Evan Farrington's Confession | ✔️

twenty-one

William was still walking to school with Evan which she took as a good sign. She had to assume that he didn't know it was her. There was no way he knew it had been her. The police would've been knocking at her door last night, ready to take her away. But he wasn't speaking much.

(you know who else doesn't speak much in rough patches)

(every patch is a rough patch nowadays)

(maybe next time he won't come back)

"What did you tell the police?" Evan asked as they passed a particularly thin patch of trees. The air was wet and shiny but clear, finally clear. And the morning was the lightest Evan had ever seen since arriving. Spring was at least trying to push winter out of the way. Failing miserably but trying.

William was nodding slowly, as if he was agreeing with Evan's question. She watched him as she waited for the answer. And waited. Every nod made a reply seem less likely.

"William?" she finally asked.

"Hmm?"

Evan held her breath in her chest.

(say it's nothing)

"It's n- " It's not nothing. "What did you tell the police?"

"I-" William started. His mouth formed the start of various words but no sound came out. Evan tried to keep her face impassive. If she kept a logical expression, maybe her mind would stop jumbling itself into senselessness.

Because there was no way he knew it had been her; there had some other reason for not wanting to tell her. He didn't want to scare her, that had to be it. She hadn't exactly presented herself as being the most stable.

(you aren't the most stable)

(murdered a man and all you can think about is yourself)

Evan inhaled slowly and quietly through her nose. The voice was distinctly Emperor-y but she knew it wasn't them. Her chest was warm in her jacket and her mind felt relatively clear and steady.

"What happened to your hand?" William finally asked.

"My hand?" She lifted it to her eyeline. The bandage reminded her that she had a bandage on her hand. "My hand."

"Yeah dude, what did you do? Looks like more than a paper cut."

Evan laughed slightly. "Yeah, it's... nothing. Did you hear my question before about-"

"Hey, listen, Lee's having a bonfire in the woods on Saturday, you wanna come?" William asked. Evan took a quick breath.

(drop. it.)

"Lee... Do I know him?" Evan asked. Her arm ached at the name. "Is he the one that walked into me?"

William's face knotted into a frown. "You remember that, huh? Look, he's not that bad."

"Um," Evan swallowed. "Yeah, why not. My mum will want me to get out the house for once."

William's face split into a relieved grin. "Okay, awesome. Shall I pick you up tonight?"

"Sure."

(bad idea)

(the woods with the shoes the shoes in the woods)

(think it through evan think it through)

She had thought it through; at least as far as she wanted. The shoes were hidden in thick trees, only a complete idiot would have a bonfire there. Evan's forced smile gradually became natural as they approached the school.

William held open the door for Evan to walk through. The corridor was lined with clusters of students.

"So how-" William started, his voice relaxed once more.

"Hey Will!" a voice called from ahead of them. William grimaced as Lee jogged up to face them. After shooting Evan a scornful look, he turned his attention to William. "Have you got it?"

William cleared his throat. "Got what?"

"Christ Will, you know what. Just bring it to the party okay?"

William inhaled sharply before nodding. Lee smirked unpleasantly.

"Sweet," he said then sprinted down the corridor, calling after a girl about to turn the corner.

Evan looked at William who was rubbing his temples. "Got what?"

He cleared his throat again. "What? Oh, nothing. No idea." He lifted his arms with an inhale then slapped the sides of his legs. "What a dick-splat," he mumbled.

Evan snorted with laughter and the air lightened what felt like ten kilos. "See you after school then."

William grinned at her a little weakly. "See you." 

--

Are we falling in love with William? I know I am.

Love always,

-pinknaails

xx