Reconnections

Chapter 51

Time was moving slow. Each step taken was another step he wasn't prepared to take. His hands dripping with fear. He had known her since childhood but he couldn't unsee what he was shown. His shirt began to soak with dampness, his heart pounding and his sight was tunneling as he saw the house come into view.

"Leon? Lily?" Eve said as she stepped out of the house. As she ran into her best friends arms to give her a hug, Leon's eyes refused to leave her. He saw her beauty before but now, all he could see was her shining ever so brightly.

"Leon." Lily said waking him from his day dreams.

"What?" He said taking his eyes away from Eve.

"Eve asked you a question? Are you okay?" She pulled away from Eve and stepped closer to him.

"Oh uh, sorry. I'm still confused about how we got... hi." He smiled looking at his shoes then to Eve.

"What are you doing here?" Eve smirked.

"We uh, we were... Lily?" He turned on a dime and cleared his throat.

"Yeah, thanks. Anyways, you're the reason were here you idiot." She smacked Eve's arm.

"Ow, what do you mean it's my fault?"

"First things first. I told you it was a stupid idea to steal that pearl from your mom but you stole it anyways? And not to mention you left the portal open to Essence? Do you realize that we were almost shish kabobed? I praise the fact that I'm not just a piece of meat but if I have a stick through me then I may as well be!" She smacked her arm once more.

"What do you mean? It should have closed after we went through?" Eve rubbed her arms then looked in the direction of the waterfall. "Did anyone else come with you?"

"No. It was just us." Lily said looking to Leon noticing him staring at Eve.

"Okay. I'll let Uncle Jegs know that it's still open." Eve shook her head before turning around and walking to the door.

Before she could reach the door, Jegudiel walked out "That won't be necessary, I have already informed Cheribum of the events and they are currently in the process of fixing what's needed. You've made quite the mess Eve?" He smiled as he folded his hands behind his back.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to." Eve dropped her head, she felt ashamed, if she had just listened to what everyone was telling her and accepted the help from her parents, none of this would have happened.

"It's not your fault Eve." Leon spoke, his heart broke when he saw her bow in her moment of embarrassment.

"How is it not her fault? She shouldn't have been so stubborn and we would all be at home-" Lily tried to speak bluntly before Leon smacked her arm "Ow, what was that for?" She rubbed her arm till she noticed Leon motioning to Eve's growing depression with his eyes. "Never mind..." She whispered.

"No, you're right. I've always been this way, always causing more trouble because I can't hear anybody else out, always bull headed and unable to negotiate. I don't want to be like this anymore, I don't want to push anyone away anymore. I want to be able to hug my mom and dad without feeling resentment or hatred, I want to be able to have normal fights with my best friend because she ate the last slice of pizza. I just want to heal my heart of all my toxic traits so I can be the person that you all deserve to have in your lives." Eve turned to Lily, tears burning in her eyes. "I am so sorry I ever made you feel like I hated you. You are the best, most patient person I know and you deserve to have a best friend with just as much love and patience you've offered me."

"Eve..." Lily's own emotions grew as she watched the tears fall from Eve's cheeks. "I don't care about patience, I don't care if you get pissed because I'm hungry or annoying. I know I can be a lot to bear too, I just want you to know how much I love you and worry about you. When I show my worry, that's when you push me away. I know why you do but you already know I'm not going to leave you. I'd never leave my best friend. Besides that, we're cousins, you can't get rid of me that easily."