Hawthornes always seemed to weave their way into Evelyn Hastings's life one way or another. Other than one persistent Hawthorne, Evelyn had never really spoken directly to any of them. But lately, a new Hawthorne has been appearing too much, prying...
There are no set requirements for normality, especially not in Fairview. Every family has their own thing.
The Singhs have been fearing for their lives the past five years because their oldest son allegedly killed Andrea Bell. He, in fact, did not do such a thing.
The Bell's oldest daughter, Andrea, was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend who, allegedly, later killed himself.
The Hastings family has quite a history of sickness. Before she was born, her older brother, Max, had Leukemia at around seven. Later once it had passed, they had Evelyn. Another nine years later came the twins, Maverick and James. At only two years old, Maverick was diagnosed with the same Leukemia that Max had had; James had no trace of it. On May 25th, 2012, the Leukemia was too strong and eventually took Maverick's life. Evelyn could always very vividly remember the faces of her family on the drive back from the hospital. Max hugged James who had no idea what was going on. Her father's knuckles were white from holding the steering wheel so tight. Her mother balled into her hands, sobs wracking her body.
They say that "hair holds memories". That's why Evelyn kept hers long, the memories of Mav and James as newborns tugging on her hair. At the time she would have been mad, but now she's happy they did that because she would never feel it again.
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"We're having another kid." Mom lowered her head. Evelyn turned to the left toward Max and found him gaping at their Mom, she turned to her right and James had a similar expression.
"What." Evelyn had recently come back from Ellingham Academy —the academy she had been invited to for her talent of art— to stay home for winter break, the thought of anything interesting let alone another kid never crossed her mind.
"We know it's a lot to take in," her father said, sitting up straighter. "But we think that it's finally time. It's been almost seven years and we're ready."
"Aren't you guys too old to be having kids? I thought they put a limit on how old you can be... especially with shipping it'll cost more..." James tried putting the pieces together. Sometimes Evelyn forgot that James was just an eight-year-old kid and didn't, well, understand this stuff.
"That's not how it works, James." Max rolled his eyes.
"Then how does it?" That shut Max up. He started looking around frantically, looking for help from someone.
"Yeah, Max? Care to share with the class?" She grinned and leaned back against the couch.
"No." He muttered embarrassed. Evelyn laughed before turning her attention back to her Mom and Dad.
"Do you have any name ideas?" Evelyn asked.
"Not really anything yet, but we're not too worried, we still have around four months—"
"Four months!?" James screeched. "I can't wait that long!" Before they could console him, he shot up from the couch and ran upstairs. Evelyn and her remaining family sat and waited for him to come back but he didn't.
