4. Chapter 4

Evelyn

After tossing and turning for the last thirty minutes, not able to fall asleep, I get up and walk to the kitchen. The stove clock reads 3:25 am. Sleep is such a traitor it’s never there when I need it most. I grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge and take a large swing. I’ve always been a night owl, not by choice but because my brain won’t turn off when it’s supposed to. The darkness lasts a lifetime when you can’t close your eyes.

I walked back to my room and make sure I set my alarm for the morning. I sit in the dark for a while before I feel my eyelid get heavy. I happily sleep take over my mind and body.

I dream about the color green.

*************

The second my alarm goes off, I jump out of bed, tripping because of my legs being wrapped around the blanket. I’ve been awake for the last thirty minutes but forced myself to stay in bed in hope that sleep would find me again. Which as always was a false hope. The entire morning I’ve been eager to see Ben again. I know that I gave him the cold shoulder in the hallway the other day, but I was still processing.

In the middle of putting my shoes on when I hear the front door swing open.

I sigh and get off my bed and walk out of my room and down the hallway. I peek my head around the corner to see my mom pulling the hand of a blond-haired stranger. Her bedroom door slammed shut and all I hear behind it is her giggles and the scruffy voice of the man. Of course, she hasn’t been here in weeks. She doesn’t care if I’m here alone. I guess I can’t really blame her, this is the life she’s gotten used to. Being out all night and away from her apartment for days at a time.

I always choose to be away from her and to stay with my dad. He and I are just more similar. The only reason I came here was so he could spend time with his new fiance, Carolyn. I don’t want to be in the way anymore. I hate this feeling like I was holding him back. It doesn’t really matter much. I’ll be 18 in six months. Then I don’t have to bother anyone.