Walk the Line

Chapter One

"Evelyn!" I hear James call.

"Yes, James?" I ask, I was at the Rogers' household with James. My daddy was right, I would like James. He's been my best friend for over 10 years.

The year was 1953 and stars were on the rise. Johnny Cash, June Carter, Elvis Presley, and Jerry Lee Lewis were the major musicians from Sun Records.

I walk to the bathroom from his bedroom. There stood James, his dark brown hair was cut neatly, his green eyes sparkling.

He had on a tux, which wasn't normal for James. He had another meeting with the Governor, and was bringing me along.

"Do I look okay?" He asks, his face looked worried.

"You look great, better then me." I say, laughing.

"You look beautiful." He says, wrapping me in a hug. I took in his scent. It had always made me feel safe.

"Thank you." I whisper as he let go.

My dirty blonde hair was curled, my dress with floral patterns, and a little bit of makeup on.

"I'm nervous, Evelyn..." he sighs.

He was the smartest boy I knew, he graduated when he was 15. A record for all of Alabama, and the governor noticed. He wanted James appointed for head chief of the air force.

"You'll be fine, James. Calm down." I reassure him.

"Bu-" he begins, but he's cut off as I press my lips to his.

I break away and he stands there. Stunned.

"Why'd you do that?" He asks, his face red.

"Calm down, James. You're overreacting." I say, calmly.

He slowly nods, then I realize something and begin laughing. My lipstick had smudged on his lips.

"What's so funny?" He asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Look in- the mirror." I say between laughs.

He slowly turns his head towards the mirror and began laughing himself.

"Now, Miss. Rylant, get this shit off my lips." He says, chuckling.

I reach for a wash cloth and dampen it, wiping the red lipstick off of his lips.

"You needed a good laugh, thank me." I say as I remove it.

"Evelyn, James! Ten minutes until y'all have to leave!" I hear Mr. Rogers call.

"Shit, Rylant! Get it off!!!" James whisper-screams.

"Calm down, it's off." I say, rinsing out the red stained wash cloth.

"Thank you." He says, sighing in relief.

"It's not like I'm going to let you walk into the governor's office looking like some weirdo." I say, wringing it out and hanging it to dry.

One last look in the mirror. I quickly reapply the red lipstick onto my lips. And look up at James.

"Now that you've had your time to freak out. Do I look horrible?!" I ask.

He rolls his eyes, "I already told you, you look absolutely beautiful. So beautiful that when we go into town I'll have to keep those fella's away from you, now c'mon." He says, slinging his arm around me and we begin walking to the kitchen.

There stood Mr. and Mrs. Rogers.

"C'mon love birds, ya' gotta go." Mr. Rogers says, slightly chuckling.