered me if we walked together. See what I mean when I say he's a good person? Yeah, good luck holding a grudge to that! 

Then, at lunch, it wasn't like I wasn't going to sit with him, but he did ask me if I would join him and, let me tell you, Devon being polite was getting on my nerves, but I kept my mouth shut. But, he went and threw me one hell of a curve ball. Right before the end of lunch, he gave me a cupcake. But not just any cupcake. Guys, it was from Mable's bakery! He had made that much of an effort. Well, he still did actually. 

Just like on Monday, he made it his mission to bring me a cupcake every morning, for the whole week. This, exactly this, was the reason my toughness was breaking and I think he knew it. You know why? Because he was walking towards me with a smile on his face right now. Damn him!

On this sunny Friday morning, Devon comes to stand in front of my house, his hands in his jean pockets as I fully gape at him. I give him a once over as my mouth stays open. I see my expression makes him a bit self conscious because he glances at his clothes quickly before giving me a confused look.