Under the Grit

Here Comes the Sun

Evangeline stood in her bathroom, her hands working methodically as she swept a brush through her dark brown hair. The steady rhythm was soothing, a small attempt to ground herself as she prepared for whatever "surprise" Tilly had planned. She still wasn't sure how she felt about being dragged out of the house, but she couldn't deny that Tilly had been right-she needed a distraction, something to pull her out of the fog that had consumed her over the past few days.

As she set the brush down and reached for her mascara, her eyes caught the faint glint of silver around her neck in the mirror. She froze, her hand hovering mid-air, as the sight of the necklace Ben had given her hit like a punch to the gut.

You've been wearing it this whole time, she realized, her stomach twisting. The delicate chain, once a symbol of love and commitment, now felt like a weight dragging her down. She remembered the day he'd given it to her, the way he'd looked at her with what she thought was genuine adoration. But now, the memories were tainted, the lies and betrayals seeping into every corner of her mind.

Her fingers moved to the clasp almost on instinct, fumbling slightly in her haste to remove it. When the chain finally came loose, she snatched it off and held it in her hand, staring at it like it was something foreign and unwelcome.

The emotions she'd been suppressing all day surged forward-anger, sadness, bitterness-and before she could stop herself, she hurled the necklace onto the bathroom counter. It landed with a sharp clink, the sound echoing in the small space. Her chest heaved as she gripped the edge of the sink, her knuckles white against the cool porcelain.

It doesn't define you anymore, she told herself firmly, though her voice in her mind wavered. It's just a piece of metal. It's not who you are.

She took a shaky breath and straightened, forcing herself to look back into the mirror. Her green eyes were rimmed with unshed tears, but there was something else there too-a spark of determination that had been missing for far too long.

"Enough," she muttered under her breath, wiping at the corner of her eye. She wasn't going to let Ben's shadow linger over her tonight. This was her chance to move forward, even if it was just one small step.

Evangeline finished her makeup, slipping on a pair of boots to match her jeans and the simple black top she'd chosen. She hesitated only once, glancing back at the necklace on the counter before shaking her head and leaving it behind. It didn't belong to her anymore-not the woman she was trying to become.

She grabbed her bag and headed downstairs, where Tilly was waiting with a grin that promised trouble. "You ready?" Tilly asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Not really," Evangeline admitted, her lips quirking into a small, hesitant smile. "But let's do it anyway."

Tilly looped an arm through hers, pulling her toward the door. "That's the spirit. Trust me, you'll have fun tonight."

Evangeline followed Tilly out to the driveway, the cool night air brushing against her skin as they approached Tilly's car. The faint hum of crickets filled the silence, and for a brief moment, she felt a small pang of gratitude for the simplicity of it. It was a quiet reminder that the world hadn't completely fallen apart, even if hers felt like it had.

Tilly slid into the driver's seat, her grin as mischievous as ever, while Evangeline buckled in beside her. As the car hummed to life, Tilly glanced over with a knowing smile. "Don't look so nervous. You'll thank me later."

Evangeline raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms as she leaned back in the seat. "You keep saying that, but I'd feel better if I knew what I was walking into."

Tilly laughed, her tone light but teasing. "And ruin the surprise? Not a chance."

Evangeline narrowed her eyes, her lips twitching in reluctant amusement. "Not even a hint?"