Guardians of Evergreen (Forever Ever #1)

Green *

Calvin's mind lingered on the piercing gaze of his father, an unspoken judgment that had haunted him for years. The critical stares of strangers, observing him and his mother carrying trash bags, had become all too familiar. His father's disapproving look had treated him as an unwelcome burden, reinforcing the constant feeling of being unwanted. Isolation had been his father's preferred method of communication.

His mother, on the other hand, had always fought to make things work. She took on multiple jobs, finding pride in supporting them without assistance. She embraced the label of a single mother with unwavering strength, refusing to let fear infiltrate their lives.

But everything had changed abruptly. His mother began quitting jobs without notice, her nail-biting habit growing more prominent by the day. Their lives spiraled into chaos from that point on.

As Calvin glanced out the car window, he was captivated by the lush trees passing by, a vibrant display of nature that had been absent from his life for so long. The sun bathed everything in its warm glow, and for once, he was allowed to gaze outside. Only during the night did this privilege seem to be revoked, a strange and unexplained rule.

Their car meandered along a cliffside road, with waves crashing against the rocky walls below. Calvin couldn't help but be reminded of their perpetual movement from one place to another, a reality that had become all too familiar. He fought against drowsiness as his eyelids grew heavy. The journey seemed longer than expected.

Rubbing his eyes to stay awake, he observed as they drove down a narrow cobblestone street. Elegant houses passed them by, and he rolled down the window, relishing the breeze that kissed his face.

"You're going to love our new home. It's a perfect fit for both of us. I grew up in this neighborhood," his mother said, smiling at him through the rearview mirror. A heavy silence hung in the car. "Well, at least it's summer break," she attempted to ease the tension, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel and humming awkwardly. "You don't have to worry about starting school right away as the new kid." She injected humor into the space. "There are mountains and forests everywhere you look. Calvin, you're going to love this place—"

"I'm sure we won't be staying for long," Calvin muttered, cutting his mother off, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery. "It feels like we're always running away from something. Why can't you accept the truth about me?" Such thoughts remained mostly hidden.

"I love you for who you are, regardless of whether you like girls or boys or people with purple, blue, or green skin," his mother responded, pulling into a driveway. "Everything we're doing is for you, and one day, you'll understand why."

"I understand the way you look at me," he glanced back at her. "You might think I don't notice, but I catch the stares." Watching the trees recede as the car came to a halt in front of a grand house, he continued, "I want to know who's after me. Is it Dad?"

His mother turned off the car, her gaze fixed on him. "Your father isn't coming back, Calvin."

He shook his head, his lips clenched in anger.

"Has he ever wished you a happy birthday? Sent you anything? Called?" Her eyes carried the weight of weariness. "I'm sorry, Cal, but he's just not going to do those things." She glanced up. "He doesn't care enough about you to try to take you—"

That was enough.

Calvin stormed out of the car, his gaze fixated on the beautiful garden adorned with fresh roses of various colors. Tears threatened to spill from his eyes as he noticed an angel-shaped fountain gushing water.

Bees buzzed around, diligently performing their tasks, while birds perched on branches, filling the air with their melodic tunes. The freshly cut lawn boasted a wooden bench and a glass table. With a slight turn, the expanse of a light blue ocean came into view. Clouds drifted lazily across the sky, resembling soft cotton.

His mother joined him outside the car, the Realtor standing on the walkway. A folder was tucked securely under the Realtor's arm. An East-Indian woman with long, coal-black hair and pearly white teeth, she greeted them warmly.

"It's so good to see you again, Jennifer," the Realtor said.

"Thanks for meeting me here, Raj. There are a few things I wanted to discuss," Jennifer replied, her voice trailing off as they entered the house.

Calvin turned around and stepped onto the street, where trees arched overhead, forming a natural canopy. In the distance, he spotted a girl with olive skin, her almond-shaped eyes drawing him in. Silky hair framed her cheekbones perfectly, stopping just below her jawline. Laughter spilled from her lips as she stood at the center of a circle of children, playfully engaging in battles with sticks.

The girl declared, "Bow down to me—I am the queen of Dwarves!"

Calvin couldn't help but smile at her lighthearted proclamation, even though she was shorter than average. Her friends darted behind one of the houses, disappearing.

Curiosity ignited within Calvin, and he followed them as they vanished into the forest. Through slender gaps between the trees, he caught glimpses of them rolling in a grassy meadow, their laughter echoing in the air.

Tall trees stood majestically, encircling the hidden meadow. The wind picked up, carrying the sweet scent of flowers across the land, almost casting a spell on Calvin. On the edge of the field, an entrance to another forest beckoned. The group of friends disappeared into the woods.

"Oh, there you are! Come on, sweetie, let me introduce you to Raj," his mother's voice reached him as her hand rested on his shoulder.

"Hey, Calvin. I've heard so much about you," Raj greeted him with a smile and a wave.

Calvin bent down to pick up a large leaf that had fallen in front of him moments ago. A gooey glitter-like substance trickled down from its stem, similar to the goo he had seen at the hospital. He dropped the leaf and kicked it into the ground, ensuring that no more goo emerged.

He squinted at the tree, wondering where the leaf could have come from.

Raj gestured around the neighborhood."Welcome to Evergreen."