Everlasting

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Everly's POV
It's Saturday night and I couldn't sleep so I went downstairs. I was looking for a snack and I found a boxed brownie mix so I decided to start baking.

I'm halfway through slicing the brownies when mom walks in.

"Ev? What the hell are you doing?" Mom asks.

"I'm making chocolate chip brownies." I smile.

"Oh my god, it's midnight." Mom groans.

"You can go back to bed, mom. I'm fine here." I give her a thumbs up.

"Well now I see there's brownies..." mom trails off.

"You have to let me take an Instagram photo first and then you can have one." I tell her.

"You really are my mini me." Mom laughs as I take a photo.

"And you have only yourself to blame for that. And maybe dad for not sharing his genetics evenly." I grin, handing her a plate with a brownie.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm just glad we're not the same generation because your talent is unmatched. I wouldn't have had a chance." Mom hugs me.

"Ugh, why are you being so sappy?" I cringe.

"I don't know, why are you awake at 1 AM baking brownies?" Mom raises her eyebrow.

"Do I need a reason?" I ask.

"Sit down. Talk to me." Mom sits on the couch and taps the space next to her.

"I'm okay." I tell her as I sit down.

"I never suggested you weren't. What's going on?" Mom asks.

"I'm not really even sure." I say quietly.

"You're just feeling a bit off?" Mom asks.

"I think so." I nod.

"You know that's perfectly normal, right?" Mom laughs.

"No?" I look at her.

"Everly, honey, you're growing up. Your body is changing and your brain is developing and you're still learning so much all the time. I remember feeling very confused most of my teenage years." Mom smiles.

"Wait, really?" I ask.

"Definitely. It was me and Ari and Matt, just figuring things out together while being broadcast over the world." Mom chuckles.

"Yeah, you guys didn't have it easy." I say.

"We loved every second of it, baby. But it was difficult sometimes." Mom admits.

"You grew up too fast though. You always say that." I say.

"I did mature early on. Not even just physically. I stopped playing with Barbie's when I was about six. And I never wanted that for you kids. But you, Ev, you're a bit different." Mom says.

"Oh my god, am I adopted!?"

"What? No." Mom bursts out laughing. "No, baby. I just meant you've always been emotionally intelligent and we knew you were talented from when you were tiny."

"I got that from you and dad." I say.

"You did, yeah, but some of it is pure magic. You were playing piano by the time you were five. You were in ballet performances as soon as you could walk. And I'm pretty sure you were singing before you could talk." Mom kisses my head. "What I'm trying to say, is that even though you're already an incredible young woman, you have so far to go."

"It's a bit scary though, mom. There's a lot to do and a lot to think about and a lot to learn." I whisper.

"That's the point, darling. You have so much to learn. And it's okay that sometimes it feels overwhelming. You're growing into a real person and it can be scary, but it's also really beautiful." Mom hugs me.