Page 21 of Cuffed By Love

“Dev, I’m honestly not in the mood. If I come, I’ll just be bad company, and I don’t want to be the third wheel and ruining prom night for you all.” Mira tries to justify herself, but I was having none of it.

“You will not be a third wheel, and it won’t be any fun without you there, Tinks.” I give her hand a reassuring squeeze, and she sighs, finally caving.

“Okay, fine, fine, I'll come.” she relents and allows me to pull her down the stairs.

“Yay!” Lexi cheers clapping excitedly. “We’re going to have so much fun that you’ll kick yourself for almost missing out.”

“I’m proud of you, sweetheart.” Mira's mum kisses her on the cheek. “Don’t you ever let a boy influence your judgements and make you feel like you’re not good enough because you are and you deserve better than the like of him.” Mira gives her mum a tight-lipped smile and nods.

Mira’s mood was still pretty glum till we got to the hotel where the prom was being held. Halfway through the night, Ryan Fitzpatrick standing her up was the furthest thing on her mind. We danced the night away and had a blast doing it. I may have neglected my date and focused more on Mira, but I couldn’t help this burning need I have inside to be around her. Skylar may have been pissed about me ignoring her the whole night, and honestly, I didn’t care. Although, I did slow dance with her once, so I wasn’t a complete arsehole. It turned out better than I ever imagined and was just another night I would cherish forever.

The following day was a Saturday. After a late night, I stroll into the kitchen with a yawn to join my parents and brother for breakfast. “Oh, look who finally decided to roll his lazy arse out of bed,” Levi utters with a smirk.

I roll my eyes and sink into the chair beside my brother. “Can someone please tell me why I’m up at this ungodly hour on a Saturday?” I grumble moodily. My mother sets a plate of freshly cooked waffles in front of me, and I sit up when my stomach growls at the delicious smell.

“We have something we would like to discuss with you both.” My dad says, looking between Levi and me as he sets the paper he was reading down.

“Sounds serious.” Levi straightens in his chair, his dark brows drawing together while he waits for dad to continue.

“It’s something that will affect us all as a family. I wanted to wait until Devin finished school before I brought it up to you both.” He goes on to explain and casts a look at my mother, who nods encouragingly at him. I was not too fond of the looks they were giving one another. It unsettled me. I set my fork down and wait patiently for my Dad to explain.

“You’re both aware that I’ve been flying back and forth to Singapore this past year looking after things in the publishing house we are opening over there...” Levi and I both nod wordlessly. “Well, we’re ready to open and flying back and forth and spending so much time away from your mother, and you guys has taken its toll.” I swallow the waffle I was chewing on, and it almost felt like it was too big as it glides slowly down my throat. Are they getting a fucking divorce? “Your mother and I have been discussing this for months now, and we both decided that it would be best if we all move to Singapore.” Levi and I stare at my parents silently for a long time, processing what he had just said.

“What?” I croak dryly and shake my head. “Move to Singapore? For how long?” My dad scratches his jaw, and the sound of his fingers scraping against the stubble on his face seemed almost deafening to me.

“Indefinitely.” He tells us both, and I feel my stomach drop at his words. I look over at my brother, who was scowling at him.

“Dad, you can’t be serious. You can’t just uproot our lives like this. I have a life here, my college, my friends. I’m not moving to Singapore.” Levi argues, and my Dad sighs.

“Neither am I,” I utter in agreement with my brother. “My life is here. This is our home. Not some foreign country where I don’t even speak the damn language. If you want to move out there so bad, you can go on your own.”

“Devin, watch your language.” My mum scolds me, and I scowl at her. “This wasn't an easy decision for us to make, honey. Of course this is our home, but sometimes as parents, you need to make tough choices, which unfortunately this is one of those times. We’ve thought of every possible way not to disturb your lives, but this is the only solution, sweetheart.”

“I’m not moving!” I shout hotly and push my chair back hastily and stand.

“Devin—” My father attempts to reason with me, but I shake my head.

“No, Dad, my life is here!”

“Devin, everything is set for our move. We leave on Tuesday. This house will be rented out in the next couple of weeks. I’m sorry, boys, but this move is happening.” My dad informs us both. I can see the guilt written all over his face, and that only angered me more. Without a word, I turn and storm off to my bedroom upstairs and kick the door shut so hard it rattled on its hinges.

Not even a minute later, I heard the front door slamming shut and the roar of Levi’s motorbike start-up and zoom off down the street. I was raging. I couldn’t stand still. I swipe the contents off my desk, and it all scatters all over the floor. I see the photo frame of a picture of Mira and me and bend over to pick it up. We took the photo a while ago on a class trip to Belgium. We were eating Belgian waffles and decided it would be funny if we stuffed our mouths with it like chipmunks and snapped a photo. I sink onto my bed, staring at the picture, my vision blurring with tears at the thought of never seeing her again. This wasn’t supposed to happen. I was never meant to say goodbye to her. We were supposed to go to college together and make many more unforgettable memories. Not this. Not fucking this!

* * *

Later that evening,it was just after eight-thirty, and I was laying on my bed staring mindlessly at my TV, watching but not taking anything in. I vaguely hear the rumble of the rolling thunder and the flash of lightening but my mind is running amuck. My phone rings, startling me from my thoughts. I pick it up, and when I see ‘Tinks calling’ flashing across the screen, I answer it. “Tinks?”

“Dev,” She whispers, her voice quivers. Her tone made me sit upright. She sounded scared.

“You okay? What’s wrong?”

“Dev, I’m alone at home, and I think someone is in the house.” She whispers fretfully. I jump up to my feet and rush over to my window.

“Tinks, what do you mean you’re alone? Wheres Ayla? It’s probably just her?”

“It’s not. My parents have gone away for the night to celebrate their anniversary, and Ayla was supposed to come back, but she’s spending the night with her boyfriend because of the storm. Dev, I’m scared,”

“I’m coming. Is the key still under the birdcage?” I ask in a hurry while I pick up and yank a black T-shirt over my head.

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