Never Going Back

Chapter 5

A week later

"What's wrong?" I asked Brad, who had been sitting at our lunch table with his head in his arms. "Tally broke up with me." He said quietly. I reached in my lunch bag and pulled out a cookie covered in plastic wrap, and sat it down in front of him. "What's this?" He asked, picking it up. "It's a chocolate chip cookie. Eat it, it will make you feel better," I replied, grinning. Brad began to unwrap the cookie slowly as I watched. "Devin and I made them after school yesterday," I continued, "so I have another dozen at home," I laughed to myself remembering the gigantic food fight Devin and I had. "Thanks Julie, I'm glad you stuck around." Brad said, just as the rest of the group sat down with us.

"Guys, what would you think of a party at my house on Friday?" Devin asked, taking a bite of My peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Everyone cheered and applauded this suggestion. "Alright, it's set in stone!" Devin said. "Your parties are the best!" A nice looking boy named Jordan said. Jordan had a girlfriend whom I had clicked with, who's name was Brianna. Brianna was very energetic and happy, with blonde curly hair and blue eyes, very pretty. "Are you coming to the party Julie?" Brianna asked me, holding Jordan's hand. "Of course," I said smiling. Everyone at the table cheered, and I became quite excited about the party as well.

Lunch ended, and I began walking to my locker. I reached to unlock it when Devin beat me to it and opened it for me. "You said you're coming to my party, right?" He asked me quickly. "Um yeah, why not?" I asked. He sighed a breath of relief, "because I definitely can't make all the food by myself!" "Of course I'll help you cook," I said happily. "Just come over after school on Friday and we'll get crackin'," he said, starting to walk off. "Hey Devin," I shouted. He looked back at me, "would you want to go out and buy some ingredients tonight? I was thinking home made pizza!" I said. He laughed and gave me a thumbs up. That boy was always in a rush.

After school we walked to a grocery store near our houses. My grandpa had given me 30 dollars to spend, and Devin brought some of his own money. As we were entering the store, Devin stopped abruptly, and gave me a worried look. "What?" I asked. "Crying," he replied. He turned and began walking down an alley on the side of the building. He walked so quickly I could barely keep up. After he began running, I couldn't keep up, and lost him. "Devin?" I asked, a bit panicked. Once around the store, I found him. Devin was sitting on the ground, next to a little boy with tears in his eyes. "See that?" Devin asked, pointing at a little grey and yellow bird. "Every Time a robin sings next to you, it brings good luck. I'll bet you a million bucks that your mommy sent that to you." The boy smiled at him wearily. All my stress left as I walked over and sat next to Devin. "Now I want you to promise me something," Devin said. "Promise you'll always give it your best. Promise that you'll always have hope, even when things get tough. Always." Devin put out his pinky finger to the little boy. They wrapped pinkies, and laughed. He seemed so different now then when I had first met him. So gentle and kind. His words hit me close to the heart. My toes went cold as I got lost in thought... Remembering. Remembering when my life changed forever. Devin's words finally broke through my thoughts.

"How's about you make your way home, and apologize to your dad?" "Okay, thank you- what's your name?" The boy asked, standing up and wiping the tears from his eyes. "Doesn't matter," Devin said smiling. "Just go home kid," "thank you stranger," then the boy was gone.

After buying all the ingredients and snacks needed for the party, Devin and I began walking back to his house. "What was-" I began, stopping myself. Devin grinned over at me, "what was what?" "The boy- the the whole "hero" thing?" I asked, not being able to discover my real question. "His mom had passed away leaving him with his dad, and I guess they got in a fight. I was just trying to help the kid get home, Ya know?" He didn't look at me, only the road. "I get it," I said. "You're pretty great at comforting people, an unexpected talent." I smiled at him. "Unexpected huh?" He chuckled.