DEVON
I left the house shortly after the video chat I'd done with Melvin had ended. I had run out of groceries so I started to drive to the grocery store. Melvin's words kept replaying themselves over and over again in my head. He was definitely talking about Shea. Why was it so important that I don't lie to him? I parked the car outside the grocery store and got out of the car.On my way to the entrance of the grocery store, I bumped into someone, my purse falling to the ground.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't looking" I froze when I heard the familiar smooth voice.
Speaking of the devil, here he comes. I looked up to take the purse he was holding out. I took it from him, avoiding his eyes. Shea looked just as handsome as always in a black t-shirt that was tight in all the right places, and a pair of black skinny jeans. His hair was messy in a I-just-rolled-out-of-bed way. If you ask me, he looked hot. Oh Crap, I didn't just think about his hotness. "So, I was wondering. Is this the place you were supposed to meet your boyfriend for the date?" He asked. My cheeks turned pink.
Dang it, He's caught me red handed. I sighed and met his gaze again. "You got me there. I lied" I said. He gave me a pointed look. "Look, I-- I freaked out" I sighed, running a hand through my hair. He raised a brow."Am I that scary?" He asked, staring at me."No, no, you're not. You're not the problem here, it's me. Just me. Shit, am rambling" I muttered, mentally face palming myself."O....Kay?" He said, looking confused."Right" I said, forcing out a smile. "I'll just get going then. It seems I'm bothering you" he said and started to walk away. I groaned inwardly, feeling guilty for treating him like that. "Hey, wait up!" I said just as he made to get into his car. He halted, his hand lingering on the door of his car. He slowly turned to look at me with his green eyes unreadable. "Look, I'm really sorry. Uurgh-I've been apologizing a lot, lately" The corners of his lips curved upwards slightly."It's okay, really"
"We can-uh- go somewhere now--to talk I guess.That is, if you're free" I said, grinning sheepishly at him."Are you sure about that? I mean, you've got a boyfriend and all" he shrugged."I mean it's just for a friendly lunch date" I said."Alright, then"I subconsciously held onto Theo's pendant that I was wearing. Shea's expression suddenly changed, his gaze resting on the pendant around my neck. His eyes looked glassy and dazed. "Shea?" I said, snapping him out of whatever daze he was in. "Sorry about that" he said, forcing out a smile that didn't reach his eyes."What was that?" I asked, my curiosity spiking up.He sighed, running a hand through his hair."Your pendant....It seems familiar. I think I've seen it before but I don't remember where" My eyes widened. "Are you certain that it's exactly like this?" I asked."Yeah, it's exactly like that" he replied."Oh. Are we still up for the lunch date?" I asked."Sure. If you haven't changed your mind"
★★★
We ended up in McDonalds and we ordered sundae and some large fries. We chatted lazily at first. He got to know a bit about me but I still didn't know a lot about him especially since he said he was just trying to start all over. "You said you've been dreaming about me" I said.His eyes widened."When did I say that?"
"You texted me, remember? You also mentioned it at the bar, you were drunk off your ass." I said.
He smiled, dimples popping out. Dang it, I think I'm gonna melt!
'Stop it, Devon. He isn't your dead soulmate'
"Well, I guess some drunken statements mostly consist of the blunt truth. Yes, I've been dreaming of you" he said, leaning back on his chair. "I don't understand. I didn't meet you until the day you walked into the coffee shop" I said."I don't understand it either. I mean, I dreamt of you often but then, I never knew your name"
"What happened exactly? How did you suddenly become amnesiac?" I asked."I really don't know. The doctors told me that it was just a sudden amnesia because I didn't have any head injury of any sort. I was told that I was involved in an accident. They found me by the road side, unconscious. The weird part is that the only injury I had was a small cut above my left eye"
"So, can you explain one of your dreams to me? I know you don't trust me and-"He held up a hand."You're wrong, Dev. I trust you, I don't know why, but I just do. There's something realistic about you. I can't explain it" he said.Okay, this is getting really weird. My phone rang and I groaned. "I need to take this call. I'll be back shortly" I said and went outside.I picked the call, bringing my phone to my ear."Hey, Liam" I said."Hey, beautiful. Where are you?" He asked."I'm-uh- just hanging out with a friend" I said."My mum's coming over tonight and I need your help to go shopping and prepare dinner" he said.I chuckled."I'll be glad to help. When do you want me coming over?" I asked."What about now?"
"Now? Liam- " I whined."Please, I'll make it up to you. I really need you here right away" I sighed, tucking my hair behind my ear. "Okay. I'll be coming over in a few minutes" I said "That's great, thanks a lot" he said."You don't have to thank me. I'll see you later okay?" I asked."Alright, love you""Love you too" I said, cringing at how awkward I sounded.The line went dead.Do I like Liam? Yep.Okay, let's try that again.Do I really like Liam? Absolutely. Do I love Liam?Jeez, that's a tricky question. No, I don't love him and I feel bad for lying to him constantly. I've turned into a great liar ever since my world came crashing down. What am I supposed to do? Liam has been awesome, he's done a lot just to make me give him a chance into my life. It's not fair to him and it breaks my heart. I looked at Shea who was tapping his long fingers on the table, absentmindedly. He's been zoning out a lot. I guess that's what amnesia does to people. I wonder how he copes with the confusion in his mind. I approached our table and cleared my throat. His eyes widened. "I zoned out again, didn't I?"
"It's okay. You don't have to feel bad about that. Anyway, I have to meet up with Liam right away. I'm really so...."He smiled.
That painfully, breathtaking smile. It was so easy to see him as my Theo and I felt like I'd just been sucker punched."Quit apologizing. There's no need for that. I should be thanking you for this" he said.
"You're welcome, I guess" I said, picking up my purse. "Oh, there's something I wanted to say" he said, rising to his feet. He was wearing brown boots. The kind Theo would wear. Oh, Crap.
"What is it?" I asked, my gaze meeting his."You look really beautiful today" he said, flashing his million dollar smile. My heart sank because at that moment, my brain had stopped functioning. Why? Why can't he stop reminding me of Theo? Just why? I wanted to scream, cry and laugh at the same time. He was ripping out my heart, smashing it against the wall and throwing it into the ocean.
"Thanks, I better get going" I said and turned away from him. I needed to leave right away because my eyes were filling up with tears. My hands were trembling even as I gripped my purse tightly to keep them from trembling. Shea was bad news and I desperately needed to stay away from him. I got into my car and drove off. When I got to Liam's apartment, he hugged me and kissed my head. Tears pricked my eyes. The only person who was so fond of kissing the top of my head was Theo and at that point, I felt like my heart was being ripped apart. I broke apart in my boyfriend's arms. Why does it still hurt even after three years?
Why can't I move on already? Why do I miss him so much, it's tearing me apart on the inside? It hurts like hell. Liam, being the wonderful person he was, just didn't ask questions. He held me until my sudden emotional breakdown had ceased.
*************
SHEA
The moment she started to walk away, I felt the strong urge to stop her and not let her go. I saw it on her face when she looked at me. She was heartbroken. I had no idea what I'd done wrong and I felt horrible for making her feel like that. It's not like I did it on purpose. Devon deserves all the happiness in the whole world but I could sense the sadness and the pain she was feeling. I was much aware of the dullness in her pretty eyes. She's broken and she doesn't let herself see it. But I could see it clearly. I wanted nothing but to reach out to her and pull the sadness out of her. I wanted to wipe away her unshed tears and give her the happiness she deserved. There was an ache growing inside of me. I need her. I really do. My life has been more confusing ever since we met but I think she's the answer I need. I'll be damned if I let her go. I walked out of McDonalds, ignoring the three ladies who stood by the road side, ogling me. Just as I got to my car, the hair in the back of my neck stood stiff like I was being watched by someone. It wasn't about the three ladies who were ogling me. I turned to look around but found no suspicious activity.All of a sudden, a woman bumped into me. I quickly steadied her and apologized. She looked up, her eyes widening when she saw me.Tears filled her eyes, her lower lip quivering. "H-how? How are you still alive?" She asked. Alarmed, I took a step backwards."What are you talking about? I have never seen you before. I do not know who you are" I said.Hurt crossed her features and I suddenly felt guilty."What do you mean? Don't you recognize me?" She asked. Pain flared up in my head and I clutched the side of my head. Her face flashed in my mind. Shit, I think I've seen her a couple of times. I don't remember where. "You look like you're in pain. Do you need-"I held up a hand, trying to reassure her that I was fine."You look just the same. But your eyes, they're different"
'You're giving me a migraine!' I groaned inwardly.
"Don't you remember me? Your adoptive mum, Rachel?" She asked, tilting her head.