The Night I Can't Forget

Chapter Five

I lifted my window and stared in shock at Evan. Was he fucking insane or just downright retarded? My brain couldn't make sense of the fact that he was actually here or that he knew where I lived. My stomach started churning as a wave of nausea hit me hard.

"What the fuck are you doing here, Evan?" I whispered-yelled at him. He shifted nervously and stepped closer to the window, looking up like a sad dog. He didn't say anything and gestured for me to come out. I looked back at my room and sighed deeply. Had two choices, and my curiosity had already picked for me. I closed the window and shuffled quickly around my room, throwing on something warm to wear. My mind was racing as these few seconds felt the same as forever between me and this conversation. I walked to my door and hesitated to leave. What could he say that would change anything? What will he do if I don't accept it? These questions wracked my brain as I left my room and headed for the steps. Looking down from the steps and to the front door felt like a million miles. My heart was racing as my anxiety grew. 'Just one step,' I thought. I let out a quiet breath and made my way to the front door.

As I reached the door, I saw Evans' shadowed figure behind the curtain. I gulped down the growing lump in my throat and opened the door slowly. I only cracked it, and Evan looked at me emotionlessly. I opened the door completely, and stepped out, closing it quietly behind me. Evan began to open his mouth to speak, and I held my hand quickly.

"Not here," I said, he nodded, and we walked off the porch and little ways down the street to a small park in the area. The walk was silent and awkward; the coldness of the night air set a mood I couldn't quite make out. We reached the park, and I sat on a bench. Evan followed suit and sat next to me adding enough space. So I didn't feel too uncomfortable.

"So, what?" I blurted out, breaking the silence. Evan sighed and looked at me, then to the ground. He didn't respond except for a sigh, and I started to get even more anxious.

"I asked you out here to apologize...I'm sorry, Gabe. What we did to you wasn't right. It was a game to us but I understand now...for you...it was..." He trailed off. Still staring intently at the ground. My eyes couldn't look away from him as I saw the tears drip from his eyes. I had the urge to touch him but kept my hand firmly gripped to the bench.

"I don't accept that apology," I said. Evan looked at me with broken eyes, and I couldn't feel anything for him. I don't know what he expected...what was I gonna do with a 'Sorry?' Absolutely nothing. That's what.

"You know Owen told me he does this because he can...do you think like that too?" I asked, staring up at the night sky. The light pollution kept the stars from being seen, but the moon shone brightly.

"I'm nothing like Owen...he knows this is his last year, and he's been on one for a while. I only hang out with him because I'm on the team! If I don't then I'll..."

"End up like me?" I said. He looked at me sadly and nodded his head. I could laugh at his statement and felt like the hole in my heart grew wider.

"That night...I thought you guys actually wanted to hang out with a freshman like me. I was stupid enough to believe you guys actually wanted to be my friend." I picked at the paint on the bench as I felt Evans stare at me.

"I looked up to you guys, ya know? I was finally gonna be popular or whatever that means, but like everything in my life...it was all a lie." I sighed and looked him in the eyes. He flinched at my stare but did not look away.

"There's nothing I can say to make what we did go away. Owen controls everything and if I go against him I'm signing my death certificate." Evan said. I nodded and looked back at the moon.

"You blame everything on Owen. Like you didn't do it as well. Like you couldn't say no? Evan, you just might be worse than the bastard. At least he can own up to the fact that he's a monster." I said, standing up and walking forward a bit.