Before the Ever Green (BTEG #1) ✔️

Chapter 20

The morning has finally arrived. I open my eyes to see my clock which reads 4:58 a.m. Perfect. I have plenty of time to get ready. I hurry to the bathroom and slip off my clothes to take a quick shower.

My hair is a mess when I get out, so I brush out the tangles, and wrap a towel around it, while I change into a white dress that comes down to right above my knees with 3" straps to hold it up. I braid my hair, and hurry to grab the medium sized leather bag Everett bought me, because when I look at the clock, it reads 5:34 a.m. I am not sure how long it will take to get to the train station, so I quietly climb down the tree, and into the forest, following the rock path very carefully, till I reach the small shed. Everett is just walking out, so I grab his arm, tugging it before I start running back the way I came.

Neither of us speak, we just run-quietly-trying to get to the train station. I've never actually been to the train station. I've only gotten close when I've gone on walks, so I know where it is. Actually it's closer to my house than it it to town. Which, is good for us, because we have a better chance of making it.

We run through the trees and bushes, attempting to dodge everything in our way. I stumble a few times, but quickly regain balance. The morning air is stinging at my barely covered skin. I try not to let it affect me. I tell myself my body heat will keep me warm.

And I keep telling myself to breathe.

Inhale.

Exhale.

For some reason, my lungs don't want to work. I am either taking in too much oxygen and choking or too little and choking. I just can't win, but I still keep running. I only stop when I can see the train station in view. Everett is beside me now, and we are both breathing hard.

When we make it to the ticket booth, I hand the man our tickets, he hands them back, then opens the gate and tells us, "Train C"

I am looking around, and I only see one C. It is written in bold black, so I follow the path leading to the extremely large letter, "Tickets," a man says with his hand out. I show him the tickets, and he opens the door for us.

There are only a few people on the train, which isn't really a surprise. Usually only the wealthy, like those who live in the big cities, can ride on the train. I guess I'm just lucky. As I am looking around, I see a lot of elderly people, along with a few families.

Everett and I look around, and find a 'room' with a table and 2 cushioned benches. It has a door, so we decide to sit here. I close the door, and finally sit, realizing the seats are pretty comfortable. I look around the small 'room' and find a clock which reads 5:58 a.m. I take a deep breathe.

I am really doing this.

My hands are on the table, and I am lost in thought until Everett puts his hand on mine, and I look down, then up at him, "You nervous?" He asks

Was it that obvious?

"No," I reply, "Just...curios."

"About what?"

"Everything," I say, "I am wondering what in the world it will be like at the capital. I wonder whether or not my mom will care I am gone. I wonder if she'll try and find me. I wonder what Mr. O'Riley wants with me... and my mom."

He smiles a sweet smile, "You'll find out soon," he says pointing out the window, noticing we are moving. The train is a lot smoother than the few carriages I'd been it. I wasn't even aware that we were moving, yet. The train hadn't made any noise.

When I look out the window, I can see the mountains filled with trees. The one closer to the train appear to be moving at 100 miles an hour, while the ones farther back are like snails, almost staying in the same spot.

The view is beautiful, and the tracks are slightly dampened, so it looks almost mystical. I lean my head against the window, looking at what's ahead of us. I'm not quite sure how long it'll take to get there, but I hope not too long, because I think I might die from curiosity.

I just keep my head on this little window and watch tree after tree pass by. We pass a lake, that's been hit by the sunrise, making it glow in the distance. It's magnificent. I almost want to brake the window and jump out, so I can run to the water and jump in. But, I don't.

"Addilyn?" Everett says, and I move my head away from the window, "C-c an I tell you something?"

I nod.

"When we get to the capital-"he is interrupted by a knock on the door. It's a lady with a cart of food. I unlock and open the door.

The lady looks to be maybe 40 years old, and has black hair. I read her name tag, Linda. "Can I offer you anything to eat?" Linda asks.

I turn to Everett. He looks at the lady, "We're good, thank you,"

"Okay, deary," She says before closing the door and leaving. I turn my attention back to the scenery outside, which is really beautiful. I sit up quickly, when I realize Everett still had something to tell me. I bonk my head on the back of the seat, but Everett is staring at his hands, and doesn't notice, "What were you saying?" I ask

"Oh, Um-I'm not quite sure," I can tell he's lying, but I don't want to bug him about it.

I take a breathe, "What's your last name?"

He looks up, "It doesn't matter,"

"It matters to me,"

He exhales, "We've been over this. I'm not telling you my last name...I'm not telling everyone my last name."

"Fine," I say, "Will you at least tell me where you came from?"

"My mother," He says. I want to slap that smug grin off his face. He is using my tricks.

"Where was you're mother from?"

"Her mother," maybe this is why I don't have friends. No. They don't even talk to me, so how could I not have friends by how I talk to people?

I decide against asking any more questions, but instead just turning my attention back to the scenery...again. I can't think of anything else to ask him, and even if I did, he'd probably come up with another un-useful answer.

He sighs, and I slightly turn my attention towards him, "That capital."

"Is where we are going, yes." I say

"No, that's where I am from." He says.

Everything is quiet.