Since Way Back ↷ Jeff Atkins

↷ TWENTY NINE

Furrowing her brows, she questions softly, ''You okay?''

''Yeah,'' He mumbles. ''It's just-.. Can I just punch him?''

Her features grew stern. ''No, Zach.''

''I just don't understand why he would do that to you,'' He shakes his head vigorously. ''I want you to be happy.''

She didn't realize it herself, that the boy's charming word's grew a sweet smile on her lips. She linked an arm with his and began walking. ''I am happy. I moved so far on from Jeff that everything doesn't even matter.''

''Don't say that,'' He looks down at her. ''If you something makes you feel a sort of way, than it does matter, Devs. Don't ever hold back, no matter how stupid or pointless it may be.''

''You know, for a dumb jock, you're pretty damn wise.''

× × ×

One leg bounced under the lunch table while he was clicking his teeth. Jeff Atkins was pist. He kept trying to look away from the scene of Devin Greene and Zach Dempsey enjoying each other's company alone together, later that afternoon.

He shouldn't be this mad. He's the one who left her. But he couldn't help it. Especially with his reasons why.

''Kind of weird.'' Jeff's gaze snapped towards Tony Padilla, who was occupying the seat across from him and Clay Jensen, who was taking the seat next to him. The second Tony sat down, his head pretty much blocked his view of Devin and Zach, which is what he needed.

Any longer and there was a good chance he was going to explode.

''You know,'' Clay raised a brow. ''Devin and Zach.-''

Tony blinked his eyes wide, tilting his head towards Jeff as is his way of silencing him. It was a rough topic to mention.

''Sorry.''

Jeff shakes his head and looks down at his tray. ''It's fine. It doesn't phase me.''

''Really?'' Tony scrunched his lips to the side. ''Because I'm pretty sure if looks could kill, one and two would be deceased.''

''I just don't get it,'' Jeff leans forward with interest. ''It hasn't even been that long since we broke up and she's already diving back into another relationship?''

Clay tilts his head to the side. ''Technically, we don't know if they're in a relationship.''

''Huh?''

''Devin and Zach?'' He shakes his head. ''There's rumors that they're going out, but we don't know for sure. It could be just like how you and her used to be.''

''And look where we ended up,'' Jeff exasperates.

''I don't think she'll repeat what you guys used to have,'' Tony disagrees. ''I mean, I don't know about you guys, but it's pretty tiring to just impress somebody. But a full on relationship? Especially as long as yours? Nah.''

Tony takes a sip of his water. ''From what I hear, Devin's tolerance level is too low to handle something like that again. Considering.. you know.''

''Yeah,'' Clay shifts in his seat to turn to Jeff. ''Why did you break up with her?''

Tony flattened his lips into a straight line. ''Way to be subtle, Clay.''

''It doesn't matter,'' He waves the guys off.

''The whole school would disagree with you on that one,'' Clay contradicts.

''Okay, well the reason is nobody's business but Devin and I,'' He fires.

''So why doesn't Devin know?'' Tony questions almost quietly. He was trying to be neutral about the situation, but it was hard to oppose the right to wrong.

''Because,-'' He sighs. ''It's too late.''

Tony shakes his head. ''It's never to late to own up to the plate.''

''Plus, I'm sure she's still not immune to your Atkins charm,'' Clay nods his head and grins. ''So, you got this.''

His Atkins charm, why didn't he think of that sooner? It was the perfect way to see if things were truly too little too late with Devin Greene.