Before the Ever Green (BTEG #1) ✔️

Chapter 27

Apparently rocks are more comfortable than they appear, because I fell asleep. My eyes are closed, and I honestly don't want to open them. I shift my hand, eyes still closed, so I am sitting up. I blink a few times, trying to make my vision more clear to see the object in front of me.

A man with black hair and blue eyes is standing in front of me. "Who are you?" I ask, shocking him.

"Who are you?" He asks

"A person, a living human being, "

He laughs a little, "I know you are a person, but what is your name?"

"What is yours?"

"I asked you first," he says

"Technically, I asked you first."

He looks flabbergasted, and I can't help but laugh. "What's technical? My name is Jaeger. What is yours?"

I sigh, getting off the rock and whipping off my dress of leaves and dirt, "Addilyn," I say

"Have we met?"

"I don't believe so, why would we have? I don't live around here."

"If you don't live here, than might I ask...what are you doing here?"

"Visiting friends," which wasn't a total lie, being as Tobi, the twins, Maxwell and Clinton were kind of friends now.

"Well, Addilyn, are you rushed or could you join me for lunch at the capital building?"

"I'm not rushed, and I am pretty hungry." I lie. I need to know more people, and if he can take me to the capital building, I might get to know something about my power. It is clear Mr. O'Riley doesn't want to tell me anything important.

"Good, I mean not good that your hungry, but that you can join me,"

I laugh a little, "I know what your meant,"

"So, tell me about yourself."

"There's not much to tell, I am pretty much who you see on the outside," I lie, again. Clinton made me realize I have a lot to tell, but I really don't want to tell all my secrets to a complete stranger who I only know the name of, Jaeger.

"I'm sure there is more to you than what I see, but I respect your decision not to tell me."

"Thank you,"

"Here we are," he says when we reach a building that looks to be 50 stories tall. It is mostly glass, and has plants all around the outside. "It's home,"

"You live here?"

"Yeah, my Dad is head of the capital."

"Your Dad is Mr. Lawson?"

"I know it may come as a shock, and I understand if you don't want to have lunch with me now, knowing this. Most people don't. Most people think my dad is a tyrant, who is ruling America like a king, but he's not all that bad—"

"I'm not everyone," I cut him off

"Technically, I never said you were. But, I am glad you'll still have lunch with me. Oh—are you allergic to dogs?"

"Not that I know of,"

"Do you like babies?"

As odd as a question as it was, I lit up when he asked. I love babies. They usually like me, until there parents drag them away from me, because 'I am a monster'.

He smiles, grabbing my arm and practically dragging me inside and to the elevator. He only releases his grip when the door closes behind us, "You'll love Hena, my little sister. She just turned two and spoke her first sentence, 'I love Jaeger',"

I laugh, "Aren't babies first words usually about parents? Like mama or dada?"

"My mom passed away during child birth and Dad's always busy at work, so I am kind of like her parent, when Dad's not around. Not that Dad pays any attention to the 3 of us."

"Three?"

"I have 2 sisters. I'm the eldest."

"Who's your second sister?"

He sighs, "I don't like to talk about her. She used to live with my Aunt up north. When she was 7 or 8 she moved back here, and our Aunt made up a crazy story about why she wasn't there anymore. My Aunt was a little crazy. She doesn't have a big story and mostly stays to herself, because when she moved back, she lost her best friend."

"I'm sorry to hear that,"

"Maybe I can convince her to come down for lunch, I doubt it, though."

"I'd love to meet her," I say as the elevator door opens to a room full of couches and statues. The carpet is blue and the walls are white, well those that aren't glass.

I hear a squeal, an a little toddler comes hobbling in with arms wide open. She has blue eyes like Jaeger but instead of dark hair, she has blonde hair. Jaeger squats down to give Hena a hug and smile, "How have you been, Hena?"

"I didn't kill her, if that's what your asking," a welcoming voice says. I turn around to see long black hair and familiar blue eyes. She looks shocked to see me, and I can tell why. But, I can't imagine how I look. Brit was supposed to be dead.

"Addilyn? What ate you doing here?" She asks

"You two know each other?" Jaeger asks

"We were best friends, until she died when we were 7," I say

"You're the friend from Brit's story?"

"Who she?" Hena asks, tugging on Jaeger's blue t-shirt. He rubs his forehead. I don't blame him for being confused. I would be too. I am confused, and I know what's going on better than he does, I think.

How crazy is this day?