What's This? (Paul Kennedy)

Part 2

•Devyn's POV•
I'm somewhat rudely awakened when the plane lands not so smoothly. I slightly jump in my seat and look around, everyone else extremely anxious to get off the plane. After seeing everyone holding their bags that were under their seat, I reach down and grab mine, too. I take a deep breath as I wait for the plane to connect with the building.
I turn my phone off of airplane mode, some texts popping up from Connor. They're just saying about where he will meet me and how he's super excited. I smile and hit the pier button, unbuckling my seatbelt.
After waiting for a bunch of people to get off, it's finally my turn to go, people still stare as I get off. As I exit, the flight attendants greet me and tell me to have a great trip. If only they knew this wasn't a trip...
After I start walking away from the gate, I see a nearby Starbucks. I walk over and order a coffee (personally I love the s'mores frap but that's just me). As I wait, I stretch my arms, the sleeves on my hoodie slightly rising up on my arm and showing my wrist. I look at my wrist and see some old bruises that are fading away. I hurriedly pull the sleeves down again.
They call my name and I take my coffee, grabbing a straw and heading out.
I wander around until I find my way out of security. Then once I'm out, I check my messages to see where he said he'd meet me. While I'm focusing on my phone, someone crashes into me and wraps their arms around me. Before I fight back, I realize who it is and hug back.
"Hey little sis." Connor let's go and insists on taking my backpack.
"Hey Con man." I say as I hold onto my backpack, "I'm not weak Connor. I can carry my own bag."
He shakes his head and we walk out to the car. Once we're both situated, he starts up his car and we start driving.
"So seriously, if you just show my where apartments are, or the cheapest hotel/motel is, I can just go there and find an easy job. Just need some recommendations." I nudge his shoulder softly while he drives.
"Nope," he shakes his head, "I insist you stay with me. I won't even make you pay me any rent or anything. Just live with me and get back on your feet." He glances my way, sincerity lacing his words.
I nod, not wanting him to stop everything for me. Ever since we were little, he's been almost like a father figure to me. Our father left us and our mom, our mom having to work a lot to keep a roof over our heads. Once he was old enough, he moved out to California to start his life, and I just stayed there and met Donny. We all know how that went.
"Oh, and job recommendations, I'll talk to my boss, Matthias, because we are always looking for editors. If you know how to, you can come work with me and make some friends. It'll be so much better than a little fast food job, I know that's what you were thinking about getting." He keeps his eyes one the road as he explains to me. There's so much excitement in his voice, it sounds like he's been wanting me to work with him for a while. I smile at his excitement and shrug.
"Sure, I'll check it out. Anything that can help me get money and get out of your house." I give an airy breath, looking over at Connor. He just shakes his head.
"You know you can stay as long as you need to, right Dev?" He asks, looking over to make sure I understand. I nod and his eyes go back to the road. The rest of the ride is quiet, a few jokes here and there. I can tell he notices the bruise, but he doesn't want to talk about it. I don't either, not yet anyways.
We finally pull up to his house. It's a smaller house, but it feels so much safer than where I was, even if I'm only in the driveway. I open the door and then go to the back door behind me and open it to grab my backpack. After I grab it and throw it on my back, I follow Connor inside the house. Once we're inside, I look around, taking in the small features of the house. I set my bag on the couch, still looking around. My eyes go to the walls, looking at different pictures hanging up. I see him with a bunch of guys. "Hey Connor, who are these guys that are in a few of the pictures hanging up?" I point to one of the few pictures of the guys.
He walks over to me and explains, "Oh, those guys are my coworkers, but also they're my friends as well. And they're your soon-to-be coworkers, if you come work with me." He gives me a cheeky smile and I can't help but smile as well.
I can feel myself relax as I take in the house, it holds a welcoming feel to it. I walk around to the couch and sit next to my bag, finishing my coffee. I set the empty cup on the coffee table. "So, if I did choose your offer, when would I start? Because I would like a feel of everything first." I say, laying my arm on the arm rest and relaxing a little more.
"Hmm," Connor joins me on the other end of the couch, "How about tomorrow? Not start working tomorrow, but come in and get a feel for everything? Meet people beforehand so you're not just thrown in with complete strangers. You could even sit in when we record a video or two, if you want." He offers, standing up to take care of the empty cup. I give an innocent smile as I don't want to get up from the couch to take care of my own trash. I lift my feet up onto the couch after I take my socks and shoes off.
Connor comes back and sits down, moving my feet up and placing them on his lap so I can still lay down. "Sure, why not? The guys are chill though, right? I'm guessing since they put up with you, they have to be chill." I giggle as Connor playfully hits my leg.
It grows quiet, then Connor clears his throat, "Yeah, they're chill. But uh, Dev? Should we talk about..." He points to the bruise on my face. Then to the ones on my arms, since I took my hoodie off, which are fading. I swallow hard and I slightly nod, glancing up at him, then keeping my gaze down. "So what happened? Dev," he squeezes my shin, which is partially laying on his lap, "you can tell me anything. I will never judge you, you're my sister. I love you more than anything, if I have to hide a body for you I will."
I shake my head, remembering every single second of not even a full day ago, and every single day before I landed here. I finally swallow a lump in my throat and start explaining, my eyes start to grow watery from remembering how scared I was, and how much pain I was put through.
After I finish explaining to Connor, he just pushes my legs off softly and pulls me close to wrap me in an embrace. I let him wrap his arms around me, while I cry into his chest. My shoulders shake as I sob into him, he keeps holding me until I finally stop. He holds my shoulders and pulls away, "He's not here. He can't hurt you. Even if he was here, I wouldn't let him hurt you anymore. It's going to be okay. I'll go get some ice, I'm sure it's tender, then we can run to the store and pick up some makeup, I'm sure there's a 24 hour store somewhere that has makeup." I nod and he gets up to get some ice.
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A/N: Yeah, this was a super long chapter, sorry if you didn't plan on reading this much, I kinda got carried away. I hope you enjoyed it though!