The Red Balloon [Heavy Editing]

Prologue ♥

❝When you finally Let Go of the Past, something Better Comes Along.❞

- Annonymous

Amethyst Hayes

"Amethyst. We need to talk." Devan frowned as his hand ran through his blonde hair.

My cheerful mood from earlier quickly vanished into a worried look. This didn't look like the 'Positive Devan' I use to know. He seemed a bit pale and his eyes were tinged with red. But even so, his brown eyes pierced through mine, chilling me to the core as he waited for my reply.

"U-uhm sure thing." I stammered, walking out of my house and shutting the door behind me.

He walked towards the step and sat down without speaking further. I hesitated before I joined him.

"Is there something worrying you?" I said, breaking the awkward silence between us. Devan shook his head, before securely wrapping his arm around my waist to bring me closer. "Just.. let me stay like this for a while." He whispered.

The tension in the atmosphere increased by every passing moment. The skies hung over our heads, and it painted in gray as the clouds diminished into nothing the human eyes could see. Faint drumrolls of thunder erupted in the distance, threatening for a thunderstorm later on. At the same time I shivered, and shifted nearer to Devan who gave me a sense of comfort and warmth.

"Amethyst... What's your definition of love?" He asked. I gave him a questioning look, my eyes scanning his poker face as he stared forward, not meeting my gaze. The grip on my waist seemed to tighten slightly, and I couldn't help but feel a sqeeze inside. His eyes were glassy, and faint circles of grey could be seen beneath his eyes. I leaned my head against his shoulder and he stiffened.

"Love.. To me, is an expression or emotion that is unavoidable to those who fall into the whirlpool of love. People who are in love would help, support, and trust each other. It's a feeling that would bug people till their daylight vanishes, something that would last forever deep within." I breathed, a small smile forming on my lips. Devan stayed quiet for awhile, and when I glanced up his face was thoughtful.

I felt all giddy inside, like how I would whenever I saw his face in deep thought like a child trying to figure out a math problem. He caught my gaze and returned the affection, a small smile slowly formed on his lips as his face inched near mine. Anticipating the kiss, my eyelids slowly dropped, and I knew. That I had been trapped into the whirlpool of love, without a chance of survival.

But the kiss never came. Instead I heard him mutter a curse and felt his arm around my waist slither away. I opened my eyes, somewhat feeling like an idiot but the thought was pushed at the back of my mind when I realized Devan wasn't just acting strange, he was acting different.

"Devan?" I asked hesitantly, slowly standing up and straightening my sweater that I wore.

"I'm sorry.." His voice cracked. I reached my hand over and touched his shoulder, but he jerked away, tearing my insides to a million shreds. "I can't do this anymore, Amethyst."

"Huh?" I was either slow-witted, or I really am an idiot in love.

He turned towards me, looking more tired before he came here. Devan brushed past me and went onto my porch before sinking into one of the chairs, trembling. I didn't move, my back was still turned towards him when he repeated, "I can't do this anymore, Amethyst. It's gone."

"W-what's gone?" I laughed nervously, finally turning around, but my mouth snapped shut when his eyes burned through mine. "My love. My love for you." He supplied, his head then hanging as his shoulders slumped.