Everly.

Bright lights.

Closing time. The best part of my work night, I finally get to drag myself away from the bar and back into the real world. My friends are all lined up outside the bar,  cheering when I finally make it out the door. Everyone seems to have had more than their fair share of liquor tonight, even her. Keeping a distance, she sends me a friendly wave. "So what are our plans for the rest of this lovely evening Hayden?" Why is it always up to me? " I have no idea, I didn't really plan on anything..." I never do anything after work, I walk a steady pace by to my apartment in hopes of winding down from the night, and throw myself into bed usually. "Lets go downtown, into the city, she's never even been there before!" Blondie says pointing at Everly. The group slowly starts getting excited at the idea, and I am not thrilled for what is about to happen next. "I hate going into the city, I would rather not join." Everyone shoots me a seemingly evil glare. "Fine." I agree, not because of the glare, but because of the beauty standing in the back of the group, looking at me with those big brown eyes.

We head down toward the Q train, and rush to make it aboard. There is only one train that heads into Manhattan at this hour, and it's the longest ride. Luckily the girls seemed a little anxious for the ride this late, so Everly takes a seat directly next to me and we all seem to squeeze onto one bench at this point. Everyone is picking up conversation as I turn to look at her and whisper "Is everything okay?" She can barely look up at me and reply " Yeah I am fine, just a little tired tonight." I feel like being an ass and asking her if she had a long night last night, but I hold it together. We finally make it into Manhattan around 3:45AM. We run off the train and up the stairs, as soon as we hit the top step the lights over take us and its an all consuming feeling. I guess that never goes away, seeing all the bright, flashing lights sprawled out street upon street for what seems like miles. Everly's mood has seemed to take a 180 when she shows off the biggest, brightest smile. Everyone, except myself of course, seem to be overly thrilled at all the commotion going on still. I grab her hand and we start our path onward toward some of the stores that still stay open this late. After a few stops, we slowly walk down Broadway and I let her just take a moment to let everything sink in. She seems so happy, almost in another world. I cannot seem to fight the feeling she has been giving me since only a mere 24 hours ago. "Thank you so much for coming with us, you definitely make this trip more enjoyable." My stomach begins to flutter, what is this? "Well, I am happy to help." More like, thank you for letting me be around you during your short stay in the city. We head down toward Battery Park, she has been bothering me for what seems like an hour to see the World Trade Center. I decide against better judgement, and take her. The group follows slowly behind us continuing some ridiculous argument on which alcohol is better. 

We finally make it past the World Trade Center and to Battery Park just before sunrise. The sight is truly amazing, I must admit myself. We walk around, and I agree to be the photographer for her five minute photo shoot. Its just her and I standing here overlooking to the Statue of Liberty. The night lights are starting to fade as the sun comes up just over the horizon. We are close enough for her to lean her head on my shoulder, and the feeling overcomes me again.  This is truly amazing, and I never want to let this feeling go.