Evangeline (Unedited)

14

L U K A S
(Once the Angelos' get settled in NYC, and the plot moves away from her meeting everyone/figuring it all out, the chapter timeline will be more spaced out because I didn't realize I wrote pretty much just 14 chapters of her goofing around lol. I'll be doing the same w/ WGA. Sorry for the lack of updates... I have only one excuse; the sims. Enjoy reading!

Content warning: addiction, substances, eating)

There was a fine line between being rude and simply just being awkward, but for some reason, I could never seem to find it.

Alessandro had been asking me questions on the front porch, and what felt like I was being interrogated did eventually lighten up into more of a casual conversation about family, interests, childhoods, music; everything he could think of to ask, he did. I enjoyed it, though. It was weird talking to an actual human person so much, and then listening in return, as pathetic as that may sound.

"There are a few things we need to discuss before we return." Our previous laughter from the jokes we shared before settled as he took a deep breath, which I mimicked shortly after. "I am not one for many rules—though I'm sure the boys would disagree." Uh oh, rules. Mom and Brian always had a lot of them. Don't eat without permission, don't go out after school without permission, and keep the front and back doors locked at all times, don't talk to strangers, give information about me or my family, the basics. Even though we weren't, it always felt like we were hiding from something. It only got more annoying after Elio died. "No drugs or alcohol, which I hope you don't have a problem with but if you do, I would appreciate you letting me know now." He looks at me pointedly, and I bite my lip, thinking back to home.

My consciousness slipped away for a moment, and I felt like I was transported back to Chicago. I was sitting in my bedroom listening to the same radio hit over and over again to drown out the partying downstairs so I could do my mounds of homework, and read once I inevitably finished. Those nights were pretty unbearable, but the mornings made it better. There was something so blissful, so peaceful, about being the only one awake at some point. Or, at least feeling like I was. Crawling into my bed after hours of sitting on the floor, eyes barely open as I settle into the covers, my eyes drifting out the window as the sun paints the sky in hues of wildfires. The birds annoyingly chirping, but the cool breeze wafting the dewey smells of grass and, of course, smoke into my bedroom. Most people would hate having to fall asleep in the light, but I have always hated the dark. And knowing my back won't be turned away from my life for too long—even if the break was welcomed—, that I'd be awake and alert again in a couple hours for school, was like a dream to me.

Alessandro clears his throat, seemingly snapping himself out of his trance. The more I was around him, the more I saw the similarities between how we act. It was so odd, but that's what all of this was. Odd.

"Everyone in our family has a stringent set of rules, and we expect no different from you, alright?" Evie held back a grimace at that sentence, unsure what he meant. She, although had guesses, couldn't completely grasp what kind of family they were. If they were twisted, and dark, or loving albeit messy like she assumed. "We don't expect complete conformity right away as I am sure the adjustment will be a challenge for you."

The lenience provides minimal comfort as I nod, biting the inside of my cheeks. I wiggle my feet, feeling the cool air tickle my ankles. The sunsets were always gorgeous in Chicago, but they couldn't compare to this sight.

Vibrant colours of orange and pink and red filled the sky, the suns fading light kissing the rolling hills and the fluffy green trees. Birds danced in the air throughout the valley and it almost felt like I was sitting in a literal painting. One that would be hung in a museum or something.