Sorta, Maybe, On Purpose

One - The Breakup

A/N Hey everyone! A friend gave me an idea for this and I've been working on it for the last few days. I'm gonna try and update it regularly but I don't currently have wifi so it might be off sometimes. Just a heads up for some occasional strong language and allusions towards sexual content. There may be some in the future but I haven't decided. Anyway, please enjoy!

     It's Halloween and Devon is watching Harry Potter and Hermione Granger break up.
     Not really of course, considering the two fictional characters were never together in the first place. His sister, in a horrifically frizzy wig, is yelling a stream of nearly unintelligible insults at her boyfriend. His dollar store costume glasses are laying broken on the ground a few feet away, having been stepped on at some point during the confrontation.
     Devon isn't entirely sure what spawned the argument. They had all gone out to the bar together to celebrate the holiday and after about an hour of being there, he noticed they had disappeared. Recently twenty-one and not all that comfortable with the bar scene, Devon had left his seat and overpriced mixed drink to look for them. When he found them outside a few minutes later, he almost wished he hadn't.
     The night was cold and the air was tinged with cigarette smoke from the patrons who frequently stepped outside to sooth their cravings. The remainders of those cigarettes were littered all over the sidewalk. The smokers who were outside now had lined up against the wall of the building, trying to look like they weren't watching the argument as well.
     It seemed nearly over now, the two standing close but both refusing to look at the other. His sister marched around her (potentially ex) boyfriend and walked over to stand in front of Devon.
     "Dev I want to go home, you're good to drive right?" He nodded, the two sips of his drink not amounting to any worry. He looked over his sister's shoulder at her boyfriend, his back still facing them.
     "Yeah Caroline, I'm good but... what about Asher? He did drive up with us." She scowled hearing the name.
     "Fuck Asher. He can get an uber. Maybe I'll get lucky and he'll get a psycho killer driver." She pulled her costume cloak around her and avoided looking at him.
     "Caroline..."
     "Look Devon I don't want to talk about it can we go now? Please?" She finally met his eyes and the watery line under them had anger brewing in his heart.
     "What did he do to you? Do you want me to say something to him?" She laughed, a sound that was almost a sob.
     "Don't threaten to beat up my ex, I love you bro, but you would lose. Let's just go." She started walking and with a quick look at Asher, who was now talking to someone on the phone, Devon followed her.

-----

     The car ride home was mostly silent. Caroline flipped mindlessly through the radio stations and Devon didn't bother to tell her to stop. About halfway through the drive she sighed and leaned back heavily in her seat.
     "He told me he was switching colleges." Devon looked over at her briefly but didn't say anything. "And it pissed me off. I mean, just a month ago he was hinting at us maybe moving in together when I graduated since he's done next year and I still have a few left, but all of a sudden those plans weren't good enough for him. He said we could still do the long distance thing if I wanted. If I wanted! Which basically implies that he doesn't care either way!" Devon knew better than to say anything and kept his eyes intently on the road.
     "He says he's going to state. The same one you're at. And I mean, I know it's only three hours away but still, we had plans and he's just giving them up. He didn't even tell me why he's transferring." She fell silent for a moment.
     "Sis... I know you're a whopping year and a half older than I am but hear me out." He felt her glare burning into the side of his face. "Maybe state is offering better courses for what he wants to do. Maybe he's switching majors and the school you're at doesn't offer it. But either way, you were saying just a few months ago that you didn't want to get into anything long term anyway..."
She pulled her knees up onto the seat and wrapped her arms around them.
     "I know but Asher... everything felt different with him you know? I thought that maybe he was gonna be to me how mom and dad were when they met in college. It's stupid but-"
     "It's not stupid." Devon was quick to cut in.
     "I just, it was different. I thought he was different. And now everything is falling apart." Caroline sighed and pulled off her wig, tossing it into the back seat. She raked her fingers through her bright pink hair.
     "Just promise me something Dev."
     "What's that?"
     "Don't fall in love in college. It's not what the movies make it out to be." He had to hold back a grim laugh.
     "Nothing is ever like it is in the movies Caroline. Not life, death, and especially not love. But you've no need to worry. I've got too much going on right now to jeopardize it with some short term romance that's fueled entirely on energy drinks and the adrenaline that comes after you finish taking the midterm and realize you don't have to worry about it anymore." She snickered, an actual smile forming on her face.
     "Jeez when did you become all world weary?" He shrugged, suddenly feeling very tired.
     "I dunno. I think it was probably during that history lecture last year when I wished I was alive during the black plague just so it could kill me and I wouldn't have to have lived long enough to be in the lecture." She laughed again and pulled herself more upright in her seat.
     "Ya know, despite how annoying you can be, you know how to make me laugh Devon. Thanks." There was a heavy pause and he could almost guess her next words. "When you get back on campus tomorrow night could you just... keep an eye out for Asher? Apparently he'll be there as soon as next week and I just... let me know if he moves on real fast okay?" Devon glanced at her.
     "You know even if he does I'll lie to you and say he's crying every day from losing you." She smiled.
     "I know. Thanks Devon. You're the best." He grinned widely at her.
     "I hear that all the time."