In Search of Tomorrow ✓

Seventeen

I gripped Maddie's hand tightly in one hand and Clare's in the other as I stared up at the intimidating brick house before me. It was stately to say the least; massive, with at least three white balconies and a beautiful, sprawling garden. Glancing down at my shorts and sea green top, I wondered if I'd dressed up enough.

"Come on," I said, ignoring Clare as she tugged against my hand stubbornly. She hadn't even wanted to come to this dinner with Cameron's parents, but I'd forced her, and now she was giving me her worst attitude about it.

Clare rolled her eyes as I practically dragged her past Cameron's sleek convertible and a sports car, towards the front door. As I approached, I noticed the door had both a knocker and a doorbell-I didn't really know which to use.

Figuring it would never hurt to play it safe, I stuck with the doorbell, which chimed a clear melody that resounded through the yard and startled a few sparrows out of a blooming cherry blossom tree.

"Coming!" called a voice that sounded like Cameron's, though muffled, and moments later the door swung open and he was smiling in front of me.

I knew right then I should have dressed up more. He was wearing a dress shirt and slacks, and the little boy jumping around beside him was dressed exactly like him but in miniature. I pushed back my blonde hair nervously, forcing a smile, and led Maddie and Clare inside.

After he closed the door behind us, Cameron grabbed the little boy and swung him up until he was holding him on his shoulders, saying, "Slow down, buddy. This is Evelyn, and her little sisters Maddie and Clare. And this," he addressed us now, his eyes twinkling when he looked at me, "Is Peter."

"Hi, Peter," I said, waving at the little boy happily bouncing on Cameron's broad shoulders. "I'm Evelyn."

The more I looked at Peter, the more I realized he looked nothing like Cameron. He was fair-extremely fair, with a light spray of freckles across his nose but dark brown eyes. His toothy grin was crooked, but I still couldn't help but smile at his excitable nature.

"I think Mom and Dad already have dinner ready." Cameron slipped his little brother off his shoulders and took my hand, leading me through a huge foyer and down a long hallway into the kitchen. There were gorgeous plates set out on a granite countertop filled with delicious-looking food, and I could smell fresh bread baking.

"Evelyn!" A woman who I assumed to be Cameron's mother wiped her hands on a paper towel and then rushed over to me, her arms opened wide. "It's so nice to meet you! Cameron's been talking about you so much for the past few weeks."

I glanced over at Cameron pointedly-he had suddenly become very busy helping his father spoon out pasta onto the plates. Biting back a smile, I quickly hugged Mrs. Maddox and then said, "It's nice to meet you, too."

After I introduced Cameron's parents to Maddie and Clare, I helped the Maddox family carry the plates to the dining room table and set out silverware. I couldn't help but subconsciously rub my hands along my shorts to smooth them a few times, still feeling unsure about my choice of wardrobe.

I ended up sitting between Clare and Cameron at the table; Clare was avoiding looking at me as she sullenly started in on her pasta, but Cameron kept glancing me out of the corner of his eye. I tried to hide my smile as I chewed, but it was getting increasingly more difficult the cuter his expressions got.

Finally, Mr. Maddox set down his water glass and asked me, "So, Evelyn, what do you like to do?"

I wiped my fingers on my napkin, trying to buy time-I hadn't had much time for hobbies since Dad had left. "I used to cheerlead," I said, swallowing nervously. "And I like studying. I also have a job at an ice cream parlor."