Before the Ever Green (BTEG #1) ✔️

Chapter 29

Not letting Mr. Lawson know I was here, was pretty easy. All I had to do was be quiet from 8, when he got home until 8:30 when he went to bed. Hena wasn't a problem, because she stayed in her room. Jaeger and Brit made their father dinner, to make him tired, so he'd go to bed early instead of working on paper work.

Now, all 4 of us are in Brit's room in a circle. There is a candle in the middle, on top of a small platter, so we don't burn down the building. No one is speaking a single word. It's up to Hena to break the silence with, "Why's it so quiet?"

We all laugh. She's only 2, but a very smart baby at that. She's a walking, talking 2 year old. "Hena, we just don't know what to say," Jaeger tries to explain.

"Well, say 'hi, my name is Jaeger', it's simple," she looks exasperated, like she is the only smart one in the room. She throws her arms up, "Geez." before walking out. I can't help but smiling. We close the circle, so I have Jaeger and Brit on either side of me.

"Hi I'm Addilyn."

"Hi I'm Brit."

"Hi I'm Jaeger."

Why do we always complicate things? Maybe Hena's right. All we had to say was 'hi'. People are always making things that are really easy seem super complicated, but why?

"So, how's life?" I ask, "You're living in a penthouse, now."

"I guess it's okay. My mom is dead, my dad might as well be dead, the dog likes to pee on me, Hena thinks I am hiding wings under my shirt, because apparently I fly away each night, oh and I am dating Josh Marshall."

"No freaking way," I say excited, "You had a poster of him when you were 7!"

"I'm glad I didn't tell him that on our first date," she laughs

"Wait a minute. You're still dating him?" Jaeger seems shocked, "I thought you broke up like a month ago!"

"Dear brother, Marissa told me she saw him kissing Angelina, but I talk to Angelina, and no...she wasn't because she was sick with the flu all month. He was kissing a manikin to practice for our date. So, no, we aren't broken up...but back together."

"It was probably Angelina, why would she tell the truth?"

"I asked her mom if she'd had the flu, and she said yes."

"Maybe her mom lied, too."

"Maybe you're just jealous because you don't have a girl friend, and the last time you did was when you were my age 2 years ago."

"You two are crazy," I say, "Why do you argue about everything?"

"I guess it's just what siblings do." Brit says, and Jaeger backs her up with, "It comes natural for siblings. Being as you haven't experienced it, I have to guess you are an only child."

I nod.

"Any sibling will tell you that you can't go a life time without pulling each others hair out. Most the time, you can't go a day. It just happens," Brit says.

I lay back against the frame of Brit's bed. They kind if ignore me after that, and continue to fight about who knows what. We finally decided to play truth or dare. Jaeger accused Brit of cheating, and then they got in a huge conversation.

I hear footsteps. Loud foot steps, "Guys." I say, but they don't hear me, I try again a little louder. Nothing, "Guys!" They turn to me the third time. In the silence they hear the footsteps, too.

"Into the closet," Brit tells me, practically shoving me in and closing the door, leaving a small crack. I'm not sure if it's accidental or on purpose. I can hear her door open, and footsteps walk in.

Mr. Lawson.

He is standing, looking down at his two children. Mad. "Could you two make any more noise?" He turns to Jaeger, "Jaeger! I thought you said you could be more responsible. To the beating room at 5 a.m. sharp. I have to be at work by 6." He turns to Brit, "I thought you were better than this. If you don't pick up this damn mess, I'll shave your head bald. There are a lot of people in this world who could use thick hair like yours. Think about that. I need better from the two of you!" I can see Brit touch her hair. Jaeger stiffens when his father looks at him. He looks over the both of them, before stomping out.

I don't want to come out of the closet.

I stand there for a few minutes, stunned. It's almost like they both didn't remember I was there. When I finally do come out, they both look at me, "I have a great life, now." Brit says, turning to pick up her stuff. I notice Jaeger already left.

"It could be a lot worse," I say, trying to cheer her up.

I can see tears in her eyes, and she lays her head on my shoulder. "Life would have been a lot better if I'd stayed when I was 7."

"Maybe, Maybe not. Everything happens for a reason. Remember that."

"Why did this happen?"

"The world would seem black and white without pain."

"I can deal with black and white,"

"It'd get pretty boring,"