Before the Ever Green (BTEG #1) ✔️

Chapter 24

Tobi doesn't ask me if I am ready. She doesn't say don't be nervous. She doesn't do anything to encourage me, she just opens the door, revealing a small office space. The first thing I see is a book shelf behind a desk. A desk with a man sitting in a chair; the man has dark black hair and hazel eyes. He is looking at his clasped hands when Tobi closes the door, and he doesn't look up.

I see a couch, 2 chairs, and 3 small tables around the room. One of the tables, the one between the 2 chairs, is filled with papers. The one on the right on the couch has a plant, and the one to the left of the couch has a pen and notebook. The floor is hard wood, besides a small rug in front of the couch. The walls are maroon, and the only light I can see is from the window behind the chairs, and a small lamp on his desk.

He finally looks up. He is looking me over, like most people have. He doesn't say anything for a long time. The silence is killing me, but he still doesn't speak. He looks up at Tobi for a brief second, but she looks away, making her red hair swing with her movement though it's up in a ponytail.

He takes a deep breathe, "How are you, Addilyn?"

"Fine, sir."

"That's good." He smiles, "Do you know why you are here?"

"No, I just got a letter from Mr. O'Riley telling me to meet him at the capital, but I was pushed off a train, and found Tobi and the twins."

"Well, I guess I shall tell you, I am Mr. O'Riley, but you can call me Clinton. The first thing I need you to know is that I don't agree with the capital. I don't agree with anything they do, they are a monarchy, though they wish the people to think it's democracy. I work at the capital so I can see the inside of there works. I can't anyone, maybe it's a problem, but my mission is so valuable."

"So why bring me here?"

"Well, I am sure you know of the things the capital wants to do. I am sure, being who you are, you can see how wrong it is. I want you on my team. I want your mother on my team. Because, you are special, and if you aren't on my team, you are against me. I don't like special people being against me. I want them with me."

"There's just one problem. Well, more than one. My mom doesn't want anything to do with you, and I don't know what my power is."

He looks shocked, and I'm not sure by which response. Maybe both, "Addilyn is a pretty name. It means noble. I think it suits you,"

"No. I am an outcast. No one listens to me. No one respect me. No one really notices me, until they need to throw food at my face."

"Doesn't everyone great have a million scars?"

"Maybe, but not me. I'll never be great."

"Addilyn, I need you. We need you. You would be a great attention to our team. Here you would be welcome. No one here will throw food at you, no one here will call you names. You'd have a home."

"I already have a home."

"Do you?"

It's like he knows everything about me. It's like he knows I am hated. He knows about the food being thrown at me, and the times Sara kicked me tell I was black and blue. I think he knows what makes me happy and sad. He knows what makes me mad. I can tell, and he hasn't shown a sign of lying. His offer is kind, but how does he know? How does he know I'll be safe and happy here?

I want to go away from my little town, but I am afraid to let go. I don't want to let go. There is so much to hold on to. Even the worst things need to be remembered. If you don't remember them, you'll think the world is black and white.

"Maybe I don't know everything, but I do know you don't really have a family. Just a mom who's lied to you your whole life."

And he was right about everything.