On My Way • Why Don't We | ✓

twenty

July 6, 2017 ; Dallas, Texas
Nova

Evelyn's eyes stay glued to her screen as she types rapidly. A small smile rugs at her lips as she pauses for a moment before typing again.

Daniel looks at me curiously, and I can only shrug. He wanders toward the other boys, leaving me with Evelyn.

"Evelyn."

"Mm?" She responds half-heartedly.

"Who are you texting?"

She doesn't respond, instead replying to another text, "No one important," She continues typing, her eyes glued to the screen.

"It looks the contrary," I state plainly.

"It's really no one important," Evelyn shrugs, finally shutting her phone off and looking me in the eye.

"C'mon, it can't be bad. You're Evelyn Park."

"It's great," She beams, "But, you would disagree."

Her phone dings once more, and she picks it up, another smile spreading across her face.

"I'm sure it would be okay if you told me. I'm your friend, Evelyn. Trust me."

She sighs before handing me her phone.

Cameron
you're so lucky
you're usually nice

Cameron
but we'll miss
you

I stare blankly at the screen, "You're texting Cameron?"

She shrugs, "It's as friends, and my feelings are just feelings, don't worry."

"I thought you were getting over him?" I ask.

"Yeah, I am," She avoids my eyes, staring at her hands.

"Evelyn," I state blandly as I hand her phone back, "I'm happy for you. I am, but he's only going to hurt you. You know that. I don't want to see you hurt by some douche who will never love you for the real Evelyn."

She looks up at me, "I'll be okay."

"I don't think you will."

"I promise I will," She stands up abruptly, walking away.

Zach joins me, pulling my worries away from Evelyn, "Ready for Texas?"

"Meet the parents?" I reply jokingly.

"Hey, we're having a free day that I'm spending with my mom, and since Daniel offered to watch Reese, which I'm assuming includes Evelyn, you should tag along. I could show you Texas: like a full-day adventure.

"Okay," I smile bravely, "Yeah, actually, that sounds great. I'm excited, but are you sure Daniel can handle Reese?"

"She adores him," Zach replies with a smile spreading on his face, "And, she'll love Evelyn more."

"Great, I'm excited for Texas."

. . .

Daniel

"Good morning, Ev," I say

"Morning, Daniel," She quickly shuts off her phone and looks up.

"What are you doing on this fine morning?" I peer toward her phone, which she keeps staring at expectantly.

"Fine morning?" She laughs, nudging my shoulder. I shake my head at her hysterics, which makes her laugh more.

"Who're you texting?" I raise an eyebrow at her vibrating phone.

"Overprotective much?"

"I'm a curious best friend," I pout in response before lunging for her phone and reading the texts, "Cameron?"

She nods slightly. I quickly hand it back to her, my heart sinking, "It's a mistake right," She begins rambling quickly, "He's just going to hurt me. He doesn't want to date me, I mean, not Evelyn Park, maybe, Megan, sure, but I'm not Megan, so—"

I cut her off abruptly, taking her hand gently, "You deserve your Prince Charming to sweep you off your feet. You deserve a happy ending."

She turns to me, her eyes trailing over my face before meeting my eyes, "Thanks, Daniel. That means so much," She squeezes my hand gently.

I stand, ready to return to Corbyn and Jack's company, "Hey, you down for babysitting Reese tomorrow?"

"Yeah," Ev nods, "I'd love to."

"Good. I already promised Zach that I had it covered. He wants the day with his mom and what not."

"That's sweet," She smiles.

I turn away, heading back near Corbyn and Jack to work on a new song.

"Daniel," Nova stops me.

"Yes," I ask her quietly.

"Evelyn and Cameron," She shakes her head, "It's not good for Evelyn. He'll get her hopes up and crush them, just like he has so many times, and he doesn't even realize what he does. She's barely existent to him.

"I need you to talk to her about it. I don't want her getting hurt again, and she wouldn't listen to me, so I need your help. If anyone, she'll listen to you."

I'm taken aback by her words. Cameron has hurt Ev countless times, but I never want to crush her hope. This might be the time that everything works perfectly. She believes; I believe, "No."

"No?" Nova's eyes widen, "No?"

"I talked to her."

"And, just no?"

"Look," I glance back at Ev, who still has a little smile playing across her face. Her eyes light up as another text comes through. She's always been one for hope, one to find the simplest joys in everything. Stopping her would be taking that from her, and even if she's hurt, she'll have a good memory; Nova and I are her friends who can stand by her: That's our job, "Ev deserves a happy ending. Ev deserves to have a boy make her smile and laugh just like you deserve it. She deserves the Prince Charming to sweep her off her feet. Let it happen."

"Cameron isn't her Prince Charming," Nova insists, "He is not what she needs."

"I'm not taking her happiness right now. You can try, but I'm not doing anything."

"Fine," Nova responds cooly, "Whatever is best for her."

I slide into the seat next to Corbyn, "You okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" I ask, noticing my tone grows defensive.

Corbyn flicks his eyes toward Ev, "You know."

"Perfectly peachy," I force a smile, "Don't worry."

"Okay," Corbyn nods quickly before turning to the lyrics we've worked on, "Sure."

happy thanksgiving! hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday.
much love,
melody