Chapter 62

      I've started at myself in the mirror for over fifteen minutes. I look good but I feel awkward. Wearing Light colors have never been my thing yet James suggests we should try it.

     I huffed and adjusted my bag. It felt crazy to not wear a black hoodie and pull the hood over my head. I wore a white pique polo shirt and a pair of blue jeans. The Nike shoes on my feet looked too good and expensive to be mine.

     I wasn't used to spending this much on clothes and shoes and it just makes me feel different.

      I walked into the school hallway with lockers and everyone turned their head in my direction. This has to be the hardest thing in history.

      I saw jaws drop while others touched the nearest person to them to turn their attention to me.

     I would have looked if I wasn't me. Seeing Devin the fighter without a hood covering my face and wearing new expensive clothes that were bright colors. Everyone could bet I was up to something.

     I couldn't keep walking with the whole gaze fixed on me so I turned to my right and headed to the restroom. I needed to catch a minute without these guys staring at me.

      I pushed the door open and sighed. A guy walked out of the restroom but glanced at me in that weird way before he left. I signed up for this man, it got me nauseated.

     Walking in, my gaze met with Xavier who was washing his hands. He studied me from head to toe and let out a humorless laughter. I turned to the other sink and just washed my hands there. I was trying to avoid Xavier and his petty talks.

      "Did you just walk in here to wash your hands or cause you feel uncomfortable in what you wore?"

     I ignored his question, still washing my hands.

    "I'm going to be sincere with you Devin, you look awful on that. Looks like you got beaten by a rainbow."

     I swallowed the lump in my throat and just turned off the tap. I was trying to ignore him so he could leave but he looked like he had other plans.

     "I don't have time for this, man."

      I tried taking him off but that got him more interested in telling me how bad I looked in bright colors.

     "You should have just stuck with your dark life. Trying something different doesn't suit you."

     "That shouldn't be your worries. You should watch out and cherish the moments you have with people you love."

     He let out a soft chuckle and walked closer to me.

     "And why are you being a motivational speaker?"

     He didn't let me reply before he walked away. I heaved a sigh of relief 'cause he finally left but I felt insecure about how I looked wearing the clothes.

     A part of me didn't want to listen to Xavier but I knew he was saying the truth. I just didn't want him to get in my head but he already got in before I could control my thoughts.

      I walked to the mirror and looked at my reflection. The scars on my neck weren't visible but if you looked closer, you would catch a glimpse.

     Classes already started by the time I got inside the class and my lips twitched. I was glad the teacher didn't make any fucking statement and so nobody threw those awkward stares in class.

     When the bell rang, I checked my wristwatch. It was time for gym class and I felt an excitement in me. I wasn't excited because gym class was all fun but because I'd get to see Emily and probably see her reaction to my new dress sense and choice of words.

      As I walked into the hallway, I kept my eyes fixed on nothing but my front.  I saw a little crowd gather at the corner of the hallway. To hell with them, I didn't want to look or get involved till I saw Gabby and her friends walking out from the crowd. The next thing I thought of was Emily and so I tilted my head searching for her.

      I found Emily leaning on her locker. She had an expression that looked like she was about to cry. I didn't need anyone to tell me Gabby and her girls bullied her. That was all they did, pick on Emily because of her petite body or for some reason that should probably fvck them.

     I walked closer to Emily and realized the reason they made fun of her was because of her wrong choice of clothes.

     Who the hell wears an ombre burnout tank with an overall?

    Fucking hell.

    "I don't think you should mind them," I said leaning on the next locker. "They're bullies and probably need someone to hit sense into them."

     She gave a quick smile and said nothing. "You look good."

     I wasn't sure if I heard right but Emily just said I looked good and that was all I needed to feel certain about my clothes.

    I returned the smile and said a simple, "Thank you."

        She used her hands to cross over her chest and I could see she was feeling exposed. The least Xavier could do was to ask her to wear something else or get her a jacket. Although I said it was the least he could do, the best he did was to bruise Emily's lip and come threaten me.

     "Are you okay? You can have this," I suggested tossing my hoodie to her. I kept the hoodie in my bag in case I needed to wear it but she already complimented me and made me feel I could go about wearing the clothe confidently.

     She raised her eyes to me. "Devin," she called and before I could say anything, she was throwing her arms around me.

      She hugged me so tight, that it took a second to return the hug and hold her back. She had this floral scent and it made me want to keep sniffing her.

      I used my hands to hold her hair and gently stroke it. She remained in my arms and I just raised my head to the figure standing across us.

     It was Xavier and he looked like he was going to shoot me if he had a Glock

     "Thank you so much, you always kinda save me."

     Emily's voice was cracky, it sounded like she was about to cry.

    "Hey, don't cry," I replied stroking her hair. I turned my stare back to Xavier and smiled at him.

     It wasn't the best thing to do but I loved that he saw Emily hug me. That way he'd know I didn't force myself on her.