e l i a s *
I pull in front of Devin's blue truck, get out of the car and walk to the door, knocking on it. He comes to the door after a few seconds.
"Are you going to kick me out after nine o'clock?" I ask him.
"Huh?" he asks confusedly.
"Your doormat says 'Welcome. But please leave before 9'."
"Oh...no, I think I'll make an exception for you."
I walk into the house and close the door behind me. Devin and I have been best friends since we were in fourth grade when we met and bonded over 'hating' a girl in our class who's name was Hazel. I don't even remember why we 'hated' her.
"Thanks for coming over and going with me," He says. "We can leave in a few minutes, I just need to finish something upstairs."
"Alright," I reply. I sit down on the couch.
We're going to his mom's house for his niece, Piper's, first birthday party. It's Minnie Mouse themed, as many first birthday parties are.
∿
When we pull in the driveway, there are pink, polka-dotted balloons tied to the mailbox, as well as a few cars are already there. Devin's sister, Kenzie, meets us at the door.
"Hey, guys!" She says. "Be warned, Piper is very hyper!"
"Isn't she always?" Devin points out as his mom, Sarah, comes up behind Kenzie to give both Devin and I a hug.
"Alright, fair point," Kenzie says, hugging Devin and I.
I stand around awkwardly because even though we have been friends since fourth grade, and I've been to several birthday parties and family functions, I do still feel awkward. Devin grabs my wrist and pulls me into the living room, right in the middle of the party. I see Devin's cousin Lexi and turn around to face Devin so I can avoid her.
"What's wrong?" Devin asks me.
"Lexi," I say.
"Oh, just go talk to her! She likes you!"
"Yeah but I don't like her like that, Dev."
"Ohhh."
I nod, and despite my best efforts to escape from Lexi's gaze, she still sees me and starts to walk over to us. I shoot a nervous glance at Devin, hoping he'll give me an escape route or something.
"Hey, Eli!" Lexi says, pulling me into a --very awkward, might I add-- side hug. "How are you? Got a girlfriend yet? If you don't, I could change that!" She says the last part in a sing-song voice.
I swallow. "No, I don't have a-"
"He's seeing someone," Devin says, interrupting me.
"Oh...who is it? Do I know her?" Lexi asks Devin, very interested. Why are they having a conversation about my love life??
"Yes, actually, you do know him!" Devin says. My heart drops. He did not just out me to his cousin. Who am I even supposed to be dating anyway?
"In fact, you know him well," Devin adds.
I have no clue what's happening right now.
"Oh, do I? Who is this mysterious, lucky, person, hmm?"
"Oh, I know, he's very lucky."
"You didn't answer my question." Lexi points out, and I do have to give her credit for that one.
"Hmm? What question? Oh, that question." Devin says. He turns to look at me, and without any kind of warning, he presses his lips to mine.
He pulls back after a few seconds and I stare at him, dumbfounded and somehow feeling giddy. My best friend (and crush) just kissed me, in front of his cousin.
"Now, if you'll excuse us, we need to go speak to my mother," Devin says, grabbing my wrist and pulling me out of the living room and into the empty hallway, where he shoves me against the wall and presses his lips against mine.
"Wha-what are you doing??!" I ask him, pushing away. "Your family is right there!"
"And I don't care," he says, trying to kiss me again.
"Listen, Dev, I like you, I do, but we cannot do this right now at your niece's first birthday party, okay? Let's--let's just talk about this later, okay?"
Devin smiles at me, grabbing my wrist and pulling me into the closet on the opposite wall. He closes the door and slams me against the wall, pushing his lips against mine. He bites my bottom lip, making me gasp which makes him smile. I pull away, trying to find his face in the dark.
"Dev—" I begin.
"Ssh," he whispers. He lifts me off the ground, holding me up and against the wall.
"Devin—" I whimper.
"Ssh," he whispers again.
He lets me down and presses his lips to my neck, sucking.
I let out a quiet moan on accident. I feel Devin's lips smile against my skin.
"You like that?" He asks me. "You like that, baby? Yeah?"
I lean my head back against the wall, my mouth hanging open.
"Devin— what about Piper?" I ask, finding my voice again.
He comes up from my neck and looks at me.
"You're so beautiful," he whispers, leaning in and pressing his lips against mine. I move both of my hands to his head.
"I love you, Devin," I say softly and breathlessly, "but we need to get out of here, Piper's gonna be opening presents soon."
"Okay," he whispers. "Go out first,"
