Chapter 35
Evelyn
Sebastian picks me up, and we start the drive home together in silence. I’m completely despondent, and I know he’s being kind and not bothering me to let this whole thing go. Ava still won’t answer my messages, and I’ve grown more concerned over the last days before break.
He tries to cheer me up with stupid jokes, but in the end, he knows nothing’s going to get me to talk.
“I spoke to her yesterday,” he finally admits, causing me to whip my head around to face him. “But it didn’t go well. She’s set in her ways at the moment.”
I feel myself deflate even more. Of course, what else could I expect at this point? I know Sebastian is trying his hardest to fix things, but he’s not Superman.
I can’t think he’ll save me from all my troubles.
“I’m sorry, Princess,” he tells me, sighing as he keeps watching out the windshield. “I wish there was more I could do. I don’t know what else there is.”
There’s nothing else he can do. I know that. I sigh and look out the window at the scenery flying by. There are birds flying overhead, and I imagine being free in that same way.
The cold weather should have sent them south for the winter sooner. But really, what should one expect from a flock moving across the sky?
At least they haven’t been left behind by their friends.
I let a tear slide down the right side of my face, hiding it from Sebastian so he doesn’t worry.
When we arrive at Gregory’s, my mom is waiting outside for us in a long cardigan with her arms crossed. She and I aren’t used to how cold New York can get, it seems. At least that much about us is still the same.
“There they are!” She cheers, opening her arms up for me to fall into. I let her coddle me because right now, the one thing that might make me feel better is Madelyn Walters.
“I missed you!” Mom kisses the top of my head and squeezes me excitedly.
“Missed you, too,” I mumble into her shoulder. Sometimes I forget how easily I miss her when we’re apart.
“Well, we’re going to have a wonderful Thanksgiving break!” She tells me.
I pull away as Mom grabs Sebastian for his hug. He seems somewhat confused by her willingness to hold him close, but he slowly relaxes into her.
I wonder how Madelyn makes Sebastian feel. He’s basically been without a mom, and now he has one all at once as an adult. I still don’t see Gregory as my father, though, I respect him and how much he loves my mom.
“Come in, come in!” Madelyn insists. “We’ve got a lot of catching up to do, and I am absolutely frigid out here.”
We grab our bags from the car and follow her inside, where the warmth of the house illuminates the fall décor. Mom’s really gone all out.
“Now, I wanted to do a big, fancy dinner, but Gregory insisted we save it for Thanksgiving on Thursday.”
I’m only half-listening, seeing the changes that run throughout the house. In all honesty, I’m much too tired for all the theatrics. I’ve been studying for the past week non-stop, and with Ava and everything with Sebastian, I’m not in the festive mood.
“Honey?” Madelyn’s voice reaches me, and I turn to look at her as she waits expectantly for my response.
“Sorry?” I try, but she raises an eyebrow. “Was uh, looking at the decorations and must have zoned out a little.”
“Well, we never got to experience a true fall or winter, so I wanted the house to reflect the season.”
“It looks great, Madelyn,” Sebastian says with a small smile.
“Thank you, honey.” Mom lays a hand on his arm. “That’s sweet of you.”
“And to answer your question, Evelyn’s having a fine semester. Just been a busy bee, haven’t you, dear sister?”
I glance from one to the other, figuring this is Sebastian’s way of getting me out of the hole I just dug for myself. However, I’m too exhausted to keep up this conversation. The only thing I feel like doing right now is collapsing in my own room.
“Excuse me,” I end up saying apologetically. “I think I’m just…overworked and need to lie down.”
I don’t wait for either person to say anything. Instead, I hike my bag onto my shoulder and quickly climb the stairs to be by myself.
I thought the worst thing that could have happened to me already did when Lucas was a pathetic cheater. But that doesn’t hurt nearly as much as the lack of responses and pain from Ava’s silence.
I close my bedroom door and throw down my bag. I jump onto my bed, ripping the comforter over my head and huddling into a ball.
All I want is for this nightmare to finally end.
Sebastian
Madelyn and Gregory put a huge Thanksgiving dinner together with the cooks. We’re told to dress nice for dinner, which I find to be abhorrent, but I don’t argue.
I decide to wear a nice button-down shirt so Gregory doesn’t have to beg me to change. Madelyn wears a cocktail black dress, my father wears a suit and tie, and I pull on a pair of black jeans in hopes no one notices.
It’s Evelyn, however, that looks the best. In a red velvet dress, she looks like she did on the night that I met her. Stunning, beautiful, eye-catching.
But for every good, there are the bad. Just like on the night I met her; I see the sadness on her face. She’s been spending all her time locked in her room. Even Madelyn can’t seem to get her to talk.
“Oh, you look so handsome!” Madelyn compliments me, her dazzling smile effortless. She then looks at Evelyn. “And you, my dear girl, are radiant.”
“Thanks, Mom,” she mumbles.
It’s so weird seeing her still struggling to handle Ava’s anger. I’ve been trying to get her out of her room since we got here, but she’s been hiding away.
“Can we do the family picture, dear?” Madelyn asks Gregory, turning to him. “It’s our first holiday as a real family.”
“I uh, don’t think—” Evelyn starts to say, but I step in front of her.
Talking over her so that she’s drowned out, I state, “That sounds lovely.”
Eagerly, Madelyn hands me her phone, asking me to take some pictures of her and Evelyn, then her and Gregory.
“Alright, now take a selfie of the four of us!” She instructs, and I grab Evelyn to come closer. I can see the pain in her face, but she still does her best to smile as naturally as possible.
"Perfect!" Madelyn cheers, taking back her phone and examining the pictures.
The meal is delicious and largely uneventful. I notice Evelyn pushing her food around her plate and staying silent. Madelyn and Gregory do most of the talking, asking the two of us questions every so often.
There are a few instances where Evelyn’s eyes lock on with mine, catching me as I study her. I attempt jokes that I think will make her smile, but it’s a wasted effort.
“And how’s studying for finals?” Madelyn questions.
“People study for those?” I tease, which makes Madelyn giggle. Evelyn, however, is stoic.
“I hope that’s not your genuine approach to your classes, son,” Gregory deadpans.
Eye rolls all around on my part. I even try to get Evelyn’s attention to get the spotlight shifted off of me, but she doesn’t look up.
“If that was my approach, I’d have failed out of college three semesters ago,” I reply instead. There’s a bitter edge to my sentence, one I hope he hears. I have no desire to be in school, but I’m also fully aware leaving isn’t an option.
“Oh, Greg, let the boy loosen up at the dinner table. I know you’re working hard, both of you,” Madelyn chirps.
Evelyn, sat straight across from me, still refuses to look up or speak.
What can I possibly do to make her laugh? To bring out the Evelyn I’ve grown to care for? All I can think about is helping her.
“Mads, I don’t know if you understand the ramifications if Sebastian doesn’t—”
“Wow this food sure is good!” I yell over Gregory, not letting him finish his sentence as I take a big bite of turkey and mashed potatoes. “Mhmm good!”
Madelyn laughs, Gregory frowns, and Evelyn’s eyes move up to gaze at me, seemingly confused as to why I just burst out my love for Thanksgiving. But that’s enough for me to feel like she’s still in there.
Later, when dinner’s done, Evelyn excuses herself to her room, sighting studying and a headache.
I watch her go, feeling helpless and wanting to speak to her. But I know that’s not going to be a feasible option right away.
As expected, Madelyn tries to interrogate me with what I know.
“You know Evelyn better than I do,” I remind her. “But you know her. School has always been important. It’s been a rough semester mentally, but she’s also determined.”
It’s a lie as to her attitude, but it’s a truth when it comes to the grades and desire to succeed. And then I realize; when’s the last time I gave a damn about anyone other than her?
When did I constantly lie for someone and worry about their wellbeing?
“Her closest friend dumped her because she found out Evelyn and I slept together one time!” I wish I could holler. “I’ve taken something from her and made her situation more complicated.”
But I don’t say any of that. Instead, I shrug, feigning ignorance. I must convince her mom, because all she does is nod, stating that she’s glad Evelyn has me.
Has me? She barely looks at me.
I spend the rest of my night plotting: what can I do to bring back that smile? What can I do to make her laugh or feel joy again, even just temporarily?
Opening up our text conversation, I send one sentence. “Clear your schedule on Friday, no questions.”
Her response to me does not contain words. Instead, it’s a thumbs-up, which I take to mean she’ll be available.
Knowing there’s not much else to say in this situation, I sigh and type one more message. “I promise you I’ll do everything I can to fix this for you, Princess.”
