On My Way • Why Don't We | ✓

twenty two

July 7, 2017 ; Dallas, Texas
Evelyn

"Daniel!"

I can't help but grin as the small girl jumps into Daniel's arms. A smile spreads across his face as he lifts her up.

"Hey, Reese," He replies playfully, tapping her on the nose.

I quietly laugh at the exchange. Daniel, hearing me, turns around slightly, finding me lingering behind the two of them.

"Reese, do you want to meet my best friend?" He places her gently on the ground, "This is Evelyn."

"Hi, Reese," I wave slightly at the small girl, suddenly shy.

"Is she the girl that you always talk about from home?"

Daniel laughs at this, "Yes, she is."

Reese charges toward me before wrapping her arms around me. I can't help but smile at her, "It's nice to meet you."

"Shall we head in?" Daniel asks us.

I nod, but Reese shoots toward the front door, jumping with anticipation.

Daniel, motioning for me to go first, gives me a small smile, "Don't get tired too quickly."

"I could never," I respond sarcastically. My phone buzzes in my pocket; I read Cameron's text quickly before responding. I feel Daniel's presence hovering over my right shoulder.

I glance up at him, pulling my eyes away from the screen, but he's looking at the doorway with a strange look on his face.

Suddenly, Reese's face pokes out the door, "Daniel, I have to show you something!" She's carrying a box of crayons in her hand, which I offer to carry, "Thank you, Evelyn."

Daniel watches me before following Reese into the living room. On the table, pages of coloring books are stacked neatly.

"I made one for you," She plops down beside her pile of colored papers and sorts through them quickly before pulling one out, causing the papers to go awry.

"Here!" She hands the flower mandala to us.

"Thank you," I smile, hugging her sideways.

"Hey, Reese," Daniel eyes a nearby box of water balloons, "You down for water balloons?"

I hit him on the shoulder, but Reese is up and running, "Yes!"

Daniel goes to fill them up while I stay inside and find a change of clothes for Reese, who's practically bouncing off the walls.

"All ready," A voice hollers.

"C'mon," I motion, "I'll race you."

"Okay," She grins, "Ready, set, go."

She's off and running before I know it, "Hey," I yell after her, "Not fair."

She's with Daniel when I arrive. We head out into the backyard where Daniel and I fill the water balloons while Reese performs a medley of Why Don't We songs. I laugh as I tie the end of a red water balloon.

A stream of cold water hits my face. I scream, dropping the balloon onto the grass.

"I hate you," I look down at my now-soaked clothes. Reese, who happens to find this incredibly amusing, is giggling on the grass.

"Whoops?" Daniel shrugs with an evil grin.

"Idiot," I grab a balloon from the bucket and chuck it at him. Since my aim is poor, it flies a foot away from his face.