EVELYN

CHAPTER TWO

Evelyn’s POV

The sunlight spilled through my curtains, painting everything in soft, golden light. Mornings like these were my favorite. Bright, quiet, and full of the little routines that made life feel steady. I stretched lazily in bed, yawning as I glanced at the clock. I still had plenty of time before school, but Mariana would probably already have breakfast ready.

I caught my reflection in the mirror as I walked to my closet. My dark brown hair cascaded in waves over my shoulders, slightly messy from sleep. My hazel eyes had a warmth to them today, glowing with the golden light of morning. I ran my fingers over the soft freckles that dotted my cheeks, a feature I had loved since I was little, and smiled faintly.

Grabbing my neatly pressed uniform—a pleated navy skirt and a crisp white blouse.
I changed quickly and tied my hair into a loose ponytail. A few strands escaped, curling around my face, but I liked the look.

I didn’t wear makeup for school; it felt like too much effort for a place that already demanded so much. But there was a lightness in my step as I headed downstairs, my shoes clicking softly against the hardwood floors.

---

“Good morning, Miss Evelyn,” Mariana greeted me in her usual soft, accented voice as I entered the kitchen. She had already set the table, and the smell of fresh toast and coffee lingered in the air.

“Morning, Mariana,” I said brightly, grabbing a piece of toast.

“You’re up earlier than usual,” she noted, her kind eyes crinkling at the corners.

“I’m trying to get better at not rushing last minute,” I said with a laugh. “I even remembered to finish my homework last night.”

Mariana chuckled as I wolfed down my breakfast and grabbed my bag. “Have a good day at school, Miss Evelyn.”
I gave her a warm smile.
"Help me kiss Mom and Dad goodmorning for me"
My last words as I left for school

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At School

The air was crisp as I stepped off the bus and joined the wave of students heading toward the main building. School was always buzzing in the mornings, a mix of laughter, chatter, and the occasional frantic sprint of someone who was running late.

“Evelyn!” Amber called, waving from our usual spot by the lockers. Amber’s short, fiery red hair made her stand out in any crowd. She was the loudest of us, always ready to crack a joke or pull us into some new scheme.

“Hey, I thought you weren’t coming,” Jasmine said, smiling warmly as I approached. Jasmine was the sweet one—her long, dark braids always perfectly done, her voice soft and comforting.

“Me? Miss a day?” I teased. “Never.”

“Yeah, right,” Maya scoffed playfully, adjusting her glasses. Maya was the practical one, always the voice of reason when Amber’s ideas got a little too wild.

The four of us made our way to class together, laughing about a video Amber had shown us. It was one of those moments I didn’t think too hard about—just being with my friends, feeling normal, like the world outside didn’t matter.

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Break Time

The courtyard buzzed with life as we settled under our usual spot by the oak tree. I plopped down on the grass, letting the sunlight warm my skin. Jasmine handed me half of her sandwich without a word, and I smiled in thanks.

“Okay, so,” Amber started, leaning in conspiratorially. “Did you hear about the new guy in our math class? Total ten out of ten.”

“Amber, everyone’s a ten to you,” Maya said, rolling her eyes.

“Not true! Anyway, Evelyn, you should go for him. You’re, like, the prettiest out of all of us.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Absolutely not.”

“Oh, come on,” Amber teased. “You could charm anyone with those eyes.”

A few chatters, two or three classes and I was back home.
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Back Home

The house was quiet when I got back. I dropped my bag by the door and kicked off my shoes, my steps echoing in the empty hallway. My dad’s study door was ajar, the low murmur of voices drifting out.

“Evelyn,” my father called as I passed. His voice had that edge of authority that made you stop in your tracks.

“Yes, Dad?” I said, poking my head into the room.

He was seated at his massive oak desk, papers spread out in front of him. Across from him sat Mr. Langston, his business partner, looking as polished and confident as ever.

“Mr. Langston and I are discussing the party next week,” my father said, glancing up at me. “We’ll be hosting some very important people at the estate, so I expect you to be on your best behavior.”

“Of course,” I said, forcing a polite smile.

Mr. Langston gave me that same smile he always did, the one that felt just a little too practiced. “It’ll be quite the event, Evelyn. I hope you’ll enjoy yourself.”

“I’m sure I will,” I replied, excusing myself quickly. Something about his gaze always made me uneasy, but I pushed the thought aside as I headed upstairs.