“I write to give myself strength. I write to be the characters that I am not. I write to explore all the things I'm afraid of. ” ~Joss Whedon

so sorry I haven't posted in forever! chapter 21 should be done soon too!!! Hope you enjoy and please like and comment! I love the feedback!!!! :)
-Hannah
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Chapter 20:
 
Maria’s POV:
 
“Evan where are you from sweetheart?” My aunt Laura asked.
 
“Southern Wisconsin, ma’am.” Evan told her politely.
 
“Now where are you planning to go to college?” My grandpa asked him from farther down the table.
 
“I’m not quite sure yet sir. I was thinking going to into medicine though.” Evan told him.
 
“Medicine? Ya know my son in law is a doctor…” My grandpa began but then faded off when someone passed him the potatoes.
 
“Do you play any sports Evan? You know Maria played volleyball.” My uncle Jordan asked Evan.
 
“Yeah I played basketball and ran track. And she hadn’t mentioned that.” He told him with a smile in my direction. No doubt I would have to show him some pictures later. You know how guys are with girls in spandex.
 
“Evan, how are you liking McClellanville? Isn’t it such a lovely little town?” My grandma Anne asked him with a smile in my direction. She was the first one to introduce herself to him. She was delighted to meet him just as she had said she would be on Friday when I had had breakfast with her.
 
“I love it here I really do. It’s a really great town full of great people,” Evan told my grandma with a smile.
 
“Alright everyone, I think we have all asked Evan enough questions for now. Why don’t you leave him alone for a bit so he can eat,” my mom told everyone as she sat down at the table with the final dish in her hands. Everyone agreed and began to talk about the food before them.
 
As usual my mom had gone all out for Sunday lunch but today she had really gone all out. My family and I would be eating leftovers for days. I sneaked my left hand under the table and patted Evan on his leg. I know my family could be
intimidating but he seemed to be holding up well. He answered everyone’s questions politely and what more could you ask?
 
He turned and gave me a quick kiss on my cheek and whispered “Thanks,” in my ear. I heard an
“Aww come from down the table which must have come from my grandma.
 
Lunch continued and the conversation switched from topic to topic so fast I could hardly keep up and I knew who and what my family was talking about. To Evan, it must have sounded like a foreign language but he didn’t let it show. He just ate his food and answered any question that was directed his way. I was amazed at how well he could be in a conversation without actually being in it. He would listen so carefully and know just what to say when he needed to. I on the other hand had to say “Pardon?” and sometimes a frank “What?” when someone mentioned my name. He needed to teach me how he did it.
“Maria would you like to come help me with dessert?” my mom asked me as she rose from her spot at the table. I nodded and stood up as well.
 
“I’ll help out too, Mrs. Mancini,” Evan said and he rose with me.
 
“Oh you don’t have to Evan. You’re our guest! Sit back down!” my mom told him patting him on the shoulder and pushing him back into his seat.
 
“If you insist,” Evan said smiling at her. My mom just chuckled and walked into the kitchen mumbling something that sounded like, “that boy and his manners”.
 
When I followed my mom into the kitchen I saw that she had Strawberry Pie and Peach Pie on the counter. Strawberry Pie was my absolute favorite and she only made it for me on special occasions. Why would she make it now?
 
“Mom! You made Strawberry Pie?!” I exclaimed running up to her and giving her a hug.
 
“Yes I did sweetie,” she told me hugging me back.
 
“Bu…but why?” I asked still not over how excited I was at getting a chance to eat the best strawberry pie ever made.
 
“Well…it is kind of a celebratory pie,” she told me as she slid the pie over so she could cut it.
 
“What are we celebrating?” I asked confused.
 
“We are celebrating you, Maria. You and Evan to be exact,” she told me looking over at me with a smile filling her face and lighting up her eyes. I didn’t know what to say. I stood there in shock staring at her for a good minute while she cut both pies and began putting the pieces on their own plates.
 
“That’s…that’s really sweet of you, mom. I don’t know what to say,” I told her truthfully.
 
“I can tell honey,” my mom said with a laugh, “but be happy! The whole family, especially your Grandma Anne, is really glad you two are together. You make each other happy just by being in the same room.”
 
“I am happy we are together too,” I told her with a grin and a blush.
 
“Good good. Now does Evan like Peach Pie or Strawberry Pie?” my mom asked me as she began placing the plates on a tray to carry them out to the guests.
 
“Don’t know. I guess we will have to ask him,” I told her as I loaded the rest of the pieces onto a separate tray and followed her out back into the dining room.
 
Turns out Evan likes Strawberry Pie like me. He couldn’t stop praising my mother for her extremely good pie-making skills. She told him what she tells everyone; it’s all in the crust. When we were done with dessert Evan and I excused ourselves to go to my room and change clothes before going out on the date I had been planning for the afternoon. Everyone told us goodbye and to have a lovely time. Evan even received hugs from many of the female family members. My cousin Alexis held hers a little too long but she’s 14 and Evan is attractive, what are you gonna do?
 
When we entered my room Evan closed the door and grabbed my hand and pushed me so I was standing between him and the door. My back was to the door and when he stepped impossibly closer all my thoughts about this afternoon faded away. All I could think about was the guy who was less than a centimeter away from me.
 
“Your family is quite entertaining,” he told me in a hushed tone. He was trailing his fingers up and down my arms and I was having a hard time thinking straight. “The strawberry pie was the best part though, especially because your mom made it to celebrate us,” he told me looking me straight in the eye.
 
“That was sweet of her wasn’t it?” I asked even though it didn’t sound like a question and I don’t even know if he heard me because I had butterflies flying everywhere and my brain could hardly comprehend anything Evan told me.
 
He brought his face closer to mine and I rose up slightly to meet his, but he stopped when our noses touched and I heard him gasp under his breath when I tangled my left hand in his hair and used my right on his lower back to push him more against me.
 
“Maria-“ was all he could say before I brought his lips to meet mine. I kissed him like I hadn’t kissed him in months even though I had kissed him just a couple of hours ago outside the back gate of his house.
 
His lips moved with mine perfectly and most of the time I forgot to breathe. Evan moved his hands to my sides and I wrapped my arms around his neck. Soon his hands were in my hair and his kisses were setting fireworks off inside my body.
He brought his hands back down to my hips and uttered a husky “Jump” and soon my legs were wrapped around his waist and our heads were now at the same height.
 
We paused momentarily to catch our breath and when I looked into Evan’s eyes I was almost overcome with happiness. Looking back at me were two gorgeous blue eyes that were filled with nothing but, dare I say it, love. His eyes looked so caring and compassionate and they were also filled with happiness. I know mine reflected back the same emotions.
 
Evan still had his hands on my hips and his fingers were trailing along the hem of my shirt where it had ridden up revealing skin. Streaks of fire were left behind by his soft touch and when he began to trail soft kisses down my neck I could feel the fire everywhere.
 
“We’re never going to leave if you keep that up,” I told him breathlessly before he brought his lips back to mine and silenced me from saying anymore.
 
“I can deal with that,” he murmured against my lips which caused me to smile into his kiss. I had no idea how to stop Evan from continuing his mission to kiss every part of my face and neck, but quite frankly I didn’t know if I wanted him to stop.
Never had anyone’s kiss given me the feelings that Evan’s did. He set my skin on fire but sent chills down my spine at the same time, it was paralyzing. Each kiss was slightly better than the previous and when he would tease me and barely touch his lips to mine or hover for a few seconds before deciding how to kiss me the butterflies in my stomach felt more like a tornado. I was breathless but I wanted more. I never wanted him to stop and it was kind of scaring me.
 
“Evan?” I asked quietly in between the short pecks Evan was peppering down my neck, afraid to break the perfect moment we were having.
 
“Hmm?” was all he replied with as he stopped and rested his forehead on mine.
 
“You are a real good kisser,” I whispered to him like I was telling him a secret.
 
“So are you,” he said before he brought his lips back to mine, “and you taste like Strawberry Pie,” he added with a wink and a chuckle.
 
After a sweet kiss that left me breathless Evan backed away from the wall and carried me with him. I unwound my legs from around his waist and put my feet back on the ground. Evan put his hands on my hips to steady me since I was a little wobbly. What can I say? Surely my brain had been deprived of oxygen in the last few moments.
I looked up into Evan’s eyes and saw he was staring down at me. He was biting the corner of his lip. There was definitely something on his mind.
 
“Spit it out already!” I told him jokingly as I wrapped my arms around his waist and looked up at him.
 
“Spit what out?” he asked playing dumb.
 
“Oh come on! There is clearly something on your mind,” I said with a shy smile. Something about the way he was looking at me was making me nervous.
 
“Do you really wanna know what I am thinking?” He asked raising his right eyebrow and giving me his cheesy smile. Oh boy, what have I gotten myself in to?
 
“I was thinking about you…” He began but then stopped.
 
“What about me?” I prompted.
 
“About how pretty you are….and how happy you make me….and how good the strawberry pie
was-“
 
“Evan! Seriously? I know the pie is good and all but really?” I asked in mock outrage.
 
“Did you not hear the first to parts I said? I said you were pretty and you make me happy! Does that not count for something?” He asked grabbing my hands that had flown up in my moment of disbelief. He brought each one to his lips and planted two sweet kisses on the backs of my hands.
 
“I guess that was sweet of you…” I allowed and ran my released fingers through his hair.
 
“It was sweet….just like the Strawberry Pie!” Evan told me laughing at how terrible that line was. I laughed right along with him because that had to of been the worst line I have ever heard.
 
“You need to work on your sweet talking there,” I said with a giggle.
 
“My sweet talking worked just fine on you didn’t it?” Evan retorted and brought his face closer to mine.
 
I mumbled “Yeah it did,” and then were kissing once again. At this rate we wouldn’t leave my room until midnight.
 
I separated our lips and stepped backwards, away from Evan. As much as I didn’t want to say it I really needed to tell him that we had to get a move on. He looked at me with puppy dog eyes like I had just taken away his favorite toy but I was already prepared to tell him to leave me alone so I could change clothes.
 
“Evan, we really need to get going!” I told him as I glanced over at the clock. It was almost 1. We had been in my room for over half an hour! I gave him one last quick peck on his cheek before running to my bathroom. All I said over my shoulder was,
“Put your swimming apparel on!” before I closed the door and looked at myself in the mirror.
 
Boy did I look hot. My cheeks were flushed and my lips looked slightly swollen; probably from all the kissing, and my hair was all over the place. Not like it mattered too much. Where we were headed, my hair would be messed up in minutes.
 
I pulled on my favorite purple bikini and added a loose white cover up dress on top. I added some waterproof mascara and then I went back in my room to get Evan. He had changed and was sitting on my bed waiting patiently.
 
“Ready?” I asked as I grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the room.
 
“Yes ma’am. I am ready for anything that involves seeing you in a bikini,” he said from behind me.
I flung my hand that wasn’t holding his back at him to try and slap him in the stomach but he stepped back and evaded my swing. This afternoon was going to be one fun adventure. I just hope Evan and I don’t get too carried away with each other.

****First, I am sorry this took so long to put out. I have been having a lot of tests, projects, homework that have gotten in the way. I will post a lot sooner next time(:
 
Lissa's POV
 
I look up at Devin.
"We have to get out of here," I murmur.
Devin nods.
"Now"
Devin nods again and whispers, "Get some actual clothes on, we're getting of here...like now."
I nod and hand Alyce's tiny body to Devin. I get off the hospital bed and start walking towards the bathroom, where my clothes are located. Some scientists start to yell.
Devin yells something in a language I don't understand.
The scientists stop yelling and I continue on to the bathroom.
I change and walk out, heading for the bed.
Devin nods and hands Alyce to me.
"You ready," he says quietly.
"Of course."
A grin pops on my face, but I quickly wipe it away.
"Three, two..." Devin starts to count, "...one!"
I grab the IV that was attached to my arm and its stand and throw it at a scientist.
I look over at Devin and he is grabbing random needles off carts and stabbing them into scientists; I follow his lead.
The liquid in the various syringes and needles did many things. A few made the scientists drop dead. Another few made them vomit instantly. Others paralyzed and a few made the victim's skin turn bright green.
Before I know it, all the scientists are on the ground, either dead, paralyzed or twitiching like heck.
Devin grabs my arm that wasn't carrying Alyce. He pulls me across the room, and out the door.
Devin starts to sprint towards the front doors, located at the end of the hall, a good fifty meters away.
I sprint after Devin. I turn when I hear yelling. Dozens of scientists were chasing after us with various items: syringes, needles, guns.
"Devin!" I screech.
Devin turns to face me and sees the scientists. His face turns white.
"Run faster!" He yells.
I sprint towards Devina and the door to freedom. Twenty meters. Ten meters. I hear a bullet run past my head.
"Devin, they're shooting!" I yell.
"Only a few more feet!" I hear Devin say loudly.
I am now next to Devin and turns to look at ,me, his eyes wide and wild.
5 meters. 4. 3. 2. 1.
We break out the door.
I start to stumble, the light was so bright.
"We did it, Devin! We're free!" I yell slowing my run.
Devin grabs my hand and says, "Oh no we're not, we still have to run."
I grunt as Devin pulls me into a hard run.
So this was our new life? A life on the run?
 

I hope you liked it!!!
~ Squirrel
@talkativegirl

Gemma Rapunzel stepped off the bus, slinging her messenger bag over her shoulder and toting her small suitcase along behind her. The sun was dipping behind the low Wyoming foothills in the distance, and the first stars were making their appearance. Students milled around the gates surrounding the University of Cheyenne, chatting and strolling, or, if you wandered deeper into the shadows, smoking.
Uh. It’s so humid, Gemma thought to herself. She could practically feel her hair frizzing. She spotted a small café at the end of the street, the scent of coffee wafting from its open door and light radiating from the windows. Students walked in and out of it or milled around the outside. Gemma headed towards it, entered the small, crowded room, and ducked into the restroom.
After leaning her suitcase on the wall and setting her messenger bag down, Gemma released her hair from its bun and the tight, auburn ringlets fell down to her ankles. She wrinkled her nose at the notion of her hair sweeping the grimy bathroom floor and stood on her tiptoes as she looked into the mirror, so as to avoid that.
A toilet flush sounded from a stall and a girl emerged from it. Gemma turned just in time to see her jaw drop. “What – is wrong – with your hair?”
Gemma was afraid this would happen. “Nothing,”
“But… it’s so… big.” The girl walked next to Gemma and started washing her hands.
“Yeah.” Gemma eyed the girl’s wavy blonde bob.
“So, you’ve never cut it, I guess?”
“I trim it about every week, so it won’t touch the ground. It grows so fast that I have to.”
The girl dried her hands off and tossed the paper towels into the overflowing trashcan. “Wow. I’m Aurora, by the way,”
“Gemma,” Gemma shook Aurora’s hand and proceeded to coil her hair into a tight bun and pinned it to her head.
“Are you new to U of C?” Aurora slung her pink purse over her shoulder and walked out of the restroom.
“Yeah,” Gemma replied, as she took up her messenger bag and suitcase and followed her.
“Cool. It’s mine, too, but I got here yesterday. Can I treat you to a latte?”
Gemma gratefully agreed and she and Aurora, with their coffee, started walking down the sidewalk. Now it was nighttime and the street was heavily populated with students.
“I have to put my stuff in my dorm.” Gemma said.
“Okay, I’ll go with you. What dorm do you have?”
“Dorm 9B,” replied Gemma.
“I do too!” Aurora said enthusiastically. “That’s awesome.”
Gemma signed in at the main desk and received her key and class schedule, then she and Aurora walked to Dorm 9B.
When they entered the dorm room, they saw another girl typing on a laptop on one of the small beds. “Hey, Ariel,” Aurora greeted her. “This is another one of our roomies. Gemma.”
The tall Asian girl stood up and smiled brightly. “Hi! I’m Ariel.”
Gemma went forward and shook her hand. “You said another one of our roomies – have any other girls arrived yet?”
Ariel nodded. “There’s another girl,”
“I think her name was Cindy.” Aurora put in.
“Cool.” Gemma replied. “So what are you guys into?”
“I know what Ariel’s into!” Aurora giggled. “Swimming. It’s all she’s talked about since getting here.”
“Hey!” Ariel laughed. “Well, that is pretty true. And since you answered for me, I guess I tell Gemma that Aurora seems to be very into writing.”
“It’s true.” Aurora grinned. “I’m already in the process of publishing my first novel.”
“That’s neat. I guess what I’m into is art. I’m majoring in it.” Gemma set down her coffee cup on a bedside table. “So, can I take this bed?”
The other girls nodded and Gemma spread her quilt on the twin-sized mattress and unpacked her stuff from her suitcase.
“Shall we take Gemma on the grand tour?” Ariel suggested. “Aurora and I got it yesterday.”
“Sure,” Gemma said, thankful that she didn’t have to fend for herself on the huge campus.
Ariel and Aurora showed Gemma the cafeteria, the classrooms, the football field, and the library. “Last but not least,” Aurora said, leading the other girls towards a large building, “the auditorium.”
When they opened the large doors and entered the dim auditorium, Gemma saw a pretty girl on the stage playing a cello.
“Stop!” screamed a voice from the front. A short, stout man rose from the first row. “That was flat. Play it again. From the top.”
“That’s Cindy, our roomie,” Aurora whispered.
“The man?!”
Aurora snorted. “No, silly. The girl! The man is the orchestra director, Mr. Ravene.”
“I wonder what he’s so mad about. Cindy played perfectly!” Ariel whispered.
The three girls sat in the back row and watched Cindy play a beautiful piece and Mr. Ravene continuously yell at her.
“Let’s be realistic,” he said finally, after Cindy had played the piece about a dozen times. “I can never expect you to be first cello when you only display this low level of skill. Let’s try again tomorrow.”
Mr. Ravene angrily stomped out of the auditorium. Gemma, Ariel, and Aurora walked up to the stage. Gemma could see that the girl was holding back tears.
“Hey, Cindy!” Ariel called. “This is Gemma, our roommate. She just got here.”
“Hi,” Cindy said, with a soft smile, after putting her cello in its case.”
“Ravene seemed pretty mad. What’s the matter?” Aurora asked.
Cindy sighed as they walked out into the dark night. “I don’t know. He wanted me to be first cello in the holiday concert, but now he thinks I can’t do it.”
“What? You’re amazing!” Gemma offered.
“Thanks,” Cindy replied sincerely. “But he doesn’t really like me, I guess.”
Once back in the dorm the girls chatted for a while before Gemma’s cell phone rang. “Sorry, let me get this. Hello?”
“Gemma? Hello? Are you there?”
Gemma sighed. “Yes, Mom.”
“At the college?”
“Yes.”
“Did you get there okay?”
“Yeah,”
There was a long silence.
“I really wish you didn’t have to leave.”
“I know, Mom. But don’t you want me to have a good job?”
“Not really!”
Gemma sighed again. “I’m really sorry, Mom. Maybe I can find a carpool this weekend to visit.”
“Okay. Well, goodnight. Don’t do anything bad.”
“Goodnight, Mom.”
Once putting her cell phone away Gemma turned to her roommates. “That was my mom. She’s way overprotective and kind of a control freak. She always tries to get me to cut my hair. Once she made me do it, when I was thirteen, but in a few weeks it was back to normal.”
“Why would she want you to cut your hair?” Cindy asked, looking confused.
“Oh! She doesn’t know!” Aurora piped up.
“Know what?” Ariel asked.
“You don’t know either. Show them, Gemma.”
Gemma stood up and released her bun and the curls fell to her feet.
“Woah.” That was all Ariel and Cindy could say. “Wow.”
“Yep.” Gemma put her hair back in its coil.
Shortly after the girls went to bed. They were all exhausted
At 1:00 am they heard the door clicking open. Ariel flipped on a light.
Suddenly another girl emerged through the doorway, carrying a bunch of books.
“That must be our last roommate,” Cindy whispered.
“Oh! I’m so sorry!” The girl exclaimed, dropping her stack of books on the desk. “I didn’t mean to wake anybody up!”
The girl was small and red-headed, and she wore glasses.
By now everybody was out of bed. The girl blushed. “I am so sorry. I got lost and I couldn’t find the college. I only just got here.”
“That’s okay.” Gemma tried to give the girl a sympathetic smile. She looked tired.
Everyone introduced themselves, and the girl introduced herself as Belle. “Well, we’d better get to bed,” Aurora yawned.
All the other girls were in agreement, so they fell into their beds once again and promptly fell asleep.

Hey everyone! Rosie here. Sorry I've been so inactive. Kind of stuck with Helen St. Orsky's. But I'm starting a new series, called "Magical". Here's the description. I'll post the first chapter soon.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Destiny brings five young women - Aurora, Gemma, Belle, Cindy, and Ariel together in Dorm 9B at the University of Cheyenne. They become best friends as they help each other cope with the problems and stress of each others' lives, find each others' Prince Charmings, and battling villains - or rather, not-so-nice classmates. In the end, they realize that, despite the ups and downs, life truly is something magical.
 
xo, Rosie

Sorry I haven't been on for a while. I haven't had access to a computer for a while, so I'm starting over. I'm starting over Banned. I will post chapter 1 + 2 today, and try to get 3 done and on here by my birthday (6/11). So just in case you forgot me, I'm @the-sun-that-always-shines , but also known as (in reality) Julia. Here's chapter 1 of my story, Banned:
 
Chapter 1: Bored
 
My life is a dictatorship. I'm not even the dictator, my parents run my life. It's like they are Muammar Gaddafi, and I'm Lybia. I shouldn't be Lybia! I should be able to run my own life, and not be bossed around by my parents. I really would love to know why they do this. Just why, but I'd never get it out of them. I've asked before, but all I got was, "Because we love you and know what's best for you." I really want to know the truth, but dictators always use propaganda to trick their people, so I know that's a lie. I just wish I could run my own life, no more dictators, just me, making my own decisions. I'm 12, and have no control whatsoever over my life. I'm not allowed to have a Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. I don't even have a smartphone. I have a stupid pink phone that only calls and texts. At least I'm lucky I even have a phone. My friends are at least able to text me when they need to talk. They think that I'm the best listener of our group of four, and can give advice if able to. So as I sit at my window, I look outside and think, What if my life was different? What if my parents let me control my life and who I am? I thought about that, but couldn't picture my life being any different than it is now. Me, being banned from almost everything. My phone buzzes and I see that Paisley sent me a text. She sends a picture and her text says:
 
Paisley: so... what do you think of this outfit for the middle school dance this Friday?
 
Me: I don't know, probably not a good idea to wear white shoes in late September.
 
Paisley: oh, right! *facepalm* I forgot about that white shoes rule.
 
Me: I'm glad I just reminded you, or Keisha would have a fit! you know how she is the fashion police in our little group.
 
Paisley: yea, we know, Stacy. Keisha would kill me if she saw my HORRIBLE fashion crime. "Oh no! Please don't take me to jail! I'm innocent! I didn't know that rule!"
 
Me: "Tell that to the judge. *handcuffs hands together* You're gonna have to find a lawyer."
 
Paisley: OMG!!! I'm dying! stop making me laugh! :D
 
"Stacy! I have some mail for you!" My mom calls as I was rolling on my bed, almost fell right off, laughing my head off.
 
Me: brb, apparently, I have mail.
 
Paisley: oooooo, I wonder who it is from....*cough, loser,cough* lol
 
Me: don't be mean, even though that might be a little funny lol
 
I quickly get downstairs when my mom hands me a little postcard. It's from one of those high schools my parents gave our information to. It has a picture of smiling girls in their ugly uniforms. I turned it over and read in big letters saying:
 
Please come and see what our wonderful school has to offer! September 30 @ noon. Don't miss out on this opportunity to visit our school and experience the fun and learning our school has to offer you!
 
I run upstairs and throw it in the trash can in my room. I don't want to go there. I want to go to Our Lady of Guadeloupe High School, where my friends are going. We live in a place where we worship her, even though we aren't really Spanish, we do anyways. I go to a Catholic school, so I want to go to a Catholic high school. Not just a private school. My mom is nudging me towards a magnet school, AHST, Annefred High School for Talent. My mom thinks I am a great drawer, everybody does. I think I'm good, I doodle a lot, so I practice, but I don't think I'm that good, good enough for AHST. I sit back on my bed and look out my window. The raindrops fall slowly, and make a soothing noise that I would like to just go to sleep to. My phone buzzes and it's Paisley again:
 
Paisley: hey, are you done yet?
 
Me: yea. it's just some stupid postcard from a private school like 20 minutes away from my house.
 
Paisley: oh, so I guess since you said it was stupid, you don't want to go?
 
Me: of course not! I want to go to Our Lady of Guadeloupe High School with you, Keisha, and Sienna.
 
Paisley: oh, good! I would hate not being able to see you at school. don't even think about leaving us. :'(
 
Me: I'm worried just because my mom might not let me go. you know how she is, always thinking she can control my life.
 
Paisley: oh, well, please try to convince her that you have to come.
 
Me: I'll try!
 
Paisley: ok, so what shoes should I wear instead of those white shoes?
 
Me: um.... do you have black flats?
 
Paisley: of course I do! what girl doesn't?
 
Me: *raises hand slowly*
 
Paisley: YOU DON'T HAVE A PAIR OF BLACK FLATS????
 
Me: two words.... my mom.
 
Paisley: ahhhh
 
Me: yep.
 
I look outside and see that the drizzling has stopped, and the sky is a beautiful light blue, with clouds as white as marshmallow. The bright golden sun peeps out of the clouds and shines its golden rays onto my face. It feels warm and I decide, I should go outside and ride my scooter or bike! I go downstairs and say to my mom, "Hey mom, I'm going outside if you need me!" "Um, no your not, your staying in here and waiting for your gram to come!" My mom replied like she's the boss, which she thinks she is, but she's not! I am sick and tired of her behavior. I'm not going to take it much longer. I've got to get out of this place. I rush upstairs and a lightbulb lights up in my brain. I lock the door behind me and I set up a few pillows and a blanket. If my mom comes through the door, she would just think I'm sleeping. I climb out my window out onto the fire escape, and go down those metal stairs quietly. I go to the garage and get my bike & helmet and quickly ride out to the alley where mom can't see me. I ride against the wind and the wind flows through my chocolate brown hair as I glide along the concrete. I ride two blocks down to Paisley's house and text her:
 
Me: hey, I'm outside. open your window. I'm coming in through the fire escape.
 
Paisley: are you cray cray?
 
Me: nope, just wanna escape my annoying mom.
 
Paisley: so you didn't ask permission?
 
Me: no, I snuck out. now let me in you idiot!
 
Paisley: what's the magic word?
 
Me: I don't have time for insiders, now just let me in!
 
She opened her window, I chained up my bike up to her bike holder, and ran up the stairs quietly, and almost fell right onto her pink, fuzzy floor. I stumble over her rug, and almost land right on my face. This is just not my day. Clumsy me! We sit on her bed and lock the door. Paisley says, "Why don't we have a party?" I thought that that question was so stupid, that I answered, "Oh, yea!" I can't believe I actually agreed to have a party, but now that I'll be a teenager in 2 months, I thought that I should break the rules and have some fun! Plus, I think it will be great being out of the house where my mom controls my life. Out here in the real world, I control what I do, no one else! Paisley said, "Alright, we should text Keisha and Sienna! I'll text Keisha and you text Sienna." I pull out my pink phone and texted Sienna.
 
Me: Hey, Sienna! Do you want to come over Paisley's house and hang?
 
Sienna: yea, sure. be over soon!
 
Suddenly, we hear a knock on Paisley's door. "Stacy!? I know you're in there! Open this door right now or you are grounded for 2 months!" My mom yelled from the other side of her locked door. MOM! I think and get a little nervous. "It's my mom!" I whisper yell to my friends. Paisley unlocks and opens the door carefully and nervously says, "Hi, Ms. Mayfleet."
 

 

Hope you enjoyed it! If you liked it or even read it, I would like you feedback. So, please comment and tell me what you thought!

Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't been on here lately. It took me awhile to write this because I was so busy! But anyway this chapter is really cute! I hope you like it!!
-Hannah @hannahmarie1724
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Evan’s POV:
 
I ran my fingers through her hair and tilted her chin up so her lips could meet mine. She wrapped her arms around my neck and rose up on her tip toes so that we were more at eye level. I kissed her deeply and never wanted to stop.
 
When she started tracing circles on my neck with her fingers I almost fell over because of the tingles it sent down my spine. I brought my hands to her hips and pulled her impossibly closer to me as the waves washed over out calves.
When we separated I whispered the only thing that was running through my mind at the moment, “You’re beautiful and perfect.”
 
“You don’t have to say that,” she said blushing and looking down at our feet.
 
I brought my hands back to her face and rested my forehead on hers. “Yes I do. You’re stunning and the best girlfriend I could ever ask for.”
 
“Thank you,” she whispered by my ear and then kissed her way down my jaw and finally she kissed my lips. Then she stopped and looked me in the eyes and said with a wink, “You’re quite ‘stunning’ yourself ya know.”
 
I chuckled and kissed her nose and replied, “Why thank you.”
 
She laughed and intertwined her fingers with mine that had been trailing up and down her arms. We were both smiling at each other and the moonlight made her eyes sparkle and her smile seem brighter. The wind blew her hair softly and I was lost in how lovely she looked in that moment.
 
But it was more than just her looks because inside this beautiful person was someone with the biggest heart I had ever seen. Inside this gorgeous girl was someone who had been broken and hurt but who had kept going and had been strong. In front of me stood my inspiration, the person who I wanted to make happy no matter what the circumstances were. In front of me stood a girl who I had known for a week, but in those seven days I felt like I had got to know the real her. She was someone real and someone I knew I could trust. She was…amazing. That was all there was to it.
 
“We better head back,” she whispered as I kissed her and trailed kissed back to her the spot right below her ear that I knew caused her heart beat to speed up. I wasn’t ready for this moment to end.
“Seriously, come on!” she said as she grabbed my hands and pulled away from my lips. She tugged me out of the ocean and I followed her back to her house reluctantly. Every now and then I would stop her and kiss her just to remind her of how much I cared for her. She deserved to be happy and seeing her smile the whole way home made my heart swell with adoration.
-------
 
Girl I don’t care. Oh I just gotta see what you’re wearing.
 
Your hair, is it pulled up or falling down?
 
Oh I just have to see it now.
 
If you wanna call me, call me, call me you don’t have to worry ‘bout it baby
 
You can wake me up in the dead of the night; wreck my plans, baby that’s alright.
 
This is a drop everything kind of thing.
 
I heard Luke Bryan’s Crash My Party playing on the radio which meant it was now time for me to get up. I rolled out of bead and hit the top of the clock and squinted into the morning light around my room trying to locate my phone. Last night was still fresh in my memory and I felt like I had relived every moment of it in my dreams last night. My relationship with Maria was truly a ‘drop everything kind of thing’ as Luke said in that song. It’s crazy how song lyrics can be so true to your life.
 
I finally spotted my phone and saw I had three text messages: one from Ryan, one from Nick, who I hadn’t talked to since Monday, and one from Maria. I opened up hers first and read it aloud to myself laughing.
 
Maria: Good morning my stunning man ;)
 
I guess that part of my dream had been real. I chuckled and typed a quick reply.
 
Me: Morning beautiful :) Had a great time last night
 
I opened Ryan’s message which included a picture. It was from 1:20 last night.
 
Ryan: She fell asleep :( Oh well, we still had a fun night
 
When I opened up the picture I saw it was a picture of Rach curled up next to him on the couch. Throughout the week I had been telling Ryan to go for it and actually ask Rachel out on a date instead of continuing to be in the friend zone. I thought he was actually going to explain to Rachel last night how he felt but I guess she fell asleep. Even though Ryan was most likely still asleep I replied anyway.
 
Me: Looks like you two were comfortable! Glad you had fun
 
I saw Nick’s message was a simple “Hey” and decided I could reply later when I was in the mood to talk to him. My phone buzzed as I walked into the bathroom to take a shower.
 
Maria: I did too! :) My parents couldn’t stop talking bout your family after u left last night. Ur dad was super sweet as well!
 
Me: I’m glad they like me haha and remind me to tell you something later about my dad k?
 
Maria: Sure. Is everything ok?
 
Me: Yeah it’s fine, don’t worry! I’m gonna take a shower and then I’ll call u after. Sound good?
 
Maria: How bout we just meet up now. Up for a run on the beach? ;)
 
Me: hah sure, sounds fun! I’ll try not to run into u this time! Cya in a bit :)
 
Maria: haha that would be appreciated! Cya :)
I decided I still needed a quick rinse so I took the world’s quickest shower and pulled on some red running shorts and a loose white tee. I knew it was going to be a hot day just from humidity in the house.
 
When I entered the living room and kitchen area I saw my brothers watching Sunday morning cartoons. My dad was sitting at the table reading the newspaper on his I-Pad. It was a quarter past nine and the sun was already rising in the sky filling the house with warm light.
 
“Hey Evan. I was just about to come see if you were up,” my dad said as I sat down next to him,
“Got any plans for the day?”
 
“Not for later on but I was going to go run and meet Maria now. Is that alright?” I asked knowing the answer would be yes.
 
“Of course, of course…I’m glad you met her Evan. I really am.” My dad told me, looking at me. He seemed really proud but there was also a hint of sorrow and pain in his eyes. I remembered yesterday how I had found him in his room when we were about to go over to the Mancini’s. It was something I hadn’t really thought about since and I knew Maria would help me understand the whole thing, which reminded me I really needed to get going.
 
“I’m glad I met her too, dad. Well I’m going to get going. Just call me if you need anything. I don’t know when I will be back,” I told my dad as I headed out the back door to the beach.
 
“Alright. See ya later,” My dad said with a wave of his free hand.
 
It was already steaming up even though the temperature wouldn’t peak for another 4 hours or so. I decided to ditch the shirt and just run in my shorts. I left it hanging on the back fence and ran barefoot along the beach.
 
Running was something I always enjoyed. In high school I played basketball and ran track in the spring. I was better at sprints than long distance but the distance always helped me calm down if something was ever on my mind.
 
I ran along for about 10 minutes before I spotted Pinocchio’s. It was closed since it was Sunday but I remembered how I had talked with Rachel and she had hinted that Maria’s past wasn’t so pretty. I never would have thought it would have been as ugly as it turned out to be but in a way I was glad it happened. I’m not happy that Maria got hurt and that it scarred her and others for life but I am glad it showed her how to be happy. It showed her how to be in a good relationship and how trust is a two way street.
 
What happened with Maria and Sean also gave us something to bond over even though Maria didn’t realize it yet. I had had my own fair share of unhealthy relationships but one thing I know for sure is that what I have with Maria is special and it is entirely pure and good.
 
“Evan!” I hear a scream come from down the beach. I see Maria begin to run even faster towards me. I quicken my pace as well and soon we are standing face to face. She jumps into my arms and I spin her around like all of those cheesy romance movies where the couple reunites after being apart for so long. Only difference is that I saw Maria less 12 hours ago.
I put her down and I see that more than a few beachgoers were amused by are greeting. I just chuckled and look down at the beautiful girl in my arms. Her hair was pulled up in a loose ponytail and she had barely put on any make-up. She was smiling up at me and I couldn’t help but place a sweet hello kiss on her lips.
 
“Happy to see me?” I asked as I wrapped my fingers in hers and we began walking back towards her house.
 
“Yes…especially happy because you don’t have a shirt on,” she told me blushing and looking at me out of the corner of her eye.
 
“Oh I see how it is. You only like me for my sculpted physique,” I said with a smirk. She instantly burst out laughing and I couldn’t help but chuckle too. She was just too adorable.
 
“Yes, yes now you know the real reason of my affection,” she replied with a cute smile playing at the corners of her lips.
 
We continued on down the beach giggling and messing with each other. When we got to her house we sat in the sand and faced the water.
 
“So what did you want to tell me about your dad?” she asked me as she sat in front of me and leaned her head back on my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around hers and played with her fingers in mine. I buried my face in the crook of her neck as I tried to figure out how I was going to say what I wanted to say. She sat in silence and waited for me to answer.
 
“Ya know how yesterday when we went to get my family for the dinner and my dad was in his room?” I began. She just nodded and waited for me to continue.
 
“Well when I went back there he was pretty upset. Kind of for the same reason I was when we were on your balcony...”
 
“He was thinking about your mom,” Maria said like she understood everything, but there was more to the story.
 
“Yes. I found him….not really crying but I knew he was about to. When he saw me he started telling me all this stuff about my mom…how she told him to always support me in my relationships and how she wanted my dad to trust me…My dad was a mess to be honest. I got him to stop blubbering and when he was finally composed I told him to just stop and listen to what I had to say.” I stopped and put my head back on her shoulder.
 
She brought her left hand up and began to play with the hair at the nape of my neck. “What did you tell him?” she asked gently.
 
“I told him what you told me. I told him how mom would want us to go to the dinner and meet your parents and have a good time. I told him how proud she would be of him and our family for surviving her loss and functioning as well as we had without her. I told him how proud of him I was because I don’t know how I would have been able to get through these last few months without him,” I could feel my eyes watering and tears were threatening to run over any second but I had to continue, “I told him how meeting you, Maria, has only made everything better. I told him that without you I would most likely be sulking around the house not knowing what to do with my life. I told him that you were who helped me be truly happy again. I told him I needed him to be strong and go to the dinner because it would be the beginning of a relationship I hope never ends.” I stopped and turned my head so I was looking Maria in the eyes.
 
She was smiling and her eyes were watering and I knew she was about to cry. I smiled at her and a tear fell down each of our faces at the same time. We wiped each other’s away and then I brought my lips to hers conveying all of the emotions in my body into the one kiss. She turned around in my lap and wrapped her legs around my waist. Her hands trailed down my bare back and sent shivers up my spine. I wrapped my arms around her back, trying to get her closer to me and when our lips parted I looked into her gorgeous brown eyes.
 
“Evan…there are no words to describe how sweet that was of you…to say all those things about me to your dad…and to have your mom so recently pass…” Maria rambled on at a loss for words trying to form a response to what I had just told her.
 
I rested my forehead against hers and whispered, “You don’t have to say anything. I know how you feel.”
 
She smiled and gave me a quick peck on my nose before scrambling to her feet and pulling me with her. “That’s enough happy/sad moments for today! How would you like to have lunch with the rest of my family today and then we can go have fun later tonight?”
 
“The rest of your family? Who is that?” I asked confused.
 
“I mean my whole extended family. All my aunts and uncles and cousins, grandparents too. The whole group. We all get together every Sunday for lunch at my house and my mom would love it if you could come. She practically begged me to as you this morning.”
 
“Well I could never pass up your mothers cooking. And since she insisted I guess I have to go right?” I told her as we walked up to her house.
 
She laughed and continued to lead me up to the back porch and into the kitchen. “You might want a shirt to wear a shirt though,” she said with a grin.
I leaned forwards and as I stood behind her I whispered in her ear, “I thought you preferred me without one?” I saw her cheeks and neck redden and when she turned to face me the glint in her eyes was one of the sexiest things I had ever seen. I grinned back at her and stepped forward to kiss the smirk off her lips but we were interrupted by her mom coming in from the garage.
 
"Evan! I'm so glad you are here! Hey, could you two help me carry in these groceries from the garage?" Kate asked as she placed the first bag on the counter.
 
"Sure thing!" I replied. Before I passed Maria to go into the garage, I put my hands on her hips and whispered in her ear, "I saw that blush."
 
She just laughed and pushed me out the door before following after me. We unloaded the groceries and after making plans for me to go home and change and come back for lunch Maria and I were headed out the door back to the beach to walk back to my house.
 
Maria had already changed and she was now wearing some khaki shots with a loose blue tank. As we were walking along the beach hand in hand enjoying the sounds of the ocean she stopped walking. I turned around since we were holding hands and I couldn’t keep going without her.
 
“Yes?” I asked as I arched my eyebrow at her.
 
“Turn around,” She said with a smirk, “And take a few more steps forward.”
 
I looked at her, clearly confused, but did as she said. When I was in position I was about to ask what in the world she was planning but I felt her hands on my shoulders. She pulled herself up as she jumped into me. Her legs wrapped around my waist and I instinctively wrapped my arms with her calves and stumbled forward as I balanced out her weight being thrown at me. All of the confusion just because she wanted me to give her a piggy-back ride. She’s crazy.
 
“You know you could of just asked me and I would have given you a piggy back ride,” I told her turning my head to give her a quick peck on the cheek before continuing on back to my house.
 
“I know…but it was more fun this way. I like it when you are confused,” she said and kissed me back on my cheek.
 
“Why do you like it when I am confused?” I asked with a laugh.
 
“Because you look adorable, kind of like a puppy that doesn’t understand why you aren’t petting it.”
 
I had no reply for that so I just grinned and shook my head at this crazy girl who had her arms wrapped around my neck and her head resting against the side of mine. “I think I know why you wanted me to give you a piggy back ride,” I told her confidently.
 
“Why’s that?” She asked.
 
“You just wanted to feel these muscles of mine,” I said with a wink at her even though I don’t know if she saw it since our faces were right next to each others. When she laughed I could feel her stomach on my back shake and eventually her whole body was shaking with laughter. When I looked to my right at her face it had turned red and her eyes were filled with happiness.
 
“Fine! I admit it! You have found my weakness!” Maria said being overdramatic as I let her go off my back and placed her on the beach outside the back gate of my house.
 
I turned to face her and put my hands on her hips and drew her closer to me. She smiled up at me and wrapped her arms around my neck to bring me closer than I was intending on being. It worked to my advantage though because when I leaned in a whispered, “I have found my weakness now too. You.” I could see her breathe get caught in her throat and whatever she had been about to tell me was lost because when I brought my lips to hers she instantly melted in my arms. I moved my arms to wrap around her back and I pulled her flush against me. When I pulled away and kissed her nose, the prettiest smile overcame her lips and the flush of her cheeks made her easily the most beautiful girl on the planet.
 
Even though I was nervous for this lunch with her whole extended family I was just as assured it would go as well as the one did with her parents because she would be by my side the whole time. She was my weakness but she was also my rock. The idea of facing the world without her seemed scary and foreign even though I had been doing just fine by myself for every day of my life up until this last week.
 
There was just something about her that made me want to be my best. She made me want to earn her companionship. She made me want to be a better person as cliché as it sounds. And I feel like I have been. I feel like when I am with her I am smarter and nicer and more polite than I normally am. Maria Mancini. You have changed me and you have only known me a week. God knows what I will be like by the end of the summer. All I know is that I pray that you will be with me through it all.

Lissa's POV
 
The nurse holding the child, my child, carefully hands her to Devin. Devin's eyes seem to light up, I had never ever seen him this way. I know he felt awkward having a child with me, but he really seemed to love this girl.
"What should we name her?" Devin asks as he hands our daughter's fragile body to me.
I cradle the girl in my arms, she was beautiful. I stoke her head and her crying stops. I smile and Devin grins.
"Alyce" I murmer.
Devin looks surprised.
"What?" He asks.
"We should name her Alyce" I say looking up into Devin's blue eyes.
"Alyce..." He says thinking "Why Alyce?"
"If it were not for the name 'Alyce', we wouldn't be here, and this girl would not be here."
A smile forms on Devin's face and he nods. Devin turns to the doctors and I stare down at my daughter, Alyce. Her eyes flutter open and they are green just like mine, but her hair is dark like Devin's.
 
Devin's POV
 
I turn to the scientists.
"Her name is Alyce" I say in terrible english.
The scientists gape at me and then whisper among themselves.
One of the scientists speaks up "Okay, the baby's name is Alyce, correct?"
I nod at them.
A scientist scribbles something on a piece of paper.
"Middle name" One scientist says.
"What?" I ask.
"Middle name" The scientist repeats.
"Um"
"We will give you some time"
I walk over to Lissa.
"What should Alyce's 'middle name' be?" I ask.
Lissa thinks for a moment and says "Why don't you decide"
"Liberty" I say instantly. "Maybe she will have liberty and freedom, instead of being trapped in here like us."
Lissa smiles and I again turn to the scientists.
"Alyce Liberty" I say to the scientists.
They nod and one scibbles something on the piece of paper.
"Devin" I hear Lissa say.
"Yes," I say turning to her.
Lissa moitions for me to come closer and I do.
"Devin," she whispers in my ear, "We need to get out of here. Alyce, you and I have to be free, and soon"
I nod and whisper "I know" as I run my hands through her red hair.
 

Enjoy!
-Squirrel(:

I LOVE THIS CHAPTER! ENOUGH SAID! And it is like twice as long as the other chapters....so ENJOY!!!
-Hannah @hannahmarie1724
I also started a writing tips thing so check it out:
http://www.polyvore.com/writing_tips_beginning_to_write/set?id=79282693
Oh and here are links to Maria's room and the outfit she is wearing:
http://www.polyvore.com/purple_green_bedroom/set?id=77387248
http://www.polyvore.com/untitled_249/set?id=79346355
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Chapter 18:
 
Maria’s POV:
 
After enjoying some delicious Frozen Yogurt with Ryan and Rach, Evan and I figured it was time to get ready for tonight. We said goodbye to Ryan and Rach; who Evan and I secretly concluded were at an awkward point of mutual denial about their feelings for each other. I mean clearly they both liked each other but each denied it whenever we joked about it. Oh well. Evan and I will get them together one of these days.
 
It was a little past 5:30 so Evan and I still had an hour until dinner. Even though it was at my house my parents insisted that I should arrive when Evan’s family does. Don’t ask me why, they can be like that sometimes. I decided I should go home and change clothes and then head over to Evan’s house and wait until it was time to go with them back to my house.
 
That is how we ended up now, driving to my house to so I could change clothes. Evan had still insisted on driving and it didn’t really bother me even though he was driving my car. I enjoyed being able to sing and joke around without having to focus on driving. Plus I could stare at Evan the whole time from the passenger seat and watch how when he laughed he would get crinkles around his eyes and when he smiled over at me I swear when his eyes landed on mine his smile got just the tiniest bit bigger. He was absolutely gorgeous and I mean that in the most masculine sense of the word. But aside from his looks, his heart continued to amaze me.
 
All week I practically did nothing since all the kids wanted was to be in his presence. When we did activities and a group leader had to demonstrate the screamed for Evan to do it. When it was lunch time I couldn’t even sit next to him because the kids surrounded him and even sat in his lap as he ate his food. He just smiled and looked at me knowing there was nothing he could do about it.
Once Gracie had fallen and scraped her knee and instantly started crying. Evan scooped her up and spun her around like she was flying. She instantly forgot about her knee and was laughing like crazy as he continued to spin her in circles. When he set her down and I came over with a band-aid she insisted she didn’t need one because Evan had “spun the hurt out of her”. Little things like that made me stop and stare so often it was crazy.
 
“So is this like a casual dinner? Or a fancy thing? Semi-casual maybe?” Evan asked me bringing me back to the present. We had just pulled into my driveway and he had stopped to turn the engine off.
 
“Just casual is all,” I told him as I unbuckled and placed my hand on the door to get out.
 
“Darn. I was prepared to amaze you with how
good I look in a tux!” Evan told me with a wink.
Instantly the thought of Evan in a black tuxedo and a bowtie flashed into my mind and boy was it a sight to see. I blushed and turned to get out of the car so he wouldn’t be able to tell just how much that image had an effect on me.
 
“I saw that blush pretty lady,” Evan told me as he met me on the passenger side of the car.
 
“You saw nothing!” I denied him with a playful pat on his chest. He caught my hand and interlaced his fingers in mine as we headed into my house.
We looked around but found nobody home. I guess my parents were out at the store getting last minute supplies. “Come on, I want you to see my room.” I told Evan and led him back to my room. He didn’t protest and followed silently.
 
When we got to my room I opened the door and silently prayed my mom had cleaned it up today since she told me she would this morning. Luckily she had. We stepped in and Evan took in my queen size bed that had a plain white down comforter thrown over it. I had various purple and green pillows sitting at the head of the bed and a purple blanket was folded at the foot. In the corner was my desk with my laptop and in the other corner was my plush purple chair that I loved to curl up and enjoy a good book in. To the right were my bathroom and my walk in closet. There was a door in my closet that opened into my bathroom so I decided I would grab some clothes and quickly change in the bathroom and be on our way.
 
“It’s nice. Ya know what I like the best though?” Evan asked as he walked to the center of the room.
 
“What’s that?” I asked already heading towards my closet.
 
“The view,” Evan said as he walked over to the sliding glass doors which lead out onto my own balcony. He stood and looked out to the ocean with the sun already beginning its decent to the horizon even though it wouldn’t fully set for another view hours. “I wish my room back home had a view like this. All I see out my window is a wooden fence.” Evan commented laughing.
“Well you can take it in while I change since you love it so much!” I told him as I retreated into the bathroom and closed the door. I walked into my closet and surveyed my options. Should I wear a dress? Is that too fancy? Surely I have a nice casual summer dress in here…or should I just wear some khaki shorts and a tank? Or maybe just jean shorts and a cute tee? Is that too casual? I riffled through the racks and finally settled on the perfect outfit.
 
I grabbed my favorite coral top that had rolled sleeves that went just past my shoulders and my favorite dark denim shorts that had crochet patterns sewn into the sides. I slipped on my floral Toms, touched up my makeup with a dab of lip gloss, added another sweep of mascara, and dabbed my favorite perfume on my wrists and then I was headed back into my bedroom.
 
As I opened the door and came out of my bathroom I saw that Evan had gone out to the balcony and was leaning over the railing with his elbows supporting him and he was looking out at the water. I joined him and wrapped my arms around his waist and rested my head on his back. His hands found mine and he locked his hands on my wrists so I couldn’t move even if I wanted to, which I didn’t.
 
“Ready?” He asked me even though he made no intention of leaving.
 
“Mmhmm,” I mumbled into his back and when he laughed I could feel his body shaking.
 
“Ya know I was thinking about a few things while you were getting ready,” Evan told me as if he was talking to himself.
 
“Yeah?” was I all I offered as I waited for him to continue.
 
“Yep, I was thinking about…,” he paused but I knew he would continue so I just ran my thumbs across his palms which he had placed over mine, “my mom…and how much I wish she could be here…she would love to meet you…”
 
I heard his voice get scratchy and it broke on the ‘you’. I decided it was time to face him. I unwound my arms from around him and stood beside him as he stayed where he was, still facing the ocean.
He bowed his head and I saw one lone tear fall down his cheek that literally broke my heart into a million pieces. “Hey…Evan look at me.” I urged him gently.
 
He turned and I grabbed his hands and intertwined my fingers with his. “I’m sorry really. This is supposed to be a happy night and here I go ruining the fun.” Evan told me with a short laugh and a quick smile.
 
“Evan you aren’t ruining anything! Honestly, I couldn’t imagine how it must feel, to not have your mom by your side. It would kill me, it really would. And every day I see you working with those kids and I see you with your brothers and….I know I didn’t ever meet your mom…but I know without a doubt that she would be so, so proud of you Evan.” I finished with tears in my eyes and when I saw that Evan had tears in his eyes and a big smile on his face I knew I had done my job and gotten my point across.
 
Evan leaned forward and the butterflies I got right before he kissed me were fluttering with full force. But he surprised me by leaning his forehead on mine and looking me in the eyes first. “Thank you, Maria. Thank you,” he whispered before he brought his lips to mine.
 
I wrapped my arms around his neck and his hands came up to caress my face. He trailed kisses across my cheek and when he got to my ear he whispered a thank you again before pulling away.
 
“My mom would love you. I know she would.” Evan told me as he kissed me on my forehead and pulled me into a tight hug.
 
I buried my face in his chest and took in his scent of mint and brown sugar. He smelled perfect to me and I never wanted to forget the smell. Don’t ask me how he smelled like that because I don’t have a clue; but recently every time I would smell either mint or brown sugar Evan would pop into my mind and refuse to leave. Of course he was always on my mind but the smells brought him to the forefront of my mind.
 
“Ready?” I finally asked him a minute or two of just standing there.
 
“I believe so,” Evan said and we walked back into my room and out into the kitchen where we saw my parents had returned.
 
“Hey you two!” My mom exclaimed as soon as she saw us.
 
“Hey mom.”
 
“Afternoon Mrs. - Kate” Evan said changing his greeting since my mom gave him a stern look from across the island. My mom just laughed and nodded back at Evan’s hello.
 
“Dad, I don’t believe you have met Evan yet.” I told my dad who had just come in from the garage.
 
“No I have not,” my dad commented and extended his hand for Evan to shake. “Brent Mancini, it’s nice to meet you son.”
 
“Evan Thompson. It’s nice to meet you as well sir.” Evan said as he shook my dad’s hand.
 
“Sir?” My dad asked looking over at my mom.
 
“Told ya his mom raised him right!” My mom exclaimed as she came over to stand next to my dad.
 
Evan and I exchanged a look at the mention of his mom but it was one full of understanding and appreciation of his mom. I guess they would find out tonight that she had passed away. I wonder how that was going to go… At least I know Evan and I are good and he knows I understand how he feels about her not being here.
 
“Alright well we are going to head over to Evan’s house and we will be back here at 6:30!” I told my parents as I pulled Evan out the door.
 
“Alright see you soon sweetie!” My mom called as I closed the door behind me.
 
Evan and I got in my car and drove the quick five minute ride in silence just enjoying one another’s company and thinking about the dinner. When we got to Evan’s house Tommy and Jack ran out to meet us. They jumped on Evan’s back and he play wrestled with them for a few minutes. I swear every time they saw each other they would act like it had been years since they last were together. But I guess when your mom passes away when you are that young you learn to treat every moment you have together as something special. I swear everyone in the world could learn something from the Thompson family.
 
After they were done playing around, Tommy and Jack ran over to give me a hug. They stood on either side of me as we walked inside behind Evan.
 
“Dad? Are you almost ready to go?” Evan called into the house.
 
“He was has been in his room for awhile.” Jack commented.
 
“Do you think I should go check on him?” Tommy asked Evan, looking to his older brother for an answer.
 
“Nah you three stay here. I’ll go see if he is ready.” Evan decided and after a smile in my direction he headed down the hallway to where the bedrooms were located.
 
“So what have you two been up to today?” I asked the twins as I herded them towards the living room so we could wait for Evan and his dad.
 
“We made another sand castle!” Tommy exclaimed.
 
“Yeah! And we even caught a few crabs and placed them inside of it!” Jack told me enthusiastically.
 
“But didn’t they escape? How did you keep them from burrowing back into the sand?” I asked confused.
 
“We put them in a plastic container!”
 
“Smart!” I told them ruffling their hair. Their laughs filled the air and I couldn’t help but laugh myself because they were just so adorable.
 
“But we let them go after awhile. I know I wouldn’t want to be stuck in a box the whole day!” Jack told me like he was seriously concerned about how the crabs felt about being trapped for part of the day.
 
“Well that’s good.” I told him.
 
“So dinner is at your house tonight right?” Tommy asked as he flopped next to me on the couch.
 
“Yep! Are you guys excited?” I asked them.
 
“Yeah…I guess. I know Evan is though!” Jack told me.
 
I laughed and asked, “Why do you think he is excited? Has he been talking about it?”
 
“Only like every second of every day!” Tommy told me gesturing with his hands like he could somehow show me just how often Evan had been mentioning the dinner.
 
“He really, really, really likes you Maria.” Jack told me. “That’s what he told me anyway.” He added when I looked over to him.
 
“Well do you two want to know a secret?” I asked them lowering my voice to a whisper.
 
“Yes!” They both whisper-screamed and leaned in closer to me so they could hear.
 
“I really, really, really like him too.” I told them in a very serious tone.
 
“Good. Because I like you too.” Tommy told me smiling at me.
 
I was about to reply to him when Jack said, “I like you a lot better than Evan’s last girlfriend!”
 
“Yeah! I didn’t like her either. She was really mean!” Tommy agreed with his brother and they continued to list off everything they didn’t like about her. Among the list I heard adjectives such as snotty, annoying, mean, selfish, and rude. I was confused and I wanted to ask the two boys more when Evan, followed by his dad, entered the room.
 
“Alright! I think we are ready!” Evan said as he came over to me and grabbed my hand. He had changed clothes and was now wearing a light green v-neck and white shorts. His dad had followed him out and was corralling Tommy and Jack towards the door. We all walked together out the door and got into our cars. Evan rode with me in my car and his dad and brothers rode over in their car.
 
When we arrived back at my house my parents were waiting for us in the driveway. I introduced them to Mr. Thompson and he introduced Tommy and Jack to my parents. My mom loves kids just as much as I do and instantly started a conversation with the two boys. My dad started up a conversation with Evan’s and that left Evan and I standing together and just watching everything play out.
 
The six of us made our way inside and I led Evan out to the back deck where we sat on the swing and faced the setting sun. He put his arm around my shoulders and I rested my hand on his knee. I turned and leaned my head on his shoulder and we swung slowly enjoying the night.
 
“Sorry it took so long to get my dad ready,” Evan stated breaking the silence.
 
“Oh that wasn’t a problem; I was just talking with your brothers.” I reassured him.
 
“Yeah…what were they talking about when we walked back in? It sounded like they were naming off insults.” He said with a laugh.
 
“They were expressing to me how much they didn’t like…your ex-girlfriend.” I told him with half laugh at the end. I wondered whether I should ask about her or just leave it up to him. “It didn’t sound like they were a fan of her,” was all I said as I looked up at Evan.
 
He didn’t look at me but instead kept his gaze focused on the water. He was still half smiling but his eyes looked angry and annoyed. I hoped he wasn’t mad at me for bringing her up. That was not how I wanted this dinner to start off.
“Yes quite honestly I’m not her biggest fan now either. But I don’t want to talk about her now okay?” He asked looking down at me with a pleading look in his eyes.
 
“Of course, I wouldn’t want to talk about my ex right now either.” I conceded, I wanted to know more about his ex but I also accepted that he didn’t want to talk about it and I could just ask him later.
 
“Dinner is ready!” My dad called and Evan and I got up and walked over to the table. We had decided it would be fun to eat outside and enjoy the beautiful night.
 
I saw the table was covered in food and it all looked so delicious. There was the grilled lemon pepper chicken my dad had told me he was dying to cook for someone, various fruits all mixed together in a giant bowl, some buttery mashed potatoes my mom had made with bits of bacon thrown in, and other various sides like rolls and chips and dip.
 
“This looks amazing; I can’t wait to dig in!” Mr. Thompson said as he took his place with Tommy and Jack on either side of him. My parents sat at each end while Evan and I sat across from his family; I was closest to my mom and he was closest to my dad.
 
“Evan. Maria. How did you two meet? I don’t think I ever got the full story.” My mom asked as we sat down.
 
I looked over at Evan and he just smiled and said,
“You tell ‘em.”
 
I laughed and began, “Well we were both running on the beach and I was looking at the water and I guess he was too and we ran into each other and fell down. And when we got back up he apologized and I said if he wanted to make it up to me he would finish my run with me and he said deal and…yeah. That’s how that happened.” I said laughing at the memory.
 
“Who would have thought, that actually running into a girl is a good way to get her to like you!?” Evan said laughing. The parents just laughed along with him and I ended up laughing too.
 
“So Evan. You help out at the Y with Maria right?” My dad asked him as he passed around the bowl of mashed potatoes.
 
“Yes I do. She mentioned that she always volunteers there on the day that I met her and I knew I had to help out too.” Evan replied with a smile in my direction.
 
“I think that is just the sweetest thing, how you guys help out there together!” My mom told us giving us both a big smile.
 
“Do you enjoy it?” My dad asked us.
 
“You know I love it dad!” I told him.
 
“And I do too. Kids are really fun and I love hanging out with them.” Evan said as he passed
the fruit to me.
 
“I’m sure it doesn’t hurt that Maria is there too.” Mr. Thompson said with a chuckle. My parents laughed as well and that left Evan and I smiling and blushing at the same time.
 
“No, that doesn’t hurt either.” Evan agreed laughing.
 
We filled our plates full and soon all you could hear were the clinking of forks on plates and the occasional “This is amazing,” directed at one of my parents. Tommy and Jack finished first and begged their dad to let them go play in the pool. Apparently they still had on their swimming trunks from earlier today because once they promised to be careful they peeled off their shirts and ran for the pool.
 
When we passed around the food for seconds I was so stuffed I could barely move. Evan however eagerly took more and just laughed when I gave him a look like he was crazy. The parents continued along various conversation topics which some of included Evan and I and some of them. After we were halfway through the second round my mom finally brought up the topic that I knew would come up eventually.
 
“John,” she began addressing Evan’s dad, “I would just like to say that you have done an excellent job raising these boys. They are all extremely polite and very respectful.”
 
“Thank you Kate. But I do have to say I didn’t do it alone. My wife…Jess, she…she really is the one who deserves your appreciation.” He told my mom looking at her, clearly remembering his wife and raising their three kids together.
 
“My mom passed away this past March. She had cancer…but she died a peaceful death knowing my dad could take care of her boys.” Evan finished the words his dad could bring himself to say. His dad gave him a grateful smile from across the table and I saw he had tears in his eyes. I placed my hand in Evan’s under the table and he squeezed it and flashed me a quick smile before looking past me to my mom who was standing up from the table.
 
Confused we all watched her as she came over to Evan and told him she needed to give him a hug. Evan stood and gratefully accepted my mom’s hug. After they separated she walked over to John and gave him a hug as well.
 
“I speak for my wife and myself when I say that we are very sorry to hear about her passing. I would have loved to meet her and I am sure she would love to be here right now. I think it is safe to say that as a family you guys are one of the closest and most respectable families we have ever met.” My dad told John sincerely.
 
“Thank you both. That means a lot.” Mr. Thompson said nodding in appreciation at each of my parents. “There’s something else though…I feel like Jess would have loved to be here for many reasons but the number one being that she would have loved to meet you, Maria. You are everything she would have wanted in Evan’s girlfriend…even though I questioned it at first,” he said with a look over at Evan. Evan nodded like he was accepting an apology and his dad continued, “and I wish you two the best of luck, I really do. What I see between you two is something you rarely see between two people and I hope you guys realize how special it is. Jess…she would treat you, Maria, as her own daughter and I only hope I can do the same.” Mr. Thompson finished and looked into my eyes.
 
I had goose bumps all over my body and I was absolutely speechless. Evan squeezed my hand and smiled at me and nodded, agreeing with everything his dad had just told me. I couldn’t even think straight. Evan’s dad practically told me that Evan and I were meant to be together and his wife would have wanted it that way. “Wow…thank you Mr. Thompson. That means the world to me, really.” I told him with tears in my eyes. Who would have thought this was going to be such an
emotional dinner.
 
“Well we still have dessert to eat so I am going to run inside and get that real quick!” My mom said with a sniff of her nose like she was about to start crying.
 
“I’ll help you out,” Evan told her as he stood from his chair. He kissed the back of my hand before letting go and then followed my mom inside.
 
“T! J! There is dessert!” Evan’s dad called down to the boys.
 
“Dessert! Coming!” One of them replied and soon they were standing beside the table soaking wet.
 
“Here, let me run in and get some towels for them real fast,” my dad offered as he rose from his seat.
 
“That would be great thanks,” Mr. Thompson replied and flashed a grateful smile to my dad.
 
After a moment it was just me and Mr. Thompson at the table since he had sent Tommy and Jack to go and wait by the door for towels. “I meant what I said…about treating you like a daughter. Jess would have practically become your best friend and I just want you to know that I am here for you if you ever need anything.” Mr. Thompson told me.
 
“Alright. Thank you, that means a lot to me, really. I am glad to have Evan and knowing I can go to you for anything is great. Thanks.” I told him smiling across the table.
 
Right when I finished my mom and Evan walked out each with a plate of cookies, followed by my dad who had a towel for Tommy and Jack. Evan sat the plate he was carrying in between his spot and my spot and I saw that they were my favorite cookies. Snickerdoodles!
 
“Mom! You made Snickerdoodles?!” I exclaimed looking at the plate excitedly.
 
“Of course I did sweetie. They’re your favorite!” She told me laughing.
 
“They’re my favorite too!” Evan told me grabbing on and taking a huge bite.
 
“No! I want them all to myself!” I told him and I grabbed the half eaten cookie out of his hand and I took a bite out of it.
 
“Hey! You took my cookie!” Evan said as he attempted to grab it back. But I was too quick.
I stood up and grabbed the plate full of Snickerdoodles and ran for it. I shoved the rest of the cookie from Evan in my mouth and hurried to the other side of the pool. When I turned I saw that Evan was close behind me so I decided to abandon the plate and just grab as many as I can. I placed the plate on the swing and I managed to get three in each hand before darting just out of Evan’s reach. He didn’t even go for the plate that I had left with at least a dozen cookies on it. He was coming straight after me. When I ran around to the other side of the pool he was getting closer and closer. We were both laughing and after I screamed, “You’ll never get me alive!”
 
Right when I was going to turn and try and make it into the basement door Evan’s strong arms wrapped around my waist and lifted me off the ground. I still had cookies in my hands but I figured that my hands would be more useful without cookies in them so I threw the cookies towards a chair hoping they could still be eaten. I wouldn’t want six perfectly good cookies to go to waste.
 
“I caught you!” Evan told me triumphantly as he carried me back towards the swing.
 
“Put me down!” I whined as I smacked his back a couple times. I remembered how last Saturday I had been in the same predicament when he had carried me back out into the ocean after I cheated on the race.
 
He did put me down this time though and he held out a cookie as a peace offering. “Here have a cookie.” He told me with a grin as he held the cookie in front of my mouth waiting for me to take a bite. This couldn’t end well’ but since I didn’t know what he was up to and I really wanted the cookie I took a bite. Right when I tasted the cookie he replaced his hand which had been holding the cookie with his mouth. He had taken a bite of the same cookie as I had at the same time!
 
I burst out laughing but since the cookie was still in my mouth have chewed it was more of a cough-laugh than a plain laugh. Evan started laughing too and we were each trying to swallow our bite of cookie and breathe at the same time.
 
“You’re crazy!” I finally said when I could talk.
 
“No you would be the crazy one for running off with my favorite cookies!” He told me as he pointed his finger at me.
 
I took a step closer to him and tried to be intimidating when I replied, “I left the whole plate on the swing but noooo! You had to continue to chase after me instead!”
 
“You were more appealing,” he told me with a wink and he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer to him.
 
“Oh yeah?” I asked as I cocked my head to the side.
 
“Mmmhmmm,” he agreed before kissing me. He tasted like Snickerdoodles which only made the kiss one thousand times better. When I wrapped my arms around his neck and stood up on my tip toes I heard a whistle. That’s when I remembered our parents were watching us right now. I blushed and turned to hide my face in Evan’s chest since his back was to the table.
 
“Come on; let’s go down to the beach.” I told Evan and I grabbed his hand and pulled him the opposite way of our parents.
 
“Someone a little embarrassed?” Evan teased me quietly as we walked hand in hand towards the water that was slowly going out.
 
“Oh shut up,” I told him and I slapped his stomach with my free hand.
 
We waded knee deep out into the ocean and walked slowly along the shore for awhile. “Thanks for dinner,” Evan told me.
 
“Thanks for coming,” I replied. “What your dad said was really sweet of him. I could never have asked for that kind of acceptance.”
 
“You deserve it Maria. You truly are an amazing person and he sees that.” Evan told me.
 
“Thanks Evan,” I told him with a smile on my lips.
 
“This really was a great day. I feel like a lot happened in such a short amount of time ya know?” Evan asked me.
 
“Yes I know what you mean. It seems weird that this morning I was so upset about Sean and then we had to work with the kids and then we went mini-golfing and now we ended up here.”
 
“Ya know what the best part was though?” Evan asked me.
 
“What?” I stopped and looked at up him.
 
“This,” he said and he cupped my face with his hands and brought his lips to meet mine. I wrapped my arms around his waist and felt his firm back and shoulders under his t-shirt. He slid his hands to my hips where my t-shirt had come up and he was able to trace his fingers along my bare skin. I brought my hands up to his hair and twisted my fingers in it. When I couldn’t breathe I turned my head and Evan traced kisses down my neck and to my collarbone.
 
He kissed me again and again and each time butterflies exploded in my stomach. When he would kiss my neck it felt like millions of tiny lightning bolts struck my spine and continued all the way down to my toes. Each kiss was better than the last and after awhile we had sunk into the sand since the tide had washed over our feet so many times.
 
“We better head back.” I whispered to Evan and he agreed but didn’t stop kissing the spot right below my ear. “Seriously come on!” I told him as I half dragged him out of the water.
 
On our way back we would stop every few feet and kiss and i swear a smile didn't leave my lips the whole time. It was a wonderful way to end a wonderful day and I am sure that I am never going to forget it.
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-Done by Hannah @hannahmarie1724